While power in Hunter x Hunter is complex, some characters stand out for their combat strength. In this list, you’ll find the top 11 strongest characters in the series, along with the reasons for their rankings.
11. Hisoka Morow
Hisoka Morow is… well, if you’re familiar with him, you know he’s different. His strength is undeniable, but it’s his eccentricity that really sticks with you. Hisoka thrives on chaos, danger, and unpredictability, which makes him one of the most feared (and strangest) characters in the series. He, gets a thrill from pushing himself and his opponents to their absolute limits. For him, combat isn’t just about winning. It’s about experiencing the rush of it.
His Nen ability, “Bungee Gum,” might sound pretty basic at first. It gives his aura the properties of both gum and rubber, stretchy but also strong. But in Hisoka’s hands, it’s anything but basic. He’s creative with it, using Bungee Gum in ways you wouldn’t expect. He can attach it to things or people without them even noticing, using it to pull himself around or manipulate the battlefield like it’s his personal playground. What makes Hisoka so terrifying is his quick thinking and adaptability. Just when you think you’ve got him figured out, he pulls some unexpected move, and suddenly, the fight has taken a dangerous turn in his favor.
10. Chrollo Lucilfer
Chrollo Lucilfer is a character similar to Batman; with the right preparation, he could defeat almost anyone, even those ranked higher than him on this list. He lives up to his position as the leader of the Phantom Troupe. He possesses an incredibly vast set of abilities thanks to his Hatsu, “Skill Hunter,” which allows him to steal others’ Nen abilities, though it comes with certain conditions. Chrollo’s intelligence compensates for these limitations.
He could take on Silva and Zeno Zoldyck simultaneously, and they assumed that one of them would likely need to sacrifice themselves to handle Chrollo. This fact alone proves just how powerful Chrollo is.
9. Maha Zoldyck
While there aren’t many specific details about Maha’s abilities or Nen techniques, one thing is certain: his power and skill are on another level, even when compared to the already formidable members of his assassin family.
One of the most striking examples of this is his battle with Isaac Netero. Netero, who was once the Chairman of the Hunter Association and widely considered the most powerful Nen user of his time, faced Maha, and survived. Now, to be clear, Netero didn’t exactly “win,” but the fact that he lived through the encounter speaks volumes.
Even though the specifics of their fight remain a mystery, Maha’s survival alone suggests a level of experience and power that puts him among the strongest characters in the series. It’s his survival, and the fact that someone as strong as Netero considered it a significant encounter, that really sets him apart.
8. Zigg Zoldyck
Zigg Zoldyck, though more mysterious compared to his descendants, holds his place as one of the strongest characters due to his participation in one of the most dangerous ventures, an expedition to the Dark Continent. Surviving the Dark Continent is no small feat. It’s a place where the strongest creatures and most dangerous phenomena exist, far surpassing the challenges of the known world.
Zigg’s ability to navigate and survive in such a hostile environment is a testament to his strength, both physically and mentally. While we don’t know much about his specific Nen abilities, we can infer that Zigg must have had an incredibly strong command over his aura to survive the trials of the Dark Continent. His influence on the Zoldyck family is also notable. The family’s reputation for producing elite assassins is, in part, due to the foundation that Zigg laid down. His rank as the 8th strongest isn’t just because of his exploration achievements.
7. Zeno Zoldyck
As the former head of the Zoldyck family, Zeno Zoldyck has seen it all, countless assassinations, battles, and missions. His Nen technique, “Dragon Head,” isn’t just a flashy trick, it’s a powerful ability that allows him to manipulate his aura into a gigantic dragon, giving him insane range and offensive capabilities. What sets Zeno apart from others is his calm and calculating nature.
He’s seen enough battles to know that rushing in isn’t always the answer. His calm demeanor, even in the heat of battle, makes him especially dangerous,he’s always thinking several steps ahead. His skills are so respected that even Netero, someone who’s not easily impressed, worked alongside him during the assault on Meruem’s palace. Beyond just his Nen abilities, Zeno’s strength also lies in his leadership and wisdom, traits that come from a lifetime of experience in the deadly world of assassins. He’s not just a fighter, he’s a strategist, which is why he’s ranked as the 7th strongest character.
6. Ging Freecss
Jing Freecss, while not as physically imposing as some of the other top-tier characters, is definitely one of the strongest in the show. It’s controversial because we’ve never seen him go all out in a fight or use his Nen ability, but we know a lot about his reputation.
He’s a two-star Hunter, which is an incredibly difficult task. Additionally, his position in the Zoldyck family, the respect he has from Isaac Netero, and his standing within the organization, at least in terms of power, highlight his strength. The hype surrounding his abilities and his incredible intellect also support his position.
5. Don Freecss
Don Freecss is a bit of a myth. You don’t survive on the Dark Continent for centuries if you’re just an average guy. The very fact that he’s credited with writing the “New World Exploration” suggests he’s experienced things that most Hunters can only imagine. While there’s little direct evidence of his combat prowess in the series (since he remains an enigmatic figure), his ability to chart the Dark Continent, survive its horrors, and return to record his findings speaks volumes.
The Dark Continent is described as being filled with creatures and environments far more dangerous than anything found in the known world, meaning Don Freecss must possess not only physical strength but incredible adaptability and intelligence. His survival alone would require Nen abilities far beyond what’s been shown by most characters. While we may not know the full extent of his abilities, his legacy and exploration feats secure him as the fourth strongest in Hunter x Hunter.
4. Neferpitou
Neferpitou, one of the Chimera Ant King’s Royal Guards, stands out as a terrifying blend of raw power and speed. As a cat Chimera Ant, she relies heavily on instinct in battle, unlike Meruem or Chrollo, who often use strategy. Despite this, Pitou is highly intelligent. Her Nen ability, “Terpsichora,” boosts her speed and strength. In hand-to-hand combat, Pitou is a beast, and even some of the strongest characters in Hunter x Hunter wouldn’t have time to react to her attacks.
3. Isaac Netero
Isaac Netero isn’t just one of the most revered figures in the Hunter Association—he’s also a testament to how sheer willpower, relentless training, and a near-unparalleled mastery of Nen can shape someone into a near-godlike warrior. His “Hyakushiki Kannon” technique, for example, didn’t just appear overnight. It was honed over years of meditation and training, pushing both his body and mind to their absolute limits. By the time we see him in his prime, he’s able to summon massive Kannon avatars with ridiculous speed, able to outpace almost anyone.
In his battle with Meruem, despite being outclassed in raw power, Netero’s speed and strategic use of his Nen techniques made him a true challenge for the Chimera Ant King. His ultimate move, “Zero Hand,” was not only a reflection of his commitment to victory but also of his willingness to put everything on the line, even his own life. That level of determination and skill places him as the third strongest character.
2. Gon Freecss (Awakened)
Gon’s transformation into his “Awakened” or “Adult” form is one of the most significant and shocking moments in Hunter x Hunter. In this state, Gon demonstrates an extraordinary leap in power, pushing his Nen abilities far beyond what should have been possible at his age. This transformation was driven by his immense grief and anger over Kite’s death, which led him to make a nearly irreversible sacrifice: he effectively forced his body to reach the strength he would have had at his peak, decades ahead of time.
In his Awakened form, Gon’s physical strength and aura were immense, dwarfing even the power of Neferpitou, who was one of the most dangerous enemies in the Chimera Ant arc. Pitou, who was previously stated to be potentially stronger than Netero, was utterly helpless against Gon’s overwhelming force. With a single strike, Gon defeated Pitou, showcasing just how far he had surpassed the limits of normal Nen users.
However, the cost of this power was enormous, Gon’s body was left severely damaged, nearly costing him his life. This transformation was temporary, making it both awe-inspiring and tragic. While Gon couldn’t sustain this form, for the brief period that he did, he possessed strength second only to Meruem, making him the second strongest character in the series.
1. Meruem – The King of the Chimera Ants
Meruem stands as the pinnacle of power in Hunter x Hunter, and for good reason. From the moment of his birth, he was leagues above any Chimera Ant or human, in intellect and combat ability. His raw physical strength was on a whole other level. One of the key factors that set him apart was his ability to absorb the abilities of others by consuming them, which allowed him to grow even stronger as the series progressed.
Meruem’s defining moment of strength came during his battle with Isaac Netero, the chairman of the Hunter Association. Despite Netero’s use of his strongest abilities, including the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva and the Zero Hand attack, Meruem survived with only some scratches. In his post-rose form, he turns into a god-like being, far beyond anything we’ve ever seen in Hunter x Hunter to this point, capable of destroying a mountain with a single aura blast, casually fired to test his own power, which even he could not comprehend. Aside from that, he could also read the minds of others and identify their feelings just like Pouf. So yeah, nobody on this list is even a match for this guy at full strength.
