Why doesn't Sung Jinwoo's Shadows rebel in Solo Leveling? Explored

Solo Leveling presents several unique concepts when it comes to shaping Sung Jinwoo's abilities. Among skills like Mutilation, Quicksilver, Bloodlust, and Ruler's Authority, one stands supreme, ensuring Jinwoo's continual growth in strength— Shadow Extraction.

With this skill, he can extract shadows from the corpses of defeated foes and convert them into loyal soldiers. This ability allowed him to amass a vast army comprised of various beings, ranging from Knights to Ice Bears, High Orcs, and even Dragons. He used Shadow Extraction to obtain his most loyal companions: Igris, Iron, Tusk, and Beru.

As impressive as this ability is, many have wondered why Sung Jinwoo's Shadows don't rebel. Simply put, they are fundamentally bound to him by the System and are 100% loyal to him.

Solo Leveling: The reason Jinwoo's Shadow Soldiers don't rebel, explored

Jinwoo's Shadow Army (Image via A-1 Pictures)

In Solo Leveling, Jinwoo's Shadow Army or Shadow Soldiers are his most loyal companions. This is true in and out of battle. Aside from using them in fights, he also employs them to protect those he cares for, to conduct reconnaissance, and to travel long distances using Shadow Exchange. These Shadows are bound to him by the System, as part of the Shadow Monarch's powers.

They do not rebel against him, as they are not conscious of their desires or motivations. The Shadow Soldiers are essentially extensions of his will and power. They may have been distinct individuals previously, but all that passed away when they met their demise. Granted, traces of the essence of their souls likely remain in minute amounts; otherwise, they have no sense of self.

Another point is that their existence depends on Jinwoo, as they draw power from his Mana. Given that he is their controller, it is highly unlikely they would revolt against him. Jinwoo is also their source of strength, or rather, their means to level up. A combination of battles, buffs from Jinwoo, and being tied to the System enables them to level up. They seemingly gain agency and become more complex, but they obey him nonetheless.

Needless to say, there are exceptions to this as well. Shadows like Beru and Igris are unique. For starters, Beru was the Ant King when alive, a being of immense power and aura. This was so strong that even after his death, his corpse exuded a menacing aura. Even his Shadow Extraction process was unique. So when revived, he possessed a distinct personality and the ability to think freely.

The same goes for Solo Leveling's Igris. He was the first major Shadow Jinwoo received when he defeated him. His extraction took three attempts, but it was ultimately successful, and the new Shadow Monarch gained a fiercely loyal ally. Igris rivals Beru in power, surpassed only by Bellion, and like Beru, possesses the ability to think and act freely.

Over time, these two progress in rank and become more complex Shadows, capable of communicating, strategizing, and acting without inhibition. Analyzing Solo Leveling lore reveals that a Shadow's initial power and rank determine how they behave. Apart from loyalty, their stats increase with each fight, and with each level, they develop into more sophisticated soldiers.

Final thoughts

Solo Leveling showcases Sung Jinwoo's signature skill, Shadow Extraction, through which he builds a forever-growing army by resurrecting fallen enemies as loyal Shadows. These entities are essentially extensions of his will and not independent beings. Their obedience is absolute, relying on his Mana and authority over them.

However, the series presents exceptions in Shadows like Beru and Igris. Their immense power and unique extraction allowed them individuality and freedom of thought, though they never wavered in showing Jinwoo loyalty. This highlights how a Shadow's strength and rank influence its complexity and capacity for independent action.

Overall, Sung Jinwoo's Shadow Army grows and evolves alongside him, becoming stronger with each battle and increasing their ranks with the enemies he defeats.

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About the author

Casey has been an anime writer at Sportskeeda since almost a year. Being drawn into the world of animanga after watching the Dragon Ball series almost a decade ago, Casey's interest in the genre, along with his love of crafting plot theories influenced his writerly endeavors. Presently pursuing a Master's degree in International Business, Casey worked for Uneake and FootballExpress for 1.3 years before joining Sportskeeda.

Casey's writings reflect his commitment to producing the most reliable content, evidenced by his flair for in-depth reporting. He places a high value on meticulous research and complete factual accuracy.

Although it was legendary Akira Toriyama’s magnum opus that influenced his love of animanga, Casey soon branched out and explored other titles. The unique ways in which mangakas express ideas, as well as their far-reaching effects, have inspired Casey in his creative pursuits.

When not busy writing, Casey enjoys working out, listening to music, strumming the guitar, and playing football.

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Edited by Casey Mendez