Hunter x Hunter - Characters & Cast

Initially, Gon's motivation is a childlike curiosity to find his father, Ging, and understand why he chose the life of a Hunter over his own son. This quest for identity and connection drives him through the early parts of the series. Later, his motivation shifts dramatically to a dark obsession with revenge against Neferpitou for killing Kite. This singular, all-consuming goal highlights his capacity for selfishness and moral ambiguity, proving that his simple desires can twist into something monstrous under extreme emotional distress.

Gon begins his journey as a naive, cheerful, and incredibly determined boy, the epitome of a classic shōnen protagonist. His initial goal is simple: find his father. However, as he grows stronger and is exposed to the world's cruelty, his simple worldview shatters. His arc is not one of straightforward growth but of moral erosion. This culminates in the Chimera Ant arc, where the death of his mentor, Kite, transforms him. Consumed by grief and rage, Gon sacrifices his future, his Nen, and his very humanity for the power to exact revenge, becoming a terrifying, monstrous version of himself. His journey ends not at a peak of power, but in recovery, stripped of his special abilities, forcing him to finally reflect on his actions and the true meaning of strength.

Killua's initial motivation is to escape his suffocating family and have fun. He is drawn to Gon's light and freedom. As their bond deepens, his motivation evolves into a fierce desire to protect Gon. This becomes his driving force, pushing him to become stronger, overcome his ingrained fear, and make immense sacrifices. He sees protecting Gon as his new purpose, a way to redeem himself from his past as an assassin and prove he is more than the weapon his family raised him to be.

Killua is introduced as a cheerful but deadly boy, running from his life as the heir to a family of elite assassins. Conditioned to be a ruthless killer, his primary character arc is about breaking free from this indoctrination and finding his own purpose and humanity. His friendship with Gon is the catalyst for this change. He constantly battles the psychological manipulation of his older brother, Illumi, which manifests as a command to flee from any fight he isn't certain he can win. Over the course of the series, particularly during the Chimera Ant arc, Killua learns to defy this conditioning, risking his life for his friends and developing a new form of strength rooted in protection rather than destruction. His journey culminates in him taking responsibility for his powerful but dangerous sister, Alluka, fully severing ties with his family's dark legacy to forge his own path.

Kurapika's sole motivation is twofold: to avenge his clan by killing every member of the Phantom Troupe and to recover the stolen Scarlet Eyes of his brethren. This singular, all-consuming purpose drives every decision he makes, from becoming a Blacklist Hunter to affiliating with the Nostrade family mafia. He openly states that his rage is the one thing he fears losing, as it is the fuel for his existence. While he values his friends, his path of vengeance often forces him to act alone.

Kurapika starts as a calm, intelligent, and aloof individual, but beneath the surface lies a deep-seated, burning rage. He is the last survivor of the Kurta Clan, massacred for their coveted Scarlet Eyes. His entire arc is defined by his quest for revenge against the Phantom Troupe. This journey forces him to walk a fine line between justice and self-destruction. In the Yorknew City arc, he achieves a significant part of his revenge but becomes increasingly isolated and morally compromised, willing to sacrifice his own life and well-being through Nen vows. His development shows the corrupting nature of hatred, as his quest causes him to adopt a cold pragmatism that worries his friends, revealing a darker, more ruthless side to his personality.

Leorio's primary motivation is to earn enough money to attend medical school and open a free clinic for the poor. He lost a childhood friend to a preventable disease because they lacked the money for treatment, instilling in him a deep-seated desire to prevent others from suffering the same fate. This altruistic goal is the bedrock of his character. He is also fiercely loyal to his friends, and their safety and well-being often become his immediate, passionate motivation, as seen when he punches Gon's father, Ging, for his cavalier attitude towards his son's near-death state.

Leorio is introduced as a seemingly selfish and materialistic character, claiming he only wants to be a Hunter for the money. However, it's quickly revealed that his true goal is to become a doctor to provide free medical care to the poor, a dream born from the tragedy of losing a close friend to a treatable illness he couldn't afford to cure. Leorio's arc is less about gaining physical power and more about his unwavering moral compass and loyalty. He often acts as the group's emotional core, grounding them with his practicality and passionate sense of justice. His development peaks during the Chairman Election arc, where his raw, heartfelt anger over Gon's condition earns him unexpected respect and influence, proving that his strength lies in his empathy and integrity, not combat prowess.

Hisoka's motivation is pure and simple: hedonism. He seeks pleasure, which he derives almost exclusively from battling powerful fighters. He is constantly searching for and 'grading' potential opponents, becoming obsessed with those he deems worthy, like Chrollo and Gon. He will lie, manipulate, kill, and even aid the protagonists if it serves his ultimate goal of setting up a satisfying, life-or-death battle. His desires are his only moral compass, making him one of the most unpredictable and dangerous characters in the series.

Hisoka is an enigmatic and unpredictable antagonist whose character arc is less about development and more about the consistent pursuit of his hedonistic desires. He is a powerful, bloodthirsty magician who lives for the thrill of fighting strong opponents, to the point of sexual arousal. He doesn't have a traditional arc of growth; instead, he serves as a chaotic force that pushes other characters to develop. He joins the Phantom Troupe only for a chance to fight their leader and spares Gon's life multiple times, not out of kindness, but to cultivate him into a worthy future opponent. Hisoka remains consistently self-serving, amoral, and dangerously whimsical from beginning to end, acting as an ally or enemy based solely on what he finds most entertaining at the moment.