Chrollo Lucilfer in Hunter X Hunter

Chrollo Lucilfer, known as Kuroro Lucilfer in Japanese (クロロ゠ルシルフル), plays a prominent role as one of the primary antagonists within the popular anime and manga series, Hunter x Hunter. He assumes the role of the leader for the notorious Phantom Troupe, serving as the main adversary throughout the Yorknew City arc and also featuring prominently as one of the principal antagonists in the Succession Contest arc.

During a daring raid on an auction, Chrollo becomes ensnared by Kurapika's Judgement Chain, a powerful ability that restricts him from utilizing Nen, a crucial energy system in the series, as well as preventing any communication with his fellow Troupe members. Consequently, Chrollo is compelled to embark on a quest to find an exorcist capable of removing the chain and freeing him from its confines. His enmity extends to both Kurapika and Hisoka Morow, making him their arch-nemesis.

In the Japanese version of the anime, Chrollo is voiced by Yoshikazu Nagano in the 1999 adaptation and Mamoru Miyano in the 2011 adaptation. Notably, Mamoru Miyano is renowned for his portrayals of other iconic characters, including Light Yagami in Death Note, Shuu Tsukiyama in Tokyo Ghoul, and Doma in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.

In the English version, Richard Meen provides the voice for Chrollo in the 1999 adaptation, while Robbie Daymond takes on the role in the 2011 adaptation. Robbie Daymond has also lent his voice to other notable characters such as Goro Akechi, Happy Chaos, Gaelio Bauduin, and Flect Turn.

Appearance

Chrollo possesses an alluring appearance characterized by his youthful charm, dark hair, and captivating grey eyes. Notably, he bears distinctive markings that set him apart. One such feature is a cross-shaped tattoo adorning his forehead, adding an air of mystery to his countenance. Additionally, he embellishes his appearance with a pair of spherical earrings, further accentuating his unique style.

Typically, Chrollo is attired in an eye-catching ensemble that showcases his fashion sense and physique. He dons a fur-collared leather and fur trench coat, intentionally left unbuttoned to reveal his well-defined muscles. The remarkable coat features an ornate golden St. Peter's Cross emblazoned on its back, adding a touch of opulence to his overall attire. It has become his signature garment, which he adopted after the formation of the Phantom Troupe.

However, it is worth noting that prior to the establishment of the Phantom Troupe, Chrollo did not adorn himself with his iconic coat, nor did he style his hair in its distinctive backwards fashion. These elements became part of his identity as the leader of the notorious group.

When Chrollo undertakes a specific mission, such as his encounter with Neon Nostrade to steal her Nen ability, he alters his appearance for the sake of stealth and concealment. During such instances, he opts for a more inconspicuous attire, donning a blue blazer. His hair is left to cascade naturally, falling in its usual manner, with the cross tattoo discreetly hidden beneath a bandage wrapped around his forehead. This alteration in his appearance allows him to blend into his surroundings and carry out his nefarious plans undetected.

In the 1999 anime adaptation, Chrollo's spider tattoo can be observed on his right arm, serving as an additional visual identifier of his association with the Phantom Troupe.

Personality

Chrollo Lucilfer exudes an air of calmness that pairs harmoniously with his evident intelligence and charismatic demeanor. He possesses innate leadership qualities that enable him to effectively unite and maintain the cohesion of the enigmatic Phantom Troupe, despite the volatile and diverse personalities that comprise the group.

Alongside his natural charisma, Chrollo exhibits exceptional strategic acumen, proving himself to be a highly capable and cunning tactician. In his endeavors, Chrollo is rarely found alone, always surrounded by a minimum of two individuals. This precautionary measure ensures that potential adversaries, like Hisoka, find it nearly impossible to engage him in combat.

This calculated approach showcases his understanding of the importance of safeguarding himself against unforeseen threats. Once Chrollo successfully acquires the treasured objects he targets, he proceeds to sell them. This demonstrates his pragmatic approach, utilizing the acquired assets to further his own goals or to strengthen the Phantom Troupe.

Additionally, it is worth noting that Chrollo holds a fondness for antique books, showcasing a particular interest in literature from the past. While Chrollo may appear emotionally detached, it becomes apparent that he holds a deep sense of care for his fellow members of the Phantom Troupe. When Chrollo reads Neon's prophecy, which foretells Uvogin's impending death, he is moved to tears, displaying genuine sorrow for his fallen comrade.

Subsequently, he orchestrates a devastating massacre of Mafia members as a requiem to honor Uvogin's memory. However, this compassionate side of Chrollo seems reserved exclusively for his comrades within the Phantom Troupe. Remarkably, Chrollo demonstrates a remarkable lack of fear when it comes to his own mortality, even displaying an eerie anticipation for his eventual demise.

Melody, an observant character, notes that Chrollo's heartbeat resonates with a strange contentment, as if he finds solace in existing alongside the ever-present specter of death. To Chrollo, the Phantom Troupe transcends personal concerns, as he emphasizes in a group meeting that the group's survival supersedes the well-being of its leader. In his own words, the leader's position is no more valuable than any other limb, readily sacrificed to ensure the survival of the Spider.

Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge that Chrollo harbors a cold-blooded nature, unhesitatingly engaging in acts of inhuman mass murder. Together with his fellow Troupe members, with the possible exception of Bonolenov, he callously executes these heinous acts without remorse.

The massacre of the Kurta clan serves as a chilling exemplification of this, wherein Chrollo and the Troupe indiscriminately slaughter individuals of all ages and genders, driven solely by the desire to acquire their coveted Scarlet Eyes. Furthermore, his utilization of his sadistic Indoor Fish ability against a helpless assassin serves as a disturbing reflection of his sadistic tendencies.

Early life

Chrollo Lucilfer, hailing from the destitute city of Meteor City, spent his childhood surrounded by the likes of Franklin, Shalnark, Phinks, Uvogin, Machi, Pakunoda, and other future members of the Phantom Troupe. During their youth, Chrollo, Franklin, and Shalnark embarked on a mission to secure a VHS tape, an anime or action series, from Uvogin's territory. However, Uvogin became aware of their presence through Machi's report and demanded they return the tape peacefully. Shalnark's laughter at the request was met with a swift blow from Uvogin, rendering him unconscious.

Franklin intervened and engaged Uvogin in combat, providing Chrollo with the opportunity to escape. Chrollo encountered Phinks and Feitan, who promised to return the tape if he handed it over politely. Outwitting Phinks, Chrollo handed him a VHS tape on Gelman language instead. Returning to the church, Chrollo joined forces with Pakunoda and engaged in translating a recording of the Mighty Sweepin' Power Cleaners, dubbing it into a foreign language.

The dubbed version was then showcased to an audience of children from Meteor City, who were thoroughly impressed by Chrollo's multitudinous voice acting skills. This performance garnered the admiration of other children, including Uvogin and future members of the Troupe, leading to their participation in subsequent tapings. It was during this time that they bestowed upon themselves the name "Troupe" as they required more voice actors to fill additional roles.

As the Troupe prepared for a special screening at the church, they anxiously awaited the arrival of Franklin and Nobunaga, who were running late. However, their primary concern centered on Sarasa, who had been missing since the previous day. Chrollo announced the postponement of the show due to Sarasa's disappearance and the rising number of kidnappings plaguing their hometown. The audience implored Chrollo to assist in finding Sarasa, leading the group to venture into a nearby forest.

They stumbled upon a garbage bag suspended from a tree, discovering Sarasa's mutilated body within and a message hidden inside. Mourning her tragic fate, the Troupe made preparations for her funeral. In a poignant moment, Chrollo and Uvogin conversed while walking through the cemetery, discussing their desire for revenge against those responsible for Sarasa's death and expressing regret for the future consequences their actions may bring.

Chrollo resolved to live the remainder of his life as a villain, deterring small-time criminals from infiltrating Meteor City. This commitment resonated with the Troupe, prompting them to rally behind his cause. At some point, Chrollo founded the Phantom Troupe, embarking on a spree of murder and theft. Notably, they orchestrated the merciless extermination of the Kurta Clan, driven by their pursuit of the clan's coveted Scarlet Eyes.

In the Yorknew City arc, Chrollo orchestrated a plan to rob the Mafia's auction, gathering the Troupe members and granting them the freedom to sow chaos and claim as many lives as they desired. However, their plot was compromised when Neon's Nen ability exposed the impending robbery, resulting in the relocation of the auction items. Uvogin suspected a traitor within their ranks, but Chrollo maintained his trust in the loyalty of the Troupe members.

After Uvogin's demise, Chrollo confronted Neon and deceived her into surrendering her Prophetic Abilities. Subsequently, he incapacitated her and effortlessly dispatched a mafia assassin. Observing the ensuing carnage unleashed by the Phantom Troupe upon the Mafia, Chrollo regarded the bloodshed as a fitting requiem for their fallen comrade. During this time, he faced a formidable challenge in the form of Silva and Zeno Zoldyck, who sought to avenge Uvogin.

The battle ensued, with Chrollo attempting to capture the Zoldyck duo to steal their powers. However, the confrontation was interrupted when Illumi Zoldyck revealed that he had killed the Ten Dons who had hired the Zoldycks, causing Silva and Zeno to withdraw. Intent on seeking revenge against Kurapika, the Troupe utilized Neon's ability to track him down. However, they discovered that staying in Yorknew City would result in the deaths of several Troupe members, as foretold by Neon's prophecies.

Nevertheless, Hisoka manipulated Chrollo's prophecy to persuade the Troupe to remain in the city. As the Troupe pursued Kurapika, they became aware that Gon and Killua were tailing them. Subsequently, they captured the young duo due to Kurapika's reckless pursuit. When Gon questioned Chrollo about his willingness to kill, Chrollo found himself unable to provide a satisfactory answer.

The Troupe transported Gon and Killua to a hotel, but Leorio executed a meticulous plan that involved disabling the lights, enabling Kurapika to imprison Chrollo with his Chain Jail. Ultimately, the Troupe agreed to exchange Gon and Killua for Chrollo's freedom. However, Kurapika employed his Judgement chain to strip Chrollo of his Nen abilities.

The exchange took place, and Chrollo was released. Hisoka, eager for a confrontation, sought to fight Chrollo. However, with his powers nullified, Chrollo was unable to engage in combat.

Powers and Abilities

Chrollo Lucilfer possesses a mysterious background, as he was born in Meteor City, a place that lacks any official records about its inhabitants. Consequently, acquiring information about him is extremely challenging. As the leader of the notorious Phantom Troupe, Chrollo's commands hold absolute authority over his subordinates.

However, he himself acknowledges that his well-being is not their utmost concern, as they prioritize the preservation of the Spider as a whole, even if it means sacrificing his life. Renowned as the most powerful member of the Phantom Troupe, Chrollo is an exceptional combatant. He demonstrated his skills by engaging in a battle against Silva and Zeno Zoldyck, two highly skilled assassins, simultaneously.

Throughout the encounter, Chrollo displayed impeccable defense, leaving no openings for Silva to exploit, although he couldn't inflict significant damage on either opponent. In the past, Chrollo survived an encounter with the initial assassin, and presently, his abilities rival those of Zeno.

His fighting style appears to be freestyle, combining speed and lethal precision. His exceptional intelligence enables him to identify and exploit the weaknesses of his adversaries. Remarkably, Chrollo is capable of eliminating skilled warriors using just a pen, sometimes remaining concealed with Zetsu to render himself impervious to Nen detection. In dire situations, he resorts to fighting with a poisoned blade, which contains a mere 0.1 milligram of toxin, potent enough to paralyze a whale. However, if his opponent possesses an ability that captures his interest, Chrollo tends to hold back in order to steal it.

While Zeno claimed that Chrollo would lose to him, he acknowledged that the outcome could differ if Chrollo were genuinely determined to kill him. Chrollo also possesses an exceptional strength of mind and willpower, even when compared to the formidable members of the Phantom Troupe. Currently, due to the effects of Kurapika's Judgement Chain, Chrollo is unable to use Nen.

Superhuman Strength: Chrollo ranked seventh in an arm-wrestling competition within the Troupe. Although this rank appears relatively low, it is noteworthy since Specialists are the least proficient in enhancing their physical strength. Nonetheless, Chrollo exhibits extraordinary strength, capable of decapitating a normal human with a single hand chop and piercing through skulls using an ordinary pen.

Superhuman Speed and Reflexes: Chrollo showcased his exceptional speed and reflexes during his battle against Zeno and Silva. He effectively dodged or shielded against their powerful attacks. In the 2011 anime adaptation, he disappeared from sight and swiftly dealt a fatal blow to one of the assassins hired by the Mafia, without the latter even noticing his presence.

He executed a hand chop on Neon Nostrade's neck with such swiftness that neither the witnesses in the hall nor those watching through cameras could perceive his movement. Additionally, Chrollo demonstrated his agility by running on the sides of buildings and effortlessly leaping horizontally from one building to another. He skillfully evaded numerous long-distance attacks from Zeno while continuously keeping Silva in his line of sight, promptly recovering his balance whenever struck.

Genius-Level Intellect: Despite his youth, Chrollo leads the high-ranking Phantom Troupe with utmost competence. His plans unfold seamlessly, and he has displayed extensive knowledge and intuition. Chrollo successfully deceived the entire Mafia of Yorknew City, leading them to believe that he and many of his comrades had perished.

He also managed to anticipate part of the "Chain user's" vengeance strategy, although he was ultimately outsmarted by both Kurapika and Hisoka. He exercises complete control over his emotions, as demonstrated when he was captured by Kurapika. During his fight against the Zoldycks, Chrollo focused on stealing Zeno's ability in the midst of combat, leaving no openings for Silva to exploit. These instances showcase his efficiency in multitasking and quick thinking.

Hand-to-Hand Combat Mastery: Chrollo's defensive abilities are top-notch. Against the two Zoldyck assassins, he engaged primarily in unarmed combat, skillfully blocking and evading their attacks. During his confrontation with Zeno, he managed to dodge his strikes at the last possible moment to prevent Silva from exploiting any openings, all while maintaining constant awareness of his surroundings.

Although he assumed a mainly defensive stance on that occasion, he also exhibited remarkable offensive capabilities when he incapacitated Neon. His hand chop was so swift that it would have severed her head if not for his precise control over his movements.

Proficient Weapon Specialist: Chrollo has defeated and killed numerous skilled Nen users using nothing but a regular pen as a weapon. He managed to injure Silva's arm with a Ben's knife, the only injury he inflicted during their three-way confrontation, demonstrating his mastery with this type of weapon.

Nen:

Chrollo possesses the Nen type known as Specialist, which combines elements of the other five Nen categories in a unique manner, inaccessible to ordinary Nen users. Despite his Specialist category being the least compatible with Enhancement skills, Chrollo ranks seventh in the Phantom Troupe's arm-wrestling competition, surpassing even the Enhancer Nobunaga. Furthermore, his defensive use of aura is remarkably effective, as evidenced by his ability to withstand powerful blows from Silva and Zeno without sustaining significant damage that would hinder his combat capabilities.

Chrollo's talent for Nen is considered prodigious not only for his age but also by the standards of seasoned masters in the discipline. He possesses exceptional analytical skills, as demonstrated by his realization that he couldn't effectively defend against Zeno's superior Ryu. His mastery of Zetsu borders on perfection, and he exhibits great proficiency in all fundamental aspects of Nen. However, due to the effects of Kurapika's Judgement Chain, Chrollo is currently unable to utilize Nen unless he wishes to face immediate death.

Nonetheless, the Phantom Troupe enlisted the assistance of an exorcist to restore Chrollo's Nen abilities. In preparation for his battle with Hisoka, Chrollo acquired new abilities by stealing Kortopi's power to copy objects and Shalnark's power to possess individuals. Following the deaths of Shalnark and Kortopi, it is suggested that anyone whose ability Chrollo steals will ultimately meet their demise.

Skill Hunter: Bandit's Secret: Chrollo's signature Nen ability revolves around conjuring a book called "Bandit's Secret." This ability enables him to steal another person's Nen ability by fulfilling four specific conditions:

• Chrollo must witness the targeted ability being utilized.

• Chrollo must ask the individual questions related to their Nen ability, and they must answer.

• The victim's palm must touch the handprint on the cover of the book.

• All of these conditions must be met within an hour.

Once all the conditions are fulfilled, Chrollo gains access to the stolen ability and can select the desired page in the book. The original owner of the Nen ability becomes unable to utilize it, although Chrollo can only use one stolen ability at a time. If the original owner dies, their Nen ability will be removed unless they have empowered it with post-mortem Nen. Notable abilities Chrollo has stolen include Indoor Fish, Fun Fun Cloth, and The Sun and Moon.