Is Shadow Extraction Morally Wrong?

Summary

Jinwoo’s use of Shadow Extraction raises ethical questions due to enslaving defeated foes’ souls.
Shadows may retain elements of their former selves but willingly serve Jinwoo, prompting moral debate.
The debate on forced servitude and moral implications in Solo Leveling is left open-ended for readers to reflect on.

In the captivating series known as Solo Leveling, the ability called Shadow Extraction stands out as intriguing yet raises moral quandaries. This potent skill’s ethical implications are questionable at best and concerning at worst. So, let me clarify what exactly Shadow Extraction entails, and for that matter, what constitutes a shadow.

Shadow Extraction is an extraordinary talent possessed by certain individuals in the Solo Leveling universe, enabling them to draw power from dark entities known as Shadows. These Shadows are mysterious, otherworldly beings that exist in a parallel dimension. The extraction of their power allows the user to amplify their abilities significantly. However, this process and its consequences can be morally ambiguous due to the nature of the Shadows themselves.

Does Jinwoo keep capturing souls after every fight, or are the entities he controls merely a reflection of what once was? As Jinwoo appears to be growing more distant as his power and troops expand, it leaves one questioning if this difference matters much to the unique hunter in the series Solo Leveling. Could it be that Jinwoo is indeed a genuine necromancer?

Every Named Shadow in the Anime So Far

Igris	Shadow of Blood-Red Commander Igris
Tank	Shadow of the Ice Bear Leader
Iron	Shadow of Kim Chul, A-Rank Hunter
Tusk	Shadow of Kargalgan, High Orc
Kaisel	Shadow of Kaisellin, Wyvern

At the close of season two, when Sung Jinwoo was given the Necromancer job class for the first time, he appeared taken aback and even a bit distressed by the idea of acquiring such a grim profession title. Given how much effort he had invested in refining his assassin abilities, he initially hesitated to accept the transformation. However, after making up his mind to take a chance, the hunter was overjoyed with what his newfound skills were capable of accomplishing.

Starting from that point forward, Shadow Extraction played a crucial role in his achievements. Given its immense strength, it’s hard to imagine anything else being the case. With the power to make most vanquished adversaries submit, only a few can match this might. Jinwoo’s army keeps expanding following each confrontation. It seems tailor-made for someone as dedicated to solitude as he is. However, one must question whether utilizing such power could be morally sound?

The Ethics of Necromancy

I can certainly see where one might argue that most shadows Jinwoo acquires stem from adversaries who intended to take his life. It’s not like Sung is pursuing opponents who have no desire for a fight. However, returning death with death is understandable, but to ensnare the spirit of an enemy crosses a line. The question is, are these trapped shadows truly what we’d define as a soul? As they persist in their forms due to Jinwoo’s mana, I can’t help but ponder: what are they, really?

If the shadow army consisted solely of undead creatures, the solution might be less clear, but once Jinwoo started extracting from humans, it leaves one pondering about the mysterious dark forces at work. Is Jinwoo merely creating intricate replicas of these beings or is he actually grasping their very soul? For those who haven’t watched the anime, you might want to scroll down to avoid spoilers.

Will you let your sword rust in this crumbling ruin, or will you rise above that fate and serve me?

Refusing the Call

The first instance where Jinwoo encounters trouble drawing a shadow is during the process of extracting Igris. This difficulty could be attributed to his lack of expertise, but Jinwoo manages to persuade the fallen knight to obey him by appealing to the commander’s wish to serve. This suggests that those being extracted might or might not choose to follow the Shadow Monarch’s leadership. In a subsequent attempt, when Jinwoo tries to summon Min Byung-Gyu, the healer refuses despite Sung’s abilities being more than sufficient for the summons.

After Min demonstrates his caring nature by promptly attending to Cha Hae-In following the extraction, his personality is evident. Upon Baek Yoonho’s heartfelt plea for Jinwoo to protect the healer from battle, Sung ends the extraction. This act of empathy underscores Jinwoo’s kindness, but does it justify the ongoing use of this skill? When Byung-Gyu’s spirit visited Cha, he expressed that once removed from darkness, he became a slave. What implications might this have for the other shadows that weren’t sent back to their original state?

After Min shows his kindness by helping Cha Hae-In following the extraction process, it’s clear what kind of person he is. When Baek Yoonho asks Jinwoo not to involve him in battles, Sung stops the extraction. This action highlights Jinwoo’s empathy, but should this ability be used further? Byung-Gyu’s spirit shared that after being pulled from darkness, he became a slave. What does this mean for the other spirits who were not released back into the world?

Forced Servitude

Byong-Gyu acknowledged that during the short period when Jinwoo controlled his spirit, he experienced joy. Even though he maintained his personal identity, he developed a deep sense of loyalty towards his new master, which was unsettling for him. But are the other shadows really content with their circumstances? Could it be that Beru is the one who would loudly proclaim his affection for his lord, but is that love genuinely his own or simply what the dominating power makes him think he should feel?

Though Sung doesn’t mistreat his subjects harshly, he sees them as subordinates. Even a kind ruler is still a ruler. Could such powerful beings truly be satisfied being servants if they had the chance to break free? They didn’t seem particularly fond of Jinwoo while they were alive, right? When Sung resets the world, his human shadows regain their previous lives, suggesting that the Shadow Monarch collects souls. Sung Jinwoo uses his power to shield others, even saving the earth, but is the outcome worth the methods used?

Tipping The Scales of Judgment

In the discussion surrounding the topic from “Solo Leveling”, it’s clear that it’s not something that can be easily resolved with a single piece of writing. The issue of capturing another’s soul without consent raises obvious concerns, but given Jinwoo’s unique situation, it becomes a complex matter to pass a definitive judgment on. Life, much like the story in this manga, is seldom black and white; instead, it’s filled with various shades of gray. A good story leaves you pondering difficult questions, and when a narrative does just that, it underscores its ability to captivate its readers effectively.

It’s great that a lot of people appreciate this story across all formats, which means there’s no shortage of individuals to chat with about the book itself, its various interpretations, and adaptations. Feel free to share your own thoughts in the comments section below this article. After all, morality is inherently debatable, so let’s dive right in!

2025-03-27 02:36