The Black Whale class (Ｂ・Ｗ, Burakku Hoēru) is a class of large transport vessels built for Kakin's expedition to the New Continent. The first ship in the class, the "Black Whale 1" is able to carry 200,000 passengers and will also serve as the main grounds for Kakin's war of succession.[1][2]
History
Dark Continent Expedition arc
King Nasubi has declared that his country will build 20 of these ships in one year. He also promised to send 100 million people to the New Continent within 5 years. Since the first ship's capacity is only 200,000, we can infer that the building rate of these ships or the capacity of the later classes will increase considerably.[1]
Succession Battle arc
The Black Whale 1 sets sail to the New Continent.[3]
Description
The interior of these transport ships was specifically designed to be simple in order to reduce the building cost and increase the production rate.[1] Since the Black Whale is too massive to be tied up at a dock, airships and ferries are employed to transport people and supplies to and from a seaport.[3]
Black Whale 1
The five tiers of Black Whale
The Black Whale 1 is the commemorative first ship of the Black Whale class, and is accordingly scheduled to set out the first voyage to the New Continent. The ship will carry many notable figures including the Kakin royal family and members of the Hunter Association and V6 who will extend their journey further to the actual Dark Continent. Civilians will be picked by lottery, where the odds of landing a seat is 1 in 1,300.[1] The official voyage to the New Continent will last for two months. In three weeks, the ship will exit the territorial waters. The crew will then refuel, perform a final check on the vessel and close the top dome before venturing for five weeks in the uncharted waters where extreme weather phenomena and flying creatures are commonplace.[4]
The Spiders, Zodiacs, and Mafiosi's locations on the fourth day of voyage
The Black Whale 1's passengers are divided into five separate tiers (that are further divided into several decks) according to their wealth and social class: those traveling in the first and second tiers are the wealthiest passengers on board, including the royal family and prominent members of the upper class and their staff, while the bottom three tiers are zoned for general passengers. The throughways dividing the tiers are guarded by the royal army as the whole ship is under martial law. More specifically, the second and third tiers are separated by a thick bulkhead which can be only opened in emergencies from the second tier side.[3] In order to move between the third and fifth tiers through the central passages (中央連絡通路, Chūō renraku tsūro)[5], passengers need to buy tickets either from the royal army or the Mafia.[6]
Passenger List
| Black Whale 1 Passenger List | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier | Civilians | Guards/Soldiers | Doctors | Overall | Unlisted Passengers |
| 1 | 17,670 | 800 | 930 | 20,000 | Unknown |
| 2 | 600 | ||||
| 3 | ≤179,398 | 600 | ≥1 | 180,000 | Unknown |
| 4 | ≥1 | ≥250 | |||
| 5 | 0 | ≥250 | |||
| Σ | ≤197,068 | 2,000 | ≥932 | 200,000 | ≥500 |
Tiers 1 and 2 accommodate about 2,000 people, while Tiers 3 through 5 provide shelter for the remaining 180,000.[5] Of the 2,000 people in the higher tiers, 100 are doctors, 1,400 are guards and royal army soldiers. The remaining 500 are members of the royal family, V5 politicians, industry dignitaries, celebrities, the rich,[3] Kakin Mafia bosses[7] and their staff[8] (the last two might not be official passengers).[6] The bottom three tiers only have 600 royal army soldiers.[5] The majority of people there are general passengers who boarded the ship in hopes of resetting their old lives at the New Continent.[1][9] Additionally, several unofficial passengers boarded the ship, avoiding registration inside the royal army's passenger list.[6] About 750 Mafia associates including fringe members are unofficial passengers.[5] The number of clinics ended up being fifth of what was planned, while only 1/15 of the planned doctors boarded the ship, which led Cheadle to hire more people and reorganize the medical staff.[3]
Mizaistom proposes to send 800 soldiers from the upper to the lower tiers.
Considering there are 2,000 guards and royal army soldiers among the 200,000 passengers, there should be ideally one guard for each 100 civilians. However in reality the first and second tiers have alone 70% of the total guards, resulting in an extravagant ratio of a 2⅓ guards per one civilian in the upper tiers. On the other end of the spectrum, the bottom tiers have one guard for each 300 civilians. The fourth and fifth tiers mainly rely on the mafia (Xi-Yu and Cha-R families) to maintain public order, while the third tier is solely dependent on the royal army. In order to stop the murders arising in the third tier and remove the passengers' source of anxiety, Mizaistom proposed at the fourth day of the voyage to reorganize the army and send 800 soldiers from Tiers 1 and 2 to the lower tiers.[5]
Tier 1
A closer look to the upper ship
Tier 1 (1層, Is-sō) is a ship situated directly above Tier 2. It's structured to host the Kakin royal family, V5 politicians and industry dignitaries,[3] as well as the bosses of Kakin's three biggest Mafia families and their staff: Xi-Yu, Heil-Ly, and Cha-R.[7] There are 800 guards and royal army soldiers roaming the halls of Tier 1,[5] 150 of which are Provisional Hunters with secret missions.[3] The tier serves as the main "hunting ground" for the succession battle among the Kakin Princes.[3] Once the Black Whale reaches the uncharted waters, the top dome of the ship will be closed to ensure safety against the rough weather and the predatory flying creatures.[4]
King's Living Quarters
The King's living quarters (王居住区, Ō kyojū-ku) is where King Nasubi resides. It's located next to the reception hall, being separated from the princes' living quarters.[3]
Princes' Living Quarters
The princes' living quarters (王子居住区, Ōji kyojū-ku) can only be accessed via an entrance opposing the banquet hall, which is guarded by soldiers from the royal army. The living quarters are combined and enclosed by a rectangle wall with seven doors on its two longer sides. The fourteen doors lead to the residential areas of the princes which are jammed together in an array of two rows, with seven chambers in each row. The rooms are identical and fairly big. They're numbered from 1001 to 1014, with the last two digits representing its respective prince. Each prince's residential area consists of a living room, a master bedroom, a dining room, a kitchen, a bathroom and living quarters for the servants.[10]
On the right side of the princes living quarters, the VVIP private recreational facilities (ブイビップ王子専用娯楽施設, Buibippu Ōji sen'yō goraku shisetsu) are made available for the princes, since they can only be accessed from the same entrance.[10]
VVIP Living Quarters
The VVIP living quarters (ブイビップ居住区, Buibippu kyojū-ku) is located on the other side of the princes living quarters, being separated from the banquet hall. One way to gain access there is from the corridor bordering the princes quarters' wall.[10] It's a home for the VIP outside the royal family who resides in Tier 1 (V5 politicians, industry dignitaries, as well as the bosses of Kakin's three Mafia families and their staff.)[3]
Princes Benjamin and Camilla are currently confined to this area after the Supreme Court had adjourned their trial.[11]
Soldiers/Associates' Living Quarters
The soldiers/associates' living quarters (兵士・準会員生活区, heishi/junkaiin seikatsu-ku) are designated for the Kakin soldiers and about 150[3] Provisional Hunters who passed the 289th Hunter Exam with limited licenses only for the voyage. They can be reached from the left side of the princes' living quarters which is heavily guarded by soldiers. Following these quarters there's a passageway that leads to the lower tiers.[10]
Ceremony Hall
The ceremony hall (セレモニー会場, seremonī kaijō) is a big venue furnished with many dining tables. The departure ceremony celebrations were held here at the beginning of the voyage.[4]
Reception Hall
The reception hall (迎賓館, geihinkan) is located between the King's and princes' living quarters.[3]
It's unclear if this is the same place as the ceremony hall.
Banquet Hall
The banquet hall (宴会ホール, enkai hōru) is located between the King's and princes' living quarters.[10] Every Sunday all princes will attend dinner parties to which dignitaries are also invited. However, they will enter and leave the banquet hall at prescribed times and no prince will pass another in transit.[3]
It's unclear if this is the same place as the ceremony hall.
Jail
Beyond holding cell (べヨンド拘束室, Beyondo kōsoku-shitsu) is used to seize Beyond Netero during the whole voyage in accordance to his contract with V5 which states that he should be staying in a room under 24-hour watch, with chaperones accompanying him in outings, and that his whereabouts will be monitored via an anklet with a tracking device, with any future communications being managed and monitored.[12] The holding cell is very small, only able to include a urinal and a bed for Beyond whose right arm is restrained by a manacle that is bolted into the cell's wall.[4]
A first-class cell was used to detain Prince Camilla after she assaulted the First Prince, and killed one of his guards.[13] Other criminals and suspects are taken into custody in standard cells before facing a court-martial.[14]
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court (最高裁判官室, Saikō Saibankan-shitsu) is where Supreme Magistrate Cleapatro resides.[7]
Princes' Burial Chamber
The princes' burial chamber is a big room containing 14 capsules used to bury the deceased bodies of the princes who participated in the succession battle. A canister-looking container is placed in the center of the room, with the 14 capsules laid out in its outer circle perimeter, and another 14 slots in between each capsule and the central container. Two pots lie near the container's edge, opposing each other. The floor and walls bear a strong resemblance to the inscription found in Greed Island entrance.[7]
It's unknown if this chamber lies inside the King's living quarters.
Tier 2
The bulkhead separating the second and third tiers
Tier 2 (2層, Ni-sō) is at the highest level of the Black Whale vessel itself. It's lying directly under the separate ship that acts as the first tier of the overall Black Whale. Tier 2 is structured to host celebrities and the rich, and is separated from the third tier by a thick bulkhead which can be only opened in emergencies from the second tier side. The fatal downside is that causes Tier 2 to also become a part of the "hunting grounds" for the upcoming succession battle among the Kakin princes.[3] There are 600 guards and royal army soldiers roaming the halls of this tier.[5]
Theater Venue
The theatre venue (シアター会場, shiatā kaijō) is a small auditorium room with a big projection screen and a side-way balcony. After the departure of the Black Whale 1, a presenter explains there to the audience the details of the two-month voyage.[4]
Tier 3
Tier 3 (3層, San-sō) is in the middle portion of the vessel. It's structured to host the general passengers and is separated from the second tier by a thick bulkhead which can be only opened in emergencies from the second tier side. Crimes involving ticket fraud, theft, racial conflicts, drunken brawls, identity theft, assault and false reports are higher than anticipated.[3] The tier is one of the least secured as it neither has the numbers of guards and soldiers of the upper tiers (exceeding 300 civilians per one royal army solider/guard,)[5] nor the mafia's word to maintain order, seeing that Morena, the Heil-Ly family's boss, ordered her underlings to wreak havoc and kill everyone on the ship.[8] On the other hand, Tier 3 contains the medical and political wards,[5] as well as the highest number of clinics on the lower tiers, with a total of 3 clinics.[3]
Passengers Cabins
First-class cabins[4] (1等客室, Ittō kyakushitsu) and standard cabins[5] (一般客室, Ippan kyakushitsu) are both available in the highest tier meant for general passengers. In the upper floor of Tier 3, a standard cabin consists of a bed, cupboards, shelves and a bathroom. The single cabins are aligned in a corridor that connects to a general passenger area (一般乗客エリア, Ippan jōkyaku eria) which acts as an assembly point.[15]
Political Ward
The political ward (政治特区, Seiji tokku) is a special zone in one of the middle floors of Tier 3 that contains the different political and legal enforcement agencies (政治・法律の施行機関, Seiji/hōritsu no shikō kikan), the police station (中央警察, Chūō keisatsu) and the royal army office.[5]
The royal army office (国王軍支部, Kokuō-gun shibu) holds meetings between generals of the Kakin royal army and is headed by Mizaistom Nana[5] of the Zodiacs Intelligence Team.[16] During meetings, the committee members discuss issues regarding the public safety inside the Black Whale. Once they've agreed on certain measures, they have the authority to execute most of them unless further procedures are needed like reporting to the higher figures of the national defense.[5]
One of the law enforcement agencies, the central courthouse (中央裁判所, Chūō saibansho) maintains order on the Black Whale.[3] It's headed by Botobai Gigante,[4] a member of the Zodiacs Defense Team,[16] who's acting as the court's judge. The room is filled with soldiers from the Kakin royal army that keep order and guide the defendants to the courtroom, a clerk to keep the records, and what appears to be lay judges.[4]
Medical Ward
The medical ward (医科学特区, Ikaga tokku) is a special zone in one of the middle floors of Tier 3 that contains the central hospital (中央病院, Chūō byōin) and the research institute (総合研究所, Sōgōkenkyūjo).[5]
The central hospital accommodates at least one of the 3 clinics inside Tier 3, the central medical clinic (中央医療室, Chūō iryō-shitsu) which is supervised by the Hunter Association Chairman, Cheadle Yorkshire,[4] who's also a member of the Zodiacs Science Team.[16]
Observation Deck
The observation deck (展望エリア, Tenbō eria) in Tier 3 is a sightseeing platform located at the Black Whale's front. It's part of a seaside resort town filled with outdoor loungers, shops and bars.[5]
Heil-Ly Family Office
The Heil-Ly family office (エイ=イ一家事務所, Ei i ikka jimusho) is located in the second-to-last floor of Tier 3, and acts as a hideout for the family members.[5]
Tier 4
Tier 4 (4層, Yon-sō) is structured to host the general passengers. Crimes involving ticket fraud, theft, racial conflicts, drunken brawls, identity theft, assault and false reports are higher than anticipated. Even though it's the largest tier, it only has one clinic.[3] Tier 4 relies on Xi-Yu family to maintain the public order as the number of civilians per royal army solider/guard exceeds 300.[5]
Kakin Royal Army Conference Room
The Kakin royal army conference room[4] (カキン国王軍会議室, Kakin kokuō-gun kaigijitsu) is responsible for ensuring security on the Black Whale.[3] It's the meeting point for people affiliated with the royal army and is currently headed by Mizaistom Nana[4] who is also a part of the Zodiacs Intelligence Team.[16]
Xi-Yu Family Office
The Xi-Yu family office (シュウ=ウ一家事務所, Shu u ikka jimusho) is located in the front portion of the ship, along the "teeth" of the Black Whale vessel. It acts as a hideout for the family members.[5]
Tier 5
Tier 5 (5層, Go-sō) is located at the very bottom of the vessel; next to the propeller. It's also the smallest of the lower tiers constructed to host the general passengers. There is only one clinic in Tier 5 with no dedicated doctors.[3] Tier 5 relies on Cha-R family to maintain the public order as the number of civilians per royal army solider/guard exceeds 300.[5]
Passengers Cabins
Standard cabins (一般客室, Ippan kyakushitsu) are the only confirmed rooms to be available for the general passengers of the lowest tier.[5]
37564
37564 is an assembly point in Tier 5 and where Chrollo Lucilfer was first seen on the ship.[9]
Central Dining Hall
The central dining hall (中央食堂, Chūō daishokudō) is the only cafeteria in Tier 5. It can be accessed from only one passageway that is run by three thugs from the Buor family after they'd bribed the soldiers in charge. A passenger can pay them 5,000 
, borrow loyalty cards or follow a payment schedule to gain access there.[7]
After the three thugs were defeated by members of the Phantom Troupe, it's yet to be known if they still have authority over that passageway.[7]
Warehouse
The warehouse (倉庫, Sōko) is regulated by the Cha-R family. It stores various goods; some of which were smuggled in by the black market. Previously, four guards had been positioned to watch over the warehouse before they were killed by Luini.[8]
The security cameras connected to the Cha-R family office are installed on the warehouse entrance.[5]
Cha-R Family Office
The Cha-R family office (シャ=ア一家事務所, Sha a ikka jimusho) is located somewhere in the middle floors of the fifth tier, next to the propeller.[5] It acts as a hideout for the family members. A steel door with a smart lock and two security cameras guard the outside.[15] The flat consists of an office, a bedroom, a monitor room that records surveillance over all the key areas of Tier 5, and a secret room that's further reinforced by a second steel door.[5]
Trivia
- The division of classes in the Black Whale resembles that of the RMS Titanic, a British passenger ship notorious for its sinking in 1912. The classes were separated similarly, with the richer passengers being closer to the top while the poorer were nearer to the bottom.[17]
- 37564 is a Japanese wordplay, which can be read "mi-na-go-ro-shi" (みなごろし), meaning "massacre" or "kill them all".
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 33, Chapter 342
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 33, Chapter 348
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 34, Chapter 358
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 34, Chapter 359
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15 5.16 5.17 5.18 5.19 5.20 5.21 5.22 Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 380
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 377
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 371
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 378
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 35, Chapter 366
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 35, Chapter 363
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 375
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 33, Chapter 345
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 373
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 372
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 379
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 346
- ↑ RMS Titanic, Wikipedia contributors. From: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia