Most anime fans are already familiar with Solo Leveling, which has quickly become incredibly popular. However, while the series is visually impressive, it sometimes prioritizes action and special effects over developing strong emotional connections with its characters. The anime, based on the hit Korean webcomic (Manhwa), finished its second season with the Jeju Island storyline last year, and a third season hasn’t been announced yet.
The quick pace of Solo Leveling helped make it incredibly popular worldwide, but it also meant some important character development and backstory were rushed or left out. Solo Leveling: Arise addresses this by finally revealing the history of a fan-favorite Hunter – a former knight who became Sung Jinwoo’s most trusted Shadow Soldier. This story focuses on Sian Halat, who is also a playable character in Solo Leveling: Arise, and provides much-needed depth to his character.
Solo Leveling: Arise Gives A Beloved Character His Due
Although a third season of Solo Leveling hasn’t been officially announced yet, the game Solo Leveling: Arise is already delving into the stories of characters we didn’t get to see much of in the original series. Developed by Netmarble, this free-to-play game launched in the U.S. in November 2025 for PC, iOS, and Android. The game’s website includes special short stories called Hunter Origins that expand on the world’s lore and give players a deeper look into the backstories of key characters.
The Hunter Origin series includes a story focusing on Igris, a popular character from Solo Leveling. Igris is known as Sung Jinwoo’s strongest and most dependable shadow soldier, and his very being is linked to Ashborn, the previous Shadow Monarch. Even though he doesn’t get a lot of screen time in the main story, Igris is a captivating character thanks to his powerful aura, steadfast loyalty, and bond with Sung Jinwoo.
I recently experienced the story of Igris through the 25th Hunter Origin tale in Solo Leveling: Arise, and it was quite moving. It revealed his life before he became a shadow soldier, when he was a Knight Captain serving under the Shadow Monarch. He was incredibly loyal, held a very strict personal code, and was a truly powerful fighter – qualities that ultimately made him a key member of Jinwoo’s army. Before he was Igris, he was known as Sian Halat, a knight who often felt like he was being watched by something… not quite human. He couldn’t figure out what it was, but it was a constant feeling. Though he was a celebrated warrior and favored by the king, his success bred resentment among his fellow nobles, who were jealous of his battlefield victories and looked down on his humble beginnings. He pledged his loyalty to the king right in front of them, but their disapproval was clear.
A nobleman schemed to destroy Sian Halat, sending him a forged royal command to quell a rebellion. Duty compelled Sian to leave the palace, despite his wife’s worries. This decision led to his ruin, but also began his transformation into a Shadow Soldier. Though ambushed by numerous soldiers, Sian fought bravely. However, it was revealed he’d deliberately walked into the trap, ultimately surrendering when his wife and trusted soldiers were taken hostage. He was forced to watch them die, feeling he had failed them all. Overwhelmed with grief, and on the brink of death, he felt the presence of the same mysterious force he’d sensed since his coronation.
While the original Hunter Origin story only briefly mentions the meeting between Ashborn and Sian Halat, the Manhwa provides more details. It reveals that when Sian Halat’s previous life ended, he pledged loyalty to the Shadow Monarch and was reborn as a Shadow Soldier thousands of years ago. In Season 1 of Solo Leveling, Sian Halat, now known as Igris, battled Jinwoo as part of the System’s trials, establishing himself as a powerful character in the series.
While Igris’s story is interesting, the Solo Leveling anime generally follows the same pattern as the original comic, meaning detailed backstories like his usually aren’t fully explored. However, Solo Leveling: Arise fixes this by giving Igris the focus and development he deserved, something the original story didn’t fully provide.
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Igris’ Backstory Ends On A Cliffhanger
A crucial detail about Igris’ past is that it’s revealed through a book Jinwoo is reading. The story ends with a shock – Jinwoo actually pulls Igris out of the book, reviving Sian Halat’s body. This leaves many questions unanswered and hints at a possible continuation in a future series. Similarly, the backstory of Son Kihoon, an A-rank Hunter and commander of the Hunter Guild’s second squad, was also released as part of the Hunter Origin series. Like Igris, Kihoon’s past reveals a dark side to his character and he is also a playable character.
Although hugely popular, Solo Leveling addresses some initial inconsistencies in its characters, with Son Kihoon being a prime example. The series has faced criticism for not fully developing its characters, especially when compared to the protagonist, Jinwoo. While Season 2 showed improvement, the Hunter Origin stories were crucial in fleshing them out. Son Kihoon’s transformation, from a timid and unprepared Hunter to the respected commander of the Hunter’s Guild – as highlighted in Solo Leveling anime episode #18 – demonstrates this growth.
Even though Solo Leveling has been incredibly popular, the series is now starting to flesh out its supporting characters, with Igris and Son Kihoon being prime examples. A common criticism was that these characters didn’t get enough development compared to the main character, Sung Jinwoo. While Season 2 shows improvement, the short stories focusing on individual Hunters are really making a difference. We see Son Kihoon transform from a fearful, new Hunter into a confident commander of the Hunters Guild, both in the original story and especially in the anime, like in Episode 18. This development makes his story much more engaging and establishes him as a strong leader.
The ‘Hunter Origin’ stories enrich the world of Solo Leveling by fleshing out the supporting characters. These short stories reveal what motivates each hunter, establishing them as capable members of Jinwoo’s team. They also clarify the relationships these hunters have with Jinwoo, and demonstrate that the Hunter Association is comprised of individuals with complex lives, not just faceless organizations. This added depth makes each hunter a more significant part of the story, preventing them from simply existing as background characters in Jinwoo’s journey.
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2026-05-24 13:35