Solo Leveling is a name to reckon with. What began as a web novel made Manhwa one of the biggest names in the new generation of anime, garnering massive global acclaim and a fanbase through its action-packed story and powerful characters. The series follows Sung Jinwoo, a once weak hunter who gains a mysterious ability that allows him to reach levels without limits. As he grows stronger, Jinwoo uncovers secrets about the world, the monarchs and rulers while becoming humanity's best hope against deadly monsters.
The Solo Leveling franchise has continued to expand beyond the original story, providing fans with continuous updates. Alongside the hit anime adaptation, the Solo Leveling film, it has also inspired games, merchandise and special events that allow fans to immerse themselves in its world in new ways. One of the most popular add-ons is Netmarble Studios Solo Leveling: Arisean action RPG based on the series, which debuted on May 8, 2024, and can be played on both PC and mobile. The game allows players to relive key moments from Jinwoo's journey while announcing a wide roster of hunters with unique abilities. It also regularly introduces original content, including Hunter Origin manhwa one-shot chapters that expand Solo Leveling universe. Solo Leveling: Arise provides engaging updates, giving fans new reasons to dive back into the world of the hunters and experience new adventures beyond the original storyline.
Agnes Rivera is Solo Leveling: Arise's Newest S-Rank Hunter
After the announcement of Agnes Rivera by the developers on June 2, 2026, under Solo Leveling Arise June Live stream, her production officially ended on June 25, 2026, and on July 2, 2026, the developers expanded the world of Solo Leveling: Arise with the release of Hunter: Origins 33, an official one-shot manhwa introducing the brand new Italian S-Rank Dark Hunter. While Agnes is not Solo Leveling: Arises first Dark Buster Hunter, she is the game's very first Dark Buster Hunter. The Buster class was first introduced in June when Liu Zhigang was released, making Agnes one of the earliest characters to expand on the new class. Combined with her Dark attribute, these similarities have led many players to compare her to Jinwoo. This shared trait and Agnes' background make her one of the strongest candidates to carry on Jinwoo's legacy.
Agnes' story begins on her birthday, when one of her close friends encourages her to stop drinking and finally move on from Dante, who she still believes is a traitor. Then comes the story of the betrayal – years ago, during a lavish gala held in a banquet hall, Agnes had seen her lover Dante from a distance, but something about him was immediately felt. Moments later, a massive explosion released a mysterious gas that threw the event into chaos, turning ordinary people into zombie-like creatures that began attacking everyone in sight. In the midst of the confusion, Dante had disappeared without a trace, leaving Agnes convinced that he had betrayed her. Awakened as a hunter and unable to understand Dante's motives, Agnes spends years searching for answers, haunted by his disappearance and the heartbreak he left behind. Years later, on her birthday, Agnes finally learns the truth: Dante had never betrayed her of his own free will. Instead, he had been manipulated by a mysterious villain, who had taken control of his body and turned him into a killer. Moments later, at the climax of this heartbreaking saga, Dante desperately begs Agnes to end his life, admitting that he has completely lost control. Agnes cradles Dante's lifeless body in her arms and vows to avenge him by hunting down the mysterious evil that manipulated him and destroyed their lives.
Rivera Guild will find…
… the one who docked my Dante Grossi from the shadows.
For whoever dares to cross my people will face consequences.
Hunter: Origins 33 manages to give the new S-Rank Hunter a strong emotional foundation. Instead of presenting Agnes as another powerful fighter, the one-shot explores the grief, betrayal and loss that shaped her personality and motivation. These experiences help set Agnes apart from the growing list of Solo Leveling: Arise characters while explaining why some fans have drawn comparisons to Jinwoo. With her tragic past and unique Dark Buster abilities, Agnes has quickly become one of the game's most exciting original additions.
Agnes Rivera of the Italian Rivera Guild is Solo Leveling's next breakout character
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Image created by Rei Penber with assets from Solo Leveling.
It is therefore clear that Hunter: Origins 33 carefully explores Agnes' background and the events that shaped her into one of the Solo Leveling universe's most compelling new characters, making the Jinwoo comparisons inevitable. While dark powers are usually associated with Jinwoo and his abilities as the Shadow Monarch, Agnes debuted as the first ever Dark Buster Hunter and serves as the Guild Master of Italy's Rivera Guild, giving her a unique place in Solo Leveling: Arise.
Although Agnes and Jinwoo have very different journeys, they share several similarities. Both are closely linked to the Dark element and stand out due to their exceptional abilities. But their powers are not the same. While Jinwoo commands an army of shadow soldiers, Agnes fights as a Dark Buster Hunter. Even so, her dark abilities and tragic past have led many fans to see her as one of the characters who will most closely follow in Jinwoo's footsteps. Another similarity between Agnes and Jinwoo is their role as leaders. Jinwoo gradually becomes a figure others depend on, earning the respect of both hunters and his shadow army through his determination and willingness to protect those around him. Agnes also leads the Italian Rivera guild, showing authority and responsibility despite the grief she carries. Although they lead in different ways, both have the qualities expected of powerful figures within Solo Leveling universe.
Agnes and Jinwoo are also connected by the hardships they faced. Jinwoo started out as the weakest hunter and had to fight countless battles before becoming the strongest. Agnes, on the other hand, grew up in a violent world and later lost the person she trusted the most in the wake of Dante being controlled by a mysterious villain. Their experiences are different, but both characters become stronger because of the pain they endured. Although Jinwoo is the main character of Solo Leveling, Hunter: Origins 33 gives Agnes a strong introduction and enough depth to make her stand out from many of the game's original characters. Her tragic past, abilities and leadership have already made a strong impression on fans. These qualities explain why Agnes is the closest thing to Solo Leveling: Arise offers as a spiritual successor to Jinwoo's legacy.
Solo Leveling Seasons 1 and 2 are currently streaming on Crunchyroll. Recently, at the Crunchyroll Showcase at Anime Expo 2026, Aniplex and Crunchyroll confirmed a new theatrical anime film, Solo Leveling: Beyond the System, giving fans another big project to look forward to. The anime film picks up events right there Solo Leveling Season 2 ended. This announcement was accompanied by the unveiling of a teaser key, visual and concept video for the new one Solo Leveling movie, which was introduced by Jinwoo's English voice actor, Aleks Le, officially confirming that the movie is in development. This big announcement finally gives fans a glimpse of what lies ahead for the S-Rank Hunter.
