Kurpaika is one of the most intersting and famous charatcers in HxH, so intersting that he even got to be the protagonist of the anime, that’s why in this post I will explore Kurapika’s character, his nen abilities, intriguing trivia, and more. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the series, you’ll find something interesting about Kurapika here. So let’s begin.
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General Review
| Gender | Male |
| Age | 19 |
| Height | 171 cm (5’7″) |
| Nen Type | Conjuration, Specialist |
Kurapika is the last member of the Kurta Clan. He comes across as calm and intelligent, but his backstory adds depth to his character. The Phantom Troupe, a group of criminals, slaughtered his entire clan to steal their Scarlet Eyes, which are prized for their beauty and value. This tragedy fuels Kurapika’s quest for revenge, motivating him to become a Hunter. By becoming a Hunter, he aims to gain the skills and resources needed to track down the Phantom Troupe and reclaim his clan’s stolen eyes.
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Kurapika’s appearance
Kurapika has an androgynous appearance, that’s what leads to the confusion of his gender. He has yellow hair that covers his ears most of the time, and the normal color of his eyes varies according to the version of Hunter x Hunter you’re watching. In the original material, they are brown; in the 2011 anime, they are gray; and in the 1999 anime, it was a tone of cyan. For the first part of the story before the Succession War events, we saw him wearing blue and yellow clothing with the typical Kurta Clan design.
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Kurapika’s Powers
Kurapika is very smart, and that’s what makes him strong. He cleverly uses Nen restrictions to achieve his goals. This makes him one of the best examples of how to use Nen in all of Hunter x Hunter.
Kurapika is a natural conjurer. When it comes to Nen categories, he’s a special case. Depending on the conditions, he can be either a conjurer or a specialist. He becomes a specialist by using his ability Emperor Time. In addition, his conjured chains are his main weapon. Each chain has a special ability used for different purposes and comes with specific restrictions.
Kurapika’s Nen abilities
Emperor Time
Emperor Time is a powerful ability with a high price. It grants him full efficiency in all Nen categories. However, for every second he uses Emperor Time, he loses one hour of his life. If he uses this ability for 2 hours and 26 minutes, he will lose an entire year of his life.
Chain Jail
This chain wraps around the target, restricting their movement and use of Nen. It has the immense restriction of only working on members of the Phantom Troupe. To make this ability stronger, Kurapika has a Nen blade on his heart that will pierce it if he uses it on someone outside the Troupe. This specific condition makes the Chain Jail practically unbreakable when used on them.
Judgment Chain
Judgment Chain is an incredibly powerful and simple ability. Kurapika can insert a Nen chain and blade into a victim’s heart and issue a command. If the person breaks the command, they will be instantly finished. To balance this ability, it can only be used when Emperor Time is active.
Dowsing Chain
This ability is a handy tool for fighting and investigating. The chain ends with a small ball that swings like a pendulum. In battles, it helps him attack and defend quickly. Outside of fights, it can find missing people by moving toward them and spot lies by swinging. When used in a group, it works best if only one person talks at a time. Using Emperor Time’s power boost, he can even use it on video if he’s met the person before. He isn’t exactly sure how this part of his power works, but he thinks his strong focus and the chain’s movement help him detect lies without realizing it.
Holy Chain
his chain has healing properties. It is conjured but uses enhancement to mend injuries quickly. Since it uses enhancement, it is 100% effective only when Emperor Time is active. Otherwise, it has only 60% effectiveness.
Stealth Dolphin
When Kurapika activates Emperor Time, he summons a Nen Beast visible and audible only to him. This dolphin can analyze and wield stolen abilities, allowing Kurapika or others to use them temporarily. However, these abilities return to their original owners after a single use. Emperor Time remains active until all stolen abilities are restored. The dolphin also informs Kurapika of the remaining duration of Emperor Time, unless he chooses to put it on standby.
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Intriguing Facts About Kurapika
Voice actors
Voice actors for Kurapika have changed over time. In the 1999 anime, Yuki Kaida voiced him. Miyuki Sawashiro played Kurapika in the 2011 version, giving the character a different feel. In English, Cheryl McMaster voiced Kurapika in 1999, while Erika Harlacher did so in 2011.
Inspirations and Influences
Yoshihiro Togashi, the creator of “Hunter x Hunter,” has cited various influences for his characters. Kurapika’s design and personality bear similarities to Kurama from Togashi’s earlier work, “Yu Yu Hakusho.” Both characters share a calm demeanor, strategic mind, and a deep sense of duty and loyalty.
Popularity
Kurapika is consistently one of the most popular characters in “Hunter x Hunter.” His unique blend of intelligence, strength, and vulnerability resonates with fans. In various character polls, he often ranks in second place.
Name Origin
Kurapika’s name is a combination of “Kuruta,” referring to his clan, and “Pika,” a Japanese word for something that shines or glows. This directly relates to his Scarlet Eyes, which glow brightly when activated.
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Kurapika’s participation in arcs
Kurapika is one of the most recurring characters in the show. He has the spotlight in Hunter x Hunter arcs like the Yorknew City arc. Let’s take a look at all of his participation in the history so far.
The Hunter Exam Arc
Kurapika’s journey through the Hunter Exam begins with Gon and Leorio, and soon he teams up with Killua, who becomes his friend. He quickly sees how valuable their skills are and how effective they can be when combined. For most of the exam, the three of them work as a trio, though they are sometimes on their own.
In the final test, Kurapika faces Hisoka in a one-on-one battle and is defeated. Despite this, Kurapika still earns his Hunter license due to the exam’s final test rules.
Yorknew City Arc
In the Yorknew City arc, Kurapika’s story becomes the main focus. He’s determined to confront the Phantom Troupe and get back his clan’s eyes. His sharp mind and Nen abilities are key as he faces some of the series’ toughest foes.
This arc also dives deep into Kurapika’s emotions and thoughts. His quest for revenge isn’t just about heroism; it’s full of tough choices and personal sacrifice. His interactions with the Phantom Troupe, especially Chrollo Lucilfer, are intense and filled with hidden meanings.
The Succession War Arc
In the Succession War arc, Kurapika takes on the role of a bodyguard for Prince Woble, one of the heirs to the Kakin Empire’s throne. However, he’s now the protagonist of the anime. The reason why he joined this entire story involving the Succession War and the Dark Continent was to retrieve the eyes of the Kurta Clan members, which are in the possession of Tserriednich, one of the princes participating in the Succession War contest.
