Hunter x Hunter Nen x Impact refused classification in Australia
Bushiroad’s upcoming fighting game Hunter x Hunter Nen x Impact has been refused classification by the Australian government’s rating board that determines the game’s target age range. This means that the game cannot be released in Australia.
Hunter x Hunter Nen x Impact is based on Yoshihiro Togashi’s popular manga and its anime adaptation. The game was originally due to be released in 2024, but was delayed to 2025 in order for the developers to implement rollback netcode. In preparation for its release, the title is being reviewed by classification bodies in countries around the world to determine what ages the title is appropriate for.
Looking at other countries, Hunter x Hunter Nen x Impact has been approved as suitable for ages 12 and up in both Germany and South Korea. On the Steam store page in Japan, it currently has a CERO B rating (which is also equivalent to 12 and up). In summary, the game seems to have been given a relatively low age rating in other countries.
However, Hunter x Hunter Nen x Impact was “Refused Classification” by the Australian Classification body, as detailed in the screenshot below. No reason was specified for this decision, and the game is the first Hunter x Hunter title to be banned in the country.
This has prompted speculation. In the game, a number of characters appear who are under the age of 18 in the source material. For example, Gon and Killua start out aged 12. It may be perceived as problematic for characters who are children to be fighting each other in the game. It’s possible that the title might also allude to antagonist Hisoka’s creepy attitude towards them. Alternatively, some have wondered if the drug D2 from the source material can be used in-game (source: Gamesradar+). This could also be a likely reason for the ban, as Australia has been strict on games with drug use in the past, even those aimed at an adult audience like Disco Elysium.
Automaton is currently inquiring as to the reason for Hunter x Hunter Nen x Impact’s classification refusal, and we will update this article accordingly if we receive a reply.
Hunter x Hunter Nen x Impact is scheduled to be released for PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch and PS5 in 2025.
