“Hunter x Hunter” is without doubt one of the best anime of all time. Primarily based on the manga of the identical title by Yoshihiro Togashi, creator of “Yu Yu Hakusho,” the story begins out so simple as they arrive — we observe Gon Freecss, a younger boy who units out on a journey to grow to be a Hunter to be able to discover his dad.
It’s a acquainted premise to followers of motion manga like “Naruto” and “Dragon Ball,” however that’s solely the start, as a result of “Hunter x Hunter” rapidly evolves into a novel journey like no different. Each story arc appears like a part of a completely totally different style — from a creature function about mutant ants to a noir thriller and a enjoyable online game journey — and the story consistently adjustments tone, setting, and even solid. It is so good and widespread that “Hunter x Hunter” has been changed into an anime twice (because the authentic manga stays incomplete), with followers nonetheless ready for a seventh season of the latest adaptation. However even when unfinished, the present works as an entire and vastly satisfying narrative.
Like most anime, “Hunter x Hunter” was not produced in conventional “seasons,” however quite it aired uninterrupted weekly on TV. For the needs of this listing, although, we’re splitting the present up into seasons, with one for every story arc (which is how the anime is offered in lots of streaming platforms).
6. Season 1 (Hunter Examination Arc)
Merely put, this can be a nice and artistic means of beginning an anime. Beginning out with what’s basically an enormous event arc full of ridiculous exams eases viewers into the world of “Hunter x Hunter,” together with its fantastical creatures and powers, with out overwhelming audiences with what’s to come back. Whether or not it is killing a wild boar, working the longest marathon ever, or only a cooking contest, the Hunter Examination is a delight.
That is additionally the season that introduces us to our principal group — Gon, Killua, Leorio and Kurapika. It’s a testomony to the writing of the anime that it’s so straightforward to fall in love with them as a gaggle, solely to by no means actually have them collectively once more. Now, as a result of so lots of the components that make “Hunter x Hunter” nice have not been launched but, this season would not rank as excessive as others. Nonetheless, it is the one which confirmed that there was one thing particular about this world.
5. Season 2 (Heavens Area Arc)
Whereas many an motion anime’s protagonist acts infantile, “Hunter x Hunter” is the uncommon present of its sort that stars an precise child. Luffy could also be a lovable clown, and Goku could also be a child with the physique of Superman, however Gon and Killua actually are pre-pubescent children they usually act prefer it. Take season 2, the place Gon and Killua determine to kill a while and prepare to grow to be stronger by coming into Heavens Area, a large tower the place folks can battle more and more stronger opponents and earn cash doing so. That is principally a coaching arc, but it surely’s additionally a delightfully foolish season the place two 12-year-olds beat up dozens of adults, earn a ridiculous amount of cash, and spend it on snacks. It is like if the Strongest Below The Heavens event was made into a complete season of TV, and the protagonists had been Goten and Trunks disguised as Mighty Masks.
As foolish and humorous because the season is, additionally it is vastly necessary — as that is the place we find out about Nen, the facility system of “Hunter x Hunter.” That is essentially the most advanced, intricate, and fleshed-out energy system in anime, and the present’s exposition truly does an important job of explaining all of it.
4. Season 6 (Hunter Chairman Election Arc)
The sixth and closing season of “Hunter x Hunter” had massive sneakers to fill after the monumental, world-shattering occasions of the “Chimera Ant Arc.” Fortunately, the arc simply stands out by itself by lastly introducing audiences to the raison d’etre for all the story — Gon’s dad. After a number of seasons making an attempt to search for him, we meet Ging Freecss and he’s not in any respect like his fame would point out. This arc can be the primary correct indication that “Hunter x Hunter” is a present with no protagonist, as Gon is out of fee for many of the season and others take his place.
He makes what’s a quite politics-heavy arc exhilarating, because the thoughts video games and backstabbing of the Hunter Affiliation’s upcoming election is balanced out by the zany personalities within the affiliation’s board. Even higher, Leorio lastly comes again and turns into an enormous a part of the story in essentially the most ridiculous means attainable. However as humorous because the arc is, additionally it is heavy with heartbreak. There’s the aftermath of the earlier arc and Gon’s situation, but additionally Killua has to take care of his tousled household of killers once more as he tries to rescue his sister from the remainder of his kin, which leads to some thrilling fights in opposition to Illumi and Hisoka.
Regardless of the story being incomplete by the point the anime got here to an finish, the ultimate season of “Hunter x Hunter” ends in essentially the most good means attainable for these characters and this story. There are heart-wrenching goodbyes, an emotional reunion, and teases for a a lot bigger story and universe on the market. The very closing phrases by Ging, about having fun with the little detours alongside the way in which, is the right coda to finish the story on.
3. Season 3 (Yorknew Metropolis Arc)
The third season of “Hunter x Hunter” lastly brings again the principle group after a season aside, solely to right away cut up them once more. It’s the arc the place it turns into clear this anime wouldn’t observe the anticipated tropes of the style, because it closely adjustments the tone of the story to ship a a lot darker story involving an unique underworld public sale and the arrival of a band of blood-thirsty thieves.
Kurapika will get the main target this time as he will get concerned with a revenge plot in opposition to the Phantom Troupe, leading to some thrilling growth for the character as we study extra about his tragic backstory and the lengths he’d go for vengeance. It’s this season that additionally provides us probably the greatest fights in all the anime when Kurapika takes down Uvogin. Nonetheless, like many issues “Hunter x Hunter,” the battle isn’t a lot exhilarating as it’s tragic due to the ache it causes Kurapika to succeed in this level. This ache is finest encapsulated within the notorious (and sure, hilarious) “Kurapika is drowning in an indescribable vacancy.”
And but, as darkish because the season is, we nonetheless get some hilarious facet tales with Gon and Killua making an attempt to lift cash to purchase a replica of a online game. Seeing them attempt totally different money-making schemes like scamming folks with an arm wrestling sales space, or Gon getting concerned in underground combating, makes for some delightfully ridiculous moments.
2. Season 4 (Greed Island Arc)
Video video games are an important a part of anime; there’s a complete style all about folks residing in video video games or getting transported to video video games world. So, when “Hunter x Hunter” does a online game season, it unsurprisingly leads to a good time. It begins with an important idea — an actual island with magical sport mechanics the place folks play a card sport a la “Magic the Gathering,” stealing, buying and selling, and in any other case incomes new playing cards with a wide range of results. It’s the good setting for Killua and Gon to fiddle and have enjoyable. Then, when Biscuit is launched, we get a unbelievable mentor character and likewise probably the greatest coaching arcs in all the present.
In fact, the spotlight of the season is the dodgeball match on the finish of it — an exhilarating, nail-biting set of episodes the place villains grow to be allies and our hero pushes himself to the very restrict. It’s a unbelievable train in world constructing and an important instance of Togashi’s means to flesh out even the only and weirdest of ideas and make them really feel fantastical but actual.
1. Season 5 (Chimera Ant Arc)
That is the arc that modified “Hunter x Hunter” without end — the one which not solely raised the stakes, however without end altered our hero, with overwhelmingly highly effective ant-hybrids starting a campaign to beat the world. The titular chimera ants have some all-time nice creature designs straight out of an H.R. Giger sketchbook, mutating and turning into hybrids of various creatures with all types of weird and threatening appears. However they aren’t simply senseless monsters; additionally they have ethical complexity and distinct personalities like we hardly ever see in this sort of motion anime. But, on the similar time, the present understands that you do not have to root for a villain to be able to make them sympathetic.
That is finest encapsulated in Meruem. The king of the ants, Meruem is greater than a villain; he is a being extra human than many of the human characters. His development all through the season is spectacular and makes him probably the greatest characters in anime, interval. He would be the best risk for humanity, however he additionally turns into multi-dimensional — somebody able to each horrific violence and excessive empathy towards the weakest being.
Then there’s Gon, who has at all times been a rash, reckless character who jumps head-first into hazard. This season makes it clear that Gon isn’t a personality who must be rewarded for being a go-getter or having fun with combating. Reasonably, the season punishes Gon for his angle and makes it clear this bubbly and sort boy additionally has a darkish facet that may simply take over him. When he crosses a line and beneficial properties an enormous power-up, “Hunter x Hunter” avoids what some other anime would do and makes it a heartbreaking tragedy (quite than a second of triumph).