Killua Zoldyck

Killua Zoldyck (Japanese: キルア=ゾルディック, Hepburn: Kirua Zorudikku) is a fictional character from Hunter × Hunter, a manga series written by Yoshihiro Togashi. Killua is a skilled and rebellious twelve-year-old boy from the world's most notorious assassin family, the Zoldyck family. Bored and tired of killing, he meets Hunter × Hunter's young protagonist, Gon Freecss, during the first portion of an examination for people who wish to become "Hunters". Aiming to escape his family and his past, Killua joins Gon's quest to find his missing father, and they work together to become stronger fighters. As the story goes on, they become inseparable friends. Killua has also featured as a character in two films and several video games.

Killua was one of the first characters created in the making of Hunter × Hunter. Togashi created Killua to fill the role of Gon's friend, and much of the relationship between the two characters was inspired by the protagonist's personality and young age. In creating Killua, Togashi was also inspired by several anime and manga works that he enjoyed. In anime adaptations of the manga, Killua has been voiced by Kanako Mitsuhashi and Mariya Ise in Japanese and Annika Odegard and Cristina Vee in English. Killua became a popular character and an inspiration to both other manga artists, some of whom based characters on Killua, and readers who went on to do cosplay. Critics have praised his characterization, particularly the character arc in which he overcomes his brooding personality and becomes devoted to Gon. He has often been recognized as one of the best characters in the series.