The Hisoka discourse has got me thinking that a lot of people don’t see much value to his character and I can totally understand why, so I decided to take it into my own hands to help explain why he’s an intricately written and complex antagonist that does a lot for HxH.

Hisoka’s character thrives from the aura of mystery that surrounds him. We are given only the briefest glimpse of his possible past. Indeed it is only a possibility as the whimsical liar can't be trusted to be entirely honest when discussing anything, especially his own origins.

Though according to his own account we only know for certain that Hisoka grew up in a state of poverty coming to cherish even the humblest of luxuries such as a piece of bungee gum. If there is truth in Hisoka's words we can actually glean some rather interesting,

If tragic insights into his personality. Being in a state of poverty likely means he was well acquainted with suffering, perhaps even crime and death at an early age. Such exposure could go a long way in warping an otherwise healthy mind into the sadomasochist we know as Hisoka.

Additionally we see a spark of genuine, childlike sincerity in his past. To adore a piece of chewing gum so much that he would chew it long after the flavor faded simply to savor it a little longer tells us that Hisoka was perhaps, at one point, an innocent child.

The simplest, smallest thing could be a treasure most valued and something he could derive endless pleasure from. The image of a small Hisoka wanting nothing more than a piece of gum is a rather stark contrast to the intimidating face of death he most often displays as an adult.

Now if we look into his Nen type and how that applies to his character, you’ll see that Hisoka stands as the most true representation of a Transmuter for better and for worse. This manifests itself in several very obvious ways.

1) Deception
Hisoka is arguably the best liar in the series. Not just in the art of making false, but believable statements; but in crafting meticulous, intricate webs of deception that completely obscure the truth. This is evidenced in the origins we discussed above,

where we can not say with certainty if anything we know of his past is true
because he has already shown how easily he will state outright falsehoods for no apparent reason. Though they say the devil's greatest deception was convincing the world he doesn't exist.

A statement I find rings very true of our murderous magician. I personally believe his greatest deception is convincing people the truth doesn't exist when he has already laid it out in front of them. I would compare this to a martial arts teaching regarding openings in defense.

It has been said that there is no way to truly eliminate all of one's openings & it is a vain endeavor to attempt. Instead a fighter ought to tailor their stance & movements to hide their openings. Make them too difficult for an opponent to notice or exploit effectively,

Making the opening negligible in combat. Anytime Hisoka asserts that knowing how Bungee Gum works will in no way aid his opponent, this’s eventually proven to be true with him still claiming victory from his lifeless victim.

This is done in the same way one might "hide" their openings. He either diverts his opponent's attention in an unpredictable way so they don't notice the trap he has set or he sets a trap so convoluted & absolute that even if they notice they can do little to prevent the outcome.

Often the most potent aspect of Hisoka's deceptions are how many layers exist to divert his target's attention. When they believe he is lying & rack their brains to decipher the truth they find in the end that he had been honest all along & their disbelief played into his scheme.

One example of this is Hisoka's prediction that Kastro would "die dancing". Had Kastro not treated this as a simple taunt but instead gave the statement due credence and tried to consider how that could happen....perhaps his odds would have improved.

While alternatively those that come to know this aspect of Hisoka, such as Gon & Killua find themselves easily trusting his words at face value only to find it was a facade in the end. In true Transmuter fashion only Hisoka can ever know for certain what is truth and what is lie.

2) Fickle
Hisoka stands as perhaps the most fickle of the HXH cast. As he himself said treasure can become trash in a mere instant in his eyes. To refer back to Kastro: Hisoka spared him years prior and remembered their battle and the potential he saw in Kastro.

Though once Hisoka was convinced Kastro squandered his potential he delivered the killing blow & began to instantly forget Kastro's very existence. Years of anticipation can be forgotten in an instant if there’s no longer an object to be desired. This ties into the next point.

3) Desire
This word in many ways defines Hisoka. Hisoka is a hedonist in the truest sense & only ever seems to be motivated by his desires. Whatever will please him in the present moment or promises to please him in the future Hisoka will gladly devote himself to whole-heartedly.

Infiltrating the most dangerous criminal organization in the world, entering the most difficult game in the world, chasing Chrollo relentlessly; Hisoka will stop at nothing to achieve what he wants. This also stands as one of his most dangerous and frightening qualities.

The thought that no potential consequence, no amount of injury or risk of death will be enough; that so long as Hisoka lives he will pursue his current desire. One can only hope then, that their death is not his desire.

I find that Hisoka draws on the "warrior" template many manga utilize with certain characters. Basically referring to a character who is abnormally proficient in the arts of combat and derives a seemingly unhealthy, almost addictive level of pleasure from it.

For these types of characters there seems to be little choice. Everything in their life seems to lead them toward combat even if they try to avoid it, due to their natural proficiency it often falls upon them to battle the threats no one else can.

Furthermore this character type is driven by a deep-seated bloodlust that makes it nearly impossible for them to abstain from combat. We see this displayed beautifully with Hisoka.
That to him combat against a worthy opponent is truly like a drug to him.

Hisoka is a slave to an addiction he was seemingly born with and cannot escape. In this we can find some clarity in Hisoka's hedonistic lifestyle.
He fully & whole-heartedly embraces everything he is without shame.

For Hisoka has come to understand that he is enslaved by his desires so it is better to make it a favorable slavery that he can enjoy.

I feel it important to expand our scope and not simply view Hisoka as a character in a story but as an important element in the overall narrative. As one of the most fascinating things about Hisoka, to me, is how he is so much more than a character.

Hisoka is a narrative instrument that exists as a fundamental thread in the fabric of Hunter X Hunter. Hisoka is, perhaps, one of the most subtle but potent examples of Togashi's writing genius. Shoutout to Tyke

By making Hisoka purely hedonistic in nature with no particular goal outside of being entertained Hisoka can easily adapt to any role the story requires of him. Hisoka played an important role in Gon's party passing the hunter exam, and even gave the #44 tag McGuffin

that served as an impetus for some of Gon's early character development. When a powerful antagonist appears in Greed Island Hisoka gladly steps into the role of protagonist to aid the main characters on their quest.

At the appearance of the story-changing Chimera Ants where Hisoka isn't deemed to be a suitable fit for the arc he can easily be sent away to chase after Chrollo. When coming down from the roller coaster of Chimera Ant Hisoka is more than fit to step in as an antagonist

to keep the stakes high and the story entertaining as we transition into the next arc. During the ever tense Succession War arc Hisoka exists as a force of nature. An oncoming storm of chaos and death that threatens to tip the scales and cast the war into madness.

Which even if Hisoka doesn't affect the Succession War arc at all, the threat of him doing so still keeps the stakes high for all of us readers. Of course I would be amiss not to at least make an honorable mention here of his changing wardrobe.

To have Hisoka's attire change every arc is a clever, subtle way of visually expressing that the series is entering into a new story and theme. That much the way Hisoka's clothing has changed so too must our expectations & mentality moving forward.

It’s also very refreshing when characters remember to buy more than one outfit in animanga.

Hisoka is a surprisingly complex, creatively written, and vastly entertaining character; and stands as one of my favorite HxH characters and antagonists in general.

In closing I think we can actually take away a constructive bit of advice from Hisoka as we go into the new year. Hisoka knows who he is and what he wants. Hisoka has learned to accept the good and bad in himself and not be held back by doubt or shame.

Furthermore whatever Hisoka has set his mind to he whole-heartedly pursues until he has it in his hands, unless of course he has decided it is something not worth holding.

Do you have some talent or hobby you've wanted to pursue but never felt quite bold enough to? This would be a great time to rekindle your passion and start moving forward with those desires.

Don't let doubt hold you back, don't get bogged down wondering if you're as good a person as your neighbor is. Remember that some things in life are better let go. Live your life, be yourself, and pursue happiness.

Just like Hisoka you may find some setbacks along the way, and it won't always be easy this year. Though if you keep getting up and moving forward you can definitely make this a year to remember. And I hope you do.