The Phantom Troupe, known colloquially as the Spiders, represents one of the most sophisticated criminal organizations in the world of Hunter x Hunter. Originating from the discard heaps of Meteor City, these thirteen individuals have evolved from a group of theatrical outcasts into Class-A bounties feared by the Hunter Association and the Mafia alike. Understanding the Phantom Troupe members requires looking past their brutal reputation to the underlying loyalty and the specific Nen mechanics that keep the Spider functioning even when its legs are severed.

The Genesis of the Spider: More Than Just Thieves

Recent revelations regarding the history of Meteor City have reframed the narrative of the Phantom Troupe. They were not born as cold-blooded killers; instead, the founding members—Chrollo, Franklin, Machi, Nobunaga, Pakunoda, Feitan, and Uvogin—formed a performance troupe in their youth. Their transition into a world-renowned criminal syndicate was a calculated response to the abduction and murder of their childhood friend, Sarasa. This tragedy led Chrollo Lucilfer to devise a plan to turn Meteor City into a place the world would fear, creating a legacy of villainy to protect their home's residents from being treated as "trash."

This history explains the fanatical loyalty observed among the members. While they appear individualistic, they operate under a rigid set of rules designed to ensure the survival of the collective. The Spider is a multi-legged organism where the head (the leader) gives orders, but the legs (the members) are responsible for keeping the organism alive. In critical situations, the survival of the Spider takes precedence over the survival of the head.

Current Active Phantom Troupe Members and Their Roles

As of the current expedition aboard the Black Whale, the Troupe's roster has seen significant shifts due to the ongoing feud with Hisoka Morow. Each member brings a specific utility to the group, categorized by their Nen types and combat specializations.

Chrollo Lucilfer (Member #0 - The Head)

Chrollo remains the undisputed leader of the Troupe. As a Specialist, his ability, Skill Hunter, allows him to steal the Nen abilities of others and store them in a conjured book. The recent addition of the "Double Face" bookmark has elevated his combat potential, allowing him to use stolen abilities simultaneously while keeping his hands free. Chrollo’s leadership style is characterized by detachment; he views himself as a part of the Spider rather than its soul, which ironically commands the absolute respect of his subordinates.

Nobunaga Hazama (Member #1)

One of the founding members and an Enhancer, Nobunaga serves as part of the frontline vanguard. While his specific Nen ability remains one of the series' lingering mysteries, his mastery of En (reaching a four-meter radius) and iaido swordsmanship makes him a lethal close-quarters combatant. His emotional core is the most visible among the members, often driven by the memory of his deceased partner, Uvogin.

Feitan Portor (Member #2)

Feitan is the Troupe's interrogator and one of its most ruthless combatants. A Transmuter by nature, his ability Pain Packer converts the damage he receives into aura, which he then manifests through various forms. The most famous is Rising Sun, which creates a miniature sun that incinerates everything in its vicinity. His speed is considered top-tier even among the Spiders, and he briefly served as the interim leader during Chrollo’s absence.

Machi Komacine (Member #3)

As a Transmuter, Machi uses Nen Stitches to manipulate threads for both healing and combat. Her threads are incredibly durable and can be used to reattach limbs, track targets, or act as garrotes. Beyond her technical skill, Machi possesses an uncanny intuition that Chrollo highly values. She is currently driven by a personal vendetta against Hisoka following the events at Heaven's Arena.

Phinks Magcub (Member #5)

An Enhancer with immense physical strength, Phinks utilizes Ripper Cyclotron. By rotating his arm clockwise, he increases the power of his next punch. There is no known limit to this accumulation, making him a primary heavy-hitter for the group. Phinks often operates alongside Feitan and Nobunaga, forming the aggressive core of the Troupe's missions.

Franklin Bordeau (Member #7)

Franklin is an Emitter who serves as the Troupe's long-range artillery. By cutting off the tips of his fingers, he increased the lethality of his Double Machine Gun ability, firing aura bullets with high velocity and spread. Despite his intimidating appearance, Franklin often acts as a stabilizing voice of reason within the group, prioritizing the Troupe's cohesion over internal disputes.

Shizuku Murasaki (Member #8)

Shizuku is a Conjurer who provides essential utility with her vacuum cleaner, Blinky. It can inhale any non-living object she commands it to, making it the perfect tool for cleaning up evidence or stealing massive quantities of loot. In combat, she uses Blinky to drain the blood of injured opponents. Her vacuum has a "digestion" limit that has never been fully disclosed, but it is capable of removing poisons and foreign materials from the bodies of her allies.

Bonolenov Ndongo (Member #10)

Coming from the Gyudonndon tribe, Bonolenov is a Conjurer who uses the holes in his body to play music, a technique known as Battle Cantabile. This music allows him to conjure various armaments or even celestial bodies, such as a giant sphere representing the planet Jupiter. His abilities are highly versatile, ranging from physical transformations to speed-enhancing armor.

Kalluto Zoldyck (Member #4 - Replacement)

The youngest son of the Zoldyck family, Kalluto joined the Troupe to replace Hisoka. As a Manipulator, he uses a paper fan and confetti to track targets and deliver precise, paper-based attacks. While he is talented, he has openly admitted to feeling inferior to the other Phantom Troupe members, realizing that his skills are still developing compared to the veteran Spiders.

Illumi Zoldyck (Member #11 - Replacement)

Illumi joined the Troupe at Hisoka's request to fulfill a "pre-mortem contract"—essentially a game of lethal hide-and-seek. A master Manipulator, Illumi uses needles to alter his appearance or control others. His presence introduces a volatile dynamic to the group, as his primary loyalty lies with his family and his twisted relationship with Hisoka rather than the Spider’s philosophy.

The Void Left by Fallen Spiders

The current composition of the Phantom Troupe is defined as much by its losses as its active members. The deaths of Uvogin and Pakunoda during the Yorknew City arc marked the first time the world saw the Spiders bleed. Uvogin's death robbed the group of its strongest physical Enhancer, while Pakunoda's sacrifice—using her Memory Bomb to pass her knowledge to the founding members—solidified the group's resolve.

More recently, the brutal executions of Shalnark (Member #6) and Kortopi (Member #12) by Hisoka have stripped the Troupe of their primary information specialist and their most versatile copier. Shalnark’s Black Voice and Kortopi’s Gallery Fake were instrumental in complex heists. Their absence has forced the remaining members to take a more direct, aggressive approach on the Black Whale, as they no longer have the luxury of elaborate decoys or remote manipulation.

Internal Hierarchy and the Coin Toss Philosophy

The Phantom Troupe operates as a meritocracy where strength is respected, but the rules are absolute. When internal conflicts arise that cannot be resolved through discussion, the members use a custom coin toss to settle the matter. This prevents infighting from weakening the Spider.

The hierarchy is not based on seniority or power levels but on utility. While Chrollo is the brain, members like Shizuku and Pakunoda are considered "lifeblood" because their abilities are rare and difficult to replace. Combat-oriented members like Phinks and Feitan are expected to put their lives on the line to protect these utility members. This functional division of labor is why the Troupe has survived for over a decade despite being hunted by the world's most elite organizations.

The Black Whale Expedition: A New Era of Conflict

Currently, the Phantom Troupe members are dispersed across Tier 5 of the Black Whale, the massive transport ship heading toward the Dark Continent. Their primary objective is twofold: steal the treasures of the Kakin Royal Family and find and execute Hisoka Morow.

This mission is uniquely dangerous because it places the Troupe in a multi-front war. They are navigating the territorial disputes of the three Kakin mafias—the Shu-U, Xi-Yu, and Heil-Ly families. While the Spiders have formed a loose alliance with the Xi-Yu and Shu-U to facilitate their hunt for Hisoka, the emergence of the Heil-Ly family and their Nen-powered chaos poses a new threat. More importantly, the Troupe is operating in close proximity to the Hunter Association’s Zodiacs and Kurapika, the man responsible for the deaths of Uvogin and Pakunoda.

The Evolution of Nen Tactics among the Spiders

One of the reasons the Phantom Troupe members remain so dangerous is their ability to adapt their Nen tactics to their environment. On the Black Whale, a confined and crowded space, wide-scale abilities like Rising Sun or Double Machine Gun are risky. We are seeing a shift toward more surgical strikes.

  • Nobunaga’s Adaptation: He has shown a greater focus on tactical positioning and utilizing the environment, recognizing that in the narrow corridors of Tier 5, his iaido skills are more effective than ever.
  • Chrollo’s New Arsenal: After his fight with Hisoka, Chrollo has become more cautious. He is likely seeking new abilities specifically designed for indoor, high-density combat.
  • The Zoldyck Influence: With two Zoldycks now in the ranks, the Troupe has gained unparalleled stealth and assassination expertise, compensating for the loss of Shalnark’s strategic planning.

The Psychological Impact of the Meteor City Backstory

Understanding the current state of the Phantom Troupe members requires acknowledging the psychological weight of their origin. For years, they were viewed as nihilistic monsters who killed for sport. However, the revelation that they are "actors" playing a role for the sake of their city changes the context of their actions.

Chrollo’s decision to become the world’s most hated villain was a sacrifice. He chose to carry the weight of the city's sins so that the world would never again dare to touch the children of Meteor City. This "martyrdom through villainy" is a sentiment shared by the founding members. It explains why Phinks and Feitan, despite their gruff exteriors, showed genuine care for the residents of Meteor City during the Chimera Ant invasion. They don’t see themselves as heroes, but they do see themselves as protectors of their own.

Conclusion: The Final Act of the Spider?

As the Black Whale continues its journey, the Phantom Troupe members are heading toward an inevitable climax. The collision between the Spiders, Hisoka, and Kurapika is one of the most anticipated events in the history of the series. Whether the Spider survives this voyage remains to be seen, but its legacy as the most iconic villain group in the series is secure.

Their journey from the garbage heaps of Meteor City to the elite tiers of a global expedition is a testament to the power of Nen, the strength of found family, and the devastating impact of a shared trauma. As the Spiders weave their final web on the Black Whale, each member—from the founding vanguard to the Zoldyck newcomers—stands ready to prove that while a leg may be cut off, the Spider never stops moving forward.