Hunters Who Failed to Live Up to Their Potential in Solo Leveling

This list contains spoilers from the Solo Leveling manhwa and anime.

The captivating series, Solo Leveling, is frequently pointed out for its intense focus on the main character, potentially leaving other characters with less prominence. As the narrative unfolds, a variety of engaging characters from different walks of life appear, yet they often take a backseat to Jinwoo’s journeys.

Among some of these characters, there is an underwhelming effect. Although they hold top positions as hunters, they struggle to create a memorable impact on the audience and tend to be quickly forgotten. In terms of their history and influence, here are some hunters who failed to reach their full capacity:

1. Hunter A: Despite being ranked highly, this character’s performance lacked the spark needed to captivate viewers, leaving them easily forgettable.
2. Hunter B: With a strong background, many expected great things from this hunter. However, their impact on the story was disappointing and they quickly faded from memory.
3. Hunter C: This character’s position among the top hunters was well-deserved but unfortunately, they failed to make an indelible impression, fading into obscurity shortly after their appearance.
4. Hunter D: Despite being ranked highly as a hunter, this character did not leave the lasting impact one would expect, leading many to overlook them in hindsight.

Kim Chul

A Member of White Tiger Guild

Webtoon Debut: Chapter 47

Unlike other characters on the list, Kim Chul wasn’t as potent. However, despite being an A-ranker, he was seen as strong enough to head a raid party. Regrettably, the gate they entered proved to be a red gate, and at least an S-ranker was needed to pass it.

Instead of wisely consolidating his hunters, Kim Chul blundered by underestimating his own capabilities and abandoning less powerful hunters. Although tactical errors can happen, what truly marked Kim Chul’s downfall was his inability to recognize Sung Jinwoo’s hidden potential.

It’s quite unfortunate that in this situation, Park Heejin could clearly see that Jinwoo was exceptional. Given Kim Chul’s position within the White Tiger Guild, it would have been beneficial for him to recognize Jinwoo’s potential earlier. This could have potentially saved his entire raid party.

Yuri Orloff

Russia’s Top S-ranker

Webtoon Debut: 123

Yuri Orloff might have been unrivaled in the art of barrier magic, his abilities being so exceptional that he was frequently sought after. He leveraged these skills to create wealth for himself, seizing opportunities as they presented themselves.

Although Orloff initially appeared as a skilled hunter, consistently delivering successful results, he ultimately fell short during critical moments, failing to meet the high expectations set for him. On the other hand, Yuri struggled severely in crucial situations, leading to significant losses due to his failures.

Lim Tae-Gyu

Korea’s Strongest Ranger-type Hunter

̌Webtoon Debut: Chapter 76

I, an onlooker, found myself observing Lim Tae-Gyu, one of the selective Korean hunters chosen for the daring operation on Jeju Island. In his role as the guild master of the Fiend Guild, he was anticipated to contribute significantly to this high-risk mission. However, during the course of events, Lim’s actions fell short of what one would expect from an S-ranker, and he found it challenging to leave a lasting impression.

Before the raid, during their sparring session, Hoshino Minoru defeated Tae-Gyu. Throughout the story, Tae-Gyu did not exhibit any overwhelming presence, and it could be argued that he never really proved himself worthy of his rank.

Ma Dongwook

Tanker-type Korean S-ranker

Webtoon Debut: Chapter 90

Similar to Lim Tae-Gyu, Ma Dongwook failed to make a significant impact on viewers. Despite holding an S-rank status, he experienced a humiliating loss against Kenzo Tanaka prior to the Jeju Island raid. Moreover, his performance during the raid itself was unimpressive.

Given his position as head of the Fame Guild, one might anticipate that he’d make significant appearances on several occasions. However, Ma’s role often found him taking a back seat, with only minor battles to his name that are not particularly memorable.

Hwang Dongsoo

Korean S-ranker Who Moved to America

Webtoon Debut: Chapter 24

In the past, Hwang Dongsoo was considered one of Korea’s top-notch hunters, boasting an extraordinary skillset that earned him a unique opportunity: to further improve in America. Eventually, he became part of Thomas Andre’s Scavenger Guild. When he first appeared, it seemed as though Hwang Dongsoo was unbeatable. Just his presence made A-ranker Woo Jinchul worry about Jinwoo’s wellbeing.

Initially, Dongsoo appeared quite ordinary, but when it came to actual combat, Sung Il-Hwan managed to almost defeat him in a matter of seconds, leaving his abilities seemingly unmatched. This unexpectedly ordinary performance by Dongsoo, compared to the initial portrayal of his extraordinary skills, was quite perplexing.

Choi Jong-In

Leader of Korea’s Largest and Strongest Guild

Webtoon Debut: Chapter 62

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but sing the praises of Choi Joing-In, a formidable force hailing from Korea! He’s not just any ordinary hunter; he’s our country’s mightiest mage-type warrior. But his greatness doesn’t stop there – he also heads the esteemed Hunters Guild as its guild master, and his leadership has played a significant part in our guild’s triumphs.

At first glance, Choi exudes an air of calm and unwavering confidence. He’s the kind of leader who can swiftly turn the tide of battle when things start to head south. His magical prowess combined with his strategic acumen makes him a force to be reckoned with on any field!

Nevertheless, this sense of security and dependability quickly fades when ferocious magical creatures from another realm wreak havoc in the human domain. Choi’s fire magic, while powerful and volatile, loses its edge when his opponents succeed in closing the gap and engaging him in combat. Despite his status as a highly-acclaimed hunter in Korea, Jong-In fails to truly stand out throughout the narrative.

Goto Ryuji

Japan’s Best Met an Underwhelming End on Jeju Island

Webtoon Debut: Chapter 85

Ryuji, often referred to as the top Japanese hunter, was acknowledged as second strongest hunter in Asia prior to Sung Jinwoo’s revival. In the Jeju Island arc, when Korea and Japan united for their daring raid on the deserted island, he gained recognition as an exceptional commander who would play a pivotal role in the mission.

An incredibly skilled and influential individual suffered a humiliating demise upon encountering the Ant King. Ryuji, who was known for his strength, couldn’t even manage to strike the elusive boss of Jeju Island. His anticlimactic end left many disappointed given his high expectations. If Goto had somehow left an impression on Jeju Island, his death might have been more tolerable. However, it was startling that he accomplished so little.

2025-09-09 08:36