In the series' first story arc, he befriends the protagonist and Hunter participant Gon Freecss after having a fight with Leorio Paradinight.

While preparing to find information about the Troupe, Kurapika learns of his Nen, a Qi-like life energy used by its practicers to manifest parapsychological abilities, which he specifically develops for his revenge quest.

According to manga author Yoshihiro Togashi, Kurapika was inspired by the Ohmu in Hayao Miyazaki's Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.

It depicts Kurapika's "rouge" or scarlet eye with the number four reflecting in it and revealed that the "dramatic action" film would feature the Phantom Troupe.

Although Phantom Rouge does not end Kurapika's story arc, Togashi has suggested that the character might die alongside the Troupe in future events.

[8] Kurapika is the sole survivor of the Kurta Clan, a race with treasured irises that turn scarlet in times of anger or emotional turmoil.[ch.

2, 7] Despite some initial hostilities, Kurapika befriends Leorio after they help Gon save a crew member on the ship taking them to the Hunter Exam.

In the final tournament phase, after a short spar, Hisoka gives up the fight against Kurapika and tells him that he can provide clues that will lead him to the Troupe.

The group then splits; Kurapika intends to use his Hunter status to earn money to attend the Yorknew City auction.

361] His specialist ability, Emperor Time: Absolute Mastery (絶対時間, Enperā Taimu), allows him to utilize 100% of all types of Nen but shortens his lifespan by one hour every second he uses it.[ch.

With his Chain having the power to surpass Uvogin's Nen, Kurapika captures and tortures him to learn more about the Troupe members, but ends up killing him.

He tells them about his actions and, with their ally Melody, they agree to continue tracking the troupe, most notably Pakunoda, who can read people's memories.

Kurapika is later invited to join the Zodiacs as the "Rat" based on Leorio's recommendation, and only accepts upon being told that Tserriednich Hui Guo Rou has the last batch of Kurta eyes that he needs to retrieve.[ch.

Unconscious since then, Kurapika awakens beside the others and soon after he has visions through his stolen eyes of a man whose right palm is marked with a spider tattoo, the same used by the members of the Phantom Troupe.

Omokage sends the Pairo and Illumi dolls to attack the Hunters, but Gon and Kurapika defeat them with Leorio and Killua's help and retrieve their eyes.

Killua offers himself to kill Omokage in Kurapika's place but the puppeteer is then stabbed by Retsu, who claims that he had already caused enough suffering to her and her friends.

[19] Anime News Network praised Kurapika's dark characterization York New as he contemplates the idea of killing the members from the Spiders to the point he feels like the actual main character despite Gon and Killua still starring.

Much of the praise involving this story includes how much more mature the narrative feels when Kurapika contemplates his revenge and his mental breakdown after killing for the first time.

[21] Website Polygon listed Kurapika as one of their "favorite boys" in anime based on his tragic backstory well as coming across as more "snarky" rather than "cool and deserved".

[25] Kurapika's eventual return as a bodyguard in the manga was praised by The Fandom Post for how he handles information about Nen across several chapters and pays attention to every detail centered around him.