In Solo Leveling, the battle between Monarchs and Rulers shapes the entire story. The Monarchs are ancient, god-like beings who seek to destroy humanity and rule over the world. Meanwhile, the Rulers fight to stop them and protect life.
Understanding the Monarchs is essential to grasping the full depth of the Solo Leveling power system, which governs every key battle and hierarchy.
Among these powerful beings, the eight Monarchs stand out as the biggest threats. But who are they? What are their powers? And which one is the strongest? Let’s break this down here.
Who Are the Monarchs?
The Monarchs are powerful beings born from darkness. They are enemies of the Rulers, who represent light and order. Their goal is to wipe out all life and reclaim control of the universe.
Long ago, these two forces clashed in a massive war. The most important moment in this war was when Ashborn, the strongest Ruler, betrayed his own kind and became the Shadow Monarch. His decision changed the fate of the battle—and ultimately led to Sung Jin-Woo inheriting his power.
All 8 Monarchs in Solo Leveling
Each Monarch has unique abilities and it plays a crucial role in the story. Here we can look at all eight of them:
1. Monarch of Destruction – Antares

- The strongest of all Monarchs.
- A dragon-like creature with near-invincible power.
- His breath attack could wipe out entire armies.
- The final boss of Solo Leveling, fighting Sung Jin-Woo in an epic battle.
2. Monarch of Shadows – Ashborn (Former)

- Originally a Ruler, but chose to become a Monarch.
- Created the Shadow Army, one of the strongest forces in existence.
- Passed his power to Sung Jin-Woo, making him the next Shadow Monarch.
Ashborn’s role is directly tied to Jin-Woo’s fate—explored in our Sung Jin-Woo evolution analysis.
3. Monarch of Frost – Sillad

- Master of ice-based powers.
- Cold and calculating, he tried to take down Sung Jin-Woo.
- One of the first Monarchs to fall in battle.
4. Monarch of Iron Body – Beast Monarch – Rakan

- A brutal warrior with insane physical strength.
- Worked closely with Antares in the war against the Rulers.
- Tried to kill Sung Jin-Woo, but failed after underestimating him.
5. Monarch of Plagues – Querehsha

- A terrifying insect-based Monarch who controlled deadly poisons.
- One of the most cruel and sadistic beings in Solo Leveling.
- Met a gruesome end at the hands of Sung Jin-Woo.
6. Monarch of Transfiguration – Baran

- Had the power to change forms and deceive enemies.
- Ruled over a massive army of demons.
- One of the first major villains that Sung Jin-Woo defeated.
7. Monarch of White Flames – Yogumunt

- A fire-based Monarch with deadly flame abilities.
- One of the key figures in the war against the Rulers.
- Burned entire battlefields with his hellfire-like attacks.
8. Monarch of Beginning – Legia

- A mysterious entity tied to the origin of the war.
- Very little information is given about this being in the story.
- Possibly one of the first Monarchs to ever exist.
Power Rankings: Who Is the Strongest Monarch?
Let’s rank the Monarchs based on power, influence, and battle records.
1. Antares – Monarch of Destruction
- Undisputed strongest Monarch.
- Nearly defeated all the Rulers on his own.
- Gave Sung Jin-Woo his toughest battle ever.
2. Ashborn – Monarch of Shadows
- Became the Shadow Monarch, giving him near-immortal power.
- Defeated multiple Monarchs in the past.
- His decision to help humanity changed the course of history.
3. Beast Monarch – Rakan
- Among the physically strongest Monarchs.
- Had incredible endurance and brutal attack power.
4. Monarch of Frost – Sillad
- His ice abilities were powerful, but he wasn’t as strong as Antares or Ashborn.
5. Monarch of Plagues – Querehsha
- Her poison abilities made her dangerous, but she was weaker in direct combat.
6. Monarch of Transfiguration – Baran
- Had unique abilities, but lacked overwhelming strength.
7. Monarch of White Flames – Yogumunt
- His flames were powerful, but he was not among the top-tier fighters.
8. Monarch of Beginning
- No information is known about this entity.
FAQs
1. Who are all the Monarchs in Solo Leveling?
There are eight Monarchs and each represents a different destructive force. Antares, the Monarch of Destruction is the strongest among them.
2. What are the powers of the Monarchs in Solo Leveling?
Each Monarch has unique abilities that are fire, ice, poison, and strength. Also they have limitless regeneration and stamina which makes them unstoppable.
3. Who is the strongest Monarch in Solo Leveling?
Antares is the strongest Monarch of all of them. But Ashborn became the most legendary after betraying the Monarchs and passing all his power to Sung Jin-Woo.
4. Why did Ashborn betray the Monarchs?
He realized that the Monarchs’ war would destroy the world. So he chose to fight against them.
5. How do the Monarchs compare to the Rulers?
The Monarchs are basically a team of destruction, while the Rulers fight to preserve life. The Rulers were initially stronger, but the Monarchs gained power over time, leading to an intense war.
Conclusion: The Monarchs’ Role in Solo Leveling
The Monarchs are the main villains of Solo Leveling. Their war with the Rulers led to the rise of Sung Jin-Woo, who ultimately became the strongest being in existence.
While Antares was the most powerful, Ashborn’s decision to break away from the Monarchs changed everything. Without him, Jin-Woo would never have gained the power to defeat the Monarchs once and for all.
Their influence may also extend beyond the anime’s ending, as speculated in our Solo Leveling different ending theory.
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