Hunter X Hunter: Kurapika (INTJ)

Ni:

“If we can identify the candidates, their styles and motives, we can prepare, helping us to ensure the boss’ protection.”

“Honestly, how reckless can you be.”

“Why do you want to be a hunter? Is it really just about the money?”

“Honestly, have some foresight.”

Kurapika appears to be an Ni dominant. He focuses on analysis and reading between the lines. He constantly questioned the purpose behind every test at the Hunter’s exam, in an attempt to discover the motive or true intention. He uses his determination as clues to how to proceed forward. He’s good at picking up vague hints and reading between the lines. Examples can be seen almost immediately upon his debut into the show. Some examples can be seen when he knows that silence is the answer to the impossible question posed by the elderly lady, and when he confidently picks up the vague hints from the guide team.

Kurapika is constantly questioning people’s motives, or looking to understand them. He does this with Hisoka when Hisoka let’s them go. Kurapika is seen making several guesses as to why. Kurapika questions Leorio’s true reason for becoming a hunter. Also, after taking on the job to protect Neon Nostrade, Kurapika pushes for more information about potential attackers, in order to learn their “their styles and motives”, so they can be better prepared. This all demonstrates the Ni desire to understand the underlying meaning or intention behind whatever it’s presented with.

Kurapika is also frustrated by reckless behaviour and prefers to be prepared. He occasionally is shown berating the others for being reckless or for lacking foresight. He has a propensity toward symbolism, which is shown by his choice of special Nen ability (the chains). And lastly, the chain power itself is very strict, specific, and inflexible, which would line up with the personality of an introverted perceiving dominant, since it requires a lot of preparation and forethought to utilize effectively, and leaves little room to improvise.

Te:

“True hunters work tirelessly to maintain order in society as well as in nature.”

“You qualified, though barely.”

Kurapika’s harsh and blunt nature is shown immediately. He insults Leorio constantly for his lack of capability and general short-comings. He literally calls him stupid. He doesn’t struggle to cut people off in a conversation if it’s required to get his point across. An obvious example is shown when he’s dealing with the Phantom Troupe over the phone while they’re holding Gon and Killua hostage. He’s very black and white, and uses his Te to push his Fi judgements onto others.

Kurapika naturally takes charge and gives out orders. This is first shown when they come across the injured people on their way to the Hunter’s exam. This tendency in him is further emphasized by how easily he takes over during the job to guard Neon Nostrade, once their leader is killed. He quickly fills the roles temporarily until they get a chance to vote in a new leader, which ends up being him due the aforementioned quality.

Kurapika is generally a very disciplined and determined individual. He is focused on his goal, and nothing else. He makes comments about not celebrating something until they have earned the right to, which demonstrates his general focus on results and goals.

Fi:

“The greater the strength of my conviction, the stronger my nen.”

“However, it is quite shameful to rely upon deceit. As for me, I cannot reveal my reasons here. I have my share of secrets, deep secrets which I do not intend to expose at this time. That is why I will not answer your question.”

Kurapika’s Fi is fairly obvious. He has very strong opinions which he shares when prompted. For instance, he doesn’t approve of deception, and believes strongly in the strength of his conviction. He, at one point, preaches about the responsibilities of a hunter, saying “it’s conviction, profound knowledge, and a sound mind and body! Traits that are a true hunter’s pride!” He is determined to make the Phantom Troupe pay for their sins, and specifically tells them that.

Kurapika is also very private, and generally doesn’t display much emotion. At the beginning of the show, when asked, he states that he doesn’t want to share his secrets or reveal any of his reasons. (Of course, the fact that he didn’t try to dodge the question and states this bluntly points back to Te.)

Se:

“To be perfectly honest, whenever I see a spider, any spider, all my rational collapses and I turn primal.”

“Don’t tempt me. I don’t care who I lash out at. It might as well be you.”

Kurapika’s inferior Se is shown by the extreme nature of his rage. He’s either in complete control, or completely out of control to the point of seeing red and blacking out. He refers to himself as going primal and all rational thought collapsing. This is demonstrated in moments like when he sees a spider tattoo on someone’s body during the tower phase of the hunter exam. However, in spite of this Se-like behavior, he claims to hate the smell of blood, the feeling of fists making contact with a body, and etcetera, suggesting a distaste for or devaluing of Se which further demonstrates it being his inferior function.

Other small evidence of Se in his stack can be seen when he does things like lick chains in an attempt to develop his chain special ability. (Drawing and playing with chains seems more realistic for what he was trying to accomplish. Licking them seems a touch extreme, and thus pointed toward Se use rather than just something he had to do to develop the special ability.)