Yoshihiro Togashi Hunter x Hunter is known for its intricate Nen system, which allows individuals to harness and manipulate their life energy, known as aura. Due to Nen’s vast potential, it remains a closely guarded secret. Although Nen mastery typically requires Hunters to obtain a license and undergo rigorous training, some individuals understand it intuitively and become known as Nen Geniuses.
This term is not used to describe individuals particularly gifted in the use of Nen, only those who can manifest it without knowledge of training. However, as the name suggests, a Genie who showed an innate attitude towards Nen could reach incredible heights with proper training. This could have been the case for a character introduced during the Yokrnew City arc, Neon Nostrade.
Neon Nostrade is a Nen genius with incredible ability
Predicting the future is a powerful use of Nen
Neon first appears in chapter 70 of the manga, episode 48 of the 1999 anime, and episode 41 of the 2011 version, when Kurapika is assigned to be his bodyguard. Despite her spoiled, immature behavior and lack of empathy, it is clear that her father’s control has reduced her to a tool for his Mafia dealings, isolating her under the guise of protection. This vulnerability allows Chrollo to gain her trust and trick her into revealing Lovely Ghostwriter, which he eventually steals using his Nen skill, Skill Hunter.
Neon’s ability summons a Nen Beast that guides her hand to write a person’s fortune in the form of a poem, accurately predicting the coming month’s events and offering advice on how to navigate obstacles. This power, known as Lovely Ghostwriter, is as formidable as it is unique. It falls into the Specialist categorywhich includes the strangest, but also most powerful, manifestations of Nen. The only prerequisite is that the target handwrites his name, full date of birth and blood type on the piece of paper on which he will write the poem, which will predict the events of the following four weeks through metaphors.
What makes this ability even more useful is that unfavorable predictions always contain advice on how to avoid such misfortune, which is why Chrollo wanted to steal this ability. It is essentially a powerful tool for avoiding danger, especially if used regularly. In fact, this is how Neon’s father exploits his power, using his fortune to mentor his Mafia associates and fuel their rise in the criminal underworld. Such natural talent is rare, and With proper training, Neon could have become a powerful hunterinstead of a puppet.
Neon recalls a childhood memory of seeing a fortune teller on TV and feeling inspired by her motivational luck. This subtle tip suggests young Neon had a Nen awakeningas well as Komugi’s talent for Gungi with Meruem in the Chimera Ant arc. But unlike Komugi, who risks her life in every game, Neon’s risks remain obscure and she only uses her power in exchange for gifts from her father. Neon’s insistence on not knowing her fortune once it is written reflects her sincere desire to help others with her fortune telling, and she fears that knowing the details of the future will make them certain.
Neon’s divination has lasting effects on the ghost troupe
Togashi hints at Neon’s final fate
After Chrollo acquires Lovely Ghostwriter, he uses her to predict the fortunes of his troupe members. Some members are warned of impending deaths within three weeks, and while most avoid this fate, Pakunoda is unable to. Caught in a hostage negotiation, she ultimately dies due to Kurapika’s Chain of Judgment, fulfilling the fate Lovely Ghostwriter had predicted to ensure Chrollo’s safety. Without Neon’s power, Light Nostrade, who has long trusted Lovely Ghostwriter, falls into a mental breakdown, handing over control of his organization to Kurapika, who remains resolute in his search for Chrollo and the Ghost Troupe.
Although the 2011 anime ends after the 13th Presidential Election arc, the story continues in the manga, suggesting that Neon Nostrade may no longer be alive. After his near death in Heaven’s Arena Hisoka begins to eliminate the original powers from Chrollo’s arsenalwhich makes him unable to use these stolen abilities. Neon’s death is not depicted, but Chrollo’s sudden inability to use Lovely Ghostwriter suggests her possible murder. This fate is particularly tragic, as Neon never understood the origin of her power, nor why she lost it, leaving her tragically unaware of why anyone would want to hurt her.
However, predicting the future is an incredibly powerful skill in the world of Hunter x Hunterwhere battles between Nen experts are more often decided by careful planning and clever strategies than by brute force. If Neon’s circumstances had been different, she could have trained and developed her innate Nen to gain even greater mastery of her Lovely Ghostwriter, becoming one of the most fearsome Nen users in the world of Hunter x Hunter.