Solo Leveling: Ending Explained
- animefocusnetwork
- Feb 26
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 8
Published on February 26, 2026
Solo Leveling's ending hit hard and caught all of us off guard. The story took an unexpected approach that ends with the focus shifting to a new protagonist. This comes after an epic journey from a weak E rank to one of the most powerful beings on the planet and possibly the entire universe.
This story reached its climatic ending in October 2018. This ending brought on a world altering twist which involves a family oriented resolution and an abrupt ending to Jinwoo.
NOTE: Major spoilers ahead — if you've finished the series (or don't mind them), let's break down exactly what happens, why Jinwoo makes his final choices, and how it all ties into the new story and second chances.
Is the Sequel Canon? The Truth About Jinwoo’s Son and the New Timeline
Solo Leveling: Ragnarok was initially seen as a direct continuation to the main storyline, but that view shifted almost 360 when the original author, Chugong, made it clear that it's actually not canon to the core narrative which he wrote. Instead, he described it as more of a fanservice spin-off, stating: "This story is part of the Solo Leveling universe, but it isn’t a direct continuation of the main plot. It’s more like one of many possible scenarios — similar to Marvel’s parallel universes."
Don't get this wrong, the new author, Daul, wrote this story with the blessing of the original author. However, while this revelation is a bit disappointing, it's also kind of refreshing, well, at least for me anyway. Because it feels right when the original creator wraps up their own tale. Now it stands as two entirely separate stories, even if they're loosely connected, and this clarification that it's not canon honestly feels welcome.
What Happened at the End of Solo Leveling
The ending of Solo Leveling delivered a major twist, which some people were happy for while others not so much. Me personally, I sit with the "not so happy side". So, after Sung Jinwoo fully inherits the immense powers of the Shadow Monarch Ashborn, he confronts and defeats the Monarchs including the most powerful one of them all, Antares, the Monarch of Destruction.
However, to erase the catastrophic destruction that was caused to the world and to revive the lives that were lost, including that of Jinwoo's loved ones, Jinwoo asks the Rulers to activate the divine Cup of Reincarnation and rewind time by about 10 years to an era before gates ever opened and hunters emerged on Earth.
In this new timeline, the invasion and battles never played out in the public eye, so ordinary people remained completely unaware of ranks, monsters, or the hunter system that once was the thing that defined this era.
The Ending of Solo Leveling That Sparks the Most Debate
Because time was reset using the most powerful tool there is: The Cup of Reincarnation, the defeated Monarchs were revived in this new timeline. Their memories were intact and they were ready to wage war once more.
However, determined to end the threat forever without letting the Earth and the normal people suffer again, Sung Jinwoo steps into a dimensional gap after he spends a short period enjoying his life and connecting with his family and also Cha Hae-in. This dimensional rift he steps in is a separate realm beyond the normal reality time.
Once in this gap, he takes on every single Monarch by himself. He slaughters them one after another before they can ever reach the world. This "solo" campaign lastsed a full 27 years of nonstop, brutal combat for Jinwoo, pushing his godlike powers and shadow army to their absolute limits. However due to extreme time dilation in that isolated space, only about 2 years had passed in the outside world.
Jinwoo emerged victorious at last, having wiped out the entire race of Monarchs including the most powerful one, Antares, he finally returns home to reunite with his family. He now has a new born son Suho and settles into a quiet, comfortable life as the unseen guardian of a truly peaceful Earth that will never know the horror of gates or monsters.
The Big Controversy
All the controversy around this ending stems from people viewing this as a cheap reset button for the story. The entire story brought on emotions tied to all the other character's developments surrounding Jinwoo.
When the author decided to press the reset button, it's as if the entire story did not matter at all, because one of the most gripping things in the story is people finding out how strong the MC is, but now all of that was for nothing. Character deaths were also meaningless, especially Go Gunhee's emotional death.
However, the later epilogue and family-focused side stories softened it somewhat for others who saw it as a selfless, fitting "solo" conclusion where Jinwoo bears the burden alone for true peace. But things aren't all doom gloom, the author might actually come back and fix all these problem, and maybe even bring back everyone's memories?
What's Next for Solo Leveling
While Ragnarok is the spin-off, it's not technically part of the original story; however, Sung Jinwoo's son is still canon and will very likely be in the next installment. The original author, Chugong, had an interview with the Russian publisher LitRes where he addressed the future and that Ragnarok is only a spin-off. But more importantly, he hinted that his own return could come sooner than we all think.
He stated "And of course, I’m also considering the possibility of writing a sequel myself," this is an announcement of a new sequel, even though it's not officially stated. So this new sequel could fill in the gaps of that short ending from the original series, and it could even give us a completely new story which is completely different to Ragnarok, but whatever it is, the future is looking bright for this series, especially considering its huge success in the anime field.
Editors Thoughts
This story was an amazing one, but the ending, not so much. I'm personally looking forward to the next canon sequel and I hope the author will bring back all the memories of the people who lost them.
But without all the controversy, this has been one hell of a ride and I'm happy I was there all the way. This story had everything in it, most importantly that feeling of "what will this character think when he sees Jinwoo's power."
When the original author does return this isn't going to be some small comeback, but something that could truly define a "proper sequel", afterall most sequels never live up to its predecessor.
Although, I am having fun with Ragnarok, even if it's not canon to this main story line, and I recommend everyone read it, ANOTHER MASTERPIECE IN THE MAKING! — Dean
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