Among the many reasons Solo Leveling has gained immense popularity, its roster of extraordinarily powerful characters plays a crucial role. The way strength is showcased, measured, and distributed throughout the series has contributed to its widespread appeal.
The characters in the series can be grouped into four distinct categories: Rulers, Monarchs, Humans, and Monsters, with the highest power levels belonging to the Rulers and Monarchs. The focus here is on the Monarchs, who, much like their counterparts, the Rulers, were brought into existence by the Absolute Being.
Tarnak’s arrogance meets its end in a swift and brutal ambush (Photo: Solo Leveling/Lucasfilm Ltd)Their purpose was to bring destruction to the Human Realm, positioning them as the main antagonists of the series. These beings, born from an entity of absolute supremacy, possess an overwhelming level of strength far beyond that of humans or monsters.
Only the Rulers can stand on equal footing with them. Below is a breakdown of the most formidable Monarchs within the series.
10. Legia
Title: Monarch of The Beginning
Legia, known as the King of Giants, plays a limited role and appears only briefly in the story. While he is an exceptionally cunning and deceptive entity, he is also the first and only Monarch to be subdued by the Rulers.
Following the demise of the Absolute Being, Legia was captured and confined, eventually becoming a source of mana reinforcement for the Human Realm as he remained imprisoned on Earth.
Despite his status as a Monarch and his strength being leagues beyond even the most elite human hunters, aside from Jin-Woo, Legia’s potential is never fully displayed. His extended captivity drained his mana, and his lack of a physical vessel further restricted his abilities.
His only skills include Truth Inducement and Spiritual Body Manifestation. When he attempts to betray Jin-Woo, despite previously swearing loyalty, he is eliminated by him.
9. Tarnak
Title: Monarch of The Iron Body
Tarnak, the King of Monstrous Humanoids, is one of the rare Monarchs who does not perish at Jin-Woo’s hands. Boasting an overconfident and egotistical personality, he shares a deep-seated hatred for humans, similar to Yogumunt.
This resentment is evident in his outright refusal to acknowledge Jin-Woo as the second Shadow Monarch due to his human nature. Although possessing immense strength as a Monarch, Tarnak is rational enough to understand that without Antares by his side, he stands no chance against Jin-Woo.
His most valuable assets lie in his telepathic abilities and Spiritual Body Manifestation, though his power remains incomplete due to the absence of a physical vessel. Tarnak meets his end during an attack on Earth alongside Antares.
While attempting to kill Thomas Andre under the impression that he is defenseless, he is ambushed by Beru, Bellion, and Thomas, who swiftly overpower and eliminate him before continuing their battle.
8. Yogumunt
Title: Monarch of Transfiguration
The King of Demonic Spectres, Yogumunt, is one of the nine Monarchs brought to life by the Absolute Being. His arrogance is a defining trait, and, like his counterparts, he harbors deep disdain for humans, viewing them as insignificant.
His dismissive attitude toward Jin-Woo’s father, Sung Il-Hwan, whom he calls weak, further emphasizes his condescending nature. Despite his prideful demeanor, Yogumunt is perceptive enough to recognize adversaries whose strength surpasses his own.
This awareness becomes evident during his first confrontation with Jin-Woo. Without a physical vessel, his power remains constrained, with Spiritual Body Manifestation being one of the few abilities he can use freely.
Following the activation of the Cup of Reincarnation, which rewinds time, Jin-Woo systematically hunts down and eliminates all the Monarchs, including Yogumunt.
7. Rakan
Title: Monarch of Beasts
Rakan, also called the King of Beasts, exhibits an aggressive arrogance and a ruthless thirst for battle. His view of humans aligns with that of his fellow Monarchs—seeing them as nothing more than prey.
However, despite his fierce and domineering personality, he proves to be self-serving and cowardly when faced with opponents of superior power, such as Antares and Jin-Woo. Adding to his contradictions, Rakan shows a willingness to abandon his loyalties and offer allegiance to Jin-Woo simply to preserve his life.
His power, when compared to beings outside the ranks of Monarchs and Rulers, is exceptional. His most defining abilities include Telekinesis, Regeneration, and Spiritual Body Manifestation.
Like many of his fellow Monarchs, Rakan is slain by Jin-Woo as part of his mission to prevent the Monarchs’ invasion and subsequent destruction of Earth.
6. Querehsha
Title: Monarch of Plagues
Querehsha, the Queen of Insects and one of the nine Monarchs, exhibits a sadistic nature driven by an insatiable bloodlust. Unlike Yogumunt, whose hatred for humans stems from a sense of superiority, she simply enjoys the act of slaughter.
Despite her cruel tendencies, she displays an unusual maternal affection toward her minions. Her skillset as a Monarch grants her immense power, including Necromancy, Mana Manipulation, Regeneration, Venom Inducement, and Spiritual Body Manifestation.
After playing a role in Christopher Reed’s demise and contributing to the chaos caused by Rakan in Seoul, she becomes one of the earliest Monarchs to fall. Underestimating Jin-Woo and foolishly diverting her attention to Beru, she meets a swift end at his hands.
5. Hochwan
Title: The Frost Monarch
The Frost Monarch, ruler of the Snow Folk, is one of the earliest Monarchs to appear in the series. While he shares the same level of arrogance as his counterparts, his pride is somewhat exaggerated.
Unlike most Monarchs, he harbors a strong distaste for conflict and bloodshed, a sentiment that becomes apparent during the Jeju Island Raid Arc when he arrives on the battlefield. Though reluctant to engage in unnecessary violence, he possesses considerable power.
His most defining abilities include Ice Magic, Sleep Inducement, and Spiritual Body Manifestation. However, his fear-driven impulsivity sometimes leads him to make rash decisions, as seen when he hastily tries to rally other Monarchs to kill Jin-Woo before assessing the risks involved.
His demise comes at Jin-Woo’s hands, who avenges Go Gun-Hee by eliminating him.
4. Baran
Title: Monarch of White Flames
Baran, the King of Demons, is a physically formidable presence, even without possessing a human vessel. Known for his cruelty and brash demeanor, he never shies away from battle, regardless of the odds stacked against him.
His determination is evident in his past clash with Ashborn during the war between the Rulers and Monarchs. His power as a Monarch is undeniable, and it is implied that he surpasses the version of himself Jin-Woo faced as the final boss of the Demon Castle.
The original Baran is considerably stronger than his replica. His most dominant abilities include Hell’s Army, Lightning Breath, and Spiritual Body Manifestation.
3. Ashborn
Title: The Monarch of Shadows (Former)
Ashborn, the original Shadow Monarch, is widely regarded as one of the strongest beings, with only the Absolute Being, Antares, and Sung Jin-Woo standing above him. Both the Rulers and Monarchs feared his abilities due to the limitless potential of his dark-attribute powers.
Yogumunt, the spectral king, sneers at humanity before facing his doom (Photo: Solo Leveling/Lucasfilm Ltd)However, he is betrayed during battle by the Monarchs, despite having once fought alongside them against the Rulers. Unlike most beings of his kind, Ashborn deeply values life and grows weary of the endless conflict. This leads him to seek a successor who can put an end to the unrelenting war.
His power is unmatched, and as both a Ruler and a Monarch, he possesses a vast range of abilities, including Ruler’s Authority, Monarch’s Domain, Shadow Preservation, Shadow Extraction, and Shadow Exchange. His existence continues within his chosen successor, Sung Jin-Woo.
2. Antares
Title: Monarch of Destruction
The final antagonist of the series, Antares, the King of Dragons, is the oldest and strongest Monarch in existence. Created with the singular purpose of annihilating all life, he thrives on destruction.
While he harbors immense disdain for humans, he shows respect only to those who earn his admiration in battle—Jin-Woo being the sole recipient of this acknowledgment.
As Jin-Woo’s most formidable opponent, Antares possesses numerous devastating abilities, including Dragon’s Fear, Breath of Destruction, Spiritual Body Manifestation, and Telepathy. Despite his overwhelming power, he is defeated with the aid of the Rulers.
1. Sung Jin-Woo
Title: The Monarch of Shadows (Current)
Sung Jin-Woo, the protagonist of Solo Leveling, stands as the most dominant and unparalleled entity within the series. Unlike the other Monarchs, who were created by the Absolute Being, Jin-Woo attains his power through sheer determination, strategic mastery, and his inheritance of Ashborn’s legacy.
His journey from being the weakest hunter to the most formidable force in existence makes him a truly unique Monarch.
Initially, Jin-Woo’s strength is nowhere near that of a Monarch, but after undergoing countless battles and evolving through the System, he reaches a level where even the most feared Monarchs and Rulers acknowledge his supremacy.
His abilities are nearly limitless, encompassing Shadow Extraction, Shadow Exchange, Monarch’s Domain, and Ruler’s Authority, along with enhanced physical attributes that surpass any other being. By the series’ finale, Jin-Woo becomes an entity beyond human comprehension, capable of standing against entire armies single-handedly.
He not only avenges those who suffered at the hands of the Monarchs but also rewrites fate itself, ensuring the world is spared from the catastrophic war between the Rulers and the Monarchs. His ultimate power solidifies his position as the strongest Monarch in existence.