Last updated: September 26, 2026 · Verified against the licensed manhwa
Antares is the King of Dragons, the Monarch of Destruction, and the final antagonist of Solo Leveling. He leads the nine Monarchs and is the strongest being in the series before Jinwoo’s full awakening.
The best measure of his power is a wound: he leaves a permanent scar on Jinwoo’s hand — the only lasting mark anything inflicts on a character who regenerates entire limbs.
| Detail | Answer |
|---|---|
| Title | Monarch of Destruction, King of Dragons |
| Role | Leader of the nine Monarchs |
| Power rank | Second only to Jinwoo at full power |
| Notable feat | Permanently scarred Jinwoo |
| Anime status | Not yet meaningfully adapted |
Table of Contents
Who Is Antares?
Antares is the King of Dragons, the Monarch of Destruction, and the leader of the nine Monarchs. He is the final antagonist of Solo Leveling and the strongest being in the series before Jinwoo’s full awakening.
His power was sufficient that even the Rulers avoided direct confrontation with him.
The Scar
The clearest measure of Antares’ power is not a feat description. It is a wound.
He leaves a permanent scar on Jinwoo’s hand — and that matters because Jinwoo regenerates entire limbs. Nothing else in the series marks him lastingly.
Our read
A wound that does not heal on a character who regrows body parts is the single best power indicator in the manhwa. It communicates Antares’ level without a single number, and it is the detail that separates a careful reading of the series from a summary of it.
What Makes Antares Different From the Other Monarchs
Full-series spoilers
This section discusses the ending.
The other Monarchs fight because they intend to win. Antares does not.
Before the final confrontation, he offers Jinwoo an alliance against the Rulers. And the detail that makes him the series’ most interesting antagonist: he knew he would lose, and came anyway.
That single choice turns him from a power-scaling ceiling into a character. He is not fighting for victory; he is fighting because the alternative is submission to a war he did not choose either.
How Strong Is Antares?
| Opponent | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Rulers | Avoided direct confrontation with him |
| Sung Il-Hwan | Held off, but at the cost of his life |
| Jinwoo (before full awakening) | Antares wins |
| Jinwoo (Shadow Monarch) | Antares loses |
He sits second in the series’ overall power ranking, behind only Jinwoo at full strength. Ashborn — who held the Shadow Monarch title before Jinwoo — never defeated him.
Antares and Ashborn
The relationship between these two defines the entire backstory. Ashborn was a Ruler who defected and became the Shadow Monarch. Antares led the Monarchs against the Rulers for eons.
Their war reached a stalemate, which is the condition the series opens in. Gates, awakenings, and the hunter system all exist because neither side could break the other directly, so both began working through proxies on Earth.
Is Antares in the Anime?
Not yet. He is referenced in the closing stretch of Season 2 as the Monarchs are introduced, but he does not appear meaningfully until far beyond what has been adapted.
If you are anime-only and have heard the name, that is why — he is the endpoint the series has been building toward since chapter one, seen almost entirely in the manhwa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Antares in Solo Leveling?
The King of Dragons, the Monarch of Destruction, and the leader of the nine Monarchs. He is the final antagonist of the series.
Is Antares stronger than Jinwoo?
Before Jinwoo’s full awakening, yes. By the final confrontation Jinwoo has surpassed him and wins in direct combat — something Ashborn never managed.
What is the scar Antares leaves on Jinwoo?
A permanent wound on Jinwoo’s hand. It is significant because Jinwoo can regenerate entire limbs, making it the only lasting mark anything in the series inflicts on him.
Did Antares know he would lose?
Yes. He offered Jinwoo an alliance against the Rulers before their fight and went ahead with the confrontation knowing the outcome.
Is Antares stronger than Ashborn?
Ashborn never defeated him. Antares is generally placed above Ashborn and below only Jinwoo at full Shadow Monarch power.
How many Monarchs are there?
Nine, each ruling a species or domain. Antares leads them.
Is Antares in the Solo Leveling anime?
Not meaningfully. He is referenced as the Monarchs are introduced at the end of Season 2, but his role plays out far beyond what has been adapted.
For how the war — and the story — finally ends, see the Solo Leveling ending explained.
Sources
- Solo Leveling, licensed English manhwa release
- MyAnimeList — character and episode data
