Honestly, most shonen villains are boring. They want to rule the world or they’re just "evil" because the plot needs a punching bag for the hero. But the Phantom Troupe Hunter x Hunter fans have obsessed over for decades is different. They aren't just a group of thieves; they're a family of sociopaths from a city that doesn't technically exist.
Meteor City.
That’s where it starts. If you want to understand the Spider, you have to understand that they come from a literal graveyard of a civilization. When you grow up in a place where the rest of the world dumps its trash—and its people—you don't exactly develop a "standard" moral compass. Chrollo Lucilfer and his crew didn't just decide to be bad guys for the sake of it. They decided that since the world didn't recognize their existence, they wouldn't recognize the world's laws. It's a dark, nihilistic logic that makes them terrifyingly relatable in a weird way.
What People Get Wrong About the Phantom Troupe
A lot of casual viewers think the Troupe is just about chaos. That's wrong. They are highly disciplined, even if their "rules" seem insane to an outsider. You've probably seen the coin toss. Whenever there’s a serious disagreement that could lead to internal fighting, they flip a coin. No yelling, no ego, just fate.
This is a huge part of why the Phantom Troupe Hunter x Hunter remains so compelling. Chrollo, their leader, views himself as just one part of a larger organism. He famously told his members that the head of the spider (himself) is replaceable, but the legs must keep the spider moving. That’s a wild level of selflessness for a mass murderer. He isn't a dictator; he's the brain of a collective.
The Yorknew City Massacre and the Power Gap
Remember the Yorknew City arc? It’s arguably the peak of the series for many. When the Spiders finally moved in on the Southernpiece Auction, they didn't just steal some items. They slaughtered the world’s most powerful mafia families like they were swatting flies. This wasn't just a power move. It was a statement.
The Nen abilities within the group are incredibly specialized. You have Shizuku’s Blinky, which can literally vacuum up evidence, and Pakunoda’s ability to read memories just by touching someone. Most anime groups have "power-up" fights where everyone just hits harder. Yoshihiro Togashi, the creator, wrote the Troupe to be tactical. They don't win because they have more "energy"; they win because their abilities are designed for urban warfare and information gathering.
Take Uvogin, for example. He was the brute. He didn't need a complex plan because his physical enhancement was so absolute he could catch a bullet with his teeth. But when he faced Kurapika, his raw power wasn't enough. That’s the brilliance of how the Phantom Troupe Hunter x Hunter functions within the story's ecosystem—they are the benchmark for what happens when high-level Nen users stop playing by the rules.
The Hierarchy and the Spider's Legs
The membership is capped at 13. To get in, you usually have to kill a current member. Or, if there's a vacancy, Chrollo handpicks a replacement. It’s a meritocracy of the most violent kind.
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- Chrollo Lucilfer (No. 0): The Specialist. His "Skill Hunter" book allows him to steal the Nen abilities of others. The catch? The requirements are so strict it’s a miracle he ever pulls it off. He has to see the ability, ask about it, and the victim has to touch the book. It’s a genius bit of writing because it makes him vulnerable despite being "overpowered."
- Feitan Portor: The interrogator. His "Rising Sun" ability is basically a miniature star fueled by his own pain. The more you hurt him, the faster you die.
- Machi Komacine: She uses Nen threads. It sounds simple, but she can stitch a severed limb back on in seconds or control people like puppets.
- Hisoka Morrow (Former No. 4): Let’s be real, Hisoka was never truly a member. He was a tourist. He joined just to get a shot at fighting Chrollo. His betrayal during the Yorknew arc was the catalyst for the group's first real crisis.
The internal dynamics are messy. Nobunaga and Machi hate each other's vibes half the time, yet they’d die for the group in a heartbeat. They share a bond that goes beyond friendship—it’s a shared trauma from Meteor City that binds them. When Uvogin died, the group didn't just move on. They played a "requiem" of explosions and gunfire across the city. It was one of the most hauntingly beautiful moments in anime history.
Why Chrollo Lucilfer is a Different Kind of Leader
Most villains have a "why." A tragic backstory involving a lost love or a quest for vengeance. Chrollo’s backstory is more of a philosophical void. When Gon asked him why he could kill people who had nothing to do with him, Chrollo’s response was essentially a shrug. He said he didn't know.
That’s chilling.
He’s a man who reads poetry and ponders existence while his hands are covered in blood. He doesn't see himself as the "main character." He is the conductor of a symphony of theft and violence. This lack of ego is his greatest strength. It’s also why the Phantom Troupe Hunter x Hunter remains cohesive even when he’s not around. They follow the creed, not just the man.
The Kurapika Factor
You can't talk about the Spiders without talking about the "Chain Bastard." Kurapika’s entire existence is a reaction to the Troupe’s massacre of the Kurta Clan. This is where the story gets morally gray. We love the Troupe because they’re cool and loyal to each other, but then we remember they ripped the eyes out of children for a paycheck.
Togashi forces us to sit with that discomfort.
The struggle between Kurapika and the Troupe is a masterclass in Nen combat. Kurapika literally gambled his life to create chains that only work against the Spiders. If he uses them on anyone else, he dies. This "Vow and Limitation" mechanic is what makes the battles in Hunter x Hunter so much better than your average shonen brawl. It’s a high-stakes chess match where every move could be your last.
The Succession Contest and the Future of the Spider
If you’re only watching the anime, you’re missing half the story. The current manga arc, the Succession Contest, takes place on a giant ship called the Black Whale. The Troupe is there, but they aren't the main focus—at first. They’re hunting Hisoka, who is also on the ship.
It’s a bloodbath waiting to happen.
The Spiders are out of their element here. They’re stuck in a confined space with princes, bodyguards, and a literal serial killer stalking them from the shadows. We’re seeing a more desperate side of the group. Without the open streets of a city to hide in, they’re vulnerable.
Shizuku and Bonolenov are actually worried. That’s new. Usually, the Spiders are the predators. Now, they’re being hunted by a man they once considered an ally. It’s a fascinating shift in power dynamics. The Phantom Troupe Hunter x Hunter fans are currently debating who will survive this voyage, and honestly, it’s not looking good for everyone.
Meteor City’s Revenge
There’s a theory—well, more than a theory, it’s hinted at in the text—that the Troupe’s origins in Meteor City are even darker than we thought. Recent chapters have delved into their childhood, showing them as a group of kids who just wanted to dub over Power Rangers-style shows. They were creative, happy children.
Then something broke.
Seeing their transformation from innocent kids to cold-blooded killers adds a layer of tragedy that makes their eventual downfall (which feels inevitable) much harder to swallow. You start to see them not as monsters, but as a byproduct of a world that failed them.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Newcomers
If you want to truly appreciate the depth of the Phantom Troupe Hunter x Hunter, don't just watch the 2011 anime. The 1999 version has a much grittier, noir aesthetic during the Yorknew arc that fits the Troupe perfectly. It feels like a crime thriller rather than an adventure show.
- Read the Manga: Specifically chapters 371 to 390. The art is dense, but the tactical breakdown of how the Troupe operates in the Succession Contest is top-tier.
- Study the Nen Sub-Types: Understanding the difference between a Conjurer (like Kurapika) and a Specialist (like Chrollo) is key to predicting how these fights end.
- Look for the Symbolism: The 12-legged spider is everywhere. Notice how the members react when a "leg" is lost versus when the "head" is in danger. It tells you everything you need to know about their individual personalities.
The Phantom Troupe isn't going anywhere. Even as the story moves toward the Dark Continent, their influence looms large. They are the gold standard for how to write a villainous ensemble—flawed, loyal, terrifying, and deeply, deeply human.
To get the most out of your re-watch or first-time viewing, pay close attention to the background characters in Meteor City flashbacks. The series hides a lot of lore in the margins. If you’re caught up on the anime, dive into the manga starting at Chapter 339 to see the aftermath of the Election arc and the beginning of the Troupe's final mission. The transition from the colorful Chimera Ant arc to the dark, claustrophobic atmosphere of the Black Whale is a jarring but brilliant shift in tone that every fan needs to experience.