8 Best Hunter x Hunter Friendships Fans Can't Help But Obsess Over

Hunter x Hunter is one of the best shōnen anime series around. It stars young Gon as he looks for his father Ging, explores the world outside his small town on Whale Island, and makes some of the best friendships in shonen anime history. While there are plenty of reasons to like Hunter x Hunter, the friendships made in the series take it to another level. Gon isn't the only character with a buddy or two, as even the villains in the series look out for each other when the going gets tough.

The friendships in Hunter x Hunter are great because of how diverse they are. While the main character is surrounded by great friends, even characters from the Phantom Troupe are no stranger to loyalty, adding a bit of depth to the series other shows aren't as willing to portray. Friendships come in many forms, and that's definitely clear in Hunter x Hunter. Ultimately, the best friendships in the series are the ones that improve all characters involved, making audiences like them more as a result of their bonds.

8 Gon and Kite

Ging's Student and His Son Together

Gon and Kite had a relationship that transcended a regular mentorship. While Kite was certainly Gon's teacher, and protector when Pitou came around, they were much closer than that. Gon has had a few mentors in the series, namely Wing in Heaven's Arena and Biscuit Krueger on Greed Island. He got along well with both of his former instructors, but he treated Kite like a father figure, making Kite one of the best father figures in anime. Kite was there to reprimand Gon when he was messing around in the forest with the Foxbear back on Whale Island, and when they met again, Ging's student showed Gon the ropes around the Chimera Ants.

Kite's death changed Gon permanently. There are plenty of deaths in Hunter x Hunter, but none are quite as impactful to Gon's character arc as Kite's. Gon started the series as a starry-eyed kid, but after Kite's death, he became much darker. He was willing to sacrifice his entire future if it meant getting revenge on Pitou for killing his friend, and Gon succeeded.

7 The Phantom Troupe

Even Though There Are Issues, The Troupe Has Each Other's Backs

The Phantom Troupe is one of the best, most well-written groups of villains in anime. While the Akatsuki are menacing in Naruto, they don't care for each other one bit. They're just a group of rogues who decided it would be easier to join the infamous group instead of living their lives on their own. The Phantom Troupe, however, genuinely cares about each other. When Uvogin dies mysteriously, it shakes the group to their core. Pakunoda's death also rocks the group, forcing them to band together if they want to find the hidden 'Chain User' who is killing their friends.

There are some people in the Phantom Troupe who care about the group more than others. Hisoka never really cared in the first place, but he's one of the few in the group to feel that way. While the members of the Troupe butt heads from time to time, it doesn't change the fact that they truly care about each other, making them villains with at least a shred of character.

6 Gon and Kon

Gon's First Friend

Gon's first real friend wasn't a person at all. On Whale Island, Gon didn't have many options in terms of friendships, but he lucked out when he met the Foxbear named Kon. Gon and Kon got along like true friends, playing in the forest to both of their hearts' content. Gon even saved Kon's life when Kite killed Kon's mother in an attempt to protect Gon. While Kite wanted to kill Kon, stating that he would grow up to hate humans after Kite's actions, Gon refused. He said that he would raise and protect Kon and that the young Foxbear wouldn't bear a grudge, and Gon was right.

Unfortunately for the two, female Foxbears hate the scent of humans, so Kon couldn't hang around Gon like they used to. That didn't stop Kon and some of his Foxbear friends from saying goodbye to Gon when he was heading out for the Hunter Exam, however.

5 Hisoka and Illumi

Two of the Craziest Characters in the Series

Hisoka and Illumi's friendship makes almost too much sense. They're two of the most unhinged characters in anime. They each do what they want, when they want. Because they're two of the strongest characters in Hunter x Hunter, there isn't much anyone can do to stop them. Illumi comes from the Zoldyck family, the strongest and most well-known group of assassins in the world. He's not the best big brother to Killua, but he loves and protects him in his own twisted way.

Hisoka Morow isn't much better. He really only wants to fight strong people. It's the reason he joined the Phantom Troupe in the first place, so that one day he might be able to fight their leader. Their relationship might be closer to a 'give-and-take' relationship than a traditional friendship, but that's probably the closest thing to a real friendship either of them have.

4 Gon, Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio

Four Great Friends

Gon couldn't have found a better group of friends than his friendships with Leorio, Kurapika, and Killua. Leorio acts like the father figure of the group, disciplining his friends whenever they start acting crazy, and they're all made better for it. Kurapika is the brains of the group and one of the few characters in the entire series to keep a cool head when things get difficult. While he has his own goals and ambitions, he's still there for his friends when they need him.

One of the most satisfying punches in anime happens when Leorio finally meets Gon's father, Ging. Gon was in the hospital at this point and Ging didn't even go visit him. In front of a crowd of people, Leorio stands up for his friend and punches Ging right in the jaw. The crowd erupts in praise, proving how great of a friend Leorio truly is.

3 Isaac Netero and Zeno Zoldyck

Two of the Oldest and Strongest in Hunter x Hunter

Isaac Netero and Zeno Zoldyck have a relationship similar to Illumi's and Hisoka's in that it might be more of a give-and-take relationship than a true friendship. While Netero was already an old man by the time Zeno was born, the two share kindred spirits during the Chimera Ant arc. They're two older men in a world of powerful, youthful characters, but they're more than capable of holding their own. Netero hired Zeno to help him invade the Chimera Ant stronghold in one of the most hype moments in the series.

The respect the two have for each other is plain to see. Zeno speaks highly of Netero, citing that he's the only person to fight Maha Zoldyck and survive. Zeno is also the first to let everybody know that the two aren't actually equal to each other in terms of power, as Netero is much stronger than the Zoldyck assassin.

2 Mereum and Komugi

Unlikely Friends

Mereum's relationship with Komugi is another high point in the series. Most other major anime have purely evil villains without much character to them. These characters are shallow and don't care for much more than their own power. When Mereum is first introduced to Hunter x Hunter, he's another one of these one-dimensional characters, but that all changes when he gets to know Komugi. She's one of the most humble characters in anime, caring for nothing more than the game of Gungi. Despite Meruem being one of Hunter x Hunter's strongest villains, he can't help but be fascinated by Komungi.

As Mereum continues to play Gungi with his hostage/guest, he gets to know more about her, and in turn, more about himself. He's never able to defeat her in the game and is incredibly curious because of it. She never gloats about her victories, and even helps the King get better as they play more. When the King is infected by the Poor Man's Rose, he slowly poisons Komugi as well. She couldn't care less, as she'd rather die with him than keep on living without him.

1 Gon and Killua

Two of the Best Friends in Anime

Gon and Killua are two of the greatest friends in anime. They complement each other like two sides of the same coin. Gon is a naive, hopeful boy with a bright perspective. Killua is the opposite. He's a mature boy who came from a very bleak place, painting the future ahead of him in a very negative light. Together, they make each other so much better. Killua can be the mature head that Gon needs when he's lost his cool, and Gon can see the positive in situations when Killua can't see anything more than death itself.

Gon is such a positive person, he went to rescue Killua right away when he heard he was captured. He didn't care that he had to go to the Zoldyck Mansion, as he would have done anything to save his friend. Their initial meeting is sweet, and endearing, setting the tone for the rest of their friendship. While they have a few key differences, it makes their friendship all the better for them.