Hunter × Hunter chapter 187: The Ultimate Prey — what is in it
Greed Island arc · 16 pages · 31 characters
Key facts in this chapter
Chapter 187 title page shows an office discussion about hiring Hunters for a live specimen capture. A document is signed concluding a zoological inquiry. Southern Peace is mentioned as having discovered an unknown life form.
A large creature carrying egg sacs appears in a rocky area. A small figure identified as ZATELU is visible in the distance. The creature states that eggs in the area will hatch soon. A smaller ant-like being is crushed by the creature's foot.
The Chimera Ant Queen is planning to breed the King. She requires more nutritious food before breeding begins. Several soldier ants are gathered around her.
The Queen is sending soldiers to gather resources. She considers the current cave insufficient for breeding the King. She intends to improve the quality of her grunts.
The building is named Southern Peace. A suited man stands near a buzzing door. A line of people waits outside the entrance. A clawed limb is shown in close detail.
The limb is described as unlike any known species. It has six joints and unusual claws. A sample is requested for analysis. The suited man references Mr. Won and an albino ponytail cat.
The claw was discovered south of Yorkshin. Weather this year is described as abnormal with an unstable sky. A group is present at the discovery location. A large object produces a BUOO sound in a rocky area.
The body was carried ashore by waves. A huge forest lies right behind the beach area. Gon and Killua are present at the location. Multiple figures are visible along the beach.
The Hunter × Hunter logo dominates the top of the page above a large panel showing a ruined building interior. A speech bubble declares 'GREAT WORK!' while a small 'TONK' sound effect appears near a fallen object. Below, a bespectacled man bows slightly and says 'THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.' An unseen speaker replies 'I WILL, HOWEVER, HEARTILY RECOMMEND YOU TO OTHER AGENCIES AND COUNTRIES.' A small boy stands nearby. In the next panel a suited man at a desk states 'HOWEVER, I'M TRULY SORRY THAT WE DO NOT HAVE THE MEANS WITH WHICH TO REWARD YOU.' Another voice answers 'IT DOES NOT MATTER.' A third voice adds 'IT'S WORTH MORE THAN WHAT OUR NATIONAL AGENCY COULD HAVE ACCOMPLISHED IN TWO CENTURIES.' A close-up shows a hand signing a document labeled 'ZOOLOGICAL INQUIRY CONCLUDED!!!' with 'SHIVU' and 'ZATELU' sound effects. The suited man continues 'IT WAS FUN DOING IT.' In the bottom section a man with slicked-back hair says 'NOW, THIS IS ONLY HEARSAY...' while another voice responds 'RIGHT...' A large panel shows the man explaining 'NOT BEING AN UNDER-FUNDED GOVERNMENT AGENCY LIKE US, THEY ARE HIRING LICENSED HUNTERS TO HELP THEM CATCH A LIVE SPECIMEN. APPARENTLY IT'S FROM A CREATURE THAT NO ONE HAS EVEN HEARD OF BEFORE. BUT IT IS RUMOURED THAT SOUTHERN PEACE HAS DISCOVERED A PART OF AN AMAZING LIFE FORM.'
bespectacled manyoung boysuited man at deskslicked-back hair manoffice workers
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A massive insectoid creature with a segmented body and large egg sacs clings to a rocky cliff face. In the background a small silhouette labeled 'ZATELU' stands on the ground. Sound effects read '*ZATELU*' and '*ZATELU*'. The creature speaks: 'THE EGGS IN THIS AREA WILL HATCH SOON.' A close-up shows a cracked egg with '*ZUZUK*' sound. Below, a small ant-like figure stands amid rocks as the creature's clawed foot smashes down with '*BOTO*' and '*DOGA*' effects. The foot crushes the figure, producing '*BUCHIYO*' and '*MOZO*' sounds as debris flies.
large insectoid creatureZATELU (silhouette)small ant-like figure
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A pack of Chimera Ant soldiers clusters together in the rain. The wolf-like grunt bares its fangs and growls "GI GI" while a tall, spiky insectoid beside it echoes the same cry. Behind them looms a massive, armored figure with multiple eyes and clawed limbs. In the next tier of panels, several silhouetted ants flinch and react with startled sounds: "*BOTOTSU*", "*ZUZU*", "*MOZO*", and a burst of "G-RUNTS !!!!". The bottom panel shows a close-up of the Chimera Ant Queen, her mandibles and antennae visible as she declares, "HENCE, I NEED TO ASSIMILATE MORE NUTRITIOUS FOOD. I NEED TO PREPARE MYSELF TO BREED THE MIGHTY KING!"
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Small winged Chimera Ants scatter outward in all directions under a radiant burst, the Queen’s command "GO FETCH IT FOR ME." ringing above them amid large "ZU" sound effects. In the middle section the Queen sits on a rock inside the cave, surrounded by smaller ants, and explains: "IN ORDER TO BREED THE MIGHTY KING, A BIGGER CAVE IS NEEDED. I ALSO NEED TO BE SAFE FROM ENEMY ATTACK, SO I CAN FULLY CONCENTRATE DURING THE PREGNANCY." One of the ants notes "THIS PLACE IS WAY TOO SMALL." The final panel focuses on the Queen’s clawed foot as she proclaims, "I NEED TO BREED BETTER GRUNTS!! HENCE, BEFORE I START,"
Chimera Ant Queenflying Chimera Ant soldierssmall cave-dwelling Chimera Ants
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A tall modern building rises against the sky, its sign clearly reading Southern Peace. A voice declares, 'THAT IS SOUTHERN PEACE.' 'THA ...' At the entrance, a suited man stands beside a door marked with a buzzing 'BZZZ' sound, his expression tense. Outside, a line of people waits quietly in front of the building. Suddenly, a severed limb with multiple clawed appendages is held up, and a voice announces, 'HERE IT IS.'
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A boy with glasses examines the limb closely and says, 'BU ... BU ... BUT IT'S SO BIG, THAT IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT BELONGS TO ANY SPECIES WE HAVE DISCOVERED YET. AT FIRST GLANCE THIS LOOKS A LOT LIKE AN INSECT LEG.' Nearby, a curly-haired man asks, 'YE ... YE ... YES, IT'S OBVIOUSLY A PART OF AN UNKNOWN CREATURE. LIN, WHAT'S YOUR OPINION?' Gon and Killua stand together watching silently. A woman in a hat points out, 'YES, AND FURTHER UP, THIS PART LOOKS LIKE A WRIST. THIS ARTICULATION LOOKS A LOT LIKE A HUMAN FINGER, DON'T YOU THINK?' Another voice adds, 'INSECTS USUALLY ONLY HAVE TWO, BUT THIS ONE HAS SIX.' 'CLAWS LIKE THESE ARE ALSO QUITE UNCOMMON AMONG INSECTS.' The woman continues, 'DO YOU THINK YOU COULD GIVE US A SMALL PART? WE COULD LEARN A LOT BY ANALYZING A SAMPLE.' Hands hold two small containers with limb fragments. The suited man replies, 'OH BY THE WAY, IF YOU GET YOUR HANDS ON AN ALBINO PONYTAIL CAT, PLEASE DO TELL US. WE AREN'T SUPPOSED TO GIVE IT TO STRANGERS, BUT SINCE YOU WERE RECOMMENDED BY MR. WON, WE COULD HARDLY REFUSE.'
boy with glassescurly-haired manGonKilluawoman in hatunidentified suited man
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A woman in a hat and a spiky-haired man discuss their next steps at the discovery site. The woman states they will investigate the site of the discovery while the man agrees to stay behind and analyze the findings, promising to contact her once results are ready. She notes the abnormal weather this year, with a very unstable sky, and they decide to proceed. At the site south of Yorkshin, investigators examine the area where the claw was found. A small vehicle travels across a barren landscape toward distant mountains. In a rocky, cave-like area, a large dark object rests amid the rocks as a deep BUOO sound echoes.
woman in hatspiky-haired maninvestigators at site
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Gon and Killua stand at the edge of a dense forest near the beach. Gon explains that the body was carried ashore by the waves and points out this is the beach where it was found. Killua notes that if something is hiding in the huge forest it will be hard to find. More importantly, Gon adds that the body might not have floated to the same island, though it may not be alive. Several figures are visible scattered along the shoreline and near the water's edge as the two boys look toward the forest.
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A small fox-like creature laughs heartily with multiple 'HA HA HA' speech bubbles as it sits with tongue out. Nearby, a boy with a backpack smiles and declares, 'I know a way to speed up the investigation!' Close-up panels show intense eyes reacting to the idea. In the next scene, Gon asks the creature 'ARE YOU A DOG?' while Killua and Biscuit lean in curiously. Biscuit holds up a small object and says 'SMELL THIS.' The fox-like creature sniffs it eagerly. A wide panel shows the creature dashing across the sand with motion lines and debris flying. Gon and Killua stand watching as Biscuit comments from below. Killua remarks 'DON'T WORRY; YOU ONLY THINK IT'S ROTTEN BECAUSE YOU DISLIKE IT.' Gon adds 'ISN'T THAT ROTTEN?' and suggests 'OK LET'S GIVE THIS A SHOT. HA HA HA.' The creature runs off into the distance, emitting a 'SHHH' sound effect as it follows a trail near a tree trunk.
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A woman in a hat asks 'WHAT IS THE TIDE LIKE HERE?' while another character explains 'PERHAPS THE WAVES SEPARATED THE LEG FROM THE REST OF THE BODY.' Nearby, someone wonders 'MAYBE THE BODY IS NOT HERE ANYMORE? WE CAN'T FIND IT.' Biscuit notes 'THE SEASONS PLAY THEIR ROLE TOO. THE TIDES ARE VERY COMPLICATED, THEY ARE IN COMPLETELY OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS DURING THE NIGHT & DAY.' The group decides 'LET'S SPLIT UP TO LOOK FOR IT. WE'LL SEARCH OVER THERE.' A narrator-like box states '... FINDING THE EXACT LOCATION OF THE BODY WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT ...' Gon and Killua react with surprise as the creature sniffs the ground vigorously. Biscuit asks 'AH! THIS FELLOW'S NOSE IS AS KEEN AS A DOG'S. ARE YOU SURE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DO IT?' At the bottom, characters react with 'OH ...' 'BECAUSE IT RAINED RECENTLY.' 'THE SCENT HAS DISAPPEARED' and conclude 'IT CAN'T BE DONE.'
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A character with spiky hair declares they are jumping to a conclusion while holding a device. The girl with pigtails stares in shock as text states this is very similar to the Queen of the Chimera Ant species. A ringing phone is answered with "IT'S ME." The spiky-haired boy laughs loudly, exclaiming "OH NO!! OF ALL THE INSECTS, YE HA HA HA" while the girl asks "REALLY?" A serious figure in a hat mutters "CHIMAERA ANT ..." A hand makes a peace sign as narration explains it is ranked first among insects to be avoided. The boy asks "WHAT IS THAT?" and the girl replies "CHIMAERA ANT?" A large text box details that the Chimera Ant is a creature that takes on a special form for the mating process involving feeding. Someone sums it up as gluttonous, and another voice asks if it is dangerous.
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A diagram shows the Chimera Ant Queen feeding repeatedly on prey to pass characteristics to the next generation of soldiers with acquired traits. Text explains the process may drive the species to extinction. A character notes the specimen is nowhere near as big as their own. The ant is said to be usually ten centimeters long but can vary greatly due to different tastes, sometimes called gourmet ant. With its exuberant appetite it can consume prey several times its own weight in a single day. The hatted figure states it can probably eat humans. The spiky-haired boy guesses the thing is more than two meters long. The group decides to hurry up and find it as the page ends with an ellipsis.
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On their way to the mountains, the young boy and his little sister Reina encounter a snake. Reina starts crying in fear, but the boy picks up a branch and drives the snake away. In his journal he writes: "MONTH X, DAY 0. TODAY, MY LITTLE SISTER REINA AND I WENT UP TO THE MOUNTAINS TO PICK FRUITS." He often tells Reina to rely on him completely and feels embarrassed when she keeps thanking him. He notes that he is nine years old, four years older than her, and that Reina is only five with a very weak body that keeps her from going outside at night. Therefore he has decided to protect her until she finds a man she likes even more than him. Although Reina once said she wanted to marry him when she grows up, he knows that as siblings it cannot happen. The two children later agree to go to the riverside to fish and cook their catch as a surprise for their mother. Suddenly a massive clawed hand labeled "KISHIN" slams down in front of them.
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A gigantic black monster with multiple eyes and massive claws towers over the two children in a forest clearing. The boy immediately pushes Reina behind him and shouts for her to run. He tells her not to worry and that he will handle the monster. Reina cries out "BI... BIG BROTHER!" in fear. The boy yells at the monster "DON'T COME HERE! MONSTER!" and then "GET AWAY!" as the creature looms closer. The monster's enormous form fills the background while the children stand tiny in the foreground.
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A massive creature looms over a ravaged landscape, its mouth open wide as it devours something unseen. "WAS DELICIOUS!" the beast exclaims with satisfaction. "THAT" follows in the next panel. Below, smaller frames reveal a tattered cloth marked with a cross and a large bow-like object discarded on the ground. The creature continues feasting, declaring "IT'S THE BEST FOOD EVER!" and "THE NUTRITIONAL VALUE WAS ALSO VERY HIGH!" In the largest bottom panel the monster's grotesque face fills the frame, eyes gleaming with hunger. "OF THIS CREATURE!!!" it roars. "I MUST EAT MORE," it declares with fierce determination. At the very bottom of the page bold text reads: "FEAR THE SLAUGHTER. THE NEXT GOAL IS?!"
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#MANGA-SECTION PRESENTS: HUNTER X HUNTER 187 TITLE: THE ULTIMATE PREY. QUALITY CHECK: KNIVES, $206, AND PATH(L). PROOFREADER: PATH(L). RAW PROVIDER: $206. EDITOR: KAORU_CHAN. TRANSLATORS: ZHOUWEN, PPPR, PHILOTEX. SPECIAL THANKS: ASHORO, TOFUSENSEI, MOLOKIDAN. A full-body illustration of a bipedal creature with antlers, segmented armor, and spotted lower body appears on the right side of the page.
antlered armored creature
End of chapter16 pages
Discussion
The group is investigating something on a sandy shore. A fox-like creature is being used to track a scent. Characters react to a possible rotten smell. The creature runs ahead following a trail.
The search involves locating a separated body part on the shore. Tides and seasons affect the search conditions. The group splits up to cover more ground. Recent rain has removed the scent trail.
The creature is compared directly to the Chimera Ant Queen. It is ranked first among insects to be avoided. The mating process involves a special feeding form. The ant is described as gluttonous.
Queen imparts characteristics of prey to next generation. Ants vary in size due to different tastes. Specimen is estimated over two meters long. The group decides to locate the creature immediately.
The boy keeps a dated journal of events involving Reina. Reina is five years old and described as physically weak. The boy is nine years old and acts as Reina's protector. The siblings planned to fish at the riverside. A large clawed creature suddenly appears before the children.
The monster is much larger than the two children. The boy positions himself between Reina and the monster. Reina reacts with visible fear and calls for her brother. The boy verbally confronts the monster directly.
A large creature is shown eating and praising the meal's taste and nutrition. Discarded items include a cross-patterned cloth and a bow-shaped object. The page ends with the phrase "FEAR THE SLAUGHTER. THE NEXT GOAL IS?!"
What is said, page by page
Great work! (unseen speaker) Thank you in advance. (bespectacled man) I will, however, heartily recommend you to other agencies and countries. (unseen speaker) However, I'm truly sorry that we do not have the means with which to reward you. (suited man) It does not matter. (unseen speaker) It was fun doing it. (suited man) Now, this is only hearsay... (slicked-back hair man) Right... (unseen speaker) Not being an under-funded government agency like us, they are hiring licensed hunters to help them catch a live specimen. (slicked-back hair man) Apparently it's from a creature that no one has even heard of before. (slicked-back hair man) But it is rumoured that Southern Peace has discovered a part of an amazing life form. (slicked-back hair man)
The eggs in this area will hatch soon. (large insectoid creature)
Multiple Chimera Ant soldiers shout "GI GI" in unison. Silhouetted grunts react with startled onomatopoeia. Chimera Ant Queen states she must eat more nutritious food to prepare for breeding the King.
Chimera Ant Queen orders the ants to fetch something for her. Queen explains the need for a bigger cave and safety during pregnancy. A subordinate notes the current place is too small. Queen declares she needs to breed better grunts before starting.
unseen speaker identifies the building as Southern Peace unseen speaker begins to say 'THA ...' unseen speaker presents the limb saying 'HERE IT IS.'
boy with glasses notes the limb does not match known species and resembles an insect leg curly-haired man confirms it is part of an unknown creature and asks Lin's opinion woman in hat compares the articulation to a human finger and wrist unseen speaker notes the limb has six joints unlike typical insects unseen speaker remarks the claws are uncommon among insects woman in hat requests a small sample for analysis suited man mentions an albino ponytail cat and Mr. Won's recommendation
woman in hat proposes investigating the discovery site while the spiky-haired man agrees to stay and analyze spiky-haired man promises to contact once results are obtained woman in hat remarks on the abnormal unstable weather this year investigator notes the claw was discovered south of Yorkshin
Gon states the body was carried ashore by the waves and identifies the beach where it was found Killua observes that if it is hiding in the huge forest it will be hard to find Gon notes the body might not have floated to the same island and may not be alive
Backpack boy proposes speeding up the investigation with a confident smile. Gon asks if the creature is a dog while leaning forward. Biscuit offers an object for the creature to smell. Killua reassures that the smell is not actually rotten. Gon questions if the item is rotten and suggests trying anyway.
Woman in hat inquires about the local tide conditions. Character explains possible separation of a leg by waves. Group discusses the missing body and difficulty finding it. Biscuit explains the complicated tidal patterns. Group agrees to split up and search different areas. Biscuit praises the creature's keen nose and asks if it can succeed. Characters note the recent rain has erased the scent.
Spiky-haired boy claims he is jumping to a conclusion about the creature. Pigtail girl reacts with visible alarm to the comparison. Unseen speaker answers the ringing phone with "IT'S ME." Spiky-haired boy panics loudly about insects while laughing. Pigtail girl questions the claim with "REALLY?" Hatted figure identifies the creature as Chimera Ant. Narration ranks the insect first among those to avoid. Spiky-haired boy asks what the creature is. Pigtail girl confirms it is a Chimera Ant. Large box explains the mating process involves feeding. Someone summarizes the ant as gluttonous. Voice asks if the creature is dangerous.
Narration describes the queen feeding repeatedly to pass genes. Character states their specimen is nowhere near as big. Explanation notes ants are usually ten centimeters long. Character explains varying tastes lead to gourmet ant term. Description of the ant consuming several times its weight daily. Hatted figure says it can probably eat humans. Spiky-haired boy estimates the creature exceeds two meters. Group agrees to hurry up and find it.
Boy's journal entry about driving away the snake that scared Reina Boy's journal entry stating he is nine and must protect his five-year-old sister Boy's journal entry about protecting Reina until she finds someone she likes more Boy's journal entry recalling Reina's wish to marry him and why it cannot happen Boy's journal entry about cooking fish as a surprise for their mother
Boy shouts at the monster not to come closer Boy tells Reina to run while he faces the monster Boy reassures Reina that he will handle the threat Reina cries out to her big brother in terror Boy yells "GET AWAY!" at the monster
Creature exclaims that the meal was delicious, expressing satisfaction. Creature states it was the best food ever with high nutritional value. Creature declares it must eat more of this creature, showing intense hunger.