Hunter x Hunter: Who is Moritonio?

April 25, 2024

Highlights

Hisoka’s masterful use of Nen and dominance in fights spark fear in all he faces.
His twisted teacher Moritonio was a secret serial killer who raised him in Nen usage.
Hisoka had to kill Moritonio, his teacher, with his sharp use of Bungee Gum in a tragic end.

Hunter x Hunter‘s main villain Hisoka Morow is mysterious as he is terrifying. His masterful use of Nen, dominance in the Hunter’s Exam, and performance in basically every fight he finds himself in spark fear in all he faces. Hisoka is intense, fiercely competitive, and has a deep urge to only fight the best.

Such an intriguing character comes with an equally intriguing backstory, which was penned and illustrated in a one-shot manga by Sui Ishida. In this unique story, we learn about Moritonio: the circus ringleader and secret serial killer who taught Hisoka the ways of Nen use. It must be noted that this one-shot was recognized by Hunter x Hunter‘s author Yoshihiro Togashi, but was not written by him.

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Moritonio the Magician

As a young boy, Moritonio had a fondness for showmanship. He learned how to do magic tricks and became obsessed with the art of dazzling an audience with his illusions, so much so that he even founded his own circus troupe. He thrived on the amazed faces of his audience, so much so that he killed his sister for it. Not only does Moritonio know magic, but he is also a Nen-user, specifically a Transmuter.

His Nen style mostly incorporates Hatsu and In, however it can be presumed that he is knowledgeable in all forms of Nen since he is able to teach them to others. His Nen takes on the form of magnetism. There are three known applications of Moritionio’s Nen: Sky Swimming, Scarf Ace and Blood Magnet. With Sky Swimming, he is able to manipulate his aura to magnetize the steel in his shoes, which allow him to walk on any surface, including ceilings. He uses Scarf Ace to change his face by infusing his Nen onto a hankerchief and placing it on his face. Blood Magnet involves transmuting Nen to two magnetic pillars and crushing whoever is in-between them.

After failing the Hunter’s Exam, he chanelled his energy into his troupe; even incorporating his Blood Magnet and Sky Swimming forms into his act to appear as if he’s walking on air. However, Moritonio the ringleader had a dark secret.

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Moritionio’s Deadly Secret

Moritionio was hiding a very scary secret identity from his troupe: that he was a serial killer that people called “John Doe” due to his “hundred faces”, something he attains by using Scarf Ace.

After every performance, Moritionio would commit one murder, with his Nen as the modus operandi. He would come up with different ways of killing in a different disguise, but he would always crush the victim with his Blood magnet Nen technique and record the crime.

Moritonio Adopts a Young Hisoka

One day, Moritonio found Hisoka at a young age and passed out on the street in Glam Gas Land, northeast of Yorknew City. Pitying the boy, he took him in under his wing. Noticing his aptitide for Nen usage, Moritonio took on the responsibility to teach Hisoka Nen, as well as train him to perform in his troupe.

Nothing ever got past Hisoka, including Moritonio’s secret as a serial killer. His next target was Abaki, one of his performers and student of Nen. Donning his John Doe getup, he tried to kill her while she was shopping in a market. He almost succeeded, until Hisoka intercepted and saved her. He also picked up that the famed John Doe killer was merely using a mask, and the real criminal was underneath.

Moritonio’s Death is a Taste of His Own Medicine

The night of what would be Moritonio’s last performance, Hisoka confronted him about Abaki’s murder that could have been. He accused him of being John Doe and stated his evidence and experience to support the claim, to which Moritonio confessed. He admitted that his insatiable bloodlust has caused him to go down a serial killer’s path. A massive fight breaks out between Moritionio and his protégé, with Moritonio having the upper hand for a moment. To his surprise, Hisoka actually had the upper hand on him, and uses his Bungee Gum to crush him to death.

It is tragic that Hisoka had to kill his own teacher, moreso the man that raised him. In a different world, Moritonio may have seen how Hisoka’s Nen has evolved. From early on in Hunter x Hunter, Hisoka Morow had a reputation for his sharp use of Nen. It is a shame that Moritonio would never see it, despite Hisoka’s twisted choices as a person.