Key Takeaways
- Nobunaga Hazama, a member of the Phantom Troupe, is a master swordsman with precision and lethal abilities.
- His swordsmanship melds traditional samurai techniques with Nen enhancements for deadly efficiency.
- With a focus on precision and self-discipline, he embodies the core principles of lethal efficiency in close combat.
Regarding the Hunter x Hunter series, one character has to be held in esteem when discussing his combination of precision, discipline, and sheer lethality Nobunaga Hazama. As a member of the Phantom Troupe, he is not just fearsome but also a master swordsman whose style encompasses traditional samurai swordsmanship and the supernatural enhancements of Nen, melding them together to create a swordsmanship that embodies how great he is.
In Yoshihiro Togashi’s masterpiece, a swordsman is a sight for sore eyes, so it is quite interesting how he was able to create a dynamic way of combining a key element in Japanese culture with his Nen power system.
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Who is Nobunaga Hazama?
The Phantom Troupe’s Resident Swordsman
Nobunaga Hazama was introduced into the series as one of the original members of the Phantom Troupe, a group of highly influential criminals with incredible strength and Nen abilities. Nobunaga is the #1 member of the Phantom Troupe; his physical strength ranks in 9th place among members. Nobunaga, defined by his unshakeable loyalty to the troup and Chrollo (Leader of the Phantom troupe ), is generally calm but can be brash and gets into conflicts easily with others having a formidable personality, but he does not seem to perform well in unpredictable situations. His character design as a Japanese samurai immediately evokes images of a warrior who values honor and respect, even within the context of a criminal organization.
While Nobunaga may give off the persona of a tranquil and calm swordsman, he possesses an emotional depth almost cavernous in every respect, especially with Uvogin. The comradeship he shares shows his humanity and shows that his relationship with the Phantom Troupe is not because of obligations but because of deep connections and shared ideals.
Nobunaga’s Swordsmanship And Nen Abilities Combine Efficiently
Not Your Average Swordsman
Nobunaga’s fighting style is heavily influenced by classical samurais. His katana is the heart of his combat philosophies: a weapon that not only requires discipline but mastery over it. Nobunaga emphasizes his swordsmanship on precision over brute strength, making every stroke dangerous and proper. He has mastery over his sword and can cut down enemies with a single stroke, while also adopting the balanced stance of the traditional swordsmen, this allows him to react instantaneously to any attack but with much forceful and firm stability. His attitude denotes that of a veteran swordsman, hence a read of opponents’ movements and returning with precision in a calculated manner. With the intensity of his attention upon this range not allowing him to miss the barest movement, it is seldom that any person breaks through his defense.
His offense is also improved by his apparent mastery of Laido, a martial art that encompasses smooth and precise movements of drawing and cutting, tallying with the philosophy of his strike when within his “attack range.” When he says that anyone within this zone is dead, it is not a mere utterance of bravado, but proof of his quickness, precision, and ability to read opponents. He is a master of the fast draw, the skill of unsheathing and striking before most can react.
Therefore, he maintains fluidity and precision, whether stationary or moving. Each of his moves intends to kill or drop with a single strike. His reflexes and sword strikes here are so sharp and precise that an opponent could get killed before he even gets to start a counterattack. An instance in the series that showcases the speed and efficiency of Nobunaga’s style, was in the scene where he beheaded Squala.
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Nobunaga’s swordsmanship is melded intricately with his proficiency in Nen. Enhancement Nen users specialize in reinforcing physiques or weapons, which makes them ideal and excellent at close combat. He likely uses his Nen to power up his katana in a way that would allow it to penetrate effectively through aura-reinforced shields and physical body armor. Accurate parries are due not only to the swordsmanship but also the combined efficiency between the sword and Nen. Like Wing or Biscuit and other Nen-users, using aura regulation or control, in which lies the ability to achieve maximum output with minimal energy expenditure. From his calmness in the aspects of battle, it can be seen that Nobunaga has achieved this balance well, thus he effectively fights without unnecessary movement.
Nobunaga’s fighting style generates a proclaimed “kill zone”-that four-meter radius around him within which he is pretty much unbeatable. Sharp senses combined with katana skills make this place a death trap for most opponents. This zone shows his mastery over the Nen technique called En, whereby the aura extends beyond the body and forms some sort of field that becomes kind of sensory-aware, allowing for instant feedback. Although he does not use En literally in the actual sense, as would be the case with Zeno Zoldyck or Knov, such a small radius taken up by him reflects an incomparable concentration on close combat altogether: power, precision, and speed in general, channeling it all into not allowing a single enemy to get away from his reach.
Unlike the other users of Nen, relying either on an intricate set of techniques or on flashy, attention-grabbing powers, he focuses on the fundamentals. He tries, with every situation, to strike with just one, without any extra energy wasted on unnecessary movements. Of the three, Nobunaga is not a master of brute force but a master of the timing of an attack. He rarely overextends or takes unnecessary risks, representing the rule “economy of motion” in swordsmanship. He is considered one of the best in short-range combat, precision, and self-discipline and thus finds his place among the top deadliest swordsmen in the series. Though he doesn’t use flashy abilities, his no-nonsense, straight-on efficient style shows that sometimes when perfectly executed, simplicity can be just as deadly.
While there are several guesses about his full potential range amongst fans, the discourse itself speaks volumes for the beauty of simplicity in this flash-ability-filled world goes for Nobunaga’s kill zone of four meters, disciplined demeanor, and plainness. He embodies, in many ways, the core principles of swordsmanship: focus, discipline, and lethal efficiency.
Hunter x Hunter is available to watch on Crunchyroll.
Hunter x Hunter
In Hunter x Hunter, young Gon Freecss discovers his long-lost father is a legendary Hunter, an elite class of adventurer with the license to go anywhere or do almost anything. Determined to find him, Gon sets out to pass the Hunter Examination, a life-threatening challenge that draws hundreds of hopefuls seeking fortune, fame, and adventure. Along the way, Gon becomes friends with other candidates, including the vengeful Kurapika, the ambitious Leorio, and the enigmatic Killua. Together, they face a world filled with bizarre creatures, sinister criminals, and unpredictable adventures.
- Studio
- Madhouse
- Creator
- Yoshihiro Togashi
- Number of Episodes
- 148