Summary
- Igris, Beru,Bellion, Tusk and Iron are the five strongest shadows that Jinwoo has arised from the corpse of his enemies that made him the Shadow Monarch
- Igris was shown to be strongest in his fight with Jinwoo to protect the empty throne however Sung always him to be his side
- In the Jeju Island raid, Jinwoo extracts beru after defeating the strongest ant king, Beru is the most powerful as of now in anime
No one fills more with awe or fear than Sung Jinwoo, the Shadow Monarch, in the world of Solo Leveling. With the broken power known as Shadow Extraction, he builds a terror legion from the corpses of his defeated enemies. These summoned creatures, the Shadows, are not senseless minions — they are loyal, powerful, and, in most cases, full of life. Each Shadow is an echo of some part of Jinwoo’s development and mastery.
While Jinwoo has summoned hundreds of Shadows throughout the series, some stand head and shoulders above the rest in power, functionality, and importance. These top-tier Shadows not only perform well in important battles but also become fan favorites because of their design, personality, and relationship with Jinwoo.
Bellion – The Right Hand of the Shadow Monarch
Bellion makes his appearance in the story much later than the rest, but there is no denial of his impact. Handcrafted by Ashborn, the previous Shadow Monarch, Bellion was neither a revived human nor a pure Shadow but one specifically made for war. Bellion becomes Bellion’s superior as soon as Jinwoo is given the title of Shadow Monarch.
Using his specialized whip-blade weapon, Bellion fights in a way no other Shadow has: with out-of-control, far-reaching slashes that control big swaths of the battlefield. His style is devious and flexible, and his experience as a veteran commander makes him invaluable. While he defeated Igris in a sparring match to establish hierarchy, Bellion ranks third on this list because of limited screen time and emotional investment from fans. He’s an excellent general, but lacks the narrative depth and background that Beru and Igris have. But if there is a war, Bellion’s the one you’d want commanding the troops.
Beru – The Ruthless Beast of the Battlefield
Beru is the most iconic and dreaded Shadow in Jinwoo’s lineup. Once the monster king Ant King, who devastated Korea during the Jeju Island Arc, Beru was an S-rank boss who required a whole national-level raid team to take down. After being defeated by Jinwoo in one of the series’ greatest battles, Beru was resurrected as a Shadow — and became even more lethal. As a Shadow, Beru possesses incredible speed, agility, and strength and has a highly developed level of intelligence. He can fly, slice through enemies with razor-sharp claws, and even heal himself or others. He can also give orders to other Shadows when under control by Jinwoo, showing his strategic adaptability.
Beru’s combat skills are unmatched among the shadows, and he has repeatedly demonstrated his prowess in combat, most obviously when he humiliated Thomas Andre’s whole guild in a “practice session.” Despite his gore-hunger on the battlefield, Beru is extremely polite with Jinwoo, to the point of bowing and speaking in a civilized tone. This blend of savagery and elegance renders him a character that will never be forgotten.
Igris – The Noble Knight of the Shadows
Igris is the first elite shadow Jinwoo receives and is etched in fans’ minds forever as the peak of Jinwoo’s development from weak to invincible. With his huge red armor and stoic demeanor, Igris is the archetypal knight: loyal, powerful, and disciplined. His swordplay is unmatched among most of the Shadows. He fights with precision and poise, typically cutting through opponents impeccably. While less flashy than Beru or Bellion, Igris is highly dependable and the backbone to much of Jinwoo’s early fighting.
Even when newer, stronger Shadows are being introduced, Jinwoo still continues to deploy Igris in his most critical moments. His integrity and quiet gallantry make him better than just a soldier — he’s a trusted friend who signifies Jinwoo’s past and achievements. He often serves as a battlefield leader when there aren’t higher-ranking shadows present, representing his worth in the army hierarchy of command.
Tusk – The Magical Arsenal of Destruction
Tusk is Jinwoo’s counter to magical aggression. As a former high-grade orc shaman, Tusk offers something that the others lack: brute magical firepower. With casting deadly fireballs and AoE magic, to raining down barriers and teleporting everyone, Tusk is a support mage with murderously useful skills. Unlike stoic Igris or well-disciplined Bellion, Tusk has an expressive nature — frequently with a smug or joyful look as he annihilates targets. He’s also Jinwoo’s top shadow for instant teleportation, important for grand-scale operations such as the Monarch invasion.
Although not physically imposing or for up-close combat, Tusk’s battlefield utility renders him indispensable. Without him, most grand-scale operations simply wouldn’t be feasible.
Iron – The Shield and the Roar
Iron might not be the strongest or the brightest, but he’s the most entertaining. Created from the corpse of Kim Chul, a powerful tank who didn’t take Jinwoo seriously, Iron is a huge, loud, and undaunted Shadow who charges headlong into danger. Iron shines in soaking damage and disruption. He’s typically in the lead himself, distracting other enemy units with his enraged charge and earsplitting war cries. His brute strength and high durability make him well-suited to breaking up lines and sowing chaos.
He might not be as much of a dandy as Igris or as intelligent as Tusk, but Iron only has one mission: to bust things. And, man, can he ever do it.
What makes Sung Jinwoo so fascinating as a protagonist isn’t how he becomes powerful—it’s how he leads, how he gains loyalty, and how every Shadow is emblematic of some part of his journey. These monsters aren’t tools; they’re loyal companions, hammered into existence in fires and held together by unbreakable bonds. Whether it’s Beru unleashing devastation, Igris standing firm like a silent knight, or Tusk melting enemies with a smug grin, Jinwoo’s Shadow army remains one of the most memorable and beloved aspects of Solo Leveling.
And as fans, we’ll never forget the first time that black smoke swirled around a corpse and a legend was born.
