Is Beru the Most Loyal Shadow to Jin-Woo?

Among Sung Jin-Woo’s shadows in Solo Leveling, Beru, previously known as the Ant King or the Black Ant, is a standout not just because of his outrageous abilities but also because of his unmatched devotion. He may be a nightmare incarnate for the other S-rank hunters in the series, but for Jin-Woo, he is one of his powerful and loyal soldiers. A force to be reckoned with, Beru serves Jin-Woo to the best of his abilities, worshiping him as his king.

Jin-Woo acquires Beru during the Jeju Island story arc of Solo Leveling. He wasn’t supposed to join the raid party until everyone’s life was in danger due to the Black Ant’s appearance, making it the perfect timing for Jin-Woo to step in and fight on their behalf. Jin-Woo successfully defeats the Ant King, extracting his shadow and naming him Beru, as inspired by the author of the novel “The Ants” by Bernard Werber.

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How Loyal Is Beru to Sung Jin-Woo?

Beru Treats Jin-Woo Like a King

Unlike Beru’s former self, the current Beru is characterized by his unmatched devotion to his master. Gone were the days of the destructive Ant, who wanted to take over the world and become its king, since Jin-Woo defeated him and turned him into one of his shadows. There’s no trace of his former self, although there will come a point in the series when his instinct to kill and consume will resurface for a split second.

Despite this, Beru is grateful for the opportunity that Sung Jin-Woo has given him, going to great lengths to prove his loyalty and worth to him throughout Solo Leveling. His unwavering loyalty to Jin-Woo shows through the fights he fought for him as well as through the orders and commands he completed without question or even hesitation.

Interestingly, Beru also treats Jin-Woo like a king, addressing him as his liege, and kneeling in front of him with absolute obedience most of the time. He also admires Jin-Woo and the immense strength he holds, often complimenting his abilities whenever they are on the battlefield. Funny, Beru’s loyalty can also be comedic at times due to his tendency to fanboy over Jin-Woo’s feats.

Beru’s Loyalty Compared to Jin-Woo’s Other Shadows

His Loyalty Is More Personal and Emotional

Beru is not the only shadow who serves Jin-Woo with absolute obedience and loyalty. From Igris to Bellion, all the shadows regard Jin-Woo as their master, following his commands at all costs. They are all willing to fight to the death in honor of Jin-Woo’s name in the face of a more powerful opponent like Antares, the Monarch of Destruction. Despite their unquestionable devotion to Jin-Woo, their level of loyalty somehow differs, which makes Beru stand out.

Beru’s enthusiastic servitude to Jin-Woo makes him a more fan-favorite shadow than the others. He is more expressive than Igris, has more depth and intensity than Tank, and has more emotional and personal admiration than Bellion and the rest of the shadows. In other words, most of Jin-Woo’s shadows are loyal to Jin-Woo because of respect, professionalism, and responsibility, unlike Beru, whose loyalty has somewhat of an emotional attachment.

Above all else, Beru strives hard to please Jin-Woo, going above and beyond to stand by his side. He even gets angry at other hunters as well as his fellow shadows who take his place, which makes him the ultimate drama king among the characters. He is also very protective of Jin-Woo, showing extreme anger and concern whenever he gets hurt, unlike the others.

So, Is Beru the Most Loyal Shadow of Jin-Woo?

The Final Verdict

Solo Leveling has never confirmed whether Beru is the most loyal of all the shadows that serve Sung Jin-Woo. But based on plenty of reasons mentioned above, Beru can be considered the most loyal to Jin-Woo because of his intense personal admiration that surpasses that of other shadows. After all, none of the shadows, including Iron and Greed, or even Bellion, have shown the same level of devotion that Beru has to Jin-Woo.

While some would argue that Bellion and Igris are the most loyal due to their prior allegiance to the first Shadow Monarch that extends to Jin-Woo, Beru’s near-fanatical nature easily makes him the most devoted shadow in the series. His transformation in Solo Leveling, from a ferocious and ruthless magical beast to the most loyal shadow soldier, highlights the extent of his unwavering commitment to Sung Jin-Woo. Whether through his enthusiasm to follow Jin-Woo’s orders without fail or his protective instincts, Beru remains a role model for his fellow shadows.

Solo Leveling

Release Date

January 7, 2024

Directors

Shunsuke Nakashige

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  Taito Ban

  Shun Mizushino (voice)

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  Genta Nakamura

  Kenta Morobishi (voice)