Hunter x Hunter is a world filled with magic. This magic, however, is defined by set variables that can be observed and tested, which is what makes it so interesting. Even the most obscure and fantastical of abilities have a strict logical explanation, and what allows all this is Togashi’s masterfully crafted system of Nen.
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With Nen being such a highly guarded secret that we (and the characters we follow) spend the earlier half of the series not even knowing of its existence, it’s no wonder many don’t know what Nen actually is. With terms like Nen, Aura, and Hatsu thrown around whenever Nen abilities are to be discussed, we’ve compiled all the data currently available to answer the question of “What exactly is Nen?”
What Is Nen?
In the world of Hunter x Hunter, every human being is born with life energy inside them. This life energy is called Aura and is usually seen surrounding a person and then leaking out upwards from their body.
This Aura can be used to do incredible things, but without knowledge on how to make use of it, an average person’s body just lets it escape passively.
Nen is the art of controlling your Aura to reap benefits from it. Similar to real-world martial arts, it’s not purely combat-based; instead, it incorporates elements of meditation alongside its more destructive capabilities.
What Is Aura?
Much like the teachings of many old-fashioned real-world martial arts, in Hunter x Hunter, every living being exudes life energy from inside them. This life energy is called Aura within the Hunter x Hunter universe and can be seen surrounding a person’s body like a thin veil and dispersing up into the air from their head.
However, once you learn how to use Nen, the Aura doesn’t disperse anymore. Instead, it coats your body and protects it at all times. This Aura comes out of Aura Nodes on one’s body, which function similarly to physical pores.
Experienced Nen users can open and close these Aura Nodes at will.
Nen vs. Aura
Nen and Aura are often used interchangeably by fans, but there’s a stark difference between the two. Nen is the knowledge of the art form used to wield and make use of Aura, whereas Aura is simply a malleable resource that exists within every living body.
Put simply, you use the method that is Nen to control the resource that is Aura.
Nen Techniques
Nen is an extremely versatile art form that lets you do pretty much anything. However, there are some fundamental techniques that you need to know before you can create your own personalized ability like Hisoka’s Bungee Gum.
There are four base techniques that each person has to learn before they can develop their custom ability. These let you survive in Nen-based combat.
After that, there are some more advanced techniques that give you an edge over other Nen-users. Mastering all of these is what separates a Nen novice from someone of Isaac Netero’s stature.
Ten
Ten is the most basic yet the most important technique to learn in regards to using your Aura. First, Ten teaches you to constantly keep your Aura Nodes open. Additionally, it teaches you to stop your Aura from leaking.
Ten is supposed to be a technique as easy and natural as breathing. Once learned, it’s always subconsciously active without the need to focus.
Upon using Ten, the Aura creates a thin sheet around you. Instead of dispersing into the air, it stays in place and forms a weak barrier around your body. This lets you harbor the Aura needed to use techniques through Nen.
Zetsu
Zetsu is another technique that any Nen user needs to survive in the Hunter x Hunter world. Since expert Nen users are good at scouting and sensing other Nen users, not knowing how to hide your presence is the same as broadcasting your death.
For this purpose, Zetsu allows Nen users to completely hide their living signature by closing their Aura nodes and, in turn, stopping their Aura from flowing. You can still be seen while in Zetsu, but you’re more difficult to notice, especially through Nen-based scouting means.
While in Zetsu state, you have no Aura surrounding your body. This means a Nen user in Zetsu is more easily damaged by Nen attacks and can also be dispatched through non-Nen methods, such as a normal person with a gun or a blade.
Certain abilities that force people into a state of Zetsu, such as Kurapika’s Chain Jail or Knuckle’s A.P.R., can be extremely dangerous because of this; they take away all sense of Nen-based protection.
Ren
Ren is one of the lesser-used techniques in the series, but it’s still something you’re required to learn as a student of Nen.
Ren consists of overflowing your Aura Nodes to cause a burst of Aura. This is usually harmless, not being a technique made for combat. Instead, Ren is used to show your Aura output.
Depending on the difference in Nen aptitude and general strength between the source of Ren and its target, Ren can even cause death.
However, experienced users can imbue their Ren with murderous intent to give it hostile properties. This can make people experience panic and terror upon coming into contact with it.
Hatsu
Finally, we have Hatsu, what most people think of when they hear the word Nen. Hatsu is a personalized expression of one’s Nen, an ability that you craft based on your own needs and desires.
Unlike power systems in other anime, you’re not born with a Nen ability, nor do you inherit one. Instead, each Nen user goes on their own journey to find themselves and, in turn, create an ability that suits them best.
This lets smarter and more creative people, such as Chrollo Lucifer or Morena Prudo, utilize all of Nen’s intricacies to get absurdly strong abilities.
Since there’s no guidebook, this also means that people can go down the wrong route and manifest an ability that they think suits them, but in actuality is useless, such as Cheetu’s conjured arrows.
Nen’s Place In Society
Nen is an ability that can achieve things otherwise deemed impossible. If it was known to the general public, a majority would end up using it for selfish desires, harming the balance of human society. As such, the world’s government keeps strict tabs on who’s allowed to wield Nen.
Nen users are such a marginal minority that there are only 700 hunters in the world, and not all of these know Nen.
The main way for people to learn Nen is through being approved by the Hunter association. However, certain other independent identities, such as the Zoldyk family or the Kakin Royalty, practice Nen by themselves.
There are certain events that make use of Nen, particularly the Heaven’s Arena. However, it’s speculated that the audience does not know that Nen specifically is being used.
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