Kiriko

Kiriko
Kanji	凶(キ)狸(リ)狐(コ)()()()()()()()
Kana	キリコ
Rōmaji	Kiriko
Also known as	Rat Fox Wicked Magical Vulpes
Statistics
Primary Ability	Shapeshifting
Located in	Lone Pine Tree near Dolle Harbor
Debut
Manga Debut	Chapter 4
Anime Debut	Episode 5 (1999) Episode 2 (2011)

Kiriko (凶(キ)狸(リ)狐(コ)()()()()()()() or キリコ, Kiriko) are Magical Beasts that can change their own physical appearance.

Appearance

File:Kiriko 2011 Design.jpg

Kiriko's 2011 anime design

In their normal form, Kiriko are large, bipedal creatures covered in light brown fur, which is thicker on their head, shoulders, chest, stomach, and pubic region. They have both anthropomorphic and fox-like traits. They have three fingers per hand and three toes per foot, all considerably long and ending in sharp claws. They have an elongated muzzle, thin eyes, long ears with a darker top half, six whiskers, and a long, thin tail ending in a darker tuft of fur.

Behavior

The only Kiriko seen thus far exhibit perfectly human-like intelligence and behavior (to the point of brewing tea and serving biscuits to guests), leading a tranquil domestic life in their secluded home, which is undistinguishable from human habitations. They can read, converse with humans and mingle in cities without difficulty by changing their appearance. The daughter also displayed knowledge of the ancient customs of a human tribe, attesting to their ability to learn and share in culture. Their jobs as navigators and impersonators is further proof of their ability to fit into human society.

During their test to Hunter applicants, the husband pretends to be violent and blood-lusted, standing in the thrashed house while muttering the word "kill" repeatedly before carrying off his (shapeshifted) daughter. It is possible that Kiriko are feared for their ability to take human form.

Plot

Hunter Exam arc

File:GonRodSlam2.jpg

Gon slams his rod against the Kiriko

A family of Kiriko located near a lone pine tree outside of Dolle Harbor serve as navigators to the examination site for the Hunter Exam. During the 287th Hunter Exam they used their shape-shifting abilities in order to pretend to be a human family under attack by Kiriko in their natural form to test Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio. They are impressed with Gon's superhuman senses, Kurapika's knowledge of ancient symbols, and Leorio's kindness and skill in treating the supposedly injured man. Because of this they agree to take the three to the site of the Hunter Exam. One of them takes human form and gains them access, but, due to the overwhelming odds, is convinced they will not pass and tells them to look him up for their next attempt.

Greed Island arc

Kiriko leading Killua to the 288th Hunter Exam

They later guide Killua to the examination hall during the 288th Hunter Exam upon learning of his friendship with Gon. They are very eager, at that time, to hear of Gon's adventures, sighting the fact that they "miss the lad." Two of them then accompany Killua to the location of the exam in their human form, wishing him good luck.

13^th Hunter Chairman Election arc

Kiriko in the Zoldyck estate

The Kiriko son poses as Gotoh after his death, possibly so that Killua doesn't find out the original Gotoh was killed.

Abilities & Powers

As Magical Beasts, the Kiriko can learn human speech and seem to possess the same level of intelligence as humans. They are shape-shifters capable of taking human form, among others, an ability which is enhanced by their skill at impersonation. They can sprout wings from their arms to fly and are strong enough to carry a man of Leorio's build. The wife also displayed the ability to extend her claws, while the husband was fast and agile enough to escape Gon and Kurapika by running on branches, although Gon easily caught up to him.

Trivia

• In Chapter 4 and 5, and also in other Hunter × Hunter media/products, "Kiriko" appears written with the base kanji 凶狸狐 that can be read as きょうりこ (Kyōriko—lit. meaning "Misfortune Raccoon Fox" or simply "Naughty Fox"), very similar to these Magical Beasts' name and possibly where it comes from. This usual version of the name uses the kanji for "raccoon dog" (狸, tanuki) and "fox" (狐, kitsune), in the Japanese folklore the former being reputed as "mischievous and jolly, a master of disguise and shape-shifting" and the latter as having magical abilities like "shape shift into human form" to trick others—as foxes often (but not always) do in legends, which indicates the main sources of inspiration for this creature.
• Gon claims that despite the parents' resemblance to each other, they actually look nothing alike and even sound different. In fact, in the manga it is possible to see that one of them has a thinner face, bigger eyes, and whiskers all of the same length.
  • However, these differences can only be noticed by the likes of Gon—individuals with enhanced senses and great skills of perception. For people with normal or slightly heightened senses like Leorio and Kurapika, the difference is so small that it was impossible for them to tell the wife from the husband.

Miscellaneous

• In the Japanese dub of the 1999 anime, Yoshikazu Nagano voices the son.
• In the English dub of the 2011 anime, Tom Fahn voices the parents, Kyle Hebert voices the son, and Deborah Gatton voices the daughter.