Illumi

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Illumi Zoldyck (伊尔迷) 346
Species/Race	Human; undergoing evolution through Roy's Embrace 346
Gender	Male 178
Affiliation	Zoldyck family 24 256
Occupation/Role	Assassin; Maha's disciple 240 345
Nen Type	Manipulation 126 344
Status	Alive; evolving inside a Blood Cocoon 346
First Appearance	Chapter 24 24

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Third Testing Gate	24	Opens three gates when returning to the estate, demonstrating fourteen tons of strength.
Aura nodes opened	24	Announces to Roy that he has also opened his aura nodes.
Ten mastered	25	Learns to contain his aura within minutes of opening his nodes, matching Roy's initial learning speed.
Begins Ren	87	Studies Silva's notes supplied by Roy, concentrating on the “Heart Inquiry” portion and confronting his fixation on his brother.
Fourth Testing Gate	151	Successfully opens the fourth gate and believes he has caught up to Roy; Roy immediately demonstrates a greater level of strength.
Wind Breathing received	221	Roy implants a trace of the style at his brow. Illumi has not yet mastered it when questioned later 227.
Ken mastered	256	Displays the technique after training under Maha.
Fifth Testing Gate capability; C+ evaluation	344	Roy's examination confirms that his physique can open the fifth gate. Total Concentration can temporarily amplify his evaluation to B−.
Total Concentration demonstrated in combat	345	Closes his aura nodes with Zetsu, uses Wind Breathing to accelerate, and attacks Gotoh with the God Spear Wood Nail. His improvement does not prevent his defeat.
Embrace evolution begins	346	Receives Roy's vital blood and enters a Blood Cocoon. His physique and aura increase continuously, while a new Embrace-derived Nen ability begins awakening. Evolution is advancing toward B-rank, but completion is not shown.

Last Recorded Assessment

Attribute	Recorded Value
Physique	1324 before Embrace; continuously increasing during evolution 344 346
Manifested Aura	C+ — 70,000/100,000, increasing during Embrace 344 346
Potential Aura	B — 850,000/1,000,000, increasing during Embrace 344 346
Combat Evaluation	C+, temporarily B− under Total Concentration 344 346
Strength Comparison	Approximately Kite's level before completing evolution; far below Neferpitou, Shaiapouf, and Youpi 346
Loyalty to Roy	“Loyalty Overflowing”; already qualified for formal recognition as a believer 344 346
Embrace Nen Ability	Awakening; no name or function revealed 346

Appearance

Illumi has long, straight, jet-black hair, hollow eyes, and a usually expressionless face 24 151 227.

• His eyes are repeatedly described as vacant, lifeless, or resembling “dead-fish eyes” 24 103 178.
• He often stands or walks with his hands in his pockets 77 151 189.
• Around Killua's birth, he wears a green vest over dark-blue martial arts pants, with nail-like double-breasted fastenings across his chest 256.
• He can alter his face to resemble Roy 89 93.

Personality

Illumi is intensely competitive with Roy, initially treating his brother's achievements as challenges to his own standing. He insists that he can match Roy's gate-opening strength, races ahead during training, and demands the same electric-shock intensity despite being unable to withstand it 77 168. His confidence can exceed his actual ability: opening the fourth Testing Gate convinces him that he has caught up, only for Roy to surpass the feat immediately 151 152.

His attachment to Roy becomes possessive and jealous. He spies outside Roy's window, orders him to kill Kastro without offering a reason, and later offers to become a weapon in Roy's hands if he can remain by his side 65 189. He also interprets Roy's awareness of his presence as proof of affection 149.

That fixation coexists with genuine concern. Illumi worries about Roy's injuries and reacts with panic when he discovers the bloody aftermath of Roy's transformation 141 267. As their relationship develops, he recognizes that he feels sincere happiness at Roy's progress rather than only resentment at being surpassed 269.

Roy and Maha both challenge his lack of self-regard. Illumi accepts that he must think more about himself, but insists that Roy must remain his first priority 221 240. His desire to improve eventually becomes an explicit plea for strength after Gotoh defeats him 345 346.

Abilities & Skills

Nen Needle Manipulation

Illumi is a Manipulator whose initial Nen ability controls others through Nen Needles 344 346.

• Throws needles as ranged attacks, including an ambush aimed at the back of Gotoh's head 344.
• Uses a needle to intercept an incoming Nen Bullet 345.
• Gotoh can deflect his needles with Ten; Illumi's needle attacks do not overcome the evolved butler 344 345.
• Netero identifies his exchange of ranged attacks with Gotoh as a Manipulator challenging an Emitter in the latter's specialty 345.

Nen Fundamentals

Illumi's rapid mastery of Ten is attributed to the Zoldyck family's inherited talent 25.

• Uses powerful Ren during his confrontation with Gotoh, forcing Gotoh to protect Kurajing from its pressure 344.
• Masters Ken after instruction from Maha 256.
• Activates Zetsu before switching to his Wind Breathing assault 345.
• Admits that he has not mastered En, Ken, or his Breathing Style when Roy questions his readiness to pursue Guzman; Ken is acquired afterward 227 256.

Wind Breathing and Total Concentration

Roy gives Illumi Wind Breathing as a means of protecting himself. Illumi later develops it sufficiently to earn Roy's acknowledgment of his progress 221 240 345.

• Uses Wind Breathing in a direct fist exchange with Gotoh's Water Breathing 345.
• Combines closed aura nodes with deep breathing and a surrounding spiral of wind to charge at high speed, leaving afterimages 345.
• Total Concentration briefly raises his assessed combat level from C+ to B− 344 346.
• The amplification is temporary and does not allow him to defeat the evolved Gotoh 345.

Shadow Step

Illumi uses Shadow Step to accelerate his movements 77 189 221.

• Catches up to Roy and enters the training hall ahead of him 77.
• Pursues Roy when his brother attempts to escape their conversation 189.

Disguise

Illumi can transform his face into Roy's likeness 89.

• Uses the disguise when confronting Hisoka 93.
• The provided account does not specify the transformation's mechanism or restrictions.

Assassin Conditioning

Illumi participates in the family's electric-shock and poison-resistance training 77 168.

• Receives the semi-lethal poison dose during a shared training session with Roy 77.
• Insists on receiving Roy's eight-million-volt electric shock, but loses consciousness after approximately 0.01 seconds 168.
• His willingness to endure the same training does not initially match Roy's physical tolerance 168 178.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Nen Needles — Implements for manipulating others and making ranged attacks 344 346.
• God Spear Wood Nail — A Nen artifact given by Roy and kept close to Illumi's chest. It contains one of Roy's sword techniques and extends across the intervening distance when Illumi invokes “Shoot to kill... Divine Spear!” 227 240 345.
• Silva's training notes — Supplied by Roy; Illumi studies their explanation of Ren and “Heart Inquiry” through sleepless nights 87.
• Improvised weapons — Throws a dinner fork during the airship hijacking and subsequently participates in a shootout 53 54.

Relationships

• Roy Zoldyck — Older brother, rival, and the center of Illumi's devotion. Roy rejects his possessiveness but gives him training materials, Wind Breathing, the God Spear Wood Nail, and eventually Embrace evolution 65 87 221 240 346.
• Silva Zoldyck — Father and stern trainer. Silva corrects Illumi's analysis of Roy's tactics with a lash and later administers the electric-shock intensity Illumi requests 47 168.
• Maha Zoldyck — Senior family member and teacher. Warns Illumi against losing himself in his attachment to Roy, then accepts him as a disciple 240.
• Zeno Zoldyck — Grandfather. Urges him to pay attention to his own development rather than placing his entire focus on Roy, warning that even Gotoh may surpass him 295.
• Gotoh — Family butler and rival for proximity to Roy. Illumi saves him during the hijacking, later challenges him after his evolution, and envies his complete submission to Roy 54 344 345 346.
• Kastro — Target of Illumi's jealousy. Illumi demands his death and later pursues and injures him before Roy intervenes 65 69.
• Milluki Zoldyck — Younger brother with whom he has a hostile rapport. Illumi disparages him and nearly fights him for addressing him by name; Roy intervenes 240 256.
• Killua Zoldyck — Younger brother. Supports Roy's proposed name, “Qi,” but remains more focused on Roy than on the newborn during the family's celebration 189 256 257.
• Hisoka Morow — Opponent whom Illumi confronts while disguised as Roy. Later marks him as someone to kill after hearing that he may threaten Roy 93 256.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Early Rivalry and Family Training

Illumi returns to the estate having opened his aura nodes and displays enough strength to open three Testing Gates. Gotoh subsequently reports his defeat at Heavens Arena and anticipates that he will seek revenge 24 25.

His rivalry with Roy plays out through harsh conditioning and repeated defeats. During Roy's clash with Silva, Illumi correctly explains the timing of Roy's deception but overlooks the strength needed to survive Silva's attacks; Silva knocks him unconscious to demonstrate the distinction 27 36 47.

Airship Hijacking and Jealousy

After escaping the estate, Illumi intervenes in the hijacking of the airship carrying Roy and Gotoh. He saves Gotoh from a bullet and fights a terrorist, but Roy's decisive intervention leaves him feeling unnecessary 53 54.

His attention then turns to Roy's new follower, Kastro. He spies on Roy, demands Kastro's death, and later attacks him, prompting Roy to intervene 65 69.

Ren Training and the Hunter Exam

Studying Silva's notes forces Illumi to examine his own desires. His attempt to possess Roy ends with Roy kicking him away and tying him up 87. He subsequently assumes Roy's face and fights Hisoka 89 93.

During the Hunter Exam journey, Illumi ignores Pariston's attempts at conversation. Roy later rescues him from Pariston, Gore, and Clark, after which Illumi fights Clark while Roy and Gotoh engage the others 103 107.

Learning to Value Himself

Illumi's fourth-gate achievement does not close the gap with Roy. Nevertheless, he openly pledges to remain on Roy's side even if their mother gives birth to a silver-haired potential heir 151 152 178.

Roy confronts the self-destructive side of that devotion by showing him a possible original-story future: an obsession with Killua and Nanika that includes wanting to die at Killua's hands. Roy reminds him that the family would also suffer from his death and gives him Wind Breathing 221.

Illumi later approaches Maha for instruction, acknowledging that Roy gave him protective gifts because he was weak. Maha accepts his request, beginning a more deliberate phase of personal training 240.

Gotoh's Challenge and Embrace

When Gotoh emerges from his Blood Cocoon, Illumi senses the change and confronts him. Roy's assessment reveals substantial growth in Illumi, but Gotoh defeats him despite his use of Wind Breathing, Total Concentration, and the God Spear Wood Nail 344 345.

Afterward, Illumi declares that he must become stronger. Roy explains that Embrace entails complete submission to his command; Illumi regards that condition as desirable and envies Gotoh for already possessing that bond. Roy administers a drop of vital blood, initiating Illumi's own Blood Cocoon evolution 346.

Notable Quotes

“I can also be a sword in your hand. Tell me who to cut, and I will cut them.” 189

“He comes first, I come second.”
“The order,”
“Cannot change.” 240

“I want to become stronger! I have to become stronger, Nii-san!” 346

Trivia

• Unlike the original-story family arrangement referenced in the novel, Illumi is Roy's younger brother, and Roy is the eldest son 152 221.
• He prefers sleeping in a hole in his room; after being buried in the garden while numb from training, he asks for an umbrella to block the glare 27.
• He explicitly identifies himself as male, then says he would become a woman if Roy wanted him to 178.
• He admits to sneaking into Roy's room every night to read his notes, adding that both Roy and Roy's birds know about it 240.