"Killua... What a cruel thing to say!! How my little boy has grown! Wonderful!" — Kikyo Zoldyck in "Butler" |
Kikyo Zoldyck (キキョウ＝ゾルディック, Kikyō Zorudikku) is the mother of the Zoldyck siblings, the wife of Silva Zoldyck,[2] and an elite professional assassin herself.[3]
Appearance[]
Kikyo has black hair and pale skin. She is 170 centimeters tall and wears a dark purple bustle gown and a broad-brimmed hat decorated with feathers, fur, and flowers. She also wears bullets as earrings. Her face is covered in bandages due to Killua's attack, though she removes them later in the story.[4] She has an electronic visor covering her eyes; the visor can be used as a communication device,[2] although what other purposes it suits are unknown. After Killua returned home to see Alluka, Kikyo was wearing a different dress and hat, with her legs being visible, showing black shoes.[5] However, in the 2011 anime adaptation, she continued wearing the same outfit.[6]
A few years earlier, Kikyo wore a kimono and had her black hair pulled into a big bun updo, without a hat.[7] Her visor also lacked the microphone and did not cover her ears.
In the 1999 anime adaptation, her gown was yellow with pink frills.
Personality[]
Kikyo spies on Killua and Canary
Kikyo is the maternal figure of the Zoldyck Family and is an assassin herself.[3] She dotes on Killua to extremes and looks forward to seeing him excel in assassination and carrying on the Zoldyck Family's business. She feels delighted every time Killua displays his coldness, even if it is directed toward her. Because of her excessive love and high hopes for him, she has become an overprotective, unbalanced parent, and is suspicious of any stranger who wants to get close to him, fearing that they will mislead him.[2]
Nonetheless, Kikyo loves her family in her own twisted way; she has a good relationship with her husband Silva and loves the rest of her children, especially Killua and Kalluto.[8] She also has a give-and-take relationship with her oldest son Illumi,[9] and she frequently gets frustrated with Zeno for ignoring her choices.[2] Like Silva and Zeno, she does not agree with Illumi about killing Alluka, only wanting to control her power and to protect Killua from her.[8] After an emotional conversation between Killua and Alluka/Nanika, Kikyo removed Killua's restraint, finally showing kindness to her son.[10]
Kikyo is also cruel, as she has no qualms about testing her fourth child's power on innocent people, likely resulting in their deaths.[7] She also dislikes people thinking her treatment of Killua is cruel and uncaring, as she knocks out Canary after she pleads with Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio to save Killua during their visit to his house.[11]
Background[]
Kikyo in Killua's flashback
Kikyo was once an inhabitant of Meteor City*,[12][1] a junkyard city inhabited by outcasts. People who live there do not exist in any official records, and the existence of the city itself is known to very few people.[13] How she met and married Silva is still unknown, she went on to have five children with him.
Approximately eight years ago, Kikyo tested Alluka's ability by ordering Mitsuba to decline all requests from Alluka, no matter how small they were. Due to that, Mitsuba and her lover Hassam, who was not around them then, were mysteriously crushed into minced meat simultaneously. Killua explained to her that this resulted from saying 'No' to Alluka's requests four times.[7]
When Killua decided to run away from home, Kikyo was injured when she attempted to prevent him from running and taking the 287th Hunter Exam.[14] She was proud of him for doing so but was worried about him going alone. Thus she sent Illumi to keep an eye on Killua.[9]
Plot[]
Hunter Exam arc[]
Kikyo delivers Killua's message
Kikyo appeared with her youngest child Kalluto. Using a tiny projectile, she knocked out Canary for mouthing off about the Zoldyck Family. She explains to Gon that Killua is in self-imposed solitary confinement.[11] As Killua is released, Zeno contacts Kikyo and she becomes very upset. She briefly introduces herself before telling Gon to leave and excusing herself. Later, Kikyo tells Killua that his friends are passing through their gardens, to patronize him during his torture.[2]
Kikyo about to grab Killua
When Silva gives Killua permission to travel with his friends, Kikyo arrives to block his way out. She lies to him, saying that his friends have already left and that it is time for him to go back to the torture chamber. Killua ignores her and tries to get past just as she reaches for him. He glares at her for a moment before she finally lets him go. Kikyo later confronts Silva about his decision, saying that Killua is becoming a rebellious child and needs to be disciplined, but Silva expresses his confidence that no matter where Killua goes, he will return because he is his son.[2]
Yorknew arc[]
Kikyo was indirectly mentioned by Killua when he and Gon tried to sell various Nen infused objects to a merchant.[15]
13th Hunter Chairman Election arc[]
Kikyo, Silva, and Milluki watch through the surveillance cameras
Kikyo, Silva, and Milluki observe Killua and Alluka through a surveillance camera. She comments about Killua being a good older brother. When Killua decides to take Alluka out of the estate, Silva disagrees and orders them to stay there. Killua asks her a wish: if they cannot leave the mountain within 30 minutes, Kikyo will die, but if they succeed, she will have to kiss Killua on the cheek. Kikyo slumps on the floor, saying how proud of Killua she is for saying something so cruel. With no other choice, Silva allows them to leave.[5]
Kikyo surprised at the power unleashed by Nanika
Later, Tsubone reveals that Kikyo and Milluki are watching the inner mission live through her visor.[16] She witnesses Nanika healing Gon with great shock.[4] After Alluka and Killua's heart to heart with each other, Kikyo retracts precaution level 4 that makes Killua a target of Tsubone and Amane's mission of protecting Zoldyck family secret and tells them to inform Killua.[10]
Equipment[]
Kikyo's fan
Electronic Visor: Kikyo wears an electronic visor, the visor can be used as a communication device and as a security camera, being able to see the rooms inside the house.[2]
Fan: Kikyo always carries a fan that she can use it to attack others, as she did with Canary in the 2011 adaptation.[17]
Zoldyck Personal Transmitter: The assassins of the Zoldyck Family can contact each other with a special transmitter to report the fulfillment of a murder contract.[18]
Abilities & Powers[]
Kikyo knocking out Canary
Due to Kikyo being born in Meteor City*,[12][1] her existence is not recorded in any database, which makes obtaining information about her nearly impossible.[13] As an assassin from the Zoldyck Family, Kikyo possesses advanced assassination techniques, as she effortlessly knocked down Canary with a tiny projectile, with Canary being a Nen user capable enough of defeating Pro Hunters by herself;[11] furthermore, she has vast wealth and capable underlings at her disposal. Her family name alone is enough to scare those familiar with it.[19]
Assassination Skills: Kikyo, being a Zoldyck, is one of the best killers in the world.[3] In the 1999 adaptation, Killua stated that she likely had killed Anita's dad.[20] As Killua’s mother and one of his trainers in assassination, Kikyo can likely perform assassination arts such as Rhythm Echo, as well as the ability to adjust the anatomy of her own body to create sharp claws, though this has never been shown happening in the series.
Enhanced Strength: Being a Zoldyck assassin, Kikyo can open the Testing Gates,[21] although the number of doors she can open is unknown.
Kikyo sprinting at high speed
Enhanced Speed: Kikyo is shown to have extreme speed, being able to run through the Zoldyck Estate within a few minutes.[2]
Master of Stealth: Kikyo is very proficient in hiding and spying: she watched over Gon and Canary completely unseen until she knocked out Canary; it's also highly likely that Kikyo used Zetsu, since Canary, a Nen user, wasn't able to feel Kikyo presence.[11]
Nen[]
Kikyo is a Manipulator*.[1] Although she has yet to display any Nen abilities, her reaction to seeing the aura unleashed by Nanika while healing Gon confirms that she knows Nen.[4] Her highly developed stealth abilities also suggest that she is a proficient Zetsu practitioner.[11]
Manga Appearances[]
| 186. The Queen | Absent |
| 187. The Beast Fodder | Absent |
| 188. NGL | Absent |
| 189. Infiltration | Absent |
| 190. The Hunt | Absent |
| 191. Pros | Absent |
| 192. Human Dog | Absent |
| 193. Scissors | Absent |
| 194. vs. Hagya's Squad: Part 1 | Absent |
| 195. vs. Hagya's Squad: Part 2 | Absent |
| 196. vs. Hagya's Squad: Part 3 | Absent |
| 197. vs. Hagya's Squad: Part 4 | Absent |
| 198. Sudden Attack | Absent |
| 199. Light and Shadow | Absent |
| 200. Stipulation | Absent |
| 201. Reunion | Absent |
| 202. Duel | Absent |
| 203. Gyro | Absent |
| 204. Gyro's Story | Absent |
| 205. Time Remaining | Absent |
| 206. A Real Fight | Absent |
| 207. Weakness: Part 1 | Absent |
| 208. Weakness: Part 2 | Absent |
| 209. ? | Absent |
| 210. Weakness: Part 3 | Absent |
| 211. Loan Shark | Absent |
| 212. Water Breaking | Absent |
| 213. Birth | Absent |
| 214. Results | Absent |
| 215. Last Words | Absent |
| 216. Republic of East Gorteau | Absent |
| 217. Meat Orchard | Absent |
| 218. Confession | Absent |
| 219. Awakening | Absent |
| 220. Reunion: Part 1 | Absent |
| 221. Reunion: Part 2 | Absent |
| 222. Reunion: Part 3 | Absent |
| 223. 10: Part 1 | Absent |
| 224. 10: Part 2 | Absent |
| 225. 10: Part 3 | Absent |
| 226. 10: Part 4 | Absent |
| 227. 10: Part 5 | Absent |
| 228. 10: Part 6 | Absent |
| 229. 10: Part 7 | Pictured |
| 230. 9: Part 1 | Absent |
| 231. 9: Part 2 | Absent |
| 232. 9: Part 3 | Absent |
| 233. 9: Part 4 | Absent |
| 234. 9: Part 5 | Absent |
| 235. 8: Part 1 | Absent |
| 236. 8: Part 2 | Absent |
| 237. 8: Part 3 | Absent |
| 238. 8: Part 4 | Absent |
| 239. 8: Part 5 | Absent |
| 240. 8: Part 6 | Absent |
| 241. 8: Part 7 | Absent |
| 242. 7: Part 1 | Absent |
| 243. 7: Part 2 | Absent |
| 244. 6: Part 1 | Absent |
| 245. 6: Part 2 | Absent |
| 246. 6: Part 3 | Absent |
| 247. 6: Part 4 | Absent |
| 248. 6: Part 5 | Absent |
| 249. 6: Part 6 | Absent |
| 250. 6: Part 7 | Absent |
| 251. 6: Part 8 | Absent |
| 252. 6: Part 9 | Absent |
| 253. 6: Part 10 | Absent |
| 254. 6: Part 11 | Absent |
| 255. 5: Part 1 to 2: Part 1 | Absent |
| 256. 2: Part 2 | Absent |
| 257. 1: Part 1 | Absent |
| 258. 1: Part 2 | Absent |
| 259. 1: Part 3 | Absent |
| 260. 1: Part 4 | Absent |
| 261. Charge: Part 1 | Absent |
| 262. Charge: Part 2 | Absent |
| 263. Charge: Part 3 | Absent |
| 264. Charge: Part 4 | Absent |
| 265. Charge: Part 5 | Absent |
| 266. "In the Unlikely Event Of..." | Absent |
| 267. Activation | Absent |
| 268. The King | Absent |
| 269. Adversity Is a Good Thing | Absent |
| 270. Indebted To | Absent |
| 271. Separation | Absent |
| 272. Error | Absent |
| 273. We Meet Again | Absent |
| 274. Solution | Absent |
| 275. Promise | Absent |
| 276. Missileman | Absent |
| 277. Insult | Absent |
| 278. Destruction | Absent |
| 279. Escape | Absent |
| 280. Direct Hit | Absent |
| 281. Godspeed | Absent |
| 282. Sealed Area | Absent |
| 283. Determination | Absent |
| 284. Fifteen Minutes | Absent |
| 285. Doubles | Absent |
| 286. Core | Absent |
| 287. Present State | Absent |
| 288. Accolade | Absent |
| 289. Terms | Absent |
| 290. Name | Absent |
| 291. Soliloquy | Absent |
| 292. Hidden Agenda | Absent |
| 293. Metamorphosis | Absent |
| 294. Breakdown | Absent |
| 295. Determination | Absent |
| 296. Admission | Absent |
| 297. The Last | Absent |
| 298. Rose | Absent |
| 299. Regeneration | Absent |
| 300. Insurance | Absent |
| 301. Memory | Absent |
| 302. Target | Absent |
| 303. Pain | Absent |
| 304. Magic | Absent |
| 305. Sorry | Absent |
| 306. Relief | Absent |
| 307. Loss | Absent |
| 308. Flash | Absent |
| 309. Game | Absent |
| 310. Action | Absent |
| 311. Deadline | Absent |
| 312. Resolve | Absent |
| 313. One Word | Absent |
| 314. Persuasion | Absent |
| 315. Home | Absent |
| 316. Real Name | Absent |
| 317. Answer | Absent |
| 318. Final Will | Absent |
| 319. Lottery | Absent |
| 320. Voting | Pictured |
| 321. Monster | Absent |
| 322. Siblings | Flashback |
| 323. Job Offer | Mentioned |
| 324. Butler | Appears |
| 325. Joining the Fray | Absent |
| 326. Open Hostilities | Pictured |
| 327. Riddle | Mentioned |
| 328. Arrangements | Absent |
| 329. Spy | Absent |
| 330. Confession | Mentioned |
| 331. Day of Reckoning | Absent |
| 332. Applause | Absent |
| 333. Rumble | Appears |
| 334. Total Defeat | Absent |
| 335. Decision | Absent |
| 336. Release | Appears |
| 337. Repentance | Absent |
| 338. Atop a Tree | Absent |
| 339. Stillness | Absent |
Battles[]
| Battles |
|---|
|
Quotes[]
- "Bother, bother, bother! No one ever asks me first! Now Kil's gone off... to lark about with Dad! Bother!!"[2]
- "Oh, Kil... What a splendid icy glare you have!!"[2]
- "Oh, Killua... Such a good brother."[5]
Trivia[]
- In the official databook, her name is also spelled as "Kkkyau Zaoldyeck".[1]
- Kikyo's name was never mentioned in the manga nor in the anime adaptations.
- Her children call her "Mother" or "Mama;" the butlers call her "Madame," and she even refers to herself as simply Killua's mother.[2]
- Her name was only disclosed (for the first time) in Hunter × Hunter: The Nightmare of Zaoldyeck and later in the databook.[1]
- The name also appears in the 2011 anime adaptation credits,[17] and on the official release of the series by Netflix.
- Kikyo means "bellflower" in Japanese, which may have some relation with her dress and its large bell-like structure.
- Kikyo's nickname for Killua is "Kil," a shortening of his name and possibly linking it to 'kill,' reflecting their family business involving assassination.
- In one of the licensed light novels written by Kishima Nobuaki, more information about Kikyo's treatment with Killua was revealed, however the canonicity of the book is ambiguous.
- In a official light novel, when Killua was three years old, before having immunity to electricty, Kikyo tortured a servant with electric whips for negligence in front of him, which caused Killua to defend the young woman, resulting in Kikyo shifting her attention to Killua with the whips, injuring him badly, leaving him unconscious for weeks. Because of this, Killua stopped calling her mama.[22]
- In the musical re-enactment of the Zoldyck Estate storyline, Hunter × Hunter: The Nightmare of Zaoldyeck, Kikyo grows hysterical, questioning whether she did the right thing "putting acid in the apple pies." This may indicate that, much like Milluki's tortures, Kikyo participates in the "training" of her children.
- She also has a rather large role in the musical, being the main antagonist behind Illumi's actions. Still, she eventually frees Killua off the mountain and spares the lives of Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio.
Intertextuality and References[]
- Kikyo makes a cameo appearance as model reference in chapter 12 of the Me & Roboco manga.
Anime and Manga Differences[]
1999 anime adaptation[]
_-_Kikyo_crying_-19.27-.png){kind=link}
Kikyo crying after Killua leaves
- Instead of using a projectile, Kikyo apparently knocked out Canary with a laser beam from her visor.[23]
- Kikyo's visor can change color depending on the emotion that she's feeling at the moment.[24]
- When Kikyo cries, the visor shows static similar to a television;[24] this is neither shown in the manga nor the 2011 anime adaptation.
- Kikyo appeared in a non-speaking cameo.[25]
2011 anime adaptation[]
- When Kikyo knocked Canary out in the 2011 anime adaptation, the projectile came from the tip of the fan she was carrying.[17]
- During a flashback when Killua was a child, Kikyo was shown to be hiding behind one of the trees listening to Killua and Canary's conversation. Killua asked Canary to be his friend, but knowing they were under Kikyo's surveillance, she was forced to turn down the offer.[26]
- Kikyo removed her bandagens by Chapter 333,[4] while in the anime she kept using them.
Miscellaneous[]
- In the first character popularity poll, Kikyo placed 13th with 125 votes.
- In Each One’s Determination, Kikyo’s dress was traced and reused for Kurapika’s third chapter during the VIP party.
Translations around the World[]
| Language | Name | |
|---|---|---|
 Arabic
|
كيكيو زولديك (Kikio Zoldik) | |
 Brazilian Portuguese
|
Kikyō Zaoldyeck | |
 Chinese
|
奇曲•揍敌客/奇曲•揍敵客* (Qí qū Zòu dí kè) | |
 French
|
Kikyô Zoldik | |
 Greek
|
Κίκυο Ζόλντικ (Kíkyo Zólntik) | |
 Korean
|
키쿄우 조르딕 (Kikyou Joreudik) | |
 Russian
|
Кикио Золдик (Kikio Zoldik) | |
 Spanish
|
Kikyo Zaoldyeck | |
References[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Hunter × Hunter Hunter Association Official Issue: Hunter's Guide; Character & World Official Databook (pg. 141)
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 5, Chapter 42
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 2, Chapter 13
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 32, Chapter 333
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 31, Chapter 324
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Episode 139 (2011)
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 31, Chapter 322
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 31, Chapter 326
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 5, Chapter 36
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 32, Chapter 336
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 5, Chapter 41
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Hunter × Hunter Characters Book: World × Character × Blessing (2001)
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 11, Chapter 102
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 2, Chapter 13
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 10, Chapter 86
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 31, Chapter 330
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Hunter × Hunter - Episode 23 (2011)
- ↑ Hunter x Hunter - Volume 11, Chapter 100
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 11, Chapter 98
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Episode 12 (1999)
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 5, Chapter 39
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter 3 - Jump J Book (Light Novel)
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Episode 34 (1999)
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 Hunter × Hunter - Episode 35 (1999)
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Episode 73 (1999)
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Episode 24 (2011)
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