This article contains spoilers from the Solo Leveling manhwa.
Summary
- Sung Jin-Woo’s quick rise from E-rank to S-rank hunter status is a drastic development in anime and manhwa history.
- Ashborn, the first Shadow Monarch, bestows his power upon Sung Jin-Woo, making him the second Shadow Monarch.
- Sung Jin-Woo retains his title as Shadow Monarch, leaving fans curious about the possibility of a third successor.
Many anime characters, particularly shounen protagonists, inherit immense powers from a different character, either a higher being or an ordinary human with extraordinary abilities, and Solo Leveling’s Sung Jin-Woo is no exception. Unlike other gifted hunters, Sung Jin-Woo awakens with dismal magic abilities until an unexpected door opens for him, resulting in his rise to power.
Sung Jin-Woo’s impressive leap from an E-rank to an S-rank hunter status in such a short time is one of the drastic developments in anime and manhwa history. The system and the Shadow Monarch’s existence carve a path for Jin-Woo to inherit a power so strong that no one can stand against him. He becomes the strongest character in Solo Leveling, but many are still curious whether another character will replace him and become the third Shadow Monarch.
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Who Is the First Shadow Monarch?
The Absolute Being Bestows a Hidden Power Within Ashborn
The first Shadow Monarch is none other than Ashborn, the King of Death, who rules over the power of death and serves as the administrator of the deepest part of the power of darkness. He is also the strongest among the emissaries of the Absolute Being and is known as the Greatest Fragment of Brilliant Light. Following the rebellion of the other emissaries against the Absolute Being, Ashborn discovers a hidden power within himself when he reopens his eyes in the darkness.
“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.”—Ashborn
With a single command, Ashborn raises an army of shadows and returns to the fight, only to later discover that the Absolute Being he serves with all his loyalty and respect has died. From that day forward, Ashborn continues the never-ending battle—neither a fragment of brilliant light nor an emissary of the Absolute Being, but as the first-ever Shadow Monarch.
Who Is the Second Shadow Monarch?
Sung Jin-Woo Absorbs Ashborn’s Power and Becomes One With Him
Ashborn later agrees to work with a mage, also known as the architect, to find a worthy vessel for his eventual descent into the human world. It was a long and tiring search, as no human proved worthy of Ashborn until Sung Jin-Woo caught his attention and interest. During the double dungeon incident, Sung Jin-Woo becomes a player in a unique system designed by the architect. This system guides Jin-Woo’s growth, strengthening his body to the extent that it can withstand the power of the Shadow Monarch.
“I will show you the true power of a necromancer. Arise.”—Sung Jin-Woo
However, Ashborn betrays the architect and chooses to transfer his powers and his black heart to Jin-Woo. Instead of taking over Jin-Woo’s body, Ashborn decides that Jin-Woo can succeed him. He later absorbs the full power of Ashborn and becomes one with him after Jin-Woo dies at the hands of the Beast Monarch, Rakan. Afterward, Jin-Woo makes a surprising return as the second character to ever hold the title of Shadow Monarch.
Would There Be a Third Shadow Monarch?
By the end of the Solo Leveling manhwa, Sung Jin-Woo retains his powers, as well as his title as the Shadow Monarch. No one takes the power away from him or replaces him as the Shadow Monarch even in the revised timeline. In fact, in chapter 179, the envoy of the Rulers encourages Jin-Woo to evacuate from the human world, fearing his presence could influence the course of the world.
Meanwhile, in Solo Leveling: Ragnarok, the sequel to the original series, many fans speculated that Sung Jin-Woo’s son, Suho, would inherit his full power and become the third person to rise as the Shadow Monarch. However, this is not the case, as Sung Jin-Woo is still around and not going anywhere anytime soon. Also, a new Shadow Monarch can’t emerge as long as the current holder is still alive. Besides that, Suho is currently in line to succeed Antares, instead of Jin-Woo, despite inheriting some of his father’s shadow abilities.
“I tirelessly sought strength because I didn’t want to be controlled by an overwhelming power. That’s how I got to where I am today.”—Sung Jin-Woo
For now, it’s not necessary for the Shadow Monarch’s title to change hands, given Jin-Woo’s overwhelming strength and abilities. It’ll be more relevant to ask how Jin-Woo would die for a new successor to emerge. If that ever happens, Jin-Woo would likely do the same thing as Ashborn, by becoming one with his successor and not taking over his body. Whether a third Shadow Monarch will be born remains unknown—only the author of Solo Leveling: Ragnarok holds the answer, so fans will have to wait for further lore to be revealed.
Solo Leveling
- Release Date
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January 7, 2024
- Directors
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Shunsuke Nakashige
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Taito Ban
Shun Mizushino (voice)
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Genta Nakamura
Kenta Morobishi (voice)
