Solo Leveling: 10 Best Characters, Ranked

Since its premiere in 2016, Solo Leveling has developed a massive global fandom thanks to its memorable characters and fantastic artwork. For those new to the series, Solo Leveling centers around Sung Jin-Woo, an average hunter stuck at the lowest rank. After a mysterious encounter leaves him with incredible powers, Jin-Woo finds himself able to level up and gradually becomes the strongest hunter around.

With shadowy monsters threatening humanity, the spotlight is on Jin-Woo to step up and protect the planet. Yet a hero is only as captivating as their supporting cast. While Jin-Woo propels much of the action, the webtoon succeeds through its cast of unique and complex figures.

Solo Leveling

Release Date

April 10, 2023

Author

Chugong

10 Choi Jong-In

Guild Master Of The Hunters Guild

Best Traits:

• Choi Jong-In is a Master Mage
• He is literally a Chessmaster in Action
• Choi Jong-In is also an Eagle-Eyed Observer

Choi Jong-In is a powerful S-Rank Hunter and the Guild Master of the Hunters Guild, one of the most prominent guilds in South Korea. He has an air of authority and leadership, dressed professionally in suits most of the time. Despite this demeanor, Choi is shown to have a softer side, especially when it comes to people he cares about. Choi Jong-In is an S-Rank Mage-type Hunter, meaning he specializes in long-range attacks.

His magic is fire-based, enabling him to manipulate and control fire. He can create fireballs, fire streams, and other forms of fire-based attacks. His skill at manipulating fire is so advanced that he can control its heat, allowing him to use his powers even in places filled with flammable materials without causing unnecessary destruction. Choi Jong-In is one of the characters who recognizes Sung Jin-Woo’s potential early on and even proposes a partnership, highlighting his strategic mind and ability to recognize talent.

9 Beru

The Ant King

Best Traits:

• Beru is known for his Absolute Loyalty
• He has Incredible Adaptability Thanks To His Ant Heritage
• He is Also Popular Among Fans For His Endearing Naivety

Beru initially appears as an enemy, known as the Ant King, in the Jeju Island Arc. He is the strongest of the ants born on Jeju Island and poses a significant threat to the human hunters. After being defeated by Sung Jin-Woo, Beru is resurrected as a Shadow Soldier and becomes one of Jin-Woo’s most powerful and loyal subordinates. Beru possesses extraordinary strength, speed, and durability.

He is a formidable opponent, even for S-Rank hunters. After becoming a Shadow Soldier, his strength grows even more, and he gains additional abilities. Beru displays immense loyalty towards Sung Jin-Woo, who he refers to as his “King”. This is a significant shift from his time as the Ant King. Beru becomes an essential ally to Sung Jin-Woo, aiding him in numerous battles and playing a crucial role in the plot’s progression.

8 Thomas Andre

Guild Master Of The Scavenger Guild

Best Traits:

• Thomas Has A Fear-Inducing Presence
• He’s Known For His Titanic Strength
• Thomas is a Leader of Men

Thomas Andre is a large, muscular man with a commanding presence. He is an S-Rank Hunter and the Guild Master of the Scavenger Guild, based in the United States. Known for his immense power, he is often regarded as one of the strongest hunters globally. His primary ability amplifies his strength and allows him to exert a strong aura that can intimidate and suppress others.

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The full range and extent of his abilities are immense. Thomas Andre is characterized by his confidence and assertiveness, often appearing brash and straightforward. But he is a man of his word, we can say. Thomas Andre plays a significant role in the latter parts of Solo Leveling, especially during the International Guild Conference and the events that follow.

7 Igris

The Shadow Knight

Best Traits:

• Igris Is Depicted as a Stalwart Warrior
• He is a Silent Guardian Who Talks Through His Actions
• Because of His Skills, Igris is Swift as the Wind

Igris depicted as a large, armored knight wielding a large sword. As a Shadow Soldier, Igris is incredibly powerful. He possesses great strength and skill in swordsmanship, making him one of Sung Jin-Woo’s most formidable soldiers. He can also use the skill of telekinesis. Igris is characterized by his unwavering loyalty to Sung Jin-Woo.

He is usually silent and does not show much emotion, but his dedication to protecting his master is clear through his actions. Despite being a shadow, he shows signs of individuality and understanding, following his master’s orders to the letter and even showing initiative when needed.

6 Woo Jin-Chul

Chairman Of The Korean Hunters Association

Best Traits:

• Woo Jin-Chul Is Eagle-Eyed Detective Who Can Catch Minute Details
• As a High Profile Member of The Association, He Is a Skilled Diplomatic Communicator
• Woo Jin-Chul’s Demeanor Proves He’s Calm in the Storm

Woo Jin-Chul is a former Chief of the Monitoring Division and current Chairman of the Korean Hunters Association after Go Gun-Hee. He has a calm and steady gaze, portraying his serious and thoughtful personality. Although his specific abilities are not highlighted as much as those of the S-Rank Hunters in the series, it’s clear that he possesses considerable strength and combat skills, as well as a keen understanding of the hunter system.

Woo Jin-Chul’s role in the Solo Leveling series involves monitoring and managing the activities of hunters, especially those of high ranks. He is often seen interacting with Sung Jin-Woo, acknowledging Jin-Woo’s unique abilities, and assisting him in various situations. Despite the difference in their power levels, Woo Jin-Chul and Sung Jin-Woo develop mutual respect for each other, and Woo Jin-Chul becomes one of the few people Jin-Woo trusts.

5 Baek Yoon-Ho

Guild Master Of The White Tiger Guild

Best Traits:

• Baek Yoon-Ho Is A Perceptive Judge of Character
• Because Of His Animalistic Skills, He has got Sharp Instincts
• He Is a Shape-Shifter Who Can Turn Into A White Tiger
• Baek Yoon-Ho Takes a Balanced Approach Toward Everything

Baek Yoon-Ho is an S-Rank Hunter and the Guild Master of the White Tiger Guild, which is one of the top three guilds in South Korea. His primary ability is to transform into a white tiger, a form in which his physical strength and speed are significantly enhanced.

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His transformation ability also gives him increased durability and resilience. He starts off as a somewhat self-centered and brash S-Rank Hunter but his character arc sees him evolve into a more compassionate, thoughtful, and selfless leader. Baek Yoon-Ho also has a humorous side that provides comic relief in tense moments.

4 Cha Hae-In

Vice-Guild Master of the Hunters Guild

Best Traits:

• She Has A Sensitive Nose
• Cha Is Elegant and Graceful
• She is an Exceptional Swordswoman

With her elegant demeanor and striking features, Cha Hae-In stands out in the largely male-dominated world of S-Rank Hunters. However, it’s not just her looks that set her apart. Cha Hae-In has a heightened sense of smell, which allows her to perceive the scent of magical energy from other hunters. This scent is usually unpleasant to her, leading to physical discomfort and even nausea in the presence of other magic users.

How I could ever tell him…I want you by my side until I draw my last breath?

However, Sung Jin-Woo is an exception. She finds his magical energy’s scent not only tolerable but also strangely attractive. This unique dynamic is one of the things that piques Cha Hae-In’s interest in Jin-Woo and serves as a basis for their growing relationship throughout the series. Cha Hae-In is a skilled combatant, and her agility and precision in battles are remarkable, and she can hold her ground against powerful magical beasts.

3 Go Gun-Hee

Former Chairman Of Korean Hunters Association

Best Traits:

• Go Gun-Hee Is an Inspirational Figure To The Korean Hunters
• He Has A Strategic Mind
• Go Gun-Hee Is Also A Selfless Protector

Go Gun-Hee is an elderly man, often seen in formal attire befitting his position as the former Chairman. Despite his advanced age, he exudes an aura of authority and determination. His sharp gaze is usually accompanied by a stern expression, reflecting his serious and disciplined nature.

Someday…you’ll have to make a decision. But when that day comes…please continue to stand on the side of humanity.

He effectively manages the country’s hunters, often making crucial decisions to maintain the balance of power and ensure the safety of the public. His belief in Jin-Woo’s abilities and his willingness to bend traditional rules for the greater good often act as catalysts for Jin-Woo’s growth as a hunter.

2 Sung Jin-Woo

From Zero To Hero: The Hunter Who Can Level Up

Best Traits:

• Jin-Woo Is Stoic and Resolute
• He Has Unyielding Determination Even Before The Transformation
• We See His Unparalleled Growth In The Story

When we first meet Jin-Woo, he is known as the World’s Weakest Hunter. Despite his E-Rank status, he is determined to risk his life in the dungeons because of his financial situation and his need to pay for his mother’s medical bills. His persistence in the face of constant defeat and danger is a testament to his resilient spirit.

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After a deadly encounter in the dungeon, he discovers he has become a player, gaining the ability to see a user interface only visible to him that guides his growth. This system allows him to level up, increasing his strength, speed, stamina, and other physical attributes, and even learn new skills, making him more powerful with every monster he kills and every mission he accomplishes.

1 Ashborn

Shadow Monarch

Best Traits:

• Ashborn Has Solemn Dignity
• He’s the Sacrificial Spirit Who Protected Everything With His Life
• Since The Beginning, He’s Got A Mysterious Persona

Ashborn is one of the Monarchs, who are powerful beings from another dimension. He is known as the “Shadow Monarch” (and the King of the Dead) due to his unique ability to control shadows. Unlike the other Monarchs who seek to destroy the human world, Ashborn has a different perspective, which eventually leads him to choose Sung Jin-Woo as his successor.

I Am The Record Of Your Struggles, The Evidence Of Your Resistance, And The Reward Of Your Sufferings. I Am Death, I Am Eternal Rest, I Am Terror

As the Shadow Monarch, Ashborn possesses immense power. His most notable ability is to control the dead, allowing him to raise and command an army of shadow soldiers. These soldiers are created from the shadows of defeated foes, and their strength is proportionate to their power when they are alive. This ability is passed on to Sung Jin-Woo and becomes the main source of his power.

Release Date	Chapter Count	Status	Where to Read
March 4, 2018	200	Completed	Tappytoon

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