Nen

This page is a condensed explanation of some common elements of the magic system of *Hunter x Hunter*.

## Nen

The most basic forms of magic are aura and nen.

*Aura* オーラ is the energy that emanates from all living things. It seeps out of nodes in the bodies of all creatures without being noticed, like steam from a kettle.

*Nen* 念 (ネン) is a technique used to control the flow of aura for a variety of purposes. The manipulation of nen is especially important for Hunters, and is kept as a secret from most people.

## Nen Techniques

### Main Techniques

There are four main techniques of Nen:

* *Ten* 纏 (テン): Keeping aura nodes open, and maintaining Aura around the body rather than let it leak away which drains the user.
* *Zetsu* 絶 (ゼツ): Concealing one's aura by closing off Aura Nodes. Allows the user to remain undetected by others with Nen sensing capabilities.
* *Ren* 練 (レン): Allows the user to bring forth more aura.
* *Hatsu*: 発 (ハツ): Personal expression of Nen. Through a lot of persistence, one can create an individual specialized ability.

### Advanced Techniques

Advanced techniques are derivatives of the four main principles of Nen. They often involve concentrating on one element or combining several.

* *Gyo* 凝 (ギョウ): Concentrating aura in a particular place. Usually used for physical attacks, but can also be used on the eyes to see Nen hidden with another technique.
* *In* 隱 (イン): Form of Zetsu that allows the user to conceal their Nen output, unless someone is using Gyo. Unlike Zetsu, it doesn't actually stop the aura flow entirely.
* *En* 円 (エン): Combines Ten and Ren to form a space around a user's body where they can detect pretty much anything that comes into contact with it. For most users this is a pretty small area, although some in the series utilize it to pretty great effect
* *Shu* 周 (シュ): Using Ten, a user can put their aura into an object to enhance its effects.
* *Ko* 硬 (コ): Combines pretty much everything to surround one area of the body in a massive amount of aura.
* *Ken* 堅 (ケン): Uses aura to protect the entire body with a weaker shroud to defend from Ko like attacks.
* *Ryu* 流 (リュ) Using Gyo from a state of Ken to adjust offense and defense quickly.

The more highly skilled a Nen user is, the more specialized their ability tends to be.

## Nen Users

### Categories

There are different categories of Nen users based on their abilities.

* *Enhancers* strengthen objects and themselves.
* *Transmuters* change qualities of objects or themselves.
* *Conjurers* creates objects.
* *Emitters* detach Nen.
* *Manipulators* control things with Nen.
* *Specialists* do not fall into any category.

Nen users are not restricted to techniques based on their ability. However, abilities that are closer to their category are the easiest to use, with the closest being abilities from their own category. The nen diagram depicts which categories are more closely related to one another, and thus which techniques will be more suitable for a Nen user's disposition.

### Nen Determination

The “Water Divination Test" is used to determine a person’s Nen ability. A leaf is placed in a cup of water, and the Nen user will emit their aura on the cup of water, causing a change.

* If the volume changes, they are an Enhancer.
* If the taste changes, they are a Transmuter.
* If new things appear in the water, they are a Conjurer.
* If the leaf moves, they are a Manipulator.
* If the color changes, they are an Emitter.
* If something random happens, they are a Specialist.

## References

* Hunterpedia explanation of Nen
* Condensed explanation from Reddit