KilluaZoldyck (キルア=ゾルディック, KiruaZorudikku) is the deuteragonist of the anime/manga series, Hunter × Hunter . He is the middle child of the KilluaZoldyck Family and the best friend of GonFreecss. The two friends have been close since childhood when KilluaZoldyck’s family took care of Gon after his father died from an unknown illness until he was 12 years old.
Early life:
KilluaZoldyck was born to Silva and Kikyo (deceased) as well as his three older sisters. Killua spent his early childhood at home, away from assassination requests. During his years of schooling, he met GonFreecss and became friends with him. When Gon turned 8, he was told by Ging that he had to leave Whale Island for his safety.
Zoldyck begged for Gon not to go, even threatening to kill himself if Gon didn’t stay on Whale Island; however, both knew that wouldn’t work. Before leaving, Ging gave KilluaZoldyck a special key that only opens when its owner is going through extreme emotions or pain: Killua has not used it yet.
At some point, Killua left home. Not much is known about his life, but he was one of two people in a class that Kurapika was also in. When it was revealed that Kurapika had a scar which indicates that he is from a family of assassins, it caused an uproar. One student threw something at Kurapika but missed and hit Killua instead, knocking him out for two days.
First appearance:
Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 1; 1999. This was his first chronological appearance in an anime/manga series. However, he appears in flashbacks as early as Hunter × Hunter, Episode 9; 1999 (and earlier). His earliest chronological appearance outside of flashbacks is Chapter 16 of Volume 6; 2007.
Killua is one of Gon’s first friends, as well as being his self-proclaimed rival. He originally only thought about getting stronger for himself, but eventually makes a promise to his dying adoptive father that he will inherit and protect all of his Nen abilities. To do so, KilluaZoldyck becomes determined to take and pass every single Hunter Exam available to prove his worth.
Despite being very gentle and good-natured with an easygoing personality, Killua also has a cold side to him; when enraged or hurt emotionally, he can be viciously brutal towards anyone that displeases him or hurts those dear to him.
Hunter Exam arc:
The Hunter Exam arc begins with Gon, Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio as they attempt to take a Hunter Exam which is held once every four years. The exam consists of challenges such as retrieving an object from another room that’s trapped by an opponent or taking on a beast to prove one’s strength in front of licensed Hunters.
The four (with some luck) manage to get through all challenges without any casualties while also finding themselves in trouble but making new friends along the way. Of course, there is more to Gon and Killua’s story than just taking a hunter exam…
At a certain point in his youth, Tenten was adopted by Silva and his wife to train in assassination techniques. It is from that moment that he becomes one of two potential successors of their assassination clan. Later on, due to Gon and Killua’s friendship forming, they decide to take a Hunter Exam which is held once every four years (even though Killua is already a fully trained assassin).
In their first appearance at Heaven’s Arena (which was part of a plan by Silva to test Killua’s abilities), Gon and Killua manage to easily defeat Biscuit Krueger and her apprentice Tsubone – both of whom are higher-ranked than them, but it’s not long before they run into trouble.
Miscellaneous Facts:
Killua’s name is derived from a type of fish called Killy which in French means to kill. His surname originates from Czech, Finnish, and Swedish Zolty meaning Gold. He is left-handed. Zoldyck was born in Meteor City, a lawless place that exists outside any government jurisdiction, to Silva and KikyoZoldyck.
Killua is a young man of average height with a thin and toned build. He has fair skin, pink hair, and golden eyes. Killua’s typical outfit consists of an orange button-up shirt with two white buttons on each sleeve and three on each side of his collar, which he leaves unbuttoned, black trousers, and orange shoes.
Zoldyck also wears a long silver chain with a bear charm attached to it around his neck; presumably, it was given to him by Gon after he killed Morel’s Beast Golem during their test in NGL. When going into battle, Killua wears fingerless gloves that have pockets built into them that store throwing needles attached by strings.
