Monarchs areincredibly powerful beingswho rule over otherworldly realms and command great armies of magical creatures. They stand as the centralantagonists of the seriesand are the driving force behind much of the conflict. The Monarchs are the counterparts to the Rulers, who have been fighting against each other for eons, with humans caught in the middle.
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Each Monarch possesses unique abilities and domain, and their actions and interactions with the Rulers and humanity shape the overarching narrative of Solo Leveling. Their battles and the quest for power lead to catastrophic events that Sung Jin-Woo, the protagonist, must navigate and ultimately confront.
Solo Leveling
Solo Leveling features the story of Sung Jin-Woo, the weakest Hunter who gets the opportunity to level up and become an S-Class Hunter. Over the years, Jin-Woo fights on humanity’s behalf against powerful supernatural beings from another dimension.
9Baran: The Monarch Of White Flames
King Of Demons But Weakest Among The Monarchs
Baran, the Monarch of White Flames, is also the King of Demons. Baran’s appearance is marked by his intimidating presence, often depicted with a large,muscular physiqueand an aura of white flames surrounding him. His control over thunder and lightning-based attacks is devastating and can incinerate his enemies. He can also summon an entire army of demons to assist him in battles.
However, Baran died long before the start of the main story. He was killed by Ashborn during the Rulers Vs Monarchs Great War. It is also stated that Baran was the weakest among the Monarchs. Despite this, the Magical Copy of Baran plays a central role in the Demon Castle arc, where he is the final boss that Sung Jin-Woo must defeat to clear the dungeon. This arc is crucial for Jin-Woo’s growth, as it tests his abilities and provides him with an opportunity to gain experience and power.
8Rakan: Beast Monarch
Exhibits Beastly Traits But Cowardly In Nature
Rakan, The Beast Monarch, is a walking mountain of muscles with a wild look that screams stay away. Rakan’s abilities are as monstrous as his build. He’s incredibly strong, fast, and tough. This character is endowed with a remarkable ability tomorph into a gigantic werewolfcapable of launching attacks that span across vast distances. His abilities are not limited to his formidable physical prowess; he also has the power to twist space, allowing him to slip in and out of different dimensions.
This skill makes him particularly dangerous because he can launch surprise attacks that are nearly impossible to predict or defend against. However, Beast Monarch also shows a less admirable trait when confronted with a superior force. His formidable facade gives way to a more self-preserving nature in the presence of those who outmatch him in strength. This is evident from his actions on more than one occasion, such as during the attempted assassination of Ashborn and in his confrontations with Sung Jin-woo.
7Legia: The Monarch Of The Beginning
Giant Humanoid With Incredible Raw Strength
Legia is the King of Giants in thepopular manhwaand anime Solo Leveling. He has a towering presence with a rugged, wild look with bluish-gray skin, unruly black hair, and a beard that looked like it hadn’t seen a comb in ages. However, Legia was no slouch in the power department. He could still unleash wind pressure blasts with a simple punch. He could also cast spells that forced honesty, which is a pretty neat trick if you think about it.
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His eyes appear red, but that’s due to him being under the chains of the Rulers. At a crucial juncture in his existence, he seems to have become entangled in an intense struggle for power on a cosmic scale. He was subsequently bound with restraints that leached away his mana. The Rulers had a complex scheme, part of which involved manipulating Legia to serve their ends. They implanted a magical element within his nape that turned him against humans.
6Querehsha: The Monarch Of Plagues
Queen Of Insects
As her name suggests, Querehsha is the Queen of Insects. But she’s all about those nightmare-inducing, plague-spreading critters. Her appearance is captivatingly sinister, with red eyes that shine with an inner fire, and her pale skin contrasts sharply with her dark, flowing locks. Yet, she shows a surprisingly nurturing side towards her insect army, treating them with a protectiveness akin to a mother’s care for her children.
Querehsha boasts incredible strength, can manipulate mana to form constructs, and has the power to secrete deadly toxins. Additionally, she wields the dark art of necromancy and can regenerate her body with startling speed, although this power has its limits, as Jinwoo devastatingly proved in the Solo Leveling manhwa.
5Tarnak: The Monarch Of The Iron Body
Golem Superiority
Tarnak has the power to transform into a golem. This is why he is known as the Iron Body Monarch. He is often depicted as a young man with an air of regality, characterized by his neatly styled blond hair and piercing green eyes. However, Tarnak exuded confidence, sometimes tipping into the realm of arrogance. He carried an inherent sense of superiority, particularly over humans, which was evident in his interactions with Jinwoo.
Tarnak’s abilities were considerable, as befitting a Monarch. However, it was his hubris during the Final Battle Arc that became his downfall. When he underestimated his opponents and found himself outmaneuvered by Jinwoo’s strategic planning, Tarnak’s inability to adapt quickly led to his defeat.
4The Frost Monarch
Elf With Power Of Ice
The Frost Monarch is characterized by his control over ice and cold, wielding powers that enable him to freeze his enemies and manipulate Frost in devastating ways. He has a chilling presence, both literally and figuratively, often appearing calm and composed, with a cold and calculating demeanor that makes him a formidable foe.
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Throughout the series, the Frost Monarch plays a significant role in the overarching conflict, plotting against the human protagonist, Sung Jinwoo, who is the Shadow Monarch. The Frost Monarch’s motivations are tied to the long-standing enmity between the Monarchs and the Rulers, and he seeks to defeat Jinwoo to prevent the Rulers from gaining power.
3Yogumunt: The Monarch of Transfiguration
Dragon Level Threat
In terms of causing trouble to Sung Jin-woo, Yogumunt ranks only second to Antares, the Monarch of Destruction. Yogumunt, also known as the Monarch of Transfiguration, has aspooky appearance. His appearance is marked by gray hair and eyes of a light red hue, with a distinctive blood-red mark adorning his torso.
Despite his disdain against humans, he demonstrates a level of caution, particularly in matters involving the Shadow Monarch, Sung Jin-Woo. In the climactic Final Battle Arc, Yogumunt accompanies Antares in the invasion of the human world, attempting to tip the scales by summoning additional forces through numerous portals.
2Ashborn: The Monarch of Shadows
King Of The Dead
Ashborn is the previous Monarch of Shadows, withSung Jin-woo eventually taking this titlefor himself. He is one of the original Rulers, celestial beings with immense power who were tasked with protecting the cosmos from destruction. However, unlike his fellow Rulers, Ashborn developed a deep empathy for humans, which eventually led him to switch sides and become a Monarch instead.
I am death, I am eternal rest, and I am also terror. I am you – Ashborn
As the Monarch of Shadows, Ashborn commands power over darkness and shadows, with the unique ability to raise and control the dead, turning them into his soldiers—his “shadow army.” This ability sets him apart from both Rulers and Monarchs, giving him a distinct and rather formidable edge. Despite his formidable power, he is not driven by a lust for conflict; rather, he seeks an heir who can carry on his will and possibly bring an end to the eternal strife.
1Antares: The Monarch of Destruction
Strongest Monarch In Terms Of Raw Strength
Antares, known as the Monarch of Destruction, is a crucial antagonist in the Solo Leveling series. He is the most powerful Monarch in the series in terms of raw and brutal strength. His abilities are centered around destruction and chaos, capable of obliterating nearly anything in his path. Antares is characterized by his dragon-like appearance, exuding an aura of majesty and terror.
Destroy everything! For that is the sole mission of our existence – Antares
His presence alone is enough to instill fear, and his strength is unmatched, making him a pivotal figure in the war between the Monarchs and Rulers. Even Sung Jin-woo had to rewind time to take on this royal beast! He is not only physically daunting but also strategically intelligent, leading the other Monarchs in their campaign against the Rulers and humanity.
Release Date
Chapter Count
Where to Read
July 20, 2025
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