In the world of Solo Leveling, power is everything. From E-Rank cannon fodder to planet-shaking Monarchs, the story is filled with beings who can wipe out armies, demolish cities, or even reshape reality itself. As the plot progresses, what starts out as a grounded, dungeon-crawling narrative escalates into an all-out war between Monarchs and Rulers, with Earth caught in the middle.
But among this huge cast of warriors, gods, monsters, and hunters, who are the strongest characters in Solo Leveling? Based on power feats, lore implications, and fan consensus from webtoon, light novel, and anime communities, here’s a ranked list of the top 10 most powerful characters in the series.
Spoiler warning for readers who haven’t finished the webtoon or light novel.
10. Thomas Andre – The Goliath
As the Strongest Hunter in America, Thomas Andre is one of the five National-Level Hunters and the vessel of the Ruler “Fragment of Brilliant Light.” His nickname, “Goliath,” is well-earned. He has incredible physical strength, insane durability, and the ability to turn his body into an unbreakable shield.
While he loses badly in a fight with Jin-Woo, he still ranks among the strongest human-born hunters.
Power Highlights:
Tanked Jin-Woo’s hits without dying
Destroyed high-level magic beasts with his bare hands
S-Rank Ruler’s Authority (telekinetic powers)
Why he ranks 10th: Impressive by human standards, but not quite on the level of Monarchs or gods.
9. Bellion – Grand Marshal of the Shadow Army
Bellion is the first shadow ever created by the Shadow Monarch Ashborn. When Jin-Woo inherits Ashborn’s power, Bellion becomes his right-hand general. He’s calm, loyal, and unbelievably powerful—strong enough to face Monarchs in battle and command legions of shadows.
Power Highlights:
Uses a massive, segmented whip-sword
Defeated high-ranking Monarch soldiers with ease
Equal in battle to Antares’ generals
Why he ranks 9th: Bellion is unmatched among Jin-Woo’s army (except for Jin-Woo himself) but still below the true Monarch-tier threats.
8. The Beast Monarch – King of Beasts
A ruthless predator, the Beast Monarch leads an army of werebeast-like creatures and thrives on raw, animalistic power. He’s extremely fast, durable, and savage in combat. While he works with other Monarchs, he’s ultimately a lone wolf with a bloodlust for battle.
Power Highlights:
Nearly killed Thomas Andre
Took on Jin-Woo in one of the series’ most brutal fights
Possesses enhanced regeneration and tracking skills
Why he ranks 8th: Dangerous and cunning, but his arrogance leads to his downfall.
7. The Frost Monarch – King of the Snow Folk
The Frost Monarch wields ice and cold magic to terrifying effect, with the ability to freeze entire battlefields and summon snow beasts. He’s a tactician and one of the most calculating Monarchs, orchestrating attacks behind the scenes.
Power Highlights:
Fought evenly with multiple S-Rank hunters
Helped coordinate Jin-Woo’s assassination
Could manipulate weather and battlefield conditions
Why he ranks 7th: Versatile and destructive, but not as physically dominant as some other Monarchs.
6. Ashborn – The Original Shadow Monarch
Ashborn is the original Shadow Monarch and ruler of death. Although he never directly fights in the series (since he passes his powers to Jin-Woo), flashbacks and lore indicate that he was the strongest Ruler or Monarch in his time. He chose Jin-Woo as his successor and guides him until the final conflict.
Power Highlights:
Defeated multiple Monarchs in ancient battles
Controlled an entire undead army alone
Withstood betrayal and destruction from both sides
Why he ranks 6th: Ashborn was once the pinnacle of power, but by the time the story starts, he exists mostly as a guiding force.
5. Antares – The Monarch of Destruction
The primary antagonist of the latter half of Solo Leveling, Antares is the strongest Monarch and the literal embodiment of destruction. He commands a dragon army and is said to be capable of ending worlds. Unlike other Monarchs, Antares is strategic and brutal in equal measure.
Power Highlights:
Fought Jin-Woo and almost won
Could challenge the combined forces of the Rulers
Breathed destructive fire that incinerated mountains
Why he ranks 5th: Antares is terrifyingly powerful—but ultimately defeated due to Jin-Woo’s time-reversal and Ashborn’s lingering influence.
4. The Absolute Being – Creator of Monarchs and Rulers
This divine figure only appears in the lore but is responsible for creating both Rulers and Monarchs. He’s a god-level being whose desire to maintain balance led to the great war between his creations. While not a combatant in the traditional sense, his power is said to be beyond all Monarchs and Rulers.
Power Highlights:
Created entire planes of existence
Split reality into light and darkness
Was betrayed by the Rulers due to his apathy
Why he ranks 4th: The Absolute Being shaped the universe, but his influence fades after his death.
3. Sung Il-Hwan – Jin-Woo’s Father
A mysterious character until late in the story, Sung Il-Hwan was presumed dead for years. In reality, he was trapped in a dimensional war and became the vessel of a Ruler. When he returns to Earth, he plays a pivotal role in preparing Jin-Woo for the Monarch war.
Power Highlights:
Took on Monarch-level enemies and survived
Possessed Ruler’s Authority
Could clash with Jin-Woo, if needed
Why he ranks 3rd: Not quite as powerful as Jin-Woo or Antares, but still a top-tier combatant blessed with divine power.
2. The Rulers (Combined)
While not a single character, the Rulers—7 godlike beings representing order—can be considered one collective power. They are the only force capable of balancing the Monarchs and have chosen human vessels to fight in the final war.
Power Highlights:
Can alter space and time
Have angelic forms and divine powers
Sent back Jin-Woo in time to undo Armageddon
Why they rank 2nd: They represent cosmic justice, but they still needed a human (Jin-Woo) to finish the fight.
1. Sung Jin-Woo – Shadow Monarch, The Player
Without a doubt, the strongest character in Solo Leveling is Sung Jin-Woo. Starting as the weakest E-Rank hunter, his unique status as the “Player” allows him to break the rules of power progression. By the end of the series, he becomes the new Shadow Monarch, commands an undead army in the millions, and defeats the most powerful beings in the universe.
Power Highlights:
Controls shadows like Igris, Beru, Bellion, and more
Can teleport, regenerate, and resurrect others
Travels back in time to relive the entire timeline with future knowledge
Defeats Antares in a one-on-one battle
Surpasses even the Rulers in combat skill and leadership
Why he ranks 1st: Jin-Woo rewrites the very foundation of the story’s power system. He’s not just a hunter—he’s the final form of strength in a world ruled by gods and monsters.
Power in Solo Leveling Isn’t Just About Strength
While this list ranks characters based on raw combat ability and supernatural feats, Solo Leveling is ultimately a story about growth, determination, and sacrifice. Characters like Thomas Andre or Sung Il-Hwan earn their place not just through power, but by what they stand for and how they fight for others.
Whether you’re reading for the intense boss battles or the emotional evolution of Jin-Woo, understanding the power scale adds an extra layer to the story. And no matter how strong a character is, the real magic of Solo Leveling lies in how even the weakest can become the strongest—if given the chance to level up.