Hunter x Hunter continues to build momentum as the Succession War arc drives toward its inevitable yet unpredictable conclusion. Not all 14 Princes of the Kakin Empire were created equal—some are literal children, while others have been groomed for power since birth. While a handful cling to idealism and seek resolutions with minimal bloodshed, most rely on ruthless tactics, political manipulation, and deadly Nen abilities to secure the throne. With over 200 new named characters, each with complex motives and schemes, determining the true threat level of each Prince becomes more challenging with every chapter.

The Succession War arc blends political intrigue with Hunter x Hunter's trademark psychological and strategic storytelling. Introduced after the 13th Chairman Election arc, the storyline intertwines the titular power struggle of the Kakin royal family with events such as Beyond Netero’s Dark Continent expedition, the Phantom Troupe's vengeance against Hisoka, and the Zodiacs' political maneuvering. Set aboard the titanic cruise ship, Black Whale #1, a war for the throne rages within a confined, pressure-filled setting, where alliances and betrayals could shift the balance of power at any moment.

10 Seventh Prince Luzurus

The Kakin Empire's Certified Loser-boy

Seventh Prince Luzurus is loser-coded in every way: his name, his siblings’ low opinion of him, and his failure in the Hunter Exam. Despite being dismissed by his siblings and the public, Luzurus poses a sleeper threat in the Succession War. As the benefactor of the Cha-R Mafia Family, Luzurus wields significant influence in the ship’s lower tiers, where the three Kakin Mafia factions operate.

While he hasn’t demonstrated personal Nen abilities yet, his strategic alliances and wealth allow him to act as a behind-the-scenes power broker. His Guardian Spirit Beast tempts prey with their desires and then strikes once they can no longer resist. However, he’s failed to kill anyone of importance, and his peers have completely written him off. Luzurus's perceived incompetence may just be the mask of a calculated survivor.

9 Fifth Prince Tubeppa

The Cold, Calculating Businesswoman

Tubeppa is one of the few Princes with a level-headed and rational disposition. A scientist by nature, she values progress and human life, making her a stark contrast to her more violent and ambitious siblings. Tubeppa’s stoic demeanor suggests she’s biding her time, but her lack of direct action raises questions about her long-term survival. Her alliance with Tserriednich could indicate that she agrees with his methods, but would rather keep the blood off her hands.

Her Guardian Spirit Beast remains a mystery but appeared once she signed a peace treaty, significantly lowering her threat level if her Nen Beast relies on an active truce. She also appears to be one of the only Princes capitalizing on the revelations made in Kacho’s post-mortem letters to her siblings. Her intelligence and restraint may elevate her to a dangerous endgame player if she makes it that far.

8 Sixth Prince Tyson

The Charismatic Cult Leader

Tyson may seem harmless with her love-centric philosophy and obsession with “The Book of Tyson,” but her Nen ability has alarming implications. By spreading her ideology through the book, Tyson cultivates a cult-like following, even transforming her bodyguards into devoted caricatures of pop idols, and hunky hitmen with amnesia. Her strategy is to use the talent show performances at the Royal Banquets to cascade her message and entrance new followers.

If Tyson ascends to the throne, her Nen’s influence will spread across the Kakin Empire, effectively enslaving the population and eliminating all free will. Her blend of charm and manipulation makes her a subtle yet deeply dangerous contender for the crown. Whether Tyson’s capacity for evil is as deep as her capacity for love is yet to be seen, but she’s not to be underestimated.

7 Tenth Prince Kacho & Eleventh Prince Fugetsu

One's Dead and the Other's Been Driven Mad

The twin sisters' bond makes them unique in the Succession War’s many combatants. After Kacho's tragic death during an escape attempt, her Guardian Spirit Beast resurrected her as a ghost to protect Fugetsu. While this gives them a unique edge, Fugetsu’s aura is rapidly depleting due to Kacho’s ghost feeding off of it, leaving her vulnerable to both assassination and cursed spirits.

Kacho’s new ghostly form allows her to through walls and by security, granting them access to any location on the tightly-guarded ship. This is especially helpful now that Melody has been arrested on suspicion of aiding the Princes in the escape that took Kacho’s life. However, their survival depends on carefully timing their next move, particularly against their planned target, Luzurus, whose true threat level is still questionable.

6 Second Prince Camilla

The Spoiled, Petulant Brat

Second Prince Camilla is one of the most overtly dangerous participants in the Succession War due to her unparalleled arrogance and her lethal Nen ability. As the eldest daughter of Second Queen Duazul, Camilla wields immense political power, an army of Kakin's "have-nots", and is backed by her mother’s unwavering .

Her aggressive and self-assured demeanor makes her a formidable adversary, and she has openly declared her intent to eliminate her siblings and claim the throne.

Her aggressive and self-assured demeanor makes her a formidable adversary, and she has openly declared her intent to eliminate her siblings and claim the throne. Camilla’s Nen ability, Cat’s Grace, makes her nearly invincible in combat, as long as she dies first. If she is killed by her opponent, her ability activates, resurrecting her while simultaneously killing her attacker.

This makes her a terrifying opponent, as any attempt to assassinate her could result in the assailant’s guaranteed demise. Despite her ruthlessness, Camilla’s direct and confrontational approach has made her predictable and thwarted her own attempts at baiting her siblings into confrontation.

5 First Prince Benjamin

The Overconfident Fascist

As the eldest Prince, Benjamin combines brute strength, extensive Nen mastery, and absolute control over the Kakin Royal Army. His Nen ability, Benjamin's Baton, allows him to inherit the abilities of his fallen subordinates, making him stronger as the war progresses. His security is also comprised of powerful Nen s placed on strategic targets, like Prince Woble’s quarters, where Kurapika is offering condensed Nen training.

While Benjamin appears almost invincible, his authoritarian tactics and reliance on sheer power blind him to subtler threats, particularly Ninth Prince Halkenburg’s infiltration of his Guards. Benjamin uses the Captain to expose Halkenburg to a biological weapon, which succeeds in killing the Ninth Prince, but may have infected Benjamin as well. Using the suspicious death of his brother as an excuse, Benjamin instates Martial Law and seizes control of the Black Whale in the latest chapter.

4 Third Prince Zhang Lei

A Cunning Strategist Playing it Safe

Zhang Lei operates with pragmatism and diplomacy, serving as benefactor to the Xi-Yu Mafia Family and forming strategic alliances with other key players aboard the Black Whale. While his efforts have only created a stalemate between the more strategic heirs, Zhang Lei is making some of the smartest moves and making very powerful people indebted to him. Kurapika is the recipient of one of Zhang Lei’s Guardian Spirit Beast’s coins, and may prove to hold some power over him if the Third Prince wins the Succession War.

Zhang Lei’s Nen ability, which activates only when he ascends the throne, remains enigmatic, but his calculated approach to the war ensures he has multiple contingencie plans in motion. The Third Prince is fighting like Komugi played Gungi, and Zhang Lei’s ability to navigate the volatile power dynamics aboard the ship could make him a dark horse in the competition.

3 Ninth Prince Halkenburg

The Idealistic Social Reformer

Halkenburg’s Nen ability allows him or his followers to swap bodies with specific targets, making him an unparalleled spy and undetectable assassin. Halkenburg’s power depends on the unwavering devotion of his followers, who are willing to sacrifice their lives for his cause. This combination of loyalty and cunning makes him one of the most unpredictable players in the Succession War.

Currently, he has infiltrated Benjamin’s inner circle by possessing the First Prince’s Security Captain, positioning himself for a devastatingly close strike. Halkenburg’s physical body is dead, so it remains to be seen how he resurrects himself, or in what form, but someone is surely going to die in the process. However, Halkenburg doesn’t really want to rule as King, and abhors the violent methods he’s been reduced to, so he’s not a bad choice.

2 Fourth Prince Tserriednich

The Worst-Case Scenario Winner

Tserriednich is the most terrifying, yet common Prince: a sadistic rich kid who has never faced any consequences for his actions. Coincidentally, he's a Nen genius as well, mastering it just days after learning of its existence. Perhaps it's his lack of any real strife in his life that affords him the time and energy to master Nen so quickly, but his murderous tendencies and warped sense of superiority strikes fear even into his tutor, Theta.

His Guardian Spirit Beast remains shrouded in mystery, but given Tserriednich's homicidal nature and raw potential, it places the beast at the top of the danger scale.

His Hatsu, which allows him to see 10 seconds into the future, makes him nearly unbeatable in combat, and he's already survived a direct gunshot to the head. His Guardian Spirit Beast remains shrouded in mystery, but given Tserriednich's homicidal nature and raw potential, it places the beast at the top of the danger scale.

Theta attempts to delay her boss’ progress learning Nen, but this deception immediately triggers an attack by Tserriednich's Guardian Spirit Beast, the consequences of which have yet to be seen. However, she’s now been marked by the Beast, and the scar is growing.

1 Fourteenth Prince Woble

A New Hope for Change Within the Kakin Empire

As the youngest Prince, Woble symbolizes innocence in the brutal Succession War, but his survival would represent a radical shift in Kakin’s leadership. Although only a baby, Woble’s mother, Eighth Queen Oito, found her the perfect protector in Kurapika. Combining his newfound Nen ability and the same cunning intellect he used to outmaneuver the Spiders, Kurapika has kept his royal charges alive despite overwhelming odds.

While Kurapika’s commitment to protecting the innocent Prince Woble is sincere, her older brother Tserriednich is his true motive for entering the fray. The Fourth Prince is in possession of the largest collection of scarlet Kurta eyes, and may be the one who ordered their massacre in the first place. As Hunter X Hunter’s Succession War arc continues, the eventual clash between Kurapika and Tserriednich remains one of the most anticipated fights of the series.