Forgive me as I try to collect my thoughts and review this epic masterpiece of an anime. As tears rolled down my face during the final episode's conclusion, I realized HunterxHunter's true greatness. The way the series drew me in with its endearing cast, and brought me on a roller coaster thrill ride for 148 episodes was me experiencing something truly pure and un-replicated in the medium. That is not to say it's without its flaws, but the overall reward from HxH is something gratifying and magnificent. And of course, there are spoilers to be had here.
I will admit, when I first went into HxH I had a fair amount of hype because Yu Yu Hakusho was my favorite battle anime ever made. I just loved the constant growth Yusuke underwent during the franchise's 100 plus episodes. The similarities in writing from Togashi are clearly present, but they do nothing to detract from the uniqueness HxH possesses. Oddly enough, with such a staggering amount of episodes, HxH contains virtually zero filler. Instead, the series is delicately divided into 6 independent arcs, which all focus on completely different methods of storytelling ranging from the suspense thriller Yorknew City arc to the dark and defeating Chimera Ant arc. The series literally touches on everything: politics, humanity, tournaments, failure and video games. Perhaps even more impressive is that it manages to do all of this without ruining itself with unneeded romance or fanservice.
Sure, I will be the first to agree that HxH does not have a strong start. The Hunter Exam arc is actually my least favorite in the entire show, but that's not to say it wasn't necessary. Togashi uses this arc as a way to develop ties to the main characters and establish its roots. It also gives an introduction to one of the most unpredictable characters in anime history, Hisoka. I wouldn't say I was necessarily bored with the beginning of the series, but it wasn't something I was binge-watching straight through. I stuck it out in part due to my love for Yu Yu Hakusho and for the respect I had for my friend's recommendations. The positives of this arc are the necessary character developments and diversity in events within the exam itself. Also, the first time Hisoka went on a killing rampage, I knew this wasn't any ordinary kid's shounen. The negatives would be the pacing and how Killua didn't recognize Illumi's needles while he was posing as Gittarackur. Illumi's reveal shouldn't have come as such a surprise when it occurred. When Killua's composure snapped, it again reinforced the actual target audience for HxH. The way Togashi can border innocent and playful dialogue with such sinister and bloodthirsty themes is eloquent to say the least.
The Zoldyck and Heaven's Arena arcs are probably the closest thing HxH has to filler, but again, these arcs are an integral part to progressing the story and introducing both Killua's past and the life energy many of the skilled fighters have in the series... also known as Nen. I almost feel like Togashi used the tournament avenue to introduce Nen out of need to fill his Hakusho void. As many remember, the Dark Tournament arc from Yu Yu Hakusho was hands down the greatest tournament style arc in anime history. I understand that climbing the steep ladders of the heaven's arena wasn't necessarily the focus of the arc, but I would've liked to see a little more fighting that would've transpired later in the tower. It was also requisite to invite the viewers to peer into the secluded life of our assassin MC, Killua. This introduction intrigued me, and made me even curious as to how Killua would eventually face his brother again after the Hunter Exam. As the show went on, I was slightly disappointed that Gon and Killua's Nen instructor and apprenticed never reappeared, but other than Bisky mentioning him in the Greed Island arc, their paths just didn't cross.
Next came one of my favorite arcs of all time... The Phantom Rouge or Troupe arc. Finally, we were able to understand the seething rage Kurapika endured from having to recount the loss of his family and tribe due to those notorious, ravenous killers. This arc is also the point at which the show really begins to pick up. I was ecstatic to see massive character development in Kurapika's case, and also to see Gon and Killua take on more of a supportive role. I remember the scene when the Troupe heads into the auction hall and obliterates everything in sight, my jaw dropped to the floor. HxH's writing surpassed a level I didn't believe was even possible in a facade of a kiddy shounen. Not to sound morbid, but I was transfixed. Enthralled by just how much I was starting to enjoy the series' variety, and ho Togashi wasn't afraid to transport it away from a stereotypical shounen. I kept thinking, “how do more people not talk about this show?” What unfolded in the next 20-30 episodes kept my finger trigger happy on the skip button as I couldn't get to the next episode fast enough. The fight scenes in this arc, although fewer than I hoped, were entirely cerebral and constantly shocked me. In particular the battle between the ten dons and how effortlessly and grotesquely the paralyzed Uvogin dispatched them. I couldn't believe I was still watching the same show.
Despite my immediate attraction to the Phantom Troupe arc, I still had a few small issues with it. In a self-centered “perfect” world, I would've liked to see the arc taken further. Once Chrollo's Nen was stifled, the arc was basically over. I've never been a fan of plot conveniences, and it almost seemed as though Togashi got bored with one idea and meandered towards a new one. Needless to say, the fight between the Zoldycks and Chrollo was brief but intense. I would've also liked to have seen Nobunaga and Franklin in an actual one on one fight to fully explore their abilities. The majority of the Troupe just feel like abandoned characters. However, this might facilitate itself as a necessary evil in a series was such an enormous cast as HxH has. Also, Hisoka never gets his rocks off by being able to battle Chrollo, the entire reason he falsely represented himself as a member of the Troupe in the first place. This was another notch in Hiskoka's complexity however, since it's sometimes hard to pinpoint his alignment or rationale.
The Greed Island arc was more than likely my favorite behind the Chimera Ant and Troupe arcs. There was something about it I was fond of. Maybe it was the small break it had in the tense action of the preceding Troupe arc, or the sense of discovery or exploration it contained. As an avid gamer, appreciated the subtle nods it contained to the MMO world, and this added yet another notch on HxH's belt of variety. I quite enjoyed the introduction of Bisky, although her true ability and past is not fully explored. I believe she saw a part of herself in Gon and Killua, and took it upon herself to provide them with the highest quality training she could in the short time available. I did have an issue with the villain of the arc, The Bomber. Not only is he improperly developed, I found it very hard to believe he was as strong as Togashi alluded to. And if that was the case, couldn't Bisky have disposed of him with ease? At any rate, the Greed Island arc was a nice break from the intensity of the previous arc, and a qualified precursor to the series' longest arc.
The Chimera Ant arc's greatness is constantly debated among HxH fans. On one hand, it explores humanity, self-identification and features some of the most cerebral battles of any anime I've come across. On the other, there are some severe pacing issues and blatant disregard for some major role-playing characters. I personally enjoyed the arc, but I threw caution to the wind when it came to criticizing it. In retrospect, I can understand the issue many people have with it. After some research, I discovered that some of the odd pacing developed because Madhouse was waiting with bated breath for their best animators for a future episodes. This left a few episodes when the heroes invaded the Ant King's stronghold narration heavy and quite boring. It certainly had the DBZ effect for awhile, and I was left slightly confused. I also find it hard to believe that Hisoka didn't make his presence known upon the Ant King displaying his immense power. Since Hisoka was so fixed on fighting the strongest person he could lay his eyes on, I was sure he'd emerge in this arc.
Despite the few negatives I have with it, the Chimera Ant arc is nothing short of spectacular. The amount of themes explored is staggering. Sure, most animes probably would've taken the safe route and made Meruem some sort of bloodthirsty tyrant with zero regard to humanity. But the introduction of Komugi certainly turned the arc upside down and changed Meruem's view of humans entirely. The way the inner monologues were written during his Gungi battles was inspiring and refreshing. I was certain the King would end up vanquishing everything in sight, but he saw more than just brute strength as a display of power. Man, Togashi didn't dissapoint again. Killua's transformation after Kite perished was also uplifting. As my favorite character in the series, it was exciting to see Killua break away from his brother's burden and play such an integral role in saving the human race. Lastly, Gon's transformation, although some would be quick to criticize its “convenience effect”... I thought was well constructed. The effects his brief, immense power had on his body were believable and warranted. It also reinforced the type of person and Nen user Gon was in the first place.
The last arc, although slightly rushed added a nice bow to the magnificent anime. I thought it was unnecessary to introduce 12 new characters so close to the end, but I guess the new Chairman selection served as nothing more than plot support for the more pressing issue at hand, Gon's recovery. I actually thought (well, hoped) that Killua and Illumi were going to fight in this arc, but I guess we can't all be pleased. Leorio's reappearance was refreshing and reminded me how much I enjoyed him as a character. Most importantly, after Gon recovered, his father/son moment was everything I imagined it would be and more. Ging look flustered but quickly adapted to talking to his son, who was so much like him. When the closing sequence played after Gon and Ging laughed and shared stories atop the World Tree, I actually bawled. I'm not ashamed to admit it, I had the same reaction when Yu Yu Hakusho concluded. When you devote so much time to something, it's sad but satisfying to see its conclusion.
Given the staggering amount of characters that HxH contains, I'll try to focus on the ones I feel are main. Gon, as a main protagonist initially worried me due to his immature personality and blinding trust in others. However, as the series progressed these qualities became part of his strengths, and his development and growth was made possible through his unparalleled tenacity and heart. Many people seemed to have issues with his “found” power when he goes to fight Pitou, but this accurately illustrates an equivalent of “making a deal with the devil”. Gon had gone through so much in order to find out why his father left his home to become a hunter, and while he never received an explicit answer, the journey leading up to meeting Ging made the answer irrelevant. In contrast, the feelings I had for Gon at the anime's conclusion couldn't be farther from my initial observations.
Killua was my favorite character from the HxH franchise. His calm, somber demeanor is contrasted greatly by his murderous capabilities, the quintessential assassin. His rebellion from his family was strengthened by his unadulterated relationship with Gon. The two were essentially brothers, and Gon helped Killua unearth emotions he previously felt weren't present in his own body. His transformation was amazing to witness, and his quarreling relationship with his brother Illumi made the change that much more impressive. My favorite quote from Killua was “If I ignore a friend I have the ability to help, wouldn't I be betraying him?” It really shows his growth as a character throughout the series. His inner monologues always made the show more enjoyable and really offered a perspective often omitted from most series out there.
Leorio was a fan favorite and was unfortunately missing from the show's biggest arc. His enthusiasm and vigor, although sometimes unnecessary was a joy to watch, and I wished he played a larger role in the overall story. From what I understand, he plays a much larger role in the manga and gets the “screen time” he deserves. Kurapika also initially rubbed me the wrong way, but steamrolled into the limelight during the Phantom Troupe arc and reversed my opinion entirely. Again, he was another character completely left out of the later arcs, and I find it hard to believe that he wouldn't be willing to help out Gon and Killua if the the fate of mankind was actually at stake. Instead, we were left with odd shots of him looking stressed out in front of multiple pairs of scarlet eyes. Hisoka was probably my second favorite character, as he was clearly an atypical villain. You didn't always root against him, as part of me really wanted to see him go all out in a 1 on 1 against Chrollo. Sure, he gave off a pedophilic vibe and often pissed off the wrong people, but it was refreshing to have an antagonist who had some depth and wasn't one-dimensional.
The music in HxH is uplifting, suspenseful and “mostly” well placed. There were a few instances of misplaced background music, but nothing major. It was irregular but refreshing to see the same OP though the entire anime. I can assuredly say that a year from now when I hear this OP, I'll probably choke back tears of nostalgia from how powerful it was to me. The ED's were mostly additive, with the exception of the one in the Greed Island arc. I mostly preferred the first ED as well as the Chimera Ant arc ED due to the contrast it had to the subject matter within each episode. Perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of the sound was the voice acting in HxH. Every voice seemed to emulate the portrayed character pefectly, most importantly in Mariya Ise as Killua and Keiji Fujiwara as Leorio. Hisoka's VA also performed brilliantly and left an overall creepy aura over his persona. There was rarely an awkwardly casted role in HxH at all which led to the relatability of the characters.
In summation, I thoroughly enjoyed HxH for everything that it was. Whether it was for the endearing and complex characters, or for the intellectual battles the respective characters consistently found themselves in. Mix that with the engrossing environments, real-life themes and incredible voice acting and music, and you'll find yourself immersed in a shounen for the ages. Maybe I'm still drunk on the aftershocks of the series, but either way it was truly a masterpiece. It really baffles me as to how small the fan base is for HxH, as it is clearly superior to most (if not all) long running shounen out there, and it contains nearly every necessary element for success in the genre. Nor is there any filler. I mean, what more could an anime fan ask for? I only wish that if the franchise is rebooted in anime form that Togashi exercises the same level of finesse he did with this series, as it is one that will remain one of my favorites for years to come. I plan on eventually watching the 1999 version at some point, but I'd better let my Togashi high rest for a little while. While not a perfect 10 due to some minor issues I had, HxH is pretty damn close. As always, thank you for reading!
