Zaoldyeck family

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Zaoldyeck family is a (in)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 intendants (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, their 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. Some of them are genetic - like their innate resistance to almost all types of poison. Others, like their ability to tolerate high amounts of electricity and their immense strength (Killua was able to open a 16-ton door before receiving any form of nen training), are gained through training.

There are currently 10 living members of the Zaoldyeck family. These include the great grand father Maha, grandfather Zeno, father Silva, mother Kikyou, and five sons.

Contents 1 Alluka 2 Illumi 3 Karuto 4 Kikyo 5 Killua 6 Maha 7 Milluki 8 Silva 9 Zeno 10 Great Grandmother

[edit] Alluka

• Age: 10-12
• 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 and 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 5 sons of the Zaoldyeck.

[edit] Illumi

• Age: 24
• Nen type: Manipulation (Manipulator)
• Position in the family: Oldest child

Killua's eldest brother. He is an experienced assassin who along with his father was responsible for Killua's training and upbringing. He camouflaged his appearance and took an alias during the Hunter Exam which Killua also undertook, using pins to change his whole facial structure so much so that Killua can not recognise him until he speaks. An oppressive evil aura about him makes even Killua fearful and wary whenever he approaches Illumi.

It is hard not to imagine why Illumi elicits such a feeling from his younger brother- his face is a mask, expressionless- no one can fathom the thoughts or feelings of Illumi. His eyes are black voids. 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.

Illumi holds a strange, emotionless affection towards Killua, saying that he was worried when he left home, and expressionlessly stroking his hair. Illumi was responsible for planting the 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 - however, this is from a strange care for him.

A certain amount of friendship is shared between Hisoka and Illumi, although it is unclear as to how it could have developed (too many similarities that they share?). Illumi once came to the aid of Hisoka by standing for him as a double (using his excellent feature-shifting skills) in the Ryodan compounds whilst Hisoka was away.

[edit] Karuto

• Age: 10
• Nen type: Manipulation (Manipulator)
• Position in the family: Youngest child

Note: 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.

The mysterious blue-eyed, doll-like younger brother of Killua. Initially introduced for a brief period during the Zaoldyeck Family arc, he was always seen following his mother Kikyou around. Karuto would appear again during the Genei Ryodan arc, assisting his older brother Illumi with the assassination of the 10 Mafia leaders that placed a bounty on the Genei Ryodan. Karuto's third appearance was during the Chimera Ant arc, where he has become a member of the Genei Ryodan himself after Hisoka's departure. During this arc we are introduced to his nen ability to control paper.

[edit] Kikyo

• Age: ?
• Nen type: ?
• Position in the family: Mother

Kikyou is Killua's mother, who got injured while preventing 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, Kurapica and Leorio, and is eagerly awaiting for Killua to excel in the art of assassinations and to continue on with the family business.

[edit] Killua

Main article: Main characters in Hunter × Hunter

• Age: 12
• Nen type: Transformation (Transmuter)
• Position in the family: Middle (third) child and heir

[edit] Maha

• Age: ?
• Nen type: Reinforcement (Enhancer)
• Position in the family: Great grandfather

Maha is presumably Zeno's father. Not much is really known about him. He only appeared once in the last episode of the anime along with Karuto and Illumi on a mission to kill the 10 Godfathers.

[edit] Milluki

• Age: 19 - 21
• Nen type: Manipulation (Manipulator)
• Position in the family: Second oldest child

Killua's 2nd eldest brother, an obese figure who possesses a strong aversion to performing any kind of physical activity. In fact, he has not left the mansion in eight years. He has a fetish for collecting girl figurines and computer games. Seems to be talented in hacking computer systems, and was one of the injured people during Killua's escape. Milluki is primarily in charge of torturing Killua with whips and electrocution.

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.

[edit] Silva

• Age: ?
• Nen type: Transformation (Transmuter)
• Position in the family: Father

With an appearance befitting a rock band member than an accomplished assassin, Silva is Killua's father. A silent, pensive figure, Killua's interaction with him seems not to be much. Certainly the member who deals the most powerful blows to his enemies.

[edit] Zeno

• Age: ?
• Nen type: Transformation (Transmuter)
• Position in the family: Grandfather
• Nen ability: Dragon Head: Long-Tou Xi-Hua

Zeno is Killua's grandfather. 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".

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.

His 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 with his hands, and it always is connected.

[edit] Great Grandmother

The 10th living member of the Zaoldyeck family is the family's great grandmother. She has not been named or made any appearances in the manga. Basically, nothing is known about her.

Hunter × Hunter
List of Hunter × Hunter episodes
Characters: Hunters | Main | Minor | Genei Ryodan | Zaoldyeck family
Other: Greed Island | Nen | Yoshihiro Togashi