Menchi

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Menchi (门淇)
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Hunter Association; reserve/“half” member of Akatsuki
Occupation/Role	Professional Hunter; Gourmet Hunter; Hunter Exam examiner
First Appearance	Chapter 14

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Nen fundamentals	24	Had completed Ten, Zetsu, Ren, and Gyo, though she had only barely mastered them and had not yet developed a clear Hatsu.
Rainbow Seasoning	28	Developed her Conjurer-type Nen ability; its effects activate only when she is satisfied with the dish she has made.
Total Nen quantity: under 300 Aura	42	Could maintain Ken for a little over five minutes.
Rainbow Red combat application	309	Her red seasoning temporarily increases a consumer’s Nen quantity to roughly 1.5 times its original amount.
Total Nen quantity: roughly 54,000 Aura	331	Jing Yang estimates her base reserves at about 54,000 Aura; after using green seasoning, her Aura rises to approximately 80,000–81,000 before later Nen Suppression.

Background

Menchi won the World Cooking Championship at age twelve and later became a Professional Hunter specializing in cuisine. At sixteen, she was a newly certified Gourmet Hunter whose Nen training had been delayed by months spent preparing for a gourmet competition. 14 24

While hunting Poachers in a Class One Protected Area, she encountered Jing Yang and his Fanged Moon Tigers. He helped neutralize the Poachers, then left her to secure the scene and contact the authorities. 14

Ging Freecss became her Nen instructor because he happened to be nearby and available. Menchi trained alongside Jing Yang on Ghost Island, where her frustration at his rapid progress motivated her to find the concept for her own ability. 22 24 26 She subsequently revealed Rainbow Seasoning, whose restorative cooking noticeably replenished Jing Yang’s Aura. 28

Menchi joined Jing Yang and Shizuku on Ochima’s mission to investigate the ancient Kakin king’s tomb. Afterward, she chose to remain on the Nu'amili Continent to seek unfamiliar ingredients and sample regional cuisine. 29 47

She later reunited with Jing Yang and Shizuku, received the Akatsuki ring bearing the codename “Ding,” and described herself as a half member of the organization. 278 279 She also took part in the Hunter Exam as an examiner, using food enhanced with Rainbow Seasoning as the first test. 308 309

Appearance

Menchi is a green-haired young woman whose early Hunter attire consists of a halter top, hot pants, and a black breathable mesh shirt. 14

• Carries a small kitchen knife. 299
• Conjures and carries a frying pan used for both cooking and Nen contests. 273 276
• Her face is sufficiently famous in the culinary world that a café head chef immediately recognized her and surrendered the kitchen. 331

Personality

Menchi is intensely proud of her cooking and treats the pursuit of exceptional food as a Hunter’s calling. She is bold enough to accept contracts without carefully reading them, and she readily takes risks for ingredients or culinary opportunities. 29 30

She is competitive, especially around Jing Yang and stronger Nen users. Jing Yang’s training progress initially frustrates her, but it also drives her to train harder and develop Rainbow Seasoning. 24 26 Their frequent bickering is balanced by practical care: she cooks for him and his companions, restores their Aura, and continues traveling with the group. 26 28 278

Despite her teasing and self-confidence, Menchi is a serious mentor. After defeating Machi in three cooking contests, she used one of her demands to make Machi her apprentice until Machi becomes a One-Star Gourmet Hunter. 285 294

Abilities & Skills

Rainbow Seasoning

Menchi’s Conjurer-type Hatsu manifests seasonings with different effects. Its power is conditional: the seasoning works only when she is satisfied with the food she has prepared. 28

• Green seasoning — restores expended Aura when added to her cooking. 28 42
• Red seasoning — intended for combat; temporarily raises Nen quantity to about 1.5 times its normal level. 28 309
• Green-seasoning enhancement — can raise Menchi’s Aura from an estimated base of roughly 54,000 to around 80,000–81,000, followed by Nen Suppression. 331
• Menchi can use the seasoning alongside Jing Yang’s Star Mark to recover from severe Aura expenditure rapidly. 299

Frying Pan and Three Demands

Menchi can conjure a frying pan that creates a special space-time for cooking contests. The loser of three contests becomes bound by three demands imposed by the winner. 273 276

• The demands can compel behavior; Menchi used them to make Shizuku greet Jing Yang like a maid and cook him a signature dish. 276 285
• She used one demand on Machi to make her an apprentice until she becomes a One-Star Gourmet Hunter. 285 294
• The demands are restrictive enough that Machi views earning a Hunter License and becoming a One-Star Gourmet Hunter as necessary to regain her freedom. 294 311

Culinary Expertise

Menchi is an elite chef and Gourmet Hunter whose ability extends beyond ordinary cooking. 23 30

• Won the World Cooking Championship at age twelve. 23
• Can turn simple wilderness prey into outstanding meals with limited ingredients and seasoning. 23
• Her culinary reputation is recognized by professional chefs, who defer to her in the kitchen. 331
• Personally trained Machi in cooking and recognized her dexterity and eye for detail despite Machi’s weak palate and limited interest in food. 285 293

Nen Proficiency

Menchi can use advanced Nen applications including Gyo, Ken, and En. 31 42 278

• Uses Gyo to inspect her surroundings during dangerous investigations. 31 34
• Her En has a radius of roughly five meters. 278
• Her Aura reserves later reach a level Jing Yang considers appropriate for a high-level fighter, despite combat being secondary to her culinary profession. 331

Equipment / Items

• Hunter License — identifies her as a Professional Hunter. 14
• Frying pan — conjured tool used for cooking and the three-demand contest ability. 273 276
• Kitchen knife — carried while working and used to cut herself when assisting Jing Yang’s long-distance summoning. 299
• Akatsuki ring, “Ding” — ring given by Jing Yang, marked with a crescent moon symbol. 278

Relationships

• Jing Yang — Friend, training companion, and frequent sparring partner in conversation. Menchi cooks for him, develops her ability while trying to keep up with him, and later becomes a reserve member of his Akatsuki organization. 24 26 278 279
• Ging Freecss — Nen instructor. Ging began teaching her because he was nearby and free, and later left once his role in guiding her was complete. 22 24 30
• Shizuku — Friend and fellow traveler. Menchi defeated her in cooking contests, then bound her with three demands; she nevertheless personally taught Shizuku culinary skills. 273 276 285
• Machi — Apprentice. Menchi made Machi’s apprenticeship one of her three demands, with the condition ending when Machi becomes a One-Star Gourmet Hunter. 285 294
• Netero — Hunter Association Chairman who recruited her as a Hunter Exam examiner and asked her to prevent Jing Yang from passing the exam. 293 308

Story Role / Major Arcs

Ghost Island and Kakin Tomb Investigation

Menchi is introduced while pursuing Poachers in a protected Fanged Moon Tiger habitat. She meets Jing Yang, trains under Ging, develops Rainbow Seasoning, and joins the expedition investigating Kakin’s ancient royal tomb. 14 22 28 29

Return to Jing Yang’s Group

After rejoining Jing Yang and Shizuku, Menchi uses her frying-pan ability to bind Shizuku through three demands and later takes Machi as an apprentice. She receives the Akatsuki codename “Ding,” though she initially frames her status as only half membership. 276 278 279 285

Hunter Exam

Menchi serves as an examiner for the first half of the first examination. Her test requires candidates to repeatedly eat fried rice seasoned with Rainbow Red, forcing them to control the sudden increase in their Nen quantity. 308 309

Notable Quotes

“For good food, I can risk everything.” 30

Trivia

• Menchi was jealous of Biscuit’s youthful appearance and wished for a Nen ability that could preserve her youth when she grows old. 24
• She signed a two-million-Jenie mission contract immediately, using the signature she had long since perfected as a culinary prodigy. 29
• Menchi’s total Nen quantity was once below 300 Aura, but later rose to an estimated 54,000 Aura. 42 331