Solo Leveling: Creator Reveals Simple Reason Behind Ant King’s Name

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Summary

  • Ant King is the most powerful dungeon boss in Solo Leveling season 2, surpassing S-rank hunters in strength and abilities.
  • Fans debate whether to call the Ant King “Black Ant” or “Ant King,” as his title reflects his desire for power.
  • Chugong reveals the simple reason behind naming the Ant King, confirming it was chosen because “Ant King” sounds cool.

In the captivating world of Solo Leveling, The Ant King stands out as one of the most fearsome creatures, driving elite Korean and Japanese hunters to the edge of extinction. This monstrous being boasts strength, speed, and abilities that eclipse even those of top-tier S-rank hunters, with the exception of Jin-Woo. Yet, in an unexpected twist, Chugong, the creator of Solo Leveling, provides a surprisingly straightforward explanation for the Ant King’s regal title.

In Jeju Island, the Ant King is the secretive superior adversary behind the high-risk S-rank gate. His appearance causes a chaotic breach within the dungeon, leaving even Japan’s top hunters like Goto Ryuji in disarray. With his extraordinary power, astonishing speed, sharp intellect, and remarkable healing and regenerative capacities, the Ant King is widely considered by fans as the strongest dungeon boss that Jin-Woo has yet to encounter in the anime, owing mainly to his immense strength, blinding agility, keen intelligence, and exceptional recovery abilities.

Is It “Black Ant” or “Ant King?”

It Can Be Interchangeable

In the second season of Solo Leveling, upon first appearance of the colossal being known as the Ant King, he’s often referred to by fans as either the Black Ant or simply the Ant King. The former highlights his ominous, dark appearance, while the latter underscores his position as a counterpart to the Ant Queen and potential rival to the human king. Additionally, the royal title could suggest his ambition to dethrone the human king and ascend as the ruler of the world itself.

Regardless of whether fans call the transformed ant the Black Ant or the Ant King, it doesn’t matter at all, since they both refer to the same character from Solo Leveling. Essentially, the title for this monstrous creature can be switched based on fan preference. It’s not a significant issue because the mutated ant is now one of Jin-Woo’s shadows and has a new name, Beru.

“There’s no King outside. Is there another? The one whom you call the king?”—Ant King

As I observed, it struck me that Jin-Woo opted to christen the Ant King, or the Black Ant, as “Beru.” This isn’t your typical “gaemi” or plain “ant” naming. Instead, he drew inspiration from an author he suddenly recollected – Bernard Werber, renowned for his novel “The Ants.” It’s a distinctive name, given that Jin-Woo typically names his shadows based on their characteristics and original names.

The Ant King Lives up to His Title

Regarding the Jeju Island arc, high-tier hunters almost managed to seal the dungeon fissure until unexpectedly, the Ant King emerged. This colossal ant, unlike any other, was different due to its extraordinary presence. The emergence of the Ant King took the S-rank hunters by surprise and left them momentarily stunned, rooted to their spots before him.

Afterward, events unfolded much like a tale, as the Ant King systematically took on S-rank hunters in swift succession, showing no signs of fatigue. Though it seemed he was meting out vengeance for the death of the Ant Queen, there were underlying purposes at play. With the Ant Queen gone, the Ant King coveted greater power to ascend as the mightiest entity. This ambition drove him to locate the human king, setting the stage for his confrontation with Jin-Woo in a battle of epic proportions.

“Are you the king of humans?”—Ant King to Sung Jin-Woo

Solo Leveling’s Creator Sheds Light on the Ant King’s Title

Why Is the Ant Queen’s Offspring Called Ant King?

In a recent forum post, Solo Leveling’s creator revealed the reason behind naming the Ant King’s heir instead of the original Ant King. Contrary to expectations, his explanation was surprisingly straightforward given the Ant King’s enigmatic background. To refresh your memory, the Ant King emerged from an unusual breeding process initiated by the Ant Queen that distinguished him among the others, making him a captivating character in the series. Here’s what Chugong explained about the Ant King’s title in Solo Leveling:

Beru functions more as an Ant Warrior than an Ant King. He was born to be the strongest soldier for the queen’s protection and has no need to produce his own offspring or establish an ant colony. He is hardly a king, but I chose to call him ‘Ant King’ because, doesn’t it sound impressive?” – Chugong (Translations adapted by me)

For those who assume the Ant King’s title was granted due to exceptional strength and abilities, it turns out that Chugong confirms the title is simply catchy, rather than based on superior qualities. Intriguingly, the appealing and charismatic nature of the mutated ant is indeed heightened by

Currently, enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating more appearances of the Ant King, but for the time being, they’ll find him in the series Solo Leveling, serving as one of Jin-Woo’s most powerful shadows. Unlike his previous character, this new version of the Ant-King is dedicated to serving his master, whether it’s commanding his troops or shielding those dear to him. However, hints of the original Ant King persist in his transformation, and fans can expect these vestiges to resurface potentially in the upcoming season.

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2025-05-03 16:44