7 Hunter x Hunter Characters Ranked by Moral Complexity

by

As a gamer, I find Hunter x Hunter to be a series that steers clear from black and white narratives. There are no flawless heroes nor irreversibly evil villains. Instead, characters are molded by their aspirations, torment, loyalty, or need, creating individuals who resonate deeply with the human condition. This authenticity is one of the reasons why the show has such a strong pull. It’s not just about battles or character enhancements; it’s about choices, decisions that often don’t offer clear-cut solutions.

As we cheer for Gon and Killua, it becomes apparent when their motives are crystal clear. However, complications arise when Gon’s fixation veers him towards perilous situations, or when an antagonist displays unforeseen compassion.

Hunter x Hunter invites us to grapple with moral complexities, subtly teaching us that life’s choices often lack clear-cut distinctions between right and wrong, making it an engaging series that merits multiple rewatches.

7.
Gon Freecss

The Hero Who Walked a Dark Path

Absolutely, Gon! The cheerful and resolute main character who carries a golden heart. He serves as an emotional foundation for the series early on, making one wonder why he’s not higher on this list considering his morally ambiguous nature. However, what sets Gon apart isn’t his hidden darkness; rather, it’s that his moral compass changes based on his emotions.

When Kite falls, I witness a side of Gon I never knew existed. He becomes ruthless towards Pitou, relentless in his quest for vengeance, and coldly indifferent to anyone trying to intervene. It’s more than just an angry outburst; it’s the shattering of everything he believed about fairness and justice. That version of Gon is chilling. And it serves as a harsh reminder that even the most compassionate souls have their breaking points, and they may not always act heroically when pushed beyond them.

6.
Killua Zoldyck

A Killer Trying to Learn Kindness

Killua is a fascinating character who embodies an intriguing duality. He yearns for kindness and camaraderie, yet his past as a trained assassin leaves him with a darker side. His affection for friendship is strong, but there’s a trigger within him that activates when things go awry. One instant, he may be sharing sweets with Gon or making light-hearted banter. The next, he can display an icy, ruthless demeanor as if executing a simple task.

Killua’s moral intricacy is captivating because he acknowledges his flaws and despises them. He yearns for self-improvement, yet often finds himself unsure of the path forward. His tale isn’t one of conventional redemption, but rather an exploration of learning to live through relationships instead of survival by violence. He doesn’t always succeed, but he strives. In a world like Hunter x Hunter, such efforts speak volumes.

5.
Kurapika

Embodiment of Justice Turned to Obsession

Kurapika’s unwavering sense of justice appears ironclad, yet there are moments when it falters. Initially, he embodies a noble pursuit, aiming to restore honor to the Kurta Clan by recovering their stolen eyes. His motivation stems from personal anguish, but it’s a cause that resonates deeply, making one root for his success and yearn for his attainment of tranquility.

As I journey deeper into this game’s narrative, my character Kurapika evolves. He grows more detached, increasingly fixated. I find myself deceiving my allies, subtly manipulating events, and harnessing powers that diminish my life expectancy in the pursuit of power. At a certain point, vengeance for me transforms from a quest for justice to a craving for control. Yet, it’s important to clarify that I’m not becoming evil; I’m still far from it. However, my single-minded focus leads me to make choices that erode the ideals of the innocent, idealistic gamer I once was.

Kurapika’s narrative poses a challenging query: At what point does making things right become overstepping boundaries? Furthermore, is redemption possible after transgressing such limits?

4.
Chrollo Lucilfer

A Poet With Blood on His Hands

At first glance, Chrollo may seem like an unambiguous villain due to his role as leader of the Phantom Troupe, a group infamous for their violent actions such as massacres, theft, and causing chaos. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes increasingly challenging to categorize him so definitively.

Chrollo isn’t motivated by cruelty; instead, he’s calm, considerate, and occasionally pensive. He doesn’t appear to derive pleasure from violence, yet he engages in it frequently, showing little hesitation. This contrast is striking. In essence, he can be compared to a poet wielding a firearm, peacefully reading a book with its pages stained by blood.

I must confess, there’s something about the way he speaks of his Troupe that resonates deeply with me. They aren’t merely colleagues; they’re kin. His choices might seem strategic at first glance, but they rarely lack warmth – which is what makes him intriguing yet unnerving. He strikes me as someone who truly believes in the righteousness of his actions, even when others perceive them as abhorrent.

3.
Meruem

A Monster Who Discovered Humanity

In the series, Meruem could be one of the most intricately developed characters. Initially, he appears as a destructive force, designed for dominance, nurtured to rule, and seemingly content with annihilating humans. At first glance, he’s quite terrifying. He shows no remorse and exhibits cruelty without apology. In essence, he is a monster.

But then comes Komugi.

The relationship doesn’t magically transform him into a hero. Instead, it opens up something within him. He starts to question his worth, power, and the meaning of life. He discovers beauty in things he couldn’t control before. By the end, Meruem isn’t a completely different being; rather, he becomes more transparent, still dangerous and flawed but remarkably more human than anyone could have imagined.

His passing is serene rather than triumphant or tragic. It raises questions about the extent of his ‘malevolence’ initially, or whether he was merely a reflection of the world that shaped him.

2.
Hisoka Morow

The Wild Card With No Morality

If Meruem is the character who evolves, Hisoka is the one who refuses to.

To put it bluntly, Hisoka has an unnerving aura about him. He’s erratic, enjoyably cruel, and solely motivated by his personal pleasure. He disregards morality, camaraderie, and the final results unless they add to his own entertainment. To him, conflicts are nothing more than games, while people are mere pieces to manipulate. However, in a strange way, you just can’t help but keep watching.

The intricacy of Hisoka’s morals doesn’t stem from secret virtue. It stems from his consistency. What makes him chilling is that he never hides his true self. He doesn’t feign goodness or wickedness. He simply… is Hisoka. This raw self-understanding, coupled with unpredictable actions, makes him an enigma in every storyline. You can’t predict what he’ll do next, but you know it will be done with a grin.

1.
Isaac Netero

Sacrifice, Power, and the Cost of Victory

Netero, frequently recalled as the elderly figure who gave Meruem a tough challenge, is actually hiding a character with questionable morals within his grandfatherly demeanor, making him one of the most ethically complex figures in the series.

For years, I’ve dedicated my life to honing my strength. I established the Hunter Association as a beacon of justice. I’ve always strived for equilibrium. Yet, in my pursuit of justice, there were moments when my actions straddled the boundary between righteousness and fanaticism.

His battle against Meruem serves as a powerful illustration. He acknowledges the King’s human-like qualities, understanding that this adversary could potentially seek truce. Despite this, he opts to trigger an explosion to secure victory, not out of fear, but out of conviction. In his view, the survival of humanity demands caution when dealing with something superior.

As a devoted admirer, I’d say that Netero personifies the core conflict that this series explores: determining worth and judging right from wrong. He, himself, becomes the arbiter of these principles, making his ultimate act a blend of selflessness and control. Yet, the consequences of his actions aren’t straightforward or easy to comprehend.

Read More

2025-06-03 03:10