Majtani (マジタニ, Majitani) is one of the prisoners in Trick Tower, used to test the examinees in the 287th Hunter Exam.[1]
Appearance
Majtani has a muscular body with a strange blue skin tone (gray in the 1999 anime adaptation). His face is disfigured due to unsuccessful plastic surgery. There are 19 hearts tattooed on his chest, and a spider tattoo on his back that is meant to evoke the ones used by the Phantom Troupe.[1]
Personality
Despite his strong-looking appearance, Majtani is a coward. He boasts of his strength and uses the fake Phantom Troupe tattoo on his back to intimidate others.[1]
Background
Majtani was sentenced to 108 years in prison for repeated fraud and blackmail.[1]
Plot
Hunter Exam arc
Majtani revealing his appearance
After Gon beats Sedokan in the second round, Majtani calls him an idiot for using trick candles and tells him to watch what proper deception looks like as he prepares to face Kurapika. With both on the stone platform, the prisoner's handcuffs fall to the floor as he removes the shroud to reveal a strange-looking face and a well-muscled physique. Leorio is taken aback by his appearance while Kurapika's face doesn't change. The prisoner points to the 19 small hearts tattooed on his chest and explains that it's the number of people he has killed so far, happily adding that he wants to get it to an even number.[1]
As Leorio can't believe that they have to deal with serial killers now, the prisoner continues by saying that he kills violently and enjoys mayhem with blood and guts. Kurapika is unfazed by his words and simply says that he will accept whatever contest he chooses. Disappointed that Kurapika didn't react to his facade, the prisoner proposes a fight to the death, but warns him that even admitting defeat won't necessarily stop his killing intent. After Kurapika removes his tabard and calmly asks if he wants to start, the prisoner is left in disbelief by Kurapika's composure and makes sure to point out that no weapons are allowed. Kurapika tosses aside his bokken and asks again if he wants to start the match.[1]
Majtani going on the offensive against Kurapika
The prisoner begins to anxiously analyze Kurapika and wonders how strong he really is, guessing that he's either putting on an act or too stupid to be frightened by his appearance. He then tells himself that it doesn't matter since he has his two secret weapons: his right hand and his back. While Leorio worries about the prisoner, Killua tells himself that it's obvious he's a fraud and hasn't killed anyone before. As the match begins, Gon says that they don't need to worry since he isn't sensing any danger from the prisoner, leaving Leorio confused and causing Killua to give a slight smile.The prisoner prepares to use his big bluff and suddenly leaps high into the air, clenching his right fist and punching the ground near Kurapika.[1]
Rubble flies all around the platform, and Leorio can't believe that the prisoner punched the stone floor with his bare fist. Kurapika appears shocked, and it's then shown that the prisoner has a large spider tattoo on his back. Leorio seems to recognize the significance of the 12-legged spider, but Gon is left confused. The prisoner chuckles and says to himself that every aspiring Hunter will recognize the tattoo as the mark of the infamous band of thieves known as the Phantom Troupe. Leorio explains the meaning to Gon and adds that Kurapika told him about some of the more obscure details. The prisoner revels in his two secret weapons—steel knuckles embedded in his right hand and the Troupe tattoo—and adds that they destroy the morale of the toughest fighters.[1]
Kurapika knocking Majtani unconscious
The prisoner guesses that Kurapika is frozen with fear and reveals that his name is Majtani, adding that he is one of the four devas of the Troupe. Although Majtani assures him that he can still surrender and live, Kurapika's expression and changed eyes make him nervous, leaving him speechless before he wonders what's wrong with him. Kurapika suddenly disappears right in front of Majtani and then grabs him by the face. Majtani desperately tells him to wait, but before he can finish his explanation, Kurapika punches his face into the ground and leaves the other examinees shocked by his strength. He then tells Majtani to remember three things well: a genuine Troupe tattoo has the member's number on it, Troupe members don't keep track of how many people they have killed, and he will kill him if he ever mentions the Troupe again.[1]
As Majtani lies unconscious on the ground, it's stated that his total sentence is 108 years for fraud and blackmail convictions, with the added note that his face appears scarred because of failed plastic surgeries. The other prisoners can't believe how useless Majtani is, and Bendot reminds them that they have now lost two in a row.[1] Leorio gets the prisoners' attention and tells them to remove Majtani's body before they send out their next fighter. However, Leroute reveals that it isn't possible since the previous match still hasn't finished, leaving Leorio confused as he angrily points out that it seems to be over. The prisoner walks over to Majtani's body and explains that he is only unconscious and that because he isn't dead and wasn't able to admit defeat before being knocked out, the match never concluded. Although Leorio disagrees with their assessment, he tells Kurapika to put Majtani out of his misery.[2]
The group waiting to see if Majtani regains consciousness
However, Kurapika immediately refuses and explains that he beat Majtani even though he wasn't a fighter, adding that he would be senselessly brutal if he did anything more. Leorio angrily tells him that he has to end the match, but Kurapika replies that Majtani can choose his fate once he wakes up. Killua generously offers to kill Majtani, but Kurapika assures him that while he has never killed anyone, he isn't afraid of killing. He then points out that their one-on-one matches do not allow others to intervene, causing Killua and Leorio to rebuke Kurapika for his selfishness against the team.[2]
With Kurapika still sticking to his decision, Leorio suddenly invokes the power of majority rules and tells his teammates to vote on whether they want to kill Majtani or leave him alone. However, the screen that displays the votes doesn't turn on, and Gon guesses that it has to be an exam vote. Leorio then tells them to raise their hands if they want Majtani dead, but none of the other four do so. Leorio is left embarrassed and infuriated, yelling at Killua and reminding him that he just offered to kill Majtani. Killua points out that Kurapika refused the offer, and Gon adds that Majtani was prepared to surrender before he was knocked out, suggesting that they wait until he wakes up. Tonpa agrees with the others and says that they shouldn't walk over someone's beliefs.[2]
Leorio confirming that Majtani still has a pulse
Leorio checks his watch and sees that they have 59 hours and 57 minutes left. As the five examinees continue to wait for Majtani to wake up, Gon points to the still motionless body and Killua agrees that it doesn't look like he is going to get up.[2] As the five examinees wonder if Majtani is still alive, Leorio is unable to tell after stepping forward somewhat, yelling to the prisoners on the other side and asking for confirmation. Leroute assures him that he's only unconscious, but Leorio remains skeptical and asks why they should trust them. The prisoner then proposes a wager where they will bet time on whether Majtani is dead or alive.[3]
After Leroute assures him that he can confirm Majtani's status if he accepts the challenge, Leorio can't believe that she's risking her jail time. He eventually agrees to the challenge and first bets 10 hours that Majtani is still alive. Bendot chuckles at Leorio betting on the opposite of what he hopes, and Kurapika notes how careful he's being. Leorio tells himself that they can secure Kurapika's win if he's wrong, whereas they would pointlessly lose ten hours if he bet that Majtani was dead and he's still alive. Leroute asks Lippo to extend the bridges, and the two make their way to the stone platform to confirm Majtani's condition. After Leorio kneels down beside his body and feels a pulse, 10 hours are transferred from Leroute to Leorio. While Gon is happy for Leorio, Killua worries that Majtani might keep sleeping and run out time for his team.[3]
Majtani admitting the truth to save his life
As Leorio checks Majtani's pupils and confirms that he's still alive, Killua notes that the prisoners' sentences will be shortened by 72 years if Majtani doesn't wake up before time runs out. Leroute tells him that it's his turn to make a bet, and Leorio proposes that they bet on whether Majtani is actually unconscious or just pretending. Lying on the ground, Majtani realizes that Leorio is suspicious and wonders what he should do about it. In a flashback, it's revealed that when Majtani woke up, he saw a note near his face that told him not to move, to pretend that he was still knocked out, and to eat the note after reading it. Majtani realizes that staying down would allow them to run out the clock and obtain the 72-year reduction, but he now worries about how to proceed.[3]
Leroute bets 20 hours that Majtani is still unconscious, and the prisoner tries his best to maintain the facade. Leroute asks how they should find out the truth, and Leorio quickly lifts Majtani up by his arm and stands him near the edge of the stone platform. He reveals that he plans to push Majtani off and that he will simply fall if he's really unconscious. Leroute protests his decision, but Leorio proposes that if Majtani yells out while falling, Kurapika will take a loss for his match. Leroute agrees to the deal, and Majtani can't believe that she's betting with his life so casually, causing his heartbeat to quicken. However, Leroute changes her bet and puts 40 hours on Majtani waking up. Leorio knows that he caused her to show her hand, and when he goes to push him off the side, Majtani finally gives up the act and runs off the platform, calling both of them crazy and admitting that he lost.[3]
Later, along with the examinees and other prisoners, Majtani is left speechless when Killua rips out and crushes Johness' heart.[4]
Abilities & Powers
Majtani is an incompetent fighter and uses intimidation to force his opponents to surrender or flee. For that purpose, he modified his appearance surgically and even copied (though incorrectly) the tattoo of the Phantom Troupe. Furthermore, he has implanted steel in his fist, allowing him to strike a strong punch. However, it hurts him so much that he prefers to use it only once in a fight to scare off his foe.[1]
Majtani absorbed a powerful punch from Kurapika, resulting in him being forcefully driven into the ground. While lying on the ground, it remains uncertain whether he lost consciousness as a result of that single strike.[1]
Manga Appearances
Trivia
- In the 1999 anime adaptation (subtitled version), his name is "Majitani".
Intertextuality and References
- Majtani might be designed after the Japanese kappa.
Miscellaneous
- Majtani's 2011 Japanese voice actor, Kazuki Yao, also voiced Izunavi in the 1999 anime adaptation.
- Majtani's 1999 Japanese voice actor Hidenobu Kiuchi, also voiced Basho in the 1999 anime adaptation, and Franklin and Leech in the 2011 anime adaptation.
Translations around the World
| Language | Name | |
|---|---|---|
 Arabic
|
ماجيتاني | |
 French
|
Majitani | |