Hunter Association

Hunter Association
Kanji	ハンター()協(きょう)会(かい)()()()()()()() or Ｈ(ハンター)協(きょう)会(かい)()()()()()()()
Rōmaji	Hantā Kyōkai
Debut
Manga Debut	Chapter 12 (Mentioned)
Anime Debut	Episode 3 (1999) (Mentioned)
Group Statistics
Status	Active
Classification	Hunters
Leader	Isaac Netero (12th) Pariston Hill (13th) Cheadle Yorkshire (14th; Current)
Base of Operations	Swardani City
Affiliations	Zodiacs Pure Paladin Squad

The Hunter Association (ハンター()協(きょう)会(かい)()()()()()()() or Ｈ(ハンター)協(きょう)会(かい)()()()()()()(), Hantā Kyōkai) is a non-governmental organization responsible for the testing and licensing of "Hunters" (ハンター, Hantā), individuals who have proven themselves through the rigorous exam to be elite members of humanity. With the passing of the Hunter Exam, an applicant is rewarded with a license to go almost anywhere in the world and do almost anything, thus declaring them Hunters. Typically, Hunters devote themselves to tracking down priceless items, mystical places, and the unseen wonders of the world.

By the time the 13^th Hunter Chairman Elections ended, the association tallied 635 members, having lost as many as 26 Hunters since the first round. After the 289th Hunter Exam, the number rose to at least 785 due to the inclusion of 150 Provisional Hunters with limited licenses for the Dark Continent voyage on top of the regular examinees.

The Profession

A Hunter's job is not only that of looking for treasures and hunting animals. True Hunters dedicate themselves to the protection of knowledge, people, and nature. They must preserve culturally precious items or species of animals and plants they are able to discover. Furthermore, they must also arrest criminals and in rare cases even fellow Hunters who have committed heinous crimes. A "hunt" (活動(ハント), hanto) can range from a task commissioned by a client to one ordered by the higher-ups of the organization, to a quest a Hunter goes on of their own volition.

Goods and Properties

Vehicles

• Airships: The Hunter Association owns and operates an assortment of blimps. The uses vary from the transportation of people or goods.

Companies

• Phone Company: A company used to operate the Q software.

Locations

• Hunter Association Building: The headquarters of the association.
• NGL: Former country and now a nature reserve, it was placed under the jurisdiction of the association after the Chimera Ant incident.

Perks and Communications

Hunter License

Main article: Hunter License

Hunter License

A Hunter License is a type of card given exclusively to Hunters after they pass the Hunter Exam, which proves the status of the owner and has multiple benefits. It provides free access to most of the public services and permission to go almost anywhere in the world without a visa. It also grants the ability to kill without facing major legal consequences, although there are exceptions. A Hunter License also grants access to guarded information as well as being an easy way to get jobs. Furthermore, there are collectors willing to buy it for a fortune that would sustain a Hunter's family for generations.

Hunter Website

Main article: Hunters' Tavern

By typing the correct URL, inserting the code of one's license, and swiping it into any computer, a Hunter is able to access Hunters' Tavern. On this Hunter-only website, all manners of information unretrievable through other means can be purchased.

Q

Main article: Q

By sending a 9-digit code to a phone company owned by the Hunter Association, a Hunter can send and receive messages via Q, a software that leaves no logs or call history and that cannot be detected by regular wiretapping systems.

Hunter Code

Main article: Hunter Code

Hunters have a simple code to transmit secret messages to each other.

Hunter Bylaws

Main article: Hunter Bylaws

1. Hunters must always be on the hunt for something.
2. Hunters must have a minimum understanding of martial arts. This includes learning Nen.
   • Kakin bodyguards who passed the 289^th Hunter Exam are not required to know Nen and are designated as Provisional Hunters.
3. Once a Hunter is licensed, that license cannot be revoked for whatever reason. However, a license will not be reissued for whatever reason.
4. Hunters shall not target other Hunters unless they have committed heinous crimes.
5. One star is given to a Hunter who produces remarkable achievements in a particular field.
6. Two stars are given to a Hunter who fulfills five articles, holds an official position and has mentored a junior Hunter who is awarded a star.
7. Three stars are given to a Hunter who fulfills the six articles and produces remarkable accomplishments in multiple fields.
8. The Chief Executive of the Hunter Association must earn the confidence of a majority of his colleagues. When the position of chairman is vacated, the vote to elect the next chairman must be conducted at once and deputy power is given to the Vice-Chairman in the meantime.
9. The authority to decide on a method to select new members is given to the chairman. However, to significantly change existing methods requires the confidence of a majority of colleagues.
10. Any matter not mentioned here will be decided in a cabinet consisting of the chairman, vice-chairman and staff advisors. The Chairman has the authority to select the Vice-Chairman and staff.

Clients

• So far only the V6 is known to have hired the association itself and not simply Hunters.

Positions and Ranks

Chairman

The Chairman, also known as Chief Executive, is the leader of the Hunter Association. He or she has the most power and authority within the organization. Chairmen have been seen communicating directly with the heads of the V5 and the International Permit Agency.

• Eleven unknown chairmen (former)
• 12^th: Isaac Netero (former)
• 13^th: Pariston Hill (former)
• 14^th: Cheadle Yorkshire

Vice Chairman

The Vice Chairman is the second highest-ranking individual in the Hunter Association, exceeding even the staff advisors. He or she is appointed directly by the Chairman, as per the 8^th article. Should the position of Chairman be vacated, the Vice Chairman gains deputy power until the conclusion of the election.

• Pariston Hill (former)
• Cheadle Yorkshire (former)

Staff Advisor

Advisors assist the Chairman and Vice Chairman in matters not explicitly detailed in the Hunter Bylaws, and are appointed by the former. The Chairman can invest them with additional powers, such as tasking them with the organization of the chairman election. Under Chief Executive Isaac Netero, the advisors were 11 and, together with the Vice Chairman, made up an informal group known as "The Zodiacs".

• Cheadle Yorkshire (former)
• Ging Freecss (former)
• Pariston Hill (former)
• Botobai Gigante
• Cluck
• Gel
• Ginta
• Kanzai
• Kurapika
• Leorio Paradinight
• Mizaistom Nana
• Saccho Kobayakawa
• Saiyu
• Pyon

Managing Bodies

Exam Commission

See also: Examiner (Category)

The Exam Commission is tasked with the organization and management of the Hunter Exam. The examiners are nominated by a board every year and supervise a trial without pay. By the 9^th article, the Chairman is also the Head of the Exam Commission and has the authority to decide on a method to select new members. However, examiners are largely free to choose the content of their trial, as long as they satisfy agreed-upon criteria.

• Isaac Netero (former Head of Commission)
• Cheadle Yorkshire (Head of Commission)

Review Board

The Review Board is a commission that assigns jobs to specific Hunters. Not even the Chairman is powerful enough to defy their decisions. Should a government or private business enlist the Hunter Association's help, and should that job receive many applications, the Review Board is tasked with assigning it going off skill and aptitude.

Election Task Force

A group of Hunters who supervise the election of the Chairman, defining its structure and serving as poll-watchers. They are appointed by the previous Chairman. The Task Force is led by a Chief Executive, who is tasked with vote counting.

• Beans (Chief Executive)
• Zodiacs

Disciplinary Committee

The exact activities of this body are unknown. If its name is any indication, it may be responsible for ensuring members of the association respect the bylaws.

• Bushidora Ambitious (former)

Star System

Stars reflect the contributions of a Hunter to the association and society in one or more areas.

1 Star

One Star (星(ほし)が()一(ひと)つ()()()()()()(), Hoshi ga Hitotsu) is given to Hunters who have produced remarkable achievements in a particular field; they can be promoted to the status of Single-Star Hunter (一ツ星(シングル)ハンター()()()()()()()()(), Shinguru Hantā) or Single [Hunter] (シングルハンター, Shinguru Hantā).

• Bushidora Ambitious
• Cutie Beauty
• Ickshonpe Katocha
• Menchi
• Morel Mackernasey
• Sanbica Norton
• Tsezguerra

2 Stars

Two Stars (星(ほし)が()二(ふた)つ()()()()()()(), Hoshi ga Futatsu) are given to Hunters who fulfill the first 5 articles of the Hunter Bylaws, who hold an official position, and who have mentored at least one junior student who has received one star; they can be promoted to the status of Double-Star Hunter (二ツ星(ダブル)ハンター()()()()()()()()(), Daburu Hantā) or Double [Hunter] (ダブルハンター, Daburu Hantā).

• Biscuit Krueger
• Ging Freecss
• Linne Horsdoeuvre
• Mizaistom Nana
• Saccho Kobayakawa
• Teradein Neutral

3 Stars

Three Stars (星(ほし)が()三(みっ)つ()()()()()()(), Hoshi ga Mittsu) are given to Hunters who fulfill the first 6 articles of the Hunter Bylaws and who have produced remarkable achievements in multiple fields; they can be promoted to the status of Triple-Star Hunter (三ツ星(トリプル)ハンター()()()()()()()()(), Toripuru Hantā) or Triple [Hunter] (トリプルハンター, Toripuru Hantā). This is the rarest and most difficult rank to obtain, and it is considered a great honor. Out of the over 600 Hunters in the Hunter Association, the number of Triple-Star Hunters is only about 10.

• Botobai Gigante
• Cheadle Yorkshire
• Pariston Hill

Becoming a Hunter

To become a Professional Hunter, two requirements have to be fulfilled: passing the Hunter Exam as well as the Secret Hunter Exam. It has been implied that the rules do not bar non-human candidates (presumably beings with a comparable level of intelligence) from taking the Hunter Exam, and thus from becoming Hunters.

Hunter Exam

Main article: Hunter Exam

Finding the Exam

The Hunter Exam takes place annually in the second week of January. All applicants are held in equal consideration. Reaching the area in which the Hunter Exam is held is an extremely difficult challenge because there are too many applicants each year for the Proctors to see them all. To reduce the number of applicants, the Hunter Association hires judges (like the Captain) to pick out the best candidates to proceed to the area where the Hunter Exam is held. If an applicant is deemed unworthy by one of these judges, they will be turned away even if they make it to the exam site.

Once this area has been reached, candidates have to make their way to the Hunter Exam site. However, no applicant knows when or where the Hunter Exam will be held and it is impossible to find without a Navigator. All candidates must find a Navigator to take them to the exam, but to do this they must pass a series of tests and traps. In fact, the Navigators themselves will set up a test for the candidates to see if they are good enough to take the Hunter Exam. If such a test is passed, the Navigators will take the applicants to the floor of the first phase.

The Hunter Exam

The Hunter Exam is organized in a varying amount of phases, with each phase being designed to test the candidates' skills and potential—they are also used to reduce the number of candidates. There are usually 4 to 6 phases required to complete the Hunter Exam. In the Nippon Animation adaptation of the anime, bonus stages are added to further test the candidates. The content of each phase changes every year so as not to give an advantage to returning applicants, the Proctors change each year as well; Proctors decide what the phases will test. Chairman Netero oversees the exam and settles disputes between Proctors when necessary.

Known Hunter Exams

267th Hunter Exam

Passed by:

• Ging Freecss

287th Hunter Exam

Passed by:

Seven new Hunters

• Gon Freecss
• Kurapika
• Hisoka Morow
• Hanzo
• Pokkle
• Illumi Zoldyck
• Leorio Paradinight

288th Hunter Exam

Passed by:

• Killua Zoldyck

Passers of the 289^th Hunter Exam

289th Hunter Exam

Passed by:

• Theta
• Salkov
• Myuhan
• Danjin
• Gidal
• Lisamsetta
• Mozbe
• Meshush
• Erikkusu
• Muhahahasare
• Zomeesa
• Borksen

The Secret Hunter Exam

Although the formal exam annually occurs during the first week in January, there is a second, unstated part of the Hunter Exam that requires every Pro Hunter to go out into the world and accomplish: learning the basic principles of Nen. One only "officially" becomes a professional Hunter after passing the exam; a Hunter is only considered as such by his peers when he learns how to use Nen. It doesn't matter how long it takes, but one will be unable to take on most Hunter jobs without learning the skill—Nen is seen as the minimum required martial skill to become a Hunter. To meet this requirement, a Hunter must either find a teacher and learn in secrecy (because doing so in public augments the risk of people with ill intent learning a potentially dangerous skill) or through a method known as Initiation. However, some already have knowledge of Nen before entering the exam and are thus instantly "qualified" if they pass it. It is known so far that all Hunters find a way to start their training shortly after the exam; therefore, the difficulty of this requirement is reduced mostly to one's own adaptability to learn Nen.

Types of Hunters

Professional Hunters generally have a field of specialization.

     Alive/Active •      Deceased •      Former •      Unknown Status, or Non-Canon

Rookies

A Hunter who lacks an area of specialization is classified as "Rookie" (ルーキー, Rūkī).

Rookies
Gon Freecss	Killua Zoldyck	Leorio Paradinight

Beast Hunters

Beast Hunter (ビーストハンター, Bīsuto Hantā) is a type of Hunter who specializes in fauna. There are two other known types of Hunter that could possibly be considered subcategories of Beast Hunter:

• the Hunter of Fantastic Beasts (幻(げん)獣(じゅう)ハンター()()()()()()()(), Genjū Hantā—lit. "Phantom Beast Hunter") who specifically searches the world for scientifically undocumented animals;
• and the Unidentified Beast Hunter (ＵＭＡ(ユーマ)ハンター()()()()()()()()(), Yūma Hantā—original name probably meaning "UMA (Unidentified Mysterious Animal)* Hunter") whose field of activity is related to cryptids, creatures like animals, and even plants, with questioned existence thought to be extinct or not to exist (e.g. many of the mythical, folkloric, paranormal, and supernatural "entities").^{[inference 🖱]}

Beast Hunters
Beast Hunter	Hunter of Fantastic Beasts	Unidentified Beast Hunter
Knuckle Bine	Pokkle	Shoot McMahon

Blacklist Hunters

Blacklist Hunter (賞金首(ブラックリスト)ハンター()()()()()()()()(), Burakkurisuto Hantā—base kanji lit. meaning "Bounty Hunter" as also called in the Viz translation) is a type of Hunter whose skills are dedicated to tracking down dangerous and wanted criminals.

Blacklist Hunters
Binolt	Bushidora Ambitious	Kurapika	Lippo	Saiyu
		Seaquant

Botanical Hunters

Botanical Hunter (プラントハンター, Puranto Hantā—lit. "Plant Hunter") is a type of Hunter with great knowledge about plants, that also searches for and collects them.

Botanical Hunters
Cluck

Card Hunters

Card Hunter (カードハンター, Kādo Hantā) is a type of Hunter who searches for rare cards around the world.

Card Hunters
Ogyu

Crime Hunters

Crime Hunter (クライムハンター, Kuraimu Hantā) is a type of Hunter who tries to solve mysterious cases in the crime world.^{[inference 🖱]}

Crime Hunters
Mizaistom Nana

Cute Hunters

Cute Hunter (かわ()美(び)ハンター()()()()()()()(), Kawa Bi Hantā) is a type of Hunter whose main goal is to maintain the beauty of people and make them look younger despite their age.^{[inference 🖱]}

Cute Hunters
Cutie Beauty

Disease/Virus Hunters

Disease Hunter (難(なん)病(びょう)ハンター()()()()()()()(), Nanbyō Hantā—lit. "Intractable/Incurable Disease Hunter") and Virus Hunter (ウイルスハンター, Uirusu Hantā) are types of Hunters who tries to find new elements to cure immedicable diseases.^{[inference 🖱]}

Disease/Virus Hunters
Disease Hunter	Virus Hunter
Cheadle Yorkshire	Sanbica Norton

Gourmet Hunters

Gourmet Hunter (グルメハンター, Gurume Hantā; or 美(び)食(しょく)ハンター()()()()()()()(), Bishoku Hantā—lit. "Gastronomy Hunter") is a type of Hunter whose goals are: to travel the world in search of rare cuisine/exotic foodstuffs and to find and collect rare ingredients customarily obtainable only in remote, inhospitable places. Hunters of this type are great connoisseurs of culinary culture, including related techniques, and usually have well-developed and/or demanding palates in conjunction with a voracious appetite, especially for new dining experiences. Often being prominent world-class chefs, they focus on creating new delicacies and dishes that reflect their own artistry and sophistication; bringing to life the flavors of the hardly acquirable ingredients that they have obtained, by using new and creative styles of cooking recipes.^{[inference 🖱]}

Secondarily, they are frequently called on to chase and capture poachers.

Gourmet Hunters
Buhara	Linne Horsdoeuvre	Menchi

Hacker Hunters

Hacker Hunter (ハッカーハンター, Hakkā Hantā) is a type of Hunter who have vast knowledge of computers and specialize in working with the Internet^{[inference 🖱]} and dealing with cyber crimes.

Hacker Hunters
Ickshonpe Katocha

Head Hunters

Head Hunter (ヘッドハンター, Heddo Hantā) is a type of Hunter who specialize in discovering and cultivating new talents.^{[inference 🖱]}

Head Hunters
Teradein Neutral

Jackpot Hunters

Jackpot Hunter (懸賞金(マネー)ハンター()()()()()()()()(), Manē Hantā—lit. "Money Hunter"; base kanji meaning "Prize Money Hunter") is a type of Hunter who has only one goal: earning money, so they find rich people and make deals/contracts with them.^{[inference 🖱]}

Jackpot Hunters
Tsezguerra

Lost Hunters

Lost Hunter (ロストハンター, Rosuto Hantā) is a type of Hunter who specializes in seeking those from whom contact has been lost.

Lost Hunters
Loupe Highland

Music Hunters

Music Hunter (ミュージックハンター, Myūjikku Hantā) is a type of Hunter who devotes their skills to the pursuit of rare musical pieces and perhaps even recondite musical instruments and voice talents to go along.

Music Hunters
Melody

Paleograph Hunters

Paleograph Hunter (古(こ)文(もん)書(じょ)ハンター()()()()()()(), Komonjo Hantā—lit. "Ancient Document Hunter") is a type of Hunter who specializes in learning and translating ancient and lost languages.

Paleograph Hunters
Pyon

Poacher Hunters

Poacher Hunter (密(みつ)猟(りょう)ハンター()()()()()()()(), Mitsuryō Hantā) is a type of Hunter dedicated to the study of animals and protecting them from poachers.^{[inference 🖱]}

Poacher Hunters
Ginta

Poison Hunters

Poison Hunter (ポイズンハンター, Poizun Hantā) is a type of Hunter specialized in various poisons and their pharmaceutical usage.^{[inference 🖱]}

Poison Hunters
Gel

Problem Hunters

Problem Hunter (お()悩(なや)みハンター()()()()()()()(), O Nayami Hantā): Specifics Unknown.

Problem Hunters
Saccho Kobayakawa

Provisional Hunters

Provisional Hunters (臨(りん)時(じ)の()準協会員(ハンター)()()()()()(), Rinji no Hantā—lit. "Temporary Hunter"; base kanji meaning "Temporary Associate Member") are the Kakin guards who passed Kurapika's screening during the 289^th Hunter Exam. There are about 150. They were recruited as temporary support personnel so the Hunter Association could gain more allies in preparation for the expedition to the Dark Continent. The second Hunter Bylaw was modified so they could be admitted even if they could not use Nen. However, their licenses will expire after the voyage.

Provisional Hunters
Borksen	Danjin	Erikkusu	Gidal	Lisamsetta
Meshush	Mozbe	Muhahahasare	Myuhan	Salkov
	Theta	Zomeesa	???

Ruins Hunters

Ruins Hunter (遺(い)跡(せき)ハンター()()()()()()()(), Iseki Hantā) is a type of Hunter dedicated to uncovering, restoring, and preserving ruins in order to "revive" ancient societies.

Ruins Hunters
Ging Freecss	Satotz	Zegin Highline

Sea Hunters

Sea Hunter (シーハンター, Shī Hantā) is a type of Hunter who operates in seas looking either for animals or treasures.^{[inference 🖱]}

Sea Hunters
Morel Mackernasey

Temp Hunters

Temp Hunter (協(きょう)専(せん)のハンター()()()()()()()(), Kyōsen no Hantā) is a type of Hunter with governmental jobs subcontracted to them from the Hunter Association. Depending on the difficulty of the job and risks involved, they are guaranteed a standard fee for a job taken. Some Hunters choose to make this their career and are consequently ridiculed by other professional Hunters for doing so. There are approximately 200 Temp Hunters.

Temp Hunters
Curly	Golem	Marione	Mascher	Pekotero
Usamen	???		???	???

Terrorist Hunters

Terrorist Hunter (テロリストハンター, Terorisuto Hantā) is a type of Hunter specialized in tracking down terrorists and preventing terrorist attacks.^{[inference 🖱]}

Terrorist Hunters
Botobai Gigante

Treasure Hunters

Treasure Hunter (トレジャーハンター, Torejā Hantā) is a type of Hunter who scour the world in search of rare and valuable items.^{[inference 🖱]} A Stone Hunter (ストーンハンター, Sutōn Hantā) could possibly be considered a subtype whose quest is for precious stones and gems or related specific jewelry.

Treasure Hunters
Stone Hunter	Treasure Hunter
Biscuit Krueger	Kanzai

Unclassified/Unknown Type Hunters

Unclassified/Unknown Type Hunters
Baise	Barry	Basho	Beans	Belerainte
Bill	Cuzco	Doster	Dwun	Gashta Bellam
Giuliano	Goreinu	Grachan	Hagakushi	Hanzo
Hisoka Morow	Illumi Zoldyck	Isaac Netero	Izunavi	Jed
Jeitsari	Keeney	Kenzaki	Kess	Khara
Kite	Knov	Kurton	Latoon	Likke
Linssen	List	Luis	Masta	Palm Siberia
Pariston Hill	Redwood	Ridge	Rodriot	Scairt
Shalnark	Shachmono Tocino	Sayird	Togari	Tokarine
Wing	Zenju	Zetsk Bellam	288th Hunter Exam's 1st Phase Examiner	Hunter Association Exorcist
		Trick Tower's 3rd examiner

Non-Hunter Associates and Others

Non-Hunter Associates & Others
Pre-examiner	Pre-examiner	Pre-examiner	Pre-examiner	Pre-examiner
Banner	Captain	Genner	Michael	Quizzing Lady
Navigator(s)				Other
Kiriko				Hunter Website Bartender

Trivia

• Of the 100 richest people in the world, 60 are Hunters.
• It is unknown if D (Dino) Hunter, the eponymous protagonist of a book narrating the adventures of a hunter, is one of the specializations available to and/or used by pro Hunters or if that is merely the character's name; although "dino" almost certainly is the shortening of "dinosaur", suggesting a possible Beast Hunter subtype, the hypothetical "Dinosaur Hunter".
• Although not canonical, Zegin Highline is the only known Hunter to have been expelled from the association.
• Despite Meteor City resident Shalnark being a Hunter, the Mafia was unable to find any record of his having ever existed on the International Human Databank after discovering his fake corpse. This may imply that the Hunter Association does not make or keep publicly accessible records of its Hunters.

Translations around the World

Language		Name
Arabic		جمعيّة الصّيّادين (Jameiat As-syadyn)
Brazilian Portuguese		Associação dos Caçadores
French		Association Hunter
German		Hunterverband
Indonesian		Asosiasi Hunter
Polish		Stowarzyszenie Łowców
Spanish		Asociación de Cazadores