Solo Leveling Characters: Full List, Powers, & Strongest Ranked

Exploring the most powerful Solo Leveling Characters is essential if you’ve followed Sung Jinwoo’s journey from the ‘Weakest Hunter of All Mankind’ to the Shadow Monarch, where the power ceiling is constantly shattering.

With Season 2 (‘Arise from the Shadow’) now concluded and rumors of a 2026 theatrical movie or Season 3 on the horizon, the stakes have never been higher. Whether you’re curious about the legendary National Level Hunters, the mysterious Monarchs, or the new protagonist of the Ragnarok sequel, Sung Suho, this guide covers the stats, heights, and trivia every fan needs.

Spoiler Warning: This guide contains details from Anime Seasons 1 and 2, plus minor power-scaling details from the manhwa.

Quick Look: Solo Leveling Main Cast

This table provides a snapshot of the heavy hitters you’ll see dominating the screen in the early to mid-series.

The Main Protagonist

The heart of the series is a masterclass in character transformation. We follow a young man who wasn’t just weak, but famously the “frailest” in a world of superhumans, only to see him break the very rules of reality.

Sung Jinwoo

• Rank: S-Rank (Shadow Monarch)
• Key Powers: Shadow Extraction, Stealth, Infinite Growth, Longevity.
• Height: 185 cm (Post-Evolution)
• Age: ~24
• Personality: Analytical, stoic, and fiercely protective.

Sung Jinwoo is the only hunter in the world capable of “leveling up” through a mysterious System. He begins as a scrawny E-Rank standing at 174 cm, but his physical and mental transformation is the core of the series. Unlike typical heroes who rely on the power of friendship, Jinwoo is a realist who isn’t afraid to be ruthless to ensure survival. His primary power, Shadow Extraction, allows him to turn fallen enemies into loyal soldiers, effectively making him a one-man army that grows stronger with every kill.

High-Ranking Human Hunters

While Jinwoo occupies a league of his own, the S-Rank hunters of the world represent the peak of human potential. These individuals serve as both allies and measuring sticks for Jinwoo’s ever-increasing power.

Cha Hae-In

• Rank: S-Rank
• Key Powers: Sword Dance, Mana Smell, Light-speed Reflexes.
• Height: 172 cm
• Age: ~23
• Personality: Diligent, observant, and socially reserved.

As the Vice-Guild Master of the Hunters Guild, Cha Hae-In is the strongest female hunter in South Korea. She possesses a unique sensory ability that allows her to “smell” the mana of other hunters, a scent she usually finds foul. Jinwoo is the only person who smells pleasant to her, sparking her initial curiosity. In combat, she uses a rapier-style sword with blinding speed. Her “Sword Dance” skill allows her to strike multiple times in a single second, making her the ultimate speed-type specialist.

Go Gunhee

• Rank: S-Rank (Chairman of the Association)
• Key Powers: Immense Mana Pressure, Spiritual Body Manifestation.
• Height: 180 cm
• Age: 70s

Chairman Go Gunhee is a legendary figure who oversees all hunter activity in Korea. Though his body is weakened by age and a heart condition, he holds the power of a “Ruler.” If he were in his prime, he would be classified as a National Level Hunter. He serves as a mentor and political shield for Jinwoo, recognizing the young hunter’s potential early on and protecting him from the internal politics of the various hunting guilds.

Yoo Jinho

• Rank: D-Rank
• Key Powers: Defensive Gear Mastery, High Business Intelligence.
• Height: 178 cm
• Age: ~22
• Personality: Loyal, cheerful, and persistent.

Yoo Jinho is Jinwoo’s first true ally and the Vice-Guild Master of the Ahjin Guild. While he lacks offensive combat power, he makes up for it with unwavering loyalty and expensive, top-tier armor. Jinho provides the emotional heart of the series, acting as the bridge between Jinwoo’s god-like status and the normal human world. His business savvy allows Jinwoo to focus on fighting while Jinho handles the logistics and paperwork of a major guild.

The Shadow Army (Jinwoo’s Elite Guards)

Perhaps the most iconic aspect of Solo Leveling is the Shadow Army. These are not just mindless summons; they are resurrected warriors who retain distinct personalities and a fanatical devotion to their new master.

Igris

• Grade: Knight Grade (Later Grand-Marshal)
• Key Powers: Telekinetic Sword Control, Expert Swordsmanship.
• Height: 190 cm
• Personality: Noble, silent, and chivalrous.

Igris was the final boss of the Job Change Quest in Season 1. After being extracted, he became Jinwoo’s most reliable knight. Igris is famous for his “gentleman warrior” energy; he often bows to Jinwoo after victories and even cleans up the battlefield for his master. He represents the tactical side of the Shadow Army, using refined technique and speed rather than raw, mindless power.

Beru

• Grade: Marshal Grade
• Key Powers: Flight, Predator (Skill Absorption), High-level Healing.
• Height: ~190 cm
• Personality: Fanatical, protective, and vocal.

Born from the Jeju Island Raid boss, Beru is the first shadow capable of human speech. He is a terrifying predator who can absorb the skills of those he consumes. However, his personality is surprisingly comedic, he is a massive fanboy of Jinwoo and often gets into “loyalty competitions” with Igris. When he isn’t fighting, he is known to enjoy watching historical television dramas, which explains his archaic and royal way of speaking.

The Future of the Franchise: Solo Leveling: Ragnarok

While Sung Jinwoo’s personal quest reached its peak in Season 2, the story continues in the massive sequel, Solo Leveling: Ragnarok. Set years after the original series, the gates have reappeared, and a new protagonist has stepped into the light.

Sung Suho: The Prince of Shadows

Suho is the son of Sung Jinwoo and Cha Hae-In. Unlike his father, who started as the world’s weakest hunter, Suho was born with immense potential that his father initially sealed away to give him a normal life.

• The Awakening: After the “Itarim” (Outer Gods) begin their invasion in 2026, Suho’s powers reawaken during a monster outbreak at his university.
• Unique Powers: While he uses a “System” similar to his father, Suho leans more into physical martial arts (specifically Judo) and a new ability called Shadow Creation, which allows him to craft weapons out of shadow energy.
• The Quest: Jinwoo is currently away in the rift fighting cosmic deities, leaving Suho to defend Earth and rebuild the Shadow Army from scratch.

If you’re looking to start the Ragnarok manhwa in 2026, keep an eye out for Beru. He returns as Suho’s chaotic (and hilarious) mentor, though he’s much smaller and “cuter” than you remember!

Strongest Characters Tier List (Top 10 Rankings)

To understand the true scale of the Solo Leveling universe, one must look toward the endgame. These rankings include the Monarchs and Rulers who exist far above the limitations of even the strongest human hunters.

Solo Leveling succeeds because its characters feel as grand as the world they inhabit. From the relatable growth of Sung Jinwoo to the comedic loyalty of Beru and the Shadow Army, there is a character for every type of fan. While the anime has already introduced us to the terrifying Monarchs, the story is far from over. Between the ongoing Solo Leveling: Ragnarok manhwa and the upcoming anime projects, the “System” is only getting more complex.

Hungry for more updates on Sung Jinwoo’s legacy and the rise of Sung Suho? Make sure to visit Shinime Anime for breaking news, power-scaling deep dives, and exclusive updates on Solo Leveling Season 3. Stay ahead of the gates and join our community for the most in-depth anime coverage online!

FAQ: What Fans are Asking in 2026

Is Solo Leveling Season 3 coming out? 

Reports from A-1 Pictures suggest that instead of a standard Season 3, we may get a theatrical movie in late 2026 covering the “Double Dungeon Return” and “Jeju Aftermath” arcs.

Who is the strongest in Solo Leveling: Ragnarok? 

While Sung Jinwoo remains the strongest being in existence, his son Sung Suho is rapidly catching up by absorbing the powers of other Monarchs.

What is the “White Shadow” class? 

This is Suho’s unique class in Ragnarok, which allows him to combine Monarch powers with his own system-enhanced growth.