This 90s Anime Deconstructed the Shonen Hero Forever

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Yoshihiro Togashi has created many popular manga series, but he’s best known for Hunter x Hunter. The story, which began in 1998, centers on Gon Freecss, a boy who discovers his father, Ging, isn’t dead, but a renowned Hunter. Determined to find him, Gon sets out to become a Hunter himself. He leaves his home on Whale Island and embarks on a challenging journey, traveling by sea, land, and air to pass the rigorous Hunter Exam.

Throughout his journey, Gon encounters many friends and foes who profoundly impact his life. He consistently brings positivity to those around him, particularly his close friend Killua, even as they struggle with their own personal issues. However, Gon isn’t a conventional hero like many others in the shōnen genre. A pivotal event during the Chimera Ant arc dramatically alters how people see him, adding an element of fear and sadness to his lasting legacy.

Gon Freecss Vows To Become a Hunter and Find His Father

Before the events of Hunter x Hunter begin, young Gon is gathering supplies when a protective foxbear attacks him. Luckily, the Hunter Kite saves Gon’s life, but has to defeat the foxbear. Seeing Gon’s compassion for the foxbear’s cub – his determination to care for it – Kite suspects Gon is the son of his old teacher, Ging. Kite shares stories of Ging’s incredible adventures and reveals that he’s currently lost on an expedition. This inspires Gon to become a Hunter himself, hoping to find his famous father. He begins his journey after the foxbear cub he saved has had time to grow.

I absolutely love following Gon’s journey! He makes some incredible friends along the way – Killua, Leorio, and Kurapika – and even when life pulls them in different directions, they always have each other’s backs. Gon himself is so endearing – a little naive, maybe, but always eager to learn and connect with people. It’s amazing how quickly he grows, becoming this unbelievably powerful presence that everyone notices – some with respect, others with a little fear! He’s usually a really cheerful and kind person, but what I find so compelling about Hunter x Hunter is that Gon isn’t some perfect hero. The story slowly peels back the layers, and things… well, things eventually fall apart in a way you don’t see coming.

Gon’s Character Development is Some of the Best in Shonen History

I watched as Gon and Killua first met at the Hunter Exam, and it was clear they’d become fast friends. I was surprised by how easily Gon accepted that Killua came from a family of assassins – he didn’t even seem scared! As Gon and Killua trained and went on adventures while Leorio and Kurapika were busy with their own things, their connection just deepened. Killua really became Gon’s most steadfast friend, always having his back and never giving up on him, no matter what.

Killua describes Gon as a source of light and inspiration, someone who motivates him to keep going. Gon is incredibly pure and focused, fearlessly running into dangerous situations. This bravery extends to his acceptance of Killua – Gon isn’t intimidated by Killua’s dark past and treats him like a normal friend, even after seeing how ruthlessly he fights.

After a near-death battle with the dangerous Hisoka, Gon feels both scared and strangely thrilled. This experience worries some characters, not just because the world of Hunter x Hunter is harsh and filled with unsettling people, but also because Gon sometimes sees things differently than others. While he’s impulsive and quick to fight, Gon deeply cares about helping those he loves and feels terrible when he can’t. As the story progresses, however, his strong sense of right and wrong starts to become less clear.

The Chimera Ant Arc Was Gon’s Downfall

Many stories feature heroes who lose their way, rediscover themselves, and ultimately triumph, often becoming even more powerful in the process. However, Hunter x Hunter challenges this familiar pattern. The Chimera Ant arc specifically takes apart and re-examines the typical shōnen hero archetype.

The Chimera Ant arc is a particularly impactful and intense storyline in anime. By this point, Gon and Killua have become skilled in using Nen – their life energy – to perform amazing abilities. Gon is an Enhancer, meaning he focuses his Nen to boost his physical strength. This makes him a powerful fighter, improving both his attack power and his ability to withstand damage in difficult battles.

During the battle against the Chimera Ants, Gon discovers that Kite, whom he greatly admired and was trying to save, has been killed. Overwhelmed with anger and sadness, Gon makes a powerful and risky vow, sacrificing his current and future Nen abilities for a single, destructive attack. This act even causes him to age visibly. Neferpitou becomes the focus of this intense rage, stemming from a previous encounter that hinted at this very outcome.

Ultimately, Pitou is fatally beaten by Gon, who had gained immense power. The attack would have continued even longer if Killua hadn’t pleaded with Gon to stop. After finally stopping, Gon reverts to normal, though his hair has grown significantly as a result of his transformation. He is left deeply weakened and traumatized by the immense strain of using all of his Nen.

The doctor was shocked by how weak Gon was, and he only recovered thanks to Alluka’s incredible help. After that, Gon and Killua decided to part ways, remaining friends. Killua shared his plan to travel the world with Alluka, while she expressed hope that he and Gon would still spend time together. Gon, meanwhile, returned home to Whale Island to think about everything he’d experienced.

Whether Gon will ever be able to use Nen again is still a mystery, and even if he does, it’s uncertain if he’ll still be an Enhancer. Right now, he can’t control or even feel his own aura. In a fit of intense rage, Gon lost all his training and terrified both fans and other characters, but there’s a glimmer of hope as he considers what happened and starts to build a new path forward.

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2026-05-20 21:35