Effect: This Quirk;s holder can fire a destructive beam, but only after doing a complex series of linear equations in their head and then declaring a number from 1 to 6, equal to X.
Hisoka once said that he could guess people’s nen types based on their personality. Through the vast and colorful cast of Hunter x Hunter, this seems somewhat true as well. But is it really as simple as personality?
In this analysis I suggest that while personality plays a big factor in determining nen type, how someone perceives nen also impacts it.
Enhancers are determined and simple. Most of them never lie, hide nothing, and are very straightforward in their actions or in their thinking. Their words and actions are often dominated by their feelings. They are generally very selfish and focused on their goals. This is reflected in their Nen as enhancers typically rely on simple and uncomplicated Hatsu techniques
Enhancers see nen as power something they can use to make themself stronger through brute force. This is why most enhancer abilities rely on martial arts of some sort, they are just making the body better.
Some notable enhancers include Gon, Phinks, and Netero, all three of them with a physical portion of their nen, although Netero has achieved so much in his time that his ability has transcended his body.
Mizuken and Kurapika even discuss this a bit during their nen training, that one of the easiest ways to have “sheer power” is to be an enhancer which gives physical abilities a stat boost.
Transmuters are whimsical and prone to deceit. Transmutation users have unique attitudes, and many are regarded as weirdos or tricksters. Often they put forth a facade while hiding the truer aspects of their personalities. Even when they don't hide their personalities they rarely reveal their true intentions. Many Transmuters rely on techniques that give unique and unpredictable properties to their Nen that reflects their personalities.
Transmuters see nen as a part of themself, which is why so many transmuter abilities relate directly to the user, most notably with Hisoka and Killua. Hisoka’s nen ability bungee gum is based off of a treat he used to have as a child, and Killua’s conductivity based nen is from his electric torture training. Though we do not know the origin of Bisky’s rejuvanating nen, I suspect it has something to do with her wanting to keep her youthful appearance.
Emitters are impatient, not detail-oriented, and quick to react in a volatile manner. Many of them are quick-tempered and hot-blooded. They resemble the Enhancers in building their impulsivity, but the difference with them, they probably tend to calm down and forget easier. Because of the nature of Emission, many Hatsu techniques created by emitters are primarily long range.
Emitters see nen as an attack, something they can project outwards from them. This is why their nen techniques are long ranged. It is similar to how a wizard or sorcerer would cast fire spells, not quite power in the same way that enhancers have it, but definitely similar. These abilities are flashy, much like their hot-blooded nature.
Conjurers are typically high-strung or overly serious and stoic. They are often on guard as to be cautious. They are very observant and logical, rarely falling into traps. Being able to analyze things calmly is the strength of Conjurers. Many of the items that conjurers create are often used by them in a very deliberate and practical, logical fashion.
Conjurers see nen as a tool. Nen is something they can shape and craft to their liking to create the perfect object for them to use. It’s incredibly convinient for them, one moment they can have their objects, and the next they can whisk them away to hide them. Kite and Kurapika are good examples of this, they don’t keep their conjured items around all the time because they may alert other people of their presence. Their nen only needs to exist when they need it, and when they need it, it’s a tool.
Manipulators are logical people who advance at their own pace. They are all for arguments and tend to want to keep their families and loved ones safe. On the other hand, when it comes to pursuing their own goals, they do not listen to what others might have to say about it. While manipulators often use techniques that allow them to control their opponents they also prefer to use an inanimate medium to control that can be used versatility (such as smoke or pieces of paper hardened with Shu).
Manipulators see nen as something they can control. Nen gives people an advantage over others, and by perceiving it as a control, it allows manipulators to expend a deal of energy into balancing things out in their favor. They don’t need to know how to fight with their bare hands, as mentioned by Shalnark, but why would they when they can control physical objects, or even people.
Specialists are individualistic and charismatic. They won't tell you anything important on them, and refrain from being close friends, but, because of their natural charisma that draws others, they are always surrounded by many people. Because Specialization is unique and can have many facets, most Specialists possess only one Hatsu technique.
My theory with specialists is slightly different than the other theories: due to the nature of most specialist abilities, I suspect that most of them were developed, or discovered, on accident. With Kurapika’s nen, for example, it was only after he used nen when his eyes were glowing that he realized he posessed specialist traits. Then again with Neon’s ability, she didn’t even know she was practicing nen in the first place. We know that adding risk increases the effectiveness of nen, so perhaps those with extraordinary circumstances are more attuned to nen thus developing these specialist abilities without specifically gunning for them.
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