Hunter x Hunter

***Hunter × Hunter*** (stylized as ***HUNTER×HUNTER***; pronounced "Hunter Hunter") is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yoshihiro Togashi. It has been serialized in *Weekly Shōnen Jump* since March 1998, although the manga has frequently gone on extended hiatuses since 2006. As of October 2018, 380 chapters have been collected into 36 volumes by Shueisha. The story focuses on a young boy named Gon Freecss who discovers that his father, who left him at a young age, is actually a world renowned Hunter, a licensed professional who specializes in fantastical pursuits such as locating rare or unidentified animal species, treasure hunting, surveying unexplored enclaves, or hunting down lawless individuals. Despite being abandoned by his father, Gon departs on a journey to become a Hunter and eventually find his father. Along the way, Gon meets various other Hunters and encounters the paranormal. The original inspiration for the manga came from Togashi's own collecting hobby.

In 1999, *Hunter × Hunter* was adapted into a 62-episode anime television series produced by Nippon Animation and directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi. The show premiered on Japan's Fuji TV and ran until 2001. Three separate original video animations (OVAs) totaling 30 episodes were subsequently produced by Nippon Animation and released in Japan from 2002 to 2004. A second anime television series by Madhouse aired on Nippon Television from October 2011 to September 2014 totaling 148 episodes, with two animated theatrical films released in 2013. There are also numerous audio albums, video games, musicals, and other media based on *Hunter × Hunter*.

The manga has been translated into English and released in North America by Viz Media since April 2005. Both television series have been also licensed by Viz Media, with the first series having aired on the Funimation Channel in 2009 and the second series broadcast on Adult Swim's Toonami block from April 2016 to June 2019.

*Hunter × Hunter* has been a huge critical and financial success and has become one of Shueisha's best-selling manga series, having over 78 million copies in circulation as of November 2019.

## Plot/Synopsis

### 1999:

Hunters are specialized in a wide variety of fields, ranging from treasure hunting to cooking. They have access to otherwise unavailable funds and information that allow them to pursue their dreams and interests. However, being a hunter is a special privilege, only attained by taking a deadly exam with an extremely low success rate.

Gon Freecss, a 12-year-old boy with the hope of finding his missing father, sets out on a quest to take the Hunter Exam. Along the way, he picks up three companions who also aim to take the dangerous test: the revenge-seeking Kurapika, aspiring doctor Leorio Paladiknight, and a mischievous child the same age as Gon, Killua Zoldyck.

### 2011:

Hunter x Hunter is set in a world where Hunters exist to perform all manner of dangerous tasks like capturing criminals and bravely searching for lost treasures in uncharted territories. Twelve-year-old Gon Freecss is determined to become the best Hunter possible in hopes of finding his father, who was a Hunter himself and had long ago abandoned his young son. However, Gon soon realizes the path to achieving his goals is far more challenging than he could have ever imagined.

Along the way to becoming an official Hunter, Gon befriends the lively doctor-in-training Leorio, vengeful Kurapika, and rebellious ex-assassin Killua. To attain their own goals and desires, together the four of them take the Hunter Exam, notorious for its low success rate and high probability of death. Throughout their journey, Gon and his friends embark on an adventure that puts them through many hardships and struggles. They will meet a plethora of monsters, creatures, and characters—all while learning what being a Hunter truly means.

## MAL Info:

* Score: 8.43 & 9.12
* Ranked: #127 & #3
* Popularity: #315 & #15
* Adaptation: Hunter x Hunter
* Source: Manga
* Premiered: Fall 1999 & Fall 2011
* Licensors: Viz Media
* Producers: VAP, Nippon Television Network, Shueisha
* Studio: Madhouse
* Duration: 23 min. per ep.
* Rating: PG-13 - Teens 13 or older

## Trivia

-Hunter x Hunter (2011) is a remake of the original Hunter x Hunter aired in 1999.

## External Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunter\_%C3%97\_Hunter

### Anime:

https://myanimelist.net/anime/136/Hunter\_x\_Hunter

https://myanimelist.net/anime/11061/Hunter\_x\_Hunter\_2011?q=hunter%20x%20hunter&cat=anime

### Manga:

https://myanimelist.net/manga/26/Hunter\_x\_Hunter