What Are the 6 Nen Types in HxH?

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Anime expert Dr. Applesauce explains what Nen is and how it manifests

Co-authored by Dr. Applesauce and Amy Bobinger, BA

Last Updated: March 23, 2026 Fact Checked

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What is Nen?

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Types of Nen

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Water Divination

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Four Principles of Nen

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The Nen system in the manga and anime series Hunter x Hunter (or HxH) is one of the most in-depth power systems ever developed. Nen is the technique that allows Hunters to channel their aura, which they use to develop extraordinary powers. We partnered with an anime expert to help us explain what Nen is. We'll also go over the 6 types of Nen and how students determine their Nen type.

Nen Types in Hunter x Hunter

Illustration of a Nen chart with the 6 types.

Anime expert Dr. Applesauce says Nen is an internal power that allows a hunter to control their life energy (aura) and access supernatural abilities. Nen types include:

Enhancement: Reinforces the abilities of the user or a nearby object
Transmutation: Aura mimics something else
Emission: Separates aura from the user
Conjuration: Manifests an object with aura
Manipulation: Controls a living or non-living thing
Specialization: Anything that does not fit another category

Section 1 of 4:

What is Nen?

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Nen is a form of energy control in the manga series Hunter x Hunter. In HxH, every person has a life force called aura that flows through their body and exits through aura nodes. Through the secretive Nen training process, select students learn to open and close their aura nodes, allowing them to wield auras as powerful tools. Dr. Applesauce says Nen allows hunters to access certain powers and abilities. Each hunter uses their Nen differently, and it manifests in different ways for each person.^{[1]
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- For example, Dr. Applesauce says Hisoka’s Nen manifests as a gummy, gooey, sticky aura, while Gon's Nen allows him to manipulate his strength and Killua’s Nen manifests as electricity.^{[2]
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- Nen types: People who learn to control their aura with Nen are known as Nen users. There are six categories of Nen users—these are the Nen types. Nen types are typically established at birth.^{[3]
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- Nen compatibility: Nen users are always strongest in a certain Nen type, which is their primary affinity. However, some may show some compatibility with another type as well—their secondary affinity. An individual is more likely to have a compatibility with a category that is adjacent to their primary Nen type on the Nen Chart.
- Dual affinities: Some Hunters fall halfway between two Nen categories on the Nen Chart. This gives them a dual affinity, but they still always have a primary and secondary Nen affinity.
Meet the wikiHow Expert

Dr. Applesauce is an anime expert and frequently shares anime-related content on social media.

Section 2 of 4:

Six Nen Types in Hunter x Hunter

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Enhancement Enhancement allows the user to enhance or reinforce their own natural abilities or those of an object. This usually manifests as increased physical strength, so Enhancers are usually well skilled at close combat. Enhancers usually have balanced offense and defense.^{[4]
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- Compatibility: Emission (80%), Transmutation (80%), Manipulation (60%), Conjuration (60%), Specialization (0%)
- Examples: Gon Freecs, Wing, Isaac Netero
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Transmutation Transmutation gives users the ability to change (or transmute) their aura into something else. This can be a physical object, element, or animal, or it could even mean changing the shape of the user’s aura. They’re not limited to the properties of the item they’re mimicking, though, which makes Transmuters are especially versatile.^{[5]
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- Compatibility: Enhancement (80%), Conjuration (80%), Emission (60%), Conjuration (80%), Manipulation (40%), Specialization (0%)
- Examples: Hisoka; Killua Zoldyk, Biscuit Krueger
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Emission Emission gives the user the ability to control their aura while it is separated from their body. This gives them the ability to create powerful ranged attacks, shooting aura beams or projectiles at enemies. Advanced Emitters may even be able to teleport or phase through solid objects.^{[6]
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- Compatibility: Enhancement (80%), Manipulation (80%), Transmutation (60%), Conjuration (40%), Specialization (0%)
- Examples: Leorio, Melody, Franklin Bordeau, Meruem, Razor
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Conjuration Conjuration allows users to use their aura to manifest an object. This can be an existing physical object, a completely unique creation, or even something abstract like a pocket dimension. The durability of the created object typically increases as the user becomes more skilled.^{[7]
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- Compatibility: Transmutation (80%), Enhancement (60%), Manipulation (60%), Emission (40%), Specialization (0%)
- Examples: Kurapika, Shizuku, Kortopi, Kite
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Manipulation With the Manipulation type, Nen users can take control of both living and non-living things. That can give them a significant advantage in battle—although to gain control, they may have to fulfill a risky condition, like physically touching the enemy first.
- Compatibility: Emission (80%), Enhancement (60%), Conjuration (60%), Transmutation (40%), Specialization (0%)
- Examples: Helkenburg Hui Guo Rou, Momoze Hui Guo Rou, Shalnark, Zushi, Illumi Zoldyck
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Specialization Specialization means a user has abilities that don’t fit into any of the other categories—like influencing Hatsu, predicting the future, or mimicking another user’s ability. This is by far the rarest Nen type, although some Hunters may become a Specialist later in life, especially if they start out as a Manipulator or Conjurer. A Specialist’s abilities are usually closely related to their personal traits.^{[8]
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- Compatibility: Manipulation (80%), Conjuration (80%), Emission (60%), Transmutation (60%), Enhancement (40%)
- Examples: Neferpitou, Tserriednich, Kurapika, Chrollo Lucifer, Neon Nostrade

Section 3 of 4:

Water Divination for Determining Nen Type

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Students use a Water Divination test to find their natural Nen type. During the Water Divination test, a glass of water is placed in front of a student, with a leaf floating on the surface of the water. The student holds their hands near the glass, then concentrates their aura into their hands. The way the water reacts determines their Nen type.
- Enhancement: The volume of water in the glass increases
- Transmutation: The water’s taste changes
- Emission: The water changes color
- Conjuration: An item appears in the water
- Manipulation: The leaf moves on the water’s surface
- Specialization: Any effect occurs that does not fit in another type
- Want to know your Nen Type? Take our “What Type Nen User Am I?” quiz to find out!

Section 4 of 4:

Four Principles of Nen

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Before a student discovers their Nen types, they must learn Nen of the Flame. These are a series of mental exercises that help the student master the techniques needed to control their aura. The four principles are:^{[9]
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- Ten (Shroud or Envelope): Managing the flow of aura around the body, conserving it and using it as a protective shield against others’ aura attacks. This is the first step in Nen training.
- Zetsu (Suppress or Null): Completely stopping the flow of aura to make the individual harder to detect.
- Ren (Refine or Enhance): Creating a powerful surge of aura and projecting it outwards.
- Hatsu (Release or Act): Using aura to manifest a unique ability (called a Nen ability); this ability is based on their Nen type.