The following contains spoilers from the Solo Leveling manhwa and anime.
Solo Leveling introduces viewers to characters from diverse backgrounds. While some are very underpowered, others are gifted with abilities that make them virtually invincible. In the hunter world, the National Level Hunters are recognized as the strongest human beings alive. They once saved the world by defeating the dragon Kamish and putting an end to his rampage following the first S-rank dungeon break.
While they are overwhelmingly powerful, there are still a handful of characters who can defeat a National Level Hunter without breaking a sweat. Some of them are so dangerous that even the best hunters in the world struggle to comprehend the true scale of their powers.
Kamish
First S-Rank Dungeon Boss
- Webtoon Debut: Chapter 115
Kamish was the infamous dungeon boss who leveled cities following the first S-rank Gate break on the West Coast of America. Although he initially seemed unstoppable, five brave S-rankers eventually joined together to defeat him. These courageous combatants went on to be recognized as the National Level Hunters and were given political influence rivaling an entire nation.
While collectively the five hunters have defeated Kamish, they individually are not strong enough to take him down. His abilities, including Dragon’s Fear and Dragon’s Breath, are dangerous enough to overwhelm most of his adversaries. Coupled with immense strength and durability, these powers make him almost seem invincible.
Bellion
Strongest Shadow
- Webtoon Debut: Chapter 166
Bellion is a Grand-Marshal Grade shadow who possesses immense physical strength along with the ability to move at blinding speeds that are hard to keep up with. He is also a master swordsman capable of overwhelming even the most skilled combatants with ease. Bellion’s regenerative powers complement his other skills by helping him recover from grave injuries.
National Level Hunters who will have the misfortune of running into Bellion will struggle to keep up with him. While they might surprise him and even hurt him after putting the Spiritual Body Manifestation and other techniques to good use, Bellion will eventually have the last laugh. His regenerative powers will swing the battle in his favor, and National Level Hunters will just not do well enough in a battle of endurance.
Monarchs
Ancient Monsters Created From Darkness
- Webtoon Debut: Chapter 107
Monarchs have always been a force of destruction and chaos. Ever since they were created by the Absolute Being, they have fought ruthlessly and survived a seemingly endless war. Monarchs can create Gates wherever they wish, and they can also manifest their true spiritual forms, significantly advancing their combat skills. However, these are not the only tricks up their sleeve. Each one of them is also gifted with unique powers that can make any hunter dance to their tunes.
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
National-level hunters do have the power to pose a challenge to the Monarchs, but only if they have someone to support them. Unfortunately, even in those cases, they are very likely to end up on the losing side. In a one-on-one confrontation, the battle between a Monarch and a National Level Hunter tips heavily in the favor of the former.
Rulers
Angelic Warriors Created From Light
- Webtoon Debut: Chapter 128
Rulers are angelic warriors created by the Absolute Being to fight the Monarchs. Like their arch-enemies, they are also gifted with otherworldly supernatural powers that could easily overwhelm any hunter.
Any National Level Hunter would be unfortunate to run into a Ruler since their power difference would be too overwhelming. Although the former has some abilities that they share with the latter, the battle would still not be close. Rulers could take advantage of their refined fighting techniques to significantly weaken a National Level Hunter before finishing them off.
Sung Il-Hwan
Sung Jinwoo’s Father
- Webtoon Debut: Chapter 56
Sung Il-Hwan was perhaps the best Korean hunter at the time of his awakening. However, after his disappearance, he never truly got the credit he deserved for his work and was presumed dead. Unbeknownst to everyone, Il-Hwan survived getting trapped in the Gate and had even transformed into a far more powerful hunter after gaining new powers.
Don’t you ever set foot in Korea. I’m not saying this for my son’s sake, I’m saying it for yours. You will never rest in peace, even in death. ~ Sung Il-Hwan
Perhaps, the only weakness Il-Hwan has is his lack of control over his own abilities. However, based purely on his powers alone, it could be argued that he could have defeated almost every National Level Hunter.
Absolute Being
The Creator Of Monarchs And Rulers
- Webtoon Debut: Chapter 162
The Absolute Being was perhaps the most powerful being in existence. He was capable of creating artefacts and weapons that possessed powers far more dangerous than any ability used by a National Level Hunter. While it’s true that Absolute Being was not a competent combatant, his ability to create was so overwhelming that it made everything else irrelevant.
If the Absolute Being and a National Level Hunter were to fight, the battle would be a one-sided beatdown. The former, who once created the Monarchs and the Rulers, can easily create any army or perhaps even one soldier far stronger than a National Level Hunter. In such a scenario, the battle would end before it even started.
Sung Jinwoo
Korea’s 10th S-Ranker
Sung Jinwoo’s rise to prominence was so dramatic that most hunters struggled to make sense of it. Following his reawakening, he continued to evolve, which was unusual since most hunters who experience an awakening undergo only a one-time power boost that significantly improves their hunter ranking.
Sung Jinwoo is one of the few characters to fight a National Level Hunter in the series. He exchanged blows with America’s Thomas Andre in the International Guild Conference arc. Although the battle between them was not driven by personal enmity, the two hunters still fought ruthlessly. Andre did try to surprise Jinwoo with some of his abilities, but the battle was mostly one-sided in Jinwoo’s favor.
Solo Leveling
- Release Date
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2024 – 2025
- Network
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Tokyo MX, Gunma TV, BS11, Tochigi TV
- Directors
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Tatsuya Sasaki, Toru Hamasaki
- Writers
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Shigeru Murakoshi, Shingo Irie, Fuka Ishii
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Genta Nakamura
Yoo Jin-ho