Hunter X Hunter Review

story 8.5/10

This anime provides your run-of-the-mill shounen adventure plot line: unending and jam packed action, an interesting assortment of male characters including all the different crazies possible, a competition to filter out the weak from the strong, and an array of unrealistic powers and skills being exhibited. While this action-oriented anime possesses all the clichéd attributes within the shounen genre, Hunter X Hunter can not be considered a typical contender within its class. Even if it is the same-o formula, at least the calculations come out correct in every aspect. The characters are engaging, the plotlines are exciting and thoughtful, and the pace throughout the anime never drags with stupid and pointless fillers. Yes, I’m pointing an accusing finger at Naruto and Kenshin.

The tale is essentially about Gon, our naïve and stubborn 11 yr old protagonist, who enters the hunter exam in hopes to become a hunter to find his elusive dad who is a hunter himself. From the first episode, we know what the main objective is: "Gon, find and meet your father." However the road to such a simple task is paved with unending trials of hardship and introductions to several memorable characters. When I mean memorable, of course I’m suggesting all the interesting psychos that seem to pop up here and there that add the essential spice to an otherwise great but boring dish one has consumed over and over again.

animation 7/10

I admit that this show is not that pretty to look at. Being the aesthetic snob I proclaim myself, I have waited years to watch this anime even after having read tons of rave reviews. I took a look at Gon’s character, and I was like "hellz no" because he kind of reminded me of Dragon Ball’s Goku with his spiky hair and naïve sensibilities. Thank god I disregarded my prejudice because the story and the characterizations certainly diverted my attention from scrutinizing the physical appeal of each scene to death. I profess to the errors of my ways. The content of a book is not always about the pretty cover.

While above average, the animation is certainly nothing to be enthusiastic about. While each character has his or her unique look -- some of which I have to question the creator’s fashion sensibilities -- the drawings are not spectacularly rendered. There are no rainbow colored, long tresses of hair and no girly, bejeweled eyes. Instead, the characters are usually straightforward in their individualistic masculine styles. There are a couple notable exceptions where I had to wonder for quite a number of episodes if the characters were female or male. But we can’t have a Japanese shounen anime without a girly-boy, now can we?

sound 7/10

Unlike other more recent anime, Hunter X Hunter’s opening and closing sequences remain the same throughout. The music is again average, and the sound effects are nothing to rave about either.

The voice acting for each of the main characters is convincing and done with superb flair. Each character’s unique personality carries through masterfully. There are no complaints here.

One great aspect of this anime is that it cuts the annoying, pip-squeaking, nails-on-chalkboard voices to a minimum. Maybe because there are only a handful of female characters, but it’s refreshing not to go through 62 episodes of hearing chipmunks throwing tantrums.

characters 9/10

Character interaction and development are what defines and separates this anime from the others in the pack. Each character represents a jigsaw piece, and together, they form a complete puzzle -- though a weirdly shaped, wacky looking one.

Many of the characters all possess positive and negative traits that make them likeable. There are no outright villains, although the anime may suggest a rotten apple here and there. But even the supposed villains have redeeming qualities. There really is no character with an in-the-middle personality. Everyone is a little extreme in one way or the other, yet it makes for great comedic moments.

And of course, it would not be a shounen adventure anime with boring characters because how in the world can characters exist in the crazy, make-believe setting of Hunter X Hunter without having a tragic or weird past? Duh.

Overall, the characters are all very well thought out which is a rarity for an anime.

overall 8.5/10

The action never stops, the characters are never dull, and the plot succeeds with a great mixture of comedy and drama.

One notable highlight is the violence level of this anime. When a character attempts to strike another down, they go in for the kill, sometimes in some gruesome and interesting ways. Strangely, the violence is taken with a lighted hearted approach which added to the appeal of the show. I don’t know why, but I may be a little blood thirsty. Obviously, I would not recommend this show for those under 13 yrs of age.

Thoroughly enjoyable and entirely watchable, I have to give Hunter X Hunter high marks. Only a few times did I feel the urge to throw something at the computer screen because a character’s brain was magically transported somewhere else, and only a few times did I roll my eyes at the absurdity of what was happening. The need for violent reaction happens so frequently when I watch an entire series of an anime that instead of being tempted to write a nasty letter to the show’s creator, I would send one of praise. If I was Siskel and Ebert, I would give two enthusiastic thumbs up.