Nen is among the core themes of the Hunter x Hunter series. Hunters mainly utilize the ability; however, many non-Hunters have also manifested incredible Nen abilities. Hunter x Hunter first introduced this expansive technique in the Heavens Arena Arc when Nen became a hidden requirement for Gon & Killua to officially pass the Hunter Exam. The duo aced the exam and mastered Nen to an impressive stage, birthing a new, interesting development in the story.
Nen is a natural energy, a form of Ki that exists in every living being. However, this energy can only be wielded by individuals trained in the art of the Nen technique. A sub-type of Nen is Hatsu, the signature ability of every Nen user. In the Hunter x Hunter series, there are several powerful Nen/Hatsu abilities, but which of them can be rightly called "overpowered?"
11 Hisoka’s ‘Bungee Gum’ Is Incredibly Versatile
Bungee Gum is the Nen ability used by Hisoka Morow, one of the main villains of the Hunter x Hunter series. Even before the introduction of the Bungee Gum technique, it was quite obvious that Hisoka wasn't any mere villain but a sadistic and powerful one. Among the most powerful Nen abilities, Hisoka’s Bungee Gum stands out among the rest due to its versatility.
The Bungee Gum ability allows Hisoka to give his aura the form of rubber and gum, making it powerful enough to stop high-speed projectiles and create a boomerang effect. These features make Bungee Gum the perfect offensive & defensive Nen ability.
10 Killua’s ‘God Speed’ Makes Him Untouchable
Unlike Gon's Hatsu, Jajanken, which debuted early in the series, Killua's Godspeed made its appearance towards the ending of the Chimera Ant Arc. However, the incredibility of God’s Speed made up for its late debut. The Nen ability is the Transmutation type, and it centers more on increasing Killua's reflexes and overall speed to a totally different level.
Hunter x Hunter partially showed the workings of the ability in Killua's fight with the ant monster, Youpi. While Killua was nowhere Youpi in the strength area, God Speed far surpassed Youpi’s insane reflexes; it rendered the monster useless and unable to attack the elusive Killua. This alone is solid proof of God Speed's overpowerdness.
9 Neferpitou’s ‘Doctor Blythe’ Can Tweak The Human Body In Countless Ways
Out of all Meruem’s Royal Guards, Neferpitou is arguably the most distinguished. The Chimera Ant displayed several incredible Nen abilities, with different quirks. While the Hunter x Hunter fandom popularly reveres Neferpitou for her Enhancement techniques, the Chimera Ant possesses another powerful yet underrated ability.
Doctor Blythe is one of the first Nen abilities Neferpitou first manifested. Using Doctor Blythe, Neferpitou can manipulate the human anatomy in different ways, allowing the ant to gain access to hidden memories. The ability’s medical features are also incredible, as Neferpitou can use it to heal a good number of mortal injuries.
8 Uvogin’s ‘Big Bang Impact' Obliterates Anything It Touches
Big Bang Impact is the Hatsu, belonging to Uvogin, one of the core members of the Phantom Troupe. Although Uvogin lost disgracefully to Kurapika, his Nen ability packs quite the punch. Uvogin used Big Bang Impact against Shadow Beats, allowing fans to witness the ability’s destructive capacity.
The Big Bang Impact works by Uvogin channeling all his Nen into his hands, significantly increasing his physical strength. Anything that makes contact with the technique is literally obliterated. This ability places Uvogin in the Strongest Enhancers category in Hunter x Hunter.
7 Kurapika’s ‘Emperor Time’ Is The Phantom Troupe’s Nemesis
Emperor Time is the signature Nen ability used by Kurapika. The Emperor Time technique is an ability created by Kurapika to wreak vengeance on the Phantom Troup members. In use, Emperor Time changes Kurapika’s Nen category to that of a Specialist, allowing him to use deadly techniques like the Judgment Chain.
The Judgment Chain wraps around Kurapika's opponent's hearts, and if they refuse to give in to his orders, it destroys their hearts. Unfortunately, while this technique is immensely powerful, it has a major drawback: for every second Kurapika uses Emperor Time, his lifespan reduces. Furthermore, Kurapika can't use the ability against a non-Phantom Troupe member – Kurapika will die if he does that.
6 Feitan Portor’s ‘Rising Sun’ Completely Incinerates His Targets
Feitan Portor is a member of the Phantom Troupe, a major villain group in the Hunter x Hunter series. Although core details about Feitan weren't revealed, his Nen ability was revealed as a powerful one. Feitan uses the Rising Sun technique alongside Pain Packer to create a devastating effect.
Rising Sun is closely linked to Feitan’s fury. It emerges as a miniature sun with incredible heat that melts or destroys Feitan’s targets in a few moments. In battle, the more Feitan is hurt, the more the heat of Rising Sun rises. In other words, fighting and injuring Feitan over long periods in a fight is nothing but a losing battle.
5 Chrollo Lucifer’s 'Skill Hunter' Is A Danger To All Nen Users
The Nen ability of the Phantom's Troupe leader, Chrollo Lucifer, proved to be quite the technique during its debut. This deadly ability allows Chrollo to steal the Nen abilities of Nen users under certain conditions. This is a frightening skill against unsuspecting and simple-minded Nen users like Gon Freecs.
After Chrollo steals his victims' Nen abilities, he is able to use their abilities to the fullest with any setback. Worse, the original users of the stolen ability cannot use it anymore after Skill Hunter has taken effect. Summarily, after Chrollo takes a Nen ability in a fight, it is more or less over. Furthermore, there is no limit to the number of abilities Chrollo can steal, making him an overpowered character.
4 Gon’s ‘Limitation Transformation’ Granted Him Terrifying Abilities
Gon’s Limitation Transformation was an interesting one despite its short lifespan. The ability’s power is on a completely different level compared to most Nen abilities. Limitation Transformation or “Adult Gon” was shown at the end of the Chimera Ant Arc, where he killed the powerful royal guard, Neferpitou.
By forming a vow, Gon could use all the Nen he would ever have in his life to increase his strength and develop his body composition in mind-blowing ways. The power-up granted Gon’s wishes – it allowed him to defeat Neferpitou but at a great cost. If not for Alluka, Gon wouldn't have been able to use Nen again.
3 Meruem’s ‘Aura Synthesis’ Grants Him Unrestricted Access To Different Nen Powers
Meruem, the King of the Chimera Ant, is one of the strongest characters in the Hunter x Hunter series. The ant's body composition, speed, impressive regeneration, and strength all attest to the character's invincibility. However, Meruem’s Nen ability is not any less impressive. Meruem uses the ability Aura Synthesis.
Aura Synthesis is a nastier version of Chrollo’s Skill Hunter. By consuming his targets, Meruem can absorb and fully use their Nen abilities. Meruem doesn’t need to devour his targets whole to use their powers – partial consumption is enough to grant him the ability he wants. While this may not be a danger to the Chimera ants due to their regenerative abilities, it is a harmful ability when used against fragile humans.
2 Isaac Netero’s '100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva' Is the Strongest Offensive Nen Ability
Isaac Netero, the former Chairman of the Hunter Association, displayed one of the most powerful Nen abilities in Hunter x Hunter. Even though the ability wasn't enough to crush the powerful Ant King, it still deserves to be regarded as the most powerful offensive Nen ability. Using the 100 Type Guanyin Bodhisattva Netero manifests a Buddha-like moving statue.
This gigantic Buddha with several arms possesses immense speed despite its large size. In a minute, the Buddha summon can deliver up to one thousand powerful blows, showing how formidable the Hunter Association's Chairman really is. To date, no Nen ability in Hunter x Hunter can match Netero's in terms of strength.
1 Nanika’s 'Wish Granting' Is Both Terrifying And Awesome
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The wish-granting ability is possessed by Alluka Zoldyck's alter ego. Alluka herself is lacking in terms of Nen abilities; however, Nanika is something else entirely. Nanika, which translates as "something," is the being that possesses Alluka and grants any wishes if its requests are fulfilled. The requests of Nanika can be harmless as they can be equally deadly. Worse, if Nanika's requests are not met, the person she made the request to and their loved ones will die.
This Nen ability is quite unique, and it was powerful enough to even restore Gon back to his full health with full control over his Nen ability. Regardless it's a high-stake ability no one except Killua can use without drawbacks.