Since 1998, Hunter x Hunter has been one of Shonen Jump’s most popular series. It has produced a manga as well as two separate anime adaptations. Despite several frequently prolonged hiatuses, the ongoing manga is currently up to 400 chapters. Unfortunately, fans haven't had any new updates since late December 2022. In fact, the last episode was released in 2014, so anime fans are even further behind.

Over the years, Hunter x Hunter has introduced some exceptional characters, like protagonists Gon Freecss and Killua Zoldyck. Furthermore, there are plenty of overpowered individuals who can compete with the strongest fighters in anime. Most combatants in Hunter x Hunter rely on Nen-based abilities, an excellent but complicated metric to measure their overall power levels. That said, physical strength, intelligence, and experience also play a major role in deciding the strongest Hunter x Hunter characters.

Updated on January 25, 2024, by Ajay Aravind: The strongest Hunter x Hunter characters include both heroes and villains. That said, we're going to use Nen capabilities, fighting expertise, and battle accomplishments to sort these characters based on strength. As such, we've revamped this list with some more relevant information.

25 Knuckle's Nen Powers Work In Perfect Conjunction With His Speed

Knuckle Bine is a classic anime punk — his overtly belligerent nature makes him somewhat unlikeable at first, but he soon reveals himself to be a softie at heart. Emotional strengths aside, Knuckle is also one of the strongest Hunter x Hunter characters. He's also stupendously speedy, capable of evading even Youpi's supersonic attacks. Further, he's strong enough to defeat a young Gon without expending much effort.

Knuckle can fight on par with most enemies without using any weapons and techniques, making him an expert hand-to-hand combatant. Knuckle's greatest asset, however, is his Nen. Known as Hakoware, or Amortizing Power Redirector, this construct can transfer Knuckle's Nen to anyone in direct contact with it. All things considered, however, Knuckle Bine simply doesn't possess the growth potential necessary to be ranked any higher on this list.

24 Leorio Returns With Even More Power Following A Long Absence

Leorio Paradinight is one of the first characters introduced in the story, at which point he's pretty weak. Despite his general lack of focus, he manages to achieve his goals by the end of the 287th Hunter Exam arc. Leorio disappears from Hunter x Hunter for several arcs, allowing other characters to take his place but also reducing the story's comedic potential in the bargain.

He returns during the 13th Hunter Chairman Election arc, where he proves that he's gotten significantly stronger over the course of his absence. Leorio has only one Nen ability at his disposal, but it's certainly not something to be underestimated. He successfully lands one of his Remote Punches on Ging Freecss, arguably one of Leorio's greatest moments. Leorio eventually becomes one of the Zodiacs, further cementing his role as a protector.

23 Knov Combines His Tactical Brilliance With His Unique Nen

Knov's hair turns completely white upon experiencing Pouf's macabre Nen, but that doesn't mean this Hunter is entirely powerless. Despite his fears, he manages to perform his required missions while in the presence of the Royal Guards. Knov teams up with Netero and Morel while infiltrating the Chimera Ant palace complex, proving that his peers are confident in his abilities. What he lacks in physical power, he makes up for with an overdose of intelligence and espionage expertise.

Knov combines his tactical brilliance with his Hide and Seek Nen technique, which can generate complex dimensions accessible only to him. Not even Neferpitou's vigilant En could identify the existence of his portals, let alone their placement. Most importantly, Netero himself has acknowledged Knov to be one of the strongest Hunter x Hunter characters, proving that Knov can handle almost any enemy.

22 Uvogin Is One Of The Physically Strongest Characters In HxH

Uvogin is the first of the Phantom Troupe to perish at Kurapika's hands — and the last, since Pakunoda willingly takes her own life. And yet, he's one of the most powerful characters in Hunter x Hunter, and easily the physically strongest member of the Phantom Troupe. His attack powers are akin to someone like Kaido from One Piece, making Uvogin an extremely terrifying opponent.

Uvogin casually demolishes four of the Shadow Beasts, all of whom are overpowered assassins in their own right. His Big Bang Impact makes use of the limitless reserves of raw power at his disposal, transforming what looks like a straightforward punch into a quasi-nuclear explosion. In fact, Kurapika is forced to use his Emperor Time technique to take Uvogin down, an ability that sacrifices some of Kurapika's lifespan.

21 Hanzo Has Developed His Abilities Greatly Since The First Arc

Hanzo plays a major role in the 287th Hunter Exam arc before vanishing from the story. Although he makes every attempt to defeat Gon during the final round, the young protagonist's persistence forces Hanzo to concede the match. He finally makes a reappearance during the Succession Contest arc, after honing his already overwhelming skillset even further.

Hanzo figures out the nuances of Nen within half a year, putting him on the same level as Gon and Killua. Although he probably has multiple abilities in his arsenal, the only one revealed is Hanzo Skill 4, or Art of the Doppelganger. This technique allows him to manifest a copy of himself while in deep meditation. Although Hanzo's full potential is as yet unknown, it's very unlikely that he will surpass some of the other characters on this list.

20 Morel's Manipulation Nen Can Overpower Chimera Ant Squadron Leaders

Morel Mackernasey might be a Single-Star Hunter, but his achievements are both extraordinary and unprecedented. The Hunter Association selects him to participate in the Chimera Ant Extermination program, further cementing his respectable status. Morel can breathe without oxygen for long periods of time, which comes in handy during underwater battles. In addition, Knuckle claims that Morel's Nen Aura is over three times that of Gon.

Morel is a brilliant tactician, devising some of the most complex strategies seen in the anime. At the same time, his Manipulation Nen allows him to generate smoke, which can subsequently be transformed into an endless series of shapes and figures. Morel can also use his smoke pipe as a blunt weapon, dealing intense damage to anyone in the vicinity. Morel even manages to defeat Leol, a Chimera Ant Squadron Leader, with minimal effort.

19 Razor's Strength And Tenacity Leaves Everyone Injured At The Dodgeball Game

The Greed Island arc introduces Razor as one of the Game Masters. Razor owes his life to Gon's father Ging, as the latter had saved him from execution before enlisting him. Fans get to see Razor's sheer power in the unlikely form of dodgeball. Like Uvogin, Razor's greatest asset is the limitless physical strength at his disposal, which is capable of instantly stopping hypersonic objects.

Razor is an Emitter, and his Aura Ball possesses frightening power, which Bopobo can attest to. Razor also utilizes Manipulation while creating eight anthropomorphic Nen beasts, combining them to make his 14 Devils. These Devils can also fuse into much stronger versions of themselves, taking the game to a whole new level. Despite his eventual defeat in the decisive dodgeball game, Razor's strength and tenacity leave nearly everybody injured.

18 Killua Is A Long Way From Reaching The Limits Of His Potential

Killua Zoldyck is a born killing machine. However, he's also incredibly loyal to his friends and does everything in his power to protect them. Killua is already quite strong when fans see him during the Hunter Exam arc, but he ultimately develops a magnificent stockpile of Nen abilities. He's already overpowered when appearing at the 287th Hunter Exam, given his father's harsh training methods.

Killua demonstrates the extent of his growth during the 288th Hunter Exam, where he neutralizes every single one of his competitors and becomes the only participant to pass that year. His Godspeed, Whirlwind, and Speed of Lightning techniques allow him to move faster than most eyes can perceive, while simultaneously electrocuting his enemies. Killua is yet to reach the limits of his potential, and fans can't wait to see how one of the strongest Hunter x Hunter characters evolves over time.

17 Kurapika Focuses His Nen Powers On Defeating The Phantom Troupe

Kurapika's early character arc revolves exclusively around his vendetta. He becomes a Hunter so he can locate, capture, and kill the Phantom Troupe for torturing and murdering his entire clan. As a result, many of Kurapika's Nen techniques center on his hatred for the Spider. Some of his favorite techniques include Dowsing Chain, Holy Chain, and Health Dolphin.

Kurapika's Chain Jail is so strong that even Uvogin fails to escape its clutches, whereas his Emperor Time ability temporarily converts him into a Specialist. He technically manages to satisfy his vengeance by placing the Judgment Chain on Chrollo, forcing the villain to exit the Troupe. Kurapika is presently serving as a member of the Hunter Association's Zodiacs. At this point in the story, Kurapika is capable of stealing other people's Nen abilities by using his Steal Chain technique.

16 Feitan Is One Of The Strongest Phantom Troupe Members

Despite his diminutive stature and quiet personality, Feitan Portor is unquestionably one of the most powerful Hunter x Hunter characters. He is also the strongest member of the Phantom Troupe after Chrollo, as evidenced by his battle in the Chimera Ant arc. That said, Feitan can only use his ultimate abilities after suffering considerable damage, although his superior agility and flexibility keep him from racking up too many injuries.

During his duel with Zazan, Feitan spawns a medieval-esque suit of armor called Pain Packer, which protects him from the widespread damage caused by his Rising Sun technique. As the term suggests, Rising Sun generates a mini-Sun that radiates enough heat to vaporize practically anyone in the vicinity. While there is no doubt about Feitan's strength, there are a few HxH characters on this list who can take him out without batting an eye.

15 Illumi's Ren Is Capable Of Terrifying Even Hisoka

Killua's big brother and the firstborn of the Zoldyck family, Illumi happens to be a Nen powerhouse. Not only does he effortlessly pass the 287th Hunter Exam, but he also achieves this feat while disguised as Gittarackur. In fact, he's so overpowered that he only takes part in the Hunter Exam because he needs a Hunter License to perform a specific task.

According to Hisoka's personal rating, Illumi is stronger than most Hunter x Hunter characters. Killua's Manipulation Nen gives him the opportunity to exercise his sinister personality, as seen when he converts hundreds of innocent civilians into his Needle People. Controlling a large army allows him to maintain his distance between stronger opponents, not to mention giving him the freedom to launch his attacks. If that's not scary enough, Illumi's Ren is so macabre that it even manages to terrify Hisoka, albeit for a brief moment.

14 Hisoka Manages To Survive A Death Match Against Chrollo

An extremely dangerous individual, Hisoka Morow is one of the strongest characters in Hunter x Hunter. While not exactly evil, he takes extreme satisfaction in fighting and killing strong opponents. This is why he creepily keeps on Gon and Killua, as he expects both of them to reach his combat level. As a former member of the Phantom Troupe, Hisoka ranks third in terms of pure physical strength, a decidedly impressive feat.

Hisoka's Nen abilities include the versatile Bungee Gum, which imbues his aura with the simultaneous properties of rubber and gum. Along with Texture Surprise, he can recreate missing limbs and simulate the appearance of human skin. As a testament to his durability, Hisoka even manages to survive a death match against Chrollo. More impressively, he reactivates his dead lungs and heart after actually dying during the fight.

13 Silva Is A Highly Proficient Assassin With Superhuman Abilities

As the current head of the Zoldyck family, Silva is a highly proficient assassin. Much like his son Killua, he is immune to even the most lethal poisons and can perform superhuman feats. There are very few fighters in Hunter x Hunter capable of besting Silva in unarmed combat. In the Chimera Ant arc, Silva leaps from the sky and instantly crushes the head of Cheetu, proving that even Chimera Ant Squadron Leaders are nothing before his power.

Silva has also defeated a member of the Phantom Troupe in Meteor City, further supporting the fact that he is not to be taken lightly. In terms of his Nen ability, he is an Emitter and a Transmuter with some expertise as an Enhancer. Using his Nen, Silva converts his aura into enormous globes of pulsating energy, which supposedly produce devastating explosions.

12 Kite Has Proven To Be A Rather Dangerous And Unpredictable Fighter

The man who becomes Gon's beloved mentor first appears in the Chimera Ant arc. While Kite doesn't enjoy fighting as much as other Hunter x Hunter characters, he's demonstrated his combat prowess on multiple occasions. Killua notes that their mentor is far more powerful than both Gon and himself, even after losing his arm to Neferpitou's attack.

Kite's Conjuration Nen is known as Crazy Slots for obvious reasons — the resulting construct is a semi-sentient entity that randomly chooses a weapon for him to fight with. Despite this disadvantage, Kite has proven to be a rather dangerous and unpredictable fighter. On a positive note, this helps him fight equally well with diverse weapons, from swords to firearms and everything in between. Although he perishes while battling Neferpitou, he has since been reborn as the genderfluid Reina.

11 Chrollo Is Easily One Of The Strongest HxH Characters

As the leader of the Phantom Troupe, Chrollo is easily one of the strongest Hunter x Hunter characters. He fights both Silva and Zeno while holding back and somehow survives the encounter. Zeno openly admits that he would have trouble defeating Chrollo if the latter decides to take the fight seriously. In fact, all three participants were relieved when their battle ended prematurely, showing that even Silva was afraid of taking Chrollo on.

As a Specialist, Chrollo is a powerful Nen user who steals other people's abilities and makes them his own. In the past, he could only use one ability at a time, but he eventually overcame this weakness. In the manga, Chrollo pushes Hisoka to the brink of death by using two stolen abilities simultaneously. With this newfound technique, Chrollo has become significantly stronger than before. He could certainly fight on par with those on this list ranked higher than him, but victory won't be assured.

10 Zeno's Speed And Fighting Prowess Are Still In Peak Condition

Zeno Zoldyck may be old, but that doesn't stop him from being one of the strongest Hunter x Hunter characters. In fact, his physical strength far exceeds his advanced age. Additionally, Zeno's speed and fighting prowess are enough to put Chrollo himself on the defensive. As a Transmuter, Zeno manipulates his aura to form his patented dragon-shaped Nen constructs.

Zeno also uses this technique to transport himself and others across vast distances. With his Dragon Dive ability, he can create hundreds of aura dragons that rain down like meteors and cause widespread devastation. Although Meruem would have probably crushed Zeno in the end, any battle between them would have unquestionably eviscerated the landscape. Zeno's notoriety and expertise are such that his mere name invokes whispers of terror around the world.

9 Biscuit Has Enough Experience To Dispatch Most Enemies With A Single Punch

Despite her seemingly childish exterior, Biscuit is a 57-year-old warrior with enough experience and knowledge to dispatch the vast majority of her enemies with a single punch. As a Nen master, Biscuit has an absolute level of control over Ren, Hatsu, Ko, Gyo, Ten, Zetsu, and En. Biscuit teaches Gon and Killua how to control their Nen, expanding on the training offered by her former student Wing.

Her physical strength exists at two different levels — when Bisky transforms into her gigantic, overmuscled body, she becomes capable of attacks far superior to most battle-hardened warriors in the story. However, she doesn't enjoy displaying her true form because it doesn't suit her aesthetic. Unfortunately, Hunter x Hunter still hasn't showcased enough of Biscuit's talents, but fans are hoping they can see more of her in the upcoming chapters.

8 Tserriednich Is Extremely Intelligent As Well As A Nen Prodigy

The fabled Fourth Prince of the Kakin Empire, Tserriednich Hui Guo Rou is a rather recent entry into the Hunter x Hunter universe. Aside from his enormous wealth and political power, this royal human is one of the smartest characters in the series. Much like Gon and Killua, Tserriednich is a Nen prodigy, displaying a fine degree of control over his Specialization ability. He even learns Gyo, Ten, Zetsu, and Ren within the span of a few days.

In fact, Tserriednich's Parallel Future technique allows him to perceive both the present and the future simultaneously. In other words, he can see every possible move that would happen in a battle before the opponent is even aware of the situation. As such, Tserriednich is capable of outguessing practically anyone. Few Hunter x Hunter characters can hope to survive a head-on fight with Tserriednich.

7 Ging Is Rightfully Called One Of The Five Best Nen Users In The World

Although rightfully recognized among "the five best Nen users in the world," the same can't be said for Ging Freecss's parenting style. He leaves Gon in the care of his family before vanishing into the metaphorical ether, and he actually expects his son to succeed without any fatherly guidance. Gon eventually surpasses everyone's expectations, including his dad's.

That said, Ging's seemingly limitless arsenal of Nen abilities is still being explored in Hunter x Hunter. His speed and reflexes are incomparable, whereas his incandescent intellect allows him to make shockingly accurate predictions, both personal and political. Fans have seen him use techniques like Phasing Bullets and Ultrasound, each of which is more impressive than the next. Ging even manages to replicate Leorio's Remote Punch using unknown means.

6 Shaiapouf's Aura Numerically Surpasses That Of Isaac Netero

Shaiapouf was born with the strength of countless humans, many of whom were once capable of using Nen. He subsequently develops an aura output that numerically surpasses that of Isaac Netero, the Chairman of the Hunter Association. He possesses immense physical strength and can run and fly at supersonic speeds. His powers include using scale dust to hypnotize humans, turning people into Chimera Ants, and even bestowing Nen abilities on others.

Furthermore, Pouf can create copies of himself, and he decreases in size with every copy he makes. By producing thousands of miniature duplicates, he can infiltrate even the most secure locations and spy on his enemies without being detected. Pouf might be eccentric, but he's certainly one of the strongest Hunter x Hunter characters. That said, experience is far more important when it comes to winning battles in this anime, which is why Pouf doesn't have a higher ranking on this list.