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Discover the 8 smartest Solo Leveling characters. Explore what gives them a high intellect and where they rank amongst others.
Solo Leveling is one of the most popular anime currently airing, capturing the hearts of fans with its fascinating world of gates, monsters and hunters. An often overlooked part of this dynamic series is the intelligence of the characters, which has come in handy on several occasions. From calculating leaders to tactical masterminds, these characters leave an indelible mark on the narrative.
Here is a ranked list of the 8 smartest Solo Leveling characters across the anime and its source material.
8) Choi Jong-In
Known as Korea’s “Ultimate Hunter”, Choi Jong-In is the guild master of the powerful Hunters Guild. As a user of Fire Magic, he is extremely capable of manipulating and using it cleverly. He played a central role in the strategy and attack on the ant army in Jeju Island, incinerating hoards of them at once.
Additionally, Choi Jong-In is slick and doesn’t reveal his thoughts easily. He recognized Jinwoo’s powers and wished to recruit him. At the same time, he did not push more than necessary for fear of making an enemy out of him. Despite being relatively weaker than other S-Rank Hunters, his ability to ally with the likes of Cha Hae-In and countless other strong hunters has helped make his guild a superior presence in the series.
Hence, Choi Jong-In’s pragmatic approach to leadership and the ability to recognize potential allies always shines through to fans.
7) Woo Jinchul
Woo Jinchul might be the weakest character in this list but his intellect is nothing to scoff at. As an investigator of the Hunter Association, Jinchul was tasked with observing and managing hunters. He was one of the first characters who suspected Jinwoo’s rise to power, believing that the protagonist had gone through a reawakening.
While this was proven false, Jinchul always kept a watchful eye on Jinwoo, believing he would be very beneficial to the Association. His analytical nature which gathers evidence and makes inferences reflects his smartness.
6) Go Gunhee
Go Gunhee was the Chairman of the Hunter’s Association and the man Jinchul served. In a time when guilds were powerful enough to rival the government, Gunhee was the central presence who ensured there was peace in the country. He worked with the hunters to ensure there was no disorder, commanding respect for his power and experience.
Most importantly, Gunhee foresaw a huge threat in the future and saw the need for Jinwoo’s presence before anyone else. He actively supported the hunter, making him a man who could save humanity. Gunhee’s loyalty, honesty, and wisdom cement his place on this list.
5) Antares
The strongest and oldest of the Monarchs, the Dragon Monarch Antares is a figure of fearsome strength and intellect. He had led the war against the Rulers and wished to dominate humanity regardless of who had to die.
Unfortunately, Antares was too powerful to find a vessel like the other Monarchs. However, since he was extremely smart, he could concoct a scheme that allowed him to take his real body to the human world. He was almost successful but the protagonist outwitted him.
Notwithstanding this, Antares’ role as the main antagonist of Solo Leveling who pushed Jinwoo to the limits of his powers and intelligence only highlights his own character’s smartness.
4) Beru
Considered by many to be Jinwoo’s best soldier, Beru was the former Ant King who joined the protagonist’s ranks after the Jeju Island Arc. As the antagonist of this arc, he was a smart leader with strategic prowess that could defeat Korea’s strongest rankers.
Once he becomes Jinwoo’s servant, Beru retains his intellect and provides timely insight to his master frequently. Beru commands most of Jinwoo’s shadows, inspiring loyalty towards their leader. He is also highly trusted by Jinwoo, who relies on him to protect his sister against potential danger.
In the battle against the Monarchs, Beru solidifies his smartness by working in tandem with Jinwoo as an indispensable ally. His combination of immense strength, brainpower and the sense to gauge his surroundings properly make him a beloved addition to the series.
3) Ashborn
As the original Shadow Monarch, Ashborn is a being of unparalleled wisdom. Originally a Ruler, Ashborn had fought against the Monarchs for a long time. Following his allies’ betrayal, however, he became the Shadow Monarch. Despite being part of both parties, Ashborn shared none of their ideologies and dreamed of a world of peace.
He could sense that their methods were wrong, and the Monarchs’ decision to attack humanity would cause nothing but chaos. For the sake of his goal, he worked with The Architect to set up The System. He could assess Jinwoo’s hidden potential and passed down his powers to the boy, trusting he would be a worthy successor. Hence, while the character himself does not have a lot of screen time in the series, his plans to ensure humanity’s safety make his role vital.
2) The Architect
Kandiaru, popularly known as The Architect, is the person who gave Jinwoo his system to level up. He had initially set up the complex mechanisms of The System for the sake of preparing a vessel for Ashborn. After years of patience and rigorous tests, Jinwoo was finally selected.
Jinwoo’s rise to strength could be completely attributed to The Architect. The Architect proved his intelligence through the levels, tests, and training regiment that caused huge increases in power. Moreover, he was able to predict Jinwoo’s mindset and actions, though he is ultimately defeated due to his vanity.
Nevertheless, The Architect’s role in shaping the narrative and assisting Jinwoo to take the mantle of the Shadow Monarch makes him an immensely smart character.
1) Sung Jinwoo
It may not come as a surprise to many, but the smartest character in Solo Leveling is the protagonist, Sung Jinwoo. From his humble beginnings as the weakest hunter, Jinwoo had managed to survive using his exquisite sense of danger and quick thinking. Even when stuck in the double dungeon, he came up with a tactic to protect both himself and the other characters.
While the focus on his intelligence is overshadowed once he gains enormous strength, he still applies his wit in battle. He could figure out the identity of The Architect on his own and could adapt during his battle against the Monarchs and Antares. Jinwoo has the foresight to look at the big picture, forging alliances when necessary but also setting up his own guild for freedom.
Sung Jinwoo’s tactical mindset combined with his unsurpassable powers make him the indisputable smartest character in Solo Leveling.
Conclusion
Solo Leveling is a series that celebrates not only raw strength but also the power of intelligence. From cunning strategists to geniuses who use their intellect in battle, we’ve covered the eight smartest characters in the series.
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