Hunter x Hunter, created by Yoshihiro Togashi, offers a world filled with memorable characters, each with unique powers, motivations, and roles. Among the cast, Pakunoda, a member of the Phantom Troupe, brings something rare: a compassionate side within a group known for its ruthless behavior. Pakunoda’s story carries significant emotional weight, especially with her choice to sacrifice herself. Here’s a breakdown of her character, her background, powers, and more.
Who is Pakunoda?
Pakunoda is a core member of the Phantom Troupe, a band of ruthless thieves with dark pasts and unshakeable loyalty to one another. Hailing from Meteor City, a place for outcasts and the forgotten, Pakunoda shares a common identity and purpose with her comrades. As one of the original members, her loyalty to the group and its leader, Chrollo Lucilfer, is very high.
Though her role within the Troupe isn’t as physically aggressive as some of her comrades, Pakunoda is far from weak. She exudes confidence and remains composed even in the most dire situations. Her ability to access and transfer memories makes her a formidable and feared figure within the Troupe.
Pakunoda’s dedication to the Troupe’s ruthless goals is absolute. Her softer side, seen in her loyalty and willingness to sacrifice herself, only emphasizes the lengths she will go to protect her family. Despite any brief moments of compassion, her actions ultimately align with the Troupe’s violent and merciless nature.
Pakunoda’s Backstory
Pakunoda, like other Phantom Troupe members, grew up in Meteor City. This harsh place shaped her identity. It’s full of forgotten people with no legal records, making survival tough. This upbringing gave Pakunoda and her comrades a deep loyalty to each other. The Troupe became her family, filling the gap of any lost connections from her past. Her life revolves around them, giving her purpose. Pakunoda doesn’t care about personal gain or fame. She wants to protect her chosen family, a motivation that defines her final moments.
Pakunoda’s Powers: Nen Abilities and Special Skills
Pakunoda is a specialist, and her Nen ability is known as Memory Bomb. This specific ability allows her to pass memories to others by shooting them as “bullets” into their heads. This technique lets her share information directly and quickly, making it invaluable for the Phantom Troupe’s missions.
Another part of her ability is Psychometry, which allows her to access others’ memories and hidden secrets through touch. When she physically contacts someone, she can read their thoughts and memories, helping the Troupe gather vital information and detect threats.
Why She Sacrificed Herself
Pakunoda’s sacrifice is one of the most emotional moments in Hunter x Hunter. The Troupe captures Gon and Killua, but Kurapika, one of the main protagonists, takes Chrollo, their leader, hostage. Kurapika threatens to kill Chrollo if the Troupe harms his friends, forcing them into a precarious position.
Pakunoda faces a choice: save her comrades or protect her own life. She decides to risk everything for her family. Kurapika places a deadly Nen condition on her, barring her from sharing information about Chrollo, including the condition that he couldn’t interact with any Phantom Troupe member.
This would eventually lead to a lot of confusion because the members wouldn’t know why they couldn’t interact with Chrollo and wouldn’t find a way to solve it, probably thinking Chrollo had died if she decided not to sacrifice herself. But she does. Pakunoda doesn’t let this stop her. She chooses to use her Memory Bomb ability to share Chrollo’s situation with the rest of the Troupe, knowing full well it will lead to her death.
