As the formal power-ranking system in Hunter x Hunter, Nen is extremely complex and difficult to master. That said, the Specialization Nen category is by far the rarest, occurring in a relatively small fraction of the global population. Known as Specialists, these Nen users boast a wide range of powers, from predicting the future to stealing other people's Nen abilities.
Unlike Manipulation, Conjuration, Emission, Enhancement, and Transmutation, both Specialization Nen and its users are rather unpredictable. There are only ten confirmed Specialists in the Hunter x Hunter universe, most of whom are villains (or used to be until they switched allegiances).
Updated by Ajay Aravind on March 31, 2023: Yoshihiro Togashi's Hunter x Hunter is still on its lengthy hiatus, although readers were delighted when the 400th chapter dropped on December 26, 2022. This manga series may not end any time soon, but fans haven't gotten a new anime season since mid-2014. As an anime power concept, Nen is unquestionably a gold standard that remains as iconic as ever. As such, we've updated this list of Specialist Nen users in Hunter x Hunter.
10 Neon Nostrade
Ability: Lovely Ghostwriter
The only heir of the Nostrade family, Neon made her debut during the Yorknew City arc of Hunter x Hunter. Neon is a capable Nen user despite not having trained in the ways of Nen, making her a prodigy. Her Specialist Nen ability is called Lovely Ghostwriter, and manifests as a phantom typewriter.
Using this technique, Neon can make accurate predictions in the form of poetic verse. As long as she has the target's date of birth, blood type, and name, Lovely Ghostwriter can produce a metaphorical string of lines that vaguely describe certain inevitable events. Unfortunately, Chrollo manages to steal Lovely Ghostwriter from Neon, leaving her essentially Nen-less.
9 Hina
Ability: Exorcism
Hina, formerly known as Hirin, is a Chimera Ant who worked as a captain under Leol. Although many of her abilities remain ambiguous, Hina is fully capable of wielding Nen. She's also one of the very few Specialists in Hunter x Hunter, suggesting that she has something to offer the story.
Hina's Specialization ability is referred to as Exorcism, as it allows her to neutralize Nen-based curses and hexes. Exorcism is occasionally discussed in the story, although professional Exorcists may not necessarily be Specialists. Hina somehow acquires and masters this unique power despite having zero training or knowledge on the topic.
8 Meleoron
Abilities: Perfect Plan And God's Accomplice
One of the pacifists in the Chimera Ant army, Meleoron plays a significant role in helping take down Meruem. Prior to turning into a Chimera Ant, Meleoron went by the name of Jail. He might have been weak for a Squadron Leader, but his Nen aura is nothing short of extraordinary.
As a chameleon-human-ant hybrid, Meleoron can turn himself invisible, albeit with added benefits. Under the influence of his Perfect Plan technique, Meleoron becomes effectively imperceptible to all the senses, including his opponent's En. The God's Accomplice ability is an impressive upgrade, allowing the Chimera Ant to apply his Perfect Plan to anyone in direct contact with him.
7 Pakunoda
Abilities: Psychometry And Memory Bomb
Pakunoda was one of the members of the Phantom Troupe, originally hailing from Meteor City. She ultimately sacrifices her life to help the Spider, a feat so daring that even her enemies would have been blown away by her willpower.
Pakunoda's Specialization techniques are Psychometry and Memory Bomb, both of which are loosely related to each other. Pyschometry is a highly advanced truth detector/data extractor, producing results with near-perfect precision. Meanwhile, Memory Bomb transfers her memories to other people in the form of Conjuration bullets.
6 Leol
Ability: Rental Pod
Hagya changes his name to Leol in the middle of his character arc — his allies and subordinates respect his decision and make sure not to deadname him. Being a Chimera Ant Squadron Leader, Leol is a formidable opponent and a dangerous fighter, although Morel doesn't really see him as a threat at first.
Leol isn't born with his Specialist powers, but obtains them after spending 72 hours wrapped inside one of Pouf's Cocoons. His Rental Pod ability is similar to Chrollo's Skill Hunter, except that it can only borrow someone else's Nen powers rather than steal them. That said, Leol loses access to any borrowed techniques after 60 minutes, a surprisingly short time limit.
5 Tserriednich Hui Guo Ruo
Ability: Parallel Future
The Fourth Prince of the Kakin Empire and a major player in the Succession Contest arc, Tserriednich Hui Guo Rou is yet to make an appearance in the anime adaptation. His Nen aura is far beyond most other characters introduced in Hunter x Hunter to date.
Tserriednich's Specialization ability is known as Parallel Future, allowing him to perceive events ten seconds into the future. This technique is remarkably complicated, and anyone else would have never been able to master it. Furthermore, Tserriednich is described as "a man who should never, ever acquire Nen."
4 Kurapika
Abilities: Emperor Time And Stealth Dolphin
The last known survivor of the Kurta Clan, Kurapika is best friends with Gon and Killua. Kurapika is exceptionally strong even without Nen, as seen during the Hunter Exam arc. He's come a long way since then, slowly climbing his way to the cream of the crop in Hunter x Hunter.
While Kurapika is basically a Conjurer, he can temporarily transform into a Specialist when his Kurta eyes glow scarlet with rage. He uses his Conjuration abilities like Chain Jail and Judgment Chain when necessary, but can easily switch over to Specialization techniques like Emperor Time and Stealth Dolphin. Kurapika's journey has just begun, and fans can't wait to see how he evolves.
3 Neferpitou
Abilities: Doctor Blythe And Terpsichora
Neferpitou radiates so much Nen aura that even Netero claimed that the Chimera Ant was stronger than him. They develop their skills faster than Shaiapouf and Menthuthuyoupi, proving themselves to be a superior learner. Neferpitou can quell any conflict among the lower-ranked Chimera Ants by merely releasing their overwhelming Ten.
As part of the Royal Guard, Neferpitou's very existence is predicated on the safety and well-being of King Meruem. Their Specialization techniques include Doctor Blythe, a surgical marionette, and Terpsichora, a nightmarish ballerina that augments Neferpitou's body and core strength.
2 Chrollo Lucilfer
Abilities: Skill Hunter And Double Face
Chrollo Lucilfer is one of the strongest villains in the series, as evidenced by his fight with Silva and Zeno Zoldyck. In fact, old man Zeno praises the Phantom Troupe Leader's potential, stating that he would probably lose in a head-on fight with Chrollo. Chrollo's Skill Hunter is an ability so unique that it can only belong to the Specialization Category.
Upon triggering this technique, a book titled Bandit's Secret appears in front of Chrollo, giving him access to any Nen abilities he may have stolen in the past. He later develops a secondary Specialization technique called Double Face, arguably to maintain the upper ground during his duel with Hisoka.
1 Meruem
Abilities: Aura Synthesis And Metamorphosis
Meruem is the strongest character to have existed in Hunter x Hunter. Although he arrogantly refers to himself as the pinnacle of evolution, the Chimera Ant King's bite is considerably worse than his bark. Netero fails to defeat Meruem, even after exploiting the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva's Zero Hand, demonstrating the villain's flawless durability.
The Ant King relies on Emission and Transmutation techniques like Rage Blast and Photon, respectively, but his true talent has always been Specialization. Meruem's Aura Synthesis is by far the most dangerous Nen ability in the story, as it allows him to absorb Nen powers by consuming others.