Out of all action-oriented shounen anime out there, Hunter x Hunter arguably has one of the most, if not the most, complex power systems. It is so complicated that viewers often find it difficult not only to keep up with the abilities of tons of different characters, but also to understand what actually the abilities of certain characters are.
One of the most fascinating characters with equally fascinating powers is a man named Kurapika. He is a gentle and quiet man who is driven by a thirst for revenge against a group of thieves called Phantom Troupe who massacred his entire clan. Kurapika's nen abilities and his main weapons are a set of chains on his right hands. And this is a brief explanation of his powers.
A Crash Course On Nen
Before we talk about Kurapika's ability, let's have a quick crash course on Nen first. Every living being has innate energy called Aura. Nen is the ability to harness and control that aura. There are six types of aura, Enhancement, Transmutation, Conjuration, Emission, Manipulation, and Specialization.
Every individual was born with only one type of aura, but they can learn to use other types as well. That being said, other than those who have the Specialization type, it is impossible for the other types of aura to achieve 100% mastery of other types of aura besides their innate one.
Kurapika is a Conjuror. That means his chains are something that he conjures through his Nen, which allow him complete control over the size, length, and to some extent, the movement of his chains. However, when he activates his scarlet eyes, he enters a state called the Emperor Time and changes his innate aura from a Conjuror to a Specialist. This means Kurapika has the ability to fully master other types of aura and incorporate it into his chains to harness different kinds of abilities for each five chains.
Thumb: Holy Chain
The Holy Chain is the name of the chain from Kurapika's thumb and just as the name suggests, it has the ability to heal injuries. This is the power that is usually exclusive to an Enhancer, but since Kurapika trains himself to be able to use this type of power, he can assign this ability to his chain. The shape of the chain is like a small cross with some engravings on it.
On normal use, Holy Chain can cure bruises and other light injuries rather quickly. However, when Kurapika used his scarlet eyes, then the power of the Holy Chain received a considerable boost as his mastery of the Enhancement increased exponentially. During this state, the Holy Chain can even heal multiple broken bones and organ failures in a matter of seconds.
Index Finger: Steal Chain
The Steal Chain is the name of the chain in Kurapika's index finger. This is one of his most unique abilities because this chain allows him to steal other people's nen abilities. The shape of this chain is like a small metal syringe. When Kurapika uses this chain, he will stab the target and suck their nen into the syringe and force them into Zetsu, which is a state when the aura is totally compressed or absent from the body.
The person who got their ability stolen cannot use their ability until Kurapika returns it to them. On top of that, if he uses Emperor Time, Kurapika can summon his ability called the Stealth Dolphin which will analyze the stolen ability and allow him to temporarily use that ability or even lend it to someone else. One thing worth mentioning though is the fact that every second Kurapika uses the Emperor Time in this state, he loses one hour of his lifespan.
Middle Finger: Chain Jail
Chain Jail is a chain with something that looks like a little hook at its end. Chain Jail has the ability to stealthily surround the target and trap their limbs and their whole body to the point of making it impossible for them to move at all.
As if that's not enough, Chain Jail will also force the target into the Zetsu state, which prevents them from using their nen at all. Therefore, the target can only break free from Chain Jail by using brute force. That being said, even Uvogin, the strongest member of the Phantom Troupe, cannot loosen the chain at all.
In order for it to have such overwhelming power, Kurapika sets a rule to himself so that Chain Jail can only be used on the members of the Phantom Troupe. If he breaks this rule and uses the chain on someone else, he will lose his life.
Ring Finger: Dowsing Chain
The Dowsing Chain is just a chain with a small ball attached to the end of it. However, contrary to its simple appearance, the Dowsing Chain is one of the most versatile and unique abilities within Kurapika’s arsenal. He can use it as a means to attack and defend just like a regular powered chain. But just like its name, this chain also has a dowsing ability.
Dowsing Chain can be used to find a missing person or objects, and it can also be used to determine whether someone is lying or not, among other things. When in Emperor Time, Kurapika can use the Dowsing Chain ability even through video footage alone.
Little Finger: Judgment Chain
The Judgment Chain has the shape of a little cross with one sharp end to make it look like a small dagger. As the name suggests, the Judgment Chain has the ability to impose an unbreakable rule on someone.
To use this chain, Kurapika will shoot the chain through the target's chest, and it will immediately envelop the heart and point its dagger into it. Kurapika can make at least two rules that the target has to follow. If the target breaks his rules, then the chain will instantly crush their heart, no matter how far they are from Kurapika. That is what makes Judgment Chain such a dangerous ability.
Just from these five chains alone, Kurapika has basically covered every aspect of combat. From offense, defense, support, setting up traps, interrogating the targets, and reconnaissance, he can do it all. It's safe to say that Kurapika is one of the most versatile Nen users in the series.