Solo Leveling: All Jinwoo’s Shadow Grades, Explained

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In the world of Solo Leveling, most hunters reach a power limit, no matter how much they train. However, Sung Jinwoo is different. Unlike others who are stuck at their initial rank unless they achieve a rare ‘second awakening,’ Jinwoo has a unique ‘System’ that allows him to grow stronger without limits. But his true power isn’t just his speed or strength—it’s his identity as a Shadow Monarch. By simply saying ‘Arise,’ he can absorb the magical energy of fallen enemies and transform it into a loyal Shadow soldier.

Not all Shadows are created equal. The Shadow Army is structured like a hierarchy, with different ranks based on intelligence, independence, and how much destruction they can cause. Understanding these ranks is crucial to understanding how Jinwoo evolved from a lone hunter into the leader of a massive, powerful army.

The Dark Genesis: Understanding the Mechanics of Shadow Extraction

The Three Chances of the Sovereign’s Command

  • Jinwoo can summon shadows by speaking a special command – he used the word “Arise.” He only has three chances to summon each soul, and if he fails, it’s lost forever. A soul will also disappear if the person had a strong will or died too long ago. Once summoned, these shadows remain with Jinwoo and are essentially immortal, constantly healing as long as he has enough magical energy to sustain them.

    Even though Shadows were once living beings, they now completely obey the Monarch, which has changed their personalities. Surprisingly, they can still grow stronger alongside Jinwoo, gaining experience and improving their abilities over time. This ability to develop is a key reason why his Shadow army remains a powerful force, even when facing incredibly strong opponents like the gods.

Shadow Army Grades

  • Normal and Elite Grades

The Shadow Army’s most common soldiers are those with Normal or Elite ranks. These members make up the bulk of the force.

Normal Grade entities are the most basic type of extracted being, generally functioning as common soldiers. Their power level is comparable to fighters ranked E to C. They typically lack individual personalities and are mass-produced to overwhelm opponents with large numbers.

Elite Grade hunters are a bit more skilled than average ones, roughly equivalent to a B-rank Hunter. They’re tougher and stronger, and you typically get them by defeating mid-level dungeon monsters or High Orcs. While not particularly impressive on their own, Elite Grades make up the bulk of the Shadow Army. As seen during the High Orc battles, even weaker soldiers become a serious threat when they can’t be killed.

  • Knight and Elite Knight

This is when Jinwoo’s Shadow Army really starts to become powerful. Once a Shadow reaches Knight Grade, Jinwoo gets to name it. Knights are incredibly strong – almost as capable as a top-level Hunter. The most well-known Knight is Igris, the Bloodred Commander, who originally came from a special dungeon. These Knights are excellent fighters and strategists, but they can’t speak.

Elite Knights bridge the gap between regular Hunters and the truly powerful elites. A strong A-rank Hunter is roughly equivalent in skill to one of these Knights. Notable examples include Tusk, a powerful Orc Shaman named Kargalgan; Tank, the leader of the Ice Bears; and Iron, a mysterious figure connected to the Hunter Kim Chul. These Knights can lead small teams and possess enough strength to force their way through higher-level barriers with minimal assistance.

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  • General Grade

I’ve observed that the General Grade is where Shadows really start to become incredibly powerful and smart. They’re capable of fighting Hunters ranked at the S-level and even beyond, and what’s really striking is they can actually communicate – they can talk.

Beru and Tusk are the most powerful Grade Shadow Generals. Beru began as a General but was later promoted to Marshal within the story, a rank also held by Greed, the shadow of the powerful villain Hwang Dong-Su. Shadows of this high level aren’t simply puppets; they are capable warriors with their own thoughts and personalities. Beru, for example, is a dramatic person who enjoys watching K-dramas, while Greed still carries a lot of resentment.

  • Marshal Grade

Marshals represent the absolute peak of individual combat ability. They are strong enough to defeat even top-level Hunters. The most famous example is Beru, also known as the Ant King. Even when he was still a General, his power – as demonstrated during the Jeju Island incident – allowed him to easily defeat S-rank Hunters.

Marshal Grade shadows are fully aware and remarkably devoted to Jinwoo, with a powerful magical presence that can be detected from a great distance. Eventually, both Beru and Igris achieved this rank, mirroring Jinwoo’s current status after serving the previous Shadow Monarch. This rank is reserved for exceptionally powerful beings capable of single-handedly ending wars.

  • Grand Marshal

Throughout the story of Solo Leveling, only one Shadow Soldier reaches the rank of Grand Marshal: Bellion. He served the very first Shadow Monarch and, like other members of the ancient Shadow Army, remained a powerful figure until the series’ conclusion.

Jinwoo’s strongest asset is Bellion. He’s incredibly powerful, easily defeating Beru in a battle for the Head Servant position. With massive wings and a unique sword that functions like a whip, Bellion embodies the Shadow Monarch’s overwhelming strength. Beyond combat, he also manages Jinwoo’s entire army of hundreds of thousands of soldiers.

Why Grades Matter in The Series

How Shadow Evolution Fuels the Infinite Power Crawl

The grading system isn’t just for show; it’s key to how powerful Jinwoo becomes. As Jinwoo levels up, so do his shadows, becoming stronger alongside him. We’ve already seen this with Igris, who advanced from an Elite to a Marshal. This means a Marshal-level shadow at the height of Jinwoo’s power is far more formidable than it ever was when it was alive.

The growth of Jinwoo’s abilities is what makes the power progression in Solo Leveling so satisfying. We see him start by barely being able to summon a single powerful knight (Igris), and eventually become a Grand Marshal strong enough to destroy entire cities. It’s not just about necromancy; it’s about developing a complex, evolving system of military ranks and power.

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2026-02-22 00:06