Hunter x Hunter: Does Hisoka die?

Hisoka as seen in the Hunter x Hunter manga
Hisoka as seen in the Hunter x Hunter manga (Image credit: Shueisha)

Hunter x Hunter is one of the most beloved anime and manga ever, and a major reason for its reputation is its fascinating cast. While every character is unique and plays a special role in the series, Hisoka Morrow is particularly distinctive, both captivating and terrifying fans through his unpredictable antics.

Since he is an antagonist, anime-only viewers may be wondering what happens to Hisoka in the manga after the show. Hisoka briefly dies in the Hunter x Hunter manga but brings himself back to life using Bungee Gum. This was a turning point in the series that intensified his relations with the Phantom Troupe.

Hisoka has always been the most enigmatic Hunter x Hunter character, with no fan being able to gauge where his motivations lie. Initially introduced in the Hunter Exam Arc, he was quick to showcase how fearsome his powers were. Ever since then, Hisoka continued acting in a self-serving manner, chasing after pleasure and fighting powerful combatants.

Hisoka vs. Chrollo as seen in the Hunter x Hunter manga (Image credit: Shueisha)
Hisoka vs. Chrollo as seen in the Hunter x Hunter manga (Image credit: Shueisha)

Hisoka’s two main opponents over the course of the series are Gon and Chrollo. He sadistically supported the protagonist with the hope of making him a more enjoyable opponent while infiltrating the Phantom Troupe for the sake of fighting its leader.

Unfortunately, upon discovering that Chrollo couldn’t use his Nen due to Kurapika’s ability, his goal was delayed. During the Greed Island Arc, Hisoka searched for an exorcist to help Chrollo regain his powers. His efforts paid off, as he discovered Abengane and convinced him to remove the chain threatening Chrollo’s heart.

Finally, after the events in the anime, Hisoka got his opportunity to fight Chrollo in the manga’s Succession Contest Arc. The two formidable antagonists faced off in Heavens Arena, as an excited crowd looked on. Though the start of the battle seemed evenly matched, the difference soon became apparent as Chrollo controlled several special skills through his Skill Hunter.

After an exhausting battle where he was constantly on the back foot, death seemed imminent for Hisoka as multiple puppets controlled by Chrollo began piling on top of him. Finally, under Chrollo's orders, they exploded. In his last moments, Hisoka seemed ready to embrace death, curling up into a ball for what seemed to be a concluding attack.

Chapter 356 of the Hunter x Hunter manga confirmed that Hisoka had died after getting caught up in the explosions caused by Chrollo’s puppets. His body was completely disfigured, with Shalnark explaining that his cause of death was suffocation due to the explosion and the mass of bodies around him.

Therefore, with experienced members of the Phantom Troupe checking Hisoka’s fate, he most definitely died in Hunter x Hunter.


How did Hisoka come back to life in Hunter x Hunter?

After Hisoka’s death, the kind Machi decided to stitch him up one last time. When starting her procedure, she looked on in shock as aura re-emerged from Hisoka’s body. Soon after this, he came back to life and fixed his wounds.

The manner in which Hisoka came back to life was shown in a short flashback scene in the manga right before his revival, and it highlighted how ingenious he was. Right before facing the exploding bodies falling on him, the secret move Hisoka attempted was to achieve “Nen After Death” or Post-Mortem Nen.

Hisoka had instructed his Bungee Gum to spring to life after his death and to pump his heart and his lungs. Therefore, by trusting his Nen, he effectively restarted his entire body, consequently coming back to life.

Hisoka restrains Machi as seen in the Hunter x Hunter manga (Image credit: Shueisha)
Hisoka restrains Machi as seen in the Hunter x Hunter manga (Image credit: Shueisha)

Right after this startling scene, Hisoka’s menacing nature and ruthlessness only grew further, as he decided to not pick his battles and wipe out the spiders as a whole. He spared Machi, restraining her with his Bungee Gum and issuing the threat.

Soon after, Hisoka brutally killed Kortopi and Shalnark, earning the complete hatred of Chrollo and the rest of the Phantom Troupe.

Edited by Sangeeta Mathew