The Unrivaled Hunter: Solo Leveling's Most Powerful

The recent arrival of the Solo Leveling anime has introduced viewers to the protagonist, Sung Jin-Woo, who begins as the lowest-ranked hunter. This has sparked curiosity among fans, who are eager to discover who the strongest hunter is, if Jin-Woo is considered the weakest.

Solo Leveling, a highly popular Korean Manhwa, reached its conclusion with the 200th chapter in 2021 after a successful run spanning several years, leaving fans emotional as they bid farewell to the series. However, the subsequent year brought a pleasant surprise for Solo Leveling enthusiasts - the announcement of an anime adaptation.

The dark fantasy anime adaptation announcement only included a key visual featuring Sung Jin-Woo. Despite this, the poster raised expectations. When the first teaser trailer of the animated show was released, it became clear that this show would be a game changer. The first episode of the anime was exceptional in every sense, prompting fans to scour the internet for potential information about the upcoming episodes.

Solo Leveling’s Strongest Hunter before Sung Jin-Woo

The tale begins with a protagonist known as the "weakest hunter of humanity." Despite this, he ultimately rises to become the most powerful Hunter in Solo Leveling. But who held the title of the strongest hunter before him?

I appreciate all these "uwu " moments of jinwoo before they turn him into a hot guy #SoloLeveling pic.twitter.com/0LlAQiZghV

— ly ■■ (@airenjaeger) January 7, 2024

Sung II Hwan, Jin-Woo's father, was once regarded as the strongest S-Rank hunter in existence until Jin-Woo surpassed him. Despite this, the series never fully explored his power and abilities. He was fiercely dedicated to protecting his family and friends from any threat. When another S-Rank hunter, Hwang Dongsoo, threatened Hwan's son, a intense battle ensued. Despite his immense potential, Hwan's physical strength went largely unnoticed due to a lack of resources.

Former firefighter Sung II Hwan left his job to become a top-rank hunter in Korea in response to the rising threat of Magic Beasts. However, his fate takes a dark turn when he is captured during a dungeon raid, leading everyone to believe he is dead. When he resurfaces in the manga, it is with a new and unexpected motive.

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While imprisoned in the Dungeon, he was discovered by the Rulers who offered his freedom in exchange for assassinating the new Shadow Monarch. What he did not realize was that the new Shadow Monarch was his own son, Sung Jin-Woo. Thus, these individuals tasked a father with the grim mission of eliminating his own flesh and blood.

Upon learning about Jin-Woo, Sung II Hwan immediately chooses to stand by his son and fight alongside him. Initially, he supports Jin-Woo from the shadows and keeps his identity hidden. Eventually, Sung II Hwan reveals himself, leading to a deeply emotional reunion with his son.

In spite of their poverty, Sung Jin-Woo and his family relied on the meager earnings from his Dungeon missions. However, their situation might have been improved if Sung II Hwan had not been captured a decade prior. Given his strength, he could have provided significantly for his family.

Sung II Hwan’s powers and abilities

Nevertheless, Sung II Hwan's motivation for becoming a Hunter was not to accumulate wealth. His primary goal was to increase his strength in order to safeguard the world in which his family resides. As a result, it is difficult to determine whether Jin-Woo's circumstances would have been altered had his father been present.

Sung II Hwan's powers were revealed during the last moments of Solo Leveling, showing his true potential. I'm eager for more information and chapters focusing on Sung II Hwan. Jin Woo's fatherly abilities must be incredibly powerful, as he was able to defeat Dong Su. pic.twitter.com/QdzfNAt04z

— Miles Morales (@BlackDjinnArt) June 20, 2019

Strength

Like every other Hunter, Sung II Hwan wields extraordinary power, capable of sending someone flying with just one punch. This was demonstrated in his encounter with Hwang Dongsoo - Jin-Woo's father effortlessly dominated the S-Class Hunter without breaking a sweat.

Stealth

Speed

Sung II Hwan not only possesses remarkable physical strength, but also excels in stealth. Utilizing his surroundings to mask his presence, he has managed to elude Jin-Woo for a considerable period of time.

Speed

Telekinesis

Sung II Hwan’s speed is not impacted by his strength; in fact, he is the second fastest Hunter after Jin-Woo. His incredible speed allows him to effortlessly dodge the combined attacks of the Frost Monarch and Rakan.

On top of everything, Sung II Hwan also has the Telekinesis ability, which allows him to lift and throw any object without lifting a finger.

You can check out our other anime coverage here.

Editor's P/S

As a hard fan of Solo Leveling, I am thrilled to see the anime adaptation finally come to life. The first episode exceeded my expectations, and I can't wait to see more of Sung Jin-Woo's journey to becoming the most powerful Hunter. However, I am also intrigued by the character of Sung II Hwan, Jin-Woo's father, who was once the strongest Hunter himself.

The anime has yet to fully explore Sung II Hwan's powers and abilities, but from what we've seen so far, he is a formidable force with incredible strength, stealth, speed, and telekinesis. I am eager to learn more about his past and how he came to be captured during a dungeon raid. It is clear that he is a complex and conflicted character, and I am excited to see how his relationship with Jin-Woo develops as the series progresses.