Highlights
- Kurapika seeks revenge on the Phantom Troupe for the killing of his people, and many friends support him on his journey.
- Izunavi becomes Kurapika's Nen teacher to help him develop his abilities and take down the Phantom Troupe.
- Killua, Gon, Leorio, and Melody are Kurapika's closest allies who stand by him in his mission to avenge his people.
In the famed anime and manga Hunter X Hunter, Kurapika is one of the four main protagonists, alongside Gon, Killua, and Leorio. Ever since the four met at the Hunter exam, the group has progressed together through the Hunter world, striving to become stronger to attain their goals.
Hunter x Hunter: Gon's Best Friends, Ranked
Gon's open-hearted nature sees him making loads of friends, but only a handful of them are there when he needs them most.
When it comes to the goals of the four protagonists, Kurapika differs from the rest, as Kurapika seeks revenge on the Phantom Troupe for the killing of his people. Along the way, Kurapika makes plenty of friends while trying to avenge his comrades, with many keen on helping Kurapika, no matter the cost.
8 Squala
Fellow Nostrade Bodyguard Alongside Kurapika
- Debut: Anime Episode 39/Manga Chapter 67
Squala and Kurapika first meet as part of the Nostrade family's recruitment of new bodyguards. During the trial, Kurapika identifies Squala as the infiltrator among the group, with Squala already an existing bodyguard for the Nostrade family. As Kurapika's influence grows in the Nostrade family, Squala begins to work under Kurapika's lead as he develops his status within the famous mafia family.
Before Squala dies at the hands of Phantom Troupe members Nobunaga and Pakunoda, Squala acts defiant, and stays loyal to Kurapika and the Nostrade family in his final moments.
7 Basho
Kurapika's Haiku Writing Colleague
- Debut: Anime Episode 39/Manga Chapter 67
Basho and Kurapika meet at the Nostrade family's recruitment trial of new bodyguards. In the trial, the pair use their skills to clear the test as they become a part of the Nostrade family. Once in the family, Kurapika and Basho become useful weapons as they look to protect Light and Neon Nostrade.
When Kurapika becomes a significant force in the family after taking down Phantom Troupe member Uvogin using Nen, Basho becomes part of Kurapika's trusted squad. Basho is later assigned the critical task of keeping Neon Nostrade safe from potential danger by Kurapika.
6 Izunavi
Kurapika's Nen Teacher
- Debut: Anime Episode 30/Manga Chapter 83
When Kurapika fails to become an employed Hunter, Izunavi makes a fool of Kurapika as he explains that Kurapika lacks the Nen abilities needed to be a Hunter. As a result, Izunavi becomes Kurapika's Nen teacher so that Kurapika can become a professional Hunter. With Kurapika's ambitions of taking down the Phantom Troupe, Izunavi is aware and worried about Kurapika's Nen chains and the dangers imposed on Kurapika.
Hunter x Hunter: Killua's Best Friends, Ranked
Killua's cold and reserved demeanor hasn't stopped him from making a handful of very close friends.
The Nen chain ability used by Kurapika came about thanks to Izunavi's teaching about Nen and contracts. This gave Kurapika a deadly ability to use on the Phantom Troupe when the time came.
5 Melody
Kurapika's Closest Colleague
- Debut: Anime Episode 39/Manga Chapter 67
When Kurapika joins the Nostrade family as a bodyguard, Melody joins Kurapika as a new member of the notorious mafia family. Kurapika and Melody become close colleagues in their line of work, with the pair relating to each other over shared trauma and past experiences.
As part of Kurapika's plan to take down the Phantom Troupe alongside Gon, Killlua, and Leorio, Melody is brought in to aid the group. Using Melody's heartbeat ability, the group stalked out the Phantom Troupe as Kurapika sought to avenge his people.
4 Killua Zoldyck
Kurapika's Powerful Friend
- Debut: Anime Episode 3/Manga Chapter 6
When Killua and Kurapika first meet, the pair remain distant as Killua becomes instant friends with the main protagonist, Gon. As they spend more time together through the Hunter exam, the pair's bond grows, with Kurapika even being a part of Killua's rescue from the Zoldyck family estate. When Kurapika goes on to face the Phantom Troupe, Killua, along with Gon and Leorio, comes to Kurapika's aid.
When Kurapika initially tries to stop Killua and Gon from helping, Killua appeals to Kurapika on the phone. Killua states that their friendship is important and that Killua and Gon want to help Kurapika with his desired goal.
3 Gon Freecss
Kurapika's Caring Friend
- Debut: Anime Episode 1/Manga Chapter 1
Gon's energetic and caring personality drew Kurapika towards him, with Gon being able to stop Kurapika and Leorios' hatred of each other early into their adventure. Throughout the show, Kurapika is continually amazed at Gon's raw talent and caring attitude towards others as the pair progress through the Hunter exam due to their excellent teamwork.
Hunter x Hunter: Every Member Of The Phantom Troupe, Ranked By Strength
The Phantom Troupe has some mind-bogglingly strong members but even among the strong, there are those who are stronger.
When Kurapika takes on the Phantom Troupe, Gon is there to back up his friend, even at the risk of his own life. Even though Kurapika fails to help Gon when on the verge of death, Gon still cares about Kurapika as he progresses through the mafia world.
2 Leorio
Kurapika's Closest Ally
- Debut: Anime Episode 1/Manga Chapter 2
In Hunter X Hunter, Leorio is Kurapika's closest friend. The pair relate more than Gon and Killua due to their similar ages. When Kurapika and Leorio first meet, the pair come to blows, although Gon manages to rectify their relationship early on as they head for the Hunter exam. Throughout the show, Kurapika and Leorio stand side by side through several challenging situations.
In the Yorknew City arc, Leorio helps Kurapika in a moment of need against the Phantom Troupe, proving his friendship. As they gain more experience as Hunters, the pair get into the Zodiacs as they continue their blossoming friendship.
1 Pairo
Kurapika's Best Friend
- Debut: Anime Episode 58/Manga Chapter 117
In the Hunter X Hunter universe, Pairo is Kurapika's best friend. Kurapika's childhood friend, Pairo was a part of the Kurta clan alongside Kurapika before being killed by the Phantom Troupe years before the events of Hunter X Hunter. A couple of times in the anime, Pairo is shown in flashbacks to remind Kurapika of his past, with his friend's death weighing heavily on his mind.
The character of Pairo is explored more in the Hunter X Hunter Phantom Rouge film, with Kurapika showing great care for Pairo's well-being despite turning out to be a puppet.
Hunter x Hunter (2016)
- Release Date
- October 2, 2011
- Studio
- Madhouse
- Creator
- Yoshihiro Togashi
- Number of Episodes
- 148
- Streaming Service(s)
- Amazon Prime Video , Crunchyroll , Hulu , Netflix , Tubi , YouTube
