In Solo Leveling, the Monarchs are powerful beings, often portrayed as the enemies of humanity and other factions. They are incredibly strong and are considered some of the primary antagonists in the series. Each Monarch holds unique abilities and plays a significant role in the overarching conflict.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the main Monarchs:
The King of Giants (The Monarch of Destruction): A massive and menacing figure who commands immense destructive power. He has a commanding presence and his actions often bring about catastrophic events.
The Monarch of Frost: This Monarch wields ice-based powers and can manipulate temperatures to freezing extremes. His cold demeanor matches his abilities, and he is a strategic and dangerous opponent.
The Monarch of Darkness: Known for his manipulation of shadows and darkness, this Monarch has an eerie, intimidating aura. His control over darkness makes him a formidable adversary in battle.
The Monarch of Beauty: Although initially seen as a somewhat softer Monarch compared to others, her beauty hides a lethal and manipulative nature. She uses both her charms and abilities to control situations to her advantage.
The Monarch of Death: This Monarch thrives on death and decay. He’s tied closely to the concept of mortality and has an incredibly ominous influence over life and death
The Monarchs in Solo Leveling
Each Monarch Has Unfathomable Powers and Abilities
The Monarchs: Beings of Absolute Destruction, Born from Darkness to Fight the Rulers
In the universe of Solo Leveling, the Monarchs are not mere antagonists; they are ancient, powerful beings that shape the very fabric of the world. Their creation, motivations, and interactions with other cosmic entities form the backbone of the story’s darker, more complex themes. These powerful forces were forged from the very essence of darkness to oppose the Rulers, who were created from the light by an omnipotent being known as the Absolute Being.
While the anime has yet to fully dive into the Monarchs’ true nature, understanding their origins and motives is crucial to unraveling Solo Leveling’s intricate lore. Sung Jinwoo’s rise to power and transformation into the Shadow Monarch is intimately tied to the ancient war between the Monarchs and Rulers, whose clash over eons shapes the fate of humanity and Jinwoo’s destiny.
Solo Leveling’s Story Begins with a Never-Ending War
The Genesis of Light and Darkness
Before time itself, the Absolute Being—an all-powerful and indifferent entity—created two factions of beings: the Rulers, born from light, and the Monarchs, birthed from darkness. The Rulers were designed to protect the world and nurture life, fulfilling the will of their creator to maintain balance and peace. In contrast, the Monarchs, bound to chaos and destruction, thrived in turmoil. Their existence was fueled by a relentless desire to annihilate all life and dominate the world, especially humanity.
Their eternal war against the Rulers, driven by opposing natures, was only a form of entertainment for the Absolute Being. As the Rulers tried to protect humanity, the Monarchs sought to destroy it. The resulting conflicts, marked by catastrophic battles, ultimately led to the Rulers’ rebellion against the Absolute Being.
The Catalyst for Change: Ashborn’s Betrayal
The Rulers’ rebellion against their creator marked a pivotal moment in the Solo Leveling universe. After ousting the Absolute Being, they turned their focus toward the Monarchs, the embodiment of destruction. The Monarchs, unwilling to accept their defeat, were forced to retreat into a shadowy veil between realms, hiding from the Rulers’ wrath.
During this period of hiding, a significant figure emerged: Ashborn, once a Monarch himself, betrayed both his kin and the Rulers. His decision to align with neither side and his eventual betrayal led to the creation of the Shadow Monarch, Sung Jinwoo, whose power would tip the scales in humanity’s favor.
The Monarchs Are Beings of Absolute Destruction
Unmatched Power, but Vulnerable to Human Hosts
Unlike the Rulers, who are guardians of life, the Monarchs revel in destruction. Each Monarch possesses unimaginable power over specific domains, and their influence over their territories allows them to subjugate weaker beings. Despite their vast abilities, however, the Monarchs require human vessels to manifest and interact with the physical world. This dependence on human bodies makes them vulnerable.
In their human form, the Monarchs are mortal and can be killed, especially by powerful beings like Jinwoo, who exploits their vulnerabilities. This concept of vessels—human beings whose minds and bodies are consumed by the Monarchs—adds a layer of tragedy to their existence, as they are bound to destroy the very world that sustains them.
The Monarchs’ Titles and Domains
Each of the Monarchs rules over a distinct domain, lending them unique powers and abilities. Here’s a breakdown of their names and titles:
| Monarch | Title |
|---|---|
| Antares | The Monarch of Destruction, the King of Dragons |
| Baran | The Monarch of White Flames, the King of Demons |
| Rakan | The Monarch of Fangs, the King of Beasts |
| Sillad | The Monarch of Frost, the King of Snow Folk |
| Tarnak | The Monarch of Iron Body, the King of Monstrous Humanoids |
| Legia | The Monarch of the Beginning, the King of Giants |
| Querehsha | The Monarch of Plagues, the Queen of Insects |
| Yogumunt | The Monarch of Transfiguration, the King of Demonic Spectres |
| Ashborn | The Monarch of Shadows, the King of the Dead |
These titles represent their supreme control over the elements, creatures, and forces they rule. Each Monarch’s power is uniquely tailored to their domain, and their ability to wreak havoc is unmatched.
Why the Monarchs Are the True Antagonists of Solo Leveling
The Monarchs’ Ultimate Goal: Humanity’s Destruction
The Monarchs’ primary objective has always been the annihilation of humanity. Their war with the Rulers, while ancient, is not just a cosmic battle for supremacy; it is a crusade to obliterate the very existence of the human race. In the face of this eternal struggle, humanity becomes an unknowing pawn in a much larger cosmic game, where their survival depends on forces far beyond their control.
Jinwoo’s Role as the Shadow Monarch
Sung Jinwoo’s rise is not just a personal journey but a crucial element in the cosmic struggle between the Monarchs and the Rulers. As the Shadow Monarch, Jinwoo inherits the power to challenge these nearly omnipotent beings. His growing strength and mastery over the Shadow Army, which he raises from the dead, directly oppose the Monarchs’ destructive plans.
Despite their immense power, the Monarchs are unable to foresee Jinwoo’s rise. His ability to raise the dead, combined with his growing authority as the Shadow Monarch, makes him a formidable opponent. His mere existence is a direct threat to the Monarchs’ plans, and they are compelled to investigate the remnants of the Shadow Monarch—believing that his death would end the threat. Little do they know, their downfall is inevitable because of the power Jinwoo inherits from Ashborn.
