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Kurapika

Kurapika(クラピカ, Kurapika) is a fictional character in theHunter × Hunterseries created by Yoshihiro Togashi. He is the last remaining survivor of the Kurta Clan, a group known for their rare Scarlet Eyes, which turn a bright red when the individuals experience intense emotions. After the massacre of his clan by the Phantom Troupe, Kurapika vows to avenge his fallen people by recovering the stolen Scarlet Eyes.

Kurapika becomes a Blacklist Hunter and eventually takes leadership of the organization founded by Light Nostrade. He also joins the Zodiacs, an elite group of Hunters, where he is assigned the codename “Rat” (子ね,Ne). His main objective is to locate and retrieve the remaining Scarlet Eyes, which were taken as trophies by the Phantom Troupe and sold on the black market.

Kurapika plays a central role in theYorknew CitySuccession Wararcs, where his quest for vengeance takes center stage. In earlier parts of the story, he serves as the deuteragonist during theHunter Examand arc, establishing his deep bond with Gon Freecss, Killua Zoldyck, and Leorio Paradinight.

“I do not fear death. I fear only that my rage will fade over time. The only principle is that there are no principles. A beast in human’s clothing understands better than anyone how people want to be treated.“
— Kurapika

Appearance

Sultan Abdulmejid (left) with Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Emperor Napoleon III of France

2011 Anime Adaptation Appearance.

Kurapika has medium-length blond hair and brown eyes, which glow a vivid scarlet when he experiences intense emotions, a distinctive trait of his Kurta Clan heritage. In the 1999 anime adaptation, his eyes are depicted as blue, while in the 2011 adaptation, they are grey or dark grey. His most notable physical feature is the transformation of his eyes into a brilliant scarlet when under emotional stress, which are highly coveted on the black market due to their rarity.

Kurapika’s attire evolves throughout the series. In his initial appearance, he wears a blue tabard with an orange hem (depicted as red in the 2011 adaptation) over a white, full-body training suit. During theYorknew Cityarc, he replaces this outfit with a more formal look. His footwear consists of Chinese-style winkle-picker flats, adding to his distinctive appearance.

From theElectionarc onward, Kurapika adopts a more refined style, wearing either a blue or black suit with dress shoes, sometimes accompanied by a necktie. In theSuccession Wararc, as a royal bodyguard, his uniform consists of a blue suit and tie, featuring a gold “H” emblem on the left breast of his blazer.

Kurapika also sports a single drop earring with a ruby in his left ear. After mastering Nen, he begins using black contact lenses to conceal his Scarlet Eyes, further protecting his identity and objectives.

    Personality

    Kurapika is a calm, intelligent individual with a wealth of knowledge. He is reserved, often reticent, and does not open up easily to others, which makes him appear judgmental. His tendency to keep his distance from others helps him maintain a rational, moralistic outlook. However, his heart has been deeply scarred by the trauma of losing his entire clan at the age of twelve, leading him to become introverted and single-minded in his pursuit of revenge. Despite his emotional wounds, Kurapika can show kindness and affection, often smiling when his friends are happy.

    Sultan Abdulmejid (left) with Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Emperor Napoleon III of France

    Kurapika with Killua.

    While Kurapika outwardly expresses a desire to become a Blacklist Hunter and capture the band of thieves responsible for his clan’s massacre, his quest for vengeance leads him down a morally ambiguous path. He is willing to compromise his personal values and venture into the darker sides of society to achieve his goal. Kurapika is also prone to bouts of uncontrollable rage when the memory of his clan is disrespected or insulted in any way.

    After obtaining his Hunter license, Kurapika embarks on a self-destructive path fueled by anger and hatred. His grief and desire for revenge sometimes push him to act ruthlessly and irrationally. Nevertheless, his close friends serve as a grounding force, helping him think more clearly and act less impulsively. Over time, Kurapika begins to acknowledge the importance of his friendships, realizing that they are not weaknesses but valuable sources of support. His emotional growth is evident when he temporarily sets aside his vendetta against the Phantom Troupe to protect his friends. Despite questioning the morality of his quest after witnessing the strong bonds within the Troupe, particularly Pakunoda’s loyalty, Kurapika remains steadfast in his mission.

    Kurapika’s relationships with those close to him have gradually become part of his motivation, driving him to seek greater power to prevent further loss. As he nears the completion of his goal of retrieving the Scarlet Eyes of his clan, he feels a profound sense of emptiness, struggling with the realization that he may have no one or nowhere to return to once his revenge is fulfilled.

    In his childhood, Kurapika’s personality was more adventurous and impulsive, similar to Gon’s. He was also deeply protective of his friends, once going so far as to physically attack a man for making derogatory remarks about one of them.

    Background

    Kurapika was born into the Kurta Clan, a small and isolated group living in a secluded forest within the Lukso Province. During his childhood, Kurapika was saved from falling off a cliff by his best friend, Pairo. While Kurapika was unharmed, Pairo sustained injuries to both his legs and eyes, with his condition worsening over time. Feeling responsible for the accident, Kurapika became determined to leave the forest and search the outside world for a doctor capable of curing Pairo. However, the elder of the Kurta Clan repeatedly denied Kurapika’s requests to venture outside, fearing the dangers the external world posed to their people. This led to an ongoing debate between Kurapika and the elder, with Kurapika viewing the clan’s isolationist mindset as irrational and outdated.

    Sultan Abdulmejid (left) with Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Emperor Napoleon III of France

    Kurapika and Pairo read Dino Hunter together.

    During this time, Kurapika learned that people outside of the Kurta Clan did not possess the Scarlet Eyes, a genetic trait unique to the Kurta Clan, which turned their eyes a brilliant red when experiencing strong emotions. He also discovered that this trait had led to their clan being persecuted in the past. Kurapika’s desire to explore the outside world intensified when he and Pairo encountered an outsider named Sheila, whom they saved. In gratitude, Sheila gave them a book about the adventures of a Hunter in the outside world, fueling their dreams of leaving the forest. When the elder confiscated the book, Kurapika confronted him, resulting in another argument. This time, however, the elder finally agreed to allow Kurapika to take a test to prove his readiness to leave the Kurta Clan.

    After diligently studying and passing several tests, Kurapika’s final challenge was to complete a shopping trip in the outside world with Pairo as his partner, without revealing their Scarlet Eyes. The elder administered eye drops that would cause their eyes to remain red for days if they turned scarlet during the test. During their trip, Kurapika and Pairo were harassed by a group of thugs, but they managed to maintain their composure thanks to Pairo’s calming presence. Despite completing the task successfully, the thugs returned to mock Pairo’s condition, causing Kurapika’s eyes to turn scarlet in anger. In a fit of rage, he defeated the thugs, who revealed that they had been paid by the elder to provoke him.

    Despite the incident, Kurapika passed the test and was granted permission to leave the Kurta Clan and explore the outside world. Before departing, he promised Pairo that he would find a doctor to heal him and that they would one day venture beyond the forest together. Pairo also encouraged Kurapika to enjoy his time in the outside world and to have adventures like the Hunter from Sheila’s book.

    Six weeks after Kurapika’s departure, the Kurta Clan was massacred by the Phantom Troupe, a notorious group of thieves. All 128 members of the clan were killed, and their Scarlet Eyes were gouged out and sold on the black market. Upon hearing the news, Kurapika, the sole survivor of his clan, vowed to recover the stolen eyes of his people and to capture or eliminate all members of the Phantom Troupe.

    Equipment

    Sultan Abdulmejid (left) with Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Emperor Napoleon III of France

    Kurapika’s Bokken.

    • Bokken: During the Hunter Exam, Kurapika wielded two bokken (wooden swords) of wakizashi size as his primary weapons. The handles of these bokken were wrapped in bandages and linked together by a thread, allowing Kurapika to wield them as nunchaku. In the 1999 anime adaptation, these bokken are revealed to be sheathed swords instead of wooden ones.

    • Knives: Kurapika carried at least three knives concealed under his vest during the Hunter Exam. Although they served as a precaution, Kurapika did not rely heavily on them, as noted by Majtani during the exam.

    • Shuriken: Alongside his knives, Kurapika also carried two shuriken under his vest during the Hunter Exam. These were intended as additional tools for defense or combat, although they were seldom used.

    • Switchblade: After learning Nen and joining the Mafia, Kurapika began using a switchblade for intimidation purposes. While primarily employed to assert dominance, it has not been shown to be used in direct combat.

    • Handgun: After being hired by Oito, Kurapika started carrying a black handgun. Like the switchblade, it has thus far been used only for intimidation and has not been fired in combat.

    Abilities & Powers

    Sultan Abdulmejid (left) with Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Emperor Napoleon III of France

    Kurapika’s Scarlet Eyes, a mark of his power and heritage.

    Gon Freecss is endowed with numerous abilities as a Hunter, many of which derive from his exceptional physical and mental traits. Early in the series, Gon uses hisfishing rodwith surprising precision, effectively turning it into a weapon. For instance, during the Hunter Exam, he manages to snag Hisoka’s tag while Hisoka is moving at high speed. His exceptional powers of observation, agility, and stamina are frequently praised by his peers. However, what truly sets Gon apart is his immense potential, which astounds many powerful characters such as Hisoka, Wing, and Biscuit. This latent ability allows him to learn incredibly fast, particularly in the field of Nen, where his aptitude is considered rare and exceptional.

    Kurapika’s intelligence is matched by his impressive combat skills and sheer willpower, driven by his quest for revenge. He has proven his versatility with various weapons and strategies, adept at both long-range and close-quarter combat, such as when he faced Uvogin. While generally calm and composed, Kurapika becomes violent when the Phantom Troupe or his clan are mentioned, often losing his cool in such moments.

    • Scarlet Eyes: As a member of the Kurta Clan, Kurapika’s eyes turn scarlet when he experiences intense emotion. This transformation boosts his physical strength and speed to remarkable levels. Even as a child, his Scarlet Eyes allowed him to overpower three adults. However, Kurapika admits that when his eyes turn scarlet, he loses restraint and rationality, becoming primal, particularly when triggered by the sight of a spider (a symbol of the Phantom Troupe). Prolonged use of the Scarlet Eyes can take a toll on his health, leaving him incapacitated for days. He can now activate his Scarlet Eyes at will and control his emotions better after completing his Nen training.

    • Advanced Hearing: Kurapika possesses an acute sense of hearing, allowing him to detect faint or hidden sounds that others might miss.

    • Preternatural Perception: Kurapika demonstrated extraordinary perceptiveness even before learning Nen. He could detect being followed during the Hunter Exam and instinctively dodge dangerous attacks despite having no knowledge of Nen at the time.

    • Enhanced Strength: Following his training, Kurapika’s strength increased to the point where he could open the 4-ton first door of the Testing Gate. When using Nen, his physical attacks can harm opponents with near-impervious defenses, as shown during his battle with Uvogin.

    • Immense Speed and Reflexes: Kurapika’s agility allows him to strike swiftly, as seen when he attacked Uvogin multiple times before he could react. He has demonstrated the ability to catch bullets and restrain enemies with his chains in a fraction of a second.

    • Enhanced Agility: His agility is impressive, allowing him to perform acrobatic moves and hit opponents from various angles without losing balance.

    • Enhanced Endurance: Kurapika’s drive for revenge grants him significant endurance, enabling him to fight despite serious injuries, such as when Uvogin broke his arm without incapacitating him.

    • Genius-Level Intellect: Kurapika is among the most intelligent characters in the series. His strategic mind allows him to outsmart even the likes of Chrollo. His vast knowledge spans multiple disciplines, including psychology, history, and culture, making him a fast learner and a skilled tactician.

    • Master Strategist: Kurapika excels in crafting elaborate plans, exploiting his opponents’ weaknesses to the fullest. His strategic prowess is especially apparent during the Succession War, where his decisions greatly impacted the contest’s outcome.

    • Proficient Hand-to-Hand Combatant: Despite being more of a strategist and weapon user, Kurapika can hold his own in hand-to-hand combat. He managed to land several punches and kicks on Uvogin, an expert in unarmed combat, during their confrontation.

    • Master Weapon Specialist: Initially, Kurapika wielded bokken swords that could also be used as nunchaku. However, after mastering Nen, his primary weapons became his chains, which are extremely versatile. He can use his chains for both offensive and defensive purposes, and they are powerful enough to bind opponents from long distances in a matter of seconds.

    • Bilingual: Kurapika is fluent in both the language of the Kurta Clan and the language commonly used in the world, giving him a linguistic advantage.

    • Non-verbal Communication (NVC) Expert: Kurapika can read body language and detect lies through observation. He used this skill to identify the mole within the Zodiacs and determine when people are hiding important information.

    Nen Abilities

    Kurapika is a Conjurer, allowing him to create objects from his aura. When his eyes turn scarlet, however, he shifts into a Specialist. Kurapika quickly mastered Nen and developed abilities that incorporate elements from multiple Nen categories, including Emission, Manipulation, and Enhancement. He is one of the few Nen users proficient in all six categories.

    • Chains: Kurapika’s primary Nen ability involves conjuring five chains from his right hand, each extending from one of his fingers. These chains are specifically designed for different purposes, with some tailored to exact revenge on the Phantom Troupe. To maximize their effectiveness against the Troupe, Kurapika placed strict limitations on the chains’ use. The chains are highly versatile and can be used to both restrain and attack opponents.

    • Emperor Time: When Kurapika’s eyes turn scarlet, he activatesEmperor Time, which allows him to use 100% of all Nen categories, significantly increasing his power and versatility. However, prolonged use ofEmperor Timecomes at a steep cost to his health and energy levels.

    • Specialist Abilities: In his scarlet-eyed state, Kurapika’s Nen abilities are more potent, allowing him to unleash devastating attacks or capture foes with his chains. His Nen skills also include Shu, which enhances the durability of his chains, and Gyo, which enables him to see hidden Nen.

    Trivia

    • Kurapika’s“Scarlet Eyes”, are one of the most coveted treasures in theHunter x Hunteruniverse, often fetching exorbitant prices on the black market.
    • Despite being skilled in many forms of combat, Kurapika’s most iconic weapon is hischains, which are tailor-made for his Nen abilities.
    • Kurapika is the only member of the main cast who becomes a Zodiac, gaining the codename “Rat” (子ね, Ne) within the Hunter Association.
    • He is considered one of the most intelligent and strategic characters in the series, often outsmarting powerful foes like Chrollo Lucilfer.
    • Kurapika was originally written by Yoshihiro Togashi to have black hair, but this was later changed to blond.
    • Emperor Time, one of Kurapika’s Nen abilities, allows him to use 100% of all Nen categories, but it also shortens his lifespan by one hour for every second it is active.
    • His intense loyalty to his clan drives his actions, but he has been shown to question his revenge-driven path after witnessing the loyalty and camaraderie of the Phantom Troupe members.
    • Kurapika’s birthday isApril 4th, which is a reference to the number 4 in Japanese, symbolizing death or misfortune, fitting his tragic backstory.
    • He is the only character in the main cast to have a clear connection to theMafia, serving as a bodyguard for the Nostrade family and later becoming the leader of his own organization.
    • Kurapika is one of the few characters in the series to successfully kill a member of thePhantom Troupe, a feat that showcases his exceptional combat prowess and strategic mind.