Korea’s First Ever S-Rank Hunter Revealed

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Summary

  • Jinwoo is Korea’s 10th S-Rank Hunter, causing the various major Korean guilds to compete for his signature.
  • Hunter Rankings are based on Mana concentration, with S-Rank Hunters having immeasurable levels thereof.
  • The Hunter Association is crucial in maintaining the delicate balance among the country’s top guilds, aiming to recruit Jinwoo to avoid upsetting this balance.

In the fourth installment of “Solo Leveling Season 2 -Emerging from Shadows-“, Sung Jinwoo undergoes a reevaluation of his rank, and it’s disclosed that his Mana is beyond measurement, suggesting he’s an elite S-Rank Hunter. His arrival could disrupt the delicate equilibrium among the leading five Hunter Guilds in South Korea, a balance that is further regulated by the Hunter Association.

Throughout the show’s progression, we uncover additional details about the mission of the Hunter Association, the significance of being an S-Rank Hunter, and the groundbreaking achievement of the initial Korean S-Rank Hunter.

At the moment, it’s not the government, but the brave Hunters who are the country’s most ardent defenders against dangerous magical creatures. These protectors form the core of five dominant guilds, each resembling a mighty dinosaur in its own right, maintaining a precarious balance with one another. However, joining any of these guilds could disrupt this delicate equilibrium. The Hunter Association serves as an essential safeguard for the nation against them, acting as a sixth power.

– Go Gunhee

Let’s Recap Hunter Rankings

A Measure of Magic Power

Hunter Ranks serve as quick indicators of a Hunter’s magical power, representing the amount of Mana within their bodies. This ranking system is determined using advanced technology, allowing the Hunter Association to quantify a Hunter’s Mana concentration numerically. A higher value corresponds to a higher Rank, with E-Rank being the lowest (and thus belonging to the weakest Hunters), and S-Rank being the highest tier.

To become an S-Rank Hunter, a person’s Mana levels must be so immense that standard measuring tools can’t register it. This means the equipment used to evaluate these individuals is simply incapable of such measurement. A Hunter’s ranking remains static, as their potential as a Hunter is determined at awakening, and there exists a vast difference in skill between each rank tier. An E-Ranker might struggle against another E-Ranker, but they could easily overpower a typical human. It’s exceptionally challenging for a lower-ranked Hunter to defeat one of higher rank in battle.

In this storyline, it becomes challenging to gauge the abilities of S-Rank Hunters since direct comparisons are rarely made, and confrontations between them are generally discouraged due to potential destructive outcomes. The vast disparity in skills among two S-Rank Hunters is illustrated through the character introduction of Sung Jinwoo’s father, Sung Il Hwan, who easily overpowers Hwang Dongsoo. For several years now, the Hunter Ranking System has been operational following the emergence of the Gates; however, it’s important to note that this system didn’t exist when Sung Il Hwan was a Hunter a decade before the series takes place, making him less recognized despite his formidable power.

Introducing Korea’s First S-Rank

The Hunter Association As a Sixth Korean Power

After his Rank reassessment, Jinwoo attracts considerable attention. Major guilds across the nation are actively seeking his endorsement. Notable figures such as Choi Jong In from the Hunters’ Guild and Baek Yoonho of the White Tiger Guild – whom Jinwoo briefly encountered post-Red Gate Incident – are eager to secure the latest Korean S-Rank Hunter. Even the Chairman of the Hunter Association, Go Gunhee, took time out to speak with Jinwoo at the hospital where his mother was hospitalized, discussing the significance of his decision.

If he were to join any of the leading five Guilds, it would likely break the current fragile equilibrium, paving the way for the guild he chooses to have undeniable influence. The Chairman wishes to enlist Sung Jinwoo into the Hunter Association, providing him with a secure career path and preserving the equilibrium at the same time.

He views the Hunter Association as a hidden force that influences the five main powers. This is due to Hunters’ natural strength over those who aren’t, and he has this perspective because he serves as the Chairman of the Hunter Association and is also the first-ever S-Rank Hunter in Korean history, known as Go Gunhee.

Or, if you prefer a more conversational style:

He thinks that the Hunter Association acts as an unseen power that keeps the other five powers in check because Hunters have such great strength compared to regular folks. This is his viewpoint since he’s the Chairman of the Hunter Association and Go Gunhee, who is from Korea, was the very first S-Rank Hunter in history.

Among all individuals, only ten including Sung Jinwoo have held this position, and notably, the Chairman himself no longer participates in Raids due to his retirement. The character of the Chairman is crafted to evoke the image of the robust elderliness often seen in shonen anime, manga, and video games. However, the fact that he was once Korea’s first S-Rank Hunter lends further weight to this impression of power.

Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow- is available on Crunchyroll.

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2025-01-29 17:55