I feel like the most important aspect of anime is the enjoyment factor. Did I enjoy Hunter X Hunter? YES! My overall rating for this show is 10/10, but that does not mean it doesn't have flaws, because all shows have flaws. The pros of HXH completely overshadow the cons. I highly recommend this show.
Some answers questions about the show to see if it's a show you'd like to watch.
Does the MC (Gon) make stupid decisions? Yes, but he often makes more good decisions than bad ones. Killua is the character you are looking for if you like consistently smart and fast decision making.
Did this series make me cry or tear up? It did not make me ball my eyes out, but it did make me tear up countless times.
Are the main characters so strong that they never see defeat? Actually, the main characters are EXTREMELY weak and always are weak especially when in comparison to other characters. They often see defeat more than victory.
Are there fillers? In my opinion, no.
Are the villians actually good villians? Yes. HXH has the best, most likable villians I have ever seen in any anime, show, or move.
Are the fights dragged out along many episodes? No. Fights can be from 1 second to 2 episodes tops. The show is more about the progression, interaction, and dialogue than the fights itself.
Is this anime for kids that the first episodes shows? No. I would never recommend this show to a kid. There is murder, death, slight mentions of sex and masturbation, gambling, suicide, cannibalism, blackmail, and so much more.
Enjoyment: 10/10
I have watched all 148 episodes 2 times in a 2 year span, and I still want to rewatch it all over again! There are low points, but there are so many high points. It's not a rollarcoaster ride, because the ride keeps going higher and higher even if there are one or two drops along the way.
Characters [Hisoka and Killua make this show beyond enjoyable]: Character designs for the MCs and even side characters are pretty normal. Character back stories in general are above average. Voice acting is the best I have ever seen in an anime series. The person who plays Gon deserves many rewards! Gon, Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio are perfect together. Though we do not get to see much of Kurapika and Leorio compared to Gon and Killua, there is a pe factory good explanation why. This show is NOT your average shounen. It is not about "friendship is power." Leorio and Kurapika have their own lives (making them a separate item from the MC). You will see in so many shows where the MC meets new friends along the way and they will stick to the MC like glue until the end of the series. Leorio and Kurapika are friends with Gon, but they are not stupid to throw their lives away by sticking with a 12 y.o kid they just met.
Music/Soundtrack/Sound/OP/ED [The best part of the show]: OP "never" changes. EDs do. The music is above average. I can listen to the whole soundtrack and never get bored. The OST for the third half of the show is where it truly shines. You can feel the emotion in every track. The music for HXH is my FAV part of the show. I believe good music ties a show together. This show with below average music would be a totally different show, BUT the music takes this anime to a whole new level.
Story [Typical Adventure Story]:The story is about a young boy who wants to become a Hunter to find his father who is also a Hunter; that is the reason why he wants to become a Hunter in the first place. 2011 version has no fillers (in comparison to the 1999 version), in my opinion; EVERYTHING is shown for a reason. If something seems not important, trust me, it will be important later. THE SHOW IS NOT ABOUT THE DESTINATION, IT IS ABOUT THE SMALL DETOURS ALONG THE WAY.
Animation/Art: The animation never dips below a certain point that makes it hard to watch; the animation only gets better especially in the fight scenes. I just wish they didn't censored the show. The censorship is disappointing. I make it sound like there is a lot of censorship; there really isn't, but I'd like none if possible.
Do you want to see people eaten to death by fish? Check.
Do you want to see heads chopped off and necks snapped? Check.
Do you want to see broken body parts and cut off limbs? Check.
Do you want to see a severed heart? Sorry, you won't get to see that here due to censorship...
Overall: 10/10
