Something really cool and unique about Nen is that characters choose their own abilities. There are some restrictions, of course, but for the most part, characters have a great deal of freedom and customization. It’s interesting to ask not just what a character’s ability is, but why they chose it.
Someone who illustrated this really well recently, in my opinion, is Perigord (one of Morena’s followers). I believe his choice of ability reveals a lot about his character.
While character’s have a lot of freedom in choosing their abilities, they are not unlimited. Characters might have to use vows and limitations to achieve the desired effect. Kurapika uses vows and limitations in order to conjure an unbreakable chain.
Kurapika’s chains reflect his inner psyche. I wrote more about this here.
The efficiency of an ability is also determined by a Nen user’s class. In the Heavens Arena, Kastro fights Hisoka using body doubles, which are created through Conjuration and Manipulation. However, Kastro is naturally an Enhancer, reducing the ability’s efficiency.
Kastro isn’t an especially important character, but at the very least his choice of ability reflects his naievety.
Characters choosing their own abilities allows for them to be characterized very quickly, shifting much of the legwork to the reader. Why did they choose this ability? What were they thinking?
The importance of asking these questions has differed over the course of the series, but it has never been more important than it is in the Succession Contest Arc. With its sprawling cast of characters and interweaving plotlines, the Succession arc thrives with quick and efficient characterization.
We’re reminded that characters choose their own abilities in Chapter 393: Plea.
The concept of ability choice is in Togashi’s mind, and it is likely being brought up for a reason.
Not to mention, Spirit Beasts, a central fixture of the arc, are explicitly linked to their owners’ personalities.
King Nasubi’s obscene Spirit Beast is befitting of a man with eight wives who also keeps mistresses.
To illustrate how abilities can provide quick characterization, let’s take look at Perigord, keeping in mind the question: “Why did he choose his ability?”
In Chapter 399: Eviction, Nobunaga and Hinrigh infiltrate Morena’s hideout. From just these panels, we can get a pretty good idea of what Perigord’s ability is.
Perigord has chosen an ability that allows him to regenerate. Now we should be asking, “Why did he choose regeneration?”
(It’s worth noting that “ability choice” is brought up elsewhere in the same chapter, when Nobunaga remarks on Terebellum’s.)
The first time we see Perigord, he has yet to be awakened. Along with Bille, he attacks Lynch and Zakuro, severely underestimating their abilities.
Munching smugly.
Lynch proceeds to beat the sh*t out of him.
Next time we see him is seemingly in Chapter 393: Plea, and he’s looking a little worse for wear.
Note: He still needs three more levels before recieving his ability.
However, we actually see him a little bit before that, when Hinrigh checks his cat-cam in Chapter 395: Founding, Part 1.
Oof… not looking too hot.
I think Lynch did some pretty long-lasting damage to Perigord, possibly breaking his nose. My theory is that Perigord chose regeneration as his ability because just before Morena’s ability awakened him, he got the sh*t beaten out of him by Lynch.
In addition to being really funny, this interaction teaches us a lot about Perigord. For example, his choice of ability comes off as a knee-jerk reaction to his beating, highlighting his naievety. He seems like one of Morena’s more pliable followers, unwilling to put himself through prolonged pain or resistance. His choice may have also been influenced by vanity, since his face appears heavily beaten.
the difference between the two antagonists with religious symbolism of this arc is that at least morena is pretty and respectful while tserriednich is the most annoying ugly stinky mysoginistic evil stupid bitch i've ever laid my eyes on
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