Introduction
Hunter x Hunter is one of the most staple anime that any beginner or anime veteran can watch. It is a lengthy anime spanning 148 episodes however there is not a wasted minute in each episode. Whether it is developing new characters or adding new elements to the plot, hunter x hunter seems to never get boring even with the length that it is. It follows Gon Freecs and his friends as he sets off on a quest to become the greatest “hunter,” people who perform dangerous tasks for money or other benefit, and meet his long lost father. Along the way he meets aspiring doctor Leorio, vengeful Kurapika and ex-assassin Killua. They all set out on many dangerous adventures to achieve their individual goals while also fighting through all the hardships they encounter. Hunter x Hunter is one of the most memorable shows in the anime industry because of its ability to take such a simple storyline and develop it in a way that adds complex thematic elements to an easily understood plot.
Story 9/10
Although Hunter x Hunter is considered a generic battle anime, the way it develops fights and the storyline is something unforgettable. The story is split up into different arcs which allows there to be different antagonists and goals that the characters are achieving. This keeps the show feeling fresh and new while also seeing how the characters progress wholistically. The intelligence and thought put into each battle that gon and his friends face is outstanding. Not many anime in the same genre put the same amount of thought into the battle and strategy aspect of the anime which is why hunter x hunter really stands out. Also, the pacing of the story itself is amazing. In many longer anime there are episodes that are considered filler, which is a name for the episodes that are not apart of the main story line but instead used so that the animators can catch up to the storyline of the manga. However, Hunter x Hunter has no filler throughout all 148 episodes of the show which means that every episode adds to the overall plot of the show. However, what really makes the story so special is the Chimera Ant arc at the end of the series which is praised as one of the best story arcs in anime of all time. What holds this show back from a 10 is that the first arc of the show can be slow and not as interesting as some of the later arcs but they are definitely worth sitting through because it makes the rest of the show all the better.
Characters 10/10
Gon—> The main protagonist is one the most lovable characters in any show. He starts out as the ambitious boy who wants to be a hunter and meet his father who has been a hunter all of Gon’s life. He is a bit of an air head but always gives his all no matter the situation. However, what is even more interesting is the character development he goes through buy the end of the show. It is so drastic to what he was like in the beginning of the show that it changes the whole atmosphere of the show.
Killua—> The main protagonists best friend, he is one of the most interesting characters to look at. He is an ex-assassin from one of the best assassination families in the world making him extremely adept in fighting and strategic analysis. This acts as an amazing foil to Gons character making them the perfect duo in any situation. What is even more interesting is that he undergoes the opposite character development as Gon by the end of the story which makes for an even better character foil.
Meruem—> The main antagonist of the Chimera Ant arc and one of the best villains ever written in anime. When he was born he started out as a ruthless killer that had no regard for any life. Meruem was a super genius that almost had no flaws. However, he met a little girl named Komugi and could never beat her a board games which slowly overtime makes him appreciate the human race and eventually seek peaceful resolutions rather than brute force. That change overtime makes him a beautiful character that has so much substance and development that it is almost impossible to not like him even with all the damage he has done.
Art/Sound 9/10
The art style of hunter x hunter is extremely well done. Each scene is carefully animated and the fight scenes are extremely well choreographed. Whenever there needs to be an emotion conveyed through the animation of the scene the animators always get it spot on. The sound is also extremely fitting to any mood. The soundtrack always goes so well with every scene and it adds an extra layer to the anime that makes it so much better. The show does not receive a 10 in this section however because I am not the biggest fan of most of the openings and endings of this anime but that is just personal preference and many fans really enjoy the openings and endings of Hunter x Hunter.
Conclusion
Hunter x Hunter is one of the most popular anime in the western world. With its 9.1/10 on MyAnimeList , it ranks as one of the most highly rated anime every. It is one of the most memorable anime for me and the rest of the community because of its creative way for turning a formulaic genre into something that always keeps the viewer guessing. The story, character development and sound make this anime so much different than any of its Shounen counterparts making it something that will stick around for generations. The different story arcs and dynamic characters help create a plot that every type of person can be interested. Overall, I would give Hunter x Hunter a 9.25/10 because of its outstanding development and long lasting impact on the anime community.