Hunter × Hunter chapter 224: Barusa Islands — what is in it
Chimera Ant arc · 15 pages · 40 characters
Key facts in this chapter
News report discusses UMA sightings and victims Bandaged survivor woke in hospital unaware of events Creature described as enormous shrimp Over half of responding officers killed Video footage shows creature attacking Tsukuma-san
Creatures are described as extremely dangerous and capable of speech Incidents occurring in numerous locations Lionman of Neva-ska interviewed without posing Ponytail woman asks for proof of identity
A reporter was killed by a lionman creature in one bite. The creatures have only appeared on the Yorulian continent so far. No method to stop further appearances has been found. Authorities warn civilians not to approach the creatures out of curiosity.
Killua is present among the standing group. The creatures are identified as Chimera Ants. The group discusses how the ants became humanoid after mixing with humans.
Ants are suspected to have originated from the Barusa Islands. Eyewitness accounts and casualty reports are being used to trace their path. The landscape shows an open, cloudy area with distant trees.
The ants invaded because internal conditions matched those of NGL and East Gorteau. A large area has been reduced to rubble with ongoing scavenging. Birds are visible flying over the destroyed landscape.
Over 500 casualties reported including defectors to the ants Council divided on classifying certain individuals as deceased Explosives attempted without success
The grotesque creature was previously a normal human Council considers deceased status the determining factor for classification Some individuals willingly joined the ants and remain alive
A female news anchor with short dark hair appears on screen, delivering a report. In addition to the increasing number of victims, we have obtained convincing footage proving the authenticity of these occurrences. Our next news story is about the series of UMA (unidentified mysterious animals) sightings that have been occurring recently. A bandaged man with an eyepatch recounts his experience: When I woke up, I was lying in a hospital bed. I had no idea what was happening. The fact that they are still alive is a miraculous stroke of luck. The majority of the witnesses are active police officers. A man in a wheelchair states it was an enormous shrimp, and another confirms yes, that is correct. Over half of the other officers who rushed to the scene were killed by the unknown creature. In an outdoor scene, a large spotted creature with a beak-like face and segmented body attacks people, with officers and civilians visible in the background. We cannot show it to you due to the graphic nature of the content, but Tsukuma-san's fellow officers' bodies were lying at the creature's feet in an unspeakable state. This is video footage of the creature that claimed Tsukuma-san's right eye and both of his legs.
female news anchorbandaged man with eyepatchman in wheelchairpolice officersreportersspotted beak creature
01
A female reporter stands before a wall of photographs showing various creatures in different locations. What we know about these creatures is that they are extremely dangerous, have the ability of speech, and do not fear the presence of humans at all. Similar incidents have been occurring in numerous locations, and video footage of the creatures in varying appearances have been captured. A close-up shows a young man with spiky hair being interviewed. The freelance reporter who interviewed him patiently listened to the rants of this lionman but... He talked about his embarrassingly immature plans for his kingdom. Not only did he not pose for the camera, but he showed no qualms in being interviewed as well. The most explicit example would be 'the lionman of Neva-ska.' A large lion-like humanoid sits on a couch holding a remote, with a small girl nearby. Eventually, she asked him the question that everyone wanted to have answered. In a dark setting, a woman with a ponytail faces a microphone. Those were her last words. Can you prove to us at this very moment that you really are what you claim to be?
female reporter in dressspiky-haired young manlionman on couchsmall girlponytail woman with microphone
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A young female reporter stares forward with wide eyes as bold text boxes flash across the screen. 'THAT IS SOMETHING A MAN IN A COSTUME CANNOT POSSIBLY DO!!' 'THE REPORTER'S UPPER-BODY WAS BITTEN OFF BY THE LIONMAN IN ONE BITE.' 'THESE MONSTERS ARE REAL!!' Another panel shows a tall, shaggy-haired man in an apron standing beside a seated woman, holding up a small creature. 'TO AVOID ANY OTHER SIMILAR CASUALTIES...' 'WE ISSUE THIS WARNING TO EVERYONE!' 'SHE WAS KILLED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THIS.' The scene shifts to the same reporter now standing before a map of the Yorulian continent marked with X's. 'HOWEVER, THERE IS A STRONG POSSIBILITY THAT APPEARANCES WILL EXPAND TO OTHER REGIONS, AND THE REALITY IS THAT NO METHOD TO STOP THEM HAS YET BEEN FOUND.' 'SO FAR, THE APPEARANCES OF THESE CREATURES HAVE BEEN LIMITED TO THE YORULIAN CONTINENT.' Below, only the lower bodies of several people are visible near a small figure on the ground. A man in a cap sits on the floor clutching a bottle. 'DO NOT APPROACH THEM OUT OF CURIOSITY! GET AWAY FROM THEM AS FAST AS YOU CAN!!' 'IF ANYONE ENCOUNTERS A SIMILAR CREATURE BY CHANCE...' Two people turn to leave. 'OK, SHALL WE GO?' 'SORRY TO KEEP YOU WAITING—'
short-haired female reporterapron-wearing shaggy-haired manseated woman with ponytailcapped man with bottleunidentified standing civilians
03
Killua stands on the left with hands on his hips, wearing a sleeveless tunic. Beside him looms a tall figure in flowing robes and an ornate fish-like helmet, one hand raised to his chest. To the right stand a bandaged mummy-like person holding a large mallet, a girl with glasses and a cross necklace, and a shorter figure with wild hair wearing a skull-patterned scarf over his face. The group poses together against a plain background. Below, a wide panel shows several silhouetted figures walking across a cloudy landscape. Speech bubbles read: 'THEY PROBABLY BECAME LIKE THAT AFTER MIXING WITH HUMANS.' 'I KNOW THAT.' 'APPARENTLY THEY'RE CALLED CHIMERA ANTS.' Japanese sound effects and onomatopoeia frame the silhouettes.
A man wearing a cap and sunglasses speaks while looking to the side. 'They should just be wandering around their nest. But weren't they originally ants?' In the next panel he continues, 'Since there are a lot of weird countries over there...' A small voice adds, 'We don't have the right to call other countries weird.' The man concludes, 'Working backwards from the dates and locations of the eyewitness accounts and casualty reports, it looks like they may have come from the Barusa Islands.' A narrow panel shows a distant landscape with the line 'Who knows. Why have they wandered all the way to a place like this?' The bottom of the page opens into a wide, cloud-filled vista crossed by heavy black motion lines. A speech bubble reads, 'Maybe they were attracted by the stench of garbage, or just happened to come here by chance.' Another bubble states, 'I don't think it was just a coincidence.' A boy with glasses peeks from the lower right of the upper panels, watching the conversation.
man in cap and sunglassesboy with glasses
05
A small panel shows black birds flying over a barren, littered ground. A bandaged figure with one visible eye states, 'The conditions are obviously the same as here.' Another bubble adds, 'So the ants were able to invade with assurance.' A boy with glasses points forward and says, 'Whether it be NGL or East Gorteau, they both hide what goes on inside their countries to the rest of the world.' In a lower panel a blond boy raises his hand and utters 'Woo.' The page then widens into a devastated cityscape filled with rubble, overturned vehicles, scattered debris, and many people scavenging among the ruins. A bubble reads, 'It's been quite a while.' At the bottom another bubble states, 'Not much has changed—' Figures in robes and ordinary clothing sift through trash while smoke drifts across the sky.
bandaged figureboy with glassesblond boyscavengers in ruined city
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Three dark silhouettes stand against a cloudy sky. Below, three figures in heavy protective suits appear, one labeled Knov. A voice explains the desperate measures taken: "WE EVEN TRIED USING EXPLOSIVES. WE'RE STRUGGLING TO DEAL WITH THEM." Another adds, "INCLUDING THE ONES WHO'VE JOINED THEIR RANKS, WE HAVE SUFFERED MORE THAN 500 CASUALTIES." Gon, wide-eyed, asks "What's the situation?" while Killua stands beside him. In a wide view of a ruined street filled with small figures, someone questions "What does that mean?" A large speech bubble states, "AND ALSO, THE COUNCIL IS DIVIDED ON WHO TO CLASSIFY AS 'DECEASED.'" The scene shifts to empty streets and buildings, then to a group gathered around a massive, grotesque creature lying on the ground near a large ornate building.
KnovGonKillua
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Gon and Killua react with surprise as a suited figure lunges forward with motion lines. A massive mutated creature dominates the panel, its body twisted and covered in growths. A suited figure notes, "...THE OTHER DAY, HE WAS STILL A NORMAL HUMAN BEING." Another voice says, "JUST THE WORK OF THE ANTS?" The creature's grotesque form is shown in detail. A suited figure asks, "WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?" while a woman replies, "BUT ISN'T IT OBVIOUS THAT HE'S 'DECEASED'?" A pointing hand declares, "THAT IS WHAT THE COUNCIL IS PRESENTLY LEANING TOWARDS AS THE DETERMINING FACTOR OF WHO IS 'DEAD.'" Further dialogue debates whether the transformed can be returned to normal, noting some willingly joined the ants and remain alive.
GonKilluaKnov
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A close-up reveals a wide, confident grin as the sound effect KNOCK rings out. A voice speculates that the group should worry about revenge but instead debates whether the dead have been modified. A blond man with closed eyes holds a round object and calmly tells an unseen listener to go contemplate as much as desired. Nearby, three figures in bulky protective suits and goggles stand silently. In an open landscape under clouds, the same blond man stands beside a small, round creature with a beak-like mouth; he states that anyone who interferes will simply be eliminated and that they will do as they please. Three distant silhouettes watch from the horizon. The scene shifts to a ruined city street littered with debris. A group of people advances through the wreckage. One figure reassures the others not to worry, declaring that the self-proclaimed queen will be eradicated within the day.
blond manbeaked creaturethree suited figuresgroup of advancing people
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A massive, web-covered structure towers over the devastated city, its tendrils wrapping around ruined buildings and stretching into the sky. Thick smoke and dust clouds rise from the ground where tiny figures stand amid the wreckage. Bold declarations emanate from the structure: those who resist will be condemned to death, while the chosen will be promised eternity in paradise. The voice proclaims itself the queen and demands immediate surrender, repeating the order with increasing force. Black impact marks and motion lines crisscross the panel, emphasizing the scale and threat of the colossal nest-like form dominating the landscape.
unseen queentiny figures in ruins
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Seated upon a grand throne, the imposing scorpion-tailed woman reflects on the past. 'Was that she used the old and inefficient method of laying eggs to raise her armies,' a voice recalls as her attendants kneel beside her. 'Mother's greatest failure...' she muses. In close-up her serene face fills the panel. 'Was giving birth to me...!!!' she declares. 'Mother's one and only success...' The scene shifts to a spiky-haired man on the ground, screaming in agony, 'KILL ME!!' Nearby another figure pleads, 'STOP IT...! JUST KILL ME!' A small woman with long hair stands over the fallen man and remarks, 'You're a lively one.' In the background, horned and armored creatures drag and assault a struggling captive through a dim corridor.
The scorpion-tailed woman turns her head with flowing hair, remarking 'How promis-ing.' She begins to move, her tail whipping through the air. In rapid succession, smaller panels show a gasping face, debris flying, and onomatopoeia of impacts: 'AA-AH-MM', 'バン', 'バン', 'UGH', 'AH'. The woman strides forward, tail lashing. The final spread erupts with a grotesque newborn creature thrashing and roaring, its body covered in viscous fluid. Massive sound effects explode around it: 'ギギギ', 'ビキ', 'UAA', 'AAAA', 'ビキ', 'ギギ', 'AAAAA', 'ビキ', 'AH', 'キ', 'ビキ', 'AAH', 'ミキ'. The creature's eyes bulge as it screams in its first moments of life.
In a lush forest setting, two cat-eared women address a kneeling figure. One declares, "You are now among the chosen. Welcome to paradise." The other adds, "Now pledge your eternal allegiance to her royal highness." Nearby, a tall woman with long flowing hair, a scorpion-like tail, and a revealing outfit stands before a massive skeletal creature marked with signs reading "Piki" and "Pika." The creature recoils with a startled "?!" as the woman looms over it. In the lower panel, the woman plants her foot firmly on the creature's lowered head, her tail curling behind her. Bold text declares "THE QUEEN." as she proclaims, "I AM..."
scorpion-tailed womanskeletal creaturetwo cat-eared women
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Against a swirling dark background, the scorpion-tailed woman stands triumphantly with hands on her hips, her tail raised high. She declares, "WITH MY QUEEN SHOT... I WILL RULE THE WORLD!!!" Below, a group of onlookers reacts. A blond man with facial markings says, "FINE WITH ME." A spiky-haired young man shields his eyes while asking, "JUST BREAK THROUGH THE FRONT?" Other figures including a bandaged person, a girl with a skull-patterned scarf, and a glasses-wearing girl stand nearby.
scorpion-tailed womanblond man with facial markingsspiky-haired young manbandaged figuregirl with skull scarfglasses-wearing girl
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The Hunter × Hunter logo dominates the upper half of the page. Below, three figures stand in a narrow horizontal panel against a backdrop of swirling clouds or smoke. The leftmost figure wears a loose hooded suit with a round respirator mask and has small circular eye holes; a sound effect reading KRAKRA appears near its shoulder. The middle figure is shorter, wearing goggles and a similar hooded respirator. The rightmost figure has a larger gas mask with a prominent cylindrical filter and a high collar. All three remain motionless, facing forward.
left hooded respirator figuremiddle goggled respirator figureright gas-mask figure
End of chapter15 pages
Discussion
The blond man is shown holding a round object while speaking. Three figures wear matching protective gear with goggles. A small beaked creature accompanies the blond man. The city street is heavily damaged with debris everywhere.
The structure is covered in thick, stringy webbing. Smoke billows from multiple points at ground level. Small human figures are visible at the base of the structure. The queen's voice issues ultimatums from the structure.
The scorpion-tailed woman sits on a throne flanked by two attendants. She has three dots on her forehead and wears earrings. A spiky-haired man is shown collapsed and shouting. Creatures are shown dragging a person in a hallway.
The woman comments on something promising while moving. A grotesque creature is born and immediately roars. Multiple onomatopoeia indicate violent motion and impacts.
The scorpion-tailed woman has a long segmented tail ending in a stinger. A large skeletal beast is forced into submission. Two smaller cat-eared figures appear in an upper panel.
The woman stands atop a horizontal line against a dramatic backdrop. Five characters observe from the lower section of the page. The tail features a prominent heart-shaped detail.
What is said, page by page
Female news anchor reports on increasing victims and authentic footage of UMA sightings Bandaged man describes waking in hospital with no memory of events Witness emphasizes miraculous survival of victims Man in wheelchair confirms the creature was an enormous shrimp News report notes most witnesses are police officers and many were killed Narration describes graphic scene with Tsukuma-san's fallen officers
Reporter explains creatures are dangerous, can speak, and ignore humans Report notes similar incidents and varying appearances captured on video Lionman discussed immature kingdom plans during interview Lionman showed no qualms about being interviewed Ponytail woman asks if he can prove he is what he claims to be Narration states those were her last words
Female reporter voiceover explains the lionman attack and confirms monsters are real Apron man issues public warning after a woman's immediate death Reporter notes the outbreaks remain limited to the Yorulian continent but may spread Public service announcement orders people to flee any similar creatures Two civilians decide to leave the area while apologizing for the wait
Unidentified speaker states the creatures likely mixed with humans Another voice confirms they already knew that fact Third voice reveals the creatures are called Chimera Ants
Man in cap and sunglasses discusses ants not originally from the area and possible Barusa Islands origin Unseen speaker notes lack of right to judge other countries Voice questions why the ants traveled so far Speaker suggests garbage stench or coincidence as cause Final line rejects coincidence theory
Bandaged figure notes identical conditions allowing ant invasion Boy with glasses explains hidden activities inside NGL and East Gorteau Blond boy reacts with 'Woo' Voice observes it has been quite a while since the event Final line states not much has changed
Suited figure states explosives were tried but ineffective against the enemy Suited figure reports over 500 casualties including those who joined the ants Gon asks about the current situation Unidentified speaker questions the meaning of the council's classification debate Large bubble explains the council is split on who counts as deceased
Suited figure states the creature was a normal human the other day Question whether the transformation is just the work of the ants Suited figure asks what the problem is Woman states it is obvious the creature is deceased Hand points out the council uses the deceased status as the key factor Discussion on whether the transformed can be returned to normal
unseen speaker wonders whether revenge or modification matters more blond man tells listener to contemplate freely blond man states anyone in the way will be removed and they will act freely voice in ruined city says not to worry and promises eradication within the day voice labels the target the self-proclaimed queen
unseen queen declares resisters will be condemned to death unseen queen promises the chosen eternity in paradise unseen queen proclaims I am your queen unseen queen repeats the demand to surrender now
scorpion-tailed woman reflects on the old egg-laying method as mother's greatest failure scorpion-tailed woman declares giving birth to herself as mother's one and only success spiky-haired man desperately shouts to be killed unseen voice begs to stop and just kill him small long-haired woman notes the captive is lively
scorpion-tailed woman says 'How promis-ing.' while turning
cat-eared woman welcomes newcomer to paradise and demands pledge of allegiance to the royal highness scorpion-tailed woman asserts her identity as the queen
scorpion-tailed woman announces her Queen Shot and intent to rule the world blond man agrees with the plan spiky-haired young man questions if they should break through the front