Cyberspace

Cyberspace
Kanji	電(でん)脳(のう)()()()()()()()()
Rōmaji	Den'nō
Also known as	Cyberspace Page (電(でん)脳(のう)ページ()()()()()()()(), Den'nō Pēji)
Item Statistics
Classification	Virtual Space
Ability	Allows users to send and receive information
Used by	Widespread use
Debut
Manga Debut	Chapter 38
Anime Debut	Episode 32 (1999) Episode 21 (2011)

Cyberspace (電(でん)脳(のう)()()()()()()()(), Den'nō—lit. "Electronic Brain", or 電(でん)脳(のう)ページ()()()()()()()(), Den'nō Pēji) is a virtual space where various kinds of information can be found and exchanged. It encompasses the Internet, networking, and digital communication.

Overview

Like the real-life cyberspace, in the Hunter × Hunter world, it makes use of widespread, interconnected digital technology.

By purchasing a phone line and registration number, one can gain access to all of the information on the Internet. A Hunter License makes cyberspace available for free to the user.

Plot

Hunter Exam arc

Pokkle searches for information on Ging

Gon tells Pokkle that he’s looking for a Hunter named Ging. After Gon gives him a picture, Pokkle uses a tablet to record the information. Pokkle, Kurapika, and Leorio exchange home codes, leaving Gon confused. Leorio quickly explains that a home code gives a person access to a system like an answering machine. As Gon wonders what surfing means, Leorio says that it involves cyberspace and Kurapika adds that it’s like an electronic universal encyclopedia. It’s explained that after buying a phone line and registration number, a person can access all the information on any computer in the world. Pokkle adds that looking up that information is called surfing, showing Gon a registration card. Leorio then tells Gon that a Hunter’s main three communication tools are a home code, cell phone, and cyberspace registration. Kurapika tells Gon that he can use the Internet with his Hunter License and that it makes cyberspace available for free. Pokkle gives Gon his home code and tells him to call him once he gets one.

Kurapika searching for information on Kukuroo Mountain

Kurapika uses his Hunter License to access cyberspace and look up information on Kukuroo Mountain. After learning that it's located in the Republic of Padokea, he makes reservations for Gon, Leorio, and himself. Gon then asks Kurapika if he can find information on Ging. Kurapika searches for his full name and discovers that it has been designated top secret, adding that his name must be entered into the confidential members’ database, which requires a considerable amount of money and the authority of a national executive.

Heavens Arena arc

On their way to Heavens Arena, Killua uses a computer to show Gon how far the arena is from their current location, also pointing out Yorknew City to their south. Once the two reach the 200^th floor, Hisoka mentions that they used the Internet to purchase their airship tickets, which made determining their arrival time extremely easy.

Yorknew City arc

Killua uses the ToyLand website to order a JoyStation Console. Even after learning that the video game’s title is Greed Island and searching for it on ToyLand, they find no results. Killua guesses that none appeared because they wanted same day delivery. He expands the search to all stores that sell it, but again they find that no one has it in stock, with Killua guessing that it's either sold out or was never on the market. They then use a website called "Game Almanac" to search for the game and learn that it was sold through legal channels. The site's information tells them that it's a hunting game exclusively for Hunters which was produced and sold by Marilyn Inc., having been released in 1987. They suddenly notice the outrageous price of 5.8 billion and can't believe it. They quickly call the company using the information listed on the website. Killua also notes that the game isn’t even available on any used marketplaces, suggesting that they post a message on an auction site.

After Gon makes a post, they receive thousands of hits within seconds, and Killua guesses that they are trying to sell fakes since so much money is involved. He thinks that they will have to abandon the auction site idea, and Gon asks him if there is anyone who knows a lot about games and the Internet. Killua calls his brother Milluki and asks to exchange a memory card for his information. Milluki makes sure that Killua's claim is genuine and at first worries about eavesdroppers, but then tells him that it's best to start with the Hunter Website. He says that while he could hack into the site himself, he's worried about the Net Police and Hacker Hunters tracking him. He tells Killua that he will need a Hunter License to gain access, promising to give him the URL once he gets the memory card. Soon afterward, Gon goes to use his license on his computer, but Killua quickly warns him that if his IP address got out, people would come to Whale Island looking for the license. He tells Gon that they have to use public computers and reminds him that they still need the URL. At the Zoldyck estate, sitting in front of multiple computers and monitors, Milluki learns that in 1988, a man named Battera offered 17 billion to buy the game and 50 billion for a memory card with endgame data, but no one came forward. Milluki then smiles and says that he will bring the legend to an end.

Gon and Killua accessing the Hunter Website

At an Internet café, Gon and Killua use the URL from Milluki to access the Hunter Website, learning numerous facts about Greed Island and its cost at the annual Yorknew auction. Killua suggests that they start with Internet flea markets and open auction sites, with Gon adding that they will then try to resell items for as much as they can. However, the two quickly lose most of their money online.

Struggling to discover the secret behind Greed Island, Milluki wonders if he should hack into the Hunter Website before angrily leaving the estate to attend the auction. At a hotel in the city, Gon and Leorio search websites for how to make money, find information on swap meets, and then they read about something called a conditional auction, where the seller sets a non-monetary condition and gives the item to the first person who fulfills it.

In the Phantom Troupe’s search for the chain user, Shalnark uses the Hunter Website to find information on the Nostrade Family (both its properties and employees). At the Hotel Beitacle, Kurapika also uses the Hunter Website, showing Melody and Squala that others can learn about them and where they are staying. Squala is left in disbelief at the network that professional Hunters can access.

After Gon, Killua, and Leorio attend a conditional auction, other attendees tell each other to put the information on the Internet so that they can offer a reward for tips. Leorio mentions that the Hunter Website was charging 100 million for information on the Troupe, with Killua guessing that they charge even more for individual details. The three then return to their hotel to check their home codes to see if they received any tips.

Leorio watching live video of two Troupe members

At an Internet café, Leorio and Killua say that they didn’t receive any emails or voicemails. The three then decide to post a 15 million reward for information on the Spiders on a message board. As Gon and Killua decide to look for rare items to sell, Leorio assures them that he will keep track of the online posting. Gon calls Leorio, who tells him that all the offers so far have been fake and that he changed the post to make sure that people specify the Spiders’ locations. Leorio calls Gon and Killua to tell them that an informant is streaming video of two Troupe members. He adds that the targets are a man and a woman, and the two boys run to meet Leorio at the Spiders’ location.

In their search for the chain user, Shalnark prints out the list of Neon Nostrade’s bodyguards from the Hunter Website and hands them out to the other Troupe members. After Light Nostrade leaves to be by his daughter’s side, Kurapika checks the Hunter Website and sees a picture of Neon, also noting that Basho and Baise have been added to the list of her bodyguards. When a Mafia member grabs Chrollo’s “corpse” by his hair, another tells him not to damage his face since they plan to put his picture on the Internet. People around Yorknew watch the video of the Troupe’s dismembered bodies, with one mentioning that the victims may have had bounties on their heads. In a cluttered room filled with computers, a Mafia hacker tells two other Mafia members that the dead Spiders don’t exist. One asks if they deleted their records, but the hacker assures them that he is checking the International Human Databank, explaining that hacking into it and deleting one’s records is a crime comparable to murder under international law. He also mentions that the databank has a triplicate system whereby two insulated computers constantly monitor the public computer in order to eliminate errors, adding that any deleted or rewritten data would be repaired in a second.

At the Troupe’s hideout, Shalnark explains to Chrollo that he used the Hunter Website to look at pictures of the Nostrade employees and that Uvogin recognized the top three. He adds that they also checked their hotels and found out that the employees were bodyguards for the boss’ daughter. Chrollo points out that the information was old and that he checked the website yesterday, handing out a picture of Neon and showing that two more bodyguards were added. He then asks Shalnark to check the list again later.

Greed Island arc

Gon and Killua worry that the Phantom Troupe will be on the hunt for them (especially Kurapika), but when Killua checks his computer, he’s surprised to find that they haven’t put a bounty on any of their heads, guessing that they plan to find them on their own.

After leaving Greed Island, Killua uses a computer to print out an application for the 288th Hunter Exam.

Chimera Ant arc

Spin using her computer to do research

Spin uses her computer to check a database of missing persons and tells the others that there haven’t been any mass disappearances in the past six months. Gon asks her to check for individuals, but Spin points out that hundreds of thousands of people go missing every year. Killua asks about areas with higher rates of missing reports, but Spin tells him that she can’t since the data is two years old. She also tells them that she didn’t find any news or rumors about a tall insect. Kite asks to see the data on ocean currents for the day the creature’s limb was found. He then asks to see where the limb could have been ten days ago, clarifying that the limb could have been severed after the creature washed up elsewhere. Spin points out that all of the Balsa Islands are a possibility, and once they realize that it includes the Mitene Union, they begin to discuss the country of NGL and its avoidance of modern technology.

At the NGL Border Stop, Gon and Killua are surprised to see computers inside, but the official explains that they are used for diplomacy and information exchange, stressing that there is no machinery within NGL’s borders.

Inside the royal palace of East Gorteau, Bizeff is seen working on his laptop to negotiate and communicate with other countries and organizations. As he tells himself that he won’t be able to do all the work by himself, he opens his email where someone sends him a list of “fresh meat”. Bizeff lustfully clicks through photographs of various women, choosing five of them (including Palm and replying to the email.

People watching Netero's resignation message

It’s stated that a video message from Netero was released on the Internet announcing his resignation as Chairman of the Hunter Association and the appointment of his successor. The contents of said message are eventually shown.

13^th Hunter Chairman Election arc

After Leorio punches Ging, Pyon reminds the other Hunters that they can rewatch the entire debate on the Hunter Website, urging them to let others know about it. Beans announces that the election is down to the top 16 candidates and tells the Hunters to visit the website to view the candidates’ speeches, with multiple Hunters seen watching the video on their phones. Killua is seen watching the video on a tablet, surprised that Leorio came in third and that he used his ability in front of everyone.

Teradein, Bushidora, and Loupe sending a message to the other Hunters

Teradein, Bushidora, and Loupe announce that they are reinstating the Pure Paladin Squad. Bushidora stresses that Teradein is their candidate and urges others to vote for him. As two Hunters watch the video on their phones, Loupe adds that a fellow Hunter has been accused of criminal activity, and Teradein assures them that they are pursuing the criminal, urging listeners to stand united and build a decent Hunter Association. Soon afterward, Teradein announces that Bushidora and several others were killed, stressing that they need to surpass the 95% turnout and elect a new Chairman. He adds that they are in talks to make Morel their new leader and that they will make public the names, faces, and abilities of the killers. Teradein then has a video call with Morel, who tells him that he isn’t a combat specialist and stresses that he’s a Sea Hunter. After telling Teradein to give his votes to Pariston if he wants the elections to end, he warns him that revealing the killers’ information will get them killed as well. As Morel continues to berate him and stresses that he doesn’t want to become Chairman, Teradein is slumped over dead while sitting at his desk, having been killed by Hisoka.

Ickshonpe, a Hacker Hunter that claims to be a resident of the "digital world", gives a speech at the beginning of the eighth round of the Hunter Chairman Election, stating that he doesn't care about the election as it's not his reality and asks Ging if he would like to trade the "Glorious White Spear" for the "Holy Gold Flag".

During Leorio’s speech at the election, he mentions (among other things) “wanking off” to the Internet while Gon was fighting to save others. Several of Gon’s friends are seen watching the flight of the small-billed swans on their phones and computers.

Succession Contest arc

The Zodiacs watch the announcement that Kakin has hired Beyond Netero to lead their expedition to the Dark Continent. In Kakin, a member of Beyond’s expedition team informs him that the video received over a hundred million views on EyeTube in one hour.

When trying to convince Kurapika to join the Zodiacs, Mizaistom mentions that a video showing a large number of Scarlet Eyes was uploaded six months ago on a darknet site.

For the final phase of the 289th Hunter Exam, applicants watch the Kakin announcement on a computer and answer three questions. In another room, Kurapika watches the footage with Mizaistom and uses his Dowsing Chain to determine whether they are telling the truth.

Linssen calls Kurapika and asks if he has seen Kakin’s website. Kurapika replies that he hasn’t, and Linssen tells him that the Kakin Princes are hiring bodyguards for the voyage, adding that there are six offers.

Kurapika hires several of his colleagues and friends, explaining the situation to them. After telling them to send their data to their designated client, he continues to analyze the situation while looking at Kakin’s website on a laptop. He specifically mentions that on Halkenburg’s Facebox page, the Prince noted that Tserriednich is the only Prince he accepts. After the group sends their offers, Kurapika tells them that they will use Q as planned if the clients require non-disclosure. It’s explained that Q is a special software on one’s phone that allows Hunters to send and receive information that has no logs or call history. It’s added that normal wiretapping systems are unable to detect the method of data transfer.

Prince Tubeppa uses her laptop in an attempt to determine Salé-salé’s cause of death and to create a list of abilities and countermeasures. She also considers checking the shift logs for Benjamin’s soldiers, but worries about drawing attention to herself.