Power creep in anime is almost a necessity when it comes to the shonen genre and Solo Leveling is no stranger to that. From Dragon Ball to Bleach and even Naruto; power, skill, and technique become the main requirements of any protagonist. Sung Jinwoo’s journey goes from being the weakest hunter known to mankind to the strongest hunter, capable enough to stand against the Rulers and the Monarchs.
He is the ideal example of practice makes perfect. Seeing how much recognition the manhwa already had, it was no surprise to see the anime also rising in fame alongside it. Sung Jinwoo happens to be one of the strongest characters in any shonen work.
However, there is still one who he cannot beat, despite being the Shadow Monarch himself.
Solo Leveling Makes Sung Jinwoo a Difficult Character to Beat
In the series, Sung Jinwoo becomes a figure to be looked upon. He gains power and respect by constantly proving himself. From being an E-rank hunter in Solo Leveling to surpassing even those who are National level hunters. He has continuously been given opportunities to rise to the ranks. In the anime specifically, his journey has come to a pause with the first season’s end. That currently shows him as the Monarch of Shadows. However, in the manhwa, he has far surpassed any possible power scaling.
He is a skilled fighter excelling in types of magic, hand-to-hand combat, daggers, and swords. It is his skills as a necromancer where he truly shines. The ability to make shadow soldiers out of the dead with one word. This particular ability enables him to take on armies on his own alongside his soldiers. He has access to an entire dimension that is his personal training ground. He can mess with people’s memories multiple times.
Sung Jinwoo is immune to any toxins, can constantly heal himself, and regenerate lost energy. Is it enough to beat Goku though?
Goku is the Blueprint of Power
Dragon Ball and Goku are two names that scream power. Goku quite literally personifies power. No matter who he is up against, there will always be a trick up his sleeve to defeat his biggest foes. He has showcased his abilities day in and day out. Some of these happen to be so strong that people began fearing that his punches could rip a hole through the multiverse itself. Along with that the existence of the Super Saiyan God and Super Saiyan Blue.
While Sung Jinwoo might still be able to fight against the biggest demons and monsters, he is no match against Goku’s Ultra Instinct. Goku is a multiversal threat whereas Sung Jinwoo is more of a world-level threat.
However, there is still a way for the Monarch of Shadows to have a one-up against Goku.
Arise the Fallen of Dragon Ball
Sung Jinwoo has one power Goku does not, to bring back the dead. An afterlife exists even in the world of Dragon Ball. Goku too has died and come back to life on various occasions. Were Sung Jinwoo to have access to his world, he would have the ability to bring back many of Goku’s old friends and enemies.
All those who would be able to form a team that could render even the strongest struggling to breathe. Jinwoo would give them immortality, the ability to not fear their opponent or the death that could come with it. Villains like Cell and Hit could easily come back again and again as his shadow soldiers to make Goku’s life a living hell.
