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Meruem in Hunter X Hunter is one of the most powerful and emotionally investing characters in the show. Who is he?
One of the most popular anime and manga series, Hunter X Hunter, was created by Yoshihiro Togashi. It follows a boy named Gon Freecss as he attempts to become a Hunter, someone who takes on dangerous missions and travels the world. In Hunter X Hunter, Meruem is one of many antagonists in the show.
He was the main character of the Chimera Ant arc. Unlike most shows, he was born all grown up and a king, believing he is destined to rule all things living. His story is a story of power, of change, and of what it means to be human. This article covers his tale from birth to death and how he became one of the most memorable characters from Hunter X Hunter.
Meruem’s Birth
Meruem was born the king and ruler of the Chimera Ants, a species that consumes other creatures to grow. He was birthed and molded by his mother, the Chimera Ant Queen, to become the ultimate being. Meruem was born exceptionally strong and intelligent, unlike any other Chimera Ant. He never showed kindness from the day he was born. Meruem emerged violently from the womb, killing his mother in the process. He saw himself as better than everyone else and rejected any form of weakness. His birth was the beginning of a dangerous new era in Hunter X Hunter.
Even as a newborn, Meruem was terrifying. His presence alone made others fear him. His mother, despite giving birth to him, did not matter to him. After forcing his way out of her, he did not care to check on her well-being. Unlike other Chimera Ants, who sometimes remembered parts of their past lives as humans, Meruem was something entirely new. He had no emotional attachments, only a strong desire for power.
Meruem’s Ruthless Beginnings
Meruem’s early life was filled with violence. Right after he was born, he immediately showed his dominance. He took control of his Royal Guards—Neferpitou, Shaiapouf, and Menthuthuyoupi—who were extremely loyal to him. Meruem believed that only the strong deserved to live and had no sympathy for the weak. He tested his power by killing those he thought were unworthy, including members of his own kind. His cold and merciless nature made him one of the scariest characters in Hunter X Hunter. He saw humans as nothing more than food and wanted to take over the world.
One of his first actions as king was to kill anyone who displeased him. He was intolerant of errors or sluggishness. He even killed a Chimera Ant soldier for simply not answering his question quickly enough. With his incredible strength and intelligence, he was nearly impossible to defeat—and he knew it. At this point in time in Hunter X Hunter, he was a heartless monster.
The Influence of Komugi
Meruem’s personality began to shift when he came across Komugi, who was blind and a Gungi master. Initially, he dismissed her as a weak human, but there was a twist: he could not win against her in the game. Even though he was smarter than most beings, Komugi defeated him over and over again. This confused and fascinated him. He had always thought the strong should hold power, and yet this delicate female was defeating him again and again. And over time, he respected her, and she changed the way he saw humans. This relationship was the start of his transformation in Hunter X Hunter.
The more he played Gungi with Komugi, the more he questioned his beliefs. If strength was everything, why did this weak girl continue to defeat him? He became obsessed with understanding her and, in doing so, started to understand himself. Komugi was physically weak but had an incredible mind. She dedicated her entire life to Gungi, and in her own way, she was stronger than anyone. This realization made Meruem rethink what true strength really meant.
Meruem’s Fight With Netero
One of the series’ most important moments comes from Meruem’s battle against Isaac Netero, the chairman of the Hunter Association. The fight became an epic war of strength, speed, and skill. Despite Netero’s immense strength, Meruem was superior across the board. Netero lost his leg and an arm, but he still did not give up in the fight. He realized he could not win in a regular battle against Meruem, so his objective changed mid-fight. Netero had a few tricks up his sleeve, namely the Miniature Rose, an explosive concealed in his body.
When he finally came to the conclusion that he could not win, he sacrificed himself by detonating the bomb, seriously wounding Meruem. During the battle, Meruem never hated Netero. Instead, he respected him. Netero was facing off not only for himself but for all of the humans. Despite finally getting the upper hand, Meruem was impressed by Netero’s will. This was a battle not only for strength. It was a battle over ideology and values.
Meruem’s Evolution and Humanity
Over time, as Meruem and Komugi shared moments together, Meruem began to transform. He started to think about what his life was for. Was he actually destined to rule by fear, or was there another way? He had finally graduated from knowing people are bugs to knowing bugs are people. He was still the deadliest person in the world, but he was more than just a ruthless king. Some characters like Shaiapouf did not like that, but there was nothing he could do.
He developed emotions, understanding, and even kindness. This change made him one of the most complex characters in Hunter X Hunter. His journey from a cruel ruler to someone who valued life is what makes him so unforgettable.
Meruem did not just change on the inside; his body changed, too. After being injured by Netero’s bomb, he absorbed power from his Royal Guards, making him even stronger. But even with this new power, he no longer wanted to conquer by force. He even considered making peace with humans rather than ruling over them. This was a massive change from his initial character and showed his massive growth.
Meruem’s Death
Even though the miniature rose injured Meruem badly, he did not die right away. With help from his royal guards, he survived long enough to return to Komugi. Unfortunately for him, the bomb was laced with poison, and since he was caught up in the blast, he became a carrier.
The bomb’s venom was spreading, and there was no antidote. Despite all his strength and speed, he was not immune to the effects of the radiation. Realizing he had little time remaining, he decided that he would spend his last moments with Komugi, playing Gungi with her. This scene was probably one of the most heartbreaking moments in Hunter X Hunter.
As he died peacefully in Komugi’s arms, he found peace, love, and acceptance from the very person he never realized he needed. His death was not just the end of a villain but the conclusion of a character who had grown far beyond his original purpose.
Conclusion
Hunter X Hunter has some of the most impactful story arcs in anime, but arguably, none is more impactful than that of Meruem. He was a heartless and bloodthirsty king, nothing but power. However, his experiences and time spent with Komugi taught him emotions, kindness, and the value of life. His fight with Netero demonstrated how terrifyingly powerful he was, but his last moments were a testament to just how much he had grown since then.
He was not merely a villain. He was a character who grew and learned and loved. His transformation is one of Hunter X Hunter‘s most unforgettable characters, showing that even the greatest of foes can grow. His story is one of anime history’s finest examples of character development.
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