"If you lose even a little of this resolve and start backsliding, I'll kill you. You can live in peace knowing that." |
Kite (カイト, Kaito) was a Hunter and Ging Freecss' student. After their death, they were reborn as a Chimera Ant and Meruem's twin sibling. Colt named them Reina (レイナ, Reina), after his late sister, but they took to calling themselves Kite once again.
Appearance
Kite was a tall, slender man in his late twenties or early thirties. In the manga and the 2011 anime, he was thin to the point of being gaunt, with long, flowing white hair with the longer locks reaching his knees. He had an inverted triangle shaped face with a hooked nose, a pointy chin and big, roundish-almond eyes with small hazel irises. He wore a light blue peaked cap resembling a beret, a long-sleeved white shirt with a turtleneck, an azure sash (perhaps an obi) wound three times about his waist, black trousers, and brown shoes.
In the 1999 anime, he has more handsome traits, with gentler features, thin almond eyes of dark color, brown hair, and a more muscular physique. In this representation, he wears a purple peaked cap, a lilac long-sleeved shirt with a turtleneck, a yellow obi from which hangs a katana with a blue-green hilt and sheath, black trousers, and shoes.
As a Chimera Ant, Kite is a girl with long red hair, purple eyes, and freckles covering their face. They have a rat-like tail and wear a black leather suit and pants.
Personality
Kite is stern and stoic, occasionally blunt to the point of appearing rude. Although some may regard them as cold-hearted, they are actually caring, fond of animals as they are of people. However, they never hesitate, not even when they must take a life, as little as they like it: in fact, after saving Gon, they punched him because his ignorance led to the death of a Foxbear.[2]
During his initial introduction as Meruem's sibling, Kite was an enthusiastic child, still playing with stuffed toys and swords, and still being watched over by Colt.[3] After only a few days, however, they matured and seemed to return to their former personality as a result of recovering their memories. They then helped both Koala and Gon assuage their feelings of guilt and gave the former a new purpose in life, although he formulated it as a threat.[4]
Background
Kite steals some bread with his dogs
Kite does not know where he was born. By his own claim, he grew up in a shanty town. In the 2011 version of the anime, he makes a living by stealing from people. He lives on his own and is helped by animals to steal food. His home is in the sewers. One day after stealing some bread, he finds Ging who has already befriended his animals. Ging said that Kite has potential so Kite forced Ging to make him his student. After bugging Ging, Kite was able to develop his Nen and Ging taught him how to hunt.[5]
After mastering Nen, he passed the Hunter Exam with little difficulty. However, Ging was not satisfied with Kite's accomplishment so he gave Kite a last hurdle. He wanted Kite to catch him. There were no clues or leads to begin from so Kite finally decided to go to Ging's home, Whale Island.[2]
Kite punches Gon
At the age of nine, Gon Freecss is attacked by a Foxbear mother protecting its cub. Kite saves Gon by killing the mother and then chastises the boy for making him kill it. He punches Gon in the face because of the boy's ignorance. He then tries to kill the Foxbear cub, claiming it will grow up hating humans and will therefore be a danger to them. However, Gon stops Kite and vows to raise the cub.[2]
Later, Kite informs Gon that his father did not die in an accident (as he was told by Mito) ,but that he is a professional Hunter and is also Kite's mentor. He leaves Ging's Hunter License in the boy's possession and then leaves to find Ging as a final test, claiming that finding Ging is the most difficult hunt in the world. Sometime after he meets Gon, Kite finds Ging.[2]
Plot
Hunter Exam arc
Kite meets young Gon
Three years prior to the 287th Hunter Exam, Kite traveled to Whale Island in hopes of getting leads to the whereabouts of his teacher, Ging Freecss. He received a warning call from a squirrel and saved Gon from a Foxbear mother protecting its cub. Kite killed the mother to save the boy, but later chastised Gon for making him kill it, explaining the territorial mark the Foxbear left everywhere in the area. He gave the boy an antiseptic for the wound. He then tried to kill the cub, claiming it will grow up hating humans and will therefore be a danger to them. Gon, however, stopped Kite and claimed he wanted to raise the cub on his own.[2]
Upon seeing the determined look on the boy's face, Kite asked if his father's name is Ging. Gon replied positively, and Kite informed him that his father did not die in an accident, contrary to what Gon's Aunt Mito told him. According to Kite, Ging is a professional Hunter and had saved Kite from dying, later becoming his mentor. He left Ging's Hunter License in the boy's possession and then left the island to find Ging as a final test—claiming that it is the most difficult hunt in the world.[2]
Chimera Ant arc
Kite fires at a Chimera Ants' nest to save Gon and Killua
After Gon completes Greed Island, he uses the "Accompany" card in an attempt to fly to Ging with Killua. However, Gon is redirected to another person due to Ging's trickery.[6] When Gon and Killua get near him, they are suddenly pushed away. It turns out that they were standing on top of a Chimera Ants' nest and they could get killed anytime if the man didn't use his ability. The person who attacked them is actually Kite.[5] The trio is later seen eating by a bonfire while telling stories. Kite tells the boys how he met Ging and how it changed his life. He also reveals that he had found Ging.[7]
Kite has been hired by the Kakin Empire to do ecological research as part of a biological survey, leading a team of six youths aspiring to become Hunters.[7] When another expedition team finds an arm belonging to an enlarged Chimera Ant Queen washed up onto shore, Kite's group sets out to find the origin source.[8] He reasons that the animal probably ended up in the Neo-Green Life (NGL) Autonomous State and enters the region with Gon and Killua in order to suppress the dangerous creature.[9]
Upon arrival to NGL, only he, Gon, Killua, Stick Dinner, and Podungo Lapoy are able to advance because of the country's strict rules. Shortly after, the team receives a message from Ponzu—already in NGL with Pokkle.[10] On their way to help, they are too late to save Ponzu. After following the trails of dead bodies, they meet Rammot. Kite uses this chance to test the boys and see if they could defeat a Chimera Ant.[11]
Kite kills Yunju
The group soon discovers a narcotics factory in the country, formerly producing weapons and the drug 'D²'. There they encounter Yunju and his team. Knowing that Yunju is the leader, Kite is the one who faces him while the boys take on Yunju's subordinates.[12] Kite effortlessly fights him[13] until he finally uses his Crazy Slots ability. The roll is 4, which produces a carbine. He shoots Yunju in the head, killing him. He later clarifies that the best way to kill Chimera Ants is to aim for the head and do it as quickly and silently as possible.[14]
Kite defeats Hayga's entire division in one blow of his scythe
Yunju's death is immediately discovered by the ants so the trio becomes targets of the Hagya Division. On their way to the nest, they are blocked by a huge number of Chimera Ants led by Frog.[15] They are given options by the officer and they choose to fight the Ants one by one.[16] After Gon and Killua defeat their opponents, Kite faces Frog and activates his Nen ability. The roll is 2 and the roulette turns into a scythe. Using his scythe's ability, Kite defeats the entire division in one blow.[17]
Neferpitou with Kite's head
When they get closer to the nest, Kite touches Neferpitou's En to feel their strength.[18] Sensing him, the ant appears, cutting off Kite's right arm while he screams to Gon and Killua to get away. Knowing that they would only be a hindrance to him, Killua knocks out Gon and retreats, taking his friend with him. Kite uses his Nen ability to conjure a mace-like weapon to buy some time for them to escape.[19] Unable to stand up to the Chimera Ant's strength, Kite is killed by Neferpitou.[20]
Since Neferpitou enjoyed their fight with Kite, they keep the body instead of feeding it to the Queen. Soon after, his body is reanimated[21] and used as a training dummy for new Ant recruits. Knuckle and Shoot manage to capture him afterwards and bring him before Gon. After taking some blows from Kite, Gon hugs him and vows to get Neferpitou so he can save him.[22]
Kite is born to the Chimera Ant Queen
Unknown to Meruem and the three Royal Guards, there is another infant born at the same time when Meruem was born. After finding the child in the Queen's remains, Colt, a division commander extremely loyal to the Queen swears to protect the child at all costs.[23] Colt then raises him as a normal human being so that both of them are granted protection by Morel. Kite appears to grow at the rate of a regular Chimera Ant, and by the end of the Chimera Ant crisis, he already appears to be a young girl in early childhood.[24]
13th Hunter Chairman Election arc
Little Kite with Colt
The Hunter Association has classified Kite and Colt as magical beasts to keep them from being hunted down. It is revealed that the apparent young girl has all of Kite's memories.[3] Ging Freecss hypothesizes that Kite's survival has something to do with their ability Crazy Slots; whereby there is a number that will only appear when Kite has a strong will to survive and does not wish to die.[25]
Koala confesses to Kite
When they next appear, Kite looks older and talks with Koala. After listening to his story, they propose to him to stay by their side forever, to atone for his sins in his life as a human and as a Chimera Ant. Then, Gon appears and apologizes to Kite for Neferpitou's incident, and says that they both need more training and that next time, he will protect them, fighting by their side. Both of them smile and Kite says that they are delighted that Gon came to see them and that he should go after Ging, assuring him that when they will need help, they will contact him and Killua. They say goodbye to each other and Gon goes to find Ging.[4]
Observing the Small-billed Swans
Kite is then seen again with Gon, Koala, and the Amateur Hunters, watching a flock of Small-billed Swans.[26]
Gender Ambiguity
After Kite's revival as a Chimera Ant, it is uncertain what exactly is Kite's current perception of himself as well as his gender identity.
- Prior to recovering their memories, Kite uses atachi (あたち),[3] the baby talk version of the informal feminine pronoun atashi (あたし). This pronoun recurs in Kite's conversation with Koala.[4]
- If the pronoun is not interpreted as baby talk, it is still most probably feminine, "-tachi" (たち) being an informal suffix attached to names to indicate that person and the group (s)he is with. This could be a neologism created by the author, since such word is phonetically very similar to atashi (あたし).
- When speaking with Gon, just moments after the conversation with Koala, Kite uses the masculine "ore" (オレ).[4][27]
It is possible (and rather likely) that Kite chose what pronoun to refer to themselves based on the person they were speaking to, as the two individuals came to apologize to different aspects of Kite that now make up their current self: Koala came to apologize to the girl he had killed whose form (or a similar one) is now possessed by Kite's reincarnation, while Gon arrived to apologize to Kite as he had known him. As for Kite utilizing a feminine pronoun prior to meeting with Koala, it may or may not be due to their not having fully recovered their memories at that point in time.
Since no definitive conclusion can be drawn, this article maintains the usage of gender-neutral pronouns "they/their/them" to refer to post-reincarnation Kite, while masculine pronouns are maintained in sections referring exclusively to pre-reincarnation Kite.
Equipment
Kite's tachi
Tachi: When he first met Gon, Kite used a long, slightly curved katana as his primary weapon. It has a black scabbard and a matching hilt without a tsuba. He carried it by hanging it to his left shoulder through a piece of thread attached to the koiguchi (scabbard mouth). He used it to kill the foxbear that was attacking Gon.[2]
Abilities & Powers
Kite has all the benefits granted by his status as a Hunter. He is well liked by animals, a trait that according to Ging identifies a good Hunter.[5] In the few years after passing the exam, he discovered 68 new species.[7] One of his most impressive accomplishments, however, remains to be tracking down his master, the elusive Ging Freecss.[6] His competency allowed him to mentor the group of amateur Hunters[7] as well as lead rookie Hunters like Gon and Killua.[11] While they were in NGL, Killua observed that he and Gon together were weaker than a one-armed Kite.[19] Kite could defeat high-ranked Chimera Ants, organisms he had never met before, without trouble, even managing to inflict a few superficial wounds to newborn Neferpitou with only one arm, albeit at the cost of his life.[20] When he was revived as a corpse, Shoot and Knuckle had to cooperate to take him out and regarded him as a tough adversary.[22]
It is unknown to what extent Kite's abilities have changed after their rebirth.
Enhanced Strength: Kite can swing his weapons with a single hand and no effort. In his first appearance, he bisected an adult Foxbear with only a one-handed slash.[2]
Enhanced Speed: Kite can match Gon and Killua in terms of running speed.[10] Furthermore, he moved so fast that Rammot, who easily kept up with the boys, could not track his movements.[11] Although it should be noted that Gon is a slow starter[17] and Killua still had Illumi's needle planted in his brain at the time. He was also able to kill Yunju, a Squadron Leader, in the few seconds Gon needed to charge his Jajanken.[14] On more than one occasion, Kite has been shown to be able to move his left arm so fast and gracefully it leaves two afterimages.[11][19] Since he does this in preparation for a fight, it is likely this is a sort of battle stance, implying he might have learned some martial art.
Enhanced Stamina: Kite can cover long distances running alongside Gon and Killua without tiring.[10] A true testament to his endurance is given by the fact that he was able to fight the monstrously powerful Neferpitou[20] after the shock and blood loss resulting from having his right arm cut off.[19]
Immense Endurance: Kite withstood having his arm ripped off[19] and still continued fighting, even inflicting a few wounds on a newborn Neferpitou.[20]
Keen Intellect: Kite is able to accurately assess the risks of a mission, and come up with countermeasures to cope with dire situations.[10] He seems particularly knowledgeable about biology, enough to convince a corporation to enlist him to do an important biological survey in Kakin.[7]
Proficient Hand-to-Hand Combatant: Although he seems to prefer to rely on his weapons, Kite is hinted to be rather capable at fighting with his bare hands. In the anime, he single-handedly redirected Yunju's attacks and landed a high kick on his face.[13] When his corpse was under the effect of Neferpitou's ability, he was unable to use Nen, but Shoot still commented he had a hard time defeating him and that he was dangerous nonetheless.[22]
Master Weapon Specialist: Having chosen an ability that forces him to use a random weapon, it can be inferred that Kite is extremely adaptable: he can wield blunt weapons,[19] firearms,[14] and swords[2] with dexterity, although he does seem to prefer some weapons over others: for example, he has a strong distaste for the scythe.[17] When he carried a katana, he wielded it with one hand.[2]
Nen
Kite is a Conjurer.[1] Since he was trained in Nen by Ging Freecss,[25] one of the very best Nen users in the world,[28] it can be assumed that Kite is very competent in this field. He is known to have a powerful aura.[10] His En has a radius of about 45 meters (approx. 150′), with fluctuations of 2 or 3 meters (approx. 7-10′) depending on his physical and mental condition. He seems to be able to mask it with In, as Gon and Killua were unable to notice he was using the technique.[12] He mentions conditions for using his abilities being that he cannot choose the weapon given and that the one summoned must be used before it may disappear. This is assumed to be his own set conditions for strengthening the summoned weapons the same way that Kurapika did to strengthen his chains.
It is unknown if Kite retains any of their Nen abilities or if they are capable of using Nen at all after their rebirth.
| Kite's Nen Type: Conjuration | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crazy Slots (気狂いピエロ Mad Clown)[15] | ||||||
| Kite's Nen ability is called Crazy Slots and allows him to conjure some weapons with a clown affixed to it. A roulette appears on the clown's tongue with numbers 1 to 9, each corresponding to a specific weapon. Whatever number randomly appears, the weapon that corresponds to that number is conjured, which means that Kite cannot choose what weapon to summon. He included this restriction to increase the power of the individual weapons. The weapon drawn will not disappear until used. The clown on Crazy Slots can also talk and comment on Kite's actions and conditions, usually to his chagrin.[15] Only three of his weapons are shown in the manga: a scythe,[17] a carbine,[14] and a mace.[19] According to Ging, the Crazy Slots ability has a number that only comes up when Kite desperately does not want to die. Its power is so great that Kite managed to reincarnate as Meruem's twin sibling after his death.[25] | |||||
| Type: Conjuration | Number 2: Scythe* | |||||
| Kite conjures a very sharp and enormous scythe. It cannot be dispelled until Kite uses Silent Waltz, which is also the only way the scythe can be utilized.[17]
| |||||
| Type: Conjuration | Number 3: Mace* | |||||
| Kite conjures a clown-like mace or a stick, which he seems to wield the weapon with a reverse grip. The true orientation and function of this weapon is still largely unknown. The clown, however, refers to it as a "good number".[19] | |||||
| Type: Conjuration | Number 4: Carbine* | |||||
| Kite conjures a carbine with its shape similar to a long-barreled handgun combined with an extremely long buttstock. It can shoot powerful bullets in quick succession and seemingly without making any noise.[14] Regarding the "long-barreled" element described above, alternatively, the front part/piece of the weapon is similar to and could be a type of suppressor (even being distinctively colored in the anime),[13] which would explain the lack or reduced amount of noise. | |||||
Battles
| Battles | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Quotes
Trivia
Anime and Manga Differences
Intertextuality and References
Miscellaneous
Translations around the World
References
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