Nen

The ability to control one's own life energy, or aura.

Nen is the ability to control one's own life energy, or aura, which every person constantly gives off whether they know it or not. It is described as a Qi-like energy that unlocks parapsychological abilities, and it is the Hunter Exam's true final requirement.

Lore & Background

There are four basic techniques: keeping the aura in the body to strengthen it for defence, shutting the flow off to hide one's presence and relieve fatigue, producing more Nen, and a person's specific use of Nen, their Hatsu. Users fall into six types by their Hatsu: enhancing the body, projecting aura, controlling objects or living things, changing the aura's properties, creating objects from aura, and unique abilities outside those categories. A user can strengthen an ability by vowing to follow conditions, the stricter the stronger; Kurapika offered his life should he use his chain on anyone but the Phantom Troupe.

Gon and Killua learn Nen from Wing at Heavens Arena and refine it under Biscuit Krueger. The Chimera Ants learn Nen by eating Hunters, and Gon overexerts his to kill Neferpitou, leaving himself critically injured.