Chrollo Lucilfer
Chrollo Lucilfer is the founder and leader of the Phantom Troupe, designated as member #0 in HUNTER×HUNTER. As a Specialization-type Nen user, he possesses the distinct capability to steal and maneuver the Nen abilities of others. Originating from Meteor City, he governs a crew of volatile outlaws through immense personal charisma, keen strategic insight, and high combat proficiency. Despite leading a notorious criminal syndicate, he maintains a detached, analytical mindset and views both his own existence and death with pragmatic composure.
Overview
Chrollo Lucilfer is the founder and leader of the Phantom Troupe, designated as member #0 in HUNTER×HUNTER. As a Specialization-type Nen user, he possesses the distinct capability to steal and maneuver the Nen abilities of others. Originating from Meteor City, he governs a crew of volatile outlaws through immense personal charisma, keen strategic insight, and high combat proficiency. Despite leading a notorious criminal syndicate, he maintains a detached, analytical mindset and views both his own existence and death with pragmatic composure.
Appearance
A young man characterized by black hair and dark eyes. A purple cross-shaped tattoo is positioned in the center of his forehead, and he wears blue orb-shaped earrings on both ears. He typically lets his hair fall naturally over his forehead for a youthful look, but slicks it back into an all-back style when leading the Troupe. His primary outfit is an unbuttoned black leather coat adorned with a fur collar and a golden inverted cross printed on the back.
Personality
Chrollo exhibits a chilling indifference toward outsiders, treating dangerous combat, robbery, and violence with detached amusement. Despite his merciless traits, he is an avid reader who demonstrates remarkable intellectual composure and sharp deductive reasoning. Paradoxically, he holds deep affection and loyalty toward his comrades in the Phantom Troupe, taking sentimental measures to mourn fallen members. He prioritizes the survival of the organization above his own life, firmly adhering to the philosophy that the leader is merely a component of the group and fully replaceable.
Abilities
As a Specialization Nen user, Chrollo wields Skill Hunter, an ability that allows him to steal and seal others' Nen abilities inside a conjured book under strict fulfillment conditions. Originally, he was required to hold the book open in his right hand to activate a stolen power, limiting him to one technique at a time. Through Double Face, he acquired a bookmark that lets him maintain a bookmarked ability while the book is closed or combine two abilities simultaneously, removing the single-hand limitation. His stolen repertoire includes Indoor Fish, Fun Fun Cloth, Lovely Ghostwriter, Sun and Moon, Black Voice, and Order Stamp. In close combat, he is a proficient martial artist who utilizes a Ben's knife laced with fast-acting paralyzing poison.
Background
Raised in Meteor City, an unsanctioned landfill settlement inhabited by unrecorded outcasts, Chrollo was an inquisitive youth who scavenged scrap treasures with childhood friends. Following the tragic murder of his friend Sarasa, he resolved to dedicate his life to criminality to protect Meteor City from external threats, eventually establishing the Phantom Troupe with his companions. Five years before the story, he led the Troupe to annihilate the Kurta Clan for their rare Scarlet Eyes, drawing the vengeance of Kurapika. During the Yorknew City auction, he launched a massive raid against the mafia, but Kurapika bound his heart with the Judgment Chain, locking away his Nen and contact with his comrades. After securing an exorcism, he defeated Hisoka Morow in a deathmatch at Heavens Arena. However, Hisoka's resurrection and subsequent murder of Troupe members spurred Chrollo to hunt him relentlessly aboard the Black Whale while targeting Kakin royal artifacts.
Relationships
As leader of the Phantom Troupe, Chrollo commands deep trust from members such as Uvogin, Pakunoda, Machi, Shalnark, and Kortopi, reciprocating their loyalty with personal care. Kurapika, the sole survivor of the Kurta Clan massacre, views Chrollo as his primary target for revenge and previously restricted his Nen using the Judgment Chain. Hisoka Morow deceptively joined the Troupe solely to challenge Chrollo to a one-on-one duel, which culminated in a fatal arena battle and turned them into sworn enemies. Additionally, Chrollo shares a history of life-and-death combat with elite assassins Silva Zoldyck and Zeno Zoldyck, having previously fought Silva after the assassin took the life of Troupe member #8.
Trivia
Within the Phantom Troupe, Chrollo ranks 7th out of 13 members in arm wrestling strength. His ability Skill Hunter can be upgraded by completing challenging tasks such as stealing national treasure-class items; his objective to steal the Three Great Treasures of the Kakin Empire stems from a desire to evolve this capability to secure an ability capable of neutralizing his rivals. Furthermore, the specialized Ben's knife he wielded against the Zoldyck assassins is a legendary weapon forged by a notorious murderer while incarcerated in prison.
