Review of Hunter x Hunter
When one writes a review, it is imperative to be as objective as possible. This is done for the benefit of the reader and the anime, but sometimes, this is impossible. No matter how hard I attempt to, I cannot review this anime without bias. It is an impossibility. Just know this: To me, this anime is incomparable to any other. This is my number 1 anime, and yet, from my perspective, it is vastly superior than my second. I will try, though unsuccessfully, to explain why. (excuse any grammar mistakes, too lazy to proof-read). Story: The story issplit into 6 main arcs (possibly 7 if you look at it another way). Each arc has an entirely different feel from each other, enough so that it can seem that each is an entirely different series. Therefore, for this review, I will be reviewing each arc separately. Also, I will only being giving a short synopsis on the beginning arcs to avoid massive spoilers.
Hunter Exam (8/10): To me, this is the weakest arc within the course of this series. That isn't to say that it's bad, just weaker than the others. It follows our protagonist Gon and his friends and their journey through the Hunter Exam. The arc starts out slow, and some episodes come to nearly a grinding halt, but the later half of it is enjoyable. The one thing that this arc does establish rather well is that there is nearly no plot armor within this series, a breath of fresh air for any shonen.
Post-Exam + Heavens Arena Arc (9/10): This is where the show really starts to begin. You the viewer are finally introduced to the power-system of the world, Nen. This power system is usually hailed as the best in all of anime (and for good reason). It is complex and intricate, but allows for many fantastic scenarios within fights. For firs time viewers, try to remember every minute detail about Nen, it will hold a greater importance later.
Yorknew City (10/10): A masterpiece. This arc shows how to write a proper story with every character making a tiny decision, effecting the plot, and thus, creating the entire story structure. The pacing is brilliant and the villains are some of the best in any anime.
Greed Island (8.5/10): A pretty good training arc with one fantastic "fight". The main villain in this arc is pretty weak, but the rest of it is good.
Chimera Ant (15/10): Yes I put 15 out of 10. No, that's not an exaggeration. This is hands down in my top 3 stories, not in anime, but in any piece of fiction or non-fiction. This arc, in the start, has a clearly defined protagonist and an antagonist, and yet, this distinction slowly disappears. There is no one good, there is no one bad, there are only people and their choices. There is humanity, and inhumanity. Some people dislike this arc due to the pacing or the narrator, and you may too, but I can't view it that way. 3 episodes in particular stand out: 126, 131, 135. Each episode leaves you in sheer awe (just a note: please research the symbolic meaning in 131 and especially in 135 after you finish watching). Please watch HxH, if only for this arc.
Chairman Arc (9/10): This arc is a set-up arc for a much larger in the manga (that's a lot of arcs). It still manages to give a satisfying ending for a story which is not yet complete.
Art (9/10): The color pallet in this show is usually bright, but in those moments where it's not, well... that would be spoilers. The animators did an incredible job keeping up the quality for so many episodes while also matching the colors to the tone of the arc.
Sound (10/10): Opening is eh, but every single back ground song just hits the right mood, especially in the darker arcs.
Characters (10/10): Every character is unique in their own fantastic way. Gon, a child with an odd moral compass, to Killua, a cold killer with a heart of gold. The protagonist in this show are fantastic, but that's not what I'm here to talk about. Where this show really shines is the "villains" (except Greed Island). I use quotations because, yes, they are villains, but not in the conventional meaning. They are simply characters with motives in either direct or indirect conflict with Gon. Sometimes, the "main villian" doesn't even meet with Gon. These characters don't care about what some 12 year old does. It's none of their business. In doing this, Togashi (the creator of HxH) makes the villains feel much more human (instead of being used as a hurdle) and makes their actions far more believable. In some instances, you may be rooting for them instead of Gon.
Enjoyment and Overall (10/10)
Also, if you are someone who already saw HxH and are just looking through reviews, I recommend Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere (look it up).