One of the coolest aspects of Solo Leveling is how Jinwoo builds an army of shadow soldiers out of defeated and fallen enemies. While fans are excited about his abilities and mind-blowing battle sequences, another aspect reveals the connection he has with his shadow army: the names he gives them. They are not random names. The names Jinwoo gives have significance, reflecting on the strength, physical appearance, or function in combat of his soldiers. Here’s what we could find on the names Jinwoo has given to his shadow soldiers.
Table of Contents
10. Tank – Knight Grade
Name Origin: Jinwoo named the shadow “Tank” due to its durability in terms of taking damage, similar to a war tank.
- Type – Beast
- Rank – Elite Grade or Knight Grade
- Abilities – Regeneration
Tank is the shadow of the alpha ice bear, Boss Leader, Jinwoo killed inside a Red Gate dungeon. With Jinwoo solo-wiping out the Ice Bear clan, he pulled out their leader’s shadow and named it “Tank.”
The name is appropriate to the massive size and toughness of the creature and its primary function as a shield during battle. Tank is not as powerful as some of Jinwoo’s other shadow fighters, but its raw physical strength is on par with an A Rank Hunter and helps dispatch hordes of enemies.
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9. Iron – Elite Knight Grade
Name Origin: An A-Rank hunter, Kim Chul, had the word “Chul” in his name, which means “Iron” in Korean. So, Jinwoo used this translation to name the shadow “Iron”.
- Type – Human (Kim Chul)
- Rank – Knight or Elite Knight
- Abilities – Shout of Provocation, Regeneration
- Weapons – Axe
Iron was previously Kim Chul, an entitled A-Rank Hunter who belonged to the White Tiger Guild. In the Red Gate Incident, he left behind weaker members of the raiding group as he thought they would hinder his pace. Upon returning to discover the members safe with Jinwoo, he got enraged.
In a fit of anger, Kim Chul attacked Jinwoo but was quickly killed by Igris. Seeing potential in his physical build and raw strength, Jinwoo resurrected him as a shadow soldier and named him “Iron.” Often acting as a ‘second tank’ alongside Tank in battles involving too many foot soliders, Iron has become a key part of Jinwoo’s Shadow Army.
8. Kaisel – Elite Knight Grade
Name Origin: Jinwoo wasn’t certain whether the wyvern’s true name was “Kaisellin” or “Karkallin,” so he just went with “Kaisel.”
- Type – Dragon (wyvern)
- Rank – Knight
- Abilities – Flight, Regeneration
Kaisel was originally Demon King Baran’s wyvern mount. While having a hard fight deep inside the Demon Territory, Jinwoo killed Baran, and Iron killed the wyvern. When the battle was over, Jinwoo brought the creature back using Shadow Extraction as one of his shadows and named him Kaisel.
Kaisel’s flight ability and increased senses position him among the highest-ranking shadows in Jinwoo’s army, and his primary means of air travel.
7. Jima – Elite Knight Grade
Name Origin: Jinwoo gave the creature the name “Jima” since he was too lazy to think of a more significant name.
- Type – Humanoid
- Rank – General Grade
- Abilities – Growth, Regeneration
Jima is the shadow of a sea serpent-like monster Jinwoo met while raiding with the Ahjin Guild. The beast was too strong for the Hunters, so Jinwoo had to step in and kill the beast. He then used Shadow Extraction to bring it back to life and named him “Jima.” It can be compared with an S-Rank hunter.
Jima’s greatest skill is size manipulation, which enables the monster to grow in size using mana. This allows it to be extremely adaptable in combat, able to overpower opponents with brute force, growth, and regeneration.
6. Greed – General Grade
Name Origin: Jinwoo gave the shadow “Greed” due to Hwang Dong-soo’s greedy and selfish personality.
- Type – Humanoid (Hwang Dongsoo)
- Rank – General Grade
- Abilities – Enhanced Strength, Conversation, Regeneration
Greed was once Hwang Dong-soo, a powerful S-Rank Hunter in the Scavenger Guild. He hated Jinwoo and suspected that he had murdered his brother. But instead of taking him out personally, he tried to have Thomas Andre kill him.
After Thomas was defeated by Jinwoo, he murdered Dong-soo and extracted his shadow. Jinwoo dubbed the shadow “Greed” due to Dong-soo’s greed and ambition.
5. Kamish – General Grade
Name Origin: Named after the original dragon “Kamish,” who was the strongest magical beast ever recorded in the world of Solo Leveling.
- Type – Dragon
- Status – Dead
- Rank – General Grade
- Abilities – Dragon’s Fear, Dragon’s Breath, Conversation
Kamish was a legendary dragon so powerful that it decimated hundreds of S-Rank Hunters. After that, the five strongest S-Rank Hunters in the world had to band together to take the creature down. Jinwoo successfully managed to use his powers of Shadow Extraction to bring back the creature as his shadow soldier.
Even after death, Kamish’s power was overwhelming. When revived, he briefly lost control and tried to kill everyone standing behind Jinwoo. It was only after Jinwoo ordered him to stop that the beast calmed down. However, because Kamish had been dead for too long, his body disintegrated shortly afterwards.
4. Tusk – General Grade
Name Origin: Jinwoo couldn’t remember Kargalan’s original name and gave him the name “Tusk” because of his large tusks.
- Type – Humanoid (Kargalgan)
- Rank – Marshal Grade
- Abilities – Regeneration, Gravitation Magic, Hymn of Protection (Virgo), Hymn of the Fire Dragon (Leo), Hymn of Combustion (Sagittarius), Hymn of Lethargy (Pisces), Hymn of Frenzy (Taurus), Hymn of Blindness (Capricorn), Hymn of Slumber (Aries), Hymn of Agony (Cancer), Hymn of Rage (Scorpio), Hymn of Strengthening (Gemini), Hymn of Giants (Libra), Hymn of Blazing Fire (Aquarius)
Tusk was originally Kargalgan, the High Orc Shaman and boss of a dangerous Hunter Guild dungeon. When the raid derailed and the hunters surrendered, Kargalgan planned to execute them for fun. Jinwoo intervened, defeated the shaman, and used Shadow Extraction to revive him as “Tusk.”
Tusk is one of Jinwoo’s most powerful magical shadows. He can cast gravity spells, use telepathy, and fight at long range, making him a vital support unit in battle. His brute appearance contrasts with his intelligence, making his name both ironic and fitting.
3. Igris – Marshal Grade
Name Origin: Originally named Blood-Red Commander Igris, after Jinwoo extracted his shadow, he decided to name him Igris as it was simpler than the original and less edgy.
- Type – Humanoid
- Rank – Marshal Grade
- Abilities – Telekinesis, Communication, Regeneration
- Weapon – Demon King’s Longsword
Igris was the red-armored knight Jinwoo faced early in his solo journey inside a deadly dungeon. After enduring wave after wave of summoned enemies, Jinwoo finally defeated Igris in a hard-fought battle. Shortly after this battle, Jinwoo unlocked the Shadow Extraction skill for the first time.
Igris became one of Jinwoo’s first shadows and remains one of his most loyal soldiers. Though silent at first, Igris steadily grew stronger, eventually reaching Marshal Grade and gaining the ability to speak. His swordsmanship, leadership, and loyalty make him a cornerstone of Jinwoo’s Shadow Army.
2. Beru – Marshal Grade
Name Origin: Jinwoo named the Ant King’s shadow as Beru, based on the name of the author Bernard Werber, who wrote the novel “Empire of the Ants”. In the manhwa, Jin-woo remembers Werber’s name while extracting the Ant King’s shadow, and he names the shadow “Beru”.
- Type – Insect (Ant King)
- Rank – Marshal Grade
- Abilities – Conversation, Regeneration, Gluttony, Size Manipulation, Paralysis Poison, Healing Magic
Beru was the Ant King Jinwoo defeated during the Jeju Island Arc. Beru was a terrifying enemy who made quick work out of the Korean S-Rank Hunters and effortlessly killed Japan’s strongest Hunter, Goto Ryuji. His strength, speed, and intelligence put him on a level above most human Hunters.
After Jinwoo defeated him in battle, he revived Beru through Shadow Extraction. Unlike most shadows, however, Beru retained his ability to speak. Over time, he became one of Jinwoo’s most loyal and powerful commanders. His incredible combat ability and leadership earn him a Marshal Grade ranking in Jinwoo’s Shadow Army.
1. Bellion – Grand Marshal Grade
Name Origin: Bellion is the Grand Marshal of Jinwoo’s Shadow Army and the highest-ranking shadow under his command. Bellion is the only shadow who didn’t get his name from Jinwoo, as he was Ashborn‘s lieutenant and fought for him until the former named Jinwoo his successor.
- Type – World Tree
- Rank – Grand-Marshal Grade
- Abilities – Conversation, Regeneration, Strength, Speed, Flight, Intelligence
- Weapon – Blade
Bellion is the most powerful shadow and the only one that Jinwoo did not defeat himself. He was Ashborn’s right-hand man before swearing his loyalty to Jinwoo. When Ashborn transferred his abilities to Jinwoo, Bellion was one of the last remaining gifts Ashborn gave to him.
Bellion’s incredible strength was clearly evident when he easily overpowered Beru, a Marshal Grade shadow, with his special extendable sword. Being the Grand-Marshal of the Shadow Army, Bellion is literally at the pinnacle, leading Jinwoo’s troops with an iron fist.
Conclusion
The names Jinwoo gives his shadows in Solo Leveling aren’t just labels — they reflect the personalities, abilities, or past lives of the beings they once were. Whether he names a fallen enemy “Greed” or names a strongly built hunter like Kim Chul as “Iron,” each shadow receives a name that fits them perfectly, symbolising their identity within his growing army.
