What were the circumstances surrounding Meruem's death in the anime series Hunter x Hunter?

Meruem, the main antagonist in "Hunter x Hunter," dies after being poisoned by a miniature rose bomb. The bomb was triggered by the chairman of the Hunter Association, Netero, as a last resort to stop Meruem and the Chimera Ants.

Here is a detailed explanation of how Meruem's death unfolds in the series:

1. Meruem's Evolution and Actions:

   • Meruem starts as a brutal and violent leader, showing no concern for his dying mother and killing any Chimera Ant he deems disrespectful.
   • However, his perspective begins to change when he comes to respect and care for a human girl named Komugi.
   • Meruem's dual identity as a human and an insect, as well as the nature of violence and true power, become central themes in his character development.

2. Meruem's Confrontation with Netero:

   • Meruem engages in a fierce battle with Netero, the chairman of the Hunter Association.
   • Netero uses his 100-type Guanyin Bodhisattva attack against Meruem, resulting in a powerful explosion caused by the Poor Man's Rose bomb hidden inside Netero's body.
   • The explosion severely injures Meruem, mangling his limbs and burning his entire body.

3. Meruem's Survival and Partial Amnesia:

   • Meruem is retrieved from the explosion site by his royal guards, Youpi and Pouf, who discover that he is still alive.
   • Pouf treats Meruem, but he begins to experience partial amnesia and becomes fixated on Gungi, a game he played with Komugi.

4. The Effects of the Poison:

   • Pouf tries to make Meruem forget about Komugi, but Meruem realizes Pouf is hiding something and demands to know the truth.
   • Pouf starts coughing up blood, revealing that Netero's explosion caused the release of a poison.
   • Meruem learns about the poison and realizes that time is running out for him.

5. Meruem's Final Moments with Komugi:

   • Meruem expresses his desire to be with Komugi, acknowledging the superiority of humans over his own species.
   • He encounters Palm and asks her to take him to Komugi, and after much deliberation, Palm agrees.
   • Meruem and Komugi play a game of Gungi, but Meruem begins to feel the effects of the poison.
   • He asks Komugi to hold his hand and inquires if she wants to remain by his side.
   • Meruem requests that she say his name one last time before saying goodnight, and he eventually dies in her arms.

Learn more:

1. How did Meruem die in Hunter x Hunter? - Quora
2. Meruem: Hunter x Hunter: Why & How did the king die? Explained
3. Hunter x Hunter: 10 Facts You Never Knew About Meruem