Porcupine (
Appearance[]
Porcupine's 2011 anime adaptation design
Porcupine was a man of small stature who did not seem to have a nose and was seen dressed in casual sportswear and flip-flops. His appearance did not rouse much fear; he almost seemed friendly and docile compared to his more intimidating comrades. He had a rather expressionless face that often appeared sullen. While Porcupine appeared to be completely bald in the manga and 2011 anime adaptation, in the 1999 anime adaptation, he had three tiny hairs forming a small tuft on his forehead.
Personality[]
Porcupine was mostly apathetic,[4] only showing a couple of emotions when he negated Uvogin's punches with his "needling body hairs".[5]
Plot[]
Yorknew City arc[]
Porcupine and three other Shadow Beasts confronting Uvogin
As Uvogin continues to massacre dozens of Mafia members in the Gordeau Desert, four Shadow Beasts (including Porcupine) sent by the Ten Dons arrive to confront the Underground Auction thieves. They first appear before the Nostrade Family bodyguards, with Porcupine noting that the thieves are professionals and killing is part of their daily lives.[4]
After Worm's punch is ineffective, and the Shadow Beast is forced to drag Uvogin underground, he warns the Spider that he can either die underground or be killed by his comrades. As the other three ready their auras and leap toward him, Uvogin unleashes his Big Bang Impact and leaves no trace of Worm except his arm, creating an enormous crater in the earth and forcing the other Shadow Beasts to leap back. They soon recognize his Spider tattoo and that he's a member of the Phantom Troupe.[5]
Uvogin asks which of them wants to die next, but the three waste no time in confronting him. Uvogin praises the group's recklessness since it will end up killing them, but when the Spider attempts to punch Porcupine directly in the head, the Shadow Beast's hair keeps Uvogin's fist from reaching his face. Porcupine explains that he can manipulate his body hair and change it into sharp needles, praising Uvogin's punch and assuring him that his fist won't be able to make contact. After Rabid Dog seizes his chance and bites out a piece of Uvogin's flesh, Uvogin tries to fling Porcupine off his hand, but Porcupine explains that he won't be able to do so with thousands of hairs entwined.[5]
Porcupine killed by Uvogin's scream
Uvogin then decides to use Porcupine as an extension of his fist and attempts to punch Leech in the face. Porcupine expertly softens his hair next to Leech to prevent any damage, explaining that he has complete control over his hair. After Rabid Dog's neurotoxin takes effect, Uvogin falls to the ground, and Leech begins inserting his leeches into the wound on Uvogin's shoulder. After Uvogin bites Leach's head and uses his skull as a projectile to kill Rabid Dog, Porcupine remains on Uvogin's fist and nervously assures himself that his hair will deflect any bullets. However, Uvogin lets out a deafening scream directly toward the Shadow Beasts, killing him as blood bursts out of his eyes and ears. Uvogin tosses away Porcupine's corpse and heartily declares that needles can't deflect sound.[5]
Abilities & Powers[]
As a Shadow Beast, Porcupine was very influential within the Mafia Community. He was also a capable fighter, one of the best serving under the Ten Dons, since he was chosen as one of their personal bodyguards. However, he was no match for Uvogin. His abilities were useful for personal defense and allowed his comrades to finish off the enemy.
Nen[]
Porcupine was a Transmuter*.[2][3] As a Shadow Beast, he was one of the ten best Nen users within the Mafia Community, making him a fearsome opponent. His abilities also worked well in conjunction with those of other Shadow Beasts. Porcupine was fairly proficient at Zetsu since he managed to get near the Nostrade bodyguards with only Melody and possibly Kurapika noticing.
| Porcupine's Nen Type: Transmutation[2] | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type: Transmutation, Manipulation | Needling Body Hairs* | |
| Porcupine's ability allowed him to control his own body hairs. After ejecting hairs from his body through unknown means, he could give them the consistency and size he desired. While it was unclear if they were strengthened through Enhancement, he most likely resorted to Manipulation to move them telekinetically. He could turn them into thin spikes that were sharp and durable enough to pierce through Uvogin's steel-hard skin. These spikes could be used to intercept enemy blows, and Porcupine was confident that they could stop even bullets. Due to their number and flexibility, they could not be removed without Porcupine's intervention. According to him, once the barrier was built, nothing would be able to penetrate it. Porcupine could also use his body hairs to envelop an object, making it useless, or to absorb the entire brunt of an attack.[5] | ||
Manga Appearances[]
Battles[]
| Battles |
|---|
Trivia[]
- In a 2001 character guidebook and in Hunter × Hunter Battle Collection, Porcupine was considered a Transmuter.[2][3]
Translations around the World[]
| Language | Name | |
|---|---|---|
 Arabic
|
نيص (Nis) | |
 Chinese
|
豪豬 (Háozhū) | |
 French
|
Yama Arashi | |
 Thai
|
เม่น (Mèn) | |
References[]
- ↑ Nippon TV - HUNTER×HUNTER - Yorknew City (arc): characters page
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Hunter × Hunter Characters Book: World × Character × Blessing (2001)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Hunter × Hunter: Battle Collection
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 9, Chapter 75
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 9, Chapter 76
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