Last updated: October 3, 2026 · Verified against the licensed manhwa and official sources
Solo Leveling’s hunter ranks, from lowest to highest, are E, D, C, B, A, and S. Above S sits National Level — a title first given to the hunters who killed the dragon Kamish.
A hunter’s rank is measured once, at awakening, and never changes with training. Sung Jinwoo is the exception — which is the premise of the entire story.
| Detail | Answer |
|---|---|
| Lowest rank | E |
| Highest tested rank | S |
| Above S | National Level — four recognised |
| Can a rank change? | Only through a rare reawakening |
| Jinwoo | E-Rank, re-registered as S-Rank |
Table of Contents
The Ranks in Order
Every awakened human is assigned a rank by the Hunter’s Association. From lowest to highest:
| Rank | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| E | The lowest grade | Sung Jinwoo at the start of the story |
| D | Low-level dungeon work | Yoo Jinho |
| C | Standard raid member | Most working hunters |
| B | Reliable, experienced raid member | Mid-tier guild hunters |
| A | Elite guild leadership | Top members of major guilds |
| S | The highest grade a hunter can be tested into | Cha Hae-In, Go Gunhee, Goto Ryuji |
| National Level | A title above S-Rank | Thomas Andre, Liu Zhigang, Christopher Reed, Siddharth Bachchan |
The gaps between ranks are not even. The distance from A to S is far larger than the distance from D to C — and the distance from S to National Level is larger still.
How Ranks Are Measured
When someone awakens, the Association measures their magic power and assigns a rank. That rank decides which gates they are allowed to enter and how much they can earn.
The key rule: rank is set at awakening and does not change with training. A D-Rank hunter who trains for ten years is still a D-Rank hunter. That rule is what makes Jinwoo’s story possible — he is the only person who keeps getting stronger.
Hunters also awaken into roles — fighters, mages, tanks, assassins, healers — which decide how they contribute to a raid.
Gates Use the Same Scale
Gates are graded E to S as well, by the magic power they give off. A team is matched to a gate’s rank before entering. Two exceptions break the system: red gates, which seal their entrance, and dungeon breaks, when an uncleared gate releases its monsters into the city. The power system guide covers both.
Reawakening: The One Way a Rank Changes
In very rare cases, a hunter awakens a second time and their power jumps. This is called reawakening, and it is the official explanation for Jinwoo’s change.
The real cause is the System, but publicly Jinwoo is treated as a reawakened hunter. His reassessment opens the anime’s second season — episode 1 is literally titled “You Aren’t E-Rank, Are You?” — and he is re-registered as an S-Rank hunter.
Our read
The rank system is the story’s real antagonist for its first half. Before the Monarchs arrive, the thing Jinwoo is fighting is a classification that says a person’s ceiling is fixed at birth. Solo Leveling is a power fantasy, but it is also a story about refusing the label you were given.
National Level: Beyond the Scale
National Level is not a grade a hunter is tested into. It is a title first given to the hunters who killed the dragon Kamish, marking power so far beyond S-Rank that the hunters are treated as strategic assets by their countries.
Four are recognised: Thomas Andre and Christopher Reed of the United States, Liu Zhigang of China, and Siddharth Bachchan of India. All four are vessels for Rulers — which is where their power actually comes from. Japan’s strongest hunter, Goto Ryuji, wanted the title but never reached it.
Where Does Jinwoo Rank?
Officially, he goes from E-Rank to S-Rank. In practice, he passes the National Level hunters too — and eventually everyone else. Our strongest characters ranking covers how far.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the ranks in Solo Leveling in order?
From lowest to highest: E, D, C, B, A, and S. Above S sits National Level, a title rather than a tested grade.
What is the highest rank in Solo Leveling?
S-Rank is the highest grade a hunter can be tested into. National Level is a title above it, held by four recognised hunters.
Can hunters rank up in Solo Leveling?
Normally no. Rank is set at awakening and does not change with training. The rare exception is reawakening, a second awakening that raises a hunter’s power.
What is a National Level hunter?
A hunter whose power is far beyond S-Rank. The title was first given to the hunters who killed the dragon Kamish. Four are recognised, and all are vessels for Rulers.
Is Goto Ryuji a National Level hunter?
No. He was Japan’s strongest S-Rank hunter and wanted the title, but never reached it.
What rank is Sung Jinwoo?
He starts as an E-Rank hunter and is re-registered as S-Rank after his reassessment, though his real power surpasses every hunter in the world.
Sources
- Solo Leveling, licensed English manhwa release
- Solo Leveling anime, Seasons 1 and 2
