Despite its constant hiatus,Hunter x Hunterremains a beloved franchise among anime fans who still wait for a new chapter of the manga to drop no matter how much time passes. However, althoughHunter x Hunteris a staple shōnen franchise with a significant influence in the medium that has inspired a considerable number of other anime,there are still many curiosities about Gon Freecss and his friends that are fairly unknown, even by the most seasoned fans.
Likewise, asHunter x Hunter’s author Yoshihiro Togashi has released several chapters that continue to expand its world and deepen the lore of the characters in the Dark Continent arc, fans can always find new details about the story that recontextualize how they see the series. Whether it is the curiosities about the anime adaptation or some hidden details that only the most assertive eyes may be able to notice,Hunter x Hunterhas many little-known facts that will surprise even diehard fans.
9The Return of a Beloved Hunter x Hunter Voice Actor
Hiroki Takahashi Played Two Sociopathic Characters
It is almost impossible for fans not to compare the different interpretations by Hisoka’s voice actor forHunter x Hunter’s 1999 and 2011 adaptations, with the first being more clownish, cheerful, and creepy and the latter being more mysterious and sarcastic. But what many fans may not have noticed is thatthe Japanese voice actor of Hisoka inHunter x Hunter’s 1999 anime is also the one who played Pariston Hill in the 2011 adaptation, Hiroki Takahashi.
This highlights howMadhouse wanted to bring back the original voice actor as he could embody the unique personality of Pariston, who is known for not looking dangerous and appearing kind at first glimpse but is machiavellian and always plotting something. As a result, Hiroki Takahashi played two sociopathic characters, one serial killer with Hisoka and another more bureaucratic with Pariston Hill.
8Killua May Have Caused a Tragedy for Zepile
Zepile Deserved Better in the Greed Island Arc
One change inHunter x Hunter’s 2011 anime adaptation is the way that Zepile gets the money for Gon to recover his Hunter License in the Greed Island Arc in episode 60. In the anime, Zepile was impressed by how much money a hunter license would sell, deciding to take the hunter exam. But it was revealed in chapter 124 ofHunter x Huntermanga thatZepile lied about his profit and only made 15 million out of the 20 he promised Gon. Because of this, Zepile had to take a loan using his organs as collateral for the missing 5 million and thus not fail to his word.
Later, Zepile comes to the realization that he could take the hunter exam to make enough money to pay off his debt.This makes the fact that Killua knocked Zepile out during the 288th Hunter Exam even sadder, as he was left with one less option to recover the money and avoid his organs being harvested.
7Kite’s Nen Ability May be Inspired by Sailor Moon
Yoshihiro Togashi Pays Hommage to the Magnus Opus of his Wife
Kite’s Crazy Slot number three is one of the most theorized aspects ofHunter x Hunter, given that it was never revealed what type of weapon it was or how it was used. However, while many fans concluded that it was a mace, due to the golden piece and shape of Kite’s Crazy Slot number three, itresembles more one of the Moon Wands fromSailor Moon. This could be to pay tribute to Naoko Takeuchi’s work, who has been married toHunter x Hunter’s author since 1999.
This reference toSailor Mooncould be to highlight how the series and the Chimera Ant Arc’s central concept is the cycle of rebirth, since the wand was used by Princess Serenity, who was later reborn as Usagi Tsukino, and it was believed by fans that Crazy Slot number three was related to how Kite’s soul was able to reincarnate, being hinted during Gon’s conversation with Ging to be the specific number that would guarantee his survival if he was determined to not die.
6Jujutsu Kaisen’s Author is a Real Hunter x Hunter Fan
Gege Akutami Included Several Hunter X Hunter References in His Story
Jujutsu Kaisenhas been heavily inspired by works likeUzumakifrom Junji Ito andBleach,butHunter x Hunteralso contributed to Gege Akutami’s work. While there are similarities inJujutsu Kaisen’s power system with the nen inHunter x Hunter,the biggest reference to Togashi’s work are the words of Aoi Todo inJujutsu Kaisenchapter 132 after losing his hand.
You believe I cannot pray with a single arm? A Prayer Comes From the Heart. - Isaac Netero,Hunter x Hunterchapter 297.
Todo said that the act of applause is an acclamation of the soul, which is a tribute to Isaac Netero’s iconic quote during his fight with Meruem. Additionally,Akutami revealed that he was inspired by Killua’s expressioninHunter X Hunterchapter 297 to draw an important moment for Yuji in the climax of the Culling Game arc inJujutsu Kaisen’s chapter 212.This proves how one of the best modern shonens would not have come to be withoutHunter x Hunter.
Gon’s Main Weapons Never Escaped Unscathed
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Hunter x Hunterisn’t one of those anime where the protagonist comes out of all the fights unscathed with Gon taking substantial damage in many ocassions. However, manyHunter x Hunterfans may not have noticed the fact thatGon’s arms take damage in every story arc. In the Hunter Exam Arc, Gon’s left arm was fractured by Hanzo during the fifth phase of the exam and in the Heaven’s Arena Arc, his right arm was broken by Gido’s dancing tops.
The Hunter Chairman Election Arc is the only story arc where Gon didn’t suffer new damage to his arm due to his body being withered from his Nen vow in the Chimera Ant Arc. Still, Gon’s left arm is the only part shown for viewers to understand his grave state before being healed by Nanika.
Likewise, in Yorknew City Arc, his arm was twisted by Feitan and his right arm was injured by Nobunaga to the point of bleeding during their arm-wrestling matches; in Greed Island, both of his arms were damaged by Genthru’s Little Flower with the left arm being blown up, and his right arm was severed by Neferpitou in the Chimera Ant Arc.This is an ironic fact given that Gon is an emitter whose main attack is based on using his arms.
4One Unadapted Manga Chapter Foreshadowed One of Hunter x Hunter’s Best Fights
Hunter x Hunter Chapter 102 was Omitted in Both Anime Adaptations
One of the chapters excluded from the anime adaptations wasHunter x Hunterchapter 102, which takes place in the Yorknew City arc and was about a famous hacker who was hired by the mafia to identify the Phantom Troupe. This unadapted chapter not onlyrevealed some curious facts about the Phantom Troupe but also the first mention of Meteor City inHunter x Hunter.
However, the most striking part of the chapter is that the hacker makes reference to someone using the Sun and Moon ability that Chrollo took from the Elder in Meteor City and will use later in his fight with Hisoka. That means thatHunter x Hunterforeshadowed Chrollo’s ability more than two hundred chapters earlier.Additionally, one of the theories among fans about why this chapter was excluded from the anime adaptation is due to Togashi having allegedly traced the Hacker’s character design from a real model featured in the Mr. High Fashion issue of 1998.
3Several Hunter x Hunters' Characters Were Inspired by Other Anime
Kurapika Was Influenced by an Iconic Ghibli Film
Like it happens with many manga creators, Togashi was inspired by other pieces of media when designing some of the most relevantHunter x Huntercharacters. One of the biggest examples is Kurapika, which the author revealed to be based on the Ohmu from Hayao Miyazaki’sNausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, one ofStudio Ghibli’s most popular films. Similarly to the Ohmu, Kurapika and the Kurta clan were hunted for the value of their body parts, and their eyes glow red when their emotions intensify.
Other characters' inspirations confirmed byHunter x Hunter’s author are Silva Zoldyck being based on Yujiro HanmafromBaki the Grappler, Kite on Snufkin from theMoominseries, Meruem on Cell and Frieza fromDragon Ball Z,and Kalluto Zoldyck on Hotaru Tomoe fromSailor Moon.
2Hunter x Hunter Has Several Baseball References
There Is a Correlation in a Few Characters in the Chimera Ant Arc
Yoshihiro Togashi has been a known baseball fan since his first published manga,Buttobi Straight, was about a boy who wanted to become the captain of his school’s baseball club. So it was only natural thatthe author wanted to include some of his knowledge of the sport inHunter x Hunter.
This is seen in Knuckle and Shoot, whose names are a direct reference to how different types of baseball pitches. Also,both “palm” and “gyro” are derived from the pitches “palm ball” and “gyroball.“Also, when facing Cheetu, Morell tells Knuckle a baseball analogy to say they shouldn’t rush and underestimate his nen ability. Likewise, the character design of Kanzai from the Zodiac in the Hunter Chairman Election Arc is based on the Hanshin Tiger baseball team from Japan.
1The Hidden Connection Between Netero and Komugi’s Strategy Against Meruem
The Chimera Ant Arc Has Many Symbolisms
In the Chimera Ant Arc, when detailing Komugi’s gungi strategy, Kokoriko, which is based on isolating the king, it becomes evident thatit is the same plan followed by Netero to kill Meruem.This detail gives a whole layer of symbolism to both Komugi and Meruem’s gungi match, with many fans theorizing thatthe game mirrored the King’s fate. This is seen in how later Komugi uses a revised version of kokoriko that allows her to surpass the counter, meaning that Meruem’s fate had changed after he survived the Poor Man’s Rose.
Still, given that Komugi wins the game, it symbolizes Meruem’s death. But the fact that they never finished their last gungi game is due to Komugi remaining by the king’s side. Likewise, just before dying, they place down the board with Meruem and Komugi’s black and white pieces to be together in Gungi forever. Thisproves how much careHunter x Hunter’s author put into the Chimera Ant Arc storytelling.
Hunter X Hunter
Hunter × Hunteris a Japanese manga and anime franchise created by Yoshihiro Togashi. The story follows Gon Freecss, a boy who discovers his father is a legendary Hunter, and embarks on a journey to become one himself. Along the way, he encounters friends and foes in a world filled with martial arts, adventure, and paranormal elements. The franchise spans manga, multiple anime adaptations, films, OVAs, and video games.
