Hunter x Hunter follows the story of Gon Freecss, a young boy from Whale Island who aspires to become a Hunter in order to find his absentee father, Ging Freecss. Throughout his journey, Gon encounters and confronts some extraordinarily strong and talented Nen users, including Hisoka Morow and Neferpitou.

However, one of the most formidable Nen users Gon ever faced was not in a traditional fight, but in a ball game - Chairman Isaac Netero. Netero is revered as one of the strongest and most skilled Nen users in the entire series. Although Netero technically lost his final battle, his strength remains undeniable. But just how strong is he?

Who is Netero?

In Hunter x Hunter, Isaac Netero was the 12th Chairman of the Hunter Association, the organization responsible for testing and licensing Hunters. The Chairman holds the most power and authority within the Hunter Association. Given his status and abilities, Netero would have been involved in high-stakes missions and potentially dangerous assignments. He is also credited with creating the high council known as the Zodiacs, a group of twelve hunters whose exceptional skills, achievements, and contributions to the hunter community are recognized.

Current (in the manga) and former Zodiac members include Ging Freecss, Kurapika, and Leorio Paradinight. Additionally, Netero serves as the Head of the Exam Commission, as seen early in the series during the Hunter Exam Arc. Apart from his power, Netero is known for being a complex character. He exudes wisdom and experience, being knowledgeable about various aspects of the hunter world, including nen abilities, combat techniques, and the intricacies of hunter politics. He is also respected for his determination and unwavering resolve when facing challenges and adversaries.

Netero approaches his duties as Chairman and his battles with tenacity and perseverance, refusing to back down even in the face of overwhelming odds. Despite his serious demeanor, Netero is shown to be compassionate and empathetic, and he also exhibits a playful and quirky side. He often engages in eccentric behavior and cracks jokes, serving as a counterbalance to his serious nature. Netero's sense of humor is well respected, as seen through Pariston Hill's desire to tease Netero even after his death. Despite being 120 years old before his death, he was still considered one of the strongest Nen users in the world.

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Netero Trained Rigorously to Attain Immense Strength

In his youth, Netero was known as the most powerful Nen user in the world. But he was not born with this power, he trained for it. Netero underwent grueling physical training to develop his strength, agility, and endurance. He vowed to perform 10,000 punches a day, no matter the weather. Training in intense heat and frigid cold, Netero would focus his chi, pray and punch, over and over again. Although it took him 18 hours to complete the task, he eventually got so strong and powerful that he was able to do it in under an hour. He trained so hard that his fists became faster than sound.

Netero dedicated himself to mastering various martial arts disciplines, including his specialty, the Shingen-ryu school of kung fu. He trained extensively in martial arts techniques, forms, and principles, honing his combat skills to perfection. His mastery of martial arts not only contributed to his physical prowess but also shaped his fighting style and strategy in battle. As a nen user, Netero would have devoted a significant portion of his training to mastering nen, the energy that powers extraordinary abilities in the Hunter x Hunter world. Netero's training also included mental conditioning to develop his focus, determination, and resilience. He practiced meditation to cultivate mental fortitude, enabling him to remain calm and composed in the face of adversity during battles.

Netero’s Nen Techniques Show Incredible Power and Mastery

Netero is an Enhancer. Enhancers use aura to strengthen or increase the natural abilities of an object or one's own body. That being said, his Nen abilities are reflective of this, such as his 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva. 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva is Netero's signature nen ability. He conjures a giant, statue-like figure that resembles a Bodhisattva (a Buddhist deity) and manipulates it to attack his opponents with incredible speed and precision.

The 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva is incredibly powerful and versatile, capable of delivering a barrage of devastating blows in rapid succession. Zero Hand is Netero's ultimate nen technique, which he describes as the "Bodhisattva's Final Act of Mercy." To perform Zero Hand, Netero gathers all his nen into one hand, compressing it into a tiny point of intense energy. When released, Zero Hand unleashes a devastating blast capable of annihilating even the strongest opponents.

Netero was Able to Defeat One of the Strongest Characters

Although it had been hinted just how strong Netero was, it was not until one of the most intense fights of all of the entire series that Netero’s strength is really shown. During the Chimera Ant Arc, Netero goes head-to-head with Meruem, the Chimera Ant King. Mereum is considered the strongest being in all of Hunter x Hunter, which is not surprising given that his aura grows as he devours Nen users.

During their battle, Netero unleashed his strongest techniques, including the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva and Zero Hand. While neither was strong enough to kill Meruem, they did weaken him significantly. However, Zero Hand inflicts immense damage on Netero himself. As he is about to die, he pierces his own heart with his finger to release the Miniature Bomb, a nuclear bomb that poisoned Meruem. This ultimately led to Meruem's demise.

The battle between Netero and Meruem not only highlights the strength, power, and immense Nen abilities possessed by the Chairman but also reveals where his true strength lies: in his willingness to sacrifice his own life for humanity. Isaac Netero was not only the strongest Nen user in the world; he was a man who possessed great strength of heart.

Hunter x Hunter is currently available to stream on Prime Video.

Hunter x Hunter (2016)

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