Solo Leveling's powerscaling changes constantly as more and more hunters are introduced, though not all the intimidating powers are present at the time of writing this article. Strength in this particular point in time is determined by what has been demonstrated, suggested, and supported by reputation in the current phase of the story. That difference is important in a world where hype in most cases exceeds payoff.
This ranking is limited to characters who have shown the power, authority, and presence on the battlefield to the extent that they can control other hunters and monsters at this stage of the story. There are those already confirmed as powerful, and there are those still awaiting their time, but these characters show the highest limit of power that Solo Leveling has to offer right now.
Solo Leveling: The S-Rank Korean Hunters, Explained
Korea's ten S-Rank hunters stand at the peak of power, each possessing unique abilities that shape the world of Solo Leveling.
8 Choi Jong-In
|
Class |
Mage |
|---|---|
|
Guild |
Hunters Guild |
|
Rank |
S-Rank |
Choi Jong-In made his reputation as the most destructive mage in Korea by sheer destructive output. His fire magic works on a scale that few hunters can imagine, able to strike down large troops of his enemies within seconds. He has one of the highest raw damage capabilities among Korean S-Ranks.
The only thing that holds Choi in the eighth place is not being weak, but specialization. His strength shines brightest in restrained plays where the result is determined by overwhelming force. Against huge magic beasts or hunters designed to combat at close quarters, such an advantage becomes less. Nevertheless, at this stage in the story, few can match his offensive presence.
7 Cha Hae-In
|
Class |
Fighter |
|---|---|
|
Guild |
Hunters Guild |
|
Rank |
S-Rank |
Cha Hae-In was one of the most powerful active hunters in Korea, and was so much of a threat that the Ant King made an instant attack on her during the Jeju Island Raid. Speed, accuracy, and her intent to kill made her an immediate priority threat.
Although it is already indicated that characters like Hwang Dong-Su might be even better, nothing is proven at this point. Cha is a strong hunter whose power is demonstrated, seen, and respected on the battlefield.
6 Go Gun-Hee
|
Class |
Fighter |
|---|---|
|
Guild |
Retired |
|
Rank |
S-Rank |
The real power of Go Gun-Hee is one of the major questions in Solo Leveling that has not been answered yet. What was known, however, is of great importance: he was well known as the strongest hunter in Korea before his retirement. The mere sight of him is enough to intimidate S-Ranks and international personalities.
What brings him here is his legacy, not his present accomplishments. Although there is no active combat to go off of, it's hinted that his coming back into the fold would cause a significant change in the balance of power. That time has not yet come, but there's no doubt that it will.
5 Goto Ryuji
|
Class |
Fighter |
|---|---|
|
Guild |
Blade Guild |
|
Rank |
S-Rank |
One of the most hyped characters before the Jeju Island Raid was Goto Ryuji. Being the best hunter and the boss of the Blade Guild in Japan, the expectations were tremendous. Although he died at the Ant King's hands rather quickly, the fact that he was able to stand his ground initially without hesitation showed he truly was the strongest among the Blade Guild.
Other Blade Guild hunters were slain immediately, without demonstrating anything whatsoever. Goto, at least, was the only man at the head of the Japanese hunter hierarchy. His defeat shows off the ridiculous power of the Ant King, rather than reflecting poorly on his own abilities.
Solo Leveling: The Best Villains, Ranked
The Solo Leveling manhwa is full of complex, fascinating villains. These are the best that Sung Jinwoo finds himself up against.
4 The Ant King (Beru)
|
Class |
Magic Beast(Insect) |
|---|---|
|
Guild |
N/A |
|
Rank |
S-Rank |
The Ant King symbolizes one of the most excessive power jumps that has been created so far. His pace, his wit, and sheer physical superiority enabled him to tear the elite hunters to shreds with frightening ease. Whole plans failed as soon as he set foot on the battleground.
The thing that makes Beru particularly scary is the ease with which he changed in the middle of the battle. S-Rank coordination did not even stop him. At this point in the narrative, few creatures could live to see the Ant King, much less to confront him in an open battle.
3 Sung Jinwoo
|
Class |
Necromancer |
|---|---|
|
Guild |
Ahjin Guild |
|
Rank |
S-Rank |
This rank for Jinwoo does not represent his ultimate potential in the story, but just his present stage of development. His growth rate is still unbelievable, and his shadow army has grown in size and capabilities. Every confrontation brings him even more outside the bounds of a conventional hunter.
Adaptability is what makes Jinwoo stand out among others here. He does not just slay the foes but consumes them, learns from them, and returns as a stronger man. Although he is yet to reach his ceiling, Jinwoo is already among the most lethal living beings.
2 Liu Zhigang
|
Class |
Fighter |
|---|---|
|
Guild |
Gold Dragon Guild(Formerly) |
|
Rank |
National Level Hunter |
Liu Zhigang is among the most powerful national-level hunters who can only be compared to Thomas Andre. In contrast to Thomas, Liu is more or less a damage specialist and has the reputation of being Asia’s strongest hunter, and his disappointment of not being able to fight the Ant King after seeing how he easily killed over a dozen S-rank hunters means he knew he was stronger than the Ant King.
Though not much is known about him at this point, it’s fair to say that with just one scene, fans already love him and want to see him in action.
1 Thomas Andre
|
Class |
Tanker |
|---|---|
|
Guild |
Scavenger Guild |
|
Rank |
National Level Hunter |
At this point in Solo Leveling, Thomas Andre is the undisputed pinnacle of hunters in the anime. Dealing with the Jeju Island raid was initially intended to be handled by Thomas, but his charging an unrealistic amount of money forced Korea to initiate the raid.
The thing that puts Thomas Andre at the top is the hype built up around him. With sufficient motivation, he would be capable of taking down all catastrophic operations, such as the Jeju Island operation, by himself. Thomas Andre is considered the strongest hunter in the series thus far, but many fans believe Jinwoo to be stronger than him after the Jeju Island raid, as his shadow army can easily overwhelm Thomas even if he's stronger than Jinwoo, which only time will tell at this point.
- 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.
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- A-1 Pictures
- Producers
- Kanako Takahashi, Kang Kyewon, Kim Ayoung, Park Jin-hae, Sota Furuhashi
- Based On
- Manhwa
- Creator
- Chugong
- Number of Episodes
- 25
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.28 (Season 1); 8.86 (Season 2)
- Creator(s)
- Chugong
- Where To Watch
- Crunchyroll
- Executive Producer(s)
- Asa Suehira, Kwak Hae-eun, Masanori Miyake
