Hunter X Hunter: Togashi Explains Hisoka’s Absence in the Chimera Ant Arc

This article contains spoilers for the Hunter x Hunter manga.

Key Insights

Hisoka abstained from participating in the Chimera Ant battle due to his lack of interest in fighting non-human opponents.
The Chimera Ant arc stands out as one of the finest in anime, featuring formidable characters like Meruem.
It seems improbable that Hisoka will embark on the expedition to the Dark Continent, given his combat preferences.

After an extended hiatus for the Hunter x Hunter manga, Hisoka has made a significant return in the Succession War arc. As a fan-favorite character, Hisoka’s absence during the pivotal Chimera Ant arc has left many puzzled and eager for explanations, which Togashi has now provided in the latest chapters.

The Chimera Ant Arc

One of the Most Acclaimed Arcs in Anime

The Chimera Ant arc is widely celebrated among the Hunter x Hunter community and broader anime viewers. This extensive storyline, comprising over 100 chapters—from chapter 186 to chapter 318—has been adapted into a notable 60-episode arc in the anime. Its compelling narratives and profound character development resonate with audiences around the world.

Central to this arc are the Chimera Ants, formidable beings born from a Queen Ant that consumed diverse creatures, including humans well-versed in Nen. These entities presented a stark challenge, as even average Chimera Ants were capable of battling proficient Nen users, with the elite among them deemed nearly invincible. The Ant King, Meruem, is arguably the most powerful character introduced in the series, rivaling only Ai, if even that.

Remarkably, Isaac Netero, one of the strongest Nen users, struggled to defeat Meruem, ultimately relying on a bomb to do what his combat skills could not accomplish. This only fueled Meruem’s power further. Meanwhile, his royal guards—Neferpitou, Shaiapouf, and Menthuthuyoupi—were also formidable opponents, each requiring peak Nen users to defeat them.

In terms of threat levels, the Chimera Ants are classified as B-level, suggesting that the dangers awaiting adventurers in the Dark Continent will far surpass those posed by these creatures.

Hisoka’s Whereabouts During the Chimera Ant Arc and Beyond

Hisoka was conspicuously absent during the Chimera Ant conflict.
Hisoka was preoccupied with pursuing Chrollo.

Hisoka’s absence was keenly felt during the Chimera Ant arc, as fans anticipated his involvement in a battle against such formidable foes. Contrary to expectations, he did not engage with the Chimera Ants. The operation against them was covert, with specific hunters handpicked by Netero, expressly excluding Hisoka. The presence of too many hunters risked the possibility that Meruem could overpower them and absorb their Nen.

Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that other members of the Phantom Troupe engaged Chimera Ants within Meteor City, raising questions about Hisoka’s motivations. Hisoka’s primary focus during this storyline was largely on tracking Chrollo, and their long-anticipated battle was postponed for slightly later arcs.

Following the Chimera Ant arc, Hisoka allied with Illumi in pursuit of Killua and Alluka, who were determined to save Gon. Despite setbacks—including Hisoka’s eventual death following his long-awaited duel with Chrollo—he returned with newfound strength and a relentless ambition to confront the Phantom Troupe. Notably, Hisoka was reintroduced in chapter 405 of the manga, signaling a promising escalation in his storyline.

Reasons for Hisoka’s Absence in the Chimera Ant Fight

Hisoka’s Disinterest in Combatting Chimera Ants

With Hisoka’s recent reappearance in the manga, Togashi unveiled the underlying reason for his lack of involvement in the Chimera Ant skirmish. Many speculated that he would relish the opportunity to take on the Chimera Ants, especially the Royal Guards and Meruem. However, Hisoka’s combat preferences lean heavily towards engaging in battles with individuals he finds intriguing—he simply views the Chimera Ants as creatures devoid of human essence, even if they contain some human DNA.

“I’m a simple guy. I’m not interested in bestiality or an orgy, as that fails to arouse me. I desire an opponent with whom I can duel one-on-one to determine who prevails.” — Hisoka

Hisoka’s preference for solo engagements also extends to his lack of interest in Halkenburg due to the Nen beast aspect of his abilities. In an ideal scenario, he would prefer to face strong human fighters such as Netero or an adult Gon over the Chimera Ants, which could lead to potential complications.

Will Hisoka Participate in the Dark Continent Expedition?

For Now, Hisoka’s Participation Appears Unlikely

Fans are left wondering if Hisoka might venture into the Dark Continent. However, it seems unlikely, given his disinterest in combatting non-human entities found there. The Dark Continent is largely uninhabited by humans, a situation that fails to pique Hisoka’s interest. Only a compelling human factor, such as Beyond Netero, could potentially draw him to this perilous locale.

Readers can continue to follow the journey of Hunter x Hunter via Viz Media. The manga is openly available for fans to read for free on the Shonen Jump and Manga Plus apps. The next chapter, Hunter x Hunter chapter 406, is set to release on November 10, 2024.

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