While the Hunter Association manages the world’s Hunters, its top members can become members of the Zodiac Twelve. In the Hunter x Hunter universe, the Zodiacs serve as counselors to the Hunter Association Chairman. Previously handpicked by former Chairman Isaac Netero, they serve as some of the most peerless Hunters of their generation. Some of them are fierce combatants, with some possessing unique abilities that separate them from typical Hunters.
Based on the Chinese Zodiac, the Zodiacs have 12 members in total. Interestingly, all of them have the highest levels of authority across the Hunter Association. However, some members of the Zodiac just outclass the others in terms of sheer power.
12 Chicken: Cluck
Despite her short and slender stature, Cluck isn’t to be underestimated. Carrying the Chicken designation, Cluck also serves as a member of the Dark Continent voyage’s Flora/Fauna Team. In turn, it’s surmised that Cluck has extensive knowledge of lifeforms in various biomes.
Classified as a Botanical Hunter, Cluck specializes in all things related to plants. However, despite her focus on flora making her seem meek, being able to fight the likes of Netero on a regular basis had Kanzai deem Cluck stronger than Knov and Morel, both Single-Star Hunters of distinguished statuses.
Interestingly, being one of Chairman Netero’s sparring partners means Cluck must have excellent skills in both combat and Nen usage. In terms of specifics, Cluck only demonstrated her ability by controlling pigeons to deliver messages to “all” Hunters - meaning she can control at least 600 pigeons at once. With this in mind, Cluck may have skill in Manipulation Nen but isn’t necessarily focused while in combat.
11 Rabbit: Pyon
Cutesy Pyon and her bunny ears fit the Rabbit designation, and her casual attitude makes her extremely approachable. However, behind this friendly facade is an extremely tech-savvy and upfront Zodiac, showing no hesitation to manipulate others for the benefit of her missions.
Sadly, the manga has yet to reveal the full extent of her abilities. However, as a Zodiac and Netero’s former sparring partner, this means Pyon has considerable fighting prowess and control over Nen. Given her membership in the Intelligence Team for the Dark Continent exploration, Pyon’s abilities may involve using technology to acquire and manipulate information.
Despite her laid-back personality, Pyon isn’t someone to underestimate. According to Hisoka, Pyon’s strength is at around the 77 mark, putting Pyon below the likes of Illumi Zoldyck, Ginta, and Kanzai but still stronger than most Hunters. Outside combat, Pyon is multilingual and specializes in both modern and ancient languages. She even extends her linguistic prowess to technology, where she used her programming skills to create a language analysis program.
10 Snake: Gel
As sleek as her iconic black dress, Gel isn’t someone to mess with. Designated Snake and a Poison Hunter, Gel has an expertise when it comes to poisons and chemicals. In turn, she’s deemed fit as a member of the Dark Continent voyage’s Science Team. In terms of abilities, her status a Chairman Netero’s sparring partner demonstrates fighting prowess.
Being a Poison Hunter, Gel is practically the go-to person when it comes to medicine, chemistry, and biology. In fact, such is her intellectual prowess that Gel can explain in depth the political implications of Beyond Netero’s moves in the Zodiac Succession Arc. There’s even the fact that Gel can threaten Pariston Hill - technically the main antagonist in the arc - in front of the other Zodiacs, implying some sort of hidden Nen prowess.
However, the only hints of her abilities in the manga lie in the ability to transform her arm into a snake. Given her specialization in poisons, Gel’s Nen abilities may have something to do with using poisons for immobilization or even death.
9 Boar: Leorio Paradinight
Despite his Rookie Hunter status, Leorio Paradinight proved capable enough to become a member of the Zodiacs, with the designation Boar. After his Nen awakening, Leorio demonstrated advanced speed, agility, and stamina, as well as enhanced strength. As an Emitter, he uses the Remote Punch - a punch that can hit a farther location. Sadly, Leorio lacks training in using his Nen, as Gon’s father Ging revealed the Remote Punch can release multiple emissions with multiple punches.
Throughout Leorio’s stay in the Hunter X Hunter series, Leorio demonstrates preternatural perception that allows him to perceive subtle changes in Nen. Not only that, but Leorio boasts specializations in weapons and medical knowledge aside from his Nen capabilities, potentially allowing Leorio to capitalize on his anatomical knowledge towards his combat talents.
While Leorio is a main character, his inexperience may mean he’s still lacking in power compared to the other Zodiacs. However, Ging hinted that Leorio has a power yet to be untapped, meaning he might possess hidden potential.
8 Tiger: Kanzai
Befitting the Tiger designation, Kanzai sets himself apart with a short-tempered and impulsive personality. Not much is known about Kanzai, apart from the fact that his outfit is a yellow baseball uniform and that he once served as Chairman Netero’s sparring partner.
Unfortunately, the manga has yet to reveal Kanzai’s full abilities. However, given the series motif, it’s likely that Kanzai’s Nen has something to do with sports. Moreover, being a member of the Defense Team for the Dark Continent exploration means his abilities likely accommodate protective - or perhaps, aggressive - measures.
Interestingly, despite the series not yet revealing Kanzai’s full extent of abilities, other aspects of his interactions with other Hunters do reveal a bit about his personality. For instance, being Netero’s sparring partner not only implies his overall strength but he also deemed himself stronger than Morel and Knov, both distinguished Single-Star Hunters. Hisoka himself considered Kanzai as 85 in terms of strength, which is much higher compared to other Hunters.
7 Sheep: Ginta
Ginta may seem burly, but he’s never underestimated. Designated Sheep, Ginta has abilities befitting his membership in the Dark Continent voyage’s Flora/Fauna Team. Unfortunately, the manga has yet to reveal the full extent of his abilities.
However, his experience as Chairman Netero’s sparring partner means Ginta should possess remarkable combat skills and Nen control. In fact, Ginta can run extremely fast considering his size. In Chapter 320, Hisoka Morrow ranked Ginta higher than Kanzai and Pyon, meaning Ginta has something hidden up his sleeve.
In terms of sheer strength, Kanzai considers Ginta as stronger than Morel and Knov, both distinguished Single-Star Hunters. Interestingly, Hisoka also rated Ginta as 90, a score much higher than most other Hunters but also lower than Illumi Zoldyck. As such, it’s interesting to see what kind of Nen abilities Ginta offers, especially if this is related to strength or not.
6 Horse: Saccho Kobayakawa
Befitting his humble samurai appearance, Saccho remains a calm and collected person. Designated Horse, the quiet Saccho implies information gathering abilities that make him fit for the membership within the Dark Continent voyage’s Intelligence Team.
The manga has yet to reveal Saccho’s abilities. However, as Chairman Netero’s sparring partner, Saccho must have remarkable combat prowess. Being a Double-Star Problem Hunter and a detective by trade, Saccho has a keen intellect and great observational skills. In turn, it’s likely that Saccho applies his intelligence with his swordsmanship.
While the manga has yet to reveal the full extent of Saccho’s Nen abilities, it’s implied that he’s an extremely skilled swordsman. However, it’s interesting to note that while most martial artists in the Zodiacs are in the Defense Squad, Saccho’s intellectual prowess had him positioned among the intelligence Team. As such, his Nen might be either related to his intelligence or may even improve his combat prowess further.
5 Monkey: Saiyu
At first glance, Saiyu possesses the appearance of a typical martial artist. However, “typical” doesn’t do justice to the Monkey’s seemingly-astronomical battle prowess. Essentially, his status a Chairman Netero’s sparring partner should hint towards incredibly-impressive combat prowess. Moreover, his membership in the Dark Continent voyage’s Defense Team demonstrates his combat-oriented abilities.
Personality-wise, Saiyu is extremely proud of his combat prowess, and his respect and authority among the Hunter Association are just below that of Cheadle’s. However, Saiyu has all the right to brag about his combat ability, especially with Netero himself considering Saiyu being one of the most skilled Nen users worldwide.
As a Nen user, Saiyu implies proficiency in Conjuration. Given his status as a martial artist, he relies on hand-to-hand combat and conjures up his staff should he need it. When using this Priest Staff, he can change its length at will, befitting various approaches in combat. Moreover, he can use his Three Monkeys to deprive the opponent of speech, hearing, and sight - remarkably deadly in combat.
4 Ox: Mizaistom Nana
Among the Zodiacs, Mizaistom is the most observant, analytical, and morally strict - befitting the black-and-white Ox. Given his status as a Double-Star Crime Hunter, Mizaistom possesses remarkable intellect and deductive abilities.
As a Crime Hunter, Mizaistom not only works as a lawyer but is also extremely knowledgeable in terms of legal matters. Moreover, Mizaistom manages his own private security firm, meaning he has gained authority over his subordinates. He also has the skills to back it up, with deduction and information gathering being a part of his stellar skillset.
However, where Mizaistom shines is in his Nen, being Isaac Netero’s former sparring partner. With his Cross Game ability, Mizaistom has three cards - blue, yellow, and red - with corresponding abilities. In the manga, Mizaistom only showcased yellow - restraint - so far, capable of completely immobilizing the opponent. While his full abilities aren’t revealed yet, his capacity to spar with one of the most powerful characters in the series means there’s more to Mizaistom than meets the eye.
3 Rat: Kurapika
Codenamed Rat, Kurapika is a skilled Blacklist Hunter capable of pursuing even the deadliest of bounties. Due to his drive to eliminate the Phantom Troupe and recover the remaining Kurta Clan Scarlet Eyes, Kurapika has extensive combat training. He’s proficient in multiple weapons, aided by his enhanced physique. His genius-level intellect proves useful in combat, as he can plan tactics and strategies on the fly.
Outside his Nen abilities, Kurapika is not just an excellent martial artist, but may even be an assassin, proved by his proficiency with hidden and small weapons such as knives, shuriken, switchblade, and handgun. And even with plain Nen itself, Kurapika possesses advanced hearing and preternatural perception, as well as enhanced physical capabilities.
However, perhaps Kurapika shines most in his Nen abilities. As a Conjurer, Kurapika primarily uses chains embedded with various abilities - from dowsing to restraint, to healing, to stealing other abilities. Thanks to his Scarlet Eyes, Kurapika transforms into a Specialist, being able to use all Nen types at 100-percent capacity.
2 Dog: Cheadle Yorkshire
Albeit possessing a meek appearance, Cheadle Yorkshire serves as the current Chairman of the Hunter Association. As a Triple-Star Disease Hunter, Cheadle has extensive knowledge of diseases - which also explains her membership in the Science Team in the Dark Continent voyage.
While the manga hasn’t revealed her full abilities, her experience as former Chairman Netero’s sparring partner means she must possess great battle prowess. Moreover, her demonstrated tactical finesse during the chairmanship elections proves her ownership of the title, Brains of the Zodiacs.
And while the full extent of Cheadle’s abilities isn’t revealed yet, some members of the Zodiac and other Hunters already hint towards Cheadle’s powerset. For example, Kanzai believes Cheadle is much stronger than Morel and Knov, both distinguished Hunters. And while Pariston claims Cheadle doesn’t have the necessary strength to be Chairman, Cheadle herself has enough awareness of others that she knows Pariston himself may not believe his words.
1 Dragon: Botobai Gigante
The bulky Botobai Gigante isn’t just the Dragon by sheer appearance, but also status and expertise as well. Being a Triple-Star Terrorist Hunter and a public prosecutor, Botobai has extensive knowledge in military operations, legal affairs, and geopolitics.
Sadly, the manga has yet to reveal Botobai’s full abilities. However, being Chairman Netero’s sparring partner means his combat prowess and Nen control lie far beyond that of a typical Hunter. As a member of the Dark Continent voyage’s Defense Team, his abilities may involve direct attacks or straightforward defense.
Interestingly, a subtle hint is given towards his power level. Chapter 326 of the manga reveals that Botobai possesses the “closest” power level to the Chairman in both name and ability.
