Before diving into this review, I want to clarify that my intention is not to provoke Hunter X Hunter (HxH) fans or make them feel attacked. Many reviews these days aim to trigger reactions by harshly criticizing a series, implying that fans are foolish for enjoying it. This review aims to offer an alternative perspective since HxH fans aren't often exposed to much criticism regarding this series. Shall we begin?
HxH is a series I once loved, particularly the anime. However, after finishing the anime and moving on to the manga, I quickly realized a significant issue: the overwhelming amount of dialogue and monologue. The author seems to have decided that every character, even minor ones, should have lengthy speeches. This problem became even more apparent in the manga.
The latest arc is especially guilty of this. As readers, we are forced to see the perspectives of virtually every character involved—guards, princes, stalkers, associates, Mafia bosses, hunters, branch family members, and their underlings. It feels like we might soon get the viewpoints of trees, cats, dogs, and everything else. This isn't interesting; it's just tedious to read. While some might praise the author for giving minor characters their moments, the truth is, redshirts will always be redshirts. You can give them a few lines or a purpose without drowning the story in unnecessary dialogue about things we already know. Even the Viz translation, while slightly better, remains overly verbose and filled with unnecessary details.
Togashi writes as if he's trying to meet a word count for an essay, producing a 2000-word piece when only 800 words were needed. Many HxH fans seem to admire this verbosity, praising the series for its long chapters and taking pride in how long it takes to read one chapter. Meanwhile, other fans admit to feeling confused and dumb because they struggle to follow the plot. The real issue is that Togashi, as a writer, fails to convey his ideas clearly, bombarding readers with dialogue and expecting them to figure out the mess on their own. It's unclear how the editor approves such chapters. If this were a monthly manga, the delays might explain why fans forget vital points, but it's a weekly series, which should be easier to follow.
Togashi also lacks in "show, don't tell" storytelling, opting instead to lazily narrate every detail, relevant or not. While I'm sure he has meticulously planned this arc, his execution leaves much to be desired. If half of his fans find it a chore to read, it indicates poor writing. Ultimately, it's the author's story, but if his fans aren't enjoying it, something is amiss. A brilliant idea poorly executed is still a waste.
For me, reading this manga is a chore—it's boring. The characters have always been decent, neither outstanding nor terrible. However, the art style is generic and often poorly drawn, though this doesn't significantly impact my enjoyment since there isn't much artwork to begin with.
Overall, I rate this manga a 4/10. I believe Togashi can do much better, and perhaps the series will be more tolerable when animated. To those still enjoying HxH, more power to you, but try to understand why others might not share your enthusiasm without belittling them or questioning their intelligence.
Reading HxH feels like studying a school textbook, where the goal is to temporarily memorize information for a test. HxH is borderline educational rather than entertaining, which sums up my current feelings about the series. I doubt my opinion will change anytime soon.
Thank you for reading if you made it this far.
This is my all-time favorite manga, so I might be a bit biased in this review. I adore every piece of work Yoshihiro Togashi produces! I'm not entirely sure what constitutes a typical shounen, but let's start by saying it follows a boy named Gon Freecs on the most challenging hunt of his life—to find his elusive hunter father. The story showcases his development as a hunter throughout.
Story: 9/10
I rate the story a 9 because the first 12 volumes had an excellent plot and significant character development for the four main characters. However, lately, it tends to exclude Leorio and Kurapika, focusing mainly on Gon and Killua. The hiatuses made it difficult to maintain the initial excitement. The Chimera Ant arc and the current arc felt dragged out, with the Chimera Ant arc ending in an anticlimactic and extremely depressing manner. How they acquire their powers or nen is very original and fits their personalities, though it can be confusing at times to determine some characters' nen types, such as Silva and Zeno. Also, it seems like Togashi couldn't let go of some powers from Yu Yu Hakusho, such as Karasu's powers-Genthru, Rinku's yo-yos-Killua, which slightly lowered my rating from a 10 to a 9.
Art: 10/10
I give the art a perfect 10. Even though there isn't much scenery and background detail like in Naruto, the characters are very original, and the fight scenes are clear and often show complex fighting positions that are difficult to draw even for experienced artists. Unlike Bleach, which sometimes has blurry action sequences followed by someone bleeding to death.
Characters: 10/10
If I could give this higher than a 10, I would. This is the best part of the manga and why I fell in love with it. The characters are extremely well-developed and well-drawn. All the protagonists' stories are at least mentioned with a lot of detail, helping you understand why they are who they are. Even the antagonists are lovable. Well, I'm not sure if Hisoka is really a bad guy. The development of their powers is awesome. It's not like DBZ where people always turn Super Saiyan or use the Spirit Bomb whenever the villain seems unbeatable.
Enjoyment: 9/10
It would have been a 10 if not for the several hiatuses it had.
Overall: 10/10
As I said, it is my favorite manga. The plot seems to be getting back on track, so I may write another review when it picks up again.
I believe that writing lengthy reviews wouldn't provide much value to the community since many people have already shared their thoughts. So, I'll keep it brief.
The story is brilliantly told through the perspectives of its characters, allowing readers to understand their thoughts and viewpoints. This approach helps us appreciate the unique moral standards and varying levels of maturity presented by each character, as well as the different challenges they face.
However, tracking the story's progress can be frustrating at times, especially considering there was no advancement from the end of 2018 to 2021. My message to Togashi-sensei is: Please continue your manga!!! XO
This manga will always be one of my favorites. I've grown up reading this shonen series, and I feel that the story's maturity genuinely matches my own as I age. However, the significant gaps between chapter releases are quite noticeable, haha.
Hunter x Hunter excels in character development. It can be divided into roughly five arcs, each spanning several volumes and meticulously crafted to ensure no plot holes. Rarely will you find yourself questioning how something is possible, as the author covers all bases to make the events on the pages coherent. Battles are often won through cunning rather than sheer strength, and many beloved characters will either die or be left behind when their time comes, creating a sense of vulnerability for those you've grown attached to. Hunter x Hunter combines the action of a Shonen with the intricate plot and narrative depth of a psychological Seinen. I rate the story an 8 because the last arc, currently on hiatus, feels somewhat hastily drawn and would be difficult to surpass given the magnitude of the previous arc. The artwork can be loose at times, but this is more than compensated for by the exceptional writing. The character development is so strong that readers often anticipate what the characters are feeling before they even express it, fostering a deep emotional connection. If there's one manga I return to repeatedly, it's this one. The plot is so well-executed that you could pick up any volume and be immediately engrossed.
First of all, I need to say: Hunter x Hunter is not a flawless manga. The art style in some chapters is average since the author has many health issues and can't draw properly. Additionally, some moments have overly long exposition dialogues that could be shorter. However, despite these problems, Hunter x Hunter is one of the most unique and intelligent battle shounen that exists, alongside One Piece and JoJo.
Here are some of the most compelling things that make me love this manga:
The narrative structure: Hunter x Hunter features four main characters, and we follow each of their journeys as they pursue their individual goals. However, they are never the center of attention. The villains and many other characters have their own lives and don't care about the main characters' goals. In a typical battle shounen, the villains are always in the main character's way, and the whole arc focuses on the fight between the main cast and the villains. In Hunter x Hunter, however, the main cast has zero relevance in the villains' plans and is more focused on achieving their goals than on the fights themselves.
The transition of arcs: Many shounens (cough, cough, Fairy Tail, cough, cough) have repetitive and predictable arcs. In Hunter x Hunter, each arc is completely different from the others, both in narrative and style. Think of Hunter x Hunter as many different anime tropes combined into one series: You have a mafia investigation arc, a card game isekai arc, a psychological horror arc, a political arc, a battle royale arc, and more.
The magic system: Holy shit, what an amazing and creative magic system. Hunter x Hunter always offers some creative battles and uses of powers that many other battle shounens lack.
"Monstrous Animals, Rare Species... Buried Riches, Hidden Treasures... Worlds of Demons, Unexplored Lands... The Word 'UNKNOWN' Seems Magic... And Some Men Are Attracted By This Force... They Are Called 'HUNTERS'!"
This is the introductory text that greets the reader in the very first chapter of the first volume of the Hunter X Hunter manga. Having already watched the anime, I am familiar with what Hunter X Hunter is about, so the introduction wasn't anything new to me. However, someone who has never encountered Hunter X Hunter might feel disappointed when they eventually discover that the manga isn't really about a treasure hunt or an epic adventure into some unique, hidden world.
Initially, the manga focuses on a boy named Gon who joins a Hunter test—a series of practical examinations designed to prove that the examinees deserve the title "HUNTER." Gon's goal is to find his father, a renowned Hunter who has accomplished many great things. During this examination, Gon meets and befriends three other examinees.
At this stage, it appears that these four characters—each with distinct abilities, personalities, and reasons for taking the Hunter Exam—are the main protagonists of the story. The narrative is engaging because their goals and the challenges they face are quite interesting.
However, my issue with the manga is that as the story progresses, the plot becomes solely focused on two of the four protagonists, with the story revolving around them for more than ten volumes (TEN! TEN! ARGH!!). This focus feels so intense that it's as if the other two characters never existed at the start. While Gon and Killua's goal—to find Gon's father—isn't boring, the biggest problem is the repetitive nature of their journey: clue → new place → new enemies → realize they're not strong enough → meet a master who says the same thing: "they have a lot of potential!" or "who are these kids??" → train → become stronger → defeat enemy who will eventually say the same thing: "these kids are strong, blah, blah" → find a new clue → and it goes on and on and on...
After a while, this becomes incredibly frustrating because the story just keeps dragging on. This is also the reason I stopped watching Bleach.
Hunter X Hunter is one of the longest-running manga in Weekly Shonen Jump since 1998. Sadly, this masterpiece often has annoying hiatuses. Unlike One Piece, which started in 1997 and had almost 700 chapters by 2012, Hunter X Hunter (Hiatus X Hiatus) only reached about 340 chapters before another hiatus in 2012.
But what makes this manga so addictive to readers? What makes it adapted into an amazing anime twice (1999 & 2011)? The answer can only be found after you read this manga. So, I'm going to review it from my point of view, hoping this can be useful.
Story: 10/10
The story revolves around a 12-year-old boy named Gon Freecss who travels through the world of Hunters to search for his father. Along the way, he meets many people and places. Like any other shonen manga, Hunter X Hunter has multiple arcs, each with its own unique story. However, unlike average shonen manga that focuses solely on battles, thanks to the creative author of Hunter X Hunter (who previously wrote Yu Yu Hakusho), the story is also very imaginative. Can you imagine a 12-year-old boy competing in life-or-death examinations against hundreds of challengers? Or visiting a friend from a famous assassin family who could kill you at any moment? Or fighting deadly ants that enjoy eating humans? The story of Hunter X Hunter can be very enjoyable, thrilling, exciting, action-packed, and sometimes dark. From my point of view, the story of Hunter X Hunter is a masterpiece.
Art: 7/10
The art is generally good, but some chapters can be quite simple. Sometimes the background is totally white, and the characters look poorly drawn, possibly because the author was rushing to meet deadlines and didn't pay much attention to the artwork. It can be annoying, so I give it a 7.
Characters: 10/10
The main characters of Hunter X Hunter are four, though during the Greed Island and Chimera Ant arcs, only Gon and Killua are prominently featured:
Gon Freecss: The main character, a naive and stubborn 12-year-old boy who acts without thinking. This fits perfectly for a Hunter X Hunter protagonist. His personality makes him strong-willed, brave, cool, and awesome. When serious, he's willing to sacrifice everything, even his life.
Killua Zaoldyeck: The second main character, introduced later than Leorio and Kurapika but closest to Gon. He has a calm and quiet personality, capable of killing without hesitation due to his assassin background. However, he can also be very fun and aloof, especially when interacting with Gon. Due to his looks and personality, Killua is the most popular character in Hunter X Hunter so far.
Leorio Paladiknight: One of the main characters, though he looks older than Kurapika. He has a cheerful and somewhat foolish personality, making the story more fun whenever he appears.
Kurapika Kuruta: A male character who might appear feminine. Initially easygoing and close to Leorio, his personality becomes more serious, especially when dealing with the Genei Ryodan.
Besides these four, there are many interesting supporting characters like Hisoka, who appears in almost every arc. Character development is significant in this story, with a realistic gap between strong and weak characters. Hunter X Hunter doesn't hesitate to kill off major characters and introduces new powerful ones. Therefore, I give the characters a 10 for their development.
Enjoyment: 9/10
I really enjoyed reading this manga. Hunter X Hunter has everything you'd want in a story: a nice plot, cool action, fun comedy, and interesting dialogues. It's highly addictive, almost like a drug for its readers. When Hunter X Hunter returns from hiatus, I can't wait for the next chapter to continue the story. I would give it a 10 for enjoyment, but due to the inconsistent art quality, I'll settle for a 9.
Overall: 9/10
To summarize, (10+7+10+9)/4 = 9. Overall, I give it a 9. It's a must-read for anyone who enjoys long-running shonen manga, especially after the Greed Island arc, which hasn't been animated yet. I hope this review is helpful for you.
Short and spoiler-free review:
The beginning of Hunter x Hunter was amazing. However, around the end of the Chimera Ant arc, I encountered changes that really turned me off.
I don't like how every single character suddenly became super intelligent, forcing the reader to wade through their thoughts as they describe complex theories during moments that should have been quick and dynamic.
This trend continued and intensified afterward, making the story less enjoyable to read.
Suddenly, the manga was filled with unnecessary characters, world-building, events, monologues, and dialogues. These elements felt irrelevant to the overall story, as they came and went without any significant impact or consequences.
Given that Hunter x Hunter is a shonen series, it's surprising how exciting scenes were replaced by lengthy, boring text.
In my opinion, Togashi tried to make Hunter x Hunter more sophisticated than it needed to be, which ultimately detracted from its appeal.
I understand that since the series started over 20 years ago, the creator wanted to offer a more mature experience for the now-adult audience. While this approach might appeal to some readers, it no longer feels like the Hunter x Hunter I once enjoyed.
I gave it a chance, catching up with the manga after watching the anime. I genuinely tried to enjoy it, but despite finding some enjoyment, the negatives overshadowed the positives.
If I had to rate the first half, it would definitely be a 9 or 10. Due to my issues with the later parts, it became a weak 6 for me.
The only risk? To become more demanding and unable to find a manga as good as Hunter X Hunter!
Hunter X Hunter was first released in 1998 and is still ongoing, with fewer than 400 chapters. For context, One Piece started in 1997 and has over 900 chapters, while Naruto began in 1999 and ended at 700 chapters.
This manga is well-known for having one of the highest numbers of breaks (alongside Berserk). Fans eagerly await the next chapters and a new anime adaptation. There are two versions of the anime. The 2011 version covers most of the manga. In my opinion, the only flaw of the manga is the drawing style, but the anime improves on this, making the characters much more enjoyable to watch.
So where do I start my review?
Some might be hesitant to start this manga because of the young age of the main characters: Gon and Killua, who are both 11 years old. However, this manga is a masterpiece, one of the best shonen series I have ever seen or read. It holds its own against classics like Naruto and One Piece.
Highly charismatic characters: None of the characters are alike, which can be surprising at first. Women are just as badass as men, and older characters are just as adventurous as the younger ones. There are no weak characters in Hunter X Hunter. This isn't about physical strength; it's about intelligence and mastery of one's power. Some antagonists seek absolute power, but they aren't bogged down by overly tragic backstories. The villains are simply bad, end of story! You'll hate some and adore others, like Hisoka, an antagonist who can sometimes become an ally, recognizable for his Joker-like inspiration.
Friendship: While friendship is a key theme, it allows each character to surpass themselves through training. They don't become strong overnight; they train, learn from their mistakes, implement strategies, and rely on each other.
The Nen system: In short, each character can develop a unique power based on certain criteria. This leads to a wide variety of powers that are very well-utilized, similar to how chakra works in Naruto.
Smart fights: Physical strength isn't everything. Context, analysis of the opponent, and control of one's power are crucial. Unlike many shonen series, Hunter X Hunter focuses more on strategy than power-ups. This makes every fight exciting and unpredictable, always leaving you wanting more.
In summary: I often rewatch scenes or even entire arcs of this anime. The "Yorkshin City" and "Kimera Ants" arcs are among the best in all shonen series. In Hunter X Hunter, nothing is taken for granted; hard work and willpower are what truly pay off. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. The only risk? Becoming more demanding and struggling to find another manga as good as Hunter X Hunter.
P.S. You will find the same review on the 2011 version of the anime. However, I deducted 1 point from the manga version due to the drawing style and the long waits between releases.
Hunter x Hunter is undoubtedly one of my all-time favorite stories. Excellently crafted, it deconstructs typical shonen tropes in a masterful way. Each arc and character serves a purpose within the overarching narrative, making it one of the few series where both protagonists and antagonists are equally captivating. The six main characters—Gon, Killua, Kurapika, Hisoka, Illumi, and Chrollo—serve as fascinating foils to each other, allowing the story to seamlessly transition from light-hearted adventures to profound reflections on the darker aspects of human nature without feeling disjointed. The framing is superb, and the themes are powerful.
The series boasts great female characters, though my only criticism is that they don't appear until the Yorknew Arc. However, once introduced, they are fantastic and thematically relevant, with strong arcs—especially Palm, Neon, Oito, Komugi, and Alluka. Speaking of Alluka, she provides excellent representation for transgender individuals. In general, the side characters are deeply compelling and add significant depth to the story.
This is my all-time favorite manga and anime, so I have to give it a perfect score. However, because I love it so much, it pains me that I have to wait so long for new chapters. But I will wait because I believe in quality over quantity.
Honestly, I have nothing bad to say about this series; it has everything you could ever ask for in a shonen manga. There's a lovable main character, great friendships, interesting abilities, a nice balance between fights and problem-solving, no overpowered main characters, and a vast world to explore. The list goes on. One of the most amazing things about this series is the author's sense of space. He puts as much effort into creating the environment as he does developing the characters. Story arcs take us on a true adventure around the world, from a small village to a wild forest, and then to a huge metropolis.
If you haven't read this, READ AT YOUR OWN RISK! Once you start, you won't be able to stop. And then you'll be sad because there are no more chapters being released right now.
Hunter x Hunter is the best Shounen anime out there. What I appreciate about it is that it feels like Togashi has taken all the great ideas and tropes from Shounen and eliminated the bad ones.
Gon is reminiscent of early Goku. Many Shounen protagonists are often portrayed as simple, stupid hotheads. However, before Dragon Ball Z, Goku wasn't stupid; he was just raised in the wilderness and therefore lacked social norms and understanding of conformity. Gon isn't stupid either; he simply ignores social conventions.
The power system is clearly outlined from the beginning. Take One Piece for example—after hundreds of episodes, they introduce a new power system called Haki, which changes everything. In Hunter x Hunter, you know what to expect after the first arc.
Gon doesn't do all the heavy lifting. In series like Dragon Ball Z, Fairy Tail, One Piece, and Naruto, it's always the main character who defeats the villain and saves the world. In Hunter x Hunter, while Gon plays an important role, he isn't the chosen one on whom the planet depends. For instance, Meruem is killed by Netero.
The show doesn't judge its characters. They allow Kurapika to carry out his revenge without moralizing. In contrast, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood has many scenes where characters tell Scar that revenge is wrong. The worst scene is when Mustang wants to kill Envy, and somehow doing so would make him as evil as the homunculi. Naruto is also full of this "revenge is a vicious cycle of hatred" trope. I don't need Disney-like morals lecturing me.
There aren't many sentimental backstories. In One Piece, every "Nakama" has a traumatizing backstory, which can be quite annoying. It also doesn't take much skill to write cliché, dull shock stories about slavery, rape, etc. A good writer can evoke emotions without relying on overly dramatic narratives. Of course, there are dramatic backstories like Kurapika's, but they're not presented in the same way as in One Piece and other series.
It's crazy and unrealistic without being arbitrary. Despite having extravagant characters and plots, Hunter x Hunter adheres to its own rules. Power systems in most Shounen anime are very vague. Hunter x Hunter's powers are as unrealistic and crazy as Naruto's, but they are well-defined. Jutsu in Naruto is so undefined that it becomes arbitrary.
There are no heroic last-second saves. While I can't say there are none, they aren't used as frequently as in other Shounen series. In Naruto, One Piece, and Fairy Tail, almost every arc has a scene where a villain attacks a hero, and at the last second, another hero appears to save the day.
Gon and Killua actually explore new places on foot. In Dragon Ball Z, you just fly over potentially interesting areas. In Naruto, you just jump through the woods. This makes for a rather boring experience.
I could come up with more points, but I don't feel like it right now.
Popular Reviews
This is my all-time favorite manga, so I might be a bit biased in this review. I adore every piece of work Yoshihiro Togashi produces! I'm not entirely sure what constitutes a typical shounen, but let's start by saying it follows a boy named Gon Freecs on the most challenging hunt of his life—to find his elusive hunter father. The story showcases his development as a hunter throughout.
Story: 9/10
I rate the story a 9 because the first 12 volumes had an excellent plot and significant character development for the four main characters. However, lately, it tends to exclude Leorio and Kurapika, focusing mainly on Gon and Killua. The hiatuses made it difficult to maintain the initial excitement. The Chimera Ant arc and the current arc felt dragged out, with the Chimera Ant arc ending in an anticlimactic and extremely depressing manner. How they acquire their powers or nen is very original and fits their personalities, though it can be confusing at times to determine some characters' nen types, such as Silva and Zeno. Also, it seems like Togashi couldn't let go of some powers from Yu Yu Hakusho, such as Karasu's powers-Genthru, Rinku's yo-yos-Killua, which slightly lowered my rating from a 10 to a 9.
Art: 10/10
I give the art a perfect 10. Even though there isn't much scenery and background detail like in Naruto, the characters are very original, and the fight scenes are clear and often show complex fighting positions that are difficult to draw even for experienced artists. Unlike Bleach, which sometimes has blurry action sequences followed by someone bleeding to death.
Characters: 10/10
If I could give this higher than a 10, I would. This is the best part of the manga and why I fell in love with it. The characters are extremely well-developed and well-drawn. All the protagonists' stories are at least mentioned with a lot of detail, helping you understand why they are who they are. Even the antagonists are lovable. Well, I'm not sure if Hisoka is really a bad guy. The development of their powers is awesome. It's not like DBZ where people always turn Super Saiyan or use the Spirit Bomb whenever the villain seems unbeatable.
Enjoyment: 9/10
It would have been a 10 if not for the several hiatuses it had.
Overall: 10/10
As I said, it is my favorite manga. The plot seems to be getting back on track, so I may write another review when it picks up again.
I believe that writing lengthy reviews wouldn't provide much value to the community since many people have already shared their thoughts. So, I'll keep it brief.
The story is brilliantly told through the perspectives of its characters, allowing readers to understand their thoughts and viewpoints. This approach helps us appreciate the unique moral standards and varying levels of maturity presented by each character, as well as the different challenges they face.
However, tracking the story's progress can be frustrating at times, especially considering there was no advancement from the end of 2018 to 2021. My message to Togashi-sensei is: Please continue your manga!!! XO
This manga will always be one of my favorites. I've grown up reading this shonen series, and I feel that the story's maturity genuinely matches my own as I age. However, the significant gaps between chapter releases are quite noticeable, haha.
Hunter x Hunter excels in character development. It can be divided into roughly five arcs, each spanning several volumes and meticulously crafted to ensure no plot holes. Rarely will you find yourself questioning how something is possible, as the author covers all bases to make the events on the pages coherent. Battles are often won through cunning rather than sheer strength, and many beloved characters will either die or be left behind when their time comes, creating a sense of vulnerability for those you've grown attached to. Hunter x Hunter combines the action of a Shonen with the intricate plot and narrative depth of a psychological Seinen. I rate the story an 8 because the last arc, currently on hiatus, feels somewhat hastily drawn and would be difficult to surpass given the magnitude of the previous arc. The artwork can be loose at times, but this is more than compensated for by the exceptional writing. The character development is so strong that readers often anticipate what the characters are feeling before they even express it, fostering a deep emotional connection. If there's one manga I return to repeatedly, it's this one. The plot is so well-executed that you could pick up any volume and be immediately engrossed.
This review DOES NOT contain spoilers.
First of all, I need to say: Hunter x Hunter is not a flawless manga. The art style in some chapters is average since the author has many health issues and can't draw properly. Additionally, some moments have overly long exposition dialogues that could be shorter. However, despite these problems, Hunter x Hunter is one of the most unique and intelligent battle shounen that exists, alongside One Piece and JoJo.
Here are some of the most compelling things that make me love this manga:
The narrative structure: Hunter x Hunter features four main characters, and we follow each of their journeys as they pursue their individual goals. However, they are never the center of attention. The villains and many other characters have their own lives and don't care about the main characters' goals. In a typical battle shounen, the villains are always in the main character's way, and the whole arc focuses on the fight between the main cast and the villains. In Hunter x Hunter, however, the main cast has zero relevance in the villains' plans and is more focused on achieving their goals than on the fights themselves.
The transition of arcs: Many shounens (cough, cough, Fairy Tail, cough, cough) have repetitive and predictable arcs. In Hunter x Hunter, each arc is completely different from the others, both in narrative and style. Think of Hunter x Hunter as many different anime tropes combined into one series: You have a mafia investigation arc, a card game isekai arc, a psychological horror arc, a political arc, a battle royale arc, and more.
The magic system: Holy shit, what an amazing and creative magic system. Hunter x Hunter always offers some creative battles and uses of powers that many other battle shounens lack.
I hope you find this review useful.
Sorry, English isn't my first language (; 3 ;)
Hunter X Hunter is one of the longest-running manga in Weekly Shonen Jump since 1998. Sadly, this masterpiece often has annoying hiatuses. Unlike One Piece, which started in 1997 and had almost 700 chapters by 2012, Hunter X Hunter (Hiatus X Hiatus) only reached about 340 chapters before another hiatus in 2012.
But what makes this manga so addictive to readers? What makes it adapted into an amazing anime twice (1999 & 2011)? The answer can only be found after you read this manga. So, I'm going to review it from my point of view, hoping this can be useful.
Story: 10/10
The story revolves around a 12-year-old boy named Gon Freecss who travels through the world of Hunters to search for his father. Along the way, he meets many people and places. Like any other shonen manga, Hunter X Hunter has multiple arcs, each with its own unique story. However, unlike average shonen manga that focuses solely on battles, thanks to the creative author of Hunter X Hunter (who previously wrote Yu Yu Hakusho), the story is also very imaginative. Can you imagine a 12-year-old boy competing in life-or-death examinations against hundreds of challengers? Or visiting a friend from a famous assassin family who could kill you at any moment? Or fighting deadly ants that enjoy eating humans? The story of Hunter X Hunter can be very enjoyable, thrilling, exciting, action-packed, and sometimes dark. From my point of view, the story of Hunter X Hunter is a masterpiece.
Art: 7/10
The art is generally good, but some chapters can be quite simple. Sometimes the background is totally white, and the characters look poorly drawn, possibly because the author was rushing to meet deadlines and didn't pay much attention to the artwork. It can be annoying, so I give it a 7.
Characters: 10/10
The main characters of Hunter X Hunter are four, though during the Greed Island and Chimera Ant arcs, only Gon and Killua are prominently featured:
Besides these four, there are many interesting supporting characters like Hisoka, who appears in almost every arc. Character development is significant in this story, with a realistic gap between strong and weak characters. Hunter X Hunter doesn't hesitate to kill off major characters and introduces new powerful ones. Therefore, I give the characters a 10 for their development.
Enjoyment: 9/10
I really enjoyed reading this manga. Hunter X Hunter has everything you'd want in a story: a nice plot, cool action, fun comedy, and interesting dialogues. It's highly addictive, almost like a drug for its readers. When Hunter X Hunter returns from hiatus, I can't wait for the next chapter to continue the story. I would give it a 10 for enjoyment, but due to the inconsistent art quality, I'll settle for a 9.
Overall: 9/10
To summarize, (10+7+10+9)/4 = 9. Overall, I give it a 9. It's a must-read for anyone who enjoys long-running shonen manga, especially after the Greed Island arc, which hasn't been animated yet. I hope this review is helpful for you.
Short and spoiler-free review:
The beginning of Hunter x Hunter was amazing. However, around the end of the Chimera Ant arc, I encountered changes that really turned me off.
I don't like how every single character suddenly became super intelligent, forcing the reader to wade through their thoughts as they describe complex theories during moments that should have been quick and dynamic.
This trend continued and intensified afterward, making the story less enjoyable to read.
Suddenly, the manga was filled with unnecessary characters, world-building, events, monologues, and dialogues. These elements felt irrelevant to the overall story, as they came and went without any significant impact or consequences.
Given that Hunter x Hunter is a shonen series, it's surprising how exciting scenes were replaced by lengthy, boring text.
In my opinion, Togashi tried to make Hunter x Hunter more sophisticated than it needed to be, which ultimately detracted from its appeal.
I understand that since the series started over 20 years ago, the creator wanted to offer a more mature experience for the now-adult audience. While this approach might appeal to some readers, it no longer feels like the Hunter x Hunter I once enjoyed.
I gave it a chance, catching up with the manga after watching the anime. I genuinely tried to enjoy it, but despite finding some enjoyment, the negatives overshadowed the positives.
If I had to rate the first half, it would definitely be a 9 or 10. Due to my issues with the later parts, it became a weak 6 for me.
The only risk? To become more demanding and unable to find a manga as good as Hunter X Hunter!
Hunter X Hunter was first released in 1998 and is still ongoing, with fewer than 400 chapters. For context, One Piece started in 1997 and has over 900 chapters, while Naruto began in 1999 and ended at 700 chapters.
This manga is well-known for having one of the highest numbers of breaks (alongside Berserk). Fans eagerly await the next chapters and a new anime adaptation. There are two versions of the anime. The 2011 version covers most of the manga. In my opinion, the only flaw of the manga is the drawing style, but the anime improves on this, making the characters much more enjoyable to watch.
So where do I start my review?
Some might be hesitant to start this manga because of the young age of the main characters: Gon and Killua, who are both 11 years old. However, this manga is a masterpiece, one of the best shonen series I have ever seen or read. It holds its own against classics like Naruto and One Piece.
Highly charismatic characters: None of the characters are alike, which can be surprising at first. Women are just as badass as men, and older characters are just as adventurous as the younger ones. There are no weak characters in Hunter X Hunter. This isn't about physical strength; it's about intelligence and mastery of one's power. Some antagonists seek absolute power, but they aren't bogged down by overly tragic backstories. The villains are simply bad, end of story! You'll hate some and adore others, like Hisoka, an antagonist who can sometimes become an ally, recognizable for his Joker-like inspiration.
Friendship: While friendship is a key theme, it allows each character to surpass themselves through training. They don't become strong overnight; they train, learn from their mistakes, implement strategies, and rely on each other.
The Nen system: In short, each character can develop a unique power based on certain criteria. This leads to a wide variety of powers that are very well-utilized, similar to how chakra works in Naruto.
Smart fights: Physical strength isn't everything. Context, analysis of the opponent, and control of one's power are crucial. Unlike many shonen series, Hunter X Hunter focuses more on strategy than power-ups. This makes every fight exciting and unpredictable, always leaving you wanting more.
In summary: I often rewatch scenes or even entire arcs of this anime. The "Yorkshin City" and "Kimera Ants" arcs are among the best in all shonen series. In Hunter X Hunter, nothing is taken for granted; hard work and willpower are what truly pay off. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. The only risk? Becoming more demanding and struggling to find another manga as good as Hunter X Hunter.
P.S. You will find the same review on the 2011 version of the anime. However, I deducted 1 point from the manga version due to the drawing style and the long waits between releases.
Hunter x Hunter is undoubtedly one of my all-time favorite stories. Excellently crafted, it deconstructs typical shonen tropes in a masterful way. Each arc and character serves a purpose within the overarching narrative, making it one of the few series where both protagonists and antagonists are equally captivating. The six main characters—Gon, Killua, Kurapika, Hisoka, Illumi, and Chrollo—serve as fascinating foils to each other, allowing the story to seamlessly transition from light-hearted adventures to profound reflections on the darker aspects of human nature without feeling disjointed. The framing is superb, and the themes are powerful.
The series boasts great female characters, though my only criticism is that they don't appear until the Yorknew Arc. However, once introduced, they are fantastic and thematically relevant, with strong arcs—especially Palm, Neon, Oito, Komugi, and Alluka. Speaking of Alluka, she provides excellent representation for transgender individuals. In general, the side characters are deeply compelling and add significant depth to the story.
This is my all-time favorite manga and anime, so I have to give it a perfect score. However, because I love it so much, it pains me that I have to wait so long for new chapters. But I will wait because I believe in quality over quantity.
Honestly, I have nothing bad to say about this series; it has everything you could ever ask for in a shonen manga. There's a lovable main character, great friendships, interesting abilities, a nice balance between fights and problem-solving, no overpowered main characters, and a vast world to explore. The list goes on. One of the most amazing things about this series is the author's sense of space. He puts as much effort into creating the environment as he does developing the characters. Story arcs take us on a true adventure around the world, from a small village to a wild forest, and then to a huge metropolis.
If you haven't read this, READ AT YOUR OWN RISK! Once you start, you won't be able to stop. And then you'll be sad because there are no more chapters being released right now.
Leave a Review