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S-rank hunters inSolo Levelingeach possess unique strengths and abilities. However, despite holding the same title, they do not have the same power level. Jin-Woo might be the perfect example to show this vast difference, as his powers are clearly unrivaled, far surpassing those of other S-rankers, evenwhen compared to nation-level hunters.
Apart from Jin-Woo, one S-rank hunter caught the attention of manySolo Levelingfans, especially during the Jeju Island raid. This S-rank hunter’s overall charisma and appeal had fans waiting for their performance against the Ant King, but it ultimately ended in disappointment. Despite this, many fans are still wondering if this S-rank hunter could still be considered among the highest level. Fortunately,Solo Leveling’s creator provided a clear and concrete answer.
Solo Leveling’s Creator Confirms Goto Ryuji Isn’t at the Top of the Ranks
There’s an Existing Divide Within S-Rank Hunters
When Goto Ryuji made his anime debut inSolo Levelingseason 2, many anime-only fans were ecstatic to see him support the Korean Hunters Association. After beingintroduced as Japan’s strongest hunter, many fans could not wait to see him in action. They began asking questions about whether he’s stronger or whether he’s a better hunter than Jin-Woo, given the weight of his reputation.
As the strongest hunter in Japan, Goto Ryuji was treated as a valuable and irreplaceable asset to the nation. Everyone in the country looked up to him, seeing him as a hero who could overcome adversity. On top of that, his guild was full of S-rank hunters, each possessing powerful abilities. The only thing that was missing was thetitle of nation-level hunter, which he had been yearning to achieve for a very long time.
“I should climb to the point where it wouldn’t be weird for me to also receive the title of nation-level hunter."—Goto Ryuji
However, Goto Ryuji’s untimely andmeaningless death inSolo Levelingseason 2 tainted his reputation among fans. His image took a significant hit, especially after his ulterior motives with the Japan Hunters Association were revealed. Still, many fans are wondering just how strong Goto Ryuji is compared to the other S-rank hunters in the series.
On DCinside, a Korean forum where fans can get in touch withSolo Leveling’s creator Chugong, one user asked about Goto Ryuji’s level among the S-rank hunters. Here’s how their conversation unfolded, as translated:
Q. Considering Goto Ryuji’s level, can he be considered highest level among the S-rank hunters, excluding those at the National level? I’m also curious about how he compares to S-ranks like Yuri Orlov and Lennart Niermann.
A. The difference within the S-ranks is greater than the difference from the E-rank to the A-rank, soit’s hard to see him at the highest level.
Not only did Chugong affirm the vast difference between S-rank hunters, but he also revealed that Goto Ryuji is nowhere near the top of the echelon, despite holding the title of Japan’s strongest hunter. Clearly, there are other hunters stronger than him, apart from Jin-Woo, who could overwhelm him in a solo fight.
In another post, when a fan asked whether Hwang Dong-Soo isstronger than Goto Ryuji, Chugong confirmed that the S-rank hunter Hwang Dong-Soo is actually “weaker than Goto Ryuji.” With this, fans could at least gain a better sense of how these two characters compare in terms of strength, helping them assess where each stands among the top hunters in the series.
Why Beru Wouldn’t Gain Much by Eating Goto Ryuji
The Ant King’s Superiority to Goto Ryuji
In the same post,Solo Leveling’s creator goes on to answer another question from a user who was curious about Goto Ryuji’s impact onthe Ant King’s strengthafter he was devoured.
Back in season 2, Goto Ryuji stood no chance against the Ant King, as his severed head hit the ground in a heartbeat. Despite high expectations that he might hold his own against the mutated ant, fans were left disappointed by his immediate defeat. Here’s how the conversation unfolded at DCinside:
Q. I’m curious how much eating Goto Ryuji influenced Beru’s skill improvement, since Beru overwhelmingly defeated Goto and it seemed like he even consumed him. Beru uses Min Byung-Gu’s abilities, but it doesn’t look like he’s ever used Goto’s.
A. It’s not like eating someone with a value of 10 will add 10 to your stats; it accumulates little by little, like 0.01 or 0.1, so it probably wouldn’t result in a huge power-up. Although all of Goto Ryuji’s skills were absorbed,there’s no need to use his combat skills since Beru’s own are much more superior anyway.
Chugong made it clear that the Ant King did not need to use Goto Ryuji’s skills at all, as his fighting prowess was already far superior. Without a doubt, the Ant King tops Goto Ryuji, which likely explains why Goto never received a proper matchup in either the anime or the manhwa. He may be an S-rank hunter, but he only served to amplify the strength and the seriousness of the threat of the Ant King.
Still, Goto Ryuji remainsa powerful S-rank hunterdespite his shortcomings. He didn’t earn the title of Japan’s strongest hunter for nothing. The trust placed in him by his fellow guild members, and even the former president of the JHA, speaks volumes about his strength and abilities. Unfortunately, his overconfidence and arrogance led him to underestimate the Ant King, a mistake that ultimately cost him everything inSolo Leveling.
