Hunter x Hunter: Guardian Spirit Beasts Explained

Key Takeaways

Guardian Spirit Beasts protect princes in the Kakin Empire’s Succession War with unique abilities.
The Seed Urn ritual creates Guardian Spirit Beasts tied to the prince’s nature.
Guardian Spirit Beasts are significant in the Succession War, serving as protectors and attackers.

As a long-time fan of Hunter x Hunter, I must say that the Guardian Spirit Beasts are undoubtedly one of the most intriguing and powerful elements in the series. With their mysterious origins, complex rules, and significant impact on the Kakin Empire, they have left an indelible mark on the world of the show.

In the anime “Hunter x Hunter,” Guardian Spirit Beasts are unique Nen creatures that originate from the Kakin Empire. These beasts serve a protective role, particularly for the King and potential heirs involved in the Succession War – a fierce struggle to determine who will ascend to the throne of the kingdom next.

When a prince elects to strive for his rightful place on the throne, he must undergo an old tradition which summons a Protective Spirit Companion Beast.

In the world of “Hunter x Hunter,” these Nen beasts function as instinctive guardians acting on behalf of the princes. Each Guardian Spirit Beast holds a unique power that mirrors the essence of its respective prince, impacting individuals who cannot utilize or perceive Nen. These beasts serve dual purposes: protection and offense, dealing with threats regardless of alliances or the explicit wishes of the prince, as long as their actions align with the prince’s deepest desires. Consequently, Spirit Beasts play a crucial and unforeseeable role in the treacherous game of succession during the Succession War arc of “Hunter x Hunter.

The Origin

The Seed Urn

Hunter x Hunter: Guardian Spirit Beasts Explained

The Kakin Empire was initially a tiny nation situated among larger ones on a congested continent. This made them apprehensive about being overtaken by neighboring countries. To protect their sovereignty, the first ancient ruler of the Kakin Empire employed Nen, a mysterious artifact known as the Seed Urn. The Seed Urn is an old relic that holds the collective aura of generations. The concept behind the Seed Urn draws from an ancient Japanese tradition called “worm toxins.” In this tradition, multiple poisonous insects are placed in a jar and sealed. After several days, when the jar is opened, the surviving bug is believed to be the strongest, having survived by consuming and withstanding the venom of other bugs.

In a similar fashion, the initial ruler made his sons engage in a battle for power, an incident now referred to as the Succession War. To enter this war, each prince must contribute a drop of their blood to the Seed Vessel, concentrating on their reasons for desiring the throne. Following this, the vessel releases a cloud of purple smoke from which a sprite appears, delivering an egg to the prince’s mouth for incubation. If the prince lacks the power of Nen, they will be unable to see the sprite. Once the egg hatches and transforms into a Guardian Spirit Beast, the prince becomes a participant in the Succession competition. Withdrawing from the contest is not an option, as it leads to death at the hands of countless shadows, underscoring the significance of the Seed Vessel.

Guardian Spirit Beasts

The Princes’ Aids

Each prince’s Guardian Spirit Beast is fashioned from the essence of past sacrifices, highlighting their unique characteristics compared to regular Nen beasts. Upon creation, they draw energy from the aura of the individual they are shielding, making them more effective for princes already skilled in Nen. Adopting the likeness and demeanor of their protector, these beasts require aura for existence. If their host experiences Zetsu or extreme exhaustion, they cannot materialize. Even without this condition, neither their host nor other contestants can perceive them. Only fellow Nen users and the winners of the previous Succession War, namely the king, can see them.

The spiritual beasts known as Guardian Spirits do not respond to deliberate commands. Instead, they act according to the deep-seated desires of their owners, disregarding any explicit instructions given. While this doesn’t mean they have free reign, they are bound by two fundamental rules: firstly, they cannot inflict harm upon themselves, and secondly, they cannot intentionally hurt those under the protection of the Guardian Spirit. This intricate dynamic introduces a complex layer to the Succession War, as the princes cannot physically attack each other directly. Instead, they must devise indirect methods to eliminate their opponents, adding their remains to the Seed Urn and thereby empowering their own spiritual beasts.

Properties Of The Guardian Spirit Beasts

Conjuration Or Emission?

These mystical Guardian Spirit Beasts are believed to be summoned creatures, appearing from the urn when called upon. Yet, just because these beasts are summoned doesn’t automatically mean that every prince can utilize Nen. While some princes may possess Nen abilities, their skills and those of their protective spirit beast might differ greatly. To clarify, a prince who is protected could be a Nen specialist, while his guardian spirit beast functions as an emitter. However, a conundrum arises when it comes to conjured Nen items: they are generally perceptible by both Nen users and non-users, and can pass through solid matter, suggesting that they are indeed formed using the emission technique. So, exactly what are these beings?

Kurapika suggests these creatures are summoned rather than naturally occurring. Since they’re invisible to those without Nen abilities, they exist in a relatively safe state. Yet, the vast amount of Nen energy needed to endow 14 princes with one Guardian Spirit Beast each is still astonishing. The Seed Urn’s capability to accomplish this could be linked to its many limitations and the fact that after the succession war, only one authentic guardian spirit beast will survive. This aligns with the concept in Nen where more restrictions result in greater rewards.

Significance Of The Guardian Spirit Beasts

Power And Protection For The Kakin Empire

In the captivating realm of Hunter x Hunter, the Guardian Spirit Beasts carry immense importance, especially within the Kakin Empire. As guardians summoned for protection, their power plays a crucial role in determining the ruler’s might. The Succession War reshaped this landscape, leaving only the mightiest spirit beast standing. This powerful protector supports the most formidable prince, eliminating weaker contenders and thereby solidifying the royal lineage. This strength not only secures their rule but also propels the Kakin Empire’s expansion, ensuring stability. It was through this unique blend of power and strategic maneuvering that the Kakin Empire ascended from a nation on the brink of absorption to an impressive dominion sprawled across the Azian continent.

To most people, Guardian Spirit Beasts are enigmatic entities. But to skilled Nen users, they’re nothing more than creatures summoned through Nen, with specific agreements and limitations shaping their reality. Despite this, they should never be underestimated due to their destructive power. These Beasts function as weapons for the Kakin royal family, mirroring the relentless ambition of the Kakin Empire, always striving to persist, no matter the cost.

Hunter x Hunter is available to watch on Crunchyroll.

2024-11-13 21:05