Solo Leveling is a spectacular story by Chugong, featuring the story of the protagonist Sung Jinwoo, who started extremely weak as a Hunter. After awakening to the power of the System, Jinwoo became one of the strongest Hunters around. While Solo Leveling mostly focuses on Sung Jinwoo as its protagonist, there are numerous other compelling characters around. Some of the characters in Solo Leveling weren’t given the attention they deserved in the main story, but that’s where Solo Leveling: Arise comes in.
One character who carried immense hype about him but was sidelined is the overpowered Hunter Liu Zhigang. Liu Zhigang ranks second in the world among National Level Hunters, and #1 in Asia in strength. After years, he finally makes his entrance in Solo Leveling Arise, and his backstory is finally unveiled to us. We can’t wait to see his debut in the anime after the sneak peek at the end of Solo Leveling Season 2.
Solo Leveling Arise Unveils The Origin Story Of Liu Zhigang In New Release On June 4, 2026
Solo Leveling Arise is a massive video game based on the story of the franchise originally created by Chugong. This game was created by Netmarble in 2024, and given its popularity, it is consistently at the receiving end of new content. Since the global success of Solo Leveling, the popularity of this game has grown consequently.
Within the world of Solo Leveling, the National Level Hunters carry the most prestige and power, and with it comes fan intrigue. Among them, the most highlighted Hunter is usually Thomas Andre, but Solo Leveling Arise has just brought forward the story of perhaps the most underrated of the lot — Liu Zhigang.
“If I’m given another chance, I swear it on my name. I’ll repay the debt I owe to everyone who died that day. I, Liu Zhigang will become strong enough to quell the fires of catastrophes.” — Liu Zhigang in New One Shot Manhwa
On June 4, 2026, Solo Leveling: Arise finally released Liu Zhigang in the game. He is now available to unlock, and fans have gotten a sneak peek of his powers through a short trailer that was revealed alongside. As the Hero of China, Liu Zhigang displays many fire abilities themed after an eastern dragon. He stands as the very first of the Buster Class to join Solo Leveling Arise.
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Liu Zhigang’s New Backstory In Solo Leveling Arise Sees Him As Asia’s #1 Strongest Hunter
Solo Leveling Arise is massive at the moment, and quite a lot of its excitement is driven by the new one-shot Manhwa Chapter that it releases with each exciting addition to the game. This gives fans insight into the pasts of some of the most popular characters, especially ones that the manhwa didn’t explore. With Liu Zhigang’s addition to the game, he received the same treatment with a new backstory. Liu’s new backstory is exciting, especially given that he’s one of the most popular characters yet doesn’t have his past or his story explored in the Solo Leveling Web novel and Manhwa.
In the new one-shot, it was revealed on June 4, 2026, that Liu Zhigang was raised in a wealthy family in China as its successor. Liu was already skilled with the sword, but on a random day, he was afflicted with blindness and fell extremely sick, bringing him close to death. Upon seeing his worsening health, his family considered taking on a new heir, which Liu took notice of.
One day, however, Liu’s room is engulfed in flames. His family assumes that he must have burned to cinders, but Liu actually rises as a newly awakened Hunter, completely healed. His family’s attitude immediately shifts to being more positive towards him. To Liu Zhigang, however, it was already too late. Seeing the lack of true loyalty, Liu decides to leave and forge his own path, pursuing true honor.
With this, Liu Zhigang becomes one of the strongest Hunters around, and he is one of the very few official National Level Hunters. On a global scale, he’s only second to Thomas Andre from the USA. In Asia, however, Liu Zhigang is the #1 National Level Hunter, because Jinwoo never goes on to achieve the rank of National Level officially. Liu’s backstory is exciting, but due to a lack of involvement from Chugong in its creation for the game by Netmarble, it can’t exactly be considered canon.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5s)Medium (5.0s)Hard (2.5s)Permadeath (2.5s)
Liu Zhigang Will Officially Join The Anime In Solo Leveling Season 3
Liu Zhigang is undoubtedly a fan-favorite character. Technically, he has already been seen in the anime. At the end of Solo Leveling Season 2, his strength was teased as he was shown decimating the remnants of the ants from Jeju Island.
While this was just a sneak peek, his full appearance is officially on the way and will be showcased in Solo Leveling Season 3, specifically during the Japan Crisis Arc where he takes a keen interest in Jinwoo. He will also be relevant in the International Guild Conference Arc, and will be seen in the flashback of the National Level Hunters Vs Kamish.
Source: Netmarble
