Warning! Contains spoilers for Hunter x Hunter Chapter 398!
One of the best parts of Hunter x Hunter is seeing how the manga’s various characters interact, and a recent unexpected team-up is proving that to be true yet again. Series author Yoshihiro Togashi is well known for crafting some of the best characters in Shonen manga but part of what makes them truly spectacular is their complex and dynamic relationships. So it is perhaps unsurprising that Hinrigh and Nobunaga, two unlikely friends, would actually be an awesome team-up.
In chapter 398, Hinrigh charges straight into what is likely a trap laid by the murderous Heil-Ly family in order to give the Phantom Troupe their location. His bravery inspires Nobunaga to follow him, and the two find themselves in a bloody room with a variety of doors. While Nobunaga mentions that Hunter x Hunter's other Phantom Troupe were against him following, as it could have been a trap, Nobunaga was willing to take that risk, as with him there Hinrigh's chances of survival would improve. Upon arriving, Nobunaga asks Hinrigh to reintroduce himself, as the Spider didn't care enough to his name the first time. As another sign of respect, Nobunaga also allows Hinrigh to take charge of the situation, despite the Spider being the more powerful of the two. Hinrigh chooses to act and open the doors, which Nobunaga approves of. By the end of the chapter, Nobunaga is even allowing Hinrigh to address him informally by name, a sign that their relationship has already greatly progressed over the span of a single chapter.
The fact that the two grow so close is somewhat surprising. Hunter x Hunter's Phantom Troupe, which Nobunaga belongs to, is an incredibly insular group that is slow to trust outsiders. And after the recent deaths of various Spiders at the hands of Hisoka, they are likely even more cautious. The Xi-Yu crime family that Hinrigh belongs to is less insular but is currently trying to manipulate both the Phantom Troupe and Hisoka to their own ends, treating them more as weapons than people. All of this makes the relationship between Hinrigh and Nobunaga seem unlikely on the surface, but groundwork for it does actually exist.
Hinrigh and Nobunaga's Friendship is Unexpected But Brilliant
Nobunaga had an incredibly close friendship with former Troupe member Uvogin who was killed by Kurapika in Yorknew City. This means he is likely more open to friendships than some of the other Spiders who seem more closed off and socially awkward. On the other side of things, Hinrigh previously told Hisoka that he was a fan of the Troupe, so it makes sense that he would get along well with one of its . And both seem to share a level-headed and rational attitude even when in dangerous situations. So it makes perfect sense that the two would hit it off.
This team-up comes at the perfect time in the series. With Gon and Killua seemingly out of the picture for the entirety of Hunter x Hunter's Succession Contest arc, the series has been greatly lacking an awesome bromance. It is unclear if Hinrigh and Nobunaga will be able to fill this role going forward, but based on this latest chapter the two could easily become the team-up that Hunter x Hunter fans didn't even realize they needed.
Hunter x Hunter Chapter 398 is available to read from Viz Media.
