Hunter x Hunter Officially Reveals New Nen User Better Than MHA’s Aizawa

Hunter × Hunter has never been about who throws the biggest punch. Yoshihiro Togashi’s masterpiece rewards intelligence, preparation, and exploiting tiny cracks in an opponent’s abilities, making Nen arguably anime’s most sophisticated power system. That philosophy is on full display with Furykov, a relatively new character whose latest reveal has sparked inevitable comparisons to My Hero Academia‘s Shota Aizawa (Hero name: Eraser Head; Quirk: Erasure).

While Eraser Head disables powers through brute suppression, Furykov does something arguably more dangerous: he understands them. And in a series where information is often deadlier than firepower, that may be the superior weapon.

Who Is Furykov? Hunter x Hunter‘s New Nen Standout

Furykov (left) sharing his thoughts on how Kurapika might force a confession from a covert Nen user in Hunter x Hunter manga. [Credit: Shueisha]

First introduced in Hunter × Hunter Chapter 363, Furykov is a high-ranking soldier of the Kakin Empire and one of Prince Benjamin’s trusted guards during the Succession Contest. Initially, he appeared to be another disciplined military officer, but recent chapters revealed he is actually one of the smartest Nen specialists in the arc.

As one of the strongest Specialist Nen-users, Furykov possesses the Hatsu Combo Master, which lets him gradually decipher another person’s Nen ability by spending time around them. Once he fully analyzes it, he can create specialized equipment, whether a weapon, armor, or support tool, to counter, amplify, or even remove the effects of that ability. The stronger the Nen ability, the longer the analysis takes, and the process resets if interrupted, preventing the technique from becoming overpowered.

Even without Combo Master, Furykov is frighteningly perceptive. He developed his own system to identify Nen users, determine their Nen category, and even detect when someone is secretly being manipulated. His analytical mind has also produced remarkable deductions throughout the Succession Contest, including unraveling Camilla’s ability, exposing Beyond Netero’s long-term plans, and surviving situations that would have caught most Hunters off guard. He doesn’t win by overpowering opponents. He wins because he understands them better than they understand themselves.

Furykov’s Nen Makes My Hero Academia‘s Erasure Look Limited

Shota Aizawa remains one of My Hero Academia‘s smartest fighters, and his “Erasure” Quirk is devastating. By maintaining eye contact, he can temporarily disable most emitter- and transformation-type Quirks, creating openings to overwhelm enemies with his Binding Cloth and hand-to-hand combat. He proved its value during the USJ Incident, the Shie Hassaikai Raid, and the Paranormal Liberation War.

See, it’s important to understand that Aizawa, as a man, likes to keep to himself. However, he is one of the most goated characters in the MHA universe, if not the only one. During UA’s clash against Shigaraki in the final season, Aizawa lost a leg and was brutally injured, yet he kept his gaze on Shigaraki while Monoma used his “Copy” Quirk (by touching Aizawa’s hand) to mimic the “Erasure” Quirk and maximise the effect on Shigaraki. This was one of the few moments that cemented Aizawa’s importance in the whole MHA series.

But Erasure comes with obvious drawbacks: Aizawa cannot blink without canceling the effect, prolonged use severely strains his eyes, and mutation-type Quirks continue functioning because they permanently alter the user’s body. His greatest weapon is incredibly powerful, but also incredibly taxing.

Furykov, by comparison, isn’t trying to shut powers off. He’s trying to solve them. That difference makes his Nen feel far more versatile. Combo Master rewards patience instead of perfect eyesight, allowing him to reverse-engineer an opponent’s ability and eventually create tailor-made counters instead of relying on temporary suppression. His natural perception also lets him identify hidden Nen users, uncover manipulation abilities, and spot danger long before the first attack is thrown. In other words, Aizawa controls the fight after it begins; Furykov is already winning before it starts.

Does that make Furykov stronger? In a straight brawl against a Quirk user, probably not. Erasure’s instant shutdown remains one of the best support abilities in modern shonen. But in the strategic chess match that defines Hunter × Hunter, I’d argue Furykov has the more impressive toolkit. Information wins wars, and Togashi has repeatedly shown that knowing an ability is often more valuable than overpowering it. Aizawa erases powers for a moment. Furykov learns everything about them, and then builds the perfect answer. That’s a level of adaptability even Eraser Head would have to respect.

Who wins this battle of brains over brawn: Furykov or Aizawa? Drop your verdict in the comments!