Everything you need: Hunter x Hunter
A quick overview and summary of Hunter x Hunter by Yoshihiro Togashi to get you excited and read the manga!
Hunter x Hunter is a popular manga and anime series created by Yoshihiro Togashi. The story began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1998, and while it's known for its captivating narrative and deep character development, it’s also infamous for frequent hiatuses due to Togashi's health issues. Despite its irregular release schedule, the series has built a dedicated fanbase and is often praised as one of the most well-crafted stories in the shonen genre.
The plot centers around a young boy named Gon Freecss, who embarks on a journey to find his father, Ging Freecss, a legendary Hunter. In this world, Hunters are elite individuals who have the skills to track down treasures, explore uncharted territories, hunt dangerous creatures, or even capture criminals. Gon’s father left him in his childhood to pursue his life as a Hunter, and Gon hopes to understand his father's decision by following in his footsteps.
Gon’s journey leads him to take the rigorous Hunter Exam, where he meets several key characters who become his friends and allies. These include Killua Zoldyck, a skilled assassin from a notorious family; Kurapika, the last member of the Kurta Clan who seeks revenge on those who slaughtered his people; and Leorio Paradinight, who aims to become a Hunter to fund his medical studies. Together, they face numerous challenges that test their strength, intelligence, and moral compass.
A hallmark of Hunter x Hunter is its complex storytelling and deep exploration of themes like friendship, sacrifice, the nature of power, and the gray areas of morality. The series is divided into several arcs, each with its own tone and focus. Some of the most notable arcs include:
The Hunter Exam Arc: Where Gon and his friends take the challenging Hunter Exam to earn their licenses.
Heavens Arena Arc: Which involves training in Nen, a unique power system in the series that allows users to control their life energy.
Yorknew City Arc: Where Kurapika takes on the Phantom Troupe, a group of dangerous thieves.
Greed Island Arc: Where Gon and Killua enter a game that was created by Gon’s father.
Chimera Ant Arc: A particularly intense arc where the Hunters face an existential threat from the Chimera Ants. This arc is known for its darker tone and complex character developments.
Election Arc: Which focuses on the aftermath of the Chimera Ant events and the selection of the next Hunter Association Chairman.
Succession War Arc or Dark Continent Expedition Arc (current and ongoing arc): The story centered around a deadly succession battle among the royal princes of the Kakin Empire, all vying for the throne while embarking on a journey to explore the Dark Continent.
One of the defining aspects of Hunter x Hunter and the main reason why I enjoy the anime is the Nen power system, which is highly strategic and allows for unique, personalized abilities. Nen battles often involve outsmarting opponents rather than simply overpowering them, which sets Hunter x Hunter apart from many other shonen series.
Overall, Hunter x Hunter is celebrated for its well-written characters, intricate world-building, and thought-provoking themes. It's a series that offers a mix of light-hearted adventure, psychological depth, and epic confrontations, making it a standout in the world of manga and anime.
The manga can be found on the viz website where I read most of my manga: Hunter x Hunter - You will need to create an account and subscribe. You can find some free website on the web but I would recommend using the paid subscription to read the manga.
The blog post below will give you overview of the Succession War Arc or Dark Continent Expedition Arc (current and ongoing arc): and prepare you for the return of the Manga!!
Ligula rutrum.
