This article contains spoilers from the Solo Leveling manhwa.
In Solo Leveling, there’s nothing more satisfying than seeing Jin-Woo crush his opponents one after another. Upon mastering his newfound powers, he quickly becomes an unstoppable force, along with his strongest and loyal shadows. No enemy or hunter, no matter how formidable, can withstand Jin-Woo's overwhelming strength on the battlefield, as shown in the first two seasons of Solo Leveling.
However, when Solo Leveling Season 3 drops, a new Sung Jin-Woo will arrive. This character possesses the same powers as Sung Jin-Woo, from the ability to control the dead down to lethal efficiency in combat that has allowed the strongest Korean hunter to dominate every fight, ensuring that this new Sung Jin-Woo is as good as him. Who is this character and is he truly Jin-Woo's equal? Let’s find out.
The First Shadow Monarch Could Appear in Solo Leveling Season 3
Jin-Woo’s Powers Belong to the First Shadow Monarch
- The first Shadow Monarch, Ashborn, is the original King of the Dead.
- The first Shadow Monarch possesses the same powers as Jin-Woo.
Solo Leveling Seasons 1 and 2 have shown Jin-Woo's accelerated growth from an E-rank hunter to an absolute force of nature who refuses to give up and accept defeat. Anime fans also witnessed Sung Jin-Woo's toughest fights, from the showdown with Igris in the Job-Change Quest to the one-sided fight with the Ant King on Jeju Island. However, the anime has yet to expose the origin of Jin-Woo's terrifying powers.
Solo Leveling Season 3 could be that long-awaited chapter, revealing the origins of Jin-Woo's abilities and its real owner. Before Jin-Woo became the Shadow Monarch, there was Ashborn, otherwise known to manhwa fans as the King of the Dead and the Greatest Fragment of Brilliant Light turned Monarch of the Shadows. He is one of the creations of the Absolute Being, someone who possesses unmatched loyalty to his creator.
Now, Ashborn could make an appearance in Solo Leveling Season 3, particularly in the Double Dungeon story arc, where Jin-Woo would face Ashborn’s servant, Kandiaru. With the system allowing Jin-Woo to revisit Ashborn’s memories, the two Shadow Monarchs who possess the same power over the dead could finally see eye-to-eye. If so, this would be the first time Jin-Woo will meet his equal in Solo Leveling.
The First Shadow Monarch Is Jin-Woo's Ultimate Equal
Ashborn Chooses Jin-Woo as His Human Vessel
Just like the first Shadow Monarch, Sung Jin-Woo has overcome insurmountable odds in his life and hunter career. Ashborn, as the original Shadow Monarch, was left for dead by his comrades, yet he rose from betrayal and despair to become a powerful being, whereas Jin-Woo was also left behind in the Cartenon Temple, forced to confront death and betrayal alone.
It goes without saying that Ashborn's journey parallels Jin-Woo's in many ways, which is probably one of the reasons why the first Shadow Monarch resonated with and stood by him. With Ashborn choosing Jin-Woo as his human vessel, he not only entrusted him with his powers but also the responsibility to shape the future. Seeing Jin-Woo persevere gives him hope that the Shadow Monarch’s influence would continue through someone worthy of the title.
I will return to rest. But you, the Shadow Monarch, will live an imperishable life. Thus, the crossing of our paths is unlikely.—Ashborn, the First Shadow Monarch to Jin-Woo
Unlike the other ambitious Monarchs who chose to ascend into the human world, the original Shadow Monarch did not hesitate to give Jin-Woo his complete trust and full power. And in Solo Leveling Season 3, Ashborn is expected to bestow Jin-Woo a major part of his full power not only to defy the creator of the System but also to prepare him for the upcoming battles with the rest of the Monarchs ahead.
The First Shadow Monarch Is Now Retired
Jin-Woo Succeeds the First Shadow Monarch
Once the original Shadow Monarch has fulfilled his purpose in Solo Leveling, retirement becomes achievable, as Jin-Woo carries his trust, power, vision, and legacy forward. There’s no need for Ashborn to intervene further, as his chosen successor is more than capable of facing any threat and shaping the world on his behalf. He would be free from the burdens of war and conflict between the Rulers and the Monarchs that once defined his identity.
On the flip side, Jin-Woo is set to inherit Ashborn’s full power near the end of Solo Leveling. This means that fans who expect to see Jin-Woo at his absolute best in Season 3 might not get what they want, with the true scope of Ashborn’s abilities only gradually revealed. For now, fans will have to wait for further updates about Solo Leveling Season 3, as neither the production committee nor the creator has yet to provide details on the release date and how the story will unfold.
- Release Date
- 2024 - 2025-00-00
- Network
- Tokyo MX, Gunma TV, BS11, Tochigi TV
- Directors
- Tatsuya Sasaki, Toru Hamasaki
- Writers
- Shigeru Murakoshi, Shingo Irie, Fuka Ishii
Cast
-
Taito BanSung Jin-woo -
Genta NakamuraYoo Jin-ho
A-1 Pictures' Solo Leveling is an anime based on Chugong's popular web novel. Set in an unforgiving fantasy world where hunters explore dungeons filled with monsters, the vulnerable Sung Jinwoo gains a significant power boost after he is picked to be a solo player by the System.
- Creator(s)
- Chugong
- Number of Episodes
- 25
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.28 (Season 1); 8.86 (Season 2)
- Where To Watch
- Crunchyroll
