Hunter X Hunter (2011) has amazed fans with Gon’s unique adventure. While most shōnen require hundreds of episodes to create a complex world, Yoshihiro Togashi exudes so much imagination in Hunter X Hunter that, with only 148 episodes, every arc feels like a totally different anime.

Although Gon’s goal is to become a hunter and find his father, a premise that seems quite simple, Hunter X Hunter is so well executed that it's considered one of the greatest shōnen, and it’s all thanks to the incredible construction of the characters, its soundtrack, its delightful narrative sequences, its animation, and its philosophy.

The series has offered several sublime fights, endearing friendships, and thought-provoking events that are absolutely intriguing, but some moments stand out from the rest and prove why Hunter X Hunter deserves the title of masterpiece.

10 Gyro's Backstory Gives The Best Introduction To The Future Antagonist

Hunter X Hunter (2011) Episode 80: Evil X and X Terrible.

The former King of NGL had one of the saddest and tragic backstories, showing how he became so alienated from humanity because of his father. Gyro came to discover that he was never important to the only person he had and that he was not special, a blow to reality for a child who later became a monster full of resentment.

The flashback may seem disconnected from the main story for some, but its purpose is to convey Chimera Ant Arc’s theme: nothing can surpass humans when it comes to cruelty. It also masterfully builds up Gyro’s character, who is believed will become the main antagonist in the story. This moment makes Gyro even more intriguing as a character, since he never speaks and his appearance as a human in the flashback wasn’t revealed, just his silhouette.

9 Knov’s Infiltration Into Meruem's Palace Humanizes A Powerful Character

Hunter X Hunter (2011) Episode 106: Knov X And X Morel

Knov's infiltration into the palace highlights the tension the hunter felt while risking his life for the sake of the mission. Knov freaks out after seeing Pouf’s malicious aura, but despite his fear, he tries to keep his composure. However, after watching Palm enter the palace in a truck with the other slaves, and when he is sufficiently far away, Knov has a mental breakdown.

Knov previously laughed at Killua for being scared of Pitou, but after the realization of his power disparity with the Royal Guards, he acknowledged Gon and Killua’s determination. An incredible moment that not only humanizes Knov but also switches his role from hunter to prey, who can’t do anything but escape after the display of the Chimera Ants’ power.

8 Killua's Emotional Apology To Nanika Shows How To Accept Others

Hunter X Hunter (2011) Episode 146: Chairman X And X Release

After everything that happened with Illumi, Killua asks Nanika to leave. It’s an emotional scene due to the pain of Killua after Alluka confronts him because she sees Nanika as a sister rather than a parasite possessing her body. Also, Killua didn’t choose to keep Nanika at bay, only to protect Alluka, since Illumi wanted to use her, but because he was still afraid of his brother.

Protecting Alluka by stripping away a part of her is similar to what his family did to Killua by putting a needle in him. Killua thought that Alluka would be free that way, but he realized that forcing Nanika away from her wasn’t freedom. Killua doesn’t want to control Alluka and Nanika like his family did to him, so he apologizes for being a bad brother. The scene highlights the importance of accepting others for who they are.

7 Gon Proves His Determination By Punching Hisoka And Returning His Badge Back

Hunter X Hunter (2011) Episode 35: The X True X Pass; Episode 36: A Big Debt X And X A Small Kick

The moment fans have been waiting for since the Hunter exam. Gon learned the basics about the power system Nen and feels ready to fight Hisoka in the Heaven’s Arena. Although it was obvious that Gon wasn’t powerful enough yet to defeat Hisoka, he was able to finally return the promised blow, handing Hisoka his tag badge back.

The buildup to the punch highlights Gon’s determination even in the face of impossible odds and how he is getting stronger, and having that acknowledged by one of the most dangerous hunters, Hisoka, makes it a great moment in the series. Additionally, it elevates the character's dynamic between Gon and Hisoka and how different they are while continuing to develop their rivalry.

6 Kurapika Vs Uvo Display The Importance Of Strategy Before A Fight

Hunter X Hunter (2011) Episode 47: Condition X And X Condition

In a fight where the moon can only be red, Kurapika confronts Uvogin and lets out all his pent-up rage. Kurapika completely defeated the confident Uvogin because he had the whole battle perfectly planned. The strategic attack of Kurapika shows his resolution to face off his enemies as well as his thirst for revenge against those who killed his clan.

Kurapika pretended to show his cards and tricked everyone into believing he used real chains. This preparation set HXH apart from other shōnen, showing that fights aren’t always won by the stronger one and that everything influences the outcome: the nen matchup, personality, and evaluation of the enemy. The defeat of Uvogin shows Kurapika's great emotional wounds, and that he is even willing to sacrifice his life to gain more power for his goal of killing the Phantom Troupe.

5 Netero And Zeno's Descent With Dragon Dive Is One Of The Best Sequences

Hunter X Hunter (2011) Episode 111: Charge X and X Invade

Netero and Zeno launch their first powerful attack against Meruem's palace to break through. The devastating power that these two Nen masters have is immeasurable, and how they jump from the giant bird and descend from the sky surrounded by the Nen Dragon is one of the best entrances in anime.

What makes this scene even better is the way it’s connected to the beginning of the infiltration of the palace, where Gon, Killua, Shoot and Knuckle have to go up the stairs without getting detected by Youpi and the other royal guards. All of this is told with narrative richness that makes it seem like minutes have passed when it is actually seconds. Only Hunter X Hunter is capable of such narrative beauty. Additionally, the masterful execution of the Dragon Dive contributes greatly to the following fight atmosphere.

4 Uvogin’s Requiem Highlights A Slaughter With Music

Hunter X Hunter (2011) Episode 51: A X Brutal X Battlefield

After Chrollo hears Neon’s prophecy, he orchestrates a massacre in the city in honor of his deceased companion. The havoc caused by the Phantom Troupe's slaughter of the mafia and the police are accompanied by Chrollo’s words to Uvogin. The dark sequence shows the brutality of the Phantom Troupe, accompanied by a unique soundtrack, a lament for Uvo with Lacrimosa by Mozart.

The classical piece reflects sorrow and melancholy without any background sound besides Chrollo reciting his fortune. Later, the sound comes back in full force with machine guns and gunshots ablaze while playing Riot, based on Dies Irae (Day of Wrath) from Mozart’s requiem, while Chrollo waves his arms to the rhythm of destruction, like a music director, but here instead of music notes, the ensemble performs countless deaths. The moment not only highlights the power of the spiders but also proves how music can convey feelings and elevate a scene.

3 Netero Vs Meruem Climax Gives A Powerful Message

Hunter X Hunter (2011) Episode 126: Zero X and X Rose

Netero sacrifices himself in an exciting climax which manages to completely captivate fans with the perfect soundtrack and chilling art. Netero’s menacing expression and pitch black gaze gave viewers goosebumps, conveying his resolve to die and even making Meruem feel fear for the first time. Netero’s last resort, the Poor Man’s Rose, mixes something that evokes beauty with something terrifying, showcasing humankind's potential for destruction.

The moment also serves as a protest against the use of nuclear weapons and shows the corrupt nature of society, proving that there were no heroes and villains in HXH and that humans are no better than the Chimera Ants, a message highlighted throughout the arc. Netero was ready to sacrifice himself, showing the human spirit willing to give his life for the future, which contrasts with Gon, who slowly lost himself to hatred and chose to sacrifice his future out of personal retaliation.

2 Meruem and Komugi Last Moments Shows Unconventional Soulmates

Hunter X Hunter (2011) Episode 135: This Person X and X This Moment

Meruem was on the border between an ant and a human, but he went from being an egoist king to displaying human emotions thanks to Komugi. Komugi brought light to Meruem’s life, and they were destined to live that moment together. In one of Hunter X Hunter's best episodes, Meruem, poisoned by the bomb that Netero detonated, goes with Komugi to see her again, and she stays to continue playing Gungi with him, even knowing that she will die soon.

In an emotional and heartbreaking moment, Komugi wins for the last time, and Meruem knows he can no longer continue playing, so they both lie down, knowing that they will not wake up again but enjoying being together until the end, dying in each other’s embrace. The final moments of Meruem and Komugi's are one of the most beautiful endings for a character in anime.

Hunter X Hunter (2011) Episode 131: Anger X and X Light

A moment that displayed rage like never before in the series, making fans perplexed, was Gon's unleashing all the fury he had towards Neferpitou for what he did to Kaito. Gon is hit with the truth in the worst way, leaving him unable to face reality and has so much pain, desire for revenge, and helplessness that he didn’t hesitate to force his own body to be stronger, so much so that he advanced his own time in an auto-destructive act.

Gon lets himself be carried away by his negative feelings, completely changing that cheerful boy that represented light to Killua into one dwelling in darkness. The scene masterfully marks the moment when Meruem and Gon switch roles; while one gained humanity thanks to Komugi, the other lost it due to hatred. Unlike other protagonists, Gon does not behave like a hero, highlighting the evil nature of human beings. Gon's Rage not only shows why Hunter X Hunter is a masterpiece, but it is also one of the most shocking anime moments of all time.