Is Ashborn Set to Make an Appearance in Solo Leveling Season 1? Analysis of the Potential

Solo Leveling Season 1 is receiving positive feedback in the Winter Anime Season of 2024. Fans are pleased with everything, from the animation quality to how well the series is being adapted.

Despite the overall satisfaction, fans are craving more content. With only 12 episodes planned, there is a concern that the series may end before showcasing highly anticipated moments, such as the introduction of the original Shadow Monarch.

However, there is a glimmer of hope for fans of Solo Leveling season 1. The series is incorporating anime-original content, which could potentially mean the appearance of the Shadow Monarch in future episodes. Unfortunately, this has not been officially confirmed yet.

Exploring the chances of Ashborn's appearance in Solo Leveling Season 1

Twitter article posted by animēshon.

Ashborn was known as the strongest Ruler of ancient times and the first Shadow Monarch in this series. During the war with the Monarchs, Ashborn blindly followed the Absolute Being, much to the disapproval of the other Monarchs who felt they were being used as mere playthings for his entertainment.

Despite the criticism from his fellow Rulers, Ashborn remained a loyal shadow soldier and tried to prevent them from going against the Absolute Being. Unfortunately, his loyalty cost him his life as he was killed by his own brethren. However, as Ashborn was on the brink of death, his inner powers awakened and he was transformed into the Shadow Monarch, with these powers being bestowed upon him by the Absolute Being.

After awakening into a stronger form, Ashborn wanted to end the war but it had already finished and the Absolute Being was dead. He tried to help by joining the enemy, the Monarchs, but his power made them suspicious. Rakan and Baran, two powerful Monarchs, attacked him but Ashborn defeated them easily and killed Baran in anger. The Rulers begged for forgiveness and after much persuasion, Ashborn went into hiding to rebuild his Shadow Army.

Ashborn as seen in the manhwa (Image via Chugong, D&C Media) - Ashborn as seen in the manhwa (Image via Chugong, D&C Media)

Ashborn as seen in the manhwa (Image via Chugong, D&C Media)

Centuries later, Ashborn followed the Monarchs to Earth, where they were hunting humans. He was a man of peace and sought a tranquil environment on this planet. He also needed to find a suitable vessel to transfer his powers to. With the help of the Architect, Sung Jinwoo was identified as the perfect candidate to inherit his powers.

Despite the Architect's disapproval, Ashborn persisted in choosing Sung Jinwoo as his vessel. He began training Jinwoo to prepare him for receiving the powers of the system. As the Double Dungeon arc unfolded, the Architect called upon Jinwoo, expecting Ashborn to transfer his powers and possess him.

The Architect was locked out of the system, and Ashborn passed on his power to Sung Jinwoo, making him the new Shadow Monarch. Jinwoo only discovered his new role during the Monarch's War arc when Ashborn finally explained everything to him.

Sung Jinwoo (left) and Ashborn (right) (Image via Chugong, D&C Media) - Sung Jinwoo (left) and Ashborn (right) (Image via Chugong, D&C Media)

Ashborn makes his appearance in chapter 128 of the webtoon and chapter 217 of the novel, which is the original source material for Solo Leveling season 1. In the anime adaptation, about 4-5 chapters are covered in each episode. Therefore, based on the source materials, it is unlikely that Ashborn will make an appearance in the anime.

Was Ashborn hinted at in Solo Leveling Season 1 Episode 8?

In Solo Leveling season 1, there has been a noticeable inclusion of anime-original content. For instance, we saw Cha Haein being escorted by a guild and even becoming a member of one in episode 9. This has sparked speculation among fans that there might be a foreshadowing of Ashborn in the upcoming episodes, potentially introducing a new anime original scene.

Twitter article posted by Chromafire

In episode 8, Sung Jinwoo is preparing to take down Hwang Dongsuk and his group. The music Dark Aria begins to play in the background, adding to the intensity of the scene as Jinwoo continues to eliminate his enemies.

Fans have picked up on a fascinating detail in the lyrics of this soundtrack. It's possible that the lyrics of this song could be Ashborn's message to Sung Jinwoo as he gives him his heart.

This could be a hint of what's to come that many fans may have missed, or it could be a clue that he will make an appearance in the series in the next episodes.

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Editor's P/S:

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the current status of Solo Leveling Season 1 and explores the possibility of Ashborn's appearance. The inclusion of anime-original content has sparked excitement among fans, raising hopes that the highly anticipated character might make an appearance. The analysis of the soundtrack lyrics in episode 8 further fuels this speculation. While the article acknowledges the unlikelihood of Ashborn's appearance based on the source material, it leaves room for optimism and keeps fans eagerly anticipating future episodes.

Personally, I share the excitement of the fans and believe that the anime-original content holds the potential to expand the story and introduce new elements. The possibility of Ashborn's appearance adds an intriguing layer to the narrative and could significantly impact the overall development of the series. The article's detailed examination of the source material and the incorporation of fan theories provide a balanced perspective, making it an engaging read for Solo Leveling enthusiasts.