Hunter x Hunter (2011)

(⊙︿⊙✿)

This show made me tear up once or twice. I'll try and be brief...

From the very first arc I knew something was up with this ~~Shonen~~ anime. Best friends Kurapika and Leorio are introduced alongside Gon the protagonist in a befitting "let's stick together" style. More importantly, there is a sense of trust that is within reason. Even though they know not everyone will become a Hunter, they know that it is worth sticking together if even for an advantage against stronger, malicious Hunters. This is shown in the example of antagonist Hisoka. Down the road after the Hunter Exam arc, the squad must split up. Wait WHAT! The main characters have lives of their own? They won't just simply stay together until the show conveniently ends? That's crazy! But yes, these characters have their own agendas. It's nice as a break in pace and also it allows for interesting new relationships, such as when Wing trains Gon and Killua, or when Kurapika learns to lean on Melody. This show allows characters to fuck off on their own adventures and I think that's just great.

What the Hunter Exam arc reveals is that passion doesn't always pay off and there are serious consequences when it doesn't. In a fight to the death style game, Kurapika must face off against a prisoner who pretends to be a member of the Phantom Troupe, his sworn enemies. Although he knows it is a ruse, his rage still consumes him and he outright destroys the poor guy. In the moment it seemed like it was ok for him to one-punch his enemy. However, after storming off and leaving the battleground it turns out Kurapika did not "kill" his opponent, which means he did not technically win. Stubborn to a fault, Kurapika refuses to re-enter. As a consequence Leorio must clean up the fight on the basis of the rules of the game. Time and time again, this show reveals that you can't just win with your heart, for "good" or "evil". In a Shonen this can sound a bit contrary to popular belief. But Hunter X Hunter doesn't concern itself with popular ideas about what it means to be strong. The characters have their own ideas.

Speaking of which, my favorite part about the show is actually the SIDE CHARACTERS. It is rare to see an anime where the stories of the friends and enemies of the protagonist were as equally or more interesting than the main characters. Bleach tried, One Piece sometimes succeeds, and Naruto -- wait Naru-who?? Worried about enough screen time? Nah. Concerned the main character will be forgotten? Nah. Hunter X Hunter moves at its own pace. The plot moves along BY the side characters and how their hopes and aspirations align or change the four main characters, Gon, Killua, Leorio and Kurapika. A couple of my favorite examples are Chrollo (Phantom Troupe's leader), Hisoka, and Palm (Hunter and Ant). Chrollo realizes that the "Spider" must become many. Hisoka is willing to fight and bleed with Gon and Killua on Greed Island. Palm must come to terms with her new identity and role as a Chimera Ant hybrid. And Komugi... KOMUGI!!! ｡ﾟ(ﾟ´Д｀ﾟ)ﾟ｡ I could go on and on about the many times I was shocked and heartbroken by what these and more characters do and say. They truly shine in desperate moments. They continually change and grow because they need to. It's no coincidence the creator picked "evolution" as a theme for its longest arc.

I've thought about this a lot and I still don't know how to quite word it. The characters in Hunter X Hunter are resistant? They can bend and break to your expectations, both physically and in their opinions and beliefs. I think Leorio is a great example of this. Leorio wants to become a doctor. He knows he is not as quick or strong as the young prodigies, yet he will work his butt off to keep up with them. When they are in need of quick jenny for the underground auction, Leorio does what he does best and finds a way to hustle pedestrians. Essentially Leorio finds a niche and fills it with his good reasoning abilities. It's underhanded, it's crude, but it's Leorio's way! The characters have unconventional methods, they plan these roundabout schemes, and sometimes they even fail. But the outcome will still catch you off guard in the best way.

Another fun example of this idea is when Gon rejects Palm. The darkness in Palm is foreboding and reeks of stalker-girlfriend vibes. To the audience and Killua's surprise, Gon still takes Palm on a wonderful date! They eat, laugh and have an intimate conversation. But at the last second, Gon tells Palm that he is not ready to be there 100% for her, because he knows that is what she wants. And to be honest, that's totally fine, cause sheesh Gon is way too young for her anyways! While it is funny, it is also true to the character of Gon who is focused on finding his dad. I like that the show is realistic in this sense. Gon is just a kid. It often hurts him in his encounters in the big, wide world. He suffers for his age and inexperience in battle. And so it is in real life. I know cause I'm the youngest of three. What it shows is that these character's can't do or be everything and that's ok. That resonated with me.

I give it a 9 out of 10 jennies. What this show lacks in fully fleshed out storylines it makes up for in strategic and careful storytelling. You can definitely tell the creators put their hearts into these characters. Some are so impactful to the audience that they have influenced future anime. In my opinion, Hisoka's creepy and obsessive behavior is a direct influence on Tokyo Ghoul's Gourmet. Killua's Illumi is not a far cry from Sasuke's Itachi. And Leorio? C'mon, he's just a good guy!

This show does not dawdle. There are no fillers. It presses forward as Gon searches for his father, arc after arc. And that is my only downside to the show. Sometimes I am concerned by how the show leaves some plot lines open-ended, such as Chrollo after he loses his powers, or Hisoka and his desire to fight Gon or Illumi at full strength. But that's what makes the time you spend with each of these characters' stories so much more meaningful. It makes you want more. The show asks you to leave it to imagination. Or to let that chapter end. Either way, it was a great ride while it lasted.

If you liked One Piece or Yu Yu Hakusho, then you'll enjoy this show. It was written for young "junon" boys, but it satisfies any one's interest in the characters. I came for Gon's virgin strength and I stayed for the side Chads! Kurapika's arc is one of my favorite arcs in anime, hands down. The show made me want to learn Go and Gungi. It also put me in the feels. Maybe it will for you too :)