Summary

• Nen is a complex power system in Hunter x Hunter that allows its s to manipulate their life energy, or aura.
• Since Nen boosts abilities and often grants supernatural powers, every powerful character is a skilled Nen .
• As shown by Gon Freecss' transformation, Nen is not infinite and depends on the 's aura reserves.

Warning: The following contains spoilers for Hunter x Hunter beyond the 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 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 s, there is little to no evidence of their skill.

15 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 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.

14 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 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.

13 Kurapika Is The Only Nen 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 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.

12 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 , 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.

11 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, ing 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.

10 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 of raw strength, Zeno is one of the finest Nen s in the series.

As a professional assassin and former head of the Zoldyck family, Zeno is an exceptionally skilled Nen . 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.

9 Feitan Shows His True Power During The Chimera Ant Arc

The Edgiest Looking Member Of The Phantom Troupe Is Deceptively Strong

One of the of the elusive and deadly Phantom Troupe, Feitan is originally introduced during the Yorknew City arc and is ranked as #2 in the group. Being the fifth-strongest member, Feitan is the Phantom Troupe's interrogator and is adept at different methods of torture. Despite his role as an interrogator, Feitan is an incredible fighter, and really gets to show off what makes him so powerful during the Chimera Ant arc. Feitan is lighting fast and possesses high endurance, and is well-trained with a sword. When he's not relying on his physical abilities, though, his Nen abilities are even more terrifying.

Unleashed on Zazan during the Chimera Ant arc, Feitan's Rising Sun ability is a burst of scorching heat that's power is based on how much pain he's endured during a fight, as well as how many wounds he's sustained. This aura gathers into what looks like a miniature sun, capable of instantly wiping out Feitan's foes.

8 Chrollo Lucilfer Can Use Stolen Abilities From Any Nen Category

Leader of the Phantom Troupe

The Specialist is shown using multiple stolen Nen abilities at the same time

Despite his sophisticated mannerisms, Chrollo Lucilfer is a well-known menace to society. He is captured by Kurapika in Yorknew City and forced to comply with the rules of the Judgment Chain. Later, a Nen Exorcist lifts the condition, restoring Chrollo to his former power. His ability, Skill Hunter, allows him to summon a book and steal Nen abilities from people. These abilities can come from any Nen category, and will usually disappear when the target dies. Though Skill Hunter is an exceedingly powerful ability, it is subjected to strict conditions and limitations.

Chrollo is a brilliant individual and a skilled combatant. He is strong enough to put Silva and Zeno Zoldyck on edge, forcing the duo to risk their lives to defeat him. Zeno even says that while he would win in a one-on-one battle, it would be a different story if Chrollo was trying to kill him. The Specialist is shown using multiple stolen Nen abilities at the same time, indicating that he possesses tremendous levels of aura in his body. Furthermore, he uses his deep understanding of Nen to find a loophole for Skill Hunter's major limitation.

7 The Royal Guards: Neferpitou (Pitou), Shaiapouf (Pouf), Menthuthuyoupi (Youpi)

Chimera Ant King's Royal Guards

Hatched by the Ant Queen to protect Meruem, the Royal Guards rank directly below him in the Chimera Ant hierarchy. They are born with immense strength and the ability to use Nen. Initially a united front, Meruem's relationship with Komugi separates the trio and elicits different reactions from each guard. While Pitou risks their life to protect Komugi, Pouf attempts to harm the girl behind the King's back. Youpi, on the other hand, shows indifference while maintaining his loyalty to Meruem. The three Chimera Ants are powerful enough to frighten veteran Nen s like Knov.

The Royal Guards are high-level Nen s with powerful physical abilities. Youpi's abilities are offensive, and include a shape-shifting skill known as Metamorphosis. Pouf's Hatsu focuses on and includes abilities like Cocoon and Spiritual Message, which bestow Nen and hypnotize others. Pitou is the most balanced of the three, with Doctor Blythe providing medical and Terpsichora providing assistance in combat. While the Royal Guards are mostly equal in strength, Pitou is usually considered the more powerful of the three. The Ant's undying loyalty to Meruem causes them to exhibit powerful post-mortem Nen.

6 Illumi Is An Unpredictable & Terrifying Member Of The Zoldyck Family

Killua's Older Brother Is Powerful Enough To Terrify Hisoka

The oldest of the Zoldyck children, Illumi is a terrifying force in the world of Hunter x Hunter that's capable of sending chills up the spines of the series' other strongest characters. Introduced during the Hunter Exam arc using his Body Alteration ability, Illumi's innate talents are always highlighted in the creepiest ways imaginable. During the final phase of the Hunter exams, Illumi is paired off the battle against Killua, his younger brother. Illumi throws a number of hurtful words at Killua, including telling him that all he'll ever be good for is killing before heavily disorienting his younger sibling and threatening to kill Gon unless Killua fights him. Of course, Illumi has already implanted Killua with a needle making it impossible for the younger Zoldyck to fight back against Illumi's influence.

Much later on in the series, Illumi reappears after Killua takes Alluka away from the Zoldyck home to aid Gon after the battle against the Chimera Ants. This is when Illumi gets to show off one of his other Nen abilities, "Needle People", that allows him to turn other people into zombies committed to doing Illumi's bidding. In the manga, during the Succession Contest arc, Illumi later s the Phantom Troupe at the behest of Hisoka to the group in hunting him.