The Most Disappointing S-Rank Hunters In Solo Leveling

Summary

S-Rank hunters are highly valued worldwide, but not all live up to the hype. Some are disappointingly weak or unethical.
Power scaling among S-Ranks varies, with some being leagues above even the top A-Ranks.
Characters like Kei and Goto Ryuji, despite their hype, prove to be embarrassingly helpless in battles.

In the realm of Solo Leveling, S-Rank hunters signify those at the zenith of power. They are the elite, the crème de la crème. To put it into perspective, a single S-Rank hunter holds equivalent strength to an entire team of top-tier A-Rank hunters. Consequently, nations worldwide are eager to invest substantial resources and sometimes even compromise their rules to have an S-Rank battlefly under their flag.

In the world we know, S-Rank hunters are considered the mightiest, but the hierarchy isn’t always straightforward. Some S-Rankers are just slightly stronger than the top A-Rank hunter, while others like Sung Jinwoo stand out as being far superior, even among their S-Rank peers. This list focuses on the former group – those who fail to meet expectations, either in power or conduct. These are the most underwhelming S-Rank Hunters in Solo Leveling, ranked according to how disappointing they prove to be.

caution: Plot developments in the series “Solo Leveling,” whether it’s the animated adaptation or the webcomic, encompass events leading up to Season 3. Proceed with care to avoid unintended spoilers.

7. Ma Dongwook

The Weakest S-Rank Hunter In South Korea

Country of Origin: South Korea
Affiliation: Fame Guild
First Appearance: Episode 21

Ma Dongwook, hailing from South Korea, is among the top ten S-Ranked individuals. He heads the Fame Guild and has been part of numerous high-level dungeon clearances. Uniquely, he’s the sole Tank among the currently active S-Ranks in the nation. His special trait allows him to enlarge his physical form, which correlates with a boost in strength. However, during combat situations, his role as a tank and the ability to grow larger turn out to be less effective.

In the Jeju Island raid, Ma Dongwook’s abilities are most evidently showcased. Here, viewers observe that, in his tank form, he struggles to withstand the attacks of the ant army and is helpless against the Ant King. Although his larger size provides immense power, it also impedes his speed, making him ineffective against swift enemies like the Ant King. As a result, Ma Dongwook might be considered one of the least powerful among South Korea’s S-Rank Hunters.

6. Kei‎‎

The Arrogant S-Rank

Country of Origin: Japan
Affiliation: Blade Guild
First Appearance: Episode 21

One of the elite Japanese Hunters, known as Kei, was dispatched to aid the South Korean top-tier Hunters in their mission to reclaim Jeju Island. Generally, Japanese S-Rankers are known for their arrogance, but Kei surpasses this norm. He harbors a sense of superiority towards his Korean counterparts and frequently speaks negatively about them.

One might assume that such a large ability would be matched by an equally formidable defense. However, despite Kei’s substantial ice-wielding power, he is surprisingly incapable against the Ant King’s assaults. He can barely follow the King’s movements, let alone defend himself effectively. Consequently, his life was extinguished in a blink of an eye.

5. Lennart Niermann

A Helpless S-Rank

Country of Origin: Germany
Affiliation: Richter Guild
First Appearance: Chapter 142

Lennart Niermann stands as the highest-ranked S-class hunter hailing from Germany. Although he may not hold a title at the national level, his S-Rank status undeniably showcases his strength. In any confrontation with fellow S-Rank hunters across borders, Niermann more than holds his own. Regrettably, even his formidable power falls short when faced against the Monarchs in battle.

Lennart Niermann didn’t take long after meeting Sung Jinwoo to cross paths with a Monarch, specifically Rakan, the ruler of Fangs. Niermann, known for his formidable strength, unleashed an attack capable of leveling a building against Rakan, but it had no effect on him. Instead, Rakan’s seemingly casual strike came close to taking Niermann’s life. Although the adversary is incredibly powerful, it was disheartening to see the highly-regarded S-Rank Hunter from one of the major nations struggling so much in battle.

4. Christopher Reed

A Disappointing National-Level Hunter

Country of Origin: USA
Affiliation: N/A
First Appearance: Chapter 138

Christopher Reed stands among the elite group of S-Rank Hunters from the USA and is recognized as one of the very few National-level Hunters globally. To put it simply, he is undoubtedly the most powerful S-Rank Hunter featured in this compilation.

It’s unfortunate that despite being compared to Thomas Andre, Reed was overpowered by the Monarchs, who were more numerous in their encounter. Given his status as a National-Level Hunter, it would have been reasonable to expect him to subdue at least one of them. Sadly, he ended up losing his life while the Monarchs emerged unharmed.

3. Yuri Orloff

A Weak And Unethical S-Rank

Country of Origin: Russia
Affiliation: N/A
First Appearance: Chapter 123

Yuri Orloff hails from Russia and holds a top-tier status as an S-Rank Hunter. His expertise lies primarily in defense, specifically crafting what are said to be invincible barricades. He stands out among all S-Rank Hunters due to his exclusive mastery of this exceptional talent.

Yuri recognizes how special and precious his talent is, so he charges a very high fee for his services to those who can afford it, earning him a reputation as one of the most greedy characters in the series. Additionally, Yuri has issues with alcohol and flirting with women. To add insult to injury, the wall that Yuri took immense pride in is destroyed in just minutes by a soldier serving the King of Giants.

2. Hwang Dongsoo

A Petty And Cruel S-Rank Hunter

Country of Origin: South Korea
Affiliation: Scavenger Guild
First Appearance: Episode 7

Hwang Dongsoo, originally a highly-ranked Hunter from Korea, chose to switch allegiances to the United States of America for monetary reasons. His actions suggest a lack of loyalty towards his homeland and reveal traits such as greed, arrogance, self-centeredness, rudeness, and a tendency towards violence.

Beyond being disheartening due to his questionable morals, Hwan Dongsoo also struggles with graceful defeat. When Sung Jinwoo outplayed him honestly, Hwan responded by employing unscrupulous methods to ensnare Jinwoo. He was prepared to kidnap and harm an unsuspecting individual, all in the name of petty retribution. Truly, he falls short of the standards expected for an S-Rank.

1. Goto Ryuji

The Most Hyped-Up S-Rank

Country of Origin: Japan
Affiliation: Blade Guild
First Appearance: Episode 20

When discussing the most underwhelming top-tier Hunters among Solo Leveling fans, none are mentioned as frequently as Goto Ryuji. The reason for this is primarily due to the excessive buildup of his character within the story. Initially, when Goto Ryuji was introduced in the narrative, he was portrayed as Japan’s strongest S-Rank and the individual most akin to being a National-Level Hunter. A swordsman who excels not only in combat but also demonstrates exceptional wit and ruthlessness off the battlefield.

The first time Goto encountered the S-Ranks in Korea, he confidently declared that he was the most powerful hunter present. In fact, it appeared as if he could hold his own against Sung Jinwoo, the strongest S-Rank in Korea.

Subsequently, the decisive struggle unfolded on Jeju Island, and he was utterly powerless against the Ant King. Moreover, this fearsome bug claimed his life before he could demonstrate his true potential. The audience eagerly anticipated witnessing Japan’s finest in action, but instead, they witnessed a swift, humiliating defeat within moments of confronting the main adversary. It was all for naught.

2025-07-25 08:37