"Hunter x Hunter" is a hunter-themed manga written by Yoshihiro Togashi and serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump. The story follows the protagonist Gon Freecss as he becomes a hunter in search of his father, who is also a hunter, and one of the series' appealing aspects is its complex combat and Nen abilities. Among the members of the Hunter Association is a group of specialists formed by Chairman Netero called the Zodiacs. They played a major role in deciding the next president of the Hunter Association, and we'll introduce their abilities and details in this article, as they are expected to play an active role in the Dark Continent arc.
The Powerful People of the Hunter Association!! The Zodiacs
The Zodiacs (Junin) are the 12 elite members of the Hunter Association whose abilities have been recognized by Isaac Netero, the president of the Hunter Association. Each member is assigned a code name based on their zodiac sign. Furthermore, many members dress in a way that reflects their zodiac sign, reflecting their deep respect and support for the president. Each member has specialized abilities and works for the Hunter Association.
Netero's Trickster! Pariston
First, let's introduce Pariston, one of the members of the Zodiac. Pariston corresponds to the Rat in the Chinese zodiac and is characterized by his blonde hair and suit. He's always smiling, but his personality is unpredictable and tricky. As a result, Chairman Netero finds him the most troublesome and difficult to deal with. This is why he was also appointed vice-chairman. He was also an important figure in the election to decide the next chairman, throwing many Zodiac members into confusion. Pariston also has secret connections with Beyond Netero. Furthermore, he is a villainous figure pulling the strings behind the scenes, possessing as many as 5,000 Chimera Ant eggs. While he is an important character who could potentially lead to the final boss, much of his Nen abilities remain a mystery, making him a rather suspicious character.
The Calm and Coordinating Agent! Mizaistom
The next member of the Twelve is Mizaistom, the ox of the Chinese zodiac. Mizaistom wears cow-patterned clothing and a cow-patterned helmet, and has a very serious and calm personality. He's both a crime hunter and a lawyer, and is a highly intelligent and adept at calmly analyzing situations. He is also a key member of the group, helping to calm problems and maintain safety on the ship as it heads to the Dark Continent. His Nen ability is manipulation-type, allowing him to use a technique called "Cross Game," which restricts the opponent's movements by revealing a card. He is also the member who invited Kurapika to join the Zodiacs, and is the member of the Zodiacs who acts most closely with Kurapika.
Kanzai, the Fighting Member!
Kanzai is also a member of the Zodiacs, and corresponds to the tiger in the Chinese zodiac. She's characterized by her Hanshin Tigers-style outfit and spiky, tiger-striped hairstyle. Kanzai is a total warrior, and in addition to being a treasure hunter, she also works as a bodyguard. Her impulsive personality and short temper suggest she's likely an Enhancement-type Nen user.
The Gentle, Scheming Girl! Piyon
The next member of the Zodiac is Piyon. Piyon corresponds to the rabbit in the Chinese zodiac, and is characterized by her rabbit-ear headband and fluffy clothing. Piyon is an ancient document hunter and skilled in interpretation and translation. Although he is usually gentle and quiet, he is also forthright and has a sharp tongue. His Nen abilities are unknown, but they are likely related to information gathering and are not particularly suited to combat.
The Trusted Hunter! Botobai
The fifth member of the Zodiac is Botobai. Botobai is an elderly man with twin tails resembling a dragon's whiskers. He is the dragon in the Chinese zodiac. He is the oldest member of the Zodiac and possesses a dignified presence. His work as a military analyst and terrorist hunter also indicates his talent for both combat and knowledge. Given her high number of votes in the chairman election, it's safe to say she's highly trusted, even compared to the other members of the Zodiac.
The Beautiful Poison Hunter!! Geru
The next member of the Zodiac we'll introduce is Geru. Geru corresponds to the snake sign in the Chinese zodiac, and is characterized by long black hair and large eyes. As a poison hunter, Geru is also a pharmacist and coroner, and specializes in poisons and chemistry. She is also a calm, mature woman with a sexy character. While her Nen ability is unknown, given that she hasn't made any particularly notable achievements so far, it's highly likely that it's related to poison.
Satchou, the Moderate with a Horse Face!
Satchou is also a member of the Zodiac. He is a horse-faced, heavily bearded man with a calm and collected personality. He is one of the more conservative members of the Zodiac, and works as a handyman, working as a problem hunter. Since he is not a martial artist, it is likely that his Nen abilities are not specialized for combat.
A scary giant when angry! Ginta!
The next member of the Zodiac is Ginta. Ginta is a large man with an afro hairstyle and a thick beard. He usually has a gentle and calm personality, but when angered, he becomes a ferocious and terrifying figure. He corresponds to the sheep in the zodiac. Ginta is a poacher and is thought to be knowledgeable about living things. Therefore, he is expected to play a major role when he arrives on the Dark Continent, giving instructions on the new creatures.
Saiyuu, the traitor teaming up with Pariston!
The ninth member of the Zodiac is Saiyuu. Saiyuu corresponds to the monkey in the Chinese zodiac and wears a costume similar to Sun Wukong from Journey to the West. He is a blacklist hunter and one of the more militant members of the Zodiac. He is also a spy and a member of the Zodiac who is secretly working with Pariston. Saiyuu uses the Nen ability "Mizal, Kikazaru, Iwazaru," which allows him to block sight, hearing, and other damage through attacks.
Information Gathering Specialist!! Kurukku
The next member of the Zodiac is Kurukku. Kurukku is a woman known for her flashy, feather-like outfits. While a plant hunter, she's also a musician and dancer, exuding a straightforward demeanor. She's one of the Zodiac members who focuses on supporting roles, and excels at gathering information using pigeons.
The Brilliant Secretary! Cheadle
The 11th member of the Zodiac is Cheadle. Cheadle corresponds to the Dog in the Chinese zodiac. She is very serious, inflexible, and stubborn. She also ultimately became the president of the Hunter Association, carrying on Netero's legacy. She is also a medical specialist as a hunter for incurable diseases, and works alongside Leorio as part of the medical team.
The Unstoppable Liberal! Ging Freecs
The next member of the Zodiac is Ging Freecs. Ging Freecs is Gon's father and a top hunter. He is disliked by many hunters for his freewheeling nature, but he is also recognized for his strength. Despite being a member of the Pig zodiac, he doesn't care about his appearance. He can imitate Nen abilities just by looking at them.
Kurapika, the Survivor of the Kurta Clan
Kurapika is one of the new members of the Zodiacs. He is a survivor of the Kurta Clan and also works as a mafia member to gather his fellow Scarlet Eyes. While a Nen user with a materialization-type ability, he also possesses the ability Emperor Time, which allows him to use all types of Nen. He is calm and highly analytical.
Leorio Paradinight, a Rookie Medical Team Member!
The last member of the Zodiacs we'll introduce is Leorio Paradinight. Leorio is the newest member of the Zodiacs and a Hunter who joins Gon and Kurapika in the same class. He aspires to become a doctor, and works alongside Cheadle as part of the medical team on the ship heading to the Dark Continent. His Nen ability is an emission type, allowing him to throw his arms far away.
[Hunter x Hunter] A Thorough Introduction to the Zodiac's Past Members! Summary
This time, we've introduced the Zodiac's members in detail. The Zodiac's members are expected to play a major role in the upcoming Dark Continent arc. So, be sure to keep an eye out for their yet-to-be-revealed abilities and secrets.
