Top 10 Most Hateable Characters in Solo Leveling

Summary

Kim Chul’s arrogance led to disaster, dumping his squad during the Red Gate Incident, resulting in their wipeout by Yetis.
The Hwang brothers, power-hungry and brutal, showcase that power without principles breeds bigger villains.
Goto Ryuji’s pride led him to sacrifice Korean S-Rank Hunters for Japan’s gain, showcasing detached arrogance and a downfall in ego.

In the realm of Solo Leveling, many readers initially got hooked by the tale of Sung Jin-Woo’s transformation from a lowly E-rank hunter into the world’s mightiest S-rank, but as the story unfolded, they found themselves captivated by the turmoil. While monstrous foes were anticipated, what wasn’t foreseen was the extent of the corruption and depravity hidden within the dungeons and power struggles. Despicable characters span from merciless monsters to arrogant humans, each leaving a path of devastation and sorrow in their wake. From Kargalgan, who enjoys tormenting his victims like playthings, to Goto Ryuji, whose blind nationalism leads him to sacrifice countless lives, these individuals exemplify raw, unadulterated wickedness.

10. Kim Chul

An Arrogant Hunter Who Got Others Killed

Kim Chul, an elite Hunter from the White Tiger Guild, moved with regal air and regarded those below him as mere pawns for battle. Swelling with pride, he considered lower-ranked Hunters to be burdens rather than allies, a fact he made painfully evident during the Red Gate Incident. When things turned tough, he callously abandoned the C-rank Hunters, believing they’d only hinder him. It was no surprise that his overconfidence led to disaster, as his rash leadership resulted in an entire squad being slaughtered by Yetis.

Despite the carnage that occurred, introspection didn’t cross his mind. Rather than acknowledging the truth, he opted for shifting blame and further sank into denial. However, it was his response to learning that Jinwoo’s group had survived that truly solidified his despicable nature. Instead of prioritizing safety or rallying for a united front, he retaliated aggressively and attempted to eliminate them amidst the chaos of monsters. This reckless, arrogant decision ultimately proved to be his last.

9. The Hwang Brothers

Power-Hungry Hunters With A Taste For Blood

The Hwang brothers were deeply corrupt – one, a selfish C-rank, the other a violent S-rank, each despicable in their own right. The eldest, Hwang Dongsuk, was a malicious individual who manipulated weaker Hunters into dangerous dungeons, murdering them for financial gain. He disguised his cowardice with pride, quickly cowering when faced with adversity.

Initially expected to be the more esteemed and powerful sibling, Hwang Dongsoo, his younger brother, opted for increased brutality instead. A highly-skilled S-rank figure, Dongsoo abandoned Korea in pursuit of fame in America, yet it was his inflated ego rather than true ability that propelled him. He perceived himself as invincible and behaved accordingly, tormenting the weak and lashing out at those who dented his pride. In a foolish attempt to exact petty revenge, he even attempted to manipulate his own Guildmaster as bait. Eventually, both brothers demonstrated that power devoid of morals only cultivates a greater menace.

8. Goto Ryuji

Japan’s Top Hunter Who Let Pride Rot His Mind

In his role as Japan’s top Hunter and the embodiment of the Draw Sword Guild, Goto Ryuji projected an image of a cool and tactical leader. However, hidden beneath this composed facade was a man so consumed by arrogance that he was prepared to sacrifice a whole battalion of elite Korean S-Rank Hunters, all in the pursuit of shifting power dynamics within Japan.

When Jeju Island turned into a hotbed of turmoil, Goto remained unfazed by the prospect of others losing their lives, viewing them as expendable pieces in his nationalistic aspirations. His composure was chilling, displaying no remorse even upon encountering the remains of his allies. However, despite his strategic planning, Goto’s excessive pride proved to be his downfall. He found it intolerable that someone like Jinwoo could outshine him, and he recklessly charged into battle against the Ant King, utterly unprepared for the challenge.

7. Ant King

An Apex Predator Obsessed With Finding A Worthy Opponent

On the mysterious Jeju Island’s S-Rank Gate, the formidable boss known as The Ant King was one of the most powerful magical beasts in the series. His strength was on par with that of Kamish. Born with an innate loathing towards humans, he viewed them as feeble and insignificant. His overconfidence resulted in him brutally killing eight S-Rank hunters, among them Japan’s elite hunter, Goto Ryuji, in his quest for a worthy opponent.

His thirst for blood was endless, and he took great pleasure in being at the top of the food chain. Yet, his fierce nature and high intellect, which allowed him to identify vulnerabilities and devise strategies in combat, were overshadowed by his pride. This overconfidence proved fatal as he faced an opponent he couldn’t defeat. Instead of standing his ground, he tried to run away, thus earning a place among the most despised adversaries in “Solo Leveling”.

6. Sillad

A Power-Hungry Monarch Who Disdains Humanity

Sillad, the King of the Frost Folk, is a formidable adversary driven by arrogance and pride. His deep-seated animosity towards humans, particularly Sung Jin-Woo, stems from his belief that no human is deserving of such power. This disdain sets the stage for his relentless aggression. The root of his vendetta against Jin-Woo lies in his unwillingness to recognize a human as capable of matching his might. However, Sillad’s excessive self-confidence often clouds his judgement, leading him to underestimate others. When he assassinates Chairman Go Gun-Hee, this very act incites the fury of Jin-Woo, plunging Sillad into a hopeless conflict.

Embracing a dangerous path, I boldly forge alliances with fellow Monarchs, knowing the consequences that come along. My strategies in battle, regrettably, have been tainted with an unbecoming cowardice—striking at those less powerful while shunning genuine conflict. In hindsight, my pride, unyielding nature, and failure to acknowledge my own limitations were the seeds of my eventual demise.

5. Querehsha

The Monarch Who Thrived On Cruelty

Amongst the feared nine rulers, Querehsha was known as the Monarch of Pestilence, controlling horde-like insectoid creatures that brought about every gruesome, bug-ridden calamity, such as the devastating attack on Jeju Island. Her malevolent character wasn’t driven solely by duty but rather, a perverse sense of joy. Unlike others who took lives with purpose, she reveled in mental torment, meticulously dismantling her victims before striking the final blow.

In the Japan Crisis Arc and the subsequent Monarchs’ War, Querehsha was not merely a secondary antagonist; instead, she played an active role, causing trouble. She was instrumental in the assassination of high-ranking Hunter Christopher Reed and later participated in an attack against Jin-Woo, which resulted in her own demise. Essentially, Querehsha thrived on turmoil, brutality, and bloodshed.

4. Rakan

A Bloodthirsty Monarch Who Wanted To Destroy Humanity

Rakan, often referred to as the Lord of Fangs and the Majestic Beast, is a devastating entity solely crafted for the elimination of humankind. His hostility towards humans runs deep and unyielding, prompting him to carry out indiscriminate slaughter without remorse. Throughout his rule, Rakan’s objective was focused on wiping out the Shadow Monarch, Sung Jin-Woo. In a bid to eliminate him before he reached his peak power, Rakan led an unsuccessful assault that ended in his own downfall, along with two other Monarchs.

Regardless of his imposing demeanor and fierce personality, Rakan shows signs of fear when confronted by adversaries who are stronger than him. In critical situations, he often retreats rather than standing his ground when the odds seem unfavorable. Moreover, Rakan’s double standards are clear to see; he criticizes others for cowardice, yet exhibits similar timid behavior himself, making him an unsavory figure indeed.

3. Kang Taeshik

A Cold-Blooded Killer Hiding Behind a Badge

Kang Taeshik, with his cold, calculating demeanor and an inflated sense of superiority, was one of the most chilling antagonists in “Solo Leveling” due to his active choice to be so. On paper, he appeared as a typical B-Rank Hunter and upstanding inspector, but beneath this facade hid a twisted individual acting as judge, jury, and executioner. As part of the Korean Hunters Association’s Surveillance Team, he skillfully concealed his psychopathic tendencies. His primary targets were often prisoners, whom he justified as deserving their fate. However, in truth, he derived pleasure not from slaying monsters but from taking human lives.

He was a hitman with a greed for money, viewing his work as a perverse form of entertainment. He often asked for additional payment if he sensed that the job could turn violent, and when things went awry, he lied, evaded responsibility, and schemed to protect himself. In an attempt to deceive Sung Jinwoo, he pretended to spare lives only to betray them later. However, Jinwoo was not fooled. Even with evidence of his guilt, Taeshik showed no regret or resentment, instead cursing the man who exposed him and prevented him from continuing his deceitful ways.

2. Kargalgan

A Sadistic Orc Shaman Who Toyed With Hunters

Kargalgan, the chief of A-Rank Gate within the Hunters Guild’s Orcish Shaman faction, was far from your typical mindless beast. Smart as a whip and full of pride, he regarded humans as mere playthings rather than dangerous adversaries. This disdain for humanity was evident when he captured Son Kihoon’s team, not to end their lives swiftly, but to torment them over time with fear and poison. His cruelty was akin to a sadistic show, prolonging their suffering like an extended performance.

Originally, he was so intoxicated by his own authority that he welcomed hunters into his castle for amusement. However, when Jinwoo entered the dungeon and turned the tables on the power structure, the man’s arrogant facade shattered. Fear suddenly became apparent, but it came much too late. Following a gruesome demise, Jinwoo brought him back to life as the shadow soldier Tusk, removing both his autonomy and his wit in the process.

1. Kandiaru

The Sadistic Creator Of The System

Kandiaru, famously called The Architect, secretively oversees the challenging labyrinth known as Double Dungeon, where he mercilessly torments and manipulates numerous humans. Loyal to the Monarchs, he collaborated with Ashborn in search of a suitable candidate to secure his own eternal life.

As the architect of the system, it’s clear that The Architect harbors a strong dislike for humanity. He has no qualms about taking lives, considering humans as feeble and dispensable. This loathsome arrogance reaches a peak when Jin-Woo begins to counter him, leading to a psychotic collapse. His reverence for the Monarchs prevents him from seeing the deception that awaits him, solidifying his status as one of the most detestable characters in the series.

2025-05-20 02:40