If You're Comparing Gon to Killua, You're Missing the Whole Point of Hunter x Hunter

Hunter x Hunter is a cornerstone of shōnen. It's one of the best shōnen series ever made, and that's saying something when you look at the list of top-tier series that make up the genre.

There are more than a few aspects of Hunter x Hunter that make it stand out. The fights are unreal, the premise only gets better the longer the show runs, but it really shines through its characters. Hunter x Hunter's characters are exceptional, but fans can't help and compare them.

Gon and Killua, the two characters who take up most of the screen-time, are compared more than they should be. It's understandable why some might try and compare these two characters, but they were never meant to be. They're two sides of the same whole, and when Hunter x Hunter is looked at as a whole, it's easy to see that the series revolves around the balance of opposites.

Hunter x Hunter Is One of the Best Shōnen Series Ever Made

Hunter x Hunter is in a league of shōnen next to One Piece, Dragon Ball Z, and Naruto. In other words, it's one of the best anime series ever made. Gon's journey centered around finding his father is masterful, and there are several side characters who contribute to the story greatly.

Each of these side characters stands out in a way most series wouldn't be able to replicate. Most side characters exist to reinforce a character's arc or actions, but side characters in Hunter x Hunter feel as important as Gon, and in certain cases, even more important. Characters like Chrollo and Kurapika feel like they should have their own series dedicated to them.

Hunter x Hunter also has some of the best moments in shōnen that aren't fights. Watching Netero point Pitou out to Gon is a top-tier moment, and not a single blow is thrown. Killua making a pact with his father, Hisoka standing between Gon and Killua on their way up Heavens Arena, and more are prime examples of expert storytelling in a genre lacking it substantially.

Gon and Killua are two of the biggest reasons to watch the series. They're perfect opposites and complement each other in every way. They grow together, and neither would reach his peak without the other. They become the two best friends in anime, and it's for that reason that they should never be compared.

Gon and Killua Were Never Meant to Be Compared

Gon and Killua almost seem like they should be compared. It makes sense in a way, as most shōnen protagonists have a best friend/rival that serves as a means of testing their strength or ideals. Naruto has Sasuke and Goku has Vegeta, but they aren't reflections of each other. Naruto and Goku never give into ego or darkness like their compatriots, and Sasuke and Vegeta both live on the fringes of morality.

Throughout Hunter x Hunter, Gon becomes a lot more like Killua while Killua becomes more like Gon. Gon starts the series as a naive boy who doesn't really understand things like hatred before leaning into them heavily, especially after Kite is killed. Killua couldn't care less for things like forgiveness, but leans into them heavily when Gon needs him most.

It's a beautiful balance that brings the two closer than ever. They both grow massively because of the other, and whether they know it or not, they're emulating the deepest parts of the other. Killua eventually saves Gon from his hatred when he asks Nanika to save him, and Gon shows how deeply he cares for his friend when he goes to the Zoldyck mansion.

Hunter x Hunter Always Balances Opposites

There aren't many mangaka quite as good at writing characters as Hunter x Hunter's creator, Yoshihiro Togashi. He's so good at creating compelling, truly riveting characters that it's taken for granted when watching the series. While the characters in and of themselves are interesting, it's their relationships with one another that truly take them to a new level.

Most characters have a perfect opposite. Like Gon and Killua, several characters in Hunter x Hunter are at their best when they're facing their direct opposite. Meruem is a ruthless, sadistic dictator who realizes that his absurd power leaves him without equal and without anyone he should fear.

Netero is his perfect opposite. While Netero is also one of the strongest characters in Hunter x Hunter, he doesn't strike fear into the hearts of those he commands. He relies on them, respects them, and guides them however he can. They're two incredibly powerful beings that use their relationships with the people around them differently, and that's why Netero was able to beat Meruem.

While Killua is a great opposite to Gon, Ging is another example of a similar character taking a wildly different path. Ging and Gon are both from a small village and have unreal potential. Ging only cares about himself, however, and Gon couldn't be more different. Gon cares about his friends more than anything, and that's why he's surrounded with powerful allies while Ging isn't.

Gon and Killua Are Two Halves of One Whole

Gon and Killua start the series as two sides of the same coin before bleeding into one another. Gon allows himself to tap into his latent anger, turning into a monster, while Killua taps into his empathy, becoming more human. It's a wonderful story that no other shōnen series has really replicated, showing just how impressive Togashi's writing really is.

The series itself is all about balance. Hisoka is a monster who cares about himself and himself alone, while Chrollo is equally powerful but cares about his fellow Spiders more than he cares about himself. Their rivalry is entirely one-sided, as Chrollo couldn't care less about the power dynamic that Hisoka so desperately wants to change.

Gon and Killua were never meant to be compared to one another. They exist to bring the best out of one another and support each other in ways only they could. It's a wonderful friendship and one of the many reasons why Hunter x Hunter stands head-and-shoulders above almost every other shōnen series.