Hunter x hunter

Hunter X Hunter is created by the talented mangaka Yoshihiro Togashi and has blessed its fans since 1998. This shonen series combines an amazing power system, and epic fights, and explores themes of friendship and self-discovery.

The story follows Gon Freecss, a young boy who learns that his absent father, once believed to have abandoned him, is actually a legendary hunter. A Hunter in Hunter X Hunter is an elite member of humanity with a license, which allows them to find rare treasures and beats as well as special locations a normal civilian cannot.

As Gon seeks to uncover the truth and follow in his father’s footsteps, he encounters a collection of complex characters and challenges, all while going through the demanding trials of the Hunter Exam. He enters the Hunter Exam with Kurapika and Leorio, and later he meets his soon-to-be best friend, Killua Zoldyck. After completing the Hunter Exam, Gon goes on an adventure with these friends, but they also encounter dangerous hunters such as Hisoka, The Phantom Troupe, and Chimeras.

With its amazing storyline and rich world-building, Hunter × Hunter has not only thrived as a manga series but has also expanded into multiple anime adaptations, such as in 2011. Other popular anime-manga series, such as Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure and Jujutsu Kaisen, were inspired by Hunter x Hunter.

On this page, we will explore the synopsis, storyline, characters, and various media adaptations that explain why “Hunter × Hunter” is a phenomenal Shonen series.

The storyline of “Hunter × Hunter” follows Gon Freecss, a young boy who discovers his father, Ging, is a famous Hunter and is not dead, as he had been led to believe. Determined to follow in his footsteps, Gon sets off on an adventure in order to pass the rigorous Hunter Exam and one day reunite with his father.

During the exam, he befriends three other candidates: Kurapika, who seeks vengeance against the Phantom Troupe for his clan’s massacre; Leorio, who aims to fund his medical studies; and Killua Zoldyck, a prodigy from an infamous family of assassins. Their journey is full of challenges, including the mysterious and treacherous Hisoka.

Gon’s perseverance leads them to various adventures, such as competing in the Heavens Arena, where they learn Nen—the essential energy system of the series, and he also clashes there with the Phantom Troupe.

Gon and Killua continue their Nen training later with Biscuit Krueger in the Greed Island game, where they search for Gon’s father Ging again

The storyline grows more intense with the Chimera Ant arc, presenting danger and crazy powers that send shivers all over your body. The aftermath finds Gon critically injured, and Killua saves him with his sister Alluka’s Nen powers.

New challenges arise with the Dark Continent expedition, seeing Kurapika and Leorio join the Zodiacs.

Meanwhile, a vengeful Hisoka hunts the Phantom Troupe and has one of the most epic manga battles in Shonen with Chrollo, the leader of the Phantom Troupe.

With the respectable title of a Hunter comes the ability to explore the world’s unseen treasures, be allowed to hunt for rare items, pursue dangerous individuals, and access forbidden areas. Achieving this status requires passing the Hunter Exam first; this is a test with an incredibly low success rate, challenging possible Hunters to their absolute limits.

Nen, the cornerstone of a Hunter’s power, involves managing one’s life force or aura through four primary techniques:

Ten for defensive aura reinforcement, Zetsu for aura concealment and fatigue relief, Ren for increased aura production, and Hatsu, which represents the individual’s unique Nen application.

Hatsu abilities further categorize Nen users into six types: Enhancers, Emitters, Manipulators, Transmuters, Conjurers, and Specialists, each with strengths in different aspects of aura use. You cannot change the type of Nen user you are, and knowing the type of nen user your opponent is can change a life-death situation.

To further increase their Nen capabilities, a Hunter can establish a Contract, setting self-imposed limitations to increase their powers, often at great personal risk. For example, Kurapika demonstrates this through his vow that his life will be taken if he uses his unbreakable chain on anyone other than the Phantom Troupe, showcasing the lengths Hunters will go to achieve their goals.

Hunter × Hunter has made a great name for itself in the anime scene, with the first adaptation produced by Nippon Animation airing on Japan’s Fuji Television from October 1999 to March 2001. This 62-episode series, while closely following the manga, softened its violence for a younger audience. In response to the looming end of source material, Nippon Animation wrapped up the series and later released three OVAs covering subsequent arcs such as the Chimera Ant arc.

Viz Media licensed the anime for North American distribution, outsourcing English voice work to the Ocean Group. The English dubbed released four DVD sets and later aired on the Funimation Channel in the spring of 2009.

A second anime adaptation by Madhouse began in October 2011, restarting the story to closely show the manga’s events.

This series, running until September 2014 released 148 episodes, aired in Japan on Nippon Television, and included English-subtitled simulcasts shortly after Japanese broadcasts.

Viz Media later acquired rights for the reboot, promising DVD/Blu-ray releases and an English dub. In April 2016, the series premiered on Adult Swim’s Toonami block, broadening its accessibility to a wider audience.

With the Anime News Network factoring Hunter × Hunter as having one of the most compelling story arcs in anime history.

The “Hunter × Hunter” franchise continues to expand beyond its manga and anime series and goes into film adaptations. Before the anime adaptation in 1999, a short film introduced the world of “Hunter × Hunter” during the 1998 “Jump Super Anime Tour.”

The anime’s success led to cinematic releases, starting with “Hunter × Hunter: Phantom Rouge.” Released on January 12, 2013, this film follows Gon and his friends as they attempt to recover Kurapika’s stolen eyes and features a story penned by Yoshihiro Togashi a decade earlier.

The second movie, “Hunter × Hunter: The Last Mission,” delved into the darker aspects of the Hunter Association and Chairman Netero’s past. It premiered on December 27, 2013.

Phantom Rouge” grossed approximately $12.59 million, while “The Last Mission” earned about ¥850 million ($8.72 million), amounting to a total Japanese box office gross of over $21.31 million.

Film Releases and Gross Revenue:

1. “Hunter × Hunter: Phantom Rouge” – January 12, 2013 – $12.59 million
2. “Hunter × Hunter: The Last Mission” – December 27, 2013 – $8.72 million

Hunter × Hunter is famous for its broad selection of characters, each with unique Nen abilities that set them apart.

Gon Freecss is the optimistic protagonist, an Enhancer-type Nen user whose main goal is to find his father. His abilities, including the powerful “Jajanken,” reflect his straightforward nature.

Killua Zoldyck, a Transmuter-type Nen user and Gon’s best friend, who comes from a family of assassins. Quick-witted, smart, dangerous, and lightning-fast, his “Electric Aura” is both a weapon and a testament to his resilience.

Kurapika, the last survivor of the Kurta Clan, is a Conjurer-type Nen user with the ability to utilize multiple Nen types through his Scarlet Eyes. His drive for vengeance against the Phantom Troupe is his driving force.

The great Isaac Netero, an Enhancer-type Nen user,” is the chairman of the Hunter Association with unmatched strength and the terrifying “Zero Hand” technique.

Hisoka, the joker, is a Transmuter-type Nen user who loves the thrill of combat. He uses the “Bungee Gum” and “Texture Surprise” with great creativity.

The Phantom Troupe, a notorious group of powerful Hunters, having many different strong Nen users with their own terrifying abilities.

Meruem, the “Chimera Ant King,” with incomparable strength and intelligence, while his Royal Guards—Neferpitou, Menthuthuyoupi, and Shaiapouf—are loyal protectors each with their own monstrous Nen powers.

Kite, a Conjurer-type Nen user, and disciple of Gon’s father Ging. Kite wields the “Crazy Slots.”

Wing, Gon and Killua’s first Nen teacher, is skilled in explaining the complexities of Nen.

Biscuit Krueger, a Transmuter-type Nen user, who hides her true power behind a deceptively youthful appearance, with “Cookie” as her Nen ability that offers both assistance and combat capabilities during training.