Solo Leveling KARMA revealed its first two boss fights, the Chairman and a centaur, at TGS 2026. The presentation also showcased mid-run character and skill selection, a new original character, and confirmed pre-registration for Japan and Korea.
This article contains spoilers.
Solo Leveling KARMA Opens With Chairman Boss Fight
Sung Jinwoo Forced to Fight Beloved, Corrupted Ally
Solo Leveling KARMA pits Sung Jinwoo against the Chairman right at the beginning of the game, as revealed in the extended gameplay preview at the Tokyo Game show (TGS) on September 17, 2026. In an emotional twist, the game’s opening stage features an intense battle between Jinwoo and Korean Hunters Association Chairman Go Gunhee, whose heroic but tragic death marked the beginning of the Monarchs War Arc.
Netmarble’s upcoming isometric roguelite hack-and-slash tells the untold story of Jinwoo’s 27-year fight against the Monarchs who hunted him during the Monarchs War Arc, with an original, canonical plot written by series creator Chugong. Pre-registration is officially open for players in Japan and Korea on the App Store and the Google Play Store.
Spoilers ahead! A fan-favorite and highly respected S-Rank Hunter, in existing canon, the kind-hearted Chairman sacrificed his life against a powerful Monarch before the events of the game to buy time for an ally to contact Jinwoo for help. He then rejected Jinwoo’s attempt to save him with a rare potion and succumbed to his injuries.
The Chairman’s death is such a monumental event that the game’s opening animation by A-1 Pictures, which was also shown during the TGS livestream, features it prominently. Solo Leveling KARMA resurrects the Chairman as an enemy corrupted by shadows and forces Jinwoo to fight a beloved ally he is still mourning.
Four Weapons, New Original Character, Playable Shadows, and More
Jinwoo’s Japanese voice actor, Kanata Hongō, sat down to play through the first two boss fights during the presentation. Alongside boss fights with a corrupted Chairman and a centaur, the live demo showcased Jinwoo fighting a barrage of enemies with different weapons, including daggers and a gauntlet, and extracting shadows from fallen foes. Players can customize their loadout between stages by choosing from four distinct weapons: daggers, a gauntlet, a sword, and a bow.
Players can also swap characters between stages. The demo featured a selection that included S-Rank Hunter Cha Haein, S-Rank Hunter Choi Jongin, the shadow Bellion, and a new original character whose name directly translates to "Curly."
Very little is known about "Curly." Aside from her brief appearance on a character selection screen, the presentation only revealed her red, white, and black design, ability to wield a sword, and that she seeks to avenge her family. Despite the lack of details, the event presenters expressed interest in this unexplored original character.
Netmarble has yet to confirm how many playable characters will be available in the final game, which is set to release at a later, unknown date in 2026. However, the playable demo at TGS 2026 features 8 playable characters and over 200 ability buffs to choose from.
Hongō wrapped up the live demo as Bellion, slashing through a relentless onslaught of enemies. In the final combat mode shown during the presentation, players fill up a gauge by defeating enemies to trigger the boss battle, unlocking buffs at specific progress markers along the way. Hongō ended the battle halfway, keeping the third boss battle a mystery.
The Chairman is just the first of many Corrupted Hunters Jinwoo will face in Solo Leveling KARMA. The cinematic trailer debuted during the livestream teased an entire army of Hunters corrupted by shadows and a climactic clash between Jinwoo and a corrupted Cha Haein.
Solo Leveling KARMA is expected to launch in the fourth quarter of 2026, for PC and mobile via the App Store and Google Play Store. Pre-registration is now open for players in Japan and Korea. A global pre-registration date has yet to be confirmed. To stay updated on the latest news about the game, check out our article below!
Source:
Netmarble TGS 2026 Livestream
