Mothers of the Monarchy: A Guide to Hunter X Hunter's 8 Kakin Empire Queens
The Succession War in Hunter x Hunter pits the 14 Princes of the Kakin Empire against one another in a ruthless battle for the throne. Behind these Princes stand the eight Queens, each vying for political power, survival, and the protection of their heirs. These Queens hail from various social strata, and their influence over the Succession War is as diverse as their backgrounds. Each given name is inspired by a number reflecting their corresponding rank (e.g. Swinko-Swinko = Cinco), further stripping them of their own identities, and fostering resentment and competition between them even before the games begin.
Yoshihiro Togashi’s Hunter X Hunter will soon be back from hiatus, promising the continuation of one of its most ambitious arcs yet. The Queens of the Kakin Empire have motivations, strengths, and vulnerabilities that all vary greatly. Whether through alliances, espionage, or direct action, the Queens are just as involved in the Succession War as their children, and they’re not afraid to play favorites. Shifting Hunter X Hunter from a story about searching for a father, to one steeped in the complexities of motherhood is yet another stroke of genius from one of the greatest manga storytellers of all time.
First Queen Unma Hui Guo Rou
First Queen Unma is a stoic and composed figure, the mother ofFirst Prince Benjamin and Fourth Prince Tserriednich. As the most senior Queen, Unma commands great respect and holds considerable influence within the Kakin court. Her sons reflect her fierce determination and ruthless methods: Benjamin is a militaristic powerhouse with an unwavering sense of duty, while Tserriednich is a sadistic Nen genius whose rapid mastery of a clairvoyant ability makes him one of the most dangerous Princes.
Her role as the First Queen situates her as a central figure in the Empire’s power structure, but Unma has secrets that could undermine her ambitions. In Chapter #403, Kacho’s ghost sends each of her siblings a letter expressing her feelings about the Succession War and her siblings, in which she reveals that Halkenburg is Unma’s child, and for reasons unknown, she asked Second Queen Duazul to raise him as her own. The other Princes distrust this information, but Unma confirms this in a phone call with Halkenburg, confirming that she’s secretly plotting against Benjamin.
Second Queen Duazul Hui Guo Rou
Second Queen Duazul is mother toSecond Prince Camilla, Fifth Prince Tubeppa, Seventh Prince Luzurus, and adoptive son Halkenburg. Known for her quiet and demure nature, Duazul is a master of court intrigue, adept at forming alliances and eliminating threats from the shadows. She has carefully groomed Camilla to be a strong contender for the throne, but does not outwardly support any of her children over the others. However, she is closest with Camilla, and notoriously does whatever her bratty daughter instructs her to.
With four children in the Succession War, Duazul wields significant influence and has carefully positioned her offspring to maximize their chances of survival. This makes her one of the most dangerous players in the Succession War, but her participation in concealing the parentage of Halkenburg could be her undoing. Of all the Queens, her children have done the least to advance in the Succession War, and Tubeppa and Luzurus’ lack of initiative makes them prime targets for the next assassination.
Third Queen Tang Zhao Li Hui Guo Rou
Little is known about Third Queen Tang Zhao Li, as she has not been seen physically aboard the Black Whale, and is only referenced in conversations about the Queens. She is the mother of Third Prince Zhang Lei, one of the more pragmatic and level-headed contestants in the Succession War. Unlike the more combative Queens, Tang Zhao prefers to maintain a low profile, and the list of known agents working for her is quite short in comparison to her peers. Of the Princes that Tang Zhao is permitted to assign a bodyguard, she curiously chooses to omit Luzurus and Halkenburg.
Zhang Lei’s alliances with the Xi-Yu Mafia and his truce with 14th Prince Woble have strengthened his position, earning him respect among the other contestants. Tang Zhao Li encourages her son’s strategy of playing the long game, believing that to be the key to his father's success in his own War. Her reliance on diplomacy could stem from her position as Third Queen, lacking the political cache of her superiors, and having birthed only one heir. This approach prioritizes Zhang Lei’s safety but requires restraint and indirect action that they might not have time for in the long run.
Fourth Queen Katrono Hui Guo Rou
Fourth Queen Katrono is the mother of Sixth Prince Tyson, a whimsical and eccentric woman whose approach to the Succession War is unconventional to say the least. Whereas Tyson is devoted to love, Katrono appears to be selfish and petty, plotting revenge against her fellow Queens long before the Succession War began. She seems to have little faith in Tyson’s chances and may have withheld the copy of “The Book of Tyson” meant for the King, which could be key to coercing him to stop the War.
“Mummy was disappointed I turned out like this. She doesn’t expect any grandchildren. She used to say she hated the pitying glances from the other queens. She really wanted to be able to retaliate. Unfortunately, I only fight with the power of love!” Sixth Prince Tyson, Chapter #400
This explanation given by Tyson, delivered with a carefree detachment from his mother’s disappointment, cements the Prince’s queer coding. The ridicule Tyson received as a child, and her apparent lack of ability to produce an heir, suggest Tyson may be gay, trans, or a representation of otherness existing within a monarchy. Katrono resents her peers and wants to reclaim power within the establishment rather than break it and build something new, as her daughter plans to.
Fifth Queen Swinko-swinko Hui Guo Rou
Fifth Queen Swinko-swinko is the mother of Eighth Prince Salé-salé, a hedonistic and carefree individual who largely relies on his coercive Nen abilities to maintain control over his surroundings. Swinko-swinko spoils her only son and takes care of his every need, resulting in his slovenly lifestyle. Even when she scolds him and demands he take initiative in the Succession War, she quickly reverts to catering to him.
Unfortunately, Salé-salé is the second Prince to be assassinated, done with a one-two punch from First Prince Benjamin’s guards. First, Rihan destroys Salé-salé’s Guardian Spirit Beast, then Yushohi uses his own Nen ability to murder the Prince in plain sight. Swinko-swinko is the first Queen to lose all of her children, and it is unclear what role she will play going forward. For now, Salé-salé's body has been loaded into the King's mysterious burial chamber in preparation for a transfer of power to the winner of the Succession War.
Sixth Queen Seiko Hui Guo Rou
Sixth Queen Seiko is the mother of Tenth Prince Kacho and Eleventh Prince Fugetsu, twin sisters who share a close bond. Seiko seems to care for her daughters more than she does their potential for the throne, but favors the gentle Fugetsu over bratty Kacho. Her strategy involves forging secret alliances with other Queens and hiring capable bodyguards like Melody to protect her daughters. Seiko is usually cold, but warms up and shows enthusiasm after hearing Melody play her flute, and it's her suggestion to broadcast the tune throughout the Black Whale, creating a distraction for her daughters to escape.
When Kacho perishes during the escape attempt, Seiko is left scrambling to protect Fugetsu herself. It’s unclear whether she realizes Kacho’s attitude is an intentional, life-long strategy to protect Fugetsu, but both mother and daughter agree that she’s a useful shield. With Fugetsu weakened by overuse of aura, and vulnerable to evil spirits in addition to Succession War assassins, Seiko decides the safest place for her daughter is to be locked up in the Justice Bureau. The Eleventh Prince is safe, for now, but Seiko is one of the most vulnerable Queens in the competition.
Seventh Queen Sevanti Hui Guo Rou
Seventh Queen Sevanti is the mother of Twelfth Prince Momoze and Thirteenth Prince Marayam, two of the youngest contestants in the Succession War. Sevanti is a gentle and nurturing woman, but only toward her son, and completely abandons her daughter. The Queen removes all of her trusted bodyguards from Momoze to her younger brother, leaving her with only the higher-ranking Queens’ spies. Momoze tragically becomes the first assassinated Prince, smothered with a pillow after her Guardian Spirit Beast exhausted her. Although Sevanti allows this to happen, she expresses deep grief after her daughter’s murder.
Now realizing the gravity of her circumstances, Sevanti quickly becomes a more active participant in plotting Maryam’s survival. No longer content to “wait and see,” Sevanti sends her bodyguards to Kurapika’s Nen class and holes up in Maryam’s quarters. One major advantage she has at the moment is Maryam’s defensive ability, which has cordoned off his room in a pocket dimension that remains inaccessible to anyone on the outside. Under the watchful eyes of Biscuit, Hanzo, and Maryam’s ever-growing, lizard-like Nen Beast, the young prince is one of the most secure contestants in the Succession War.
Eighth Queen Oito Hui Guo Rou
Eighth Queen Oito is the mother of newborn baby Fourteenth Prince Woble, the youngest contestant in the Succession War. As the lowest-ranking Queen, Oito initially appears to be at a significant disadvantage, but her clever advertisement for hired protection lures in Kurapika, and drastically improves her position. The Queen is still naive about the rules of the Succession War, and the use of Nen, but trusts the last surviving member of the Kurta Clan implicitly. Oito follows Kurapika’s lead and even becomes a Nen user after being exposed to his new abilities, “Steal Chain” and “Stealth Dolphin.”
Oito’s growing resourcefulness and the unwavering support of Kurapika have made her a significant player in the Succession War. Her blonde bodyguard has neutralized the playing field by exposing the existence of Nen and leading a condensed training course for all bodyguards willing to participate. This gives the Fourteenth Prince unprecedented bargaining power, but also exposes her to more assassins in her own quarters. Oito views the contest as a fight for Woble’s life rather than a bid for the throne, and her relentless drive to protect her child is a classic Hunter X Hunter underdog storyline waiting to unfold.
- Created by
- Yoshihiro Togashi
- First Film
- Hunter x Hunter: Phantom Rouge
- Latest Film
- Hunter x Hunter: The Last Mission
- First TV Show
- Hunter x Hunter
- Latest TV Show
- Hunter x Hunter
- First Episode Air Date
- October 16, 1999
Hunter × Hunter is a Japanese manga and anime franchise created by Yoshihiro Togashi. The story follows Gon Freecss, a boy who discovers his father is a legendary Hunter, and embarks on a journey to become one himself. Along the way, he encounters friends and foes in a world filled with martial arts, adventure, and paranormal elements. The franchise spans manga, multiple anime adaptations, films, OVAs, and video games.
- Cast
- Megumi Han, Mariya Ise, Keiji Fujiwara, Daisuke Namikawa, Miyuki Sawashiro, Kazuhiro Yamaji, Ichirô Nagai, Hiroshi Kamiya, Hisao Egawa, Maaya Uchida
- TV Show(s)
- Hunter x Hunter, Hunter x Hunter
- Video Game(s)
- Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
