5 characters who'll shine in Solo Leveling season 2 (& 5 who'll take a backseat)

Solo Leveling season 2 will bring even more intense battles and more interesting arcs of characters as the plot deepens into the realm of hunters and their conflict with otherworldly threats. New challenges and evolving dynamics set some characters in the spotlight, showcasing their growth in pivotal roles in the plot.

Meanwhile, others fade into the background, where the events and players really take over. This ensures that prominence and notoriety create a rich progression that leaves fans eagerly looking forward to each twist and turn.

From Igris to Laura, here are the five characters who will be in the spotlight in Solo Leveling season 2, and five will fade away.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer's opinion and includes spoilers from the Solo Leveling manhwa series.

Cha Hae-In and 4 other characters who'll shine in Solo Leveling season 2

1) Sung Jinwoo

Sung Jinwoo as seen in anime (Image via A-1 Pictures)

By the end of season 1, Sung Jinwoo transforms from a struggling E-rank hunter to a powerful Shadow Monarch, gaining strength and gathering an army of shadows.

His control of the Shadow Extraction ability distinguished him as a strong and mighty force. In Solo Leveling season 2, as he unravels the secrets of the system and confronts deadlier threats, including international Hunters, his growing shadow army and strategic prowess will position him at the forefront of the story.

2) Han Song-Yi

Han Song-Yi as seen in the anime (Image via A-1 Pictures)

Han Song-Yi was the friend of Jinah, the protagonist's sister, who left school and aimed to become a Hunter. She became a part of Jinwoo's Raid Party attack where Song-Yi encountered the protagonist.

In Solo Leveling season 2, she would appear in the Red Gate arc. During this arc, she would witness the horror of becoming a Hunter through Jinwoo who kept slaying vile creatures. Her role as a spectator might see her become one of the spotlight characters of this sequel.

3) Choi Jong-In

Choi Jong-In as seen in anime (Image via A-1 Pictures)

Choi Jong-In, known as Korea’s strongest mage, demonstrated his strategic prowess and exceptional fire magic in Solo Leveling season 1, establishing himself as a key figure in the Hunters Guild. Despite his limited screen time, his calm demeanor and analytical abilities hinted at his importance in upcoming events.

Jong-In's leadership and fighting will gain more focus as the anime continues to adapt from the manhwa, as critical guild conflicts and battles will come into play. Being a powerful ally and tactician, his influence is important for the story to advance, making him one of the characters who will shine in Solo Leveling season 2.

4) Igris

Igris as seen in anime (Image via A-1 Pictures)

In season 1, Igris appeared as a powerful enemy in Jinwoo's fight in the Demon Castle and was later transformed into one of his most faithful shadow soldiers. With his knightly behavior and loyalty, Igris became a favorite character among fans.

As the anime continues to depict the later chapters of the manhwa in Solo Leveling season 2, Igris will be further promoted in Jinwoo's ranks, especially during battles needing precision and strength. Due to his captivating presence and rise in importance in Jinwoo's ranks, he also stands out in the unfolding storyline.

5) ⁠Cha Hae-In

Cha Hae-In as seen in anime (Image via A-1 Pictures)

The talented S-Rank hunter Cha Hae-In, known for her sharp sense of justice, has played an important role in season 1 since she crossed paths with Jinwoo. So far, her development has underscored her combat strength and her sharp intuition, which made her sense the unique aura of Jinwoo.

Solo Leveling season 2 will significantly expand the story while highlighting the character's strength and emotional depth. The anime promises much deeper connections and battles with higher stakes, making her character arc leave a lasting impact.

Go Gunhee and 4 other characters who will take a backseat in Solo Leveling season 2

1) ⁠Song Chi-Yul

Song Chi-Yul as seen in anime (Image via A-1 Pictures)

Song Chi-Yul, presented as an accomplished hunter and member of the Korean Hunters Association, played a significant role in Jinwoo's early experiences. His skills, while impressive, have not become nearly as important to the plot as other key figures have.

As Jinwoo becomes stronger and new characters come into play, Chi-Yul's role takes a step back. His involvement in the unfolding events significantly reduces as Jinwoo's journey progresses, and other characters rise to take the forefront in Solo Leveling season 2.

2) Sung Jin-ah

Sung Jin-ah as seen in anime (Image via A-1 Pictures)

Sung Jin-ah, Jinwoo's younger sister, played a supporting role in season 1, where she portrayed an anxious family member due to the drastic change in her brother's life. However, in Solo Leveling season 2, her role is significantly more passive.

With Jinwoo becoming more powerful and focusing on greater threats, Jin-ah doesn't play a central role in the storyline. While part of the overall story, her character is not at all developed in action plot lines and mainly sits on the sidelines.

3) Go Gunhee

Go Gunhee as seen in anime (Image via A-1 Pictures)

Go Gunhee, the president of the Korean Hunter's Association played a vital role in Solo Leveling season 1 by being a supportive figure for Jinwoo to grow as a hunter. As a guiding figure and a protector of national interests, his influence was quite significant during early story arcs.

However, with later arcs, the story shifts to other new characters. It focuses on Jinwoo's rise in power and global threats, so his active involvement is less. In Solo Leveling season 2, as hunters get stronger and battles larger, he will be pushed further into the background in a transition towards a more action-driven storyline.

4) Park Kyung-Hye

Park Kyung-Hye as seen in anime (Image via A-1 Pictures)

Park Kyung-Hye previously played a significant role as the mother of Jinwoo and Jin-ah. Her character added emotional depth to the story, especially since Jinwoo's main reason for growing stronger was to recover his mother and keep their family safe.

However, since the anime is now adapting the manhwa beyond the Job Change Arc, the focus shifts to Jinwoo's journey as a hunter and battles with powerful adversaries. This means that Park Kyung-Hye's role will gradually recede, with less attention to her personal storyline.

5) Laura

Laura as seen in manhwa (Image via KakaoPage)

Laura is an important secretary and administrator for the Scavenger Guild in the previous season. She closely worked with Hwang Dongsoo, showing her professional expertise in the key scenes, such as when she explained to Dongsoo the legal consequences of his vengeful pursuits.

However, her participation was limited to facilitating Dongsoo's activities and did not play an important role in the main action or the plot advancement. In Solo Leveling season 2, Laura's presence will remain minimal, focusing on her background role within the guild’s administration.

Final thoughts

Solo Leveling season 2 continues to engage the audience with a good balance of action and character development. Sung Jinwoo and Cha Hae-In are the center of attention, moving the plot forward as they grow and play significant roles in the battles to come. However, Go Gunhee and Park Kyung-Hye fade into the background, their importance diminishing as the story unfolds into bigger battles.

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Edited by Rachith Rao