Who Is Igris?: Everything Solo Leveling Anime Fans Should Know About Sung Jin-woo’s Most Powerful Companion

Solo Leveling's second season is finally underway, and is showcasing exactly why the success of its first season wasn't a fluke. Picking up where Season One left off, the opening episode, titled "You Aren't E-Rank, Are You?", was packed with all the action the series has become known for. Coming across a gate that turns red the moment the group of hunters passes through, Sung Jinwoo along with Song-Yi face immediate danger from beasts well outside their rank.

Luckily for both the fans who have long awaited the series' return and the hunters whose lives are at stake, Jinwoo wasted no time in putting his newly acquired shadow army to work. Tasked with defeating a pack of Ice Bears, the shadows had an impressive showing but unfortunately drained Jinwoo's MP quickly, and were ultimately wiped out by the colossal leader of the pack. Just as it seemed the series' protagonist might have his work cut out for him, he commanded Igris to attack, and the battle didn't last much longer.

In his debut battle, fighting by Jinwoo's side, Igris only needed a few quick swings of his sword to take the enormous Ice Bear down. It didn't take long for his overwhelming strength, silent aggression, and strong loyalty to win over the hearts of fans, many of whom are claiming the shadow of the Blood Red knight as this anime season's 'best boy'. Before the series continues ahead, here's everything fans should know about Igris.

Who Is Igris?: The Shadow Knight Explained

Igris left his mark on the Solo Leveling anime in a major way during the first season's finale, overpowering Sung Jinwoo in just about every metric of strength and skill. Nevertheless, the series' protagonist scored a last minute victory, and recruited the soldier to his shadow army. Formerly Blood-Red Commander Igris, the knight was the boss stationed at the end of the Job Change Quest Dungeon. Donning armor which inspired his name, he carried a massive bronze sword and swung it with ease.

Close up potrait of Igris from Solo Leveling with menacing white eyes.

The confrontation between Jinwoo and Igris put the latter's chivalrous nature on display, a quality that defines the knight even after his defeat and recruitment into Jinwoo's army. As the hunter laid down his weapon and prepared to take Igris on in physical combat, the knight followed suit and dropped his weapon as well. Season Two's opener further displayed his loyalty, when after defeating the giant Ice Bear, he turned to Jinwoo and bowed to his commander.

The following contains non-detailed spoilers.

Long before the current events of the Solo Leveling anime, Blood-Red Commander Igris served in Ashborn's original shadow army, and was commanded to test Jinwoo's abilities in battle during the events of the Job Change Quest section of the series. The A-Rank boss was supposedly stronger under Ashborn's command than he was at the time he fought Jinwoo, having eons of battle experience, and being the most skilled swordsman in the shadow army. Later in the series, Igris receives a huge power boost and becomes a Marshal in Jinwoo's army.

Sung Jin-woo's Shadow Army Is About to Gain a New Recruit

Igris' Defeated Foe Is Ready to Join the Shadow Army

The leader of the ice bears fighting Igris

Igris' first battle as a member of Sung Jinwoo's shadow army was impressive, slicing the Ice Bear into ribbons before bowing to his leader, all while looking undeniably cool. With stronger foes to come further into the Red Gate, as teased by the season premiere's ending, the Ice Bear will make a powerful addition as Jinwoo's second major recruit to his shadow army.

However, immediate danger does not reside only inside the Red Gate. Sung Jinwoo's shadow army will need to be tested and improved for the irate and murderous Dongsoo awaiting the protagonist on the other side. Luckily, Jinwoo will have the assistance of Igris and the newly acquired soldier, Tank, in any upcoming fight.

Solo Leveling's second season is off to a thunderous start, featuring exhilarating action and some of the finest visuals winter 2025 anime may have to offer. Now that Igris has taken the anime watching community by storm, fans will not want to miss any of what the season will have to offer. Dongsoo awaits the series' protagonist outside the Red Gate, but Jinwoo will need to survive his current ordeal before any confrontation can happen.