With everyone making Succession War predictions (and Togashi making a lot of progress on the new chapters!), I want to get my own out there while there’s still time. I think it’s pretty impossible to guess what’s going to happen, but what’s the harm in trying?
Usually with my write-ups I reserve the right to go back and change things, but since this post is purely speculative and not really an analysis, I’ll leave it untouched after posting. Here are my current predictions of the fates of all remaining princes as of Chapter 390:
Benjamin
I saw someone liken Benjamin’s character to the phrase “a ship with no compass gets lost at sea.” I think this is a pretty good description of what will happen to Benjamin. He will be at his most powerful when all of his subordinates are dead, but also his most vulnerable. Balsalmico explains that Benjamin is prone to rash decisions, but listens to the input of others and ultimately comes to reasonable conclusions. Without Basalmilco at his side, Benjamin is likely to make a rash, vengeful decision and get himself killed, probably by Tserriednich.
Fate: Dead
Camilla
She has gotten some interesting characterization as of late, but ultimately she has little to no chance of surviving. Her Nen ability seems strong, but it’s actually quite easy to exploit. Benjamin does this by simply not killing her, but it’s important to note her power requires the life of her killer to function. I’m not sure if this will be relevant, but Camilla’s own guards are actually the most equipped to kill her. They spend a lot of time around her empowering their curse, and the suicide condition of their Nen counters Camilla’s.
Fate: Dead
Zhang Lei
This is a tough one, since Zhang Lei is probably my second pick to win the Succession War. Nobody seems to be targeting him, and his Spirit Beast power is only increasing in strength. Not to mention he perfectly fits Nasubi’s description of who should be most equipped to win the Succession War, and he’s the only person looking into the previous War for clues. He is playing the long game, something Nasubi did, and something that is emphasized by Beyond as well. If the war has multiple survivors, I find Zhang Lei the most likely successor.
Some things that may throw a wrench in Zhang Lei’s plans are the destruction of the Black Whale, and his alliance with Kurapika. Kurapika may learn his mafia is mixed up with the Phantom Troupe. While I don’t see Kurapika being directly involved in Zhang Lei’s death, I can see the disruption of their alliance leading to his demise.
Fate: Winner, or Dead
Tserriednich
While I can see Tserriednich winning, turning over the eyes without a fight, and leaving us with an unjust ending that just makes us feel icky inside… it seems extremely unlikely. The Tserriednich fight will probably be the climax of this arc, and anyone with an ability as strong as his raises immediate death flags. I don’t know who will deal the final blow. Will it be Kurapika, enraged by the sight of Pairo’s head, disobeying Mizaistom’s orders to be discreet? Will the destruction of the Black Whale provide an adequate cover-up for the murder of a prince? Will it be someone else entirely?
I have no idea, but it will be somebody.
Fate: Dead
Tubeppa
Tubeppa, like so many of the other princes, has a fatal flaw that will probably lead to her death. She is too cautious, bordering on paranoia. Technically, it could be said she is also playing the “long game”, but her meticulousness seems like it’s going to do more harm than good.
She also seems to be a poor judge of character. Benjamin is “arrogant”, but highly values the counsel of his soldiers. Camilla is “greedy”, but gives the Have-Nots privileged positions as her personal guards. Zhang Lei is “indulgent”, but his internal thoughts and actions show he is someone who is quite altruistic. Not to mention, her first instinct is to make an alliance with Tserriednich, although this may be a “keep your friends close and your enemies closer” situation.
She’s probably going to stick around for quite some time, but she won’t make it to the end.
Fate: Dead
Tyson
Yeah, Tyson is probably going to die, but not for a while. She is associated with the sin Envy, which will most likely cause her downfall. It’s also worth mentioning she herself is anticipating her own death. The Book of Tyson is her “last will and testament”. But before she dies, we will see the full power of her Spirit Beast, as well as the “secret taboo” her guards must not break.
Fate: Dead
Luzurus
Luzurus is probably one of the next princes on the chopping block. He is associated with the sin Sloth, which is emphasized by his unwillingness to learn Nen. His Spirit Beast power is also only good for about one or two traps, then it will be easily figured out. His death will probably serve as character development for Basho, after the two had a long and seemingly pointless discussion about “Clean Leaf”. Basho, who has one of the most overpowered abilities in the series, will finally be forced to get serious.
Fate: Dead
Halkenburg
This may surprise some, but I think Halkenburg’s death is near on the horizon. His power is a similar case to Camilla and Tserriednich’s in that it seems invincible, but in reality, it is not. My guess is that Tserriednich will take advantage of Halkenburg’s mischaracterization of himself, potentially using King Crimson to “tank” an arrow. An ability that seems invincible is almost certain to be exploited, and its user killed.
But even if that’s not how it goes down (and let’s be honest, there’s a high chance of that), I don’t see Halkenburg surviving, or winning. He has already forsaken his principles once, and I have a feeling we’re going to see a larger moral descent from him. Kurapika warns that the conditions of a groupthink ability like Halkenburg’s can lead to disastrous consequences, so we may see his soldiers have a crisis of faith.
Currently, Benjamin’s guards are plotting to assassinate Benjamin by slowly figuring out the mechanics of his ability. However, I can see this being a red-herring for Halkenburg’s seemingly invincible ability being beaten by more conventional means. I could think of several other ways for Halkenburg to die that make narrative sense. Don’t get me wrong: Halkenburg is an amazing character, but it’s for that reason I believe his death will serve to raise the stakes of the Succession War and give us all pause.
Fate: Dead
Fugetsu
Another interesting one. For some reason, it seems very likely Fugetsu will survive the Succession War. Specifically, she will live until the conditions of the war are broken, and the Nen Beasts disappear. This sets up an emotional scene where she witnesses Fake Kacho’s death, as the Spirit Beast dissipates into the air.
However, it’s also possible we get something like this. The Spirit Beast disappears, and a distraught Fugetsu wishes there was somewhere she and Kacho could still be together, imagining such a place. Bizarrely, a door forms in front of her, and she enters, never to be seen again.
I just really get the feeling she will enter a door to which we won’t know the exit.
Fate: Missing
Marayam
Marayam would be my third pick to win the Succession War, given how icky it would feel after all of Momoze’s guards were shifted to him, were it not for the fact his Spirit Beast ability seems to be setting up a locked room murder mystery.
So, uh… yeah. That’s all I have to say about that.
Fate: Dead
Woble
On top of all the other indicators that Woble will survive, including but not limited to Chekov’s Nen Beast, the underdog story, and being a part of the protagonist group, the most convincing thing for me is what will happen after the Succession War. Narratively, it makes a lot of sense to me that Oito, who began from a place of poverty, is the lowest ranking member of the Kakin royalty, and expressed her desire to forgo the life of luxury she attained, backs unwillingly into the Kakin Throne, as regent.
Honestly, it could go down any number of ways, but when I sit down and really think about the most interesting aftermath to the Succession War, it is this.
Fate: Winner
There are a few other possibilities, such as a Nasubi master plan, multiple survivors, or no survivors, but I have a feeling no matter what there will be a successor to the Kakin throne, and thus a “winner” of the Succession War. Right now, I’m suspecting Woble will be the sole survivor, or Zhang Lei will be the successor, with Fugetsu and Woble surviving (and potentially Marayam).
The Library of Progg 