Hunters are exceptionally powerful human beings with unique abilities in the Solo Leveling universe. When mysterious portals appeared around the world, chosen humans began to “awaken” as hunters, gifted beings with immense power to take down otherworldly creatures from the portal. These hunters are categorically divided from E to S-Rank with each category representing a certain level of strength and competence.

Among these gifted individuals, the S-Rank hunters are considered the epitome of unmatched power, but certain hunters in the anime‘s lore go beyond the ranking system. These are called National Level Hunters — warriors with unprecedented power, immeasurable energy, and the ability to exert global influence.

Who Are the National Level Hunters in the Solo Leveling Anime?

National Level Hunters Are the Most Elite Kind of S-Rank Hunters From Around the World

Once a hunter awakens, they are evaluated and categorized in the ranking system. S-Rank is the highest tier a hunter can obtain in the hierarchy as these are individuals with power like any other. However, beyond that scope of strength, there are hunters who don’t even measure on the scale. Their powers reek of absolute supremacy and have abilities equivalent to armies of entire nations. But how do these unique individuals come to be? It happens so that the term “National Level Hunter” wasn’t even coined before the first S-Rank gate appeared. Before the events of the current timeline, the first S-Rank Gate opened in the west coast area of America, and within walked out a devastating power. A ferocious dragon named Kamish was the dungeon boss and, after the breach, the beast unleashed chaos.

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Kamish devastated the entire coast and killed thousands of people as he had an intense bloodlust toward the humans. The Americans enlisted the help of hundreds of S-Rank hunters, who were unfortunately no match for Kamish’s cataclysmic might. The mighty dragon claimed the lives of countless hunters until only five were left. The last-standing S-Rank hunters joined forces and defeated Kamish, thus attaining the National Level Hunter title for the first time. It was awarded to the hunters for their impossible achievement as they showcased power beyond the world’s comprehension. Their powers were considered equivalent to that of armies, and that’s why their presence had a great influence on countries and impacted global politics. If not for the lack of a better word, National Level Hunters are essentially god-tier individuals who are believed to be gifted from the cosmos.

Can All S-Rank Hunters Qualify as National Level Hunters?

Hunters Need to Attain a Certain Level of Achievement to Attain National Level Hunter Status

In the Solo Leveling universe, there have been only five National Level Hunters for the past ten years since the first S-Rank Gate opened in America. No other hunter has been deemed worthy or powerful enough to have shared the title. As for the criteria for qualifying for the title, the chances of that happening seem scarce in the current scenario. A S-Rank hunter is granted the said title only after their energy output is immeasurable. For instance, when Sung Jinwoo was reevaluated after awakening, his energy output could not be calibrated by the mana meter technology. Since there’s no power cap for being an S-Rank, it’s almost impossible to determine where all S-Rank hunters stand in terms of strength.

One can’t tell the calculated difference between two S-Rank hunters until they fight it out to prove who overpowered the other. Therefore, it is challenging to standardize the exact power cap that can determine if an S-Rank is powerful enough to be labeled as a National Level Hunter. A Korean S-Rank hunter could be the most powerful human in the country, but their mana could only be a fraction of what a single National Level Hunter possesses. While the former are inherently S-Rank, they can be considered a special extension of the class since they are extraordinary compared to an average S-Rank. Moreover, there hasn’t been an S-Rank Gate level event since Kamish’s demise that can help the world determine if there’s another National Level Hunter in their midst.

Who Are the Current National Level Hunters in Solo Leveling?

There Are Only 4 Hunters Who Have Been Officially Introduced in the Solo Leveling Manhwa (With the Exception of Antoine)

Currently, there are only five known National Level Hunters in Solo Leveling who are yet to make their anime debut. These elite soldiers are the top 1% S-Rank hunters who are considered the epitome of ultimate power — of course, until Jinwoo enters the scene. It is implied that National Level Hunters’ colossal powers are a direct result of the Rulers blessing these chosen humans with their own strength. These benevolent cosmic entities created by the Absolute Being had been bestowing these hunters with their powers over the past ten years, making them virtually invincible.

Fans would also argue that these special S-Rank hunters might actually be the Ruler’s authentic vessels on Earth but that fact remains ambiguous. As for who these formidable human beings were, two of the five National Level Hunters hailed from America. Both Thomas Andre and Christopher Reed are considered the two strongest hunters in America — powerful enough to rival even a Monarch. The third hunter is the strongest one in China, named Liu Zhigang, while Sidhart Bachchan was the strongest hunter in India, and the fourth one to defeat Kamish. As for the fifth hunter, little is known about his whereabouts or who he was.

However, it is said that the fifth hunter was an anonymous healer who helped the remaining S-Rank hunters without being a vessel for the Rulers. His name was Antoine Martinez, and he was powerful enough to be ranked a National Level Hunter without inheriting any sort of foreign power. Having said that, there’s another influential hunter who has been MIA for the time being, whom fans argue is on par with the National Level Hunters and should inherit the title as well. Jinwoo’s father, Sung Il-Hwan, disappeared before the term was coined and wasn’t officially rewarded with the honor. However, it would bewilder the fans to know that he was also a vessel for the Rulers, putting him on the same tier as the National Level Hunters. Il-Hwan may not have been the one to defeat Kamish, but he’s strong enough to take multiple Monarchs by himself.

Is Jinwoo Considered a National Level Hunter in Solo Leveling?

Jinwoo Could Inherit the Title in a Heartbeat

After being chosen by the System, Jinwoo inherited the unique ability to level up indefinitely. This means that no ranking system or hierarchy would be enough to calibrate his power once he reaches the final level. Having said that, manhwa readers would know exactly why Jinwoo would go on to become the strongest entity in the world. The System is actually preparing him to become the Shadow Monarch, Ashborn’s, human vessel. Once fully awakened and the transfer of power is complete, Jinwoo will become the next Shadow Monarch. He will exercise power that can rival any Monarch or Ruler, even the most powerful ones. So, the million-dollar question of whether Jinwoo becomes a National Level Hunter will become irrelevant as he edges closer to his real destiny.

However, for the sake of logistics, at some point in the story, Jinwoo will step in to clear an S-Rank Gate, which he will do so with ease. The feat would automatically earn him the title because, as per Goto Ryuji, the bare minimum to become a National Level Hunter is to clear an S-Rank Dungeon. Having said that, in the end, the honorifics do not matter when it comes to Jinwoo. He might not have had the chance recently to prove where he stands in the ranking system, but he’s beyond measuring. The current Jeju Island Arc in Solo Leveling Season 2 is the stepping stone to establishing Jinwoo’s national and international presence. After he takes on The Ant King, he will officially prove just how unstoppable he is.

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This will be Jinwoo’s moment in the spotlight after years of enduring torment as an E-Rank Hunter, facing death nearly every day. His unyielding resilience in the face of danger is why the System deemed him Ashborn’s most suitable vessel. Jinwoo may not realize it yet, but he has a critical role to play in a cosmic war that will reshape the world. At the rate he’s going, labels won’t matter — he might be Earth’s only hope against the Monarch invasion.

Nonetheless, the world is about to witness Jinwoo’s astounding feat on Jeju Island. His immense power will undoubtedly set off alarms, drawing the attention of National-Level Hunters, who will seek to evaluate the only S-Rank Hunter to emerge after them — one who single-handedly defeated a monster stronger than all S-Rank Hunters from two nations combined. After the Jeju Island arc, Solo Leveling manhwa fans may finally get a glimpse of at least one National Level Hunter before the anime season concludes.

Solo Leveling

Release Date

January 7, 2024

Directors

Shunsuke Nakashige

Writers

Noboru Kimura

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  Taito Ban

  Shun Mizushino (voice)

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  Genta Nakamura

  Kenta Morobishi (voice)

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