Hunter x Hunter: Exorcist Abilities in Nen, Explained

Key Takeaways

Nen Exorcism is a rare, unique ability in Hunter x Hunter and is in high demand due to Nen curses.
Nen curses vary in type and effects, with exorcism transferring the curse to the exorcist’s aura.
Only a few skilled Nen Exorcists can handle Post Mortem curses, making exorcism a challenging feat in the series.

As a seasoned viewer and follower of Hunter x Hunter, I must admit that the exorcism techniques employed by characters like Abengane and Hina are nothing short of fascinating. Their unique approaches to breaking Nen curses reflect not only their individual abilities but also their deep connection with the natural world – Abengane with the forest spirits and Hina with her chimera ant brethren.

Without a doubt, many enthusiasts of the art form would concur that the Nen power system in anime and manga is exceptionally distinctive. This uniqueness stems from its rich amalgamation of various elements, including six Nen types (Enhancement, Transmutation, Emission, Conjuration, Manipulation, and Specialization), four fundamental Nen concepts (Ten, Zetsu, Ren, Hatsu), and advanced Nen abilities such as Gyo, In, En, Sho, Ko, Ken, and Ryu. Together, these components create a complex and captivating power system.

In the universe of Hunter x Hunter, one intricate part is known as Nen Exorcism – a specialized application of the Nen ability, making it an uncommon and distinctive talent. While it may not offer much versatility, the demand for Nen Exorcists remains high due to their proficiency in countering Nen curses.

Nen Curses And Exorcisms

The Reason For Nen Exorcists’ High Demand

Hunter x Hunter: Exorcist Abilities in Nen, Explained

In the world of “Hunter x Hunter,” Nen curses are a special form of Nen, used to inflict harm upon an individual. The nature and impact of these curses can differ greatly from one person to another, as does the means needed to lift them. Many instances of Nen curses in the series stem from Conjuration, as demonstrated by Kurapika’s Judgment Chain and Knuckle’s Hakoware Emission.

Performing an exorcism on a Nen curse isn’t just about breaking or eliminating the spell. Instead, during the exorcism, the curse is transferred to the exorcist as their aura and the curse morph into a new form based on the exorcist’s Nen type. The original bearer of the Nen curse is thus liberated. However, the exorcists must carry the curse unless they meet one of these three conditions:

In the realm of Nen curses, the Post Mortem curse stands out as an exceptionally challenging one to banish due to its unique nature. Unlike other curses, the caster who imbued it with power has already perished before the attempted exorcism. This deceased caster possesses a level of Nen power that surpasses that of living users, making it difficult for even skilled exorcists to banish this curse once it has been inflicted upon a victim. It’s said that there are fewer than 10 exorcists in the world of Hunter x Hunter who can attempt such an endeavor. So far, only four Nen Exorcists have made an appearance in the story, and only two of them have demonstrated their methods for banishing this curse.

Abengane’s Exorcism, Explained

The First Exorcist To Debut In The Series

In the narrative of “Hunter x Hunter,” Abengane was the initial character introduced as an exorcist. His entrance occurred in the Greed Island arc, specifically in chapter 125 of the manga and episode 60 of the 2011 anime adaptation. Alongside Gon and Killua, Abengane was one of the twenty Nen users who successfully completed Tsezguera’s trial, earning the right to participate in the Greed Island game at Battera’s mansion.

Abengane possesses the ability to cast spells, particularly exorcisms that counteract the impact of the Nen curse. His unique Nen type gives his aura the shape of a Nen creature. The characteristics and scale of this Nen creature are influenced by the intensity of the curse.

In this ritual, Abengane performs an exorcism by igniting a fire in the woods, where he keeps a wooden figure and chants a sequence of prayers to the forest spirits. To embellish the wooden effigy, he uses a leafy branch before tossing it into the blaze. The campfire flickers unpredictably as the ambiance created by the flora and fauna of the forest intermingles with Abengane’s energy, summoning a Nen beast that envelopes him.

The Nen creature remained near Abungane until the prerequisite for lifting the curse cast by Genthru was met. Specifically, this involved physically touching Genthru while uttering the necessary words to break the spell.

I have caught the bomber.

The downside to Abungane exorcism is his inability to gauge the strength of the Nen curse until he has started the exorcism ritual. A portion of the Greed Island arc was focused on the members of the Phantom Troupe seeking an exorcist to break Kurapika’s judgment chain placed on Chrollo. Abengane was located using Kalluty’s ability and Hisoka negotiated with him to help remove Chrollo’s curse. Although the exorcism wasn’t seen, it succeeded as Chrollo appeared once more in the succession arc without the effects of the curse. However, due to the nature of Kurapika’s curse, which doesn’t have a condition to break it, Abengane is most likely stuck with the large Nen beast created from this exorcism without any hope of fulfilling the condition to break it.

Hina Exorcism Appears To Be A Bit More Advanced

The Chimera Ants’ Hidden Gem

Originally named Hirin, Hina now goes by that name. She first appeared as a chimera ant during the Chimera Ant storyline, specifically in chapter 192 and episode 81. Previously serving as a squad captain for Leol, she was among the rare chimera ants who bore a near-human appearance.

Hina’s physical skills, like her strength and speed, aren’t remarkably superior to an average person’s, but it’s in her special Nen ability that she truly shines.

Hina possesses unique skills, which means that her methods for exorcism differ significantly from those used by Abengane. Her extraordinary talents were clearly demonstrated when she aided Cheetu, another chimera ant, in casting off the curse imposed by Knuckles.

In contrast to Abengane’s elaborate ritual, Hina’s exorcism was more straightforward. Instead of a complex process, she eliminated the curse from Cheetu and kept it within her, which caused her belly to expand. The magnitude of her expanded belly mirrors the severity of the curse, and after the exorcism, she appeared like a woman who is pregnant following the completion of the ritual.

In the entire tale, aside from our protagonist, only two other Exorcists have made an appearance: firstly, there’s an unnamed Exorcist from the Hunter Association who attempted to aid Gon towards the end of the Chimera Ant Arc, but she found the curse too formidable and declared that no other Exorcist worldwide could banish the curse Gon had imposed upon himself. Secondly, we encounter Umanma in the Succession War arc; she serves as a personal guard to the Second Princess, Camilla. The rarity of these four Exorcists, with the abilities of two remaining unexplored even after 400 chapters of Hunter x Hunter, emphasizes just how skilled and exceptional they truly are.

Hunter x Hunter is available to watch on Crunchyroll.

2024-10-22 22:04