Nen is an inseparable staple of the Hunter x Hunter combat system. It’s a power system that encompasses nearly all; from the core aspects of battle to the day-to-day activities. It is intricately integrated into the series. An extension of Nen, Nen abilities, are the personalized versions of which each of the concerned characters developed over the course of their own individual journeys.
Naturally, as the main characters of Hunter x Hunter, Gon and the team took it upon themselves to develop their own Nen abilities. Killua, in particular, went to great lengths in that regard. His Nen ability is by far one of the most brilliantly executed and versatile abilities in the series.
10 What Is Killua’s Nen Type?: Transmuter
Killua is a transmuter, meaning he alters his Nen’s substance to match something else, and in his case, electricity. Killua’s Nen deals with all-things electricity. Its effects range widely depending on the context it’s used in.
Killua is a hard-to-come-by genius when it comes to the Nen department. Both his speed of learning and his diverse application are aspects to look up to. Those who could compete with him in that regard are few and far between.
9 How Did Killua Acquire His Nen Ability?: Getting Exposed To Electricity Since Early Childhood Allowed Him To Model His Nen Ability After It
Nen is the energy of life, and to acquire or properly wield it, one would have to live. That said, just breathing won’t be enough to make one a Nen master; one would have to experience said living in its ups and downs.
For example, if one wishes to acquire a wind-related Nen ability, they’d have to expose themselves to wind storms and whatnot, for years or even decades and no less. Killua had to get electrocuted on an occasional basis to grasp electricity’s end thread, and from there he just had to retrace.
8 How Old Is Killua?: 12-14 Years Old
At starting episodes of the series, Killua was confirmed to be 12, similar to Gon. Over the course of the series, his age underwent development alongside his character. He turned 13 by the time he acquired his Hunter License and 14 by the end of the anime.
Considering that he is only 14 years old, Killua sure went through a lot. Most adult hunters would need at least a dozen lives to lives by through his experiences.
7 What Weapons Does Killua Use?: His Claws & Yo-Yo
Just like how his character developed, his fighting style developed as well. Killua debuted as a coldblooded assassin versed in the arts of stealth. But due to the nature of his adventures and misadventures, he had to change his style.
Having said so, it’s not like he abandoned his claws altogether. He just expanded upon his repertoire to fit alternative scenarios and to have a bigger working room for his future endeavors.
6 How Does Killua’s Nen Ability Work?: Transmuting Nen Into Freeflow Electric Current
While it’s true that Killua is a one-in-a-ten-million level genius that is extremely hard to come by, he still had to grind dearly in order to acquire his electricity-based Nen ability. Periodic exposure to electricity for more or less a decade is not enough to make it work. He had to undergo rigid transmutation training for it to properly blossom.
Killua retraced the electrical sensation and remodeled his Nen based on the electricity’s wave-length. From there he could either use it directly to shock his opponents or contain it within himself to provide various support.
5 Why Is He So Popular Among Fans?: He Is Cooler Than His Counterparts
It’s no breaking news that Killua is one badass character. Not only is he the series’ best boy, but he is also the undisputed fan-favorite character of Hunter x Hunter--all for good reasons.
Killua made his way to the fans’ hearts the moment he was introduced. By the fandom’s standards, even his most nonchalant hair flick is worthy of praise. His outstanding charisma and vivid persona only make him more likable.
4 Why Is He So Powerful?: He Trained Since Infancy
While the other kids spent their lives doing children-like stuff, Killua spent his taking other lives. By the time he developed basic cognitive abilities, he was already in the frontlines. He had no time to enjoy childhood naivety.
Instead of killing time he killed people, and instead of hiding and seeking, he hid his presence and sought his opponents’ lives. Everything in between was spent either training or getting tortured. It would be weird if he didn't become strong.
3 Why Did He Retire As An Assassin?: He Wanted To Pick His Own Path
Killua was born and raised as an assassin--a killing machine. That was the path chosen for him by fate, and until a certain point, he had no way out. That all remain unchanged until he met Gon.
His fateful meeting with Gon, his first-ever friend, wrung a string in Killua’s heart. He properly began to wholeheartedly explore himself and the world surrounding him. He realized, for the first one, that he does have a choice.
2 How Is His Relationship With His Family?: Between Unfriendly & Hostile
It would make sense for Killua to despise the very family that tortured and molded him into a nearly emotionless killing machine. But at his very core, Killua is a kind individual. He wouldn’t go out of his way to condemn the family that raised him to who he is.
And while it’s true that he is openly hostile towards some of his family members, that animosity does not extend to the entirety of the Zoldyck Household.
1 Why Did He Separate From Gon?: To Spend Time With His Sister & Reflect On His Life
To say that Gon and Killua experienced a lifetime worth of adventure in a span of two years would in no way be an overstatement. They’ve been through the ups and lows of life and came this close to meeting their maker at least a handful of times.
As such, it would make sense for Killua to be mentally and physically exhausted. To relax and heal his spirit he decided to go on a lighthearted journey with his little sister, away from all the trouble.