The Complete Backstory of Monarchs and Rulers in Solo Leveling

As Solo Leveling continues gaining recognition as one of the most remarkable anime series, curiosity about its Rulers and Monarchs has been steadily increasing. Fans have numerous questions regarding these two powerful factions, which play an integral role in the story.

This intrigue is understandable since some of the series’ most formidable characters belong to either of these opposing groups. Here’s a closer look at their history and the extraordinary abilities that set them apart.

Who Are Solo Leveling’s Rulers and Monarchs?

At the dawn of existence, the Absolute Being was the sole entity present in the vast universe, alongside the forces of light and darkness. Seeking amusement, this supreme entity decided to divide these forces, bringing forth two distinct factions.

From light emerged the Rulers, while darkness gave rise to the Monarchs. The Monarchs were designed to wield immense magical power with a singular goal—destruction. On the other hand, the Rulers were created to counteract this devastation, using their celestial abilities to protect the world.

The stark contrast between their purposes led to an endless battle, one that was orchestrated entirely for the Absolute Being’s entertainment.

Who Are the Rulers in Solo Leveling?

A total of eight Rulers, resembling angelic entities, were created from “Light” by the Absolute Being. Without a tangible physical form, they require human vessels to manifest in the mortal world. These vessels are none other than the strongest Hunters, chosen to wield the Rulers’ immense power.

Despite this connection, human vessels are unable to fully harness the Rulers’ abilities due to the sheer magnitude of their strength. With the emergence of gates, the human world established Hunter Associations, dedicated to training individuals to push their abilities to the highest possible level.

This preparation allows them to stand against monstrous threats that continue to appear. As guardians of the world, Rulers actively engage in an unending battle against Monarchs, supporting humanity by bestowing their spiritual powers upon chosen Hunters.

These vessels use these divine abilities to counteract the overwhelming force of the Monarchs. Beyond granting their power to humans, Rulers possess a sacred artifact known as the “Cup of Reincarnation,” a tool crafted by the Absolute Being.

This artifact holds the astonishing capability to reverse time by ten years, providing an opportunity to rewrite the fate of the world and attempt to defeat the Monarchs once more.

Powers and Abilities of the Rulers

Rulers are revered for their divine abilities, which set them apart from all other beings. Their immense power was evident when they successfully rebelled against and eliminated their creator, the Absolute Being. Additionally, they possess the strength to endure relentless assaults from monstrous forces in their eternal conflict with the Monarchs.

Despite their unmatched capabilities, much of their battle prowess and supernatural skills are not showcased directly in the series. Their feats are primarily mentioned rather than displayed. The only power that viewers get to witness in action is “Ruler’s Authority.”

This extraordinary telekinetic ability is exclusively wielded by human vessels when facing formidable magical beasts. The strength of this power depends on the vessel—those with greater strength can utilize telekinesis at an even higher level.

List of All Rulers in Solo Leveling:

Ashborn – The most powerful and widely recognized Ruler in the series

The Brightest Fragment of Brilliant Light

Six Unnamed Rulers (whose human vessels are):

Thomas Andre

Liu Zhigang

Christopher Reed

Siddharth Bachchan

Go Gunhee

Jonas

Who Are the Monarchs in Solo Leveling?

Monarchs, unlike Rulers, originate from “Darkness,” created by the Absolute Being with purely destructive intent. These nine entities were granted immense demonic powers, making them the most dangerous beings in existence. Their sole purpose is to annihilate the world, and they serve as the central antagonists of the series.

Just like the Rulers, Monarchs do not have physical forms and require human vessels to operate within the mortal world. However, unlike the Rulers, they exercise complete dominance over their vessels, bending them entirely to their will.

Monarchs command vast armies of magical creatures, each more powerful than the strongest Hunters, making them nearly unstoppable. Every Monarch carries the title of a king, ruling over a unique army that specializes in a particular kind of combat.

Some of the major armies include:

• Dragons Army
• Dead Army
• Demons Army
• Snow Folk Army
• Beasts Army
• Giants Army
• Demonic Spectres Army
• Insect Army

Whether evaluating their presence, power, or influence in the series, Monarchs consistently overshadow the Rulers in every category. Many of them emerge as dungeon bosses, showcasing their remarkable abilities in intense battles.

Their dominance is so absolute that no character, aside from Sung Jinwoo, has ever managed to defeat them.

Powers and Abilities of the Monarchs

Monarchs, as spiritual entities, are nearly invincible, standing as the only true threats to the Rulers. Engaged in an endless war, they have refined their combat skills to perfection, making them seemingly unbeatable.

Unlike the Rulers, whose abilities are mentioned rather than displayed, the Monarchs frequently demonstrate their overwhelming strength in battle. Each possesses an individual fighting style and unique abilities, giving them distinct personalities.

As the primary antagonists, they receive ample screen time, allowing audiences to witness their raw power firsthand. They surpass even S-rank Hunters in every aspect, including strength, speed, endurance, regeneration, and combat skills, with the only exception being Sung Jinwoo.

Some of the supernatural abilities showcased by Monarchs include:

• Lightning
• Necromancy
• Telepathy
• Ice Magic
• General Magical Power
• Shadow Skills
• Dragon Breath

Even if they find themselves at a disadvantage, Monarchs can rely on their enormous armies for support, biding their time until their strength is restored to resume battle.

List of All Monarchs in Solo Leveling:

Antares – Monarch of Destruction

Ashborn – Monarch of Shadows

Baran – Monarch of White Flames

Rakan – Monarch of Fangs

Frost Monarch – Monarch of Frost

Tarnak – Monarch of the Iron Body

Legia – Monarch of the Beginning

Queresha – Monarch of Plagues

Yogumunt – Monarch of Transfiguration

How Did Sung Jinwoo Obtain Ruler’s Authority in Solo Leveling?

At the start of his journey, Sung Jinwoo was considered one of the weakest Hunters and had only joined the Hunter Association to provide financial support for his family.

During a raid on a seemingly low-level D-rank dungeon, he and his party accidentally discovered a hidden double dungeon, where deadly statue-like creatures resided. Unlike his fellow Hunters, who were swiftly eliminated, he miraculously survived and was chosen as the player of a mysterious system.

This system not only allowed him to train and grow stronger but also led to his selection as the human vessel for Ashborn, the Shadow Monarch, who had been searching for an ideal successor.

With proper training and continual dungeon clearing, he gradually gained enough strength to unleash the full potential of a Shadow Monarch and a Ruler.

Since he inherited Ashborn’s legacy, he was granted the ability to wield “Ruler’s Authority,” an immensely powerful telekinetic ability that allows users to move and manipulate objects with their mind. Unlike other vessels, Sung Jinwoo’s strength is unparalleled, making his use of Ruler’s Authority vastly superior to that of any other human host.

Is Sung Jinwoo a Ruler or a Monarch in Solo Leveling?

Unlike any other character in the series, Sung Jinwoo defies traditional classifications. He seamlessly fits into multiple roles—Hunter, Monarch, and Ruler—making him a unique entity in Solo Leveling. Rather than being an ordinary vessel, he became the rightful successor to Ashborn, who himself was both a Monarch and a Ruler.

This dual inheritance allows Sung Jinwoo to wield the powers of both factions, granting him access to abilities such as “Ruler’s Authority” and “Monarch’s Domain.” His strength surpasses even that of his predecessor, solidifying his status as an invincible force in the series.

With his unmatched skills, Sung Jinwoo remains the most powerful character, standing at the pinnacle of Solo Leveling’s supernatural hierarchy.