Solo Leveling: What Happened with Sung Jinwoo
The Solo Leveling Story Premise
The popular manwa turned anime (and one of my absolute favorite anime this season), “Solo Leveling”, throws us headfirst into a world where hunters battle monstrous creatures to protect humanity.
Sung Jinwoo, our protagonist, starts as an E-rank hunter—basically, the weakest of the weak.
Barely scraping by on the most dangerous missions, he earns his “world’s weakest” title. That is until he stumbles into a not-so-funderful rare double dungeon, a place that nearly kills everyone in his party.
After a series of brutal trials, Jinwoo is critically injured by the Statue of God but gets a second chance at life, thanks to the mysterious System.
This moment is the turning point that sets him on a meteoric rise from scared weakling to becoming the ultimate powerhouse.
Image Credit: Solo Leveling | Crunchyroll and Aniplex
The story has been an exhilarating ride, showcasing Jinwoo’s transformation from a fearful, struggling hunter to an almost emotionless (yet supremely badass) demigod who casually flexes on beings that would once terrified him.
With a mix of dungeon crawling, world-building, and jaw-dropping battles, “Solo Leveling” has become the anime adaptation we didn’t know we desperately needed.
Disclaimer: there is a LOT more content in the manwa, but to not give any spoilers away for our anime watchers – we’re just going to be going over things that have been released in the anime so far.
Sung Jinwoo's Powers And Abilities
Sung Jinwoo’s arsenal of abilities is nothing short of legendary.
What started as a desperate struggle for survival quickly turned into an absolute power trip, as he unlocked ability after ability, each more devastating than the last.
From manipulating shadows to dominating the battlefield with raw force, his skills make him one of the most fearsome entities in the world.
The System: Leveling Up
Jinwoo’s journey to godhood begins with the System—a cheat-code-like mechanic that lets him level up by completing quests, killing monsters, and grinding like a pro gamer.
This ability was granted after he was critically injured by the Statue of God in the double dungeon. Unlike every other hunter stuck at their initial power level, Jinwoo can grow endlessly stronger, gaining stats, skills, and items that would make any RPG player drool.
Stealth
Jinwoo’s first acquired skill from another hunter, Stealth, came from the corrupt Kang Taeshik. After defeating Taeshik, Jinwoo obtained the rune stone containing the skill, which allows him to completely camouflage himself and conceal his presence.
Stealth is often associated with assassin-type hunters and is notoriously difficult to detect, making it a lethal addition to his arsenal.
Bloodlust
Bloodlust enables Jinwoo to magically intimidate his targets, inducing intense fear that leaves them paralyzed. This fear-based skill reduces all target stats by 50% for a minute and costs 100 mana.
Even better, it can be used on multiple enemies at once, making it a psychological and tactical weapon rolled into one.
Sprint/Quicksilver
With Sprint, Jinwoo can boost his speed by 30%, making him a blur on the battlefield.
This skill costs just 1 mana per minute to maintain and grows faster as it levels up, turning Jinwoo into a nearly untouchable force.
Critical Attack/Mutilation
Critical Attack is a dagger-exclusive skill that lets Jinwoo deal devastating damage by targeting an enemy’s vital points. This skill costs 70 mana and becomes even deadlier when it evolves into Mutilation.
The advanced version unleashes rapid-fire cuts capable of tearing enemies apart in a whirlwind of destruction.
Dagger Throw/Dagger Rush
A versatile and ranged offensive skill, Dagger Throw allows Jinwoo to hurl daggers with deadly precision. The skill’s damage and accuracy depend on its level and costs 30 mana to use.
Over time, this ability evolves into Dagger Rush, enabling Jinwoo to launch multiple daggers from all directions, overwhelming his opponents.
Dominator's Touch
This telekinetic ability makes Jinwoo look like a literal god. He can lift and manipulate objects (or enemies) with sheer willpower.
Whether he’s tossing boulders or pinning enemies in place, Dominator’s Touch is as terrifying as it is versatile.
Ruler's Authority
An advanced form of Dominator’s Touch, this power gives Jinwoo even more control over his surroundings.
He first uses it to stop a powerful attack mid-air, showing that his command over the battlefield is virtually absolute.
Shadow Extraction
Jinwoo’s signature move, Shadow Extraction, lets him raise the dead as loyal shadow soldiers.
After defeating an enemy, he can claim their shadow and add them to his growing army. This ability alone transforms him from a lone wolf into a one-man army.
Image Credit: Solo Leveling | Crunchyroll and Aniplex
Sung Jinwoo's Shadow Summons
From controlling nameless melee troops and mages to the former guardian of the King’s Throne, Jinwoo’s shadow army is as diverse in power as it is terrifying.
Each summon brings something unique to the table, and their combined strength makes Jinwoo nearly unstoppable.
Igris
One of Jinwoo’s earliest and most loyal summons, Igris is a knight decked out in crimson armor.
Despite his stoic nature, Igris’s skill with a sword makes him one of Jinwoo’s deadliest soldiers. His strength and loyalty cement him as a fan-favorite among the shadows.
Tank
If Jinwoo’s army had a mascot, it would be Tank. This giant Shadow Beast, formerly an Ice Bear boss, is an absolute unit.
Covered in thick fur and built like a wrecking ball, Tank is the go-to for brute force destruction and can also help as a handy ride to get around faster.
His monstrous strength and durability make him an unstoppable juggernaut on the battlefield, and watching him charge through enemies like a living snowplow is always a sight to behold. Plus, he’s got that primal intimidation factor—nothing quite says “you’re screwed” like a bear the size of a truck barreling toward you at full speed.
Iron
Iron is a former high-ranking hunter who met his end but found new purpose in Jinwoo’s shadow army.
While not the flashiest summon, Iron brings raw endurance and brute strength to the battlefield.
Towering over most enemies, he serves as Jinwoo’s frontline tank, absorbing blows and smashing through opponents like a wrecking ball.
His sheer resilience makes him an unmovable force, and his intimidating presence alone can send weaker foes running for the hills.
The Shift: From Scared Boy to Badass Demigod
To me, watching Jinwoo’s personality evolve has been one of the most compelling parts of “Solo Leveling.”
Initially, he’s a relatable average guy, fighting not just for survival but to support his family. But as his power grows, not only does he noticeably become buffer (and taller somehow), but he also goes through what appears to be a gradual detachment from his very humanity.
Image Credit: Solo Leveling | Crunchyroll and Aniplex
The once-timid E-rank hunter becomes a cold, calculating force of nature, willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals – being pushed further by new quests given to him by The System.
Image Credit: Solo Leveling | Crunchyroll and Aniplex
This transformation isn’t just physical; it’s psychological.
Jinwoo’s confidence borders on arrogance, and his humanity begins to feel like a distant memory. Yet, moments of vulnerability remind us of the person he once was, making his journey all the more fascinating.
The duality of his character keeps us hooked, wondering whether he’ll fully lose himself to the power or find a way to balance strength with compassion.
Solo Leveling Keeps HItting Hard
Following Sung Jinwoo’s journey has been nothing short of funderful.
Watching him rise from the weakest hunter to an almost untouchable god-like figure has been a wild ride, filled with epic battles, jaw-dropping power-ups, and enough twists to keep us glued to the screen.
His transformation—both in strength and mindset—is the heart of “Solo Leveling,” and it’s been amazing to watch it unfold.
As we eagerly await what’s next, one thing is clear: Sung Jinwoo’s story is far from over.
The possibilities are endless, and if the past is any indicator, the future is going to be full of surprises, badassery, and maybe even a few funsies along the way so I’m excited to see what happens by the end of Season 2!
If you haven’t watched it yourself yet, make sure to check out Solo Leveling on Crunchyroll!
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Armando
February 4, 2025
So happy to see this on here. Solo Leveling is peak af!
Ayefkay
February 6, 2025
Hey Armando, sorry for the late reply but I absolutely agree. I really want to write more from the manhwa, but I can’t spoil it for everyone. Keep watching!
Hmmmmm
February 4, 2025
Buy why?
Ayefkay
February 6, 2025
But why not?! Jinwoo (and Solo Leveling as a whole) is next-level awesome my brotha/sista/friendo!
Uzumaki Naruto
February 6, 2025
Kagebunshin no-justu!
Ayefkay
February 6, 2025
I think it’s a little more like Shikamaru’s shadow possession, but I feel the vibes!