Main Insights
- Abilities derived from Nen in Hunter x Hunter are distinct and shaped by the individual’s character and aspirations.
- Hisoka’s Bungee Gum features both sticky and elastic qualities, strategically deployed through clever misdirection.
- This unique ability allows for offensive strikes, defensive tactics, and traps, showcasing Hisoka’s inventive and strategic nature.
In the realm of Hunter x Hunter, mastering the essentials of Nen leads to the development of distinct abilities tailored to the individual’s personality and goals. As a result, these abilities can greatly differ among users, ranging from Gon’s simplistic Rock Paper Scissors to Chrollo’s intricate Skill Hunter.
This principle also applies to Hisoka Morrow’s extraordinary Nen technique, Bungee Gum, which epitomizes his character—cunning, adaptable, and extremely perilous. What exactly makes Bungee Gum so remarkable? How is it utilized? Keep reading to discover the unique characteristics of this ability.
The Essence of Bungee Gum
Hisoka’s Nen ability falls under the Transmutation category, granting him the capability to alter his aura’s properties to resemble various materials. For instance, Killua, another Transmuter, can modify his aura to create an electric effect. In contrast, Hisoka transforms his aura into a combination of rubber and gum, hence the distinctive name Bungee Gum.
The Stickiness Factor
Mimicking bubble gum, Hisoka’s aura boasts a highly moldable and adhesive quality. He can create Bungee Gum in diverse forms, from slender strands to broader sheets. Furthermore, he has complete control over how sticky the Bungee Gum is; it can be as light as wet paper on glass or as firm as two metals fused together. Hisoka can encircle objects with Bungee Gum, imparting its sticky nature to them. Importantly, he can activate or deactivate its stickiness at will.
“Bungee Gum! He modifies his aura so it’s both stretchy and sticky! Stick it wherever and peel it off when needed! It extends far and retracts quickly!”
–Machi, Chapter 55
Rubber-like Flexibility
Hisoka’s aura also exhibits rubber-like properties. This elasticity allows Bungee Gum to stretch over a considerable distance and quickly snap back like a rubber band. Hisoka has complete control over this stretching ability, enabling him to adjust its resistance to deliver a powerful recoil that could potentially crush a human being.
Subtle Stickiness
The most intriguing aspect of Bungee Gum lies in its nuanced and understated nature. Unlike many Transmutation abilities that are overtly visible—like Killua’s electric aura or Maki’s thread—Hisoka’s Bungee Gum can go unnoticed primarily due to his playful and deceptive tactics.
Activation from Various Limbs
Whereas most Transmuters rely solely on their hands, Hisoka can activate Bungee Gum from any part of his body, including his feet and fingers. During an encounter with Kastro in the Heavens Arena, despite sustaining a severe arm injury, Hisoka demonstrated the ability to launch Bungee Gum from his injured stump. Thus, he can deploy Bungee Gum from any limb at will.
Misdirection Tactics
Hisoka often conceals Bungee Gum using Zetsu, a Nen technique that allows him to mask his aura, keeping opponents unaware of when or where he initiates Bungee Gum. As a skilled magician, Hisoka expertly employs misdirection, erroneously drawing opponents’ attention while surreptitiously deploying his technique when they least expect it—sometimes even through a direct hit.
Various Applications of Bungee Gum
Having discussed the unique qualities of Bungee Gum, let’s explore the multiple ways Hisoka utilizes this ability throughout the series. The following terms are not official move names but rather whimsical labels to articulate some of Hisoka’s most frequent Bungee Gum techniques.
Bungee Connector
The Bungee Connector technique is the most straightforward implementation of Hisoka’s power. He shoots Bungee Gum from his fingertips towards an opponent’s body, creating a binding connection. Once attached, Hisoka can yank the opponent closer, allowing him to unleash a flurry of Nen-fortified punches, a tactic he employed against Gon in the Heavens Arena.
Bungee Deflector
Facing adversaries who utilize projectiles, such as Razor’s cannonball-like volleyball or Gotoh’s bullet-like coins, Hisoka creates a large defensive sheet of Bungee Gum with his palms. This application showcases immense retraction potential—enough to either halt a projectile in mid-air or, when necessary, redirect it back toward the opponent.
Bungee Whip
The Bungee Whip represents Bungee Gum in its most aggressive form, emphasizing its elastic nature over stickiness. The whip can generate destructive force sufficient to cause severe injuries. To maximize its lethality, Hisoka often attaches a solid object, magnifying its impact, a tactic he used against Chrollo while utilizing a severed head as the end weight.
Bungee Trap
Hisoka can ingeniously craft various traps using Bungee Gum, typically following these steps:
- Adhere Bungee Gum to chosen objects, connecting them to Hisoka’s fingers using stealth techniques like Zetsu.
- When the opponent is unsuspecting, launch the Bungee Gum thread onto them while ensuring the connected objects remain anchored.
- At the opportune moment, release the object’s anchor, propelling it at high speed towards the opponent.
This strategy allowed him to send a rock hurtling towards Gon’s face, securing Hisoka’s triumph. Similarly, he employed this tactic to stab Kastro with multiple Nen-infused cards.
3D Navigational Assist
This technique resembles the Bungee Connector but diverges by targeting higher points, such as ceilings or walls. By firing Bungee Gum upwards, Hisoka can pull himself toward surfaces where his gum is anchored, facilitating mid-air navigation or escape during ambushes, exemplified in his skirmish with Gotoh.
Binding Bungee Cord
Finally, Hisoka can immobilize opponents using a robust Bungee Gum binding cord, wrapping it tightly around them. The combination of stickiness and elasticity ensures the enemy remains completely restrained, a technique he effectively used against Machi to prevent disruption of his plans to pursue Phantom Troupe members, including Shalnark and Kortopi.
Despite its seemingly simple nature, Bungee Gum ranks among the most adaptable Nen abilities in the series. Ultimately, its efficacy is a testament to the innovative and tactical genius of its wielder, Hisoka Morrow. Fans eagerly await further displays of Bungee Gum in upcoming episodes.
To watch Hunter x Hunter, you can stream it on Crunchyroll.
Image Credits: Gamerant.com
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