Solo Leveling has made an undeniable impact as one of the most compelling and visually stunning manhwa adaptations to emerge in recent years. The story unfolds in a world where portals known as gates open into dangerous, monster-filled dungeons. Sung Jinwoo begins his journey as an E-rank hunter, overlooked and dismissed as the weakest of them all. However, after a terrifying incident involving a double dungeon, he gains access to a mysterious system that allows him to level up like a video game character, a power unheard of in their world.

The plot starts as a tale of survival in a harsh, unforgiving environment, quickly transforming into a narrative of growth and ambition. Jinwoo’s story begins as that of an underdog, but he rapidly rises through the ranks to become an unstoppable force. While Solo Leveling thrives on action and Jinwoo’s ascension, it delivers high-stakes battles and jaw-dropping moments that shock everyone both in the world and those watching from their screens at home.

10 The Double Dungeon Incident

Season 1, Episode 2

The double dungeon incident is the moment that kicks off the series, revealing its darker tones and brutal stakes. What should have been a standard low-tier raid turned into a nightmare when Jinwoo and his party stumbled into a hidden chamber. Inside, they faced a threat beyond their capabilities, and one wrong move meant instant death. One by one, Jinwoo’s party began to fall in gruesome ways.

For a character seen as weak and disposable, Jinwoo’s quick thinking and self-sacrifice during the chaos allowed the remaining of his party to escape. Jinwoo’s decision to stay behind to buy them time was the first of many turning points in his arc. His bravery in the face of certain death was shocking and marked the beginning of a legend in the making.

9 Jinwoo Kills Kang Taeshik

Season 1, Episode 9

Not long after the awakening of his new powers, Jinwoo comes face-to-face with a harsh reality. The System that granted him strength demands complete obedience, and he must complete every task. When Kang Taeshik, a B-rank hunter, reveals his true colors as an assassin, Jinwoo is left with no other choice but to neutralize the threat he poses.

While Kang was threatening to kill innocents and Jinwoo was in the right to defend himself and his remaining comrades, the fact that the System could issue a chilling command is unsettling. It’s a moment that cements the fact that Jinwoo isn’t just on a path to power, but one that binds him to something much darker. It marks a shift in Jinwoo’s character that’s marked by an evolving morality from a kind-hearted hunter to a more ruthless one.

8 Jinwoo Confronts His Past Self

Season 1, Episode 12

At the end of Season 1, Jinwoo experiences one of the most psychologically intense moments when he comes face-to-face with his former self. This apparition serves as a reminder of the weak and powerless man he once was. It’s a confrontation that brings his doubts and insecurities to the surface, even after gaining immense power and the ability to evolve. The drained state he’s in during this encounter only adds to the vulnerability of the scene, making it feel raw and personal.

He is taunted by his past self, who mocks his struggles and questions whether all the power he’s gained has truly changed who he is at his core. This forces both Jinwoo and the audience to reflect on his progress in of strength and identity. It’s a mental and emotional battle that exposes the lingering scars of fear and helplessness, adding depth to his journey and making his growth feel more authentic.

7 Jinwoo Becomes The Shadow Monarch

Season 1, Episode 12

At the end of the Job Change Arc, Jinwoo gains an ability that leaves him stunned. Accepting the role of necromancer, Jinwoo is granted the power to raise fallen enemies as loyal shadows. However, as someone who specializes in assassination and direct combat, this unexpected turn feels completely out of line with his known strengths. The unpredictability of this development adds a thrilling twist to his character.

It serves as further proof of his growth and how much he has leveled up since gaining the powers of the System.

Even more surprising is the fact that Jinwoo is automatically ranked up to Shadow Monarch, a title that hints at his path going forward. The sudden leap in status not only blindsides Jinwoo but also lays the foundation for the larger conflicts. It serves as further proof of his growth and how much he has leveled up since gaining the powers of the System.

6 Jinwoo Defeats the Red Gate

Season 2, Episode 2

The Red Gate stands as an important moment in Jinwoo’s evolution as a character. Trapped in a freezing dungeon, Jinwoo, along with other low-ranking hunters and one B-rank hunter, is left to fend for themselves while the rest of the party attempts to defeat the Ice Elves. Instead, Jinwoo ensures the safety of the weaker hunters while the rest of the party falls to the dangerous enemies. When Kim Chul returns, he is furious to see Jinwoo's success and inadvertently leads the Ice Elves to the party’s location.

What follows is a breathtaking battle in which Jinwoo defeats Baruka, the leader of the Ice Elves, and gains one of his most powerful shadows through Kim Chul’s demise, leading to the birth of Iron. Jinwoo also discovers that he is fluent in their language, a revelation that serves as greater proof that he is no longer fully human.

5 Jinwoo vs. Kargalgan

Season 2, Episode 6

Jinwoo’s battle against Kargalgan, the S-rank boss and High Orc shaman, stands out as one of the most visually striking and thematically intense moments in Solo Leveling. Kargalgan is unlike other dungeon bosses due to his intelligence, intelligible speech, and a terrifying enjoyment of torturing humans. As he threatened the Son Kihoon squad, Jinwoo stepped up and, in an impressive display of power, overcame Kargalgan, saving the hunters from his wrath.

Yet, despite Jinwoo’s growth, Kargalgan’s raw power and brutal attacks forced Jinwoo to resurrect his shadow soldiers multiple times throughout the battle. The victory felt like a true challenge for Jinwoo, and it was hard-earned. The payoff of the battle was also massive, as Kargalgan was reborn as Tusk, one of Jinwoo’s most powerful and intelligent shadows. The battle reminded fans that Jinwoo’s path wouldn’t always be easy.

4 Jinwoo vs. Demon King Baran

Season 2, Episode 8

The confrontation with the Demon King Baran ranks among Jinwoo’s most grueling and rewarding battles. On the hundredth floor of the Demon Castle, Baran was a massive, robust monarch wielding lightning, known as the Monarch of the White Flames. Unlike previous foes, Baran matched Jinwoo in raw power and relentless aggression. The fight pushes Jinwoo to his limits and tests his strength as well as his ability to think under pressure.

Despite the overwhelming odds, Jinwoo prevails, and the rewards are monumental. He earns the Purified Blood of the Demon Monarch, the final ingredient for the Elixir of Life, and a rune stone that grants him the ability to exchange places with his shadows. Upon Baran's defeat, Jinwoo also gains Kaisel, the powerful wyvern, becoming one of Jinwoo’s most formidable aerial fighters.

3 Jinwoo’s Arrival on Jeju Island

Season 2, Episode 12

Making use of his newly acquired shadow exchange ability, Jinwoo’s arrival on Jeju Island marks a major turning point. The tension was already intense with Korea’s S-rank hunters at their limit when Jinwoo stepped onto the battlefield. His presence alone carried weight and the force necessary to alter the outcome of what could have been the end for the five remaining Korean S-rank hunters on the island.

As the others struggle to hold the line, Jinwoo’s shadows effortlessly push back the Ant Queen’s forces, and by the time Jinwoo arrives on the scene, both morale and momentum have shifted. One by one, Jinwoo heals all the hunters except for Cha Hae-in, astonishing them all with his presence and healing abilities. His entrance has an immediate impact on the battle, visibly shifting the balance.

2 Jinwoo vs. Ant King

Season 2, Episode 12

The battle between Jinwoo and the Ant King is undoubtedly the most iconic battle in Solo Leveling’s anime to date. The Ant King, who had already overpowered the top hunters from Korea and Japan, emanated an aura of unstoppable power. His speed, ferocity, arrogance, and newfound ability to speak made him a terrifying opponent until Jinwoo arrived on the scene.

In a stunning display of power, Jinwoo matches and dominates the fight against the Ant King, demonstrating how far he has ascended beyond the capabilities of the S-rank hunters. He never loses his composure, and by the end of the battle, it’s clear that the Ant King never stood a chance. Jinwoo’s victory results in his acquisition of Beru, the current most powerful shadow in his arsenal in the anime adaptation.

1 Jinwoo and His Entire Shadow Army

Season 2, Episode 13

In one of the most striking visuals at the end of Season 2, Jinwoo summons his full shadow army in a brief yet impactful scene. With a single command, hundreds of shadows rise in formation behind him, each serving as proof of the battles he has fought and won. Among the lineup are his most powerful allies, including Tank, Iron, Igris, Kaisel, Tusk, and the newly resurrected Beru.

The sheer scale of the army leaves little doubt that Jinwoo is becoming an unstoppable force. It’s a short-loved moment, yet it serves as a quiet demonstration of the power he has acquired and will continue to build as his story unfolds. The Season 2 finale of Solo Leveling provides fans a glimpse into the full extent of the Shadow Monarch’s power and leaves audiences eagerly anticipating Season 3.