Warning: The following contains spoilers for Hunter x Hunter beyond the anime!!
Hunter x Hunter‘s power system is often regarded as one of the best in anime. The concept of Nen is based on the idea that a person can manipulate their life energy, or aura. The power is kept hidden from the public due to its potential dangers. With the possible exception of supernatural creatures, every powerful individual can utilize some form of Nen.
Since learning Nen is mandatory for their profession, Hunters account for many of the world’s strongest people. There are some, such as the Zoldyck Family, who use their Nen abilities for other purposes and therefore have no need for a Hunter license. Many characters have yet to showcase their powers. While Ging Freecss, Pariston Hill, and The Zodiacs are said to be outstanding Nen users, there is little to no evidence of their skill.
Tserriednich Hui Guo Rou Is A Dangerous Nen Prodigy
Fourth Prince of the Kakin Empire
Despite his lack of experience, Tserriednich is one of the most dangerous villains in the series. The Kakin prince participates in a Succession War against his siblings, during which he manifests a parasitic Nen Beast. His sinister personality is threatening enough, but his talent for Nen is particularly terrifying. Described as a prodigy, Tserriednich learns to control the flow of his aura in less than one day. He soon learns advanced techniques like Gyo and subconsciously develops a complex Hatsu.
Parallel Future allows Tserriednich to see ten seconds into the future by closing his eyes and activating his Zetsu. Time does not pass in the real world, and events occur exactly as envisioned. If the fourth prince maintains this state after the first vision, he will continue to receive premonitions while the real world unfolds before him.
Aside from his powerful Nen ability, Tserriednich has demonstrated incredible intelligence and influence. These factors, combined with his power, can pose a massive threat in the future. Fans can only speculate how powerful he will become as he gains more experience with Nen.
Razor May Only Appear Briefly, But He’s A Fearsome Combatant
One of the Greed Island Arc’s Best Moments Was Possible Because Of Razor’s Raw Strength
Despite only having a major appearance during the Greed Island arc, Razor, one of the Game Masters, left a lasting impression on the main characters and fans of the series. In classic Hunter x Hunter fashion, the powerful Nen user shows off his abilities in the form of a volleyball match against Gon, Killua, and Hisoka.
Adept with Emission Nen, Razor uses his Nen to create a devastating “aura” ball, and creates humanoid-like beings using his powers. These human-like beings, called “devils” can also fuse together to form even more powerful forms of themselves, delivering terrifying blows in a match.
A friend of Gon’s father, Ging, Razor gave the cast a run for their money heading into the climax of the Greed Island arc, and despite his brief appearance is still an iconic, memorable, and powerful member of the series’ massive cast of characters.
Knuckle Bine and His Pot-Clean Ability
Hotheaded But Clever Hunter
Knuckle Bine might seem like comic relief at first glance, but his Nen ability is one of the most tactical in the series. His Hatsu, Hakoware (Pot-Clean), functions like a loan system where aura accumulates interest over time. If his opponent can’t “repay” the aura, their Nen is sealed. This makes Knuckle deceptively dangerous despite his easygoing nature.
Beyond the technical brilliance of his ability, Knuckle’s heart is what makes him stand out. He’s fiercely loyal and compassionate, often to the point of recklessness, but his Nen perfectly reflects his personality, which is kind on the surface but ruthless if taken advantage of. His intelligence and creativity cement him as one of the most memorable secondary Hunters.
Shoot McMahon’s Reluctant but Deadly Nen
A Nervous Fighter With Surprisingly Brutal Skills
Shoot McMahon begins as a timid and insecure fighter, but his Hatsu reveals a dangerous edge beneath the surface. His ability, Hotel Rafflesia, allows him to detach and remotely control his body parts. With his floating hands, Shoot can immobilize, strike, or restrain opponents, turning his weakness into a uniquely strategic strength in battle.
Though he lacks confidence, Shoot’s determination grows significantly during the Chimera Ant arc. Once faced with overwhelming stakes, his true courage emerges, making him a reliable ally. His Nen ability reflects his hesitant but ultimately decisive personality, showing how even reluctant fighters can become deadly when pushed to their limits.
Kurapika Is The Only Nen User To Fall Into Two Categories
Boss of the Nostrade Family and Rat of the Zodiacs
As the Kurta Clan’s only survivor, Kurapika’s eyes turn scarlet when he experiences intense emotion. Unlike those with multiple affinities, the Blacklist Hunter can change his Nen category. His scarlet eyes cause his aura to spike, transforming him from a Conjurer to a Specialist.
Kurapika gains an ability called Emperor Time, which allows him to use all Nen Types at one hundred percent. However, his level of mastery of the other types remains unchanged. Unfortunately, Emperor Time forces Kurapika to lose an hour of his lifespan for every second he spends in the state.
Many of Kurapika’s attacks are designed for revenge against the Phantom Troupe. His signature ability, Chain Jail, forces the target into a state of Zetsu by shutting off their aura. The attack’s amplified power results from a Limitation, which will kill the chain user if used on someone outside the Troupe. In addition to the Judgement Chain, Kurapika’s chains can heal, steal abilities, and heighten perception.
A rare individual with access to every Nen category, he incorporates elements of Emission, Manipulation, Enhancement, and Transmutation into his attacks. Kurapika’s exceptional intelligence, combat ability, and talent for Nen make him a truly well-rounded individual.
Palm Siberia’s Transformation Through Nen
From Fragile to Fierce
Palm Siberia undergoes one of the most dramatic transformations in Hunter x Hunter. Initially fragile and unstable, Palm later becomes a formidable Nen user during the Chimera Ant arc. Her ability, Wink Blue, allows her to track anyone she has touched through a crystal embedded in her hand, turning her into a terrifying pursuer.
After being turned into a Chimera Ant soldier, Palm’s aura and resilience skyrocket. Not only does she resist Pouf’s manipulation, but she also becomes one of the rare humans to successfully integrate Nen power after such trauma. Her story proves that Nen amplifies both willpower and emotional growth, making Palm one of the series’ most underrated fighters.
Killua Is A Young Assassin With Limitless Potential
Gon’s Best Friend Is Easily One Of The Series’ Best Fighters
Introduced during the Hunter Exams arc at the very beginning of the series, Killua Zoldyck is Gon’s best friend that comes from one of the most powerful families in the world of Hunter x Hunter. Not only does he possess limitless potential for being so young, Killua has proven himself to be one of the series’ best fighters, able to hold his own against those with far more experience on the battlefield.
Killua is a Transmutation Nen user, and uses powerful lightning-themed abilities in addition to abilities he learned from his family of assassins to fight. The first time Killua shows just how deadly he’s capable of being is during the Hunter exams, tearing the heart out of the hulking Johness with relative ease, and crushing it in front of him before he dies. He accomplishes this before he’s even capable of using Nen, and once he discovers he can channel his aura into electricity, harnesses his Transmutation abilities to boost his speed and accuracy when he fights.
Hisoka Morow Has An Incredible Obsession With Battle
Hunter and Former Phantom Troupe Member
Hisoka’s clown-like appearance and flamboyant personality have established him as a fan-favorite character. A self-serving individual, he prioritizes pleasure above all else, regardless of the consequences. Depending on the situation, he can present himself as an antagonist, supporting character, or anti-hero. Hisoka’s lust for battle leads him to seek out strong opponents and spare anyone he deems “worthy” of fighting in the future. An intelligent person and remarkable combatant, he possesses a high level of proficiency in Nen. His signature ability, Bungee Gum, is a versatile Hatsu with the properties of both rubber and gum.
Combined with Texture Surprise, Bungee Gum can reattach limbs and reproduce body parts. Hisoka has demonstrated incredible proficiency in controlling the shape of his aura. After dying at Chrollo’s hands, he imposes a condition that allows Bungee Gum to restart his heart and lungs. Aside from Hatsu, Hisoka can skillfully apply advanced techniques and combine different types of Nen into his attacks. The Transmuter’s extreme bloodlust also gives him an upper hand in many battles. His post-mortem Nen is partly the result of an intense desire to kill the Phantom Troupe.
Zeno Zoldyck Has Polished His Nen to Perfection
Assassin and Patriarch of the Zoldyck Family
According to a chart produced by Yoshiro Togashi for a Hunter x Hunter exhibition, Zeno has achieved the highest levels of mastery in Nen. He has spent decades honing his skills and is flawless in the application of Nen techniques. Aside from his proficiency in different categories of Nen, Zeno is a powerful combatant with amazing mental fortitude. While he may be often outclassed in terms of raw strength, Zeno is one of the finest Nen users in the series.
As a professional assassin and former head of the Zoldyck family, Zeno is an exceptionally skilled Nen user. He employs Transmutation techniques to create aura dragons that he can maintain from a distance and hold for prolonged periods. While the average Nen master can cover a radius of 50 meters, Zeno can extend his En to a radius of 300 meters. The assassin has excellent control over his aura, shown by how he uses Gyo to force Chrollo Lucilfer to fight more seriously. Zeno’s impeccable abilities are acknowledged by Netero, who hires him to assist the Extermination Team.
Morel Mackernasey’s Adaptability in Battle
Veteran Hunter With Endless Creativity
As a seasoned Hunter and Chimera Ant extermination team member, Morel Mackernasey demonstrates how experience and intelligence make Nen deadly. His Hatsu, Deep Purple, allows him to manipulate smoke, creating clones, weapons, and traps to outthink even the strongest enemies. Morel thrives not on raw power but on resourcefulness and cunning strategy.
What sets Morel apart is his adaptability. Whether countering powerful Chimera Ants or supporting his allies, he can shift tactics mid-battle to keep opponents off guard. His immense stamina and sharp mind establish him as one of the most dependable fighters in the Hunter Association, showing how wisdom can rival brute strength.
