The leader of the Phantom Troupe, also called the Spider, is Chrollo Lucilfer.
If you have been asking who is the leader of spider, the short answer is that Chrollo sits at the center of the group and guides its choices with calm, cold strategy.

In Hunter × Hunter, the Phantom Troupe stands as one of the most feared groups in the series.
The group’s spider theme is not just a symbol, because each member acts like part of the same creature, and Chrollo directs them as the mind behind it.
The Direct Answer

Chrollo Lucilfer leads the Phantom Troupe, and the group treats him as the head of the Spider.
The Troupe’s members follow his direction because of his planning, authority, and the trust he built with the other members, not because he rules through loud orders.
As Hunterpedia notes, Chrollo is the founder, leader, and member #0 of the Phantom Troupe.
Chrollo Lucilfer Leads The Phantom Troupe
Chrollo shapes the group’s identity, sets its direction, and keeps the Phantom Troupe focused on its goals, even when the members act independently.
His role also connects to his Nen ability, Skill Hunter, which fits his careful and tactical style.
Why The Group Is Called The Spider
The group is called the Spider because each member is like one leg of the same body.
The spider tattoo on each Phantom Troupe member shows that connection, and the idea of the Spider means the group survives even when individual members fall.
How Leadership Works Inside The Troupe

The Phantom Troupe does not act like a normal team with a strict chain of command at every moment.
Chrollo leads, yet strong personalities like Machi, Feitan, Phinks, Nobunaga, Franklin, Uvogin, Pakunoda, Shalnark, Kortopi, and Shizuku Murasaki all bring their own force to the group.
The Head And The Legs Of The Spider
Chrollo acts as the head, while the other Phantom Troupe members serve as the legs that carry out the Spider’s will.
Members such as Machi Komacine, Feitan Portor, Phinks Magcub, Nobunaga Hazama, and Franklin Bordeau often make their own decisions in the field, yet they still operate within Chrollo’s larger vision.
Can The Leader Be Replaced?
The Spider can lose a leg and keep moving, which is part of the group’s harsh logic.
Chrollo remains the recognized leader, yet the organization can survive replacement if a member dies or leaves, which makes the Troupe dangerous even under pressure.
Why Chrollo Matters In The Story

Chrollo connects many of the series’ biggest conflicts.
His actions shape the paths of Kurapika, the Phantom Troupe, and major events tied to Yorknew City, Heaven’s Arena, and the Black Whale.
Kurapika And The Yorknew City Conflict
The feud between Chrollo and Kurapika is one of the strongest grudges in Hunter × Hunter.
Kurapika’s hunt for the Phantom Troupe after the slaughter of the Kurta Clan and the theft of their scarlet eyes makes Chrollo a central figure in the Yorknew City arc and the larger mafia community conflict around the Souterpiece auction and Yorknew City.
Hisoka, Heaven’s Arena, And The Black Whale Pursuit
Chrollo’s clash with Hisoka Morow ties into Heaven’s Arena, Bungee Gum, and Texture Surprise.
The tension grows again aboard the Black Whale, where Chrollo’s presence continues to affect the wider struggle involving Gon Freecss, Killua Zoldyck, Leorio Paradinight, the Kakin Empire, the Kakin Royal Family, and the looming Dark Continent.
Related Lore That Explains The Spider’s Power

The Phantom Troupe’s power makes more sense when you look at where its members come from and how Nen works in the series.
Their story also connects to other major groups and arcs that show how dangerous skilled fighters can become in Hunter × Hunter.
Meteor City And The Troupe’s Origins
The Phantom Troupe comes from Meteor City, a place that shaped its members into outsiders who trust one another more than the world around them.
That shared background explains why the group is so tight, even when its members have brutal, selfish streaks.
Nen Skills Behind The Troupe’s Threat Level
The Troupe’s danger comes from Nen abilities and advanced control of Nen basics like Ten, Zetsu, Ren, Hatsu, Gyo, In, En, Shu, Ko, Ken, and Ryu.
Different members lean into specialties such as conjuration and manipulation, which makes the group flexible and hard to predict.
Other Groups And Arcs Connected To The Troupe
The Troupe’s story fits into the wider world of the Hunter Association and the Zodiacs.
It also connects to characters like Cheadle Yorkshire, Botobai Gigante, and Mizaistom Nana.
Major arcs such as the Hunter Exam, Greed Island, and the Chimera Ant arc run alongside the Troupe’s story.
Fighters such as Kite, Biscuit Krueger, Isaac Netero, Ging Freecss, Meruem, Neferpitou, Shaiapouf, Menthuthuyoupi, Meleoron, Ikalgo, Leol, and the Chimera Ants show how wide and dangerous the world of Nen can be.