Last updated: October 3, 2026 · Verified against the licensed manhwa and official sources
There are nine original Monarchs in Solo Leveling: Antares, Ashborn, Baran, Sillad, Rakan, Querehsha, Legia, Tarnak, and Yogumunt. Each rules a race — dragons, the dead, demons, snow folk, beasts, insects, giants, monstrous humanoids, and demonic spectres.
They were created by the Absolute Being as the dark counterpart to the Rulers. Antares leads them. Ashborn is the exception: he began as a Ruler, and his power passes to Sung Jinwoo.
| Detail | Answer |
|---|---|
| Number | Nine |
| Created by | The Absolute Being |
| Leader | Antares |
| Only female Monarch | Querehsha |
| The exception | Ashborn, a former Ruler |
Table of Contents
Who Are the Monarchs?
At the start of everything, the Absolute Being split light from darkness. From light it made the Rulers; from darkness, the Monarchs. The two sides were set against each other in a war that never ended — and the Monarchs’ purpose in it was destruction.
Each Monarch rules a race of creatures and leads them as an army. The gates, dungeons, and magic beasts that define the hunter world are, ultimately, side effects of that war reaching Earth — the power system guide explains how.
All Nine Monarchs
| Monarch | Title | Rules over | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antares | Monarch of Destruction | Dragons | Leader of the Monarchs and the final antagonist |
| Ashborn | Monarch of Shadows | The dead | Began as a Ruler; his power passes to Jinwoo |
| Baran | Monarch of White Flames | Demons | A replica of him guards the Demon Castle |
| Sillad | Monarch of Frost | Snow folk | Joined the attack on Jinwoo |
| Rakan | Monarch of Fangs | Beasts | Joined the attack on Jinwoo |
| Querehsha | Monarch of Plagues | Insects | The only female Monarch |
| Legia | Monarch of the Beginning | Giants | Once captured by the Rulers |
| Tarnak | Monarch of the Iron Body | Monstrous humanoids | Chose to wait for Antares |
| Yogumunt | Monarch of Transfiguration | Demonic spectres | Chose to wait for Antares |
Antares is the oldest and strongest of them, and leads the rest. Ashborn is the exception in every sense: he was not created as a Monarch at all.
Spoilers beyond the anime
This page discusses material from the manhwa that the anime has not reached yet.
How the Monarchs Split Over Jinwoo
When the Monarchs realised Sung Jinwoo was inheriting Ashborn’s power, they did not agree on what to do about it.
Three of them — Rakan, Querehsha, and Sillad — decided to kill him before the inheritance was complete. Two others, Tarnak and Yogumunt, refused to join and chose to wait for Antares to return instead.
That split matters. The attack is what forces Ashborn to give Jinwoo the final choice that makes him the Shadow Monarch — so the Monarchs’ own impatience is what creates the being who defeats them.
Monarchs and Human Vessels
Like the Rulers, the Monarchs can act on Earth through human vessels. The most important example is the one the whole series is built on: Jinwoo is Ashborn’s vessel, prepared for the role by the System.
Ranking the Monarchs by Strength
The top of the order is clear. Antares is first among the original Monarchs, with Ashborn as his only real equal — see Ashborn vs Antares for that comparison.
Our read
Below the top two, honest rankings are impossible. Several Monarchs barely fight on-page, so most online lists rank them on guesswork and presentation. We would rather tell you that than invent an order. What the manhwa does show clearly is who sat at the top, and who ended up defeating all of them.
For the full power ladder across Monarchs, Rulers, and hunters, see our strongest characters ranking.
Which Monarchs Has the Anime Shown?
By the end of Season 2, the anime had introduced three: Rakan, Sillad, and Baran — the last only as the Demon Castle replica. The others, including Antares, belong to arcs the anime has not reached.
After the Monarchs
The war does not end the idea of Monarchs. In the sequel, Sung Suho grows through the power of Antares himself — the son of the Shadow Monarch built on the strength of the Monarch his father killed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Monarchs are there in Solo Leveling?
Nine original Monarchs: Antares, Ashborn, Baran, Sillad, Rakan, Querehsha, Legia, Tarnak, and Yogumunt.
Who is the strongest Monarch in Solo Leveling?
Antares, the Monarch of Destruction and King of Dragons. Ashborn is generally regarded as his only real equal among the original Monarchs.
Who leads the Monarchs?
Antares, the oldest and most powerful of them.
Is there a female Monarch in Solo Leveling?
Yes. Querehsha, the Monarch of Plagues and Queen of Insects, is the only female Monarch.
Is Ashborn a Monarch?
Yes — the Monarch of Shadows. But he began as a Ruler and only became a Monarch later, which makes him unique among the nine.
Which Monarchs appear in the anime?
By the end of Season 2, Rakan, Sillad, and Baran — the last as a replica in the Demon Castle. The rest appear in later arcs.
Sources
- Solo Leveling, licensed English manhwa release
- Solo Leveling web novel by Chugong, official English volumes
