Hunter x Hunter

Hunter x Hunter exceeded my expectations largely. It's an anime that I neglected for the sole purpose of the character designs. Yes, that's right. I, very shallowly, neglected this anime based on the unfamiliar designs of both the clothes and characters themselves. Incidentally I decided to give it a shot and wouldn't you believe it's become my favorite ongoing shounen right now. It has complex themes, unpredictable twists, character depth, genuine strategic tactics and trained abilities rather than power-ups and let's not forget the deaths. Surely an anime you'll be on the edge of your seat for every week. This is one shounen I've seen where the author show no hesitation in killing off characters, and boy does the anime embrace it. The first arc was a little slow but that is to be expected for the beginning of a long-running anime/manga series. However this could just be a personal fault for me coming off of shows like One Piece, Naruto, Bleach etc that are already into their major events, and they are enjoyable regardless. Still, when you get further into it, you'll be blown away. Believe me, this anime is a must see for shounen battle manga/anime fans.

Story: 10/10
Art: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Openings/ED: 10/10

I absolutely love this anime, it places as my second favorite anime next to One Piece in number 1. The plot seems very simple but as you get into the eps, the plot has expanded and branched out into many different outstanding arcs all while keeping the base of the plot out in the open. The characters each have their own unique personality as well as the antagonists. You will love it!

If ever there was a shonen anime that stood apart from the rest, it is Hunter x Hunter. This anime is not simply one familiar arc after another (Dragonball). It does not, at the same time, have five-episode long battles that make you want to throw things (like kittens).

No, Hunter x Hunter is a complex and diverse world, and thus is a complex and diverse anime. Just look at the two main characters: You have your everyday, something special kid (Gon). You have your unloved-as-a-child trained killer (Killua). Others are just as deep and different as these two, but it is these two characters that keep you coming back for more.

Not only the characters, though. The arcs each have their own purpose and tone. The Hunter Exam arc (which, if you've seen Naruto, resembles the Chuunin Exam arc. Know this: Hunter x Hunter came first) which does such a good job of introducing you to the characters and opening plots for the future. The Killua Retrieval Arc displays the importance of friendships in this anime. The Battle Tower arc does a great job of showing off the power system, and giving a basis for most of the future battles. Yorkshin (Yorknew?) City arc? Well, this is a fan favorite, and for good reason. The darkness of this arc - the death, the triumph of evil... well, it displays the depth of the world well. And Greed Island? It is such an adventure, doing well to mold attributes of all of the previous arcs.

Trust me, this is a show that you don't want to skip. The animation is crisp, fluid and clear. The voice actors are spot on. The storyline is amazing. If you have not yet done so, do yourself a favor and watch this. You will not be disappointed.

Did I mention that the next arc, the Chimera Ants/NGL arc, looks to be awesome? After that? Who knows. The manga drops off, but perhaps creator Togashi will start cranking more chapters again. One can only hope.

The new series is great if you like this type of anime. Madhouse does an amazing job of taking what was already there and refining it. I've watched the new series and gone back to watch the old series to see the difference. Both versions were amazing to me, but the new one definitely stands out above the old. It's also more accurate to the Manga.

The series follows the energetic and cheerful Gon, a 12 year old who was abandoned by his father and raised by his aunt, who wants to follow in his father's footsteps and become a Hunter. Gon hopes to find out why being a Hunter is so great so he can understand why his father left him, but also wants to find his father one day. He quickly befriends Kurapika, a sole survivor of the Kurta clan, Leorio, a selfish but good-hearted aspiring Doctor, and Killua, a 12 year old Assassin from the Zoldick family. They all meet during the course of the Hunter Exam and face many hardships and rivalries along the way.

The series is nothing short of incredible.