"A true king makes full use of both light and dark sides of society! This Succession Battle is where I prove my command of the Underworld!!" — Zhang Lei Hui Guo Rou, in "Clash: Part 1" |
Zhang Lei Hui Guo Rou (チョウライ＝ホイコーロ, Chōrai Hoikōro) is the Third Prince of the Kakin Empire's fourteen Princes, only son of Kakin's King Nasubi Hui Guo Rou and his third wife, Third Queen Tang Zhao Li Hui Guo Rou.[1] He is also the benefactor of the Xi-Yu Family, one of the three great Mafia families in Kakin's underworld.[2]
Appearance[]
Zhang Lei's appearance
Zhang Lei is a short,[3] bald man with squarish eyes and bags under them. His appearance resembles that of a Chinese monk. He appears to have no eyebrows, with lines departing from the bridge of his nose arching over his eyes. Above each of them are three dark dots in a column, with the biggest at the base. He has a dark pencil mustache, a very square chin, and elongated earlobes.[1] Zhang Lei is a dark-skinned man, a trait he inherits from his mother. In his first appearance, he has very accentuated ears, but in later chapters his ears look more normal.[4]
Personality[]
Zhang Lei is cautious and diplomatic, generally preferring to gain information rather than act blindly. By his own description, he is someone that worries more about what he can do before actually gaining the authority or power to do so,[5] and takes pride in his intellect, happily interpreting descriptions of him as an intellectual as a compliment.[6] Despite his appreciation of information, Zhang Lei remains a prideful person at heart, shown in his internal thoughts surrounding people he engages in exchanges with, indicating that he sees himself superior to them[6] even if his mannerisms indicate his desire to be perceived as someone equal. He believes that a true King should be able to make use of both the light and dark sides of society.[5]
Right from the start, he displays consideration for thought and strategy, being the first of only two Princes seen to be concerned with how the winning criteria of the succession contest should be interpreted. He also reacts in mild surprise at hearing that there would be participants that go after the sole infant participant first, though it is unclear whether this surprise is rooted in strategy or emotion. He displays his intelligence when he notices that the elimination of Woble's guards suggests that any Prince behind the attack ordered their own ally eliminated to avoid suspicion, and again when he recognizes that Benjamin's men being sent to the other Princes' guards was due to the existence of Guardian Spirit Beasts being public.[7] He also remains cognizant of the potential of information in such a battle, choosing to delay learning about Guardian Spirit Beasts and Nen from Kurapika due to the presence of a hostile party that could eavesdrop on their conversation.[4]
Although Zhang Lei is trustful of his men and their capabilities,[8] he is cognizant of their limitations and does not hesitate to seek external advice when faced with a situation he is unable to understand on his own.[9] He seeks out Xi-Yu boss Onior Longbao for advice on Guardian Spirit Beasts and Nen,[5] and seeks out Kurapika's assistance multiple times, including an initial explanation of Guardian Spirit Beasts and Nen,[4] and later for assistance in identifying the abilities of his Guardian Spirit Beast's coins.[9]
Shimano describes her impression of Zhang Lei as someone tolerant to talk personally on the phone, but too proud to stay on hold. This impression has merit to it, Zhang Lei has been seen personally handling many matters, including paying personal visits to Melody[10] and Onior,[5] rather than delegating the information-gathering work to his underlings like several other Princes have been seen doing. He is one of the three older siblings described by 5th Prince Tubeppa as repulsively arrogant, greedy, and indulgent.[11]
Plot[]
Succession Contest arc[]
The Princes and Beyond partake in the opening ceremony
Zhang Lei is first introduced along with the rest of King Nasubi's legitimate children. He is seen with eyes narrowed, and hands together, looking keenly at something.[1] He is pictured shortly after, during a conversation between Kurapika and his future employer, 8th Queen Oito Hui Guo Rou.[note 1] During the eve (of departure) festival, Zhang Lei is seen with the rest of his siblings and Beyond Netero on a stage, smiling at the crowd with his hands together in large robed sleeves. While waving to the crowd, he reaffirms his thoughts of winning the succession contest no matter what. Kakin's Royal Family is flown into the Black Whale 1 shortly after. Zhang Lei is next seen attending a ceremony taking place in the Black Whale 1 wearing a different outfit, walking beside three of his half-siblings—1st Prince Benjamin, 2nd Prince Camilla, and 5th Prince Tubeppa.[3]
First appearance of Zhang Lei's Guardian Spirit Beast
Zhang Lei's Guardian Spirit Beast is first seen the next day, the first day of the voyage, while he attends the departure ceremony. It floats behind him as he sips from a wine glass. It is a large coin-like object with 8-fold symmetry and flames around it, resembling a dharmachakra. Its face is at its center, and its only facial features are a pair of closed eyes and a rectangular slot-like mouth.[11]
During the ceremony, Zhang Lei asks Nasubi about the conditions for becoming king. Nasubi answers his question by simply saying that the one sole survivor will be the official successor of the throne, leaving Zhang Lei to interpret it as he wishes. After taking his leave from the departure ceremony, Zhang Lei learns from the guards that receive him that 14th Prince Woble's security team was decimated, with only two hunters remaining, and remarks on his surprise that someone would target the only baby among the Princes first. He pauses shortly before pointing out that Woble's guards are all assigned by other Princes, and that it was weird that only hunters remained unless the attacker eliminated their own ally to avoid suspicion. One of his men takes this chance to bring up Nen beasts, having heard the announcement that Zhang Lei missed while at the departure ceremony. His guards let him know that none of them know anything about Nen beasts, but that they believe that Nen beasts might be the reason behind Woble's team being decimated.[7]
As a result of Kurapika's announcement of Nen beasts, Benjamin uses his position as the military's supreme vice counselor to assign his private troops as bodyguards for the other Princes to spy on them. Zhang Lei interprets Benjamin's soldier being sent to him as something done in response to Kurapika's announcement and recognizes this as a chance to learn about Nen beasts.[7]
Zhang Lei is one of three Princes (along with Benjamin and Tubeppa) to try and get in contact with Kurapika[12] because of this announcement, and is the first to have his call accepted. Zhang Lei expresses his honor at being chosen over Benjamin, and asks Kurapika why he chose to answer his call. Kurapika explains that he expected Zhang Lei to be the most reasonable among the calling Princes. In actual fact, Woble's servant Shimano had chosen Zhang Lei's call over the others, using her judgment of the calling Princes' personalities, choosing him in particular because of her impression of Zhang Lei as someone tolerant enough to speak personally, but too proud to remain on hold, and also someone who would prefer to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. Zhang Lei asks what basis Kurapika used to deduce that, but Kurapika chooses not to reveal it, guessing correctly that it has to do with Nen which Zhang Lei wants information on. Upon hearing that, Zhang Lei cuts to the chase and invites Kurapika to his quarters to exchange information, since secrecy cannot be guaranteed over the phone. At Kurapika's request, he extends the invitation to Woble and Queen Oito as well.[4]
Zhang Lei welcomes his guests
Soon, Zhang Lei receives notice from his guards outside his quarters that Kurapika, Woble, and Oito have arrived. Zhang Lei invites them in and seats himself with Slakka, a spy for Queen Duazul on his left and Coventoba, Benjamin's man on his right, waiting for them to arrive. When they do, Zhang Lei welcomes Kurapika and Oito and apologizes for only offering them bottled water. Oito takes a seat while carrying Woble, and Zhang Lei requests they not waste time and begin with the explanation. Kurapika gives a brief explanation about Nen, and explains his belief that the succession war's true nature is a survival race using Nen abilities, and that all the princes were unknowingly given Nen powers through the seed urn ceremony. Unbeknownst to Zhang Lei, his Guardian Spirit Beast watches Oito as she sits nervously through the explanation, but the newly Nen-awakened Oito can see his beast and averts her gaze.[8]
Kurapika offers to explain more, but due to Coventoba and Slakka's presence, chooses to first give a warning that the information about Nen may affect the outcome of the succession war.[4] Zhang Lei says he does not mind them hearing what Kurapika has to say, but decides to end the meeting there and instructs two of his personal guards, Sakata and Hashito, to guard Woble until the next dinner banquet on Day 8. Upon hearing this, Slakka wonders whether he or Coventoba should follow Woble, cautious of a trap of false information, since the guards affiliated with 1st and 2nd Queens Unma and Duazul are obliged to write up surveillance reports on the younger Princes, and he expects the younger Princes to be exchanging confidential information. Coventoba receives instructions and directs Slakka to follow Woble and assist Sakata and Hashito. Slakka lets Zhang Lei know of his orders and excuses himself.[8]
Later that day, Zhang Lei is contacted by Room 1014 and agrees to send his bodyguards to learn Nen under Kurapika.[13] At 9 a.m. the next day, Zhang Lei's bodyguard Tenftory turns up at Room 1014, with orders from Zhang Lei to take note of who makes contact with Kurapika.[14]
The Princes' affiliation with Mafia groups
Elsewhere, a member of the Buor Family reveals that Zhang Lei has ties to the Xi-Yu Family, one of Kakin's three big Mafia families that are on board the ship in hopes of securing territory on the new continent.[2]
On the third day of the voyage, Zhang Lei he hears a coin drop to the floor while eating in his quarters. He initially believes it belongs to one of his bodyguards, but they tell him it appeared out of thin air. Coventoba picks it up and hands it to Zhang Lei for him to examine, without explaining that it was the work of his Guardian Spirit Beast. Coventoba also does not mention that he had seen the Guardian Spirit Beast producing a coin from its mouth the previous day which he kept in his pocket. Zhang Lei examines the coin and its design, unable to see the dark aura coming from it.[15]
The Princes watch Melody's performance
In the morning,[note 2] another coin drops. Zhang Lei considers the possibility that his Guardian Spirit Beast had created it, and asks Coventoba for his opinion on what effect it might have. Coventoba explains to Zhang Lei that conjured objects either replicate the functions of their physical counterparts or are endowed with supernatural abilities. Since he knew no coin with similar designs, he surmises it serves as a catalyst for a supernatural effect once certain conditions are met. Interpreting Coventoba's words as him not knowing what it does, Zhang Lei continues to stare closely at his coin.[16]
During the banquet on the eighth of their voyage, Zhang Lei is briefly transfixed by the music of Melody's flute performance.[17]
Zhang Lei rewards Tenftory with a coin from his Guardian Spirit Beast
On the tenth day of the voyage, Kurapika and Bill invite Longhi into Room 1014's master bedroom to have her Nen divined. They take an unnaturally long time and Sakata knocks to check that everything is alright. Kurapika steps out and says that their delay is because they cannot agree on the terms of a truce, before returning. When him and Longhi finally step out, Kurapika explains what happened, but Furykov believes his words belie his intents to balance the interests of Princes Zhang Lei and Tubeppa.[18]
After Kurapika finishes his explanation, he invites Tenftory to have his Nen divined.[18] Tenftory has his Nen successfully awakened by Kurapika, and reports this to Zhang Lei at 1:30 p.m. later that day.[19]. Tenftory reports increased physical aspects and a different perception of the world. He also reports that he is now able to see Zhang Lei's Guardian Spirit Beast, praising it as more awe-inspiring than he imagined. Zhang Lei thanks him and gives him a coin created by his Guardian Spirit as thanks, telling Tenftory that he is the first to receive one.[20]
Tenftory also lets Zhang Lei know that if he, Tubeppa, and Woble were the last three Princes remaining, Princes Tubeppa and Woble would defer the throne to him. Zhang Lei remarks his surprise at this, in particular not having expected Tubeppa to agree to something like this. He confirms this with Tenftory, who also takes the chance to let him know that Woble had requested that Sakata and Hashito extend their support indefinitely. Zhang Lei decides to reward Tenftory with a second coin, and tells him that once he reaches a certain number of coins, he would be rewarded even further. After thinking for a moment, Zhang Lei tells Tenftory that if he carried the coin with him at all times, he would surely be brought good fortune by it. As he does so, he thinks about the progress that the semi-surrender made, despite doubting the fact that renunciation of the throne would be recognized in the succession contest. He turns his thoughts to his coin, having concluded that his guess that something would happen after ten days was incorrect, and guesses that it might not have any effect if he was the one holding on to it.[19]
Coventoba watches the interaction, keeping quiet about the fact that he is the first real recipient of a coin. Coventoba looks at his coin and realizes its number has changed from a 1 to a 10.[20] He concludes that it is the same coin as the one he picked up from its aura, and concludes that the number changing has something to do with Zhang Lei's Guardian Spirit Beast's ability. Coventoba wants to try things out with the coin, in particular, to insert the coin into the mouth of Zhang Lei's Guardian Spirit Beast, but chooses not to since it is too risky. Instead, he asks to see Tenftory's coin, and notes that it looks like his coin when he first picked it up. Coventoba decides to wait and see if its number also changes before taking action.[5]
After Zhang Lei rewards Tenftory, he sits and tries to figure out his Guardian Spirit Beast's ability, and how best to use it to win the succession contest. Zhang Lei notes that his Guardian Spirit Beast drops a coin every day and interprets that as it is meaningless to hold on to them himself, rather that they are best used when distributed to his people when he becomes king. He thinks about using the coins as a medal or reward after considering its rate of production, but dismisses the idea as coins could be used in that manner without being a Nen ability. Zhang Lei eventually comes to the conclusion that the coins are likely not useful for the succession contest and that his Guardian Spirit Beast will be most useful after he becomes king, closely reflecting his personality as someone who worries about what would happen after he becomes king, far before he actually becomes king. He considers a different perspective on his conclusion - that he could become an ironclad king as long as he survives the succession contest. With this new perspective, he resolves to win the contest without the assistance of his Guardian Spirit Beast, instead deciding to make use of his underworld connections and contacting Onior Longbao, the boss of the Xi-Yu Kakin Mafia family.[5]
Zhang Lei heads out with four of his guards, including Coventoba. He and his guards are escorted to the door of Onior's residence, where two of Onior's men stand guard. There, he leaves his guards, and walks through a dimly-lit passage towards Onior's room. He enters Oniors room and stands respectfully with his hands behind his back. The two of them exchange pleasantries, and Zhang Lei lets Onior know that three of his siblings have already died. Zhang Lei asks Onior if he knows anything about Guardian Spirit Beasts, or Nen. Onior does not know about them, but mentions that some of his younger members use weird powers and offers to look around. He also tells Zhang Lei that King Nasubi won his contest with the strategy of "all things come to those who wait", and offers to look into King Nasubi's succession contest. Zhang Lei asks how long it will take Onior to obtain the information. Onior answers that it will likely take some time due to conflict in the lower decks and lots of casualties. Zhang Lei leaves as Onior begins to make calls, and counts on learning about his father's succession contest to give him a clue on how to win his own succession contest.[5]
Melody is visited by Zhang Lei
Early on the tenth day of the voyage, Kaiser meets Melody (who is being held for her safety since knowledge that she was involved in 10th and 11th Princes Kacho and Fugetsu's escape attempt is public) in his office in the Justice Bureau on Tier 2. Kaiser lets Melody know that she has visitation requests from five princes, including Zhang Lei, who requested to talk to her and hear her play. During their conversation, Kaiser and Melody briefly discuss how to best use her abilities going forward, including an idea of auctioning an encore among the higher-ranked princes and an idea of deceiving all the remaining princes and getting rid of the higher-ranked princes by poisoning them while they are distracted by her performance. Later that day, Zhang Lei personally goes to the Justice Bureau on Tier 2 to speak with Melody, who is surprised to see him come in person. Zhang Lei states his desire to show his respect to Melody, calling her performance during the banquet most impressive. Zhang Lei explains his two requests to Melody: for him to hear her performance again, and for Melody to accept a coin from his Guardian Spirit Beast as proof of his respect, adding that he made the coin.[10]
During her conversation with Zhang Lei, Melody listened to his heartbeat to try to identify the person behind Kaiser's suspected manipulation, owing to his contradictory words and heartbeat, but could not identify him as being responsible.[10]
Early on the eleventh day of the voyage, Zhang Lei is visited by Fugetsu while she is escorted around Tier 1 by Kaiser and the Ministry of Justice to deliver a letter containing the recently-deceased Kacho's last message to each Prince and receives and reads the letter.[9]
In his room later that day, Zhang Lei gathers his guards to discuss the possible abilities that the coins produced by his Guardian Spirit Beast have. He lays the coins out on a table, seven with the number '1' in a row, and one with the number '10' above the others. Having noticed that the value of one of the coins had changed from a '1' to a '10' that day, he asks them for their opinions, since he had no idea what any of it meant. One guard suggests that the coins change in value after ten days, and Zhang Lei agrees and has the '10' coin marked with the date 10 days ago, and says that they would have each new coin produced marked with its production date, allowing them to verify the theory in ten days at most. Another guard suggests that they follow up on the coins that Zhang Lei gave away and he agrees. Three more guards suggest theories, but Zhang Lei grows tired of the mediocre ideas that he had already thought of and decides that they lack the knowledge or experience to make conjectures on Nen abilities. In order to get through gathering information on Nen that could affect the succession battle, and his Guardian Spirit Beast's ability and effects, he decides he needs Kurapika and has them contact Room 1014.[9]
After 1 p.m. that day,[6] Kurapika turns up at Room 1003 to discuss the matter, accompanied by Oito and Woble.[9] Kurapika lets Zhang Lei know that he had pretty much proven his hypothesis that the coins change after ten days, and chooses to share that there should be an upper limit to the number of coins that can be produced in order for their physical forms to be maintained; in this case the costs are shared by distributing the coins, allowing for mass production.[6]
Kurapika points out that the point of currency is to change hands and suggests verifying what changes occur then. He suggests beginning by checking the coins Zhang Lei had given to others and upon hearing this, Tenftory realizes his coin has a different design than the ones on the table and passes them his coin to inspect. They note that while the fronts of the coins are the same, the back of Tenftory's coin has an image of Zhang Lei inscribed on it, while the back of Zhang Lei's coin has an image of his Guardian Spirit Beast inscribed on it. From the existence of differing designs, Kurapika deduces that the effects of the coins could differ depending on who is holding them.[6]
Kurapika then asks Zhang Lei if he could give one of the coins on the table to someone from his entourage to see what happens then. Zhang Lei agrees, but decides to give Kurapika the '10' coin instead. Kurapika and Oito are surprised at Zhang Lei's action, and Tenftory and Coventoba watch Kurapika silently. Zhang Lei points out that this way, they could see what happens to both the number and the design, letting them kill two birds with one stone. Kurapika hesitates but accepts, and sees the coin emit a small burst of aura before changing in both design and number. He reports the change to Zhang Lei, and Zhang Lei hypothesizes that the time and effect both reset when a coin changes hands. Kurapika returns it to Zhang Lei to see if anything changes again, and Zhang Lei describes that the design of the coin has reverted back to Zhang Lei's (with his Guardian Spirit Beast inscribed on its back), but its value had not changed and remained at '1'.[6]
After hearing Zhang Lei's description of the changes, Kurapika tells him that he has a guess about its ability. Kurapika subtly asks him if he is sure about wanting him to reveal his guess in front of Coventoba, and in response, Zhang Lei declares that he does not mind and guarantees that its ability is not something that would threaten Benjamin. Kurapika catches Zhang Lei's hint to keep anyways the ability could be used as a threat a secret, and explains his hypothesis that the coins accumulate Nen, allowing for the possibility that their owner could eventually have their Nen awakened when enough Nen accumulates to manifest an ability in a coin's owner, an optimal way that bypasses the effort and risks normally involved. Kurapika adds that cumulative abilities like the coins from Zhang Lei's Guardian Spirit Beast seemingly had are often seen in those who are intellectual and like to plan ahead, in Zhang Lei's case an ability that looks ahead to a time after he assumes the throne.[6]
Zhang Lei laughs in delight at Kurapika's description and says that the ability is like him. He thanks Kurapika for his help, and says that he will now be able to spend his time thinking about how to spend his future with his siblings. Kurapika takes the chance to let him know that the number of coins he has might have an effect, and suggests that Zhang Lei hold on to a few himself for the time being. Zhang Lei understands and gives Kurapika the coin that appeared that day, saying that he would hold on to the rest for a while.[6]
Kurapika steers the conversation elsewhere, and asks Zhang Lei if he could wait a while longer for another matter, explaining that the second set of Nen lessons should be key. Zhang Lei understands and says that although there can never be too much information, it is not an urgent matter, and he was more worried about Kurapika himself and Woble's security detail. Zhang Lei points out that the others likely used the first set of Nen lessons to gather intel and lay their groundwork, and advises Kurapika to prepare himself. Despite his considerate words, Zhang Lei mentally reminds Kurapika not to think of them as equals, and that he was only accepting information in exchange for Woble's safety. Kurapika thanks him and thinks about the risks that came along with the benefit of being under Zhang Lei's protection in exchange for information on Nen.[6]
Kurapika thinks about Zhang Lei's position as one of the three Princes with a Mafia family under their wing, and how their combat potential serves as inhibition against the higher Princes. He thinks about the importance of the power balance between him, 4th Prince Tserriednich, and 7th Prince Luzurus, and how Benjamin would benefit the most if it were broken, possibly even willing to kill Woble along with Zhang Lei if they lived together in order to emphasize the cruelty of the mafia and incite a mafia war so that he could impose martial law, which would allow him to place his soldiers in the guards of each Prince to kill them at his will. Kurapika debates between remaining in Room 1014, with the danger that each Prince had secret plans and the identity of the person who sent the snakes still unknown. However, each Prince's guards would monitor and keep the others in check, remaining in Room 1003, where Benjamin might come after them. As Kurapika prepares to leave, Zhang Lei signals Tenftory to come over and says something privately to him.[6]
Zhang Lei spends the rest of the eleventh day inspecting his coins in deep thought.[6]
In the afternoon of the twelfth day of the voyage, special martial law is declared. Benjamin moves to have his siblings secured, telling his soldiers to prioritize finding Zhang Lei and Luzurus, and to leave the lower Princes for later. A soldier reports that Zhang Lei went to Tier 2 right before the special martial law declaration through a cross-bridge from inside Xi-Yu boss Onior's residence, and that they were currently confirming the route and following his trail, with a follow-up report expected soon. Benjamin informs his soldiers that Zhang Lei likely sought refuge at the Justice Department and informs them of the possibility that he went farther down to meet up with the mafia. He gives instructions for the Squad 2 reconnaissance team and scouts to focus on Zhang Lei.[21]
Zhang Lei's Employees[]
Royalty • Personal Guards • Hunters • Provisional Hunters • Spies • Allies • Servants
| Royal Family | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd Prince | 3rd Queen | |||
| Prince Zhang Lei's Employees | ||||
| Captain? | →14P | →14P | ? | |
| ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| 1Q→1P | 2Q→14P | |||
| . | ||||
| Replacements | ||||
| 1P→ | ||||
| Legend of Symbols | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Symbol | Meaning | Example | Meaning |
| P | prince | 1P | The 1st Prince. |
| Q | queen | 5Q | The 5th Queen. |
| ...→ | sent by | 1Q→ | X is sent by the 1st Queen. |
| →... | sent to | →14P | X is sent to the 14th Prince. |
| ...→... | reassigned to | 2Q→14P | X is reassigned by the 2nd Queen to the 14th Prince. |
| →...→... | was assigned to one or more princes | →8P→11P | X was assigned to the 8th and 11th Princes. |
| ♰ | in charge of a prince's curse | 4P♰ | The guard is in charge of the 4th Prince's curse. |
| ♰ | formerly in charge of a prince's curse | 12P♰ | The guard is formerly in charge of the 12th Prince's curse. |
| * | Information found in Togashi's notes from "Jump Ryu! Vol. 21" interview | 1Q*→ | The guard's affiliation is revealed in the notes. |
| Servant* | The employee's position is revealed in the notes. | ||
| ? | Placeholder (might hold another position) |
Captain? | The employee might not be the captain or a personal guard. |
| ? | The employee might not be a personal guard. | ||
| 2Q?→ | The employee might have been sent by another queen. | ||
| ⇄ | Placeholder (might have initially belonged to either Prince Momoze or Prince Marayam) |
This particular issue arose when their mother Queen Sevanti sent all of Momoze's Hunters and servants to Marayam. Since we only got to see 4/5 of Momoze's Hunters and 2/3 of her servants by that time, we can't say for certain which prince the marked characters initially belonged to. | |
Abilities & Powers[]
Being one of the eldest princes, Zhang Lei possesses significant political influences and assets to help him win the throne.[22]
Guardian Spirit Beast[]
Zhang Lei's Guardian Spirit Beast
Like the rest of his siblings, Zhang Lei received an egg from which a Guardian Spirit Beast, a type of Nen beast, hatched to protect him.[1] Since it is a parasitic-type ability, he has no control over it. The Guardian Spirit Beast is subjected to two rule-like instincts: it is unable to fight other Guardian Spirit Beasts as well as to directly attack the host of one.[11]
| Zhang Lei's Guardian Spirit Beast | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type: Conjuration (Cumulative-Type) | ||
    | ||
| | Zhang Lei's Guardian Spirit Beast has the appearance of a floating dharmachakra (☸) bordered by black flames. Apart from a simple face in its center, it has eightfold symmetry, with eight spokes pointed radially outward towards its rim and eight crosses at the end of each spoke, within its rim. It has two simple bands of ornate designs located between the bottom of the crosses and the end of the spokes. Its face comprises of two thin eyes, a rectangular slot-like mouth, and a feature resembling a Philips-style screwhead in the middle of its forehead.[11] In all its appearances thus far, it has been seen hovering near Zhang Lei. Zhang Lei's Guardian Spirit Beast appears to be mildly sentient, watching Oito as she averts its gaze when she and Kurapika first visit Zhang Lei on the first day of the voyage.[4] It is stated to have multiple abilities activated by multiple conditions and almost certainly produces the coins Zhang Lei finds in his quarters each day. Someone that possesses the coin after fulfilling certain conditions will gain various abilities.[23] Coventoba speculates that it may be possible to exchange the coins for something, possibly through inserting it into the mouth of Zhang Lei's Guardian Spirit Beast, but deems it too risky to attempt.[5] When a coin is first produced, it has the number "1" inscribed on its front, which changes to a "10" after ten days.[20] Zhang Lei's team begin noticing this on the eleventh day, leading them to speculate then that the inscribed number reflects its value and the value of the coins increase by a factor of ten every ten days.[9] During experimentation with Kurapika later that day, they notice that the design of a coin changes depending on who possesses it; coins owned by Zhang Lei have an image of his Guardian Spirit Beast inscribed on its back, and coins gifted to others by Zhang Lei have an image of Zhang Lei inscribed on its back.[6] Coins have aura which can be used to distinguish them,[5] and the aura flares up and surrounds the coin when it changes ownership. Whenever a coin is gifted, its value resets back to 1 and is reflected through the indicator number on the front of the coin.[6] | |
Manga Appearances[]
| 340. Special Mission | Absent |
| 341. Threats | Absent |
| 342. Challenge | Absent |
| 343. Invitation | Absent |
| 344. Author | Absent |
| 345. Signature | Absent |
| 346. Options | Absent |
| 347. Inauguration | Absent |
| 348. Resolve | Absent |
| 349. Worm Toxin | Debut |
| 350. Prince | Pictured |
| 351. Battle to the Death | Absent |
| 352. Troublesome | Absent |
| 353. Cold-Blooded | Absent |
| 354. Heat | Absent |
| 355. Detonation | Absent |
| 356. Unfortunate: Part 1 | Absent |
| 357. Unfortunate: Part 2 | Absent |
| 358. Eve | Appears |
| 359. Departure | Absent |
| 360. Parasite | Absent |
| 361. Withdraw | Absent |
| 362. Resolve | Appears |
| 363. Nen Beast | Appears |
| 364. Speculation | Mentioned |
| 365. Choice | Appears |
| 366. To Each His Own | Appears |
| 367. Synchronization | Absent |
| 368. Foul Play | Mentioned |
| 369. Limits | Flashback |
| 370. Observation | Mentioned |
| 371. Mission | Pictured |
| 372. Disappearance | Mentioned |
| 373. Inheritance | Absent |
| 374. Ability | Appears |
| 375. Persuasion | Absent |
| 376. Determination | Appears |
| 377. Scheme | Absent |
| 378. Balance | Pictured |
| 379. Collaboration | Absent |
| 380. Alarm | Absent |
| 381. Predation | Absent |
| 382. Awakening | Absent |
| 383. Escape | Appears |
| 384. War | Absent |
| 385. Warning | Absent |
| 386. Hypothesis | Mentioned |
| 387. Recreation | Absent |
| 388. Reflection | Mentioned |
| 389. Curse | Appears |
| 390. Clash: Part 1 | Appears |
| 391. Clash: Part 2 | Absent |
| 392. Information | Absent |
| 393. Plea | Absent |
| 394. Hypothesis | Absent |
| 395. Founding: Part 1 | Absent |
| 396. Founding: Part 2 | Absent |
| 397. Founding: Part 3 | Absent |
| 398. Search | Absent |
| 399. Expulsion | Absent |
| 400. Secrecy | Appears |
| 401. Moonlight | Mentioned |
| 402. Letter | Appears |
| 403. Results | Appears |
| 404. Speculation | Appears |
| 405. Performance | Absent |
| 406. Regalia | Absent |
| 407. Negotiation | Absent |
| 408. Negotiation: Part 2 | Absent |
| 409. Negotiation: Part 3 | Absent |
| 410. Negotiation: Part 4 | Mentioned |
Quotes[]
- (To Kurapika) "We're siblings. We're not in conflict of our own desire."[4]
- "It reflects my personality to a sickening degree - how I worry more about what happens after I take the throne, long before I get there."[5]
- "I'm counting on you... father."[5]
Trivia[]
Intertextuality and References[]
- Zhang Lei is possibly named after the Chinese billionaire investor and philanthropist. In Japanese, 張磊 is read as ちょうらい (Chōrai), but the name was adapted in English to convey the traditional Chinese name.
- The flowering plant motif in the coins spit by Zhang Lei's Guardian Spirit Beast is the Houttuynia cordata (known as yúxīng cǎo [鱼腥草; 魚腥草, "fishy-smell herb"] in Chinese and as dokudami [蕺草, "poison blocking plant"] in Japanese)—a plant native to some parts of Asia, that grows in moist, shady places and has culinary and pharmacological uses. In some places, it's an alien and highly invasive weed species difficult to eradicate.
Translations around the World[]
| Language | Name | |
|---|---|---|
 Arabic
|
تشانغ لي هوي غو رو | |
 French
|
Chourai Hoicoro | |
 Korean
|
장레이 호이코오로 (Janglei Hoikolo) | |
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 33, Chapter 349
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 36, Chapter 371
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 34, Chapter 358
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 35, Chapter 365
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 37, Chapter 390
- ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 404
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 35, Chapter 363
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 35, Chapter 366
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 403
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 38, Chapter 400
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 35, Chapter 362
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 35, Chapter 364
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 35, Chapter 368
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 35, Chapter 369
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 36, Chapter 374
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 36, Chapter 376
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 37, Chapter 383
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 401
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 402
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 37, Chapter 389
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Chapter 410
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 33, Chapter 350
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 36, Chapter 375
Notes
- ↑ During the conversation between Kurapika and Oito, Zhang Lei is implied to have a personal army. However, there have been no mentions of this army or anyone belonging to the army thus far.
- ↑ The time this coin drops is ambiguous but can be inferred to be on the fourth day due to a comment mentally made by Kurapika in Chapter 404 based off information about the frequency of it dropping. Kurapika's train of thought would have been based off information that only Zhang Lei could have known and shared with him that was not explicitly shown to readers.
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