Hunter x Hunter Has A Lot of Unfinished Plotlines (2024)

Hunter X Hunter takes place in a massive, highly-detailed world, and has an even more gargantuan and complex cast of characters. Because of how much goes on in the series, the manga's slow pacing, and the infamous hiatuses the series has faced for decades (on account of Yoshihiro Togashi's health issues, understandably), most characters have not completed their stories.

From lingering questions revolving around Gon and Killua, to the current Kurapika-centric Succession Contest Arc, Hunter X Hunter is yet to resolve many of its most intriguing storylines. Whenever the series returns from its current hiatus, hopefully one or more of these stories will receive resolution.

1 It Remains Unclear if Gon's Journey is Truly Over

Gon Freecss Has Been Absent From the Story For Over a Decade

Gon Freecss is the face of Hunter X Hunter. The young protagonist was the focus of nearly every arc from the Hunter Exam Arc, all the way up until the Chimera Ant Arc, traveling around the world on a quest to find his father, Ging. Since accomplishing his goal and meeting Ging during the Thirteenth Hunter Association Chairman Arc, however, Gon has been entirely absent from the story, only making the briefest of cameos during the most recent arcs.

Hunter X Hunter has never felt the need to keep all of its main heroes in focus, with Kurapika and Leorio having previously been absent for much of the story. Gon's current absence is owed to both him having achieved his primary mission, and to him having lost his Nen at the conclusion of the Chimera Ant Arc, following his temporary transformation into Adult Gon. Without his powers, and without a tactical mind, Gon would be helpless if he were present for the events of the current Succession Contest Arc. Even still, many fans hope to see him learn from his past mistakes, regain his Nen, and reclaim his spot as the series' main protagonist from Kurapika.

2 The Zoldyck Family Remains a Threat to Killua and Alluka

Killua Zoldyck Has Never Directly Fought His Family

The Zoldycks, a family of the greatest assassins in the world, have been a looming threat since the beginning of Hunter X Hunter. In particular, Killua's father, Silva, and older brother, Illumi, have been built up as the ultimate threat to Killua's freedom, and a consistent wall in Killua's way. All his life, Killua was abused by them, and his story has seen him breaking free of their influence. During the Thirteenth Hunter Association Chairman Election Arc, the tension between Killua and his family escalated when he rescued his younger sister, Alluka, from them, and ran away with her.

Killua has been repeatedly said to have the most potential of any Zoldyck, and his power has grown exponentially since the start of the series, but he is yet to fight either Silva or Illumi. A battle between Godspeed Killua and his cruel family would be a spectacle to watch, and a victory for Killua would be cathartic after all the pain his father and brother have caused him.

3 The Succession Contest is Far From Being Over

The Current Arc of Hunter X Hunter May Never See a Conclusion

The Succession Contest Arc began publication in 2014. As of 2024, the eponymous content has barely even begun. The story centers around a tactical battle between the princes of Kakin aboard the Black Whale, as they use their wits and Nen Beasts to attempt to kill each other for the throne. Kurapika acts as a bodyguard to the youngest prince and his mother, while The Phantom Troupe engages in their own battles against the mafia and Hisoka.

After over 50 chapters of the current arc, only a few of the fourteen princes have been killed, no member of the Spider has made direct contact with Hisoka, and Kurapika is yet to have an encounter with the arc's main villain, Prince Tserriednich. With how slowly paced this arc in particular has been, and how many characters and plots it's attempting to juggle, it seems unlikely this arc will draw to a close before at least another 50 chapters have passed.

4 The Phantom Troupe Continue to Seek Their Revenge on Hisoka

The War Between Hisoka and The Phantom Troupe is One of the Most Engaging Parts of the Succession Contest Arc

Hunter X Hunter has some of the best villains in any Shōnen series, and their stories are just as important to the narrative as the heroes'. After having their fight built up since the Yorknew City Arc, Chrollo and Hisoka dueled in Heaven's Arena, one of the series' best battles to date. While Chrollo came out victorious and killed the series' most famous villain, Hisoka's Nen became more powerful following his death, enabling him to revive himself — and to set out on a revenge spree to kill every member of The Phantom Troupe. Following Hisoka's murders of Shalnark and Kortopi, The Phantom Troupe has begun hunting him on the Black Whale, aiming to avenge their fallen friends.

Despite how long the Succession Contest Arc has gone on for, and how determined the Spiders and Hisoka are to kill each other, no progress has been made on this front. The Phantom Troupe has received significant focus, but it has largely focused on their entanglements with the mafia, and an exploration of their origin. Hisoka, meanwhile, has kept himself in the background, which, for right now, seems like exactly where he wants to be.

5 The Mysteries of the Dark Continent Remain Unexplained

The Dark Continent is the Ultimate Destination of the Black Whale

The Dark Continent has been teased for decades, but it has remained unseen and unexplored. The most dangerous and mysterious place in the world of Hunter X Hunter, it is known to be home to the most dangerous of monsters, including the Five Calamities, and only the most skilled of hunters are capable of surviving in it.

While The Dark Continent is the ultimate destination of the Black Whale, it's going to be a long time before the expedition team reaches its destination. Fans long to know more about the continent's long history, the other Calamities besides Nanika, and what other magical beasts await Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio.

6 Melody's Quest Has Been Put on Pause

One of Kurapika's Most Loyal Allies Has Her Own Mission

In Hunter X Hunter, every character is on their own journey, and every character's story matters. Introduced during the Yorknew City Arc, Melody is a skilled Music Hunter, and one of the closest friends and allies of Kurapika. While she's devoted to aiding Kurapika in his mission to retrieve the lost eyes of the Kurta Clan, she also has her own goals.

Melody has one of the most peculiar designs in the series, but the form we see is not her natural one. Rather, she was cursed after briefly listening to the flute solo of the Sonota of Darkness. Melody now seeks to find the Sonota of Darkness's sheet music and destroy it, so that no one else will be cursed by it like her, or killed by it like her friend. Unless the sheet music is present on the Dark Continent, she remains a long way away from accomplishing her mission.

7 Kite Has Not Been Seen in Several Arcs

Gon's Mentor Deserves Follow-Up Following Her Transformation

Kite became a key player in Hunter X Hunter during the legendary Chimera Ant Arc. Formerly Ging's apprentice, Kite inspired Gon to become a hunter when he was a child, and took on the role of mentor to him when they reunited. Their time together was brief, as Neferpitou killed Kite, leading to Gon's descent into darkness. By the end of the arc, however, Kite returns to life, now in a very different body.

Kite, while possessing memories of her past life, is now a Chimera Ant (rather than a human). Kite has also changed physical form, existing as a young girl, rather than a grown man. While Kite has been able to help Gon with overcoming his grief, she has since been absent from the story. Kite must have her own complex feelings about her transition, ones that are well worth exploring and, as the twin sister of Meruem, she is likely one of the most powerful characters in the series, which should make her a valuable ally to Ging moving forward.

8 Little Has Been Revealed About Beyond Netero

Beyond Netero Hasn't Done Much Besides Incite the Current Arc

Beyond Netero is the son of the former Hunter Association Chairman, Isaac Netero. Known for his incredible strength, and for being one of the few to travel to the Dark Continent and survive, Beyond is responsible for everything that has happened in Hunter X Hunter since the start of the Dark Continent Expedition Arc. His desire to properly explore the most dangerous place in the world is what has led Kurapika, Leorio, Hisoka, The Phantom Troupe, the Zodiacs, and the Kakin Princes onto the Black Whale.

Beyond appears to have a great deal in common with his father, being equally charismatic and powerful, but little else about him has been revealed. He could be entirely earnest about only wanting to see everything the Dark Continent has to offer, or he could have more nefarious intentions that he's keeping close to his chest. The answers fans crave about him should come sooner than most, and they will almost certainly be provided during the Dark Continent Arc.

9 Gyro Remains at Large

One of Hunter X Hunter's Biggest Enigmas is One of its Greatest Threats

Gyro is known as one of the most dangerous forces in Hunter X Hunter. The founder and former king of NGL, Gyro suffered a horrifically abusive childhood, and his only goal in life is now to spread as much evil as possible throughout the world. While his backstory was explored in great detail during the Chimera Ant Arc, Gyro is yet to make a proper appearance in the series.

During the Chimera Ant Arc, Gyro is killed and turned into a Chimera Ant but, because of his strong will, he has retained his personality, memories, and independent will. Gyro stopped considering himself a human being upon realizing no one ever loved him, but now he isn't human at all. With the same mental abilities that enabled him to build an empire, the physical power of a Chimera Ant, and a drive to continue spreading pain and misery, he is one of the biggest threats to the stability of Hunter X Hunter's world. It doesn't appear that he'll be making his next move any time soon, but that doesn't mean he can't surprise everyone when the Black Whale reaches the Dark Continent.

10 The Cold War Between Ging and Pariston Rages On

The Former Zodiacs Clashing is Inevitable

Prior to the Succession Contest Arc putting its focus on Kurapika and the Kakin Princes, the previous two arcs — the Thirteenth Hunter Association Chairman Arc, and the Dark Continent Expedition Arc — put their focus on the bubbling feud between Gon's father, Ging Freecss, and Chairman Netero's former right-hand man, Pariston Hill. Once the Succession Contest reaches its conclusion, it's likely, although not guaranteed, that the focus will return to the struggle between the two former Zodiacs.

Ging Freecss, one of the top five Nen masters in the world, is hardly a hero. He is largely selfish and abandoned his own son when he was a baby. Among other hunters, he is universally despised. However, he has a vested interest in carrying out Netero's will, no malicious intentions, and a hatred for Pariston, who's only goal in life is to make the world entertaining for himself, no matter how many people are hurt or killed in the process. With Pariston currently in possession of an army of Chimera Ants, and the continued support of the bulk of the Hunter Association, he's undoubtedly planning something for when the Black Whale arrives at the Dark Continent, and Ging is the only one who may be able to stop him.

Hunter X Hunter

Hunter X Hunter is a long-running manga from YuYu Hakusho creator Yoshihiro Togashi. It has had two anime adaptations, one in 1999 and one in 2011, along with several films, OVAs, and video games. Hunter X Hunter follows the adventures of Gon Freecss as he tries to follow in his father's footsteps to become a Hunter by passing the notoriously difficult Hunter Trials. Along the way, he teams up with other characters, including Kurapika, Leorio, and Killua.

Created by

Yoshihiro Togashi

First Film

Hunter × Hunter – Jump Super Anime Tour 98

Latest Film

Hunter × Hunter: The Last Mission

First TV Show

Hunter x Hunter (2016)

Cast

Megumi Han , Mariya Ise , Cristina Vee , Matthew Mercer , Erika Harlacher , Miyuki Sawashiro , Junko Takeuchi

Character(s)

Hisoka Morow , Kurapika , Gon Freecss , Killua Zoldyck