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"He wouldn't have lost in a fair fight. The chain dude must've trapped him with a dirty trick!! He won't get away with it. I'll find him no matter how many people I have to kill."

— Nobunaga to Gon, in "September 3rd: Part 7"

Nobunaga Hazama (ノブナガ゠ハザマ, Nobunaga Hazama) is member #1 of the Phantom Troupe.[6] His physical strength ranked ninth among the group.[7]

Appearance[]

Nobunaga 2011 Design 1

Nobunaga's 2011 anime adaptation design

Nobunaga 1999 Design

Nobunaga's 1999 anime adaptation design

Nobunaga 94

Nobunaga's manga appearance

Nobunaga usually wears a classic Japanese-style robe and short pants, while his midsection is wrapped in a sarashi (with wrappings also around his lower legs). He has long black hair that he ties into a single topknot. He also has a pencil moustache and a small patch of hair on his chin. His sword almost never leaves his side.

His spider tattoo has the number 1 on the spider's abdomen,[6] but the tattoo location has yet to be revealed.

He is mostly seen with a sullen and cold facial expression. During his youth days in Meteor City, it is brighter and happier.

Personality[]

45 - Nobunaga's late reaction

Nobunaga caught off guard

Nobunaga is typically a calm individual, but can be brash and get into conflicts with the other Troupe members. While he demonstrates good fighting speed and capacity for reason, he does seem to struggle with impromptu decision-making. This is first seen when Owl traps the car the Troupe members were riding in; every occupant of the car was able to escape except for Nobunaga. However, this was mostly due to the fact that he was sitting in the middle back seat and had the worst position.[8] Furthermore, when Gon and Killua announce their plan to attack him together, Nobunaga activates his En and prepares himself for the attack instead of pursuing either of the boys, ultimately giving them the chance to escape.[9]

HxH2011 EP57 Nobunaga tries to befriend Gon and Killua

Nobunaga trying to befriend Gon and Killua

Nobunaga is one of the friendlier members of the Troupe. He frequently smiles at the sight of Gon and Killua, asking them to be friends and even asking Chrollo to make them Troupe members. This is especially the case for Gon since he has the same Nen type and attitude as Nobunaga's late best friend, Uvogin.[10][11] During his youth in Meteor City, it is shown that he is a happy and friendly person. He enjoys dubbing Mighty Morphin' Power Cleaners and had a good time rehearsing with his fellow Troupe members. He is also less inclined towards arguments and violence during this time, unlike his present-day self, who will not hesitate when a situation calls for it, showing better control of his emotions and self-restraint. This can be seen when Uvogin, Machi, Phinks and Feitan confront Chrollo after the show, he simply watches and remains silent.[12] When Uvogin becomes violent towards Chrollo following the discovery of Sarasa's dead body, he reacts just the same. He shows a genuine concern upon the discovery of Sarasa's mangled body, being the first to inquire Chrollo about it.[13]

He is extremely loyal to Chrollo, which he showed when he was willing to fight Phinks to prevent him from going after Pakunoda.[14] Like the other members of the Troupe, Nobunaga is also cold-blooded, ruthless, and not above inhuman mass murder, most notably when he brutally massacred the Kurta Clan alongside his teammates. The gruesome murder of their dear friend Sarasa and their thirst for revenge against the perpetrators have desensitized him to such atrocities.[13]

2011 EP50 OP Card Nobunaga

Nobunaga threatening Gon and Killua

Nobunaga hates when hostages speak without permission, and will coldly warn them against it at least twice. He tells them to answer all the questions truthfully whenever they are under interrogation by any members of the Troupe. In such a situation, Nobunaga warned Killua that if he spoke without permission, he would kill him.[15] He is willing to kill hostages swiftly and unhesitatingly if they don’t follow his repeated warnings, as he did to Squala.[16]

Despite being a samurai, Nobunaga doesn't seem to adhere much to the code of Bushido, since he uses a chained katana to allow him to strike from a distance. This is even pointed out by an incredulous Yokotani.[17]

Background[]

Young nobunaga

Nobunaga in his youth

Nobunaga is a founding member of the Troupe,[18] all of whom hail from Meteor City, a junkyard city inhabited by outcasts of the world. People who live there do not exist in any official records, and the existence of the city itself is known to very few people.[19]

About fifteen years prior to his series debut, during his childhood in meteor city, he was present at the dubbing of Mighty Sweepin' Power Cleaners and took part in the rehearsals to play as the green power cleaner.[12] After one of his co-actors, Sarasa, who dubs the Orange Cleaner, is found dead in a forest, Nobunaga, Uvogin, and the six others pledge a loyalty to Chrollo in order to avenge their dear friend. He was present at the official founding of the Phantom Troupe three years later.[13]

As a founding member of the troupe, he took part in the massacre of the Kurta Clan.[2]

Nobunaga stated that he and Uvogin were friends before the Troupe was founded and that he knew him better than anyone.[15] At one point in the past, he and Uvogin worked together to fight several opponents. Franklin stated that Uvogin was at his strongest when he fought alongside Nobunaga, who was better at fighting one-on-one and always complained when the two were paired together. However, Franklin added that Nobunaga actually didn’t seem to mind that much.[11]

At some point, he had a bad case of food poisoning after consuming a shellfish. Since then, he developed an intense disgust toward them.[20]

Plot[]

Yorknew City arc[]

Nobunaga clashing with Franklin 2011

Nobunaga clashing with Franklin

On August 31st, Nobunaga is seen with Franklin, Feitan, and Machi as they walk through the Gordeau Desert to Yorknew City. When Nobunaga asks how long it’s been since the entire Troupe has gathered together, Feitan quickly replies with three years and two months, adding that members #4 and #8 have been replaced. When Hisoka is mentioned, Feitan says that he doesn’t like him and wonders why Chrollo allows him to do as he pleases. Nobunaga says that it’s because he’s good, praising Hisoka’s Bungee Gum and his strength. Feitan tells him to apologize for implying that Chrollo is afraid of Hisoka, but Nobunaga replies that he didn’t say that. Franklin adds that Nobunaga gives Hisoka too much credit, and when Nobunaga replies that anyone can talk big, the two suddenly slam their forearms together and begin sparring as Machi and Feitan talk. After they are all gathered at the hideout, their leader Chrollo reveals that they will steal all the items at the Underground Auction.[21]

After Franklin, Feitan, and Shizuku slaughter all the auction attendees, Nobunaga and the others find the safe empty and escape in a hot-air balloon. Suspecting the Shadow Beasts to be involved after they learn about Owl, Chrollo tells the Troupe members to lure them out with a big disturbance.[22] After the group is shot down by the Mafia in the Gordeau Desert, Nobunaga and the others watch from afar as Uvogin massacres dozens of Mafia members.[23] As he prepares his Big Bang Impact, Nobunaga states that he is getting serious and praises the power of the attack. When Uvogin kills Porcupine with a scream, Nobunaga covers his ears in time and yells at Uvogin for not giving him a warning, eventually realizing that Uvogin was right not to let Porcupine know what he was about to do.[24]

Phinks and other members rescuing Uvogin

Nobunaga and the others rescuing Uvogin

When Uvogin is captured Kurapika, Nobunaga and four other Spiders chase the culprits by car. Because he was sitting in the middle back seat, Nobunaga is the only one unable to jump out of the car when Owl envelops it in his Fun Fun Cloth, shrinking in size and trapped in Owl’s ability.[8] He is returned to normal when the other Spiders defeat the Shadow Beasts. He then disguises himself as a Mafia member and infiltrates the building where Uvogin is being held captive, freeing him in the process.[25] Uvogin then leaves to kill the chain user that restrained him. When he doesn’t return the following day,[7] Chrollo has Nobunaga and Machi roam the streets of Yorknew to lure out the chain user and take him to their hideout.[26] While the two sit at a table in a square, they are spotted by a couple who act as informants for Gon, Killua, and Leorio.[27]

HxH2011 EP49 Machi and Nobunaga at a public space

Nobunaga and Machi trying to lure out the chain user

Nobunaga wonders if Uvogin is really dead, claiming that he isn’t stupid and can hold his own even if outmatched. However, he trusts Machi's hunch that he’s probably dead and resolves to find and kill the chain user. Although they sense that they are being watched, they cannot pinpoint their exact location. Machi asks him if he thinks it could be their target, and Nobunaga replies that if it is, they will follow Chrollo's orders and do what they want with him. Machi suggests that Chrollo might want him to join the Troupe. Nobunaga reminds her of the unspoken rule, which states that they can use any means to bring him back dead or alive, ordering her to stop telling him what to think. Machi then points out that he is the one telling her what to do. After a moment of heightened tension, Nobunaga suggests that she flip a coin to determine whether they should take the chain user dead or alive, with Nobunaga calling heads and Machi tails.[26]

After the two leave the square, they sense multiple skilled Zetsu users tailing them. They walk to the courtyard of an abandoned complex and wait for their pursuers to show themselves. When no one does, Nobunaga tells Machi that it isn’t the chain user following them since there are multiple pursuers and he probably works alone, having fought Uvogin by himself and not reported it to the Nostrade Family. He concludes that he must have a personal grudge against them and that their pursuers are unrelated. Vexed by Machi's skepticism, he asks her what she thinks. She says that she has a feeling their pursuers are somehow related to the chain user. Nobunaga protests that hunches have nothing to do with logic. He then receives a call from Phinks, who tells him where to find their hidden pursuers. Nobunaga jumps to the fourth floor of the building, where he finds Killua and Phinks. He greets the latter, asking him what he is doing. Phinks replies that Chrollo had he and Pakunoda tail Nobunaga and Machi without their knowledge so they could deceive anyone who came after them as well. After Nobunaga comments that he knew there were many skilled Zetsu users around, he prepares to interrogate Killua.[28]

Nobunaga first asks him why he was following them, and Killua tells him about the bounty put on their heads by the Mafia. Nobunaga then asks who taught him how to shadow, and Killua says that they were just using Zetsu and that his teacher was the assistant master of Shingen-ryu kung fu. Nobunaga asks him if he knows a Nen user with chains who is a Conjurer or Manipulator, but Killua replies that he doesn’t know and that his teacher was an Enhancer who only taught them the basics. Nobunaga finally gives him two choices, asking if he wants to die now or later, with Phinks giving him three seconds to decide. After Killua surrenders, the four Spiders drive Gon and Killua back to their hideout. Hearing Gon's exclamation of surprise, Nobunaga asks him if he knows any of them. Killua cuts in and recognizes Shizuku as the girl beaten by Gon in arm-wrestling, prompting Nobunaga to challenge Gon to a match. He repeatedly beats him without effort and has the others remind him of his arm-wrestling ranking in the group, with Franklin saying that he is seventh or eighth.[15]

Nobunaga tells Gon that the strongest was Uvogin, who the chain user probably killed. When Killua protests that they don’t know a Nen user with chains, Nobunaga threatens to kill him if he speaks out of turn again. He states that Uvogin was an Enhancer who loved fighting more than anything else, but who was also a stickler for punctuality. As he reminisces about knowing Uvogin since before the creation of the Troupe, Nobunaga tears up and angrily says that the chain user must have used a dirty trick since Uvogin would have never lost a fair fight. He then vows to find him no matter how many people he has to kill along the way. When Nobunaga mentions that the chain user has a vendetta against them and that he was recently hired by the Nostrade Family, Killua works out that it must be Kurapika. Nobunaga wonders if Gon has heard any rumors, but Gon replies that he wouldn’t tell them even if he had heard anything. Asking Nobunaga why he doesn’t share that emotion with the people he has killed, Gon activates his Ren and slams Nobunaga's hand down against the table.[15]

Feitan restrains Gon and tells him that he's getting too cocky, again asking if he knows the chain user. Gon responds that he has nothing to tell them, and when Feitan chuckles in reply, Nobunaga tells him to stop. Feitan wonders why he has to obey his orders, and Nobunaga slams his fist down as the tension rises. Franklin, Machi, and Shizuku intervene and remind them that there’s no actual fighting within the Troupe. They settle the dispute with a coin toss, and Feitan releases Gon after Nobunaga wins. The other Spiders are willing to let Gon and Killua go, but Nobunaga stops them and insists that Gon should join the Troupe and become his partner. Gon refuses and angrily replies that he would rather die. Nobunaga asks him if he’s an Enhancer and bursts out laughing at Gon’s confirmation. He tells the others that he wants to keep them at the hideout until Chrollo returns and that he plans to nominate Gon as a Troupe member. The others are left confused by Nobunaga’s decision and tell him that he has to watch the boys on his own. He then takes the boys to another room and sits in front of the only exit.[29]

Nobunaga watching Gon and Killua

Nobunaga keeping watch

As Killua appears ready to fight, Nobunaga prepares to draw his sword and warns him not to move any closer. Killua begrudgingly backs down, but a few minutes later, he tells Gon that he will buy time for him to escape. Nobunaga hears him and warns Killua that he’s skilled enough to understand that the gap in their abilities will make it impossible. Killua replies that he won’t know until he tries, causing Nobunaga to shake his head. Nobunaga then bursts out laughing at Gon's illogical reasoning when he stops Killua, telling the latter that it’s impossible to reason with an Enhancer. He acknowledges Killua's determination and assures them that he will allow them to leave as long as they wait for Chrollo to return. His words jog Gon's memory, who begins a conversation about ostomy that leaves Nobunaga confused. As the two suddenly activate their Ren, Nobunaga warns them that they will end up dead, but the two charge toward him and suddenly move to the side, with each kicking a hole through the wall.[11]

Believing that Killua is close to the stairs, Nobunaga chases after Gon from the corridor. He locks the door to the next room, forgetting that he can kick through walls. He hears Killua running down the stairs and follows Gon through the holes he has made, but ends up in an empty room. He then hears the boy's voice behind him as he tells Killua that they will Nobunaga on together. Nobunaga realizes that Gon made the last hole and then backtracked to trick him. He kicks down the door and, unable to feel their aura, guesses that they plan to ambush him. He activates his En and waits for them to make their move. Unbeknownst to him, however, the two have already left the building.[9]

Chrollo foretelling Nobunaga's fortune

Chrollo writing out Nobunaga's fortune

When the other Spiders return to the hideout from the attack on the Cemetery Building, they all celebrate their successful plan to take over the auction. Nobunaga, however, is shown to be still upset about the boys escaping.[30] The following morning, Chrollo announces that they will leave Yorknew that same night after taking the rest of the items. Nobunaga protests that they have not yet found the chain user and insists on staying. When Franklin steps in, Nobunaga asks Chrollo if he is ordering him to leave as the leader.[19] Opening his book, Chrollo tells Nobunaga to answer his questions.[31] Nobunaga is perplexed when the questions are about his name, date of birth, and blood type. At Chrollo's request, he writes them on a sheet of paper. Chrollo then writes out his fortune with Neon’s stolen ability, explaining its mechanics. Upon reading the poem, all Nobunaga can decipher is that five more Spiders will die the following week. He hands his fortune to Shizuku, and when she has her own fortune written and announces that she is among those who will die, Nobunaga asks her how she figured it out. Chrollo states that the fortunes won’t come true if they leave without a fight, reminding Nobunaga that he and Uvogin volunteered to defend the others with their lives and that it’s his job to protect Shizuku, Pakunoda, and Shalnark. Asked which one of them is being selfish, Nobunaga concedes that he has nothing else to say.[2]

After Chrollo writes out the fortunes for the other Spiders,[32] Hisoka seems to insinuate that he sold out Uvogin to the chain user, Nobunaga draws his sword and asks him if it’s true. He takes the ensuing silence as confirmation and prepares to attack, only to be stopped by Franklin and Shalnark. The two pose their own questions to Hisoka, but his evasive answers do not sway Nobunaga, who pretends to give up and then dashes toward him. Before he can unsheathe his sword again, Chrollo teleports him away from Hisoka and orders him to stay quiet. As Chrollo interrogates Hisoka, Nobunaga grows more and more furious until Chrollo speculates that Hisoka was affected by the chain user’s ability and forced to keep silent about him. Since his fortune appears to predict his death if he leaves the hideout, the Spiders decide to stay in Yorknew City[33] until the end of the following week.[34]

Chrollo divides the Troupe into four groups so that none of them will be alone, putting himself in a team with Nobunaga and Shalnark. Machi informs him that two boys know the location of their hideout, which prompts Nobunaga to nominate them for membership. After they explain, Chrollo comments that they sound like they would never become Spiders, but Nobunaga replies that he will convince them. He offers to bring them to the hideout, but trusting Machi's hunch, Chrollo has Kortopi make more dummy hideouts so the boys can’t relocate the real one.[34] Chrollo then deduces that the chain user is a survivor of the Kurta Clan, telling Kortopi track down the copied pair of Scarlet Eyes. They eventually determine that the chain user is at the Hotel Beitacle. After Nobunaga begs Chrollo to let him go, Chrollo says that he is coming with him and that he can’t wander off by himself. He then tells Pakunoda, Machi, and Shizuku to join them and tells Shalnark to switch teams with Kortopi before the group of six leave the hideout.[35] After Killua and Melody track the group as they make their way to the city’s downtown, Kurapika warns Squala to leave the hotel after he realizes that the Troupe members are heading there, with Squala making sure to take the Scarlet Eyes with him. Kurapika then spots the six members leaving the train station.[36]

HxH2011 EP56 Troupe exiting the station

Nobunaga and the others making their way to the Hotel Beitacle

Kortopi senses the copied eyes moving, and Chrollo states that Nobunaga can have the chain user after Pakunoda asks about Uvogin. As they quicken their pace, they amaze passers-by with their speed and acrobatics. Chrollo then tells the others that they are being followed. Nobunaga prepares to draw his sword, but Chrollo tells him to go on ahead with Pakunoda and Kortopi. As the three reach Squala stuck in traffic, they recognize that he’s not the chain user, but Nobunaga points out that he is one of Neon's bodyguards on the list Shalnark gave them. He then orders Squala to exit the car as the Nostrade bodyguard lets his dogs escape.[1] Nobunaga warns Squala that he will kill him if he moves. Pakunoda begins interrogating him, and Nobunaga repeats his threat after she breaks Squala's arm. When she finds out about Eliza, Squala turns around and shouts at her. Nobunaga swiftly decapitates him, stating that he told him twice not to move. Nobunaga calmly agrees to have Pakunoda shoot the information she obtained into him using her Memory Bomb. He thus discovers Kurapika's name and appearance, vowing not to forget either one until he kills him. Chrollo then tells them to meet up with his group in the hotel’s lobby.[16]

Boss is gone

Nobunaga and the others realizing that Chrollo is missing

After Gon and Killua are captured, Nobunaga is delighted to see the two of them again and guesses that they changed their minds about joining the Troupe. Killua responds that he didn’t know the bounties on their heads had been canceled, and Nobunaga comments that they shouldn’t have tried to tail them again, adding that it must be fate and asking them to be his friends. Their refusal only fuels his enthusiasm, causing him to tell Chrollo that they are just like Uvogin. At seven o'clock, the hotel’s power goes out, and the two boys make their escape attempt. Nobunaga activates his En and restrains Gon, praising their attempt. He dodges a knife, which he believes to have been thrown by the guy with the radio as he fled. Content with having Gon and Killua, Nobunaga refrains from giving chase. However, Shizuku is the first to notice that Chrollo is missing.[10]

Noticing a message tied to the knife, Nobunaga leaves Gon to Shizuku and reads it with a lighter in his other hand. When Pakunoda is about to reveal what she found out from the boys' memories, Nobunaga stops her and hands her the message, in which Kurapika threatens to kill Chrollo if she shares her discoveries. As Pakunoda wrestles with her decision internally, Nobunaga snaps her out of it and tells her not to say anything. He suggests that they wait for the chain user to contact them, using Gon and Killua as hostages. He then calls Phinks and tells him that Chrollo was taken, asking him to hurry. In Pakunoda's flashback remembering the formation of the Troupe in Meteor City, Nobunaga can be seen among the founding members listening to Chrollo's speech about the importance of the Spider.[18] After Phinks, Feitan, and Shalnark finally arrive at the hotel, Nobunaga becomes frustrated with their questions as he tries to explain why they didn’t go after the chain user, adding that he was gone by the time they could see and stressing the importance of the hostages. Kurapika calls them, and after Phinks answers, he lies by saying that Gon and Killua broke some bones before they arrived, causing Kurapika to hang up. After Phinks calls back and then hands the phone to Pakunoda, she and Nobunaga punch him in the back of the head for his mistake, with both of them reminding him that Chrollo’s life is on the line. After she talks to Kurapika, Nobunaga is handed the phone and instructed to return to the hideout with all Spiders except Pakunoda. On Kurapika's orders, Pakunoda leaves without a word. A quarrel breaks out among the Spiders and escalates to the point where Nobunaga prepares to draw his sword against Phinks if he follows Pakunoda. However, he is knocked unconscious from behind by Shizuku[14] and carried back to the hideout after the group agrees to obey Kurapika’s instructions.[37]

Shot by memory bomb

Nobunaga receiving Pakunoda’s memories

Nobunaga is shown awake once Pakunoda returns to the hideout without Chrollo after successfully carrying out the hostage exchange. When she raises her gun and prepares to give her memories to six Troupe members, Phinks worries that she’s being manipulated, but Nobunaga tells him to trust her and assures him that it’s Pakunoda. After Pakunoda uses her Memory Bomb on Nobunaga and the other five, she quickly collapses. Shizuku checks her body and confirms that she's dead, asking the others what happened. Phinks then explains everything to the others.[38]

Greed Island arc[]

Machi, Nobunaga Hisoka spies

Nobunaga, Machi, and Hisoka spying on Abengane

Nobunaga is teamed up with Machi to tail a Nen exorcist that the Troupe plans to hire to remove Kurapika’s Judgment Chain from around Chrollo’s heart. After following Machi’s thread, Hisoka meets up with them to spy on the disguised exorcist. He then senses Kalluto skulking in the shadows and realizes that it was his ability that allowed the Troupe to find the exorcist. After they introduce Kalluto as Hisoka’s replacement and Hisoka seems interested in him, Nobunaga and Machi warn Kalluto to be careful since Hisoka will go after anything. Nobunaga becomes serious and tells Hisoka to make things work. Hisoka assures him that he will negotiate with the exorcist since it’s the only way he will be able to fight Chrollo.[39]

Chimera Ant arc[]

After several Troupe members defeat multiple Chimera Ants including Zazan near Meteor City, Nobunaga texts Shalnark and asks for their help, with Phinks left disappointed that it wasn’t Chrollo contacting them.[40]

Succession Contest arc[]

Chibi Gon and Killua
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On the second day of the Black Whale’s voyage, Nobunaga, Phinks, Feitan, and Franklin are seen aboard the ship confronting three members of the Buor Family in Tier 5. They force them to talk about Kakin's three Mafia families, with Nobunaga asking one of the men how they get above Tier 2. He replies that movement between tiers is impossible, and Phinks guesses that there's a middleman between the boss and the henchmen. Franklin tells the Buor Family members to call over the person who takes the cut, and one of them replies that the next meeting is planned for Saturday. Phinks then tells the Mafia members that their new mission is to find everyone taller than 6'2" and get their room numbers.[41]

Chap 377 - Spiders moving out

The Spiders splitting up to find Hisoka

On the fourth day of the voyage, the Troupe gathers together in the crowded central dining hall and discusses the situation regarding Hisoka. When the Cha-R Family claims the table for themselves, the Troupe leaves without a fight. Chrollo states that they will meet again at that table and orders them to bring him Hisoka's head, with the Troupe members going their separate ways.[6]

Nobunaga tells Phinks and Feitan that they will leave Tier 5 to the Buor Family and search for Hisoka on Tier 4. He plans to retrieve his weapon from the warehouse, and Phinks says that he needs to get something as well, with Feitan adding that his trick umbrella was smuggled in with the black market goods. Nobunaga wonders if the two are babysitting him, but Phinks and Feitan stress that they don't want to give Hisoka any chance to kill them. After arriving at the warehouse, the three encounter some henchmen of the Cha-R Family, one of whom leads them inside. As the man turns the corner, Nobunaga stops Phinks and Feitan, stating that he suddenly vanished from his En, with Phinks noting that he can no longer feel his presence. They walk down the corridor, which turns out to be a dead end, and then hear a thud from behind them. They find the man lying dead on the floor with his throat cut open. Phinks and Feitan nonchalantly keep searching for the items on their own, ridiculing Nobunaga's concern and telling him that his priorities are weird. As the three continue to talk, the hit man Luini watches them from his portal in the ceiling and describes them as his idols, hoping that they can destroy the world together.[42]

Chap 379 - Commando Trio

Nobunaga, Phinks, and Feitan discovering that the warehouse guards are missing

After retrieving their weapons, the three return to the entrance and find that the other Mafia members are gone, but Phinks points out that one got away, noting a trail of dry blood and worrying that it's a trap. He then remarks that the first corpse would have been enough if someone had wanted to frame them as enemies of the Cha-R Family. When Nobunaga replies that the murders may be unrelated to them, Phinks asks him if he believes multiple parties are involved. From Nobunaga's answer, he surmises that the culprit ran into them by chance and decided to use them, but switched back to his original plan when a fight didn't break out. They begin to follow the trail and surmise that Hisoka isn't involved, guessing that the culprit's target is the Cha-R Family. The trail ends at a locked door, and Phinks notices the two security cameras nearby, which he finds odd for Tier 5. After Nobunaga tries to open the door and finds it locked, the Cha-R underboss Ken'i Wang appears behind them with four armed subordinates. He asks if they are the ones who attacked the warehouse guards. Still, after the Troupe members say that they weren't involved, Ken'i receives a call from his subordinates about a man who entered their hideout with a wounded warehouse guard and yelled that the Spiders did it. Ken'i is annoyed that someone tried to manipulate the two groups into fighting and guesses that he was a hitman from one of the other families. Phinks speculates that they did so to fulfill an ability condition to teleport into their hideout later, explaining the process in great detail and even mentioning Nen by name. When Ken'i asks the three Troupe members if they want to work together, he tells himself that they are dangerous and must be eliminated.[43]

Chap 380 - Phinks and Nobunaga meet Tsudonke

Nobunaga meeting Tsudonke

Inside the Cha-R's hideout, after Ken'i and the Troupe members watch the surveillance footage, Nobunaga points out that the hit man will come to open the other door. Ken'i asks if they want to see what's inside, and Nobunaga refuses to do so for free, offering to kill the hit man. After Ken'i agrees, he introduces the Spiders to the other Cha-R members present. After telling them that the Cha-R has around 250 members on board, the supervisor Tsudonke recognizes the Spiders and keeps it to himself, wondering if he should ask them for an autograph.[44]

Chap 384 - Spiders and Cha-R

Tajao discussing Morena with the Spiders

On the seventh day of the voyage, Tajao, the assistant to the Cha-R boss, emerges from the locked room in the hideout, escorted by Ken'i. Phinks objects to the way Ken'i introduces them, making it sound like the Spiders are the ones who requested cooperation. After Ken'i gives Tajao his report, Phinks explains that they are looking for Hisoka, who was nowhere to be found in Tier 5. He says that the Troupe members will kill the hit man if they get permission from the Xi-Yu Family to allow them to search Tier 4. He is confident that the hit man will eventually return to access the passage leading to the upper tiers, perhaps in order to kill their boss. Tajao warns the three Spiders that an inescapable war might occur depending on where Morena is. He informs them of the rules that the families must follow, exasperating Nobunaga and Phinks. After the two surmise that the most convenient course of action would be to kill Morena, Nobunaga adds that the Heil-Ly Family’s benefactor may even thank them if their relationship with Morena was bad. Phinks urges Ken'i and Tajao to find her and assures them that the Spiders will come together to hunt down the hit man.[45]

On the tenth day of the voyage, after Onior confirms with Hinrigh that Hisoka isn't in Tier 4, he says that he can give the Spiders permission to search that tier.[46]

Equipment[]

HxH2011 EP54 Nobunaga confronts Hisoka

Nobunaga's katana

Katana: Nobunaga uses a katana as his preferred weapon. It is portrayed differently in each adaptation of the series. In the manga, its grip is wrapped in white bandages and sheathed in a dark scabbard. In the 1999 anime adaptation, the hilt is similar, but the scabbard is light brown. In the 2011 anime adaptation, the bandages are dark green, the scabbard black, and the blade slightly curved. In all three depictions, the katana lacks a tsuba, the grip is wrapped in the hineri maki way, and the tassel is rectangular. To disguise his weapon, Nobunaga sometimes wraps it in grayish-purple canvas, tied with a twine thread at the top. He carries it on his left hip in his obi sash. When fighting alongside Uvogin in the past and at the time of his arrival in Yorknew City, Nobunaga also carried a second katana, identical to the first.[11] During the time in Black Whale, he installs a chain at the hilt of the Katana so he can throw the katana for long-range attacks and retract it.

Abilities & Powers[]

Due to Nobunaga being born in Meteor City, his existence is not recorded in any database, which makes obtaining information on him nearly impossible.[19] He is very confident in his abilities, having attacked Hisoka without hesitation.[33] In addition, when Gon and Leorio were unable to grasp the extent of his and Machi's strength, Killua compared it to that of Hisoka.[28] Nobunaga is so skilled a swordsman that Killua guessed he would be unable to get close to him without getting sliced in half, and Nobunaga would still have time to strike a second time and kill Gon before the latter could pass him.[11] According to Franklin, Nobunaga was better at fighting one-on-one and while he complained whenever he was paired up with Uvogin, he actually didn’t seem to mind it.[11] Nobunaga is also rather observant, understanding that he and Machi were being watched by professionals.[26]

Preternatural Perception: Nobunaga has been shown to possess what some may refer to as a sixth sense, gathering information from his surroundings outside of his rudimentary senses. He knew that multiple people concealed with Zetsu were tailing him and Machi, and that they were being observed by Gon, Leorio, and Killua, though he was unable to pinpoint their locations and number in both instances.[28]

Enhanced Strength: Nobunaga was able to defeat Gon several times in arm-wrestling without apparent effort,[15] losing only once, when Gon began to use aura.[29] It is possible that said loss was caused by Nobunaga's surprise at Gon's sudden increase in strength or his resemblance to Uvogin.

Machi and Nobunaga leaping

Nobunaga leaping between buildings at high speed

Enhanced Speed and Reflexes: Nobunaga is an Iai master, allowing him to react extremely quickly. After he unleashed his deafening howl and the other members asked why he didn’t warn them, Uvogin replied that they were fast enough to cover their ears before the sound reached them.[24] With his katana sheathed, Nobunaga was able to behead Squala in an instant.[16] He was also able to block a sudden strike from Franklin.[21]

Enhanced Agility: Nobunaga can run on the sides of buildings and easily jump horizontally from one to another.[1] He can also easily reach a window located on the fourth floor of a building.[28]

Keen Intellect: Although Nobunaga often lets his emotions get the best of him, he can be fairly analytical when calm, as seen when he explained to Machi why he believed that the chain user was acting alone.[28]

Nobunaga Iaido 2011

Nobunaga's Iaidō

Master Swordsman: Nobunaga is very skilled in the use of edged weapons. His blade of choice is a long katana, though when fighting beside Uvogin in the past and then on his way to Yorknew City, he was seen wielding two swords.[11]

  • Iaidō Master: Nobunaga stated that anyone who entered his attack range would be instantly killed. He is skilled in the art of Iaidō, which is a set of controlled movements involving the drawing of a sword from its scabbard, the striking or cutting of an opponent, the removing of blood from the blade, and finally the placement of the sword back in the scabbard, as stated by Killua. He employs his kenjutsu both standing still (e.g., when watching over Killua and Gon)[11] and moving (e.g., when he decapitated Squala).[16]

Nen[]

EN 2011

Nobunaga using his En

Nobunaga is an Enhancer leaning toward Transmutation.[5] He seems to possess a powerful aura, as the clash of his hostility with Machi's frightened Gon, Killua, and Leorio.[26] Little is known about his proficiency in Nen, but as a member of the Phantom Troupe, it must be quite high. Nonetheless, he was defeated by Gon in arm-wrestling[29] despite being an Enhancer himself and having much greater base physical strength, as proven by his previous victories.[15] If the defeat was not caused by a psychological weakness, this should mean Nobunaga's aura output and/or his skills in his natural category were considerably lower than Gon's at that moment, presumably due to Gon's Nen becoming stronger due to anger.

Nobunaga has some skill in En, stating that his maximum range is four meters, which corresponds to the reach of his blade and complements his fighting style. His working command of the technique implies that he also knows at least Ten and Ren.[9] His Nen ability has yet to be shown, but Shalnark stated that it could easily be replaced along with his own (in contrast to Shizuku and Pakunoda’s abilities).[2]

Battles & Competitions[]

Battles
  • Hunter Exam arc:
    • Nobunaga and the Spiders vs. Kurta Clan citizens (Past)[47][48][2]
  • Yorknew City arc:
    • Nobunaga vs. Franklin Bordeau[21]
    • Nobunaga and Pakunoda vs. Squala[16]
    • Nobunaga, Machi Komacine and Pakunoda vs. Gon Freecss and Killua Zoldyck[10]
  • Succession Contest arc:
    • Nobunaga, Phinks Magcub, Feitan Portor, and Franklin Bordeau vs. Buor Family Thugs[41]
    • Nobunaga vs. Luini†[49]
Competitions
  • Yorknew City arc:
    • Nobunaga vs. Gon Freecss (arm-wrestling; 3 wins and 1 loss)[15]

Quotes[]

  • (To Franklin) "Anyone can talk big, I guess."[21]
  • (To Machi) "Uvo... isn't stupid. Even if he's outmatched, he can handle himself."[26]
  • (To Machi) "We're gonna track the guy down and kill him without fail."[26]
  • (To Machi) "All Chrollo said was, find the chain dude and bring him back. Have you forgotten the unspoken rule? Use any means to bring him back, dead or alive. I don't care how you interpret that. Just stop telling me what to think."[26]
  • (To Killua) "You have two choices. Choose wisely. Do you want to die now or later?"[15]
  • (To Gon) "Look, kid... why don't you join the Spiders? You could team up with me."[29]
  • (To Killua) "Reason never works on Enhancers."[11]
  • (To Gon and Killua) "Are you sure? You'll only get yourselves killed. I don't have the skill or the mercy to prevent it!"[11]
  • (To Chrollo) "Are you really speaking as our leader, Chrollo?"[19]
  • (To Hisoka) "Forget it. You're a pain to fight. Yeah, like that would stop me!!"[33]
  • (After receiving Squala’s memories) "So that's what you look like... Kurapika. I'll remember your name and face until I kill you!!"[16]
  • (To Gon) "Even if I can't see... I can still tell where you are."[10]
  • (To Pakunoda) "Don't say a word. Got it?"[18]
  • (To Hisoka) "Tch. You're a freak...!"[39]
  • (To Phinks and Feitan) "It's just speculation. Like you said, it could be two killers. Maybe he failed to kill and went after him. But that first corpse... was totally messing with us..."[43]
  • (To Ken'i Wang) "I won't ask for it for free. How about in exchange for the killer's head?"[44]
  • (To Ken'i Wang and Tajao) "If the Heil-Ly boss is down here, it'll be quickest for us to kill her. If the new boss is a troublemaker, get another one. If the relationship between the benefactor and the boss was bad, they may even thank us."[45]
  • (To Luini) "If you're going to talk about destroying the world, then I'll destroy you."[49]

Trivia[]

  • Nobunaga is likely named after Oda Nobunaga, the famous Japanese daimyō.
  • He is the only Phantom Troupe member whose Nen ability has not been shown.
  • Nobunaga has implied that he is familiar with Hisoka's personality test, or that he has reached similar conclusions regarding Enhancers.[29][11]
  • Nobunaga is also the only Spider whose appearance was known to the Mafia[50] but whose corpse Kortopi did not forge,[30] due to the swordsman not taking part in the attack on the Cemetery Building.[51]
  • In Chapter 371, Nobunaga made his first appearance since Chapter 170, a gap of exactly 200 chapters and almost exactly 15 years. However, he was mentioned when he texted Shalnark during the Chimera Ant arc.[40]
  • Nobunaga and Machi appear at a ramen shop in a Volume 32 extra.
  • Despite being widely known as Nobunaga Hazama, it should be noted that in Japanese names, a person's surname is placed before their given name in contrast with a Westerner's. This applies to Korean names as well, such as Ming Jol-ik's, who hailed from a country that is based on North Korea.
    • Though it's unlikely that his name is actually Hazama, as he gets consistently called Nobunaga by people who are supposed to call him by name, and "Nobunaga" is a real-life Japanese first name while "Hazama" is a last name (Japanese last names are never used as first, unlike English names).
    • People of Japanese origin who live outside Japan do sometimes adopt the Western name order, and since Nobunaga spent many years in Meteor City, he says his name in Western order as does the entire rest of the Phantom Troupe. Feitan Portor, whose name is of Chinese origin, and Shizuku Murasaki (whose name is Japanese too) also say their name in Western order due to the same circumstances. Hisoka too has a Japanese name but says it in Western order.
  • It is interesting to notice that Nobunaga in his youth dubs the Green Cleaner, which is equivalent to Tommy Oliver the Green Ranger. Both of them are well-versed in eastern martial arts.

Miscellaneous[]

Translations around the World[]

Language Name
The Arab world Flag Arabic نوبوناغا هازاما (Nubunagha Hazama)
China Flag Chinese 信長•哈察馬*
Greece Flag Greek Νομπουνάγκα Χάζαμα [Χάαζαμα] (Nompounánka Cházama [Cháazama])
South Korea Flag Korean 노부나가 하자마 (Nobunaga Hajama)
Russia Flag Russian Нобунага Хазама (Nobunaga Khazama)
Thailand Flag Thai โนบุนากะ ฮาซามะ (No bu nā ka Hā sā ma)

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 12, Chapter 111
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 12, Chapter 104
  3. Hunter × Hunter - Volume 13, Chapter 124
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Hunter × Hunter Hunter Association Official Issue: Hunter's Guide; Character & World Official Databook (pg. 120)
  5. 5.0 5.1 Exhibition: Togashi Yoshihiro -Puzzle-
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 36, Chapter 377
  7. 7.0 7.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 10, Chapter 84
  8. 8.0 8.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 9, Chapter 77
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 11, Chapter 94
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 12, Chapter 113
  11. 11.00 11.01 11.02 11.03 11.04 11.05 11.06 11.07 11.08 11.09 11.10 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 10, Chapter 93
  12. 12.0 12.1 Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 396
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 397
  14. 14.0 14.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 12, Chapter 115
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 15.7 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 10, Chapter 91
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 12, Chapter 112
  17. Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 399
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 12, Chapter 114
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 11, Chapter 102
  20. Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 398
  21. 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 8, Chapter 71
  22. Hunter × Hunter - Volume 9, Chapter 74
  23. Hunter × Hunter - Volume 9, Chapter 75
  24. 24.0 24.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 9, Chapter 76
  25. Hunter × Hunter - Volume 8, Chapter 78
  26. 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 26.4 26.5 26.6 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 10, Chapter 89
  27. Hunter × Hunter - Volume 10, Chapter 88
  28. 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 28.4 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 10, Chapter 90
  29. 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 29.4 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 10, Chapter 92
  30. 30.0 30.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 11, Chapter 101
  31. Hunter × Hunter - Volume 11, Chapter 103
  32. Hunter × Hunter - Volume 12, Chapter 105
  33. 33.0 33.1 33.2 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 12, Chapter 106
  34. 34.0 34.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 12, Chapter 108
  35. Hunter × Hunter - Volume 12, Chapter 109
  36. Hunter × Hunter - Volume 12, Chapter 110
  37. Hunter × Hunter - Volume 13, Chapter 117
  38. Hunter × Hunter - Volume 13, Chapter 119
  39. 39.0 39.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 17, Chapter 170
  40. 40.0 40.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 22, Chapter 229
  41. 41.0 41.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 36, Chapter 371
  42. Hunter × Hunter - Volume 36, Chapter 378
  43. 43.0 43.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 36, Chapter 379
  44. 44.0 44.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 36, Chapter 380
  45. 45.0 45.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 37, Chapter 384
  46. Hunter × Hunter - Volume 37, Chapter 390
  47. Hunter × Hunter - Volume 0, Chapter 2
  48. Hunter × Hunter - Volume 1, Chapter 7
  49. 49.0 49.1 Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 393
  50. Hunter × Hunter - Volume 9, Chapter 80
  51. Hunter × Hunter - Volume 11, Chapter 96

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