Category: Anime

Keeping up with Sung Jinwoo’s rapid growth in Solo Leveling is a seemingly impossible task for his rivals. After all, an unfair System guides his growth, while an absurdly powerful Shadow Monarch has his back. Fast-forward to Solo Leveling: Ragnarok, and Jinwoo’s power progression still shows no signs of slowing down.

As such, Jinwoo’s powerful rivals have plenty of obstacles ahead if they hope to catch up with him, let alone surpass him. However, this doesn’t mean his power level is entirely out of reach, as some of his rivals possess the terrifying potential to grow even stronger and eventually challenge his overwhelming strength.

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Present Thomas Andre Has a Long Way to Go Before Catching Up to Sung Jinwoo

Thomas Andre has always been one of Sung Jinwoo’s fiercest rivals. In the original timeline, he puts up a respectable fight against Jinwoo before the Shadow Monarch fully awakens, demonstrating the immense power behind his abilities. His title as America’s strongest hunter is not just for show, as Thomas possesses an impressive arsenal to back up his reputation.

Fast-forward to Solo Leveling: Ragnarok, and Thomas returns for another round, although he now needs considerably more firepower just to survive against Jinwoo for more than a few seconds. The gap between them remains enormous, but Thomas gradually regains the strength he lost after no longer serving as a vessel for a Ruler.

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Cha Hae-In’s Second Awakening Changes Her Place Among the Strongest Hunters

Cha Hae-In was originally an S-rank hunter who, like most awakened individuals, was unable to grow stronger in Solo Leveling, despite her desire to reach even greater heights. However, her relationship with Sung Jinwoo and her pregnancy with Sung Suho may have altered her body in some way, eventually allowing her to awaken for a second time after years of stagnation and further enhance her abilities.

Now a Second Awakener like Jinwoo, Cha Hae-In is stronger than ever, with seemingly no limit to how much further she can grow. Her current strength puts her on par with National Level Hunters and even surpasses Thomas Andre, making her one of the most formidable characters in Solo Leveling: Ragnarok despite her original limitations.

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Tiel Is Slowly Reclaiming the Full Power of an Apostle of the Outer Gods

Tiel slips past Jinwoo’s watch in Solo Leveling: Ragnarok, allowing him to enter Earth and gradually wreak havoc. As one of the most powerful Apostles of the Outer Gods, Tiel had to divide himself into five fragments just to enter the living world, sacrificing much of his original power in the process.

Now, Tiel is steadily recovering his lost fragments, with each one restoring more of his strength and granting him access to unique abilities. With three fragments, he has already reached a level comparable to S-rank hunters and even National Level Hunters, making him a significant threat to Sung Suho and the entire world. However, his true potential remains unknown. Once he reunites all five fragments, Tiel could approach Monarch-level power, making him a threat that either Sung Jinwoo or Suho may need to eliminate before he causes even greater destruction on behalf of the gods he serves.

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Sirka Is Far More Dangerous Than Her Innocent Appearance Suggests

Sirka is yet another powerful Monarch successor in Solo Leveling: Ragnarok. At first glance, she appears to be a vulnerable young Snowfolk, but her demeanor changes completely in battle. She becomes a ruthless and bloodthirsty fighter capable of effortlessly taking down multiple enemies.

As Sillad’s successor, Sirka eventually rises to become the Queen of Snowfolk and the Monarch of Nightmares, giving her the potential to challenge even Jinwoo, at least for a limited time. Her ability to create ice golems allows her to command a massive army, while her stealth-based techniques make it difficult for enemies to detect her forces and anticipate their attacks. Like other Monarchs, she also possesses a range of extraordinary abilities that make her a formidable opponent.

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Ammut Has Become One of the Most Powerful Members of Suho’s Team

Ammut is an absolute force of nature in Solo Leveling: Ragnarok, capable of killing high-level hunters without even going all out. At one point in the webtoon, he nearly takes Suho’s life not once but twice. Even more impressively, he accomplishes this while still sealed inside the pyramid in Egypt, demonstrating just how terrifying his dormant power truly is.

Now serving as one of Suho’s most powerful companions, Ammut has become a valuable ally who can help him overcome increasingly dangerous opponents. Ammut is also reliable in trying times, with Suho often asking him to rescue his other companions, such as Esil Radiru. It’s no secret that Ammut later becomes the new Monarch of Trials, in addition to his title as the new King of Monstrous Humanoids.

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Arsha Has Enough Power to Challenge the Strongest Monarchs

Arsha is one of the few characters in the entire Solo Leveling universe, fortunate enough to benefit from an unfair System, much like Sung Jinwoo and Sung Suho. With the System guiding her growth, Arsha believes she has the potential to rule the world, continuously leveling up and acquiring abilities far beyond human understanding.

True enough, Arsha eventually becomes Quehresha’s successor, taking her place as the new Insect Queen and Void Monarch. She gains access to nearly every ability available to Monarchs, making her a potentially powerful rival to the Sung father-and-son duo. Fortunately, her intentions eventually take a turn for the better, at least in the novel, suggesting that she may no longer be an enemy to Jinwoo and Suho.

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Sung Suho’s Greatest Ambition Is to Surpass Sung Jinwoo

While Sung Suho’s current power level remains minuscule compared to Sung Jinwoo’s, his rapid growth in Solo Leveling: Ragnarok makes him a strong candidate to eventually surpass his father. After all, beyond reuniting with Jinwoo and Cha Hae-In, Suho’s greatest ambition is to surpass the Shadow Monarch and become the next protector of the living world.

Fortunately, Suho has the potential to make that dream a reality, as he possesses many of the same abilities as his father. However, rather than simply following in Jinwoo’s footsteps, he has developed a unique fighting style of his own. Even without relying on his shadow-based powers, Suho is a capable combatant with plenty of room to grow.

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The Itarim Gods Are Powerful Enough to Keep Jinwoo Away From His Family

The celestial beings seeking to destroy Sung Jinwoo at all costs are collectively known as the Itarim Gods in Solo Leveling: Ragnarok. They are responsible for the long-running conflict between the Rulers and Monarchs on Earth, turning the living world into a battlefield for their own amusement in the original timeline.

Furthermore, the Itarim are powerful enough to keep Jinwoo separated from his family for years, forcing the Shadow Monarch to wage war across outer space for decades. They are also among the few beings capable of matching his overwhelming strength, pushing him to his limits in battle. However, despite their immense power, making Jinwoo surrender is an entirely different matter, as the Shadow Monarch has no intention of giving up.

The Boruto series boldly introduces powerful cyborgs into the Naruto universe, establishing them as some of the strongest characters in the current era. Thanks to their body modifications and DNA implants, these artificial beings can surpass even the most powerful shinobi in the franchise without relying on years of hard work and training.

That’s not all, as some of the most powerful cyborgs in Boruto are nearly invincible, allowing them to return to the battlefield time and again as long as their consciousness is preserved. Their godlike abilities give them an unfair advantage over traditional shinobi, but such overwhelming power has become the new reality of the Boruto era.

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Eida’s Charm Is Only the Beginning of Her Terrifying Powers

Getting to know Eida is no easy task, as almost anyone can instantly fall under her charm, especially those who lack Otsutsuki blood. A single glance at Eida is often enough to make her difficult to resist. Before her targets even realize what’s happening, they find themselves agreeing with her, following her commands, and ultimately becoming pawns in her schemes.

On top of that, Eida is far from an ordinary cyborg, as she possesses the godlike ability known as Omnipotence. This Shinjutsu allows her to rewrite reality, including people’s memories and lives, although she cannot fully control it. The stronger her desire for something, the more likely her omnipotence is to make it a reality. She also possesses the Senrigan, which allows her to observe events from afar and keep track of her enemies’ movements.

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Delta Can Challenge Six Paths Sage Mode Naruto Without Godlike Powers

Delta is Amado Sanzu’s most beloved cyborg creation, as she bears a striking resemblance to his deceased daughter, Akebi. However, her personality is the complete opposite of the sweet and compassionate girl Amado once knew. Although Delta’s personality has improved through multiple configurations, she still falls far short of being the real Akebi.

On the battlefield, Delta’s body is equipped with an array of high-tech modifications. While she lacks Shinjutsu, her physical abilities are impressive enough to let her contend with Naruto in his Six Paths Sage Mode. She also possesses a devastating trump card: a destructive beam unleashed from her eyes that can obliterate almost anything in its path. On top of that, Delta can absorb chakra-based attacks, making her a formidable opponent even without godlike shinjutsu.

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Kashin Koji Inherits Jiraiya’s Skills and Unlocks Godlike Shinjutsu

Kashin Koji is one of the most mysterious cyborgs in Boruto, largely because of his striking resemblance to the late Sannin, Jiraiya. As it turns out, Koji is indeed Jiraiya’s clone, making him a second version of the legendary Toad Sage in the Naruto universe. Although he initially antagonizes Boruto and his allies, he eventually switches sides, at least for now.

As Jiraiya’s clone, it is only fitting that Kashin Koji can use a variety of toad-based techniques alongside Sage Mode. However, his abilities go far beyond those inherited from his genetic template. Thanks to the Shibai Otsutsuki DNA implants, Koji awakens Prescience, a powerful future-sight ability that grants him random visions of possible futures. These glimpses allow him to prepare countermeasures before disaster strikes, significantly improving his chances of survival and helping him protect his allies.

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Code Is One of the Strongest Cyborgs Despite His Constant Failures

Code is one of the most unfortunate cyborgs in Boruto, not because he lacks strength, but because he is so easily manipulated. For instance, he worships Isshiki Otsutsuki as his personal god and chooses to inherit his will rather than follow his own path. He later becomes a pawn of Eida and Daemon, allowing them to use him in their schemes to get closer to Kawaki and Boruto.

Now, Code is being overshadowed by the Shinju Clones, who have largely taken over his role as Boruto‘s primary antagonists. Their growing prominence makes him look increasingly like a joke to manga readers. Despite this, Code remains an incredible fighter. His Claw Marks Shinjutsu makes him an ideal assassin, allowing him to move between locations almost instantly. He also possesses immense physical strength, surpassing even Jigen when his limiters are removed. This is no small feat, considering Jigen was powerful enough to overpower both adult Naruto and Sasuke simultaneously.

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Daemon Can Reflect Almost Any Attack With Reflection Shinjutsu

Daemon was one of the overpowered cyborgs that Jigen and Amado ultimately chose to disable because of his awakened Shinjutsu. His extraordinary abilities made him a potential threat to Isshiki Otsutsuki’s plans, as Daemon’s godlike powers were powerful enough to interfere with Kara’s true objectives.

Speaking of Daemon’s powers, his Reflection Shinjutsu allows him to redirect almost any attack back at its original target, making him untouchable. Even the strongest enemies must think twice before coming after him, considering they could easily fall victim to their own deadly attacks. However, overwhelming Daemon with multiple perfect clones could be a promising way to gain the upper hand against him, as shown when the Shinju Mamushi nearly managed to overwhelm him.

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Kawaki’s Latest Cyborg Enhancements Make Him More Dangerous Than Ever

At present, Kawaki continues to undergo body modifications at the hands of Amado Sanzu, even allowing the scientist to forcibly adjust his configurations to maximize either his offensive or defensive capabilities. These enhancements allow Kawaki to grow stronger at a rapid pace, helping him keep up with increasingly powerful opponents and allies alike.

Beyond his physical modifications, Kawaki also wields the Kokugan and its abilities, including Daikokuten and Sukunahikona. He has also developed advanced control over his chakra rods, making him a formidable fighter in his own right. However, his reliance on Amado’s modifications comes with a potential danger, as the scientist may have installed a shutdown mechanism in Kawaki, much like the one used to deactivate his former cyborgs through words alone.

Solo Leveling has one of the most challenging and dangerous anime worlds. It is infested with powerful magical creatures of varying ranks, all of whom are set on destroying humanity. Most of these creatures don’t exist outside of dungeons and gates, but there are times when they can sneak out and wreak havoc in the world of Solo Leveling.

For normal people, it is just impossible to fight these creatures, which is why the responsibility of dealing with them falls on the shoulders of special individuals known as Hunters. Since the inception of Hunters, a certain categorization has existed, but that very system is now under threat.

Sung Jinwoo Broke Solo Leveling’s Hunter System

Each hunter is assigned a specific rank based on their magic. The higher the person’s magic, the rank they are assigned. The highest rank that a hunter can be assigned is S, and achieving that standing requires an absurdly high strength. A hunter who falls in this category is not to be trifled with, for they possess powers that could easily wreck an entire army. Thankfully, there are very few individuals who can proudly claim to be S-rank hunters.

On paper, S-rank is the highest a person can get, but there are five individuals who have managed to cement themselves as fighters who are in an entirely different league. They fought and brought down the mighty Kamish, the magical beast responsible for killing multiple S-rank hunters. A lot of people wanted to fight Kamish, as beating him could potentially land them riches and fame. Kamish would have kept on killing if the national-level Hunters, hadn’t intervened. The fight solidified the national-level hunters as the strongest in the world. With time, everyone realized that it was impossible for anyone to surpass the national-level hunters.

However, Sung Jinwoo’s reawakening has destroyed the old ranking system altogether. Usually, every hunter has a limit, meaning they can’t grow past a certain point. But that doesn’t apply to Jinwoo, as he is the Player of the System. Sung Jinwoo can basically keep on growing for as long as he wants. All he needs to do is keep fighting strong enemies and defeating them.

A good example of how Jinwoo broke the barrier of the system is displayed during the Jeju Island raid. Jinwoo had refused to participate in the raid because he believed the alliance between the Japanese and Korean hunters would be enough to defeat the ants on the island. His calculation was partly correct because the alliance absolutely obliterated the regular ants. However, things changed completely when the Ant King joined the fray. He decimated both sets of S-rank hunters with little to no difficulty. Even Choi Jong-In, who was considered the strongest hunter in Korea, was unable to make any noticeable difference. When Sung Jinwoo finally arrived on the island, he engaged in an enthralling duel with the Ant King. Before the fight, many fans had expected Jinwoo to struggle somewhat. But mere moments after the fight started, it became evident that the hero was much stronger than his opponent.

Jinwoo had the upper hand for the majority of the fight, and the only time he struggled was when the Ant King poisoned him. Once the System had eradicated the toxins from Jinwoo’s body, he continued to trash his opponent until he lay dead. Once Jinwoo had defeated the ant king, he used necromancy to awaken his fallen opponent as a shadow soldier, whom he named Beru. The fight was anything but fair, and if we are being honest, it was just an opportunity for Jinwoo to show off his skills. If the performance of Jinwoo and Choi Jong-un is compared side by side, it becomes extremely clear. The former has left every Korean hunter in the dust.

Sung Jinwoo’s Potential Is Scary

What’s scary is the fact that Jinwoo hasn’t even reached his full potential. Nor has he unlocked all of his powers. Once he hits the peak, Jinwoo will even overtake the national-level hunters. As a matter of fact, he will gain a huge power-up in the Double Dungeon arc. Anime-only fans may not know, but Solo Leveling: Beyond the System is going to adapt the Double Dungeon arc. Towards the end of season 2, Jinwoo received a key for hitting level 100. However, instead of heading straight away to the Double Dungeon, the hero decided to form the Ahjin Guild along with his friend Yoo Jinho. Creating a guild of his own comes with multiple benefits, and one of them is being able to operate more freely. If he were a part of another guild, he would have to seek permission before carrying out a raid or any other activity. By creating a guild of his own, he is no longer bound to the whims of another person.

Another important aspect of the movie is Sung Jinwoo’s visit to the Cartenon Temple. It is the same place where Jinwoo nearly lost his life but instead ended up becoming a player for the system. While there is no denying that Jinwoo is happy with how things ended. He will want to know why he was chosen over everyone else. Thankfully, he doesn’t have to remain in the dark for long. When Jinwoo finally heads to the cavern in the temple, he will learn all the answers. But before that, he has to fight Kandiaru, the architect of the system. The worst thing is that Kandiaru is a strong character who can easily fight someone of Jinwoo’s caliber. Furthermore, he won’t give Jinwoo all the answers that he needs until and unless the hero completes all of his challenges. The hardest of these challenges will be fighting the architect and defeating him within 10 minutes. Initially, the architect has the advantage in the fight, but Jinwoo slowly grows into it before finally beating his opponent.

Once Jinwoo’s victory is cemented, the architect will put him in a state of trance to carry out the next phase of his plan, which is to bring back the Shadow Monarch. In the suspended state, Jinwoo has an out-of-body experience, and during this time he meets the Shadow Monarch and learns about the rulers, the absolute being, and the other important groups in the story. The information that he gathers will be immensely important, as it could end up deciding the fate of the world.

My Hero Academia by Kohei Horikoshi is a story set in a world where people are born with unique powers called Quirks, the usage of which has led to the rise of Heroes and Villains. With tonnes of powerful Heroes existing in the world, there also exists a ranking system in the form of the hero billboard chart. Based on their strength and popularity, all heroes are ranked in their country.

All Might, the greatest hero to ever live, was Japan’s Number One Hero for a long time. After his retirement, Endeavor took the Number One spot before eventually being replaced by the new generation and overtaken by Lemillion, Mirio Togata. Mirio’s ascension to Number 1 definitely surprised many, as we all believed that, by the end of My Hero Academia, the new number one hero would be none other than All Might’s own successor, Izuku Midoriya, the previous holder of One For All.

Unfortunately, because of Deku’s quirk loss and the long time it took for him to be able to become a Pro Hero, he has yet to gain this position. However, Horikoshi has set up a new bright future for My Hero Academia following the release of the latest special episode, titled “I am a Hero too,” on August 2, 2026. Now, Izuku Midoriya stands a shot at becoming the top Pro Hero with his new Hero Armor, and all this could be revealed in the next My Hero Academia project, which is being set for a potential reveal at Jump Festa 2027 in December.

Izuku Midoriya Currently Stands As Japan’s Number 4 Hero

Izuku Midoriya is the protagonist of My Hero Academia, whom we have followed since the very first chapter of the series, released back in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #33 on July 7, 2014. Back then, Deku was quirkless. He had no powers of his own, but through his determination, he proved himself to All Might and became the inheritor of his legendary Quirk, One For All. One For All wasn’t an immediate ticket to success. Izuku Midoriya still had to train hard and master the Quirk before he could be considered one of the greatest Heroes of his generation.

In general, Deku’s goal was always to become the greatest hero of Japan, and he was definitely on the path to achieving just that. However, in My Hero Academia’s Final War arc, Izuku Midoriya selflessly sacrificed his One For All Quirk in hopes of saving Shigaraki’s life. As this attempt failed, he was left quirkless once more, which snatched his Pro Hero dream from him. Even though Deku was declared the greatest Hero, the fact that he could no longer pursue it was sad for the fans. Consequently, this also destroyed any hopes he had of joining the Hero Billboard Chart of Japan.

With that being said, after an 8-year timeskip, Deku was given a great power-up that went on to restore his dream in the form of a new advanced version of the Hero Armor used in the Final War arc by All Might. With this suit in hand, Deku was able to become a Pro Hero once more.

Based on the latest My Hero Academia special, titled “I Am a Hero Too,” which was released on August 2, 2026, and was based on the extra chapter created by Horikoshi, Deku has now been ranked 4th in the new Japan Hero Rankings. This is an impressive ranking position for Deku, especially since he recently became a Pro Hero again, but it’s definitely still far from his ultimate goal of becoming Number 1.

Izuku Midoriya Is Destined To Become Japan’s Number 1 In The My Hero Academia Release

At the beginning of My Hero Academia, Deku stated that we were all witnessing how he became the greatest hero in Japan. Based on this comment alone, we all assumed that Deku would, of course, become the Number 1 Hero of Japan, the title previously held by All Might, his mentor, and the person he succeeded, both in legacy and in power.

While he most certainly has accomplished this goal in terms of legacy, and perhaps even surpassed All Might, he still has work to do stature-wise. His power loss definitely put a dent in his progression. Despite that, we’re sure that eventually, Izuku Midoriya is destined to become the Number 1 Hero of Japan. Midoriya has already risen in the ranks and surpassed other legendary Heroes of the new generation, like Bakugo, Kamui Woods, Nejire Hado, and many others. He has already cemented himself among the very best of the country in a very short time period after acquiring the Hero Armor.

That said, he still has three more Heroes to surpass, those being Mt. Lady, with her Gigantification Quirk; Shoto Todoroki, with his Half-Cold Half-Hot Quirk; and Mirio, the current holder of the Number One Spot, with his Permeation Quirk. Out of these, Mt. Lady will be the easiest to surpass. She is strong and charming, but Deku’s new armor is far superior and a lot more powerful. Based on what Horikoshi himself has said, this new advanced armor replicates the power of One For All and all the vestiges, even allowing him to combine two or more powers together.

In the final arc, Deku was definitely stronger than both Shoto and Mirio. If he is truly operating at a similar level, then it is only a matter of time before he proves himself to the public with his Hero Armor and becomes the Number 1 Hero of Japan, surpassing both of them in the process. While we don’t know when this could happen, My Hero Academia is set for a big reveal at Jump Festa 2027, which will take place on December 19, 2026. Specifically, it is promised to be featured during the Super Stage Red, which is the main stage of the event by Shueisha, set to feature huge announcements. New My Hero Academia projects will be revealed here.

One unconfirmed project, many fans believe is bound to happen eventually, is a new, canon My Hero Academia movie written or co-written by the original author, Kohei Horikoshi. It could be in this movie that adult Pro Hero Deku faces a new challenge. By overcoming this challenge, he could attain the Number 1 position in Japan that he failed to previously gain.

Why Deku Deserves The Number 1 Hero Spot of Japan

Many fans were disappointed when, at the end of My Hero Academia, Izuku Midoriya did not become the Number One Hero of Japan. In part, it is because the premise of the story itself promised to see Deku’s rise as the greatest Hero, but also because Deku’s actions made him more than deserving of this position. In the final arc of My Hero Academia, Izuku Midoriya had to defeat the most powerful villain of all time, All For One. While Bakugo initially defeated All For One, Deku still had to take him down once more.

On top of that, Deku had to defeat Shigaraki and his powerful All For One inherited quirk. Despite all the evil done by Shigaraki, Deku, at the end of it all, still tried to save him as a true Hero, which is why he sacrificed his Quirk in the first place. Deku was selfless through it all and embodies the Number 1 Hero position perfectly. Now, with his restored strength, thanks to the advanced hero armor, he’s definitely the strongest, and we hope to see him reach new heights soon.

Black Clover ended its run on May 1, 2026, with the release of Chapter 392, which wrapped up the story quickly following that chaotic battle between Asta and Yuno. With the end of Black Clover, we finally saw Asta achieve his ultimate dream of becoming the Wizard King. Upon the release of the last chapter, many of us believed that Tabata was done with the franchise and that he wouldn’t expand upon the story anymore. However, Yuki Tabata surprised everyone when he made his return on August 4, 2026, with a brand-new guidebook release.

This guidebook offered us a major lore dump on Asta, specifically the circumstances surrounding his birth as well as his overpowered abilities. In a way, it could be said that Asta has achieved God status in Black Clover, both through his miraculous birth as well as his overpowered Anti-Magic, which can cut through any mana ability thrown at him.

Asta Officially Confirmed As The Biggest Anomaly Born From a Direct Action Of God

Black Clover’s manga debut came in 2015 with the release of its first manga chapter in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 12. In Chapter 1, Yuki Tabata, the creator of the story, quickly introduced us to our two main characters, Asta and Yuno. While Yuno was a natural-born prodigy with overpowered magic, Asta was the complete opposite. Asta had to grind his whole life to grow physically stronger. Magic-wise, Asta was at the bottom of the barrel, being born with no mana at all, which, in the world of Black Clover, is a plain anomaly. Even the weakest characters have some mana and affinity to wield some magic. In every way, Asta was a true anomaly, and that pattern was observed quite a few times as Yuki Tabata explored his story.

In Black Clover Chapter 2, Asta unlocked his grimoire, and then again, we saw him rise as an anomaly. While Yuno unlocked the Lucky Four Clover Grimoire, Asta went on to get the Five Devilish Grimoire, housing the Devil itself, which would later on give him access to Anti-Magic, a power that negates mana itself through the devolving anger of Liebe, the Devil living inside of it.

“What a fragile soul. You’ll never defeat me that way. Good-bye, flaw of the world.” —Lucius about Asta.

While Asta being born without mana was a massive anomaly in and of itself, the new Black Clover guidebook, which was released on August 4th, 2026, revealed to us much more about his mysterious birth. Yuki Tabata revealed in Perfect Grimoire that Asta’s birth was entirely a direct action from God himself. Tabata revealed that Asta was born with no father, meaning technically he should have never been born in the first place. Richita’s miraculous virgin birth makes Asta a one-of-a-kind miracle born via direct divine intervention. Asta’s direct divine parallels already make him a godly entity in the world of Black Clover, but of course he also has the strength to back his status up.

Asta Is An Anomaly With God-Level Powers in Black Clover

Through the story of Black Clover, Asta was gradually growing and developing in strength. Even without the possession of any mana, Asta was able to distinguish himself through his raw physical strength that he trained years for, as well as newly acquired Anti-Magic through the 5 Clover Grimoire that he received at the yearly Grimoire Ceremony. Asta had a rough start, but eventually he was able to push through and became quite an overpowered individual among the Black Bulls and the Black Clover cast in general.

In the Black Clover manga, we saw Asta’s devilish powers grow with time. When Asta unlocked Devil Union in Chapter 282, it was one of the biggest moments of the manga. Along with his Anti-Magic, Asta was also eventually given the Demon Slasher sword by Yami. The new Black Clover guidebook from August 4 revealed that he has tapped into some of the most overpowered abilities of the Black Clover-verse, thanks to the unique attribute of the Demon Slasher sword, which allows the user to cut through anything its user wants. Coupling it with Anti-Magic and turning it into a new Anti-Magic Weapon, Asta has gained the power to unleash dimensional-scale attacks. Speed and time do not affect his attacks, and he is able to slash through anything, even the soul. After the two-year timeskip of Black Clover Chapter 392, Asta’s power must have grown tenfold as he cements himself as the strongest character in the world.

Asta Stands as the Strongest Wizard King and Character of Black Clover

Following Asta’s journey from beginning to end was a sensational adventure for fans of the Black Clover series. While we were introduced to Asta in chapter 1 of the series, where he revealed his ultimate goal to become Wizard King, we finally saw him achieve this title in Black Clover chapter 391, which was released on May 1st, 2026, in Jump GIGA’s Spring Edition. Asta achieved this by finally defeating Yuno in a one-on-one battle.

On August 4, 2026, Yuki Tabata released an extra chapter showcasing Asta’s ascension to the throne as the 29th Wizard King after Julius Novachrono. Julius, coupled with his other soul, Lucius, was overpowered and a deadly foe to face. After all, it took both Asta and Yuno fighting together to finally take him down. However, since Lucius’s battle, Asta has had ample time to develop further, mastering his Anti-Magic even more as the new Wizard King. Asta has definitely surpassed Lucius and Julius by now, and probably so has Yuno as well. Through this coronation, Asta has undoubtedly become the strongest Wizard King.

We all expected Asta to be the most overpowered character at the end of Black Clover, and by the looks of it, Yuki Tabata most certainly delivered on that end. Unfortunately, no further releases for Black Clover are planned for now. While the series is making an appearance during Jump Festa 2027, it is only doing so at the smallest of stages, which means that no major new project is expected for this series. Needless to say, that is disappointing in its own way, but hopefully, at some point later down the line, Black Clover can make a comeback so fans all over the world can enjoy Asta as the Wizard King once more, with godly power at his disposal.

Calvin & Hobbes is considered by many to be one of the greatest comic strip series of all time. It mixes the chaotic imagination of a child with unique observations that take a look at the world from a different angle. Bill Watterson made this comic about a boy and his stuffed tiger incredibly endearing and raucously funny.

While the comic is from the perspective of a child, it was still being written and drawn by an adult man. This means, naturally, that Watterson was able to make jokes that a child wouldn’t get. These “grown-up jokes” were not about topics inappropriate for children; rather, they made points about the complexity of the world which would easily go over a child’s head.

Calvin Imbues the Unliving with Existential Dread

When snow begins to fall, almost every child’s first instinct is to build a snowman. It’s a common form of creativity that accompanies the colder season, and is as simple as rolling at least three balls of snow in decreasing size on top of one another, adding some facial features, and maybe adding a hat, some buttons, and a pipe.

However, this design is too simple and straightforward for Calvin. He wants a more raw and real snowman, so he gives his snowman the existential dread of knowing one is alive “weighed against the horror of nonbeing.” Hobbes compliments Calvin’s “willingness to put artistic integrity before marketability.” The dry and absurd humor is very reminiscent of Far Side comics. This coaxes Calvin into making a normal snowman too. Most children don’t have the existential dread that comes with wondering if you have lived your life in a meaningful manner. Adding the joke about marketability adds to the humor while still being outside of the average kids’ reach of understanding how capitalism works.

Children Don’t Understand Why Some TV Should Be Off-Limits

Daytime television is a different beast, with countless soap operas and daily gossip talk shows that frankly either cannot or should not appeal to kids. Soap operas in particular tend to deal with mature topics not suited for children, but a sick day from school gave children the rare opportunity to access that daytime programming (streaming notwithstanding).

This comic shows Calvin watching what seems to be one of those soap operas while home sick from school. The program includes an affair, murder, and a “skimpy négligée,” prompting Calvin to say, “Sometimes I think I learn more when I stay home from school.” This suggests that Calvin is learning about a lot of concepts he shouldn’t be, and it’s a joke that really only appeals to adults.

The Futility of War is Hard to Grasp for a Kid

Kids safe at home in America do not understand the weight and magnitude of war. Obviously, there are children around the world who have to experience its horrors firsthand, but Calvin certainly does not know what it is like to live in a war zone.

That is why Calvin and Hobbes decide to play war in this comic. They agree that the first to get hit by a dart dies, and then the two shoot one another at the same time. They agree it’s a stupid game, but this acknowledgment doesn’t quite communicate the point in an explicit enough way for a kid. Wars only destroy, not create. They are not fun, and they damage everyone involved. Calvin may not understand this yet, but this comic shows that he’s close.

There Is No Rock Bottom, and That’s Reassuring for Some Reason

This single-panel comic makes a point about the world that is difficult for children to grasp, and if a child does understand this point, adults are often saddened by such pessimism. This comic shows Calvin floating from a balloon and saying, “That’s one of the remarkable things about life. It’s never so bad that it can’t get worse.”

This thought accompanies a bird in the distance, likely getting so close that it could pop the balloon from which Calvin is floating. The comic demonstrates a point that many adults get, but children may not: there is no rock bottom. Things can always get worse. Most adults have experienced enough weary years to get to this point, but kids, most of the time, do not have the life experience to come to grips with how true this is.

Calvin Makes Experiences a Poignant Moment of Pondering Mortality

This comic starts with Calvin and Hobbes finding a dead bird. This triggers an epiphany in Calvin, and he begins to ponder the fleeting nature of life. He talks about how brutal nature can be and how quickly it can snatch the gift of life away. He talks about how this horror of life is probably why people get so buried in their own lives and do not take the time to think about what life means.

Calvin finishes this comic by saying, “I suppose it will make sense when we grow up.” The joke here, which is something only adults will understand, is that being a grown-up does not make all of this clear. Life can still seem random, cruel, and brutal. Adulthood only makes this reality more stark; it does not explain it.

Ants Sure Are Silly Little Guys

This comic finds Calvin and Hobbes watching an anthill. Calvin begins making fun of the ants, talking about how mindless they seem, how hard they are working for something that could be instantly taken from them, and how pointless that work seems to be.

The joke here, of course, is that humans do this exact same thing. We work hard without questioning why and unaware of the fact that all which we gain from our work can be taken away from us by the cruel whims of the universe. Calvin doesn’t understand this, and your average child will not. However, an adult can understand how brutal this truth about the world really is.

The World Is Yours, Whether You Want It or Not

This is a melancholy Calvin & Hobbes comic that finds Calvin observing the destruction of forestry. He sees a tree stump and begins commenting on how long it took the forest to grow versus how quickly it was razed to the ground. He laments about how quickly the area will be made into “a big strip.”

He then asks Hobbes, “If you can refuse to inherit the world.” Hobbes says, “I think if you’re born, it’s too late.” This makes another mature point children don’t usually understand. The world is cruel and fleeting. It’s not fair, and it is your problem the second you are born. The only thing one can do is to make the best of it and try to improve it where they can.

Calvin’s Dad Finally Understands Adulthood in a Way That Only an Adult Can

This particular comic does not feature Calvin or Hobbes at all. Instead, it focuses on Calvin’s parents as they lay down to sleep for the night. However, Calvin’s dad can’t sleep, and he begins to ponder the nature of adulthood. He talks about how, as a kid, adults seem to have it together, but he now understands that no adult could.

He now understands that so much of adulthood is “ad-libbed.” No adult can understand how to tackle every problem and situation that comes their way. Instead, the best an adult can do is just try their best and use their common sense and wisdom. Children cannot understand this because they simply do not have the age and experience yet.

Gege Akutami’s original Jujutsu Kaisen story reached its conclusion with the release of Chapter 271 on September 30, 2024, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 44. However, the world of Jujutsu Kaisen continued beyond that. Almost a year later, Gege Akutami made an official comeback with a sequel to Jujutsu Kaisen, called Jujutsu Kaisen: Modulo, which is set 68 years after the conclusion of the Sukuna Raid.

In this new story, Yuji Itadori, the former protagonist, was shown to be at the prime of his powers and standing tall as a Special Grade Sorcerer. Naturally, by adulthood, Yuji Itadori has gained many powerful abilities, and he is confirmed to have become Japan’s strongest sorcerer. Yuji has also reached a level of strength where he has surpassed both Gojo and Sukuna, which means that his overall sorcery level is far beyond anything that we have seen in the story. Yuji Itadori has also officially upgraded his domain expansion powers, given his control over his new cursed techniques, and that is exciting for all the fans to see.

Gege Akutami Gives Perfect Cursed Technique Control To Adult Yuji Itadori

Yuji Itadori first awakened his Domain Expansion in the Shinjuku Showdown arc of Jujutsu Kaisen, but the basis for it was established by Gege in chapter 257 of the series when he awakened his Cursed Technique. This chapter was released on April 22, 2024, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump issue 21, and it saw Yuji tap into the same power as Sukuna, known as Shrine, and gain the power to launch powerful Dismantles, especially targeted at the soul.

“Black Flash releases Yuji’s inner potential. Amidst a shower of black sparks, Yuji Itadori awakens!” — Yuji unlocks Shrine, Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter #257

Yuji Itadori was able to push back the King of Curses and eventually even defeat him in combat, which was amazing for all of us to see. Naturally, as the battle continued, Yuji took these abilities beyond all limits and created his own Domain Expansion. Yuji Itadori’s Domain Expansion, which remains unnamed to this day, was unveiled in Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 264, released on July 29, 2024, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 35. Inside his domain, we could see all the places that Yuji grew up in, which he holds dear to his heart. It was in this domain that he dealt the final blow to Ryomen Sukuna by launching a powerful Soul Dismantle Sure Hit, and defeating him for good. While this Domain Expansion was already powerful enough on its own, it was not a depiction of Yuji at the peak of his powers, meaning that his new Domain Expansion, which has now been upgraded in the Modulo era, is much more powerful.

Why Yuji’s Domain Expansion Has Been Upgraded With Shrine And Blood Manipulation Mastery

In Jujutsu Kaisen: Modulo, Yuji Itadori is stronger than ever before. On May 1, 2026, with the release of Modulo Volume 3, Gege Akutami confirmed to us that Yuji Itadori is not only the strongest sorcerer of all time but also classified as a Special Grade now. Gege also went on to confirm that Yuji has perfect mastery over not one, but two cursed techniques. In Modulo Chapter 19, which was officially released on January 26, 2026, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 9, Yuji Itadori demonstrated fully mastered Blood Manipulation beyond anything that we had ever seen. A week later, in Modulo Chapter 20, Yuji unleashed his newly mastered Shrine Technique and showed usage far better than Sukuna ever did.

“What’s all this? You completely failed to gather them up. Well, can’t help it. They’re still new to this. Dismantle!!” — Yuji unleashes a massive Dismantle, Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter #20

Clearly, Yuji’s control over both Shrine and Blood Manipulation has reached an entirely new level, and he was even able to slice through Mahito’s attacks without even lifting a finger. His control over cursed energy, cursed techniques, and even things like incantations and hand signs has reached such a level that he is essentially a god of sorcery.

In other words, Yuji Itadori’s domain expansion, which was half-baked when he fought against Sukuna, has now been fully mastered. His new domain expansion is likely to be similar to Malevolent Shrine, only much more dangerous and deadly. Furthermore, Yuji can also possibly imbue his Blood Manipulation inside his domain to create a completely new sure-hit, giving him access to two different variants of the technique and making him incredibly special in the process.

There is absolutely no denying the fact that Yuji Itadori is one of the deadliest Domain Expansion users to ever exist, but unfortunately, we have yet to see him going all out in battle. What little we have seen, however, confirms him as the strongest of all time among humans.

Yuji’s Full Power As An Adult

In the Jujutsu Kaisen: Modulo era, Yuji Itadori’s full strength has not been revealed, but Gege has shown us enough for us to conclude that he is the strongest of all time. For starters, Yuji Itadori’s Blood Manipulation is far better than that of any other sorcerer. At the same time, his control over Shrine has surpassed that of Ryomen Sukuna, with him being able to launch Dismantles that span over kilometers. On top of that, he is able to tear through enemy attacks and shred them without even using incantations or hand signs, which is a mark of a remarkable sorcerer.

Yuji: You’re quite sturdy! Don’t worry, this won’t kill you! Black Flash!

Sorcerer: Such precision. I didn’t even sense any Cursed Energy from him until it collected in his fist!

— Yuji uses Black Flash at will, JJK Modulo Chapter #20

Furthermore, Yuji Itadori has become the first sorcerer to be able to hit Black Flash at will. This was seen in Modulo Chapter 20, where a glimpse of his true strength was revealed to us. With all these incredible abilities, Yuji is already a god of jujutsu sorcery. He is also part spirit and part human, which means that his body ages significantly slower than an average human. Yuji Itadori is already in his 80s, but he’s set to live for 300 more years.

In other words, Yuji will continue to remain in his prime and amass more experience and gain further strength as he grows older. His strength as an adult sorcerer is far beyond that of Sukuna and Gojo, and there is absolutely no denying that fact. Hopefully, Gege Akutami eventually makes a return to Jujutsu Kaisen and shows us how strong Yuji truly is in his prime, and all fans would absolutely love to see that.

All chapters of Jujutsu Kaisen and Modulo by Gege Akutami are available to read via Manga Plus and Viz Media.

Charlie Brown is one of the most recognizable fictional characters in the world. Despite originating from a simple comic strip, this boy and his beagle have become one of the most easily identifiable figures in all of media. His pessimistic personality and catchphrase of “good grief” are just as recognizable, making Charlie Brown a truly iconic figure across the world.

However, there is one question about Charlie Brown that has left fans confused over the years. Unlike other characters, Charlie Brown does not have a differently-colored head of hair. Instead, there is a small tuft of hair at the top of his head that is colored the same tone as his skin. Is this because he has no hair, or is it because he has light-colored hair? To put it another way, is Charlie Brown bald or blonde?

The Argument for a Bald Charlie Brown

This, at first glance, seems to be the most obvious answer to the question. With the exception of a few tufts of hair, the character’s head seems to be completely bald, which might be why Charlie Brown is so depressed. What little hair we do see is the same color as the rest of his head. That would seemingly imply that there is just so little hair that it doesn’t warrant coloring any different from the rest of his head.

In addition, Peanuts has blonde characters whose hair is colored differently from their skin and is easily apparent. Other beloved characters such as Charlie Brown’s sister, Sally, and the piano-playing Schroeder are both given blonde hair in the comics, and it is readily apparent that they have blonde hair. There are characters such as Peppermint Patty and Lucy who have brown and dark hair respectively, and their hair is visually different from the rest of their bodies.

And again, Charlie Brown just looks bald. He is drawn with a round head with only a few curls of hair at the front of his head. It’s a little similar to Homer Simpson, who is drawn bald with just a few lines of hair. The art style, which has been in Charlie Brown’s holiday specials since the beginning, seems to insist that he’s a bald character.

The Argument for a Blonde Charlie Brown

However, there are also compelling arguments for Charlie Brown being blonde instead of bald. The first is that he is just a kid, and, with some notable exceptions, kids are rarely bald. Once they reach a certain age, most children have a full head of hair. Plus, there are other characters in the Peanuts who are depicted with similarly round heads, with some hair drawn on top, such as Linus and Pig Pen. They are clearly not bald, but their hair is drawn in single lines without a distinct color from the rest of the skin on their heads.

The next argument in favor of blonde hair comes from what we will call The Simpsons principle. Characters in The Simpsons are primarily drawn with yellow or brown skin. However, there are characters like Bart, Lisa, and Maggie Simpson who are given heads that are shaped distinctly from other characters in the show. Because of this, the audience is left to believe that these Simpsons characters actually have a head of hair, but it is colored the same tone as the rest of their bodies.

This would line up with the design of Charlie Brown. Sure, Charlie Brown’s head is drawn completely spherical, but that does not preclude the possibility that hair is intended to be there. Like Bart and Lisa Simpson, the creator’s intent could easily be that Charlie Brown’s hair simply contorts to the shape in which his head is drawn.

Arguably the strongest piece of evidence comes from Charles Schulz himself. Schulz gave an interview with Terry Gross and National Public Radio way back in 1990. In this interview, Schulz was asked about Charlie Brown’s hair. He said that his hair is light and closely cropped to his head, and that is why the character appears to be bald in the comic strip series.

The Final Verdict on Charlie Brown’s Hair

With all of that being considered, there is only one perspective on Charlie Brown’s hair that makes any sense. He is a young child, and he does not have any hair conditions as far as the canon is concerned. This can only leave the explanation that Charlie Brown is blonde.

Schulz himself weighing in on the topic adds ample credibility to the blonde argument. While “Death of the Author” is always a consideration when analyzing a work, it is hard to put forth an ironclad argument for Charlie Brown being a bald child. There is no argument from the work itself that directly states or indicates that Charlie Brown is bald, so one is inclined to believe Schulz on this: Charlie Brown is blonde.

The Simpsons principle also helps out some. Remembering that Bart, Lisa, and Maggie are all supposed to have hair despite their hair being drawn as part of their head gives another pop culture example of this phenomenon. The reader is only really left with the explanation that Charlie Brown does have very short, blonde cropped hair.

The world of Solo Leveling primarily focuses on Hunters of South Korea, which is also where the protagonist of the story, Sung Jinwoo, comes from. This is to be expected, as it is a South Korean story written by a South Korean author, Chugong.

For years, since the awakening of his true powers, Sung Jinwoo has stood as the strongest hunter of South Korea and the strongest in the entire world. However, since the beginning of Solo Leveling: Ragnarok, the sequel to the original story, Sung Jinwoo has been absent, taking on the new role of stopping the Itarim. Since his departure, a new strongest has risen in South Korea who stands tall as the country’s best S-Rank Hunter. This new strongest is Cha Hae-In. With her reawakened powers and the absorbed abilities from the Shadow Monarch, she has surpassed all other S-Rank Hunters and become comparable to a Monarch.

Solo Leveling Makes Cha Hae-In The New Strongest Korean S-Rank Hunter In Solo Leveling Ragnarok

Solo Leveling’s main focus has always been the protagonist of the series, Sung Jinwoo, who started his journey as an E-Rank Hunter but quickly rose through the ranks after unlocking the power of the System and becoming the Shadow Monarch. All this was made possible for Jinwoo after his near-death experience in the Double Dungeon. Jinwoo quickly surpassed the S-Rank Hunters and even the National-Level Hunters, and eventually became a godly being.

We all expected Sung Jinwoo to play a major role in the sequel to Solo Leveling, called Solo Leveling: Ragnarok. Sadly, this story has pushed him to the side and sent him on a new quest. This is because, in Solo Leveling: Ragnarok, new godly beings called the Itarim threaten the world. Because of the weakening power of the Rulers, only Sung Jinwoo can stop them in their paths, which takes him away from the main plot and makes his own son, Sung Suho, the protagonist.

While Sung Suho is the main character of this new story, he often leaves the spotlight open for side characters to come and shine as well. His own mother, Cha Hae-In, has thus been a big focus throughout the run of Solo Leveling: Ragnarok, and on November 5, 2026, we finally saw Cha return to the story.

Solo Leveling: Ragnarok Season 3 returned from its hiatus on November 5, 2026, with the release of three chapters, those being Chapters 69, 70, and 71. Cha specifically returned in Solo Leveling: Ragnarok chapter 70, and we saw her reuniting with the other S-Rank Hunters of South Korea. It’s undeniable at this point that in Sung Jinwoo’s absence, Cha has become the new strongest Hunter of South Korea in Solo Leveling, bar Sung Suho, who benefits from the same System powers as his father, Sung Jinwoo.

How Cha Hae In Went From Average S-Rank To National Level Hunter

Cha Hae-In was always known as one of South Korea’s best Hunters, and the main reason for this was her awakening in the original Solo Leveling series. After gaining her power, she was immediately classified as an S-Rank Hunter and was made the 9th S-Rank of South Korea. Back then, her strength was largely relative to those of the other S-Rank Hunters of the country.

What made her stand out was her incredible speed and agility, all coupled with incredible swordsmanship skills that allowed her to slice most of her enemies with swift strikes. That said, in the Jeju Island arc, it was clear that she was largely average in terms of S-Rank Hunters. While Cha was able to defeat the Ant Queen with the help of the other S-Rank Hunters of South Korea, when faced with the Ant King, she was immediately defeated. Not even Goto Ryuji, the strongest of Japan, was able to take him down. Only Jinwoo, a character past the level of an S-Rank Hunter, was able to defeat the Ant King.

Since then, Cha Hae-In has grown tremendously, specifically in Ragnarok. Her strength development started when she was pregnant with Sung Suho. As Suho is the son of the Shadow Monarch, his life force allowed Cha Hae-In to grow stronger over the course of her 9-month-long pregnancy. Her potential increased, even though Hunters usually cannot grow in power. After Jinwoo’s departure, Cha Hae-In was stuck for 5 years in a dungeon with the ice elves. There, her strength grew even further through numerous battles and challenges that she overcame.

Cha Hae In’s Future in Solo Leveling Ragnarok

Cha Hae In’s powers already place her at the level of a National-Level Hunter as of this point in Ragnarok. This was clear when she cleared an S-Rank gate of the same scale as Jeju Island all by herself. On its own, this is enough to see her as an equal to the National Level Hunters. But she’s only going to get stronger from here onwards. Cha Hae-In will also experience a full reawakening in her battle against powered-up Thomas Andre, who was possessed by an apostle of the Itarim soon enough. Through this battle, Cha will absorb some of the mana of an Itarim and become a Hunter far beyond the level of a simple S-Rank hunter. Based on what we’ve seen, her power is even greater than that of a National Level Hunter, and comparable to a Monarch.

With that being said, the manhwa hasn’t been entirely faithful to that original story by Daul, so Cha’s story could turn out very differently, and her power-ups could be distinct. Her battle against Thomas Andre should still take place in Solo Leveling Ragnarok Season 3, which is currently ongoing. In general, she has grown a lot in importance in Solo Leveling Ragnarok. Her return to the story has been exciting, as we see her reuniting with her former allies — the Korean S-Ranks. We can’t wait to see Sung Suho come to fully recognize his mother after years of separation. In terms of Hunters from South Korea, only Sung Suho and his father, Sung Jinwoo, can defeat Cha.

For now, we await further story progression of Solo Leveling Ragnarok. With the manhwa having returned on November 5, 2026, with Season 3, we expect a new chapter to drop every week. The next release is scheduled for November 11, 2026.

All chapters of the original Solo Leveling, as well as the sequel called Solo Leveling Ragnarok, are currently available to read on the popular Manhwa platform Tapas. Solo Leveling and its sequel will be available there until March 31, 2027, which is when the platform by Kakao Entertainment will shut down.

The universe introduced to fans in the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise is home to some of the most popular and beloved characters in anime history. With a plethora of incredibly skilled and powerful duelists, from the regal Atem to the stoic Yusei, the series has no shortage of cast members who have won the hearts of millions of fans worldwide.

Yet, among the hundreds of duelists shown over the years, some have never been shown the admiration and respect they deserve. Despite their importance to the series or the amazing feats they accomplished, these characters are overshadowed by their more popular cast members, which is a major shame.

10

Grandpa Solomon Is the Reason Why Duel Monsters Takes Place

It is no secret among Yu-Gi-Oh! fans that the original Duel Monsters anime is, to this day, the most famous and cherished anime by the fandom. Most followers of this amazing story grew up enjoying the epic duels between Kaiba and Atem, two of the franchise’s most iconic players. Yet, there is a man whose existence was key to the future of the story and is still disregarded as nothing but a side character: Grandpa.

Although most remember him simply as Yugi’s motivation during the Duelist Kingdom Arc, Solomon is the one who ignited the events of the anime. It was he who gave the protagonist the Millennium Puzzle, as well as taught him everything he knew about Duel Monsters. Grandpa was also an extremely competent duelist, a fact that fans often overlook when talking about him.

9

Arc-V’s Moon Shadow Is a Refreshing Take on Anime Ninjas

Yu-Gi-Oh! characters are known for having amazing designs that catch audiences’ attention immediately. More often than not, the clothes and style of a character are used as a means to convey their skills or motivations to fans, and the loyal ninja known as Moon Shadow is a perfect example. Fierce and determined, this warrior was introduced as one of the Akaba family’s servants.

As his style and profession would suggest, he follows the rules of a typical ninja archetype, being a serious and skillful character who does not give up until his mission is completed. Nonetheless, Moon Shadow surprised fans on several occasions, with a tragic backstory that helped him stand out from the rest of the cast, as well as a wide range of emotions not usually seen in anime ninjas.

8

Vellian Crowler Grew Into One of GX’s Best Characters.

First introduced as one of Jaden’s main antagonists, Dr. Crowler is a character who slowly gained a special place in audiences’ hearts. His early days as a villain were both hilarious and petty, as he never intended any serious damage to Jaden. Yet, as the series progressed, fans were able to see a completely different side of Duel Academy’s Vice-Principal.

Crowler demonstrated genuine care and affection toward his students, to the point that the idea of them graduating was unbearable. Despite having a mediocre dueling record, with almost only losses, he was always able to inspire his students. Dr. Crowler became much more than just comic relief; he became an icon of the GX era.

7

Tetsu Trudge Went From Yugi’s Bully to a Respectful Officer in 5Ds

A character that most fans won’t remember from the Duel Monsters era, but definitely adored in 5Ds, Tetsu Trudge is a former bully turned officer of the law. When he was first introduced, he was a cruel and sadistic boy who tormented Yugi and Joey during their time at school. He managed to outgrow this behavior and become an outstanding citizen, if a bit close-minded.

Officer Trudge was a temporary obstacle for Yusei, as he was tasked with protecting New Domino City from Satellite intruders. When he opened his eyes to the true horrors of the system he enforced, he became a loyal and honorable ally for the heroes, aiding them greatly during their battle against the Dark Signers.

6

Camula Made GX’s Shadow Riders Arc Worth It

Even though the Shadow Rider Arc of the Yu-Gi-Oh! GX anime is an iconic part of Jaden’s journey, it’s one of the most divisive among fans. Unlike the following storylines, which included some of the most powerful villains in the entire franchise, this arc introduced several subpar antagonists who were not memorable or impactful.

The only character who made this arc worth it was the vampire Camula, a cunning and skillful villain who caused fear and chaos during her brief appearance. Unlike most other members of the Shadow Riders, this creature of the night was a genuine threat to the heroes, both because of her outstanding dueling skills and her devious tricks, which were more than enough to defeat several top-notch duelists.

5

Chojiro Tokumatsu Was Beyond Helpful to the Arc-V Heroes

During his journey through the Synchro Dimension, Yuya met several intriguing characters that helped him not only advance in his mission, but grow as a duelist. One of the most important ones was Chojiro Tokumatsu, the former leader of New Domino City’s underworld. After losing his enjoyment of duels after witnessing the corruption and inequality of his world, the once beloved Pro Duelist became a pariah and a criminal.

It was not until the protagonist helped him remember the warmth that dueling for others brought him that he managed to revert to his joyful and kind self. From that point on, Chojiro became a key part of Yuya’s team, helping the heroes during their stay in the Synchro Dimension and fighting by their side against Academia and their military forces.

4

Emma Besho Is One of VRAINS’ Most Interesting Characters

Known throughout the cyber world as the fearsome hacker Ghist Gal, Emma Besho is a confident and proficient duelist who quickly became a fan favorite. She was first introduced as a woman whose only motivation was money and recognition, caring little for the safety and well-being of others.

Yet, as the series progressed, fans began to discover a whole new side to this charismatic mercenary, as she displayed care and worry about those working closely with her. She went as far as to protect Playmaker, who had previously risked his life for her, and joined the efforts to protect Link VRAINS from destruction.

3

Seven’s Saburamen is a Reminder of the Franchise’s Whimsical Nature

While it is true that the Yu-Gi-Oh! anime franchise is best known for its epic battles and complex moral dilemmas, there is no denying how whimsical and joyful it can be. Saburamen, one of Sevens’ most interesting duelists, is the perfect example of this phenomenon. Unlike other characters, who grew in popularity for being ruthless, cold, or intimidating, this ramen fanatic stole the hearts of fans by being a genuinely entertaining cast member.

Saburamen combines his deep love for Japanese food with his dueling, resulting in games that remind audiences of why they fell in love with the franchise. He is also a kind and respectful duelist who would never look down on or insult an opponent, no matter who they were.

2

Asaka Mutsuba Holds the Responsibility of an Entire Town in Go Rush!!

Commanding a company that is responsible for the well-being of an entire town is no easy task, which is why fans have so much respect for Asaka Mutsuba, president of Mutsuba Heavy Machinery. At first glance, she might seem like a stubborn and serious girl, with no time for fun or nonsense. However, her role as the leader of Mutsuba Town explains this behavior, as she carries a massive burden on her shoulders.

Her dueling style is as dominant as her business practices, focused on summoning powerful monsters that can easily overwhelm the opponent. Behind her seemingly abrasive personality, fans know that Asaka is a caring person who will do anything in her power to keep those under her care safe.

1

Yugi Muto Lives Under the Shadow of Atem and Kaiba

When thinking about the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise, most fans will remember beloved characters like Atem, Kaiba, or even Joey, who played vital roles in most of the best duels in the series. Lamentably, this means that more often than not, the protagonist of the Duel Monsters anime, Yugi Muto, will be forgotten. This is due to the fact that, for most of the story, the hero takes the backseat, giving all the spotlight to the Pharaoh.

It was not until the end of the series, during the battle against Bakura, that Yugi was given a chance to prove himself as the real King of Games. The Dark Side of Dimensions movie helped fans understand just how powerful and talented Yugi is on his own, but even then, he is still overshadowed by Atem, who is undoubtedly the true face of the franchise.