Hunter x Hunter’s Best Moment Completely Broke Every Shonen Rule, and It Somehow Hits Even Harder Now

Almost every major shōnen series is defined by the final fight of the franchise, but Hunter x Hunter is different. Some of its biggest, most important moments don’t involve any action whatsoever, and that’s just one of the reasons why the series is so incredible.

Don’t get us wrong, Hunter x Hunter has some of the best fights in anime, but they aren’t what define the series. Hunter x Hunter has become a staple of the shōnen genre because of seemingly small moments that are anything but.

At its core, Hunter x Hunter is a series shaped by its characters. Gon, Killua, Kurapika, and even villains like Chrollo bring life to the series through their actions and interactions with each other, and out of every moment, there’s one that truly captures the magic of Hunter x Hunter better than anything else.

Hunter x Hunter Is a Staple of Shōnen

Hunter x Hunter is such an amazing shōnen series that we’re jealous of anyone who hasn’t seen it because they get to experience it for the first time. It’s a pillar of modern-day shōnen, and while it may never get the ending it deserves, the 150+ episodes that are currently available to watch are nothing short of stellar.

Hunter x Hunter tells the story of Gon Freecss as he leaves his small hometown, travels around the world, and looks for his absentee father. He meets amazing friends, terrible enemies, and seemingly unconquerable obstacles on the way to his destination, creating one of the best narratives in shōnen in the process.

The Best Moment in Most Shōnen Series Is the Final Battle

Shōnen anime series are battle anime series, period. There isn’t a shōnen series that doesn’t have at least one outstanding battle, and it doesn’t always have to be a physical fight. Sports shōnen series like Haikyu!!, Kuroko no Basket, and Ao Ashi prove that great battles can be done on the court or the field as well.

Most of the major shōnen giants don’t have this problem, but a lot of smaller shōnen franchises try and compensate for lackluster stories with massive battles. It works sometimes, but most of the time, these series end up feeling hollow. A great shōnen series needs both top-tier battles and great story lines.

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Hunter x Hunter’s Successor Is a Modern-Day Anime Miracle

Hunter x Hunter will always be considered one of the best shōnen anime series, and Crunchyroll’s latest hit looks to continue where it left off.

Black Clover, Dragon Ball Z, and My Hero Academia have both, but even they don’t always have great moments outside of battle. Hunter x Hunter stands out from these shows through its smaller moments, as these moments define the characters who, in turn, define the series as a whole.

Netero Pointing Pitou Out to Gon Is Peak

The single best moment in Hunter x Hunter doesn’t involve a fight at all. During the Chimera Ant arc, arguably the best arc in Hunter x Hunter, Gon is searching desperately for Pitou. He believes that she’s the only being who can heal Kite, and he’ll do anything to get his master back.

While searching for Pitou, Gon finds Meruem, Netero, and Zeno walking out of the palace. Netero notices the young Hunter, understands what he’s looking for, and points to Pitou’s location with a smile on his face. Gon’s aura erupts, forcing even Meruem to notice him.

It’s a moment without a word, and yet, it’s a moment that defines Hunter x Hunter. Gon’s unshakable determination, Netero’s blasé attitude, and Meruem’s care only for the strong are all put on display, highlighting exactly who they are as characters. It’s an amazing moment that skyrockets Hunter x Hunter to the top of shōnen, and there are few moments in the genre that can compare.

Created by

Yoshihiro Togashi

First Film

Hunter x Hunter: Phantom Rouge

Latest Film

Hunter x Hunter: The Last Mission

First Episode Air Date

October 16, 1999