Zoldyck Family
The Zaoldyeck family, also known as the Zoldycks or Zoldicks, is a famous family of assassins from the fictional anime/manga series Hunter × Hunter.
There is no dispute about the fact that the Zaoldyeck family are the very best of assassins. The family owns and lives at Kukuruu mountain, their estate being surrounded by huge stone walls, giant guard dogs and highly skilled attendants (bodyguards). Few outside of the family have any idea what goes on within the estate (and it is unknown how people are married into the family). In fact, there is so much mystery about the Zaoldyeck family that just a photo of the family would be worth millions on the internet!
Children in the family are trained from birth in the arts of assassination, although there is indication that they may choose to specialize as they grow up. For example, the oldest child Illumi seems to be a master of disguise; where as the next oldest, Milluki, is the technological wizz and expert hacker who does not seem to take part in any active assassinations. In every generation, it is the most talented child who is named heir. Currently, the heir to the Zaoldyeck business is none other than Killua, one of the four main characters of Hunter × Hunter.
The family possesses a unique set of talents: resistance to almost all types of poison [1], ability to tolerate high amounts of electricity [2], immense strength (Killua was able to open a 16-ton door before receiving any form of nen training [3] ). Some of them are innate, others are gained through training.
Family members
There are currently 10 living members of the Zaoldyeck family:
Alluka
| Alluka | |
|---|---|
| Hunter × Hunter character | |
| First appearance | Chapter 229 |
| Created by | Yoshihiro Togashi |
- Position in the family: Second youngest child
Alluka has appeared once in the anime and once in the manga. In 229 in the manga and an episode of Greed Island (OVA 2). In the anime it is in a flashback and he is shown in a straw hat and overall-like clothes. In the manga, he is in a picture of the five sons of the Zaoldyeck. His name is officially stated in the official Hunter x Hunter Guide book in a family tree of the Zaoldyecks.
Illumi
| Illumi | |
|---|---|
| Hunter × Hunter character | |
| File:Hunter × Hunter episode 22.png | |
| First appearance | Chapter 6 |
| Created by | Yoshihiro Togashi |
- Position in the family: Oldest child
Illumi is Killua's eldest brother. He is an experienced assassin, whom along with his father was responsible for Killua's training and upbringing. During the Hunter's Exam, Illumi camouflaged his appearance and took upon an alias, using special pins to change his entire facial structure to the point where he can only be recognized by his voice. An oppressive evil aura about him makes even Killua fearful and wary whenever he approaches Illumi. This may be due to a needle implanted into Killua's brain by Illumi.
Illumi was responsible for planting a needle in Killua's head, which forces him to run from a battle he is not certain of winning - even if it means deserting Gon. This is to ensure that Killua will be able to live to carry on the family business, and also a means of protecting his little brother. This needle is self-extracted by Killua in the battle against Rammotto.
He holds a strange and emotionless affection towards Killua. When Illumi confronts Killua during the Hunter's Exam, he mentions that he was worried when he left home while having no expression on his face. Despite the harsh methods Illumi puts him through, he still cares for Killua quite a bit.
Illumi's face is an expressionless like a mask--no one can fathom his thoughts or feelings. His lack of a personality makes him perfect for the job of an assassin. Coupled with his lightning-quick and bulls-eye control of his signature pins, that can kill victims even without them noticing, Illumi is quite fearsome, both as a person and in combat. He is also thought as a woman by many fans because of his appearance.
A certain amount of friendship is shared between Hisoka and Illumi, although it is unclear as to how it could have developed. Illumi once came to the aid of Hisoka by standing for him as a double (using his excellent feature-shifting skills) in the Ryodan hideout whilst Hisoka attempted to find Kuroro.
Nen Ability
- Although never explicitly stated, Illumi may be able to use his nen in order to assist him in his disguises. Near the end of the York Shin City arc, he poses as Hisoka as a favor to him, but can only keep his transformation intact for five hours or so. Illumi's pins are another way to change his appearance, but it seems that he can only look like a specific person using this ability.
Karuto
| Karuto | |
|---|---|
| Hunter × Hunter character | |
| File:Karuto Zaoldyeck.jpg | |
| First appearance | Chapter 41 |
| Created by | Yoshihiro Togashi |
- Position in the family: Youngest child
Karuto is the mysterious blue-eyed, doll-like younger brother of Killua. Initially introduced for a brief period when Gon tried to retrieve Killua from Kukuruu Mountain, he was always seen following his mother Kikyou around. Karuto appears again during the Genei Ryodan arc, assisting his older brother Illumi with the assassination of the ten Mafia leaders that had placed a bounty on the Genei Ryodan. Karuto's next appearance was during the Greed Island arc, where he has become a member of the Genei Ryodan himself after Hisoka's departure. Karuto's reason for joining the Genei Ryodan is that he wishes to bring his brother Killua back home, and Karuto feels that this is the best way to do so. During this arc we are introduced to his nen ability to control paper.
- It is a common misconception in the HxH fandom that Karuto is female. The manga explicitly states that the Zaoldyeck family has five sons. Further more, the official HxH guide book states that Karuto is male.
Kikyo
| Kikyo | |
|---|---|
| Hunter × Hunter character | |
| Created by | Yoshihiro Togashi |
- Position in the family: Mother
Kikyo is Killua's mother, who was injured while attempting to prevent him from running away from home (although Illumi states that she is proud of Killua for doing so). She dresses in Victorian style clothing and has a visor covering her eyes. She is the maternal figure of the Zoldyeck family and is herself an assassin too. She seems to be slightly paranoid and is cautious of Killua's friends Gon, Kurapika and Leorio. Kikyo is eagerly awaiting for Killua to excel in assassination and to continue on with the family business.
Killua
Maha
| Maha | |
|---|---|
| Hunter × Hunter character | |
| Created by | Yoshihiro Togashi |
- Position in the family: Great grandfather
Maha is presumably Zeno's father. Not much is really known about him. He only appeared once in chapter 100 of the manga (and episode 62 of the anime) along with Karuto and Illumi on a mission to kill the 10 Mafia Godfathers.
Milluki
| Milluki | |
|---|---|
| Hunter × Hunter character | |
| File:Milluki Zaoldyeck.jpg | |
| First appearance | Chapter 42 |
| Created by | Yoshihiro Togashi |
- Position in the family: Second oldest child
Killua's second eldest brother, Milluki is an obese figure who possesses a strong aversion to performing any kind of physical activity. In fact, prior to the York Shin City auctions, Milluki had not left the mansion in eight years. He seems to be a sort of otaku, since his room is covered with female figurines from various anime and computer games [4] [5]. Milluki seems to be talented in hacking computer systems, as Killua asked him to hack into a memory card from Ging and he said it would be no problem. He was also one of the people injured during Killua's escape. Milluki is primarily in charge of torturing Killua with whips and electrocution, but doesn't have the drive to carry it out very long as it's extreme physical exertion to him.
After being tipped off the whereabouts of Greed Island, Milluki's excitement resulted in one of the rarer moments in which he made an outside expedition in search of the game. However, he was unable to win a copy and left in frustration.
Silva
| Silva | |
|---|---|
| Hunter × Hunter character | |
| File:Silva Zaoldyeck.jpg | |
| First appearance | Chapter 42 |
| Created by | Yoshihiro Togashi |
- Position in the family: Father
Silva is Killua's father. A silent, pensive figure, Killua's interaction with him seems not to be much. He allows Killua to go along with Gon on their journey, but this is only so Killua will gain more experience when thrown out into the real world on his own. During the September third portion of the York Shin City arc, Silva and his father Zeno are both hired by the Mafia to assassinate the Genei Ryodan, but withdraw from the job when their clients are murdered by Illumi, Maha, and Karuto.
- Nen Ability
Silva's nen has only been shown once. He can create and fire huge balls of nen from his hands that explode on impact.
Zeno
| Zeno | |
|---|---|
| Hunter × Hunter character | |
| File:Zeno Zaoldyeck.jpg | |
| First appearance | Chapter 42 |
| Created by | Yoshihiro Togashi |
- Position in the family: Grandfather
Zeno is Killua's grandfather and Silva's father. A wily old man, his advancing age has not dampened his quick thinking and speed in battle. Appearing somewhat eccentric, he wears a sign that says, "A kill a day." The Viz Media version translates this to "Never Retire."
Zeno has quite high expectations of Killua, observing that out of all the descendants of the assassin family, Killua is the most outstanding student of assassin skills.
- Nen ability - Dragon Head: Long-Tou Xi-Hua 「龍頭戯画」
Zeno's nen ability, the Dragon Head, was first revealed in his battle against Kuroro Lucifer. Zeno can emit his nen into the form of a dragon. He controls the movements of the dragon with his hands, and it always is connected.
Grandmother
The 10th living member of the Zaoldyeck family is the family's grandmother. She has not been named or made any appearances in the manga or the anime.
Zaoldyeck family servants
Zeburo
| Zeburo | |
|---|---|
| Hunter × Hunter character | |
| Created by | Yoshihiro Togashi |
Zeburo is a guardian whose office is at the gate to Zaoldyeck grounds. Usually he just cleans after Mike. Even though he doesn't look like a man of muscle, he actually is muscled and astoundingly strong.
Mike
| Mike | |
|---|---|
| Hunter × Hunter character | |
| Created by | Yoshihiro Togashi |
Mike (pronounced as meekay, not as maik) is a huge monstrous guardian dog trained to obey only members of the family.
Kanaria
| Kanaria | |
|---|---|
| Hunter × Hunter character | |
| File:Hunter × Hunter episode 34.png | |
| Created by | Yoshihiro Togashi |
Kanaria is a red-headed girl who is a member of guards elite. She doesn't want to let Gon pass and is giving him a hard time, but later accompanies him, Leorio and Kurapica to the guards' headquarters.
Goto
| Goto | |
|---|---|
| Hunter × Hunter character | |
| File:Hunter × Hunter episode 36.png | |
| Created by | Yoshihiro Togashi |
Goto is Zaoldyeck family manager. All contacts with the family members must go through him.
He is also superb at the "where is the coin" trick. [6] [7]
Coco-chan
| Coco-chan | |
|---|---|
| Hunter × Hunter character | |
| File:Hunter × Hunter episode 32.png | |
| Created by | Yoshihiro Togashi |
Coco-chan is a guide that shows tourists the entrance to Zaoldyeck grounds.