The Morality of Gon Freecss (Hunter X Hunter)

[@Aleczandxr]

A much-needed addendum and accompaniment for this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKuUk6yCe5p3p8U How Gon Freecss Bcame Free: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3bagXuaprSng8U

[@salvatorerampello6247]

Loved this video i was searching right for this and i'm satisfied with this since Is the same thought I have After rewatch HxH behind the veil of Maya

[@trashtaste7816]

i agree with the whole survival thing seeing as he grew up in the wild without much care

[@Aleczandxr]

@GGR Makes Music used is in the description

[@jenggon1120]

Gon is a wild animal. Takes without understanding the consequences and survives for his group and himself. He mimicked the animals he grew up hunted and hid from.

[@roybradley2392]

You prolly dont give a shit but does someone know a way to get back into an instagram account..? I stupidly forgot the password. I would love any tips you can offer me.

[@rodney1234ize]

"nothing is as pure and cruel as a child"

[@butlerknight8107]

Kids are cruel Jack

[@ZaiinSan]

King LOTF ??

[@justaz569]

@@ZaiinSan No!

[@dennisgrammenos1232]

-random redditor

[@SunGodNika-bi2jr]

@@butlerknight8107 everyone regardless of age has the capacity for cruelty

[@KlebsWrld]

I just realized Gon & Mereum sat the same way leading on one knee, but gone was using the opposite leg

[@KlebsWrld]

They are opposites at the point Gon rages, like they completely switched roles

[@Mureirsa]

the observation we all never knew we needed

[@KlebsWrld]

@@Mureirsa I was high okay

[@crispycringe8710]

くら_おさ.める_かく.れる蔵 I mean a lot of characters have sat like that. Even killua in ed one.

[@lunarla123]

Ikr it was so............weird- it's just- UGH!

[@skytstrax]

After watching the chimera ant arc i have to admit Gon Freecss me out

[@haze5709]

Underated comment

[@sol_merew400]

Best pun I've seen in a loooong time. Thanks for the laughs stranger

[@blackeyedchild3688]

That was good lmao

[@nol5152]

omg XD

[@succulent5594]

bruh

[@familyguysofunny1933]

Remember when Wing said that he probably awoke a monster when he taught Gon nen

[@Saffreacts]

Yup.

[@just_a_person9583]

and he was right

[@rems17817]

OMG when he said that I was like wdym gon is an ✨angel✨ he could never 🙈

[@myhonor9219]

Remember the time in dodge ball game in greed island. While Gon was charging his first jajanken razor looked at him and said "monster"

[@stonecoldpizza]

@@myhonor9219 really? I didnt notice lol-

[@BlackMDawn]

Gon: "I don't want to make my friend have to kill someone." Also Gon: "Killua, murder this girl if the cat tries anything."

[@Vassili3005]

That was a bluff

[@dofidmingo-df8sm]

Vassili3005 nah the look on his face at the time proves it wasn’t a bluff

[@solitary2]

Vassili3005 Na, he was deadass. He had enough at that point

[@uglyshawtyyy]

Solitary on folks he was ready to off that bitch😭💀

[@kezie5277]

My boy was jaded, can you blame him?

[@joaovaranda4759]

Gon is like a wild animal. He grows attached to people he spends time with but doesn't care about other people. If they help, its a friend, if it hurts is an enemy, and if its indifferent, its irrelevant. Animals don't know what's right or wrong, only whats good or bad (from their point of view).

[@Talltyronelite]

Well it makes sense since he was raised in the wild a lot more than with other kids

[@noir1940]

I'd think of him as a wolf and only cares for those in the pack

[@samx1099]

Reminds me of Luffy a lot

[@killuamybb6411]

@@noir1940 same

[@jungkookmuah1174]

@@noir1940 worded perfectly

[@aliyahnicole353]

i once saw a post that makes a lot if sense after this video; Gon is a Nice person, not a Good one and lacks the emotional maturity to realize it Killua is a Good person, not a Nice one and lacks the confidence to realize it (pre-saving ikalgo at least)

[@lgd921]

aliyah nicole huggo

[@brendhacaldas4396]

This describe it so well, I hope we get to see Gon becoming an genuine good person

[@Skywalker96214]

@@brendhacaldas4396 it makes sense because even though Killua is a trained assassin, he was taught the moral codes of assassins. I don’t think Gon is ever becoming a genuinely good person because he’s now hanging around with Ging...

[@vihmaciel587]

@@Skywalker96214 no he isn't, he went back to whale island and is living a "normal" life with aunt mito ( this is shown in the manga)

[@AbdulMalik-pv1ib]

Ying and Yang

[@annaamariaa]

I once read that Gon and Killua are the perfect depiction of nature vs nurture. Killua was nurtured to be a cold blooded killer but in his core - his nature - he was a good, friendly/sociable person. Gon, on the other hand, was raised to be good, friendly and kind - but he was naturally selfish and only wanted to things which benefitted himself or those close to him. If Gon were in Killua’s position, i fully believe he would have became the Zoldyck heir that Killua’s family wanted *him* to be. Whereas, if Killua was raised by Mito, i think he probably would have grown up to be just a regular kid.

[@sungii]

beautiful

[@meichan3240]

good point

[@rokamayono2312]

Well said

[@felixgutierrez993]

You explanation actually makes a ton of sense. Gon is like his father in some sense, where Jean Freeces left because his own ambitions led him to go. Is like how Gon desperately wanted to become a Hunter too. In his own words (paraphrased) He wanted to know how great it was being a Hunter if it meant leaveing his family. (Regarding in how his father left him)

[@_rubyrose10_]

ong

[@MrHitmancheg]

"HunterxHunter is probably going to end as a story without a distinct hero" What, Leorio isn't good enough for you?

[@NG_v1]

Sir Moustachington The III real talk though, Leorio better get attention in this arc.

[@spartankittygames]

Sir Moustachington The III I always thought tonpa was the hero. was I wrong?

[@lucumayogurt]

He nearly murdered an old lady because she asked him a confusing question.

[@xzxarchangelxzx]

Leorio doesn't do shit. He says he's going to do shit, but shit always resolves with other people's efforts before Leorio has the opportunity to do anything because he's weak af.

[@spartankittygames]

xzxarchangelxzx dude he's stronger then hisoka.

[@qanh96]

Killua, a natural-born killer raised and trained in a family of legendary assassins, looks like a saint next to mad Gon. Nuff said.

[@Kickinthescience]

Anh Tien Quang Nguyen yea but how often does Gon get mad?

[@MekhiTheOne]

Mad gon I assume you mean gon raging and pitou and installing hacks lol he wasn't even doing anything bad imo I wouldn't have done anything different

[@grey_f98]

Killua is a good person raising by an evil family, Gon is an evil person raised by a good person (Mito).

[@grey_f98]

@@MekhiTheOne the way Killua treats Aluka is infinitely better than how Gon has treated anyone in his entire life; also Gon was using Komugi as a hostage against Pitou, which Killua wouldn't have done considering she's innocent and uninvolved

[@rsarin18]

You can even see this when Killua witnesses Gon's rage against Pitou

[@alalcrumo]

Your analysis was impecable, and what I find most interesting about Gon is the way he justified Ging from being absent and how this affected his personality. A child who was abandoned by his father would probably grow with self esteem problems, following the idea that he wasn’t good enough, but if the child decided to think of his father as just another human being with his own life, and separating him from the concept of a regular father, then in his own mind Ging didn’t leave because he didn’t love Gon, it simply was because Ging had his own “reasons”. It shows in how he won’t call him “dad” and refers to him by using his name. It also justifies why he doesn’t seem to hold any resentment against Ging, but more than anything it molded his strong sense of individuality. This is why a completely selfish behabiour isn't alien to him, and more than anything it is praised, given that it was indirectly fomented by Ging, who Gon sees as a figure of freedom and personal fulfillment, as a role model.

[@Prince-dz3fm]

ehhh like he said in the video. Its kind of a West way of thinking being brought up without a father, and in the world of hxh - i feel like Ging unintentionally not being there instilled the curiousity/strength in gon bc like himself, they're both natural hunters so it was inevitable if that makes sense ?

[@foziahalinoor6311]

Yes it was interesting to me too. To see how Gon dealt with his father leaving him. However, I wonder if he had experienced death and pain earlier in his life and knowing his father was hunter and was not there to protect him, would that have made him resent his father? Also when gin says that he goes for what he wants it almost seems like Gon knows what that means because it's exactly what he does. Anyway his character truly does represent a child.

[@mochashakakhan6609]

I know this is old but he wasn't abandoned. Gon's aunt forced ging to leave him. Ging originally wanted to take him along.

[@stephaniemeza1430]

@@Prince-dz3fm my braincells just doubled

[@azrapearl8717]

@@mochashakakhan6609 for real? When was that mentioned?

[@lemxn_ice_tee]

I just noticed that Gon considered Killua, an ex-assassin (never the less a killer), as his friend only because they were the same age and was helping him pass the exam and completely disregarded any of the evil deeds he mentioned to have committed before meeting in the hunter exam... No matter how many times Killua told Gon that he did kill people and he did hurt innocent individuals beyond necessary measures, he still saw him as a good person. Pretty messed up, right?😂

[@pptonto]

Gon also wouldn't mind being betrayed by Killua because he believes in Killua's goodness. Wild

[@sec6059]

killua: I have killed countless people gon: aight but can you show me your kickflip again?

[@lemxn_ice_tee]

@@sec6059 exactly!

[@Acceleration50]

@@sec6059 lol

[@law6115]

@@sec6059 😂😂

[@connoredward354]

I just realized that if Gon had met the phantom troupe before meeting the gang, he absolutely would have joined the troupe

[@thetreasurer7531]

lol for real. the only reason he hates the troupe is because kurapika is his friend. also, notice how he lashed out on the troupe for grieving over uvogin but befriended paku in the end because he liked her.

[@sicko5821]

@@thetreasurer7531 he didn't befriend her but I see your point.

[@azekiel2114]

I could actually see this happening. He'd be a close acquaintance of the troupe at the beginning but once a spot is available(most likely Hisoka's no.4), he'd be the interim member instead of Kalluto.

[@thetreasurer7531]

@Alan Isong i think it has nothing to do with right and wrong. gon knows that killing is morally wrong. he has a black-and-white mindset which is why he depends too much on what interests him and what doesn't (as zepile has stated)

[@bmoney3837]

@Alan Isong he lived in the woods his whole childhood with animals

[@morgangibson5930]

I love how the author wrote it so that Killua's true side was shown through his relationship with Gon, but Gon's selfish attitude didn't rub off on Killua.

[@haydenthomas9031]

I think this is why without realizing it, Killua became my favorite character.

[@amirhodges4157]

@@haydenthomas9031 so uh he became your favorite because he is "good" or because you liked his charecter development better than gons

[@haydenthomas9031]

@@amirhodges4157 I like his character development

[@amirhodges4157]

@@haydenthomas9031 Yeah its pretty cool turns from a heartless assassin to one that cares for others

[@rrawr1212]

yo everybody chill they're 12 years old they can't make decisions like a 35 yo😭 they grew up and were raised like this

[@TrojanPiece]

"Keep this in mind Gon, a hunter is a beyond selfish, human trash." -Ging

[@hanako-kun6176]

true

[@ChadKakashi]

Ain't Ging like that tho?

[@seijin4426]

@@ChadKakashi Yes, but he doesn't his son to turn out the way did and make the same bad decisions.

[@Ken-vn7mx]

@@seijin4426 stop projecting lol

[@seijin4426]

@@Ken-vn7mx I wasn't projecting you moron.

[@movavee]

“togashi has crafted a nuanced and somewhat creepy character just by making him a genuine child” WOAH..

[@evanverplank7242]

He basically took a child and gave him incredible power.

[@kaminoyami30]

kinda agree with him gon being creepy though, I was so aware at a young age that I know when someone my age is messed up, and if I met gon at age 12 I'd know he's strage or just straight selfishly cruel.

[@mohabalserafe3795]

@@kaminoyami30 he is not that crual you know that he doesn't go on a killing spree for no reason

[@kaminoyami30]

@@mohabalserafe3795 i add in selfishly because gon is so goal orriented and it is hinted in the series a lot of times that as long as he gets what he wants he does not give a fuck.

[@mohabalserafe3795]

@@kaminoyami30 yeah I agree with you I am just saying yeah he let his dark side to take the best of him but at the same time no one can blame for the shit he is been through let's hope that once he returns in the manga after kurapika and leorio's Arc end he learns from his mistakes and change for the better

[@kasv4103]

You say kids have no morals, but do they have knuckles?

[@Aleczandxr]

These are the comments I love.

[@memelordmurphy6203]

Shoot, I got it :3

[@wayward4657]

@@claudioestrella1160 Morel and Knuckle from Chimera Ant arc

[@AllGlassEmpty]

This joke is really good, please, go-on.

[@gaw6391]

@@claudioestrella1160 Face palm

[@ChadKakashi]

Damnit Nobunaga was right, he'd be a great Troupe member.

[@kittyhawkz]

Ye

[@koifish4276]

yea .-.

[@jefferyflood]

It's crazy cause I was just thinking of that too

[@JoeMama10247]

@@dwzenix7954 lmao why?

[@stevecarranza212]

@yana lmao let’s hope at least the show comes back so that can happened

[@stanleymaximillian8403]

Gon to Phantom Troupe: “How can you kill people that have nothing to do with you” Also Gon: befriends an assassin that maybe has killed people more than Phantom Troupe

[@haijin7484]

Stanley Maximillian “How can you kill people that have nothing to do with you.” Also Gon: Heals Genthuru who backstabbed and killed 50 people. I’m not gonna say he’s a good kid nor a bad kid. But just like what Biscuit said he’s personality is gonna be his undoing. His personality is somewhat hypocrisy and selfishness, Killua hasn’t notice it yet since he only want to seek Gon’s kindness. But someday Killua will get backstabbed by Gon.

[@link4753]

@@haijin7484 didn't you pay attention to the "would do anything to his best friends part"?! that's like half the anime

[@sumyguck8094]

I feel that'd be me though. If someone weakness, regret, or the will to change, why can't they be given a second chance, or shown gratefulness? I do get he's inconsistent with that though

[@aaronking5640]

Killua definitely hasn't killed as many people as the phantom troupe

[@Thebes342]

Gon to Phantom Troupe: “How can you kill people that have nothing to do with you?!” Also Gon to Neferpitou: "The next time you delay me, I'll kill her."

[@phillh.9987]

I now realized that Nobunaga was actually sorta right with how Gon would've been a great fit for the Phantom Troup since how you describe with how Gon really only cares for those closest to him and has no care at all to those that have nothing to do with him, which is how a lot of the Phantom Troupe members work and feel

[@akazienoel2009]

Though he still doesn t go around doing wrong acs just for doing it-

[@floatingtigerscarriff6664]

What you just said is confirmed by the recent chapter release relating to the phantom troupe's origin in Meteor City in how they come about making a reputation as ruthless killers...

[@b_delta9725]

@@akazienoel2009 nor the phantom troupe, they don't kill innocents just because. of course they're desensitized and cruel but they still don't do things without a good reason, they believe the world is their enemy after all

[@bubalackgaming8892]

​@@b_delta9725"they don't kill innocents" Kurapika's entire family and Half the population of Yorknew: 😐

[@thetoot9615]

@@bubalackgaming8892 You could argue they killed the Kurta for the scarlet eyes and the mafia members in Uvogin's honor but I understand what you're saying

[@Emajenus]

He's not a hero. He's a protagonist.

[@ngpdreamteam2k4]

Emajenus well he did save humanity from extinction and slavery by killing pitou.

[@setteroffires]

@@ngpdreamteam2k4 But that wasn't out of kindness or for a sense of justice. He only did so out of revenge

[@ngpdreamteam2k4]

DeadFinisher _ the motivations irrelevant. Not all heroes wear capes. If not for gon and netero humanity is done for.

[@jakovhrga5619]

Wrong. Rewatch the show.

[@s.n2269]

Jakov Hrga who was wrong? If it was me how?

[@13gondolla37]

I like how you point out Gon's childish understanding of the world. What didn't get touched on very well in the 2011 anime was how Gon grew up with animals. He spent more time in the harsh wilderness of his home island than with children his own age or other people. Kite's first appearance should have been at the very beginning of the show where he kills a large predator that was going to kill Gon, then turns around and angrily reprimands Gon for disturbing said creature's territory. Nature has no morality, only what is "good" for a species and "bad" for a species. Animals will become close and protective of things that benefit them, become aggressive and defensive towards what hurts them, and dismiss what does neither. This makes Gon a generally good character but also a very practical and selfish person. Feelings can benefit or hurt as well, so when someone hurts Gon in an emotional way ((such as confusing him)) he reacts with the same confused ferocity as an animal might and he is fiercely protective of those who have benefited him in some way, like you said. He has a moral code but he doesn't even understand what morality is which makes him seem hypocritical.

[@zokikuzmanovski5109]

TL;DR: Gon resembles animal morality/darwinistic morality.

[@lovingtonspurz6464]

13gondolla37 I like this comment more than the video honestly.

[@biankapal1431]

Agreed except in nature there is no such thing as "good for a species" or "bad for a species". That's the whole point, they think in terms of what is good for the individual and their closest circle rather than the entire species.

[@orekusic3584]

13gondolla37 That is true, and because of his immaturity and short-sightness, he could not see that Pitou was doing the exact same thing, which is protecting her pack, so to say.

[@ds6083]

@@biankapal1431 Absolutely untrue, pretty much all species adopt behaviors that are beneficial not just to themselves but to members of their kind. This is how most animals can compete for dominance without killing each other, because if all the members were constantly killing each other they would go extinct. This is the emergence of a simple "morality" which exists at a much higher level in humans. Evolution does not occur only at the individual level

[@daltonmiller7335]

Your explenation of Gon’s morality also explains why he is able to: 1. Threaten to kill Meleoron without remorse if he’s found to be lying to Gon (when he says that he wishes to help the hunters kill the ant king). Gon does not care at all for the lives of the ants unless they can benefit his own cause. Contrast this with Killua, who befriends Ikalgo because of his actual personality traits (e.g. loyalty to his friends), rather than his possible utility. 2. Join forces with Hisoka in the Greed Island arc in the dodgeball game against Razor. Why would Gon turn the other cheek concerning someone who previously beat the shit out of him and openly admits to planning more beatings in the future (when Gon is stringer)? Because that person is now useful to Gon; without Hisoka there’s no dodgeball. If interests align, then Gon’s attitude aligns. That’s pretty much the gist of it.

[@Marv-th8qc]

You forgot that gon doesnt like pitou for being an ant he doesnt like her bc she litteraly killed his friend he was friends with an other ant too

[@Mike.325]

Marv 2029 true

[@abongilezolanipeterson2737]

Dalton Miller Gon actually didn't want to have to kill ants he actually got angry at the ants for the fact that they didn't care about the lives of their own comrades and that's when he started to kill ants mercilessly. Of course, after Pitou killed Kite, then he no longer cared at all about their lives at that point because they took a father figure from him.

[@Marv-th8qc]

@@abongilezolanipeterson2737 thats true too tho

[@fizzypop3977]

Ok, but we can all agree that...gon is super kind and has been faced with a lot of challenges and even when he saw kite get injured badly he still is hurt but after a little says "don't worry kite would never die to that dumb cat! I'm sure of it, he's kite killua! KITE!" and has pure optimism and overall is my all-time fav anime character, and hunterxhunter in general being my top anime. Gon is SUPER SUPER SUPER, S U P E R R R R R! kind, period!

[@soggerss155]

I love that when Gon finally experienced loss for the first time, it literally broke him to a point where violence was the only thing that could solve his problem

[@Enfjscrolling]

Exactly. It was deep and heartbreaking and ... Realistic, in my opinion. You can always argue in theory, but you never really know how you'd react in a situation until you're presented with it. I've never experienced great loss in terms of death, but I know that I could lose my shit just like him if my loved one was murdered. I'll provide a real life example: In 5th grade, my older brothers and I experienced a trauma by my mom's boyfriend at the time. That made me not only fearful and distrusting of men, but made me into someone quick to react and respond with fight instead of flight. I was so weak and young before, so now I feel like it's my duty to protect anyone and everyone however possible. So in 8th grade, my mom was having a fight just outside with her (new) boyfriend. She was crying and shouting. I immediately interpreted it, not as a domestic dispute, but as a life-threatening situation that I needed to involve myself in or else something bad would happen. I ran to the kitchen, grabbed a giant knife, and ran out of the house, stepping in front of Mom and screaming, "I WILL FUCKING KILL YOU IF YOU DON'T LEAVE!! GET OUT, YOU DON'T BELONG HERE!!" My mom is still on and off with that man and they're getting better, but he was never going to hurt her. It was just how my developing brain was processing the events unknowingly. I didn't know how affected I was by what happened when I was ten... Now that I'm more aware, I'm able to control myself and think things through. Gon didn't have that chance yet, he didn't know how to wait, he only knew "bad thing happened, now I react." He's innocent. Innocent by it's true sense, not pure. People think Good and Pure are interchangeable with Innocent

[@naylisyazwina6836]

Gon displays normal kid behaviour. The reason he worked well and thanked Scissors guy was because he helped him and Killua train but if Scissors guy was in Phantom Troupe, Gon would not thank Scissors guy and hate him just because the Phantom Troupe hurt Kurapika. Gon will hate anyone that hurts him or his friends Killua has the mentally of more of a older teenager because of the torture and mental and physical abuse he went through. Those things makes you mature more quickly. Gon meanwhile had a loving aunt and a great community and place, everyone is friendly. Gon's mentality is a normal kid's mentality while is selfishness. Kids tend to be selfish. Anyone that helped me and my friends, good. Anyone that hurt me or my friends, bad. You can see Gon is impulsive too which kids usually are. Gon will be different when he matures and grows up hopefully but if he still has the same mentality that means that yeah he is unhinged. You can also see children in war torn countries are mature and act like adults than the 12 year olds that they are. Children in countries where it's fairly safe, they will grow up like Gon and be more immature. Gon's never experienced loss or a hard life so he reacts this way because he isn't used to it as well. This is why it's scary for kids to have so much power if they have a 'tantrum' or when they can't control themselves. "A new study suggests that age-associated improvements in the ability to consider the preferences of others are linked with maturation of a brain region involved in self control." The findings, published by Cell Press in the March 8 issue of the journal Neuron, may help to explain why young children often struggle to control selfish impulses, even when they know better, and could impact educational strategies designed to promote successful social behavior.

[@hisokamorow6709]

I just watched HxH again and yep. Gon has totally different moral compass than the typical "hero" Specially when you take in consideration how many times they refer to him "as an animal" not in a bad way but, how he hides his presence while hunting Hisoka, also the thrill of the hunt even while feeling fear, his sense of smell. He is a wild animal, protecting his pack and giving a damn about the rest of the world.

[@ded4lyfe1]

Tezca Tlipoca Not*

[@attiafaisal1004]

Ded forlyfe yes

[@igiornogiovannahaveadream649]

Hisoka Morow yup but he does that in a childish way and doesn't understand that he is doing that, but he's definitely doing it *edit* thats why hes so hypocritical and selfish

[@KoylTrane]

You could say he is basicaly Goku with some thought put into him.

[@ryukishi07thecreator70]

@@KoylTrane In Dragon Ball, stakes can be reversed, so Goku's character is perfect for his setting, also Goku is more like Hisoka but pure hearted, while Gon is Luffy with less thought put into him.

[@stevenpeeckford5999]

Gon is such a loveable little shit but at the same time he's such a dark little shit.

[@tailedgates9]

And first time starting, you would think that Killua was the dark, unstable one. Boy was I wrong. Lol

[@Aleczandxr]

Amen dude.

[@SaruStuff124]

Basically, hehe...

[@GiRR007]

a dark bloody little shit

[@tailedgates9]

Still love him though. ^_^

[@_jamiegacha_752]

Gon: Sees someone brutally murdered Also Gon: 👁 👁 👄

[@funandgames714]

But then gon also looks away when 2 people got stomped on by a chimera ant.

[@ryutanakasblackcousin2081]

Gon: baby it's not even there, it's a hallucination

[@twizz3658]

so funny

[@felixgutierrez993]

Gon towards other killers: Hey man don't do that haha hey do a kick flip Killua! Gon when he sees someone he admires hurt/dead: Aight YOU'RE DEAD

[@subtleprelude2400]

The only person in the squad that’s closest to being completely sane and mentally healthy is Leorio 😂

[@Xman34washere]

Leorio is like The one sane being here

[@Celestial914]

Killua gets more sane as time goes on.

[@gojosensei6501]

idk killua is more level headed.

[@duhmitryov]

And he got that STARE

[@UnrealGemini]

Killua in the at the end of the show is good

[@JuliusCaesar103]

"Gon has become what he hated most" - wow that sentence gave me chills. Amazing video

[@ayradiaz5578]

the moment I saw him light up when he saw Killua holding a heart during the hunter exam I told myself that this is a weird kid. Gon's naiveness is his boon and bane. Whenever he's introduced to a new character, their always first opinion is how, if not eccentric, dangerous Gon could be. We tend to overlook those little observations by the people surrounding him because the mood of the scene is always cheerful, masking how these remarks could be of a great impact on Gon's downfall. Togashi never missed out an opportunity to hint this out but it was told in a somewhat "romantic" way, sensationalizing this trait. Take for instance Killua's line when he said, "Gon, you are light. Sometimes, you shine so brightly, I must look away". Killua acknowledges the flawed optimism Gon has with regards to Kite's situation but still accepts it, nonetheless.

[@marcmartinez4140]

Dude yeah was thinking the same thing! Everyone else was absolutely horrified when Killua ripped out Jones's heart, but Gon was smiling as if Killua had won some kind of Little League championship

[@stormymasella6]

Aqually, I was feeling sick reading the 1st chapters of HXH , because almost everone in the exam are ok with others being killed, no one cared the examiners didnt care that the person who pass can be a killer or that a hunter licences is also a licences to kill, lioreo is a good person but as a girl I hate perverts who harrassed me since I was a child so I coudnt like him hole heartly, maybe I was more into kurapica who wish to collect the eyes of his trype (I think finaly barying the eyes will give their souls peace), and killua when his personality stars to shift because he did enjoy killing and I lothed that

[@funandgames714]

It was a scene from 1999 that he purposely took out..

[@jefferyflood]

I just caught that when killua called gon light... It kinda made e think of meruem as a comparison because was supposed to be the light that's shines on everything

[@mariapandolfo8635]

This is why I freaking love Gon. He is the exact definition of a hunter while still having a good and innocent side. Also I love seeing him going apeshit 💀

[@user-zl3hs5hr2b]

JohnSebyCreekTheGreat same

[@Hatred_73]

@Braden Trice I just love gon so much because when you look at him form the outside he looks like the usual friendly looking shonen protagonist who wants to find his dad but once you look at him from the inside you see his dark side and how he thinks and honestly seeing all the ppl hate him makes me love him even more since they don't know his true personality

[@Hatred_73]

Not to mention all of this was foreshadowed I swear togashi is a fucking god

[@kaichen3830]

@Braden Trice Pitou is not a he.

[@leila5469]

I stan apeshit croptop Gon

[@QartveliMamakaci2000]

Gon descended into a monster, while Meruem, who we took for the real monster slowly became more humane.

[@lapislazuli3738]

and that's practically the genius work of togashi.

[@4lfm__860]

I love how mermen spent his last moments doing what made him actually happy. That put a smile on my face

[@Coolguy-mk7hg]

Also killua become more humane

[@yeee33333]

I’d say Gon was always a monster to begin with. Remember when he set some poor dude up to die just so he could get Hisoka’s tag during the Hunter Exam? That was wild. Gon is completely merciless

[@Tywil714]

@@yeee33333 gon simply needed the right push to get to that point the death of kite was the final straw

[@Anime_CartoonKIA]

I think what's the most unsettling - and tragic - to me in Gon's mental downfall is the lost potential he would've had in bonding with Komugi, which I think a lot of people don't realize. Because I believe that had they met under COMPLETELY different circumstances, they would've been the best of friends, considering Gon's natural tendency to befriend everyone. So to see him threaten to murder her in cold blood, only as a way to get back at Pitou, really sent a chill down my spine. It just shows how trauma can twist a character's morality in a split second, especially when they commit actions towards people who never did them any wrong.

[@jack1029]

"which I think a lot of people don't realize" lol. Why would you assume that?

[@Anime_CartoonKIA]

@@jack1029 Because most people comment on that scene like "WOW Gon's fucked up he threatened to kill an innocent girl," instead of "WOW Gon's fucked up he threatened to kill an innocent girl whom he could've been friends with." Most of the comments and fanart I've seen for that arc boil down to Gon's insanity and the Meruem-Komugi relationship with no overlap whatsoever. And because I've yet to see some heartwarming fan-art of Komugi teaching Gon how to play Gungi while Gon watches her with star-struck wonder.

[@markellospatras3039]

why on earth would Gon like Komugi. She had nothing intresting about her. Ants or not, I think Gon could never be friends with Komugi simply because she had nothing to atract him with,

[@Prince-dz3fm]

@@markellospatras3039 exactly. Meurem literally killed every single person hes gone against in games that he won EXCEPT for her since she was was his first real competition. this made him question a lot of things he would have not otherwise, but how would she effect gon? Literally in no way, except maybe her being kind lol

[@mimimacaroon9400]

AnimexCartoonKIA exactly

[@pizza6464]

Gon is only simplistic on the surface. If you look deeper you realize he is one of the more complex protagonists out there.

[@Lexpionage]

Gon is literally my favorite character in fiction, so well written, he truly is a kid and acts like it, though i never once thought he felt "creepy" as you imply. good video!

[@Aleczandxr]

Cheers!

[@raeignevindric6574]

Same

[@Jackie15997]

ANIME_JUDGE gon is desensitized to death because he doesn’t understand it. he’s a kid who grew up very sheltered and never really learned abt the harsh realities of the world. so to gon seeing killua, his best friend in the whole world, take someone’s heart out, it doesn’t completely unsettle him because he’s never seen anything like it before. he doesn’t understand the reality of death and he loves killua so he doesn’t understand why what killua did was so disturbing to others. then when he was confronted with the reality that kite was dead and had been all along, it hit him. all of it hit him and he couldn’t handle it so he snapped. he’s not crazy or unhinged, he’s just a kid who knew nothing of death until it basically slapped him in the face.

[@holdmyleash2221]

He's not creepy. He's a typical curious kid that thinks of what benefits them the most. Many people think this way. I don't feel sorry for every person that dies and don't normally care for strangers. That doesn't mean I'm unhinged.

[@_qdluv4514]

Yes I love him and how inconsistent he is he gives off that kid vibe, he helps who help him and don't care about those who don't. He's nice but not so much a good person in all he's a kid hunter ( he's seen a lot and had to make a lot of decisions at a young age so I liked how they written him to be a bit selfish and narrow-minded

[@lastwaltz6]

i hate when people call him a psycho, he’s just a kid thrown into a seriously dark world. u explained this perfectly

[@rdu239]

The point that I hated Gon is with his actions in the chimera ant arc, it is the culmination of of all negative symptoms displayed in the previous arcs. Alucard (Hellsing) may be a highly questionable "protagonist" but it is shown he is self aware on his despicable personality, Gon is just repulsive

[@4lfm__860]

@@rdu239 again, his dad is ging which is the exact definition of a hunter; beyond selfish scumbags and he’s basically a younger version of ging

[@sham8127]

He thrown himself in that world

[@Пинагод]

@@rdu239 You do realise that the world he lived in was way way worse than him though? There was literally a madman whose sole purpose is to be cruel, willingly killed and destroyed an entire village, and would gladly do so without any consideration, yet he eventually softened when meeting genuine innocence. Killua is also literally an assassin, yet his character shaped from being merciless to being thoughtful and open-minded. Get what I'm saying here? Even the most evil characters still had the chance to mature and grow as a person. You're seeing Gon at his worst without giving thought that he felt the absolutely worst during it.

[@unoriginal_name4576]

yeah exactly. I couldn't pin down why it bugged me so much that people always called him a psychopath but this video explained it perfectly. I also think the morals of the hxh universe are much difference than that of the real world. people die left and right in hxh and no one bats an eye, not just gon. hxh creates a story where the moral lesson isn't exactly just 'murder is bad' like a lot of shows do. like I can't of another show where one of the main characters used to literally be an assassin and has killed countless people but the morality of that, and whether that makes them a bad person, is never questioned. like gon isn't exactly a great person but if you judge any hxh character by normal morals they'd all be pretty evil.

[@firefly7076]

So... he’s chaotic neutral?

[@gamaholics8556]

@Artina Li I agree Hisoka is more of a chaotic neutral since he only wants to fight anyone strong and kills without restraint but never out of malice

[@buchelaruzit]

@Artina Li understandable reasoning but as a true neutral I feel offended ngl this kid scares me. Gon is wayy too subjective and lacking in consistent morality(/hypocritical in a way) to be true neutral. I don't think he can really fit any of the alignments but that's obviously not a problem it's not like we're taking them seriously, I just felt like defending the true neutrals

[@epsteindidntkillhimself69]

@@gamaholics8556 Never out of malice isn't really accurate. Remember Neferpitou?

[@cathorse1068]

@@epsteindidntkillhimself69 Hisoka, not Gon

[@lordmelvin9310]

Yee.

[@HxH2011DRA]

I'd just like to note here that Nobunaga saw all of this in Gon and it reminded him so much of uvo that he wanted him there to replace him. Makes you really think about the similarities between the 2

[@Aleczandxr]

You're gonna ruin the surprise for my next video >:O (Good catch and I agree. I talk about it in the next HxH video) :)

[@HxH2011DRA]

Aleczandxr OH BOY OH BOY OH BOY OH BOY!!!!!

[@facebookjpb]

I DIDN'T FINISH NOBUNAGUN, TY VM FOR THE REMIND.

[@HxH2011DRA]

***** OMG Nobunagun is so fun you should definitely finish it XD!

[@anthonychioma7859]

Gon isn't a hero but a hunter, so him caring about others really doesn't fit his line of work that requires putting his wants and needs over other people's. That's is why he loves his dad so much.

[@Prince-dz3fm]

FINALLY, someone said it. Gon is a hunter, his father not being there for him was bc like gon - he too is a natural, born HUNTER. lmao apple doesnt fall far from the tree

[@seijin4426]

That's true but these people could never understand.

[@seijin4426]

@@Prince-dz3fm Hence the story's name.

[@seijin4426]

@I yee'd my last yeehaw It's like a breath of fresh air.

[@Marv-th8qc]

I think he is a hero

[@Xerofit63]

The first time I knew Gon is a bit insane is when Gon actually insisted noneelse but Killua to hold the ball for him eventhough Killua's hand is pretty much shattered

[@sophpistillo5875]

oh god that's trueeee I forgot about it 😶😱

[@5jwiqiojwio217]

that had me so shocked

[@JayD73]

that was mainly because Gon knew that Killua was willing to do so because of the hardships they’d been through together to that point. He also said he wouldn’t be able to hit it full strength if it were anyone else holding it (I’m assuming because he’d be worried about hurting them)

[@melepearl7916]

Yeah, he was willing to sacrifice his friend’s hands just to get a card to beat greed island. Poor killua took pride in getting taken advantage of.

[@natsumehide3978]

Same

[@crackheadculture7927]

Conclusion: gon is just a kid.

[@purifyings8314]

lmao

[@Keith-es2xf]

Yea he's narrow minded niave lil brat who is doesn't understand how the world works with a shit and is just set in a supposed way and that nothing will ever happen and when it doesn't he denies it and like what happened with peto throws a damn tantrum and goes beyond superhuman because something happened that he can't accept welcome to reality u lil dumbass the world is not gnna shape it self to ur desires and only i think he shld have just stayed on his home island cause reality has no place fr someone like him

[@slattszn2412]

Keith he had no one to teach him nothing

[@hriata168]

@@Keith-es2xf I'm guessing you're not a parent nor have experience with kids cause that's what kids are

[@eterno6004]

Keith yea, that’s exactly what a kid is. And u know what Gon is, a kid.

[@CornishCreamtea07]

The best example is when early one Killua kills a convict by ripping his heart out, and aside from the initial shock, Gon doesn't care nor does his relationship with Killua change in the slightest.

[@jamesrichardson849]

Dajal the guy threatened to torture Killua alive. Killua gave him a quick and painless death. I don't see Gon's actions as unjustified, he just saw his friend put down a threat. If you saw someone torturing someone else for pleasure and the only way you could stop it was murdering them wouldn't you respect someone who stepped up to the plate and saved them?

[@iug5672]

Killua: "I'm from a family of assassins" Gon: "Oh,ok. How was that like?"

[@MarioThaMonkey]

Dajjal Did he crush his heart in the manga? Because i remember Killua putting iron grip's heart in his outstretched hand.

[@TheMinuteSquirrel]

MarioThaMonkay Yeah in the manga he crushed it.

[@TheMinuteSquirrel]

While I do think that's the best example it's more poignant to note that gon didn't even give a shit that killua was an assassin at all. It's one thing to not care that a violent murderous psychopath was killed. It's another thing to not care that someone is a cold blooded killer. Add to that the fact that gon barely reacted to killua ripping a guys heart out and getting a very noticeable sadistic kick out of crushing it....and well yeah it's pretty much the best example of what was talked about in this video.

[@noahduring7962]

Holy crap, Gon is actually kind of a scary character

[@Marv-th8qc]

He is like a real kid

[@noahduring7962]

@@Marv-th8qc I know

[@idk-tr3oq]

@@Marv-th8qc You must have some bad experiences

[@Marv-th8qc]

@@idk-tr3oq if a real kid had anime powers it would be like gon

[@noahbrandenburg5738]

Gon in a nutshell - “Kids are cruel, Killua. And I’m very in touch with my inner child.”

[@juliahock5549]

lmao

[@cosneanumatei5117]

Inner? Bruh he literally is a kid

[@octavia8836]

Is that a Metal Gear Rising reference in my hxh comment section??

[@shawerful5209]

Hakowere: *I am FUCKING INVINCIBLE*

[@fullmetaltheorist]

Sounds like something Hisoka would say.

[@thegranddays4937]

I feel like my IQ just doubled after watching this video

[@maranathaaaaaaa]

Same!

[@freshmilk7122]

From 1 to 2 yey! Same

[@JoyintheA.M]

Same

[@TheFatFondler]

0x2=0

[@tonysoprano200]

O

[@skyward_rebel]

I love this, and I think it’s what makes Gon the ideal Hunter. The whole idea behind the Hunter Exam is that they will pass anyone, regardless of moral compass, as long as they have the strength and will. Several people die in the exam, and the examiners don’t really mind. None of the top level hunters there are superheroes. Gon’s personality is as black and white as the exam. You either “pass” or “fail”

[@anuyadav2228]

true tht the major reason i think he is not a monster

[@htaed23]

You know what? I think you're right. Gon is probably the most realistic child in anime.

[@dogf421]

he really is and its great

[@alias4795]

Ikr, I hate him cuz of his selfishness, but I gotta admit that he's probably the most well-written shonen protagonist

[@Odinsday]

​@@alias4795 Togashi basically took Goku's character and tweaked it a bit to work in a much darker setting and that's what makes him so brilliant. He fundamentally isn't different from your average shounen protagonist like Luffy or Naruto, but it's the little things he does that paints a grander picture.

[@Double400]

It's between him and Shinji

[@aceclover758]

Because a sheltered person like Gon with his innocent personality will act like taht in the real world once he see's how different and cruel it can be

[@wubbyy7375]

Gon literally let himself get beat up, just to have a reason to kill the person...

[@anonlvl1957]

Gon let himself to blow up his boutch hands just so he can land an extra hit on genthru

[@sectorbean6314]

Wait who are you talking about?

[@seven8l580]

who are you talking about?

[@animeuniverse5586]

genthru was terrified of insanity of gon is more selfish than ging at this pt

[@tylermccullough5376]

@@sectorbean6314 Genthru. He let Genthru beat him up and then says "now I don't have to feel bad about killing you"

[@freeman7297]

Gon is honestly one of my favorite characters in all of anime for that reason. His character is so consistent like a true child.

[@AI-xe5jr]

The video was so good that it felt like a college class. I almost started taking notes😂

[@Aleczandxr]

Haha, cheers man.

[@aj4104]

Angelo Idisi same

[@xrubyxlightx]

This actually made me laugh out loud hahaha

[@tetsuoyugen3702]

Wish my teachers were this interesting

[@punkrocker4life9674]

I would rather hear lectures like this

[@dragonlanceproductions6298]

“Good. Then I woudent feel remorse for killing you” -Gon

[@dreadknight2439]

Yeash that scene with Meleoron genuinely had me unsettled.

[@VanrougeSimp]

His eyes even lost its light

[@mvhzj]

I just finished HxH for the first time, and it was really interesting to compare Gon to Ging. I was thinking of how Ging's absence really affected Gon. Since Gon didn't hold resentment towards Ging for abandoning him, he rather idolized his "Hunterdom". Watching the final episode when Ging and Gon are talking on the World Tree, Ging expressed his ambitions to discover "what he doesn't have" above all else. Though most of what Ging believed would have come off as selfish or irresponsible to some people like Aunt Mito, Gon only saw that perspective with excitement and awe of his father, perhaps even wanting to emulate that same lifestyle. At the beginning of the show, I was really enamored with Gon's childlike innocence and strong-will with everything he did. Seeing that Ging would put so much effort into creating Greed Island and certain requirements for Gon to see him really made me dislike Ging and believe that Gon was nothing like him. It wasn't until the Chimera Ant Arc when I actually started to see the flaws in Gon. The fact that he would so easily threaten to kill Komugi was shocking to me. However, when I saw Ging in the Election Arc, I didn't dislike him and actually took a liking to his morals and character. Though I definitely enjoyed seeing Leorio punch him for not wanting to visit Gon in the hospital, I was more shocked to see Gon's first conversation with Ging. Rather than asking him something along the lines of "where have you been?"... Gon jumped straight into the "father and son reuniting-catching up" with zero resentments shown. It really just went to show how much Ging's absence in Gon's life really affected him. How without a father-figure to raise him, Gon developed an immaturity that would later affect him. It wouldn't be shocking to see Gon become the same kind of father as Ging, with his focus being on his adventures and goals and no regard for a child. His selfish nature in his friendship with Killua hurt to watch, as Killua would do anything for Gon...

[@andreasbygge6842]

I agree with you mostly but one thing I have to say is that it is very clear that Gon has the exact same mindset about Killua and would sacrifice himself gladly if it meant that his best friend was going to continue living. I cannot currently come up with any specific scenes but Killua is definitely a part of Gons pack.

[@carlitolol1435]

But let's not forget Gon came to Killua's house to save him from his family. He is not 100% fucked up

[@gorkemaykut5230]

@@carlitolol1435 he is a child after all

[@cosneanumatei5117]

@@carlitolol1435 he is actually 0% fucked up. He had a breakdown. Yeah he is selfish and lives without a care in the world but thats bc he is a kid.

[@carlitolol1435]

@@cosneanumatei5117 Yeah true. God I want this series to come back

[@danooshansureshkumar8405]

The most interesting thing about this, is this explanation about Gon perfectly represents why he has the perfect mentality of a "hunter"

[@rems17817]

woah so does that mean hunters are basically monsters?? i mean ig that makes sense and leorio even said it himself during the exam lmfao

[@danooshansureshkumar8405]

@@rems17817 no, just Gon is a monster, maybe kurapika too

[@gorkemaykut5230]

@@danooshansureshkumar8405 I don't know, power and madness go together. look at all the top hunters, all of them have some loose screw here and there. gone is just ahead of the curve.

[@khafidkhafi]

@@danooshansureshkumar8405 imo Kurapika is not at all a natural monster like Gon. He's generally a "normal" person, he's only insane around the Phantom Troupe and those with any kind of connection with the Kurta clan's extinction. He has understandable and humane reasons, regardless of morals.

[@mizuwu9612]

@@danooshansureshkumar8405 kurapika isn't a monster. He was traumatized as a child in a horrible way, it's normal that he would react bad sometimes. Plus he's only bad around the troupe. Gon wasn't traumatized like him, so his behaviour is less justified. Kurapika was a better person until the massacre happened and he just wanted to have fun with his friend. It's normal for a person to want revenge when they lose everything in their life. They took everything from him, whitouth even apologizing or feeling bad for what they did. His morality is kind of twisted sometimes but it's normal since his past. He still could control himself while getting revenge and still prioritized his friends, while gon went totally crazy and didn't care about anything else, he even insulted killua which is something that kurapika never did. He distanced himself from his friends to not hurt them, while gon most of the time didn't care about what killua should face, he always let him hurt just because he needed to do things.

[@crohnsdisease5414]

I really liked your video, but one point that I don't think I've heard you or anyone else raise is how perfectly Hisoka works to demonstrate how dangerous Gon's selfish morality is. As you pointed out in the video, Zepile was taken back by how Gon was not at all interested in traditional notions of morality. Gon was instead primarily concerned with pursuing things that he found "interesting." Fortunately for everyone involved, Gon's interests are mostly positive, but Hisoka shows us how dangerous that approach to morality can be when one's interests are morally repugnant. Like Gon, Hisoka is primarily driven by his own interests. As demonstrated in the Hunter exam, Hisoka showed no hesitation in killing dozens of attackers. Hisoka did not however kill Leorio, even after Leorio attacked him. In fact, Hisoka went out of his way to personally deliver Leorio to the next stage of the exam because he found Leorio interesting. This one example, although there are many in the series, perfectly demonstrates how Hisoka is more than willing to act in seemingly contradictory ways so long as it advances his interests. What makes Hisoka so interesting is that he shows us what Gon could be if he was more concerned with fighting than finding his father or taking care of his friends. Both characters operate under the same moral framework, but with two wildly different goals. Hisoka should then be understood as a sort of anti-Gon, as someone who is willing to peruse their own selfish interests without regard for others well-being. That is the real danger of Gon's morality, that at any time he has the potential to turn into someone just as vile and undercutting as Hisoka.

[@Aleczandxr]

Oh no. You've just totally foreshadowed what my next video is about. This was supposed to be a surprise :(

[@crohnsdisease5414]

Haha, I'm sorry to blow up your spot dude. I'll delete this post if you want to keep it a secret.

[@Aleczandxr]

Crohn's Disease Haha, no, I'm joking. It's totally fine. It's just eerie how similar your comment is to the ideas I bring forth in my next video. Great minds think alike, I suppose!

[@crohnsdisease5414]

Awesome, I can't wait. I was kind of hoping that you would agree with me and make another Hisoka video, so I'm absolutely floored to hear that you're already working on it. Keep it up man, I love your videos.

[@AK-qm8uw]

Crohn's Disease solid facts . You can't be rivals if you aren't somehow similar and anti to one another

[@DontPwnMyTwins]

(just before the dodgeball game, razor brutally kills one of his fellow pirates)Gon: hey, why'd you kill him?!Razor: he used to be a prisonerG: oh... 'kay!(after the game)R: i'm friends with your dad. Also, i used to be a prisonerG: awesome!

[@CidRaqLim]

this is like Togashi asking us, is being a prisoner/convict enough to have people to dislike/hate you?

[@mrxcs]

Killua probably killed more than both togheter.

[@knee-deepin-doot8742]

Didn’t razor say that dude was a prisoner because he committed sexual assault, rape and multiple degrees of murder? At least razor bettered himself.

[@milkcarton8362]

Gon to phantom troupe: How can u kill ppl who have nothing to do with you? Also Gon: Hey killua kill this woman if the cat tries anything

[@sarveshnathan7559]

Really shows how hypocritical gon is.

[@akidk1499]

@@sarveshnathan7559 Or he is a Child and acts his age.. Probably everyone would do the same

[@sanico681]

@@sarveshnathan7559 I’m sorry that it’s not DBZ where people just shout and fight with dumb power ups

[@-starvs213]

@@sarveshnathan7559 he’s not an hypocrite, he was just in a REALLY BAD mental state, he was traumatized.

[@42fern]

You can't really compare the two instances. One where the phantom troupe simply kills for profit, to when Gon met an enemy that was pretty strong and had committed genocide and killed a beloved friend of his, being in a state of fragility, as the same.

[@youngdefiant]

Gon is a complete and utter Savage, one of my favorite main characters ever.

[@mehdielkhatib1088]

youngdefiant lmfaoyes

[@zee2826]

youngdefiant he's mediocre

[@nadeemabdelmohsen3788]

you're mediocre

[@UopangeGOJO]

youngdefiant

[@balabanasireti]

youngdefiant He's one of my favorite main characters because he's a naive and simplistic main character done right.

[@johnvonshepard9373]

Masashi Kishimoto:: Naruto is such a deep character Togashi: Hold my beer

[@rigged3892]

John von Shepard XD

[@maxdrags3115]

John von Shepard 😂😂😂

[@gao4605]

Hirohiko Araki:nice job kids

[@victorbarraza4910]

Naruto is... kid naruto is annyoing and awful I fucking hate him, grown up naruto was less awful, morality is too sugary for me, but it worked in the story and tematically so whatevs, I mean, I would have liked him to go to the actual dark side of himself instead of just going fox crazy, but well done anyways. Better than bleach and his vaguely depressed savior complexed main and One Piece and his whatever I'm just wacky and funny Luffy.

[@mazokuwolf1279]

Actually kishimoto took some notes from hunter x hunter when creating Naruto. Have you ever noticed Orochimaru imitates Hisoka.

[@mario98730]

Well when you think about it, Kite was the closest thing Gon had to a father. Gon spent years idolizing Ging and eventually found his student who shares many of the concept Gon had about Ging. Kite taught him many lessons, fed him, and protected him like any father would his children. So when Kite was kidnapped, Gon was obsessed with getting him back because he was so close to Ging and he didn't want to lose another father figure. Seeing Kite die was all the more important because he lost the only man in his life who was his mentor. After all he became a Hunter to find his father: so when he lost his father figure, all his dreams were crushed so he didn't see the point in living anymore.

[@Aleczandxr]

Yep, spot on. His reaction to losing him is more than understandable. Though, the 2011 anime could have done more in establishing the Gon-Kite relationship, it has to be said.

[@mario98730]

Yeah when you mentioned that in the video I totally agreed that the anime doesn't really show that much of their relationship (it was fine but as you said there was plenty more to show). Also while I have your attention, freaking love all your videos man. Please continue to blow my mind about the anime that I love (ps if you could make a video on My Hero Academia I would love that)

[@Aleczandxr]

I already made one on MHA, actually. I'm surprised you missed it. Check through my recent videos.

[@dominicgunderson]

@@Aleczandxr I agree but I don't think it was neccesary. You could see how much Kite meant to Gon through his rage and sadness.

[@shadowed512]

"HxH is probably going to end as a story without a distinct hero" *cries in indefinite hiatus*

[@1minion203]

Yeah, I just finished what's available for the manga. Now I'm in limbo with the rest of you, wondering...

[@MoonlightGlimmer]

@@1minion203 Wait is there anything new in the manga that isn't in the anime? Pls let us knowwww

[@1minion203]

@@MoonlightGlimmer Gon finally meets his dad in chapter 335 during the election arc and there are 380 chapters printed total. The last arc features a plan to travel to the dark continen and the arc barely started before Togashi went on his hiatus which is nearly 3 years ago now, I think.

[@MoonlightGlimmer]

@@1minion203 Ah okay, thank u. aaaaa im so sad i rly wanted to know the ending, at this point i won't even mind if the author tweets in bullet points what happens LMAO

[@frootloopsbros]

BRO ITS COMING BACK ITS CONFIRMED

[@JaxBlade]

This was a fantastic video, I just finished Hunter X Hunter 2 weeks ago and thought something was a bit weird about Gon's character. Great Analysis!

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks man, glad you thought so. Hopefully you enjoyed the series!

[@supermonkeyCL]

See how Gon and Meruem become parallel

[@bernardoheusi6146]

Bullshit. What a stupid video, Gon didn´t kill either Binolt or Genthro. Why don´t you explain that? He ALWAYS kill only in self defense BECAUSE he is optimistic and thinks that people can be better, why you ignore this? He said he WOULD spare the armadillo guy if he stopped being evil. He attacked him to kill. And Gon killed him. You think that Gon was evil because of that? You are an imbecile.

[@Zeuts85]

He didn't say that Gon is evil. He said that he's an immature kid with a hypocritical and selfish moral code. This is 100% true.

[@bernardoheusi6146]

Sure. Selfish kid that used a card to save Genthru. The guy that was going to kill him moments before. Selfish kid who jumped on the boat on the first episode to save someone. But let´s select 1% of the character and ignore 99% of the rest, and say bad things, amirite. Bye, enjoy the shitty edgy video.

[@Modsu]

TL;DR: i agree. be warned when u click the read more ur boutta see a ramble and a half below this so buckle up: Yeah, I think we're on the same wavelength here about this, but you put it much more eloquently. I tried to explain it to a friend I watched the show with- about child psychology and Gon's glaring lack of perspective on account of being *a child* -but the thing that's foreboding about his character imo is how usually when a child has this cruel innocence, they're still in an environment where they're being nurtured and educated, so the fact that they don't know better right now isn't a pressing issue. Gon's out there in the world, and a remarkably cruel one at that, dealing with issues and stakes way beyond his years and mindset, thus his capability to understand. You pointed out his frustration with grey areas and I silently rejoiced, because I was hoping that would be touched on. Hisoka's arbitrary personality rubric for the different types of nen users kind of touched on Gon's mindset in a very general sense, but it hit the nail on the head just the same. Gon's straightforward, earnest and simple. Not as in dumb, as in he's shoots straight. He oversimplifies, even. That frame of mind is what makes him so averse to deceit or dishonest means of accomplishing his goals, because it's simpler if his victory is straightforward and unable to be contested. He didn't want to win to Hanzo by forfeit without a proper fight, he didn't want to pass the exam because Hisoka *allowed* it. And he didn't think to lie or hide his intentions regarding his nen type or his reason for seeking out Hisoka in Greed Island, all for the same reason: he doesn't really see lying as a necessity, or rather, he doesn't see the point in it, to the extent that it won't even occur to him as an option. Things *can* be simple, so they should be. And that's exactly why complex matters, especially in regards to emotional subjects like morality, cause him so much strife. When he believes things are black and white, he can easily understand them and make judgements, he knows how he's supposed to feel about them. When a band of thieves and murderers think nothing of death, that's something simple, its an enemy he can understand and pin down as bad and nothing else. But when he sees this group of murderers mourn one of their own, and show genuine sorrow and grieve right in front of his eyes, that simple understanding he thought he had is challenged. Humans are hypocritical, biased and complex, and Gon has a much easier time when he doesn't have to see his enemies as human. You can't make judgements with total confidence when you have to anticipate depth behind a person's surface, and that leaves Gon's understanding of things in jeopardy, and that confusion frustrates him, because as a child without a grasp on these kinds of difficult emotions, he doesn't know how to deal with them healthily. It would be *simpler* if his enemy was pure evil, he could take out his hatred and anger on them, and walk away with closure and feeling justified in his actions. I feel that he *longs* for simplicity rather than having to distinguish all of the shades of grey. Your point about the difference between good and bad compared to right and wrong reminded me of what I tried to articulate myself, but I think how I phrased it was that "Gon's innocent, but innocence and kindness aren't the same thing. Innocence can be cruel when it's a matter of simply not dirtying your hands by getting involved with what doesn't concern you." He's got a child's mindset because his exposure to interpersonal/social interactions before leaving for the exam have been so lacking. Killua is similarly deprived of social understanding through inexperience, but he doesn't have that same dangerous innocence Gon has because of the harsh way he was brought up. I think if I remember right, one of the first comments on Gon's skewed view of things within the show was made *by* Killua, albeit in his own head, when he tells Gon about his family, a clan of assassins that is notorious worldwide, and Gon's basically like, "Oh, cool. So anyway-" Your words for describing his mentality aren't inaccurate, but they're brutally honest. Blunt, even. Gon could be misinterpreted as overtly hateful and cruel by people who don't want to see the shades of grey or analyze the cause behind the effect, (people like... Gon... ironically... lol.) But even his selfishness is not really based in cruelty, it's just the ugly side to childish innocence: thoughtlessness. He bypasses the moral dilemmas his actions might otherwise provoke because he doesn't stop to consider them in the first place. Thank u for coming to my TED talk I've been binging ur videos because character & thematic discussion/analyses are my kink bruh lololololol ☺️👌

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Yuiichiiro]

I didn't read everything but great job!

[@muffinfighter3680]

Interesting to read!

[@shmoop6543]

holy shit, well said.

[@tayzm1117]

This is a beautiful analysis. Especially on how the fan base streamline Gon as a "monster" or into certain categories without understanding the underlying complexities and message Togashi was trying to convey.

[@macromondo8026]

Me after watching this video: *apreciation for Togashi INTENSIFIES!*

[@b0by1]

Appreciation for togashi: 1000%

[@shoobzy3431]

Appreciation for Togashi: ????

[@ginoyesano5649]

@@shoobzy3431 I got that reference 😊

[@tophatgeo]

Gon’s casual mention of “oh I would kill you if you lied to me” to Meleoron during the Chimera Ant arc was chilling. That and when he nearly killed Morel after he was told to view him as Pitou. He’s one really interesting character since he parallels both Ging and Hisoka (who both use people for their own ends and keeps people around who are “interesting” or powerful to them)

[@Rulerof2006]

Tl:dr Gon is a kid in the purest and most literal sense there is, and a kid with with super powers can a very dangerous weapon.

[@geling101]

This summary is somehow surprisingly better than this entire video essay lmao

[@xgullafter9590]

What I never get about these fucking idiots who won't stop raving about Gon being a psychopath fail to realize that he's 12 years old like what the fuck, y'all were almost definitely worse people at that age, even with relatively normal upbringings??

[@justinthompson6364]

@@xgullafter9590 To be fair, 12 is a little old to still have such a naive and self-centered outlook. On the other hand, his early life _was_ fairly sheltered, soo...

[@-Esper01]

In the show there was more exams and they're like every year so that was like 2 or so so he's like 14 now and he still got these ideas so

[@melindawest3112]

@@-Esper01 no, there was only one year that pass. Gon have now 13

[@CmdrRenegade]

"Hunters are a bunch of egomaniacs. We set aside everything else to get what we want."-Ging Freecss Gon is just a chip off the old block, though you explained it in the best way possible. Thank you for making this video. You just got another subscriber.

[@igiornogiovannahaveadream649]

CmdrRenegade they say "good hunters" are liked by animals. Gon is liked which means he's everything this vid is saying and what you said

[@justinmacasinag6258]

CmdrRenegade The explainer of the video must be virgin. Its just an anime with collaborative creation of people

[@RedTriangle53]

@@justinmacasinag6258 it's a manga written by a single person. I'm not sure what you mean.

[@combatbenyamin]

@@justinmacasinag6258 bruh why you so mad

[@AnEndlessStrategy]

*Watching video* Yeah, Gon has a dark side, but he's a good kid on the whole. This guy is uncharitable. *Keeps watching* OK, those are several very good points, I hadn't considered that. *Keeps watching* ...OK maybe he's not a good kid.

[@Aleczandxr]

To be fair, I purposely emphasized his darker traits. There’s still a lot of good in him.

[@jeremymcneme7396]

lol, yea, I think he's generally good in a neutral situation anyway.

[@highglider7911]

Hisoka, The Phantoum Troupe have displayed some qualities of the heroes in the anime I guess is not too hard to believe for the heroes to display qualities of the villains

[@vmpandeydelhi7559]

Watching for a second time : " hes a f****ing monster!"

[@leavy]

vishwa mohan pandey that’s a bit of a stretch

[@margot356]

the thing is i hate it when people frame gon as a lunatic psychopath. he’s not cruel - he’s not evil. he does not want death and destruction. this video is an amazing analysis - it is gon’s simplicity and selfishness in his moral reasoning that is why he lost control and destroyed pitou. that does not mean he is a terrible person who wants everyone except his friends to be destroyed.

[@Blue-ik8ij]

He does 🤣 The more times you watch it, the more you realize how much of a monster he became

[@dianxiaaa2164]

@@Blue-ik8ij u have zero media literacy

[@tarfalgarlaw8412]

​@@dianxiaaa2164 dint he set somebody to die to take hiokas tag , that's fucked upp

[@hellother52]

​@@tarfalgarlaw8412We are in the Hunter Exam, an extremely difficult and dangerous set of tests in which deaths are common, almost a guarantee, every year. Gon was aware of this and that others participants surely knew it as well, so in Gon's mind theirs death were something among the lines of "fair game", "GGs only guys" and "it is what it is". • He had little if any interaction with them prior their deaths, unlike with Kurapika, Leorio and Killua. Had any of them died in the exam, we'd have seen an emotional reaction from him, even though they only knew each other for a few days. • He was probably educated enough to know and understand the concept of death long before taking part in the exam.

[@gertrudesatekge2635]

He is cruel, and he does evil things if it benefits him. If he'd like to live in a world where something is the way he wants it, he will flip the world upside down to get it the way he wants it, easily causing destruction and disruption. The video explained that idea. Children can be cruel and mean to get things the way they want it to be, which is basically Gon. And it's not the child's fault, it's actually something they are taught against and eventually grow out of. Gon did not grow out of that, combined with the fact that he was at least old enough to consider what he wanted to (e.g friends and ppl that benefit him) in addition to the fact that he had the power to do what he wanted, and you do have a psychotic-looking character like Gon who just wants what he wants.

[@maleturtle4040]

Gon's my favorite character, and I really enjoy his 1-dimensional way of thinking. I think that this theme of just being a simple kid is shown really well in his nen power of rock paper scissors as well. He's usually good at rock paper scissors, so he chooses that as a weapon. I like how he's a character you can relate to, but you're not forced to relate to, where many new animes show just a basic otaku character doing basic otaku stuff. Gon branches out a lot from the norm, and I really appreciate that. I really enjoyed this vid.

[@fizzypop3977]

SAME! you gotta love him and his EPICCCCCCCCCCC power ups! amma right

[@Fifty92Mine]

You forgot about one important thing: Hisokas Hatsu has properties both rubber and gum. Edit: holy moly my dudes. 700likes

[@crustykeycap5670]

I swear if see another comment reminding me of how poor my memory is-

[@yoomis9974]

Omg stop

[@rumory]

@The Vibe hey, don't get so worked up just because bungee gum has the properties of both rubber and gum

[@rumory]

oh he deleted his comment

[@Fifty92Mine]

@@rumory i guess power of Hisokas hatsu (which has properties of both rubber and gum) was too much for him

[@astrotortoise33]

On the contrary, he is surrounded by an environment with death at an early age. He is associated with animals all the time, like his instincts and when he saw how evil mike was. I think his judgement is like an animal. He being the mama bear, as long as he gets away with his cubs, he doesn't care and is glad, but if another animal dies he doesn't bat an eye. I also feel like he has lived in the forest and wilderness or experienced it, so he isn't phased by death during the exam. Anyways, I quite like his lack of morality in some situations. It makes it seem real and shows why nobunaga and spiders were like that. I just love how deep it makes his character seem.

[@Aleczandxr]

I meant death of his fellow man. I obviously can't relate or properly assess the nuances of that but I'm assuming that there's quite a difference for the people of Whale Island between the deaths of animals and the deaths of humans. Gon hadn't been exposed at all to human death and the survivability of the animal world on Whale Island was quite mundane to him, so I hypothesize that human suffering and death should probably draw some sort of reaction. That's all.

[@astrotortoise33]

Ah I see your point now. I guess it is kind of weird for there to be no reaction whatsoever

[@kz_kanmuru4269]

+Aleczandxr Most likely due Gon being raised in the wild he thinks by the Jungle law, survival of the fittest, human or not doesn't matter.He's a product of the environment he lived in.

[@KabooM1067]

Ronin Tortoise I forgot that part about his background. You make a valid point.

[@DurvalLacerda]

Remember that Adult Gon is just raw power, because it doesn't take into account the experience and knowledge he would've gained if he actually trained during those years he aged. Now imagine Gon as an actual adult with all the tecniques, fighting and Nen experience of years of training... If his "fake" adult form was as powerful as the Ant King, imagine him with the experience of all the tricks, techniques, hatsus he would've created after decades of training...

[@StaydwnnM]

He would shit on mereum with ease

[@cianbarrett6443]

His morality is also close to that of the jungle and wild forest he grew up in. Animals have symbiotic relationships and parasitic ones too. Gon has seen how cruel the world is before venturing from Whale Island. When a lioness sees prey, she’s not concerned with what it’s trying to protect or the other dangers it’s already faced. She sees her prey, how she and her pride gets to keep going. He operates on a very animalistic morality due to how he grew up. Fucking love your video by the way

[@Aleczandxr]

Exactly - Togashi very often emphasizes nurture in shaping who his characters become, and Gon's instinctual animal nature is a great example of that.

[@cianbarrett6443]

Aleczandxr watched so many of your HxH videos, they’re so interesting. You have earned a subscriber! Keep it up!

[@superbrian7997]

Cian Barrett well that just makes Gon look more like he suffers from an extreme case of Aspergers Syndrome or something with how he claims to not understand why Pitou attacked Kite. When Pitou only attacked Kite in defense of herself. The Chimera Ants Territory and her king. Which Gon, Killieu and Kite came to destroy... The Chimera Ants pose a clear and present danger to humanity and Nen users in particular. They sought to devour and enslave humans. But be that as it may... That doesn’t mean that they’re just going to lay down and die without a fight, first! It’s like that ole saying. “It’s not personal. It’s just business.” But Gon chooses to turn Pitou into a malevolent super villain in his mind. For attacking Kite. But Gon is the one with the most malevolent intent in his final encounter with Pitou!

[@bobbyzamora6389]

THE MANGA IS COMING BACK AND NOW MY BOY HAS A 25 MINUTE VIDEO ON GON AND HIS CRAZY SHIT. What a day.

[@ilyaselbadr6387]

Bobby Zamora Lol

[@copperfield42]

really? mmm, I found doubtful for some reason, can you share your source

[@crzyboy190]

David Franco Crunchyroll

[@Aleczandxr]

+David Franco It's legit.

[@bryarbrammer99]

That shit's about to be 3 more chapter lmao.

[@TalesOfNerdiaChris]

Really enjoyed this. Gon's conversation with Binolt really drove your point home. Greed Island is probably the arc I've read/watched the least so that caught me off guard.

[@Aleczandxr]

It's a seriously fascinating comparison, says so much with so little and the coolest thing is that it's never emphasized.

[@mox6466]

Aleczandxr my 2 boys shipping each other. Aww ❤

[@ilyaselbadr6387]

Tales of Nerdia Jikan desu.. @#$_& yukimasu

[@mystic1410]

Tales of Nerdia Pretty sad to hear I personally think it's when the series is at it's most fun and Energetic

[@jozuecoronel10]

I can be wrong but I think the scene when Gon said to Binolt: "why would I kill you, you helped us" is not cannon at all. When I read that part in the manga (because personally I don't watch the anime) surprised me a lot because at the end of the chapter, Binolt said so "kill me" and in the next chapter he isn't there anymore and not mention of him can be found. But maybe it was lack that page where I read it

[@JDWalker495]

The purest intentions can lead to the darkest actions. Never underestimate humanity’s potential for malice.

[@ItsJustAJVJ]

Take a kid, throw him in a world with superpowers and a highly grayed sense of morality & justice, and have him follow in his father's footsteps in the hopes of one day being as great as him; have that child see that goal as the end all be all and have his journey be a transformative process as he is molded by the world around him as he tries to break said mold thinking that was what his father did. But, in reality, his father is just another product of the environment the world has provided, and sure they are both unique individuals but at some level everyone is. Gon was literally one bad day away from becoming everything he despised about the Troupe or Pitou. That is the beauty of HxH, it's a story of watching what the world does to someone, someone who is so pure at their heart but so naive that it's almost unsettling to watch as they are unable to grasp the gravity of their situation while we watch them turn into a shell of what they once were. Take away the superpower aspect and HxH is just about growing up in a fucked up world while trying to make sense of it all. And don't we all go through that to some degree?

[@jerichojones3595]

I don't think Gon wanted to be a hunter to "be as great as him". I believe it was more of "wow, this guy abondoned his own child to be a hunter, being a hunter must be great!".

[@FullmetalSonic260]

Wow, I always thought Gon was more complex than the typical Shounen protag, but this puts into perspective how interesting his character can actually be if you look hard enough. I'm just speechless, I never looked into his moral compass and how he reacts to situations before the Chimera Ant arc, so this is quite eye-opening.

[@Lohali]

He's simple but great. He's so dang young and so dang crazy at times.

[@onlyf676]

@@Lohali still,it's freaky that things like this often happens in real life.

[@seyvonmouzon8799]

Gon is What every shonen protagonist should have become in the setting that they are written into at their age . Example ... Naruto , is a 12 year old kid living alone in a world filled with blood thirsty ninja & is also shunned by everyone in his village . This should have turned him into a sociopath, with little care for others. But instead he wants to protect all the people who hate him . Doesn't add up . Gon is literally a product of the life that he lives . That's what makes him one of the greatest characters in shonen period .

[@Aleczandxr]

I'm not familiar with Naruto but I understand the concept, and totally agree that a character like Gon is how you should approach the main character. It's a shame that he's such a rare case.

[@comiczam]

Zee Mizuke To be fair. Naruto had one mentor who consistently showed him kindness and several minor acquaintances.

[@yourmom9931]

Zee Mizuke not everyone develops in the same way. One of Narutos main themes is empathy.

[@mdzee5471]

Naruto is a terrible a character

[@blacksmith4703]

gaara is basically what naruto would have became if he didnt have iruka to take care of him

[@sweetwagon8230]

I actually really like Gon's simple and selfish mentality. It's kinda cool. It's perfect in fact. In order to avoid conflict and survive. It is a great moral idea.

[@traftras1687]

Nope.

[@sweetwagon8230]

@@traftras1687 You dare challenge me boy?

[@concealer3850]

In the world as dark as Hunter x Hunter, that is a good mentality to have.

[@Glowingfed]

Pure pragmatism. Kinda neat to see

[@rokamayono2312]

As far as survival situations go, I’d say that mentality would get you far

[@mullent169]

Great analysis! I've always found Gon's psyche interesting. I especially enjoy how Gon is the one who inadvertently saves Killua's soul in the first half of the series. Then in the second half, Killua returns the favor by saving Gon's soul in the second half of the series. The two of them create a dynamic that transcends anything I've seen in anime before.

[@Aleczandxr]

Cheers, thanks!

[@ShuraEssays]

I love the role reversal between Meruem and Gon by the end of the Chimera Ant arc. Meruem starts as a cold, merciless killer, and ends up as a person who loves Komugi more than anything, so much so that his final wish is to simply be with her, and now I'm depressed again. Great. Anyway, Gon goes from a carefree child on a mission to a literal child in an adult's body, and murders - no, slaughters - Pitou in cold blood and vengeance.

[@TaigaXsenpai]

Well Meruem and Gon case presented that we learn morality through our experiences. As he achieved everything the world has to offer in few days without any effort he has learned that living only for personal goals would not grant happiness. When he met Komugi he learned that we need friends and company. Only then our life can feel full. However, our personal goals and desires are also important because they lead us to expanding our knowledge of the world and this rise our empathy. Accepting knowledge blindly is always a form of brainwashing, we need to feel knowledge to fully understand it. Our curiosity and our desires help us to reach it. The thing is that Gon is regular human limited by human limits. If Gon reached his ambition he would search for new goals. Each new experience would broad his sense of morality. This is how life looks like. Our desires broadens our knowledge about the world. We gather knowledge and knowledge broadens our empathy and morality. Meureum could achieve morality faster, because for him everything was easy. Gon like every human still needs experiences to learn morality fully because reaching his personal goals and expanding knowledge is difficult. In the end Hisoka might change too. If he will gather more experiences in life (even by amoral desires) his knowledge might rise and as a result his empathy. In reality Hisoka is just very stupid. His knowledge is very limited. Bomber learned the need for company. If he lived longer some experiences might have taught him to rise his ethics even more.

[@TaigaXsenpai]

I mean mentally xD

[@TaigaXsenpai]

Pitou case is difficult. He was born with completely different needs and emotions than humans. He understands right and wrong in different way. should we judge him if he is not capable of feeling empathy like we do?

[@bernardoheusi6146]

Pitou was following the King´s orders to keep Komugi safe... and he did think of killing Gon. what a load of crap. He was evil, and didn´t kill because of lack of opportunity.

[@MMOplayeerr]

Hisoka doesnt seem like stupid at all. While Gon seems ignorant and stupid, Hisoka totally know how bad of a person He is, but He enjoys this and He accepts and likes that He enjoys killing and playing with his prey.

[@caswellweird]

another point in favor of your argument is Gon's battle with Bomber in the Greed Island Arc. Bisky has a plan to make up for the difference in power between the two teams, her plan requires Gon to be a pawn and to not actually defeat Bomber one on one, despite that being Gon's request. So what does Gon do? He breaks from the plan and fights Bomber head to prove his strength. Even going as far as to lose an arm just to get the hit in. Completely insane, selfish, and childish.

[@Aleczandxr]

Yep, and that's a point I didn't make because I'm going to bring it up (in passing) in another video. I don't know how anyone can really make the case that Gon isn't selfish.

[@TheDrConfuzled]

i guess you could say Gon takes a view of ethics that is entierly based on his chosen virtues (friendship, ect) in the same way at Netero (matrial skill/dicipline, ect), and rejects or rather doesnt understand the utilitarian view society has towards ethics. Although the scene where Gon berates Nobunaga for not having said Utilitarian values does provide evidence against this, I feel that was more Gon's confusion at the idea that the Phantom Troupe didn't play along to the sense of morality every other character he had interacted with has displayed, with the good guys acting in the universal interest and the bad guys acting in their own interest. Suddently, the Phantom Troup is revealed to only value the idea that they hold above all else, just as he does. Some scenes that I fell give an idea of this for me are when Gon is playing the ball game with Netero and almost shatters his skull by head butting Netero. Killua tried the same sort of physical attack with his scissor kick thing, but upon realising it would be not in his self interest to break his legs just to play a stupid game with an old man, he gave up. Gon's absolute value for friendship and i guess you could call it something like hospitality or reciprocating someone's offer of companionship means he would rather play Netero's game while risking his life than bailing, which would be clearly in his self interest as fracturing your skull and not being able to go on your adventure with your friends seems like his major slef interest at the moment. The other scene I feel shows this is when Netero sees Gon on the top of the palace before they go off to fight their respective fights. Netero sees Gon look like a demon about to fuck murder a couple puppies and give him the "go get 'em kid" look, which for me is netero's approval for Gon to go apeshit on Pitou, despite Netero being able to come to the natural conclusions that in all likelyhood, Gon and Komugi would likely die rather than Pitou. Thats my best example of Gon being capitvates by a single idea of not betraying Kite's friendship at any cost, and Netero giving his approval, since I fell he thinks the exact same way with his treatment of weak hunter applicants vs his respect for characters like Gon and Parsiton, who both hold uncompromising faith in their chosen virtues. i definetly see all your points in the video, i just think Gon being ready to kill himself on mltiple occasions for any degree of friendship shown to him is a good case for him not being totally selfish. TL;DR - Gon being fully prepared to die for his beliefs over a spectruem of situations from playing a ball game to fighting a demon from the pits of hell can't be put neatly into the catergory of selfishness or self interest given that he has so much to live for outside getting a Hunter License and saving Kite.

[@kallibanks8418]

yeah, Gon is one of the most morally lacking protagonists ive read about. I dont understand how people can compare him to Naruto or Deku.

[@jerichojones3595]

I personally thought the convesation between Gon and Killua when they escaped from Nobunaga was very telling, Killua wanted to sacrifice himself so that Gon could escape, later Gon said that it was his job to act stupid and for Killua to stop him, not the reverse. It was more of highlight of what this video wanted to convey but it just threw me off when he said it.

[@shariporter6002]

Kalli Banks well you can if you think of gon as a typical shonen protagonist in a more seinen setting. He's kind of a more realistic version of the typical shonen protagonist.

[@obbbob4911]

Killua and Gon are complete opposites. Killua’s been nurtured by his family to be a cold ruthless killer, but his nature is sweet and gentle. Gon on the other hand, has been nurtured by his family to be sweet and loving, but his nature is cold and dark. Basically if Gon was born into the zoldyck family, he would be the assassin that the family always wanted. Gon and Killua’s personalities align soo well.

[@akazienoel2009]

You forgot the part where his family is his aunt and grandma, whereas his mother died and father abondonned him on an isolated island with hardly any human contacts. I d say that that s enough to mess up your morality by a lot, I think Gon was made that way too, ‚no one‘ is born ‚evil‘. We don t know how Gom would have been in a different life, hell, we don t know how anyone d be with a whole different life as personalities and traits are really influenced by your former life. But even if you d say that, what if Gon d be as curious as now, wohldn t he rather want to go out and see the world and get friends, _like Killua_ instead of being locked up and abused at home? Gon and Killua aren t that different, they re both insecure about themselves, they both experienced traumatic events, are children, did morally questionable things, and whereas Killua went to a lighter place and found himself, Gon went to a darker place and lost himself (though you couid still say, both of their journeys are about self worth and trying to survive in the ruthless world). Personally, I hate the nature vs nurture argument, we don t know how d Gon be if raised differently, and I d say that most people aren‘t just born „evil“ Though that s just my opinion and interpretation

[@BroBro-tr2cw]

@@akazienoel2009you forgot the part where gon met boats filled with beautiful girls(said by him) and was raised by mito San who he believes is his mother

[@emmejay7934]

Quoting Johann Liebert's words: "Children are the purest form of good and evil"

[@DevilKrin]

Think he shifted from Chaotic Good to Chaotic Neutral towards the Chimera Ant arc. He had seen enough shit by then to realize the "goody two-shoes" demeanor wasn't correlating with reality for him.

[@lordnostradex7787]

Gon's character arc during the Chimera Ant arc might just be my favorite part of HxH. He turned from the simplistic, innocent child turned into a monster. His mental breakdown after finding out Kite was heartbreaking and his speech to Killua about how guilty he felt from Kite was imo, the saddest scene in the series. His developed is so nuanced for a Shonen protagonist, yet it all feels so organic. It adds so many shades of grey with his confliction with Pitou and his character in general. This video really highlight what I liked about his development, you did a great job on it.

[@spartankittygames]

LordNostradeX lol I hated that part. I hate to see gon upset and make killua sad. it's good character development, but I could not bear seeing gon like that.

[@xzxarchangelxzx]

My fave scene of the arc (aside from obligatory Meruem-Komugi ones) is definitely when Gon goes apeshit on Pitou in the forest and when the headless Pitou rose from death. The tone is so creepy and dark, and they are even in a castle, like the beginning of a horror movie except Gon is the monster.

[@spartankittygames]

xzxarchangelxzx the best part is when killua owns youpi.

[@smugshrug]

he was already a monster before that. The Bomber showed us that. even him - a mass murderer - was freaked out by Gon's determination. but CA gave him the opportunity to truly unleash it.

[@Aleczandxr]

His downward spiral and dark transformation is one of the most impressive things about the series, I agree. He gets stick sometimes but I'll defend the idea that Gon had a great and thematically resonant arc until I'm blue in the face. And I'm glad you agreed, thanks for the kinds words.

[@vivienamare2231]

Just gonna toss this in- I do think one of the reasons gon doesn’t care about about death, asides the reasons you brought up, is because in the wildlife, death is natural. So, while he won’t go out of his way to kill or help someone unless, as you said, it’s beneficial. It’s not so much he is morally bad, it’s more so he prefers to allow nature to run its course

[@kareemalasmar785]

1nd first reply and 1nd first comment and thirty 30th like and I replied! and I commented! and I liked to you at 11 46 pm! and 11 47 pm! and 11 48 pm! and 11 49 pm! and at April Friday 4 29 2022! and yay! This is my fourteenth reply today as we are Friday! and I commented that at 11 48 pm! and 11 49 pm! and at April Friday 4 29 2022!

[@sub-zero5433]

that’s an interesting idea

[@akazienoel2009]

and because he s a child, he might not have thought about death that much

[@JMD501]

There is a word for someone who doesn't have empathy for others, psychopath.

[@beancheese3148]

Very true. And he lived on a small island with very few people he cares to interact with. A lot of the population cycled through and never affected how he lived, so I’m sure he got used to the idea “not everyone is necessary for my survival.” He’s probably heard of many casualties aboard the ships too. I love how complex yet simple his philosophy is. Like most children, he believes he and his friends are invincible. When ‘natural selection’ comes for them too, he’s beside himself in grief and despair.

[@BaileyZK]

Great video! I think you missed something though. I think a lot of Gon's morality and attitude toward death is from experiencing it A LOT, but never personally. He's out in the wilderness all the time as a kid and when he visits the island with Killua doesn't bother bringing food 'cos they'll just catch and cook something. I think he's actually desensitised to death because he's seen survival of the fittest for most of his childhood and has never experienced it himself. So the reason he doesn't care about people dying in the exam or murderers like Binolt is because he sees it as the natural order. In fact that ties in really well to the Chimera Ant Arc because his views are basically just the same as an animals, it's kill or be killed. Animals don't care about the death of other animals that they don't know, they're too busy trying to protect themself and their babies or pack etc just like Gon. The Chimera Ant Arc is all about Humanity and Beasthood and Gon was an exemplar of it from the start. Characters that have a "kill or be killed" mentality are really common but they almost always SAY that that's how they view the world and the strong should crush the weak etc etc whereas Gon is a much better character because he never does have to say it, it's just their in all of his actions. It's amazing too because that viewpoint is almost always the view of the villain but in Hunter X Hunter it's how the PROTAGONIST thinks! Which now that I think about it is quite a good idea because I think the reason that viewpoint is so common in villains is because there's some truth to it. Survival of the Fittest IS how the world works even in society (in a less death-y way of course) but it's a villain's perspective because one of the goals of society is to reject that reality and give equal opportunities because there's value in the so-called weak. Star Trek: TNG is where I first remember learning that as a kid because it shows that fact in a really good way some times like with Geordi being an excellent engineer but born blind. It's ALSO EXACTLY what Meruem learns from Komugi! That the "weak" can still be the best at other things and be extremely useful to society This is my favourite video of yours that I've seen! I only just finished Hunter X Hunter so it was great to find out all the ways that the "fight" with Pitou was foreshadowed and realise while writing this comment how well Gon's morality ties into the rest of the show and how good a character arc it will probably end up being. Especially as I was one of the people that wasn't sure about the Pitou fight because I didn't know Kite was originally in it more.

[@Aleczandxr]

Glad you enjoyed the video. I actually touched on and alluded to that in explaining his unfamiliarity with grief and death (obviously of those close to him) and how that relates to the extremes he goes to. Though it wasn’t extremely elaborate, I felt the sentiment was clear. And I agree about the animal mentality - I’ve talked about that in other videos.

[@OnionThyme]

I always thought of Gon as an innocent child, who was ignorant to how the world worked. To me he felt like a great contrast to Killua, who was very familiar with how it worked.

[@airiello]

great way to put it, honestly

[@dearlilac2606]

I agree with you. This is why I actually like the combination of the two since they are entirely the opposite of the other. One can eventually control or at least keep the other in check if he gets out of hand. But during the Chimera Ant arc, this sort of plus-minus, magnet like attraction falls out when Gon said to Killua to mind his own business and that he has it easy. This scene in the entire series actually made me cry.

[@arkavick]

Until he threatened to kill Komugi...

[@xKunaii]

I agree with all your points..and I'd like to add that it makes sense that Gon doesn't have a stable morality and acts out of "self interest" which is kinda like another character we all know... Ging. In the show, Gon asked Ging what he wanted in life , Ging's response was "That which I can't see in front of me right now.....You should enjoy the little detours. To the fullest. Because that's where you'll find the things more important than what you want." In my opinion, these aren't the words of a man who has real life long goals but someone who is interested at momentary things. Like Father, like Son.

[@aceclover758]

Gon:good/chaotic good/chaotic neutral, Killua-evil/neutral, nuetual, Good Kurapika;chaotic good/chaotic neutral Leorio-good/good

[@bendingbananas6540]

suddenly, it makes more sense why aunt mito hated him so much. She was probably hoping for something permanent between him and her but he didn't think/feel the same way.

[@jtommyboi]

Thats probably the most positive motivational outlook possible for giving zero fucks about your kid while you go off to have fun lol

[@TheGodslayer1988]

One very important additional fact is, that gon despite being a child has a tremendous amount of power. A normal child would react in the same way, but it shocked us because normally that wouldn't be possible, because all that a child can do is throwing a fit. Gon does the exact same thing but with the strength of an army.

[@peco3806]

I feel like watching HxH and then watching these videos helps me learn how to create much more interesting yet realistic characters in my own manga/comic.

[@thedarkspecter9532]

Same bruh

[@Aleczandxr]

I hope so, that'd be awesome.

[@barley2469]

Yep, character analyses are great inspiration for personality traits

[@euphedine3140]

Weeb I agree! I love watching these :)

[@peco3806]

I haven't made it yet but there's been a lot of planning put into it so far :P My main problem right now is getting my art to a point that I'm happy with.

[@meleronnef8411]

When you treat a cannibal like a decent guy because he’s helpful. Damn. Honestly its refreshing to see a character that judges people in the present. It may not make him “good,” but it makes for some great writing. Gon is A HUNTER.

[@ogod5985]

Me: thinks that an anime protagonist is simple This video: lol no

[@Tennyson999]

i mean he is simple. but he's placed in a complicated world

[@Talltyronelite]

I'm Jaime Rivera exactly, it’s basically I child with no parents to teach him morals put in a cruel world at a young age.

[@eggpiss1447]

“Gon lets you lie to him just so he can justify ****ing you up” - I forgot who said this

[@evanwebb254]

Pretty sure it’s a KZbin channel called X3MA

[@idk-tr3oq]

@@evanwebb254 Yeah it is

[@akazienoel2009]

it depends on how you interpret what he said though, you could also interpret as him assuming everyone will turn his back on him eventually, so he makes himself ready

[@louie5581]

I always found it weird phrasing how other characters watching his progress had mentioned that he was a beast/monster. I believe it was Wing that first mentioned it, in the sense of "That boy is going to be a monster one day". To me this has both good and bad meaning behind it but does fit his character arc pretty damn well

[@supersqueak]

I could tell that Gon wasn't the typical shonen protagonist from the very beginning of the series it was something so different to me that I found it off putting. Like to me I found it so disturbing when he was tailing Hisoka for his tag that he showed no concern at all for the fact that he was going to use the opportunity of Hisoka murdering another person to get ahead. Like if he was a typical hero type he would have been emotionally torn by the whole thing but it didn't phase him at all and it never occured to him once to try and prevent it. I mean when I compare him to Yusuke Urameshi who is actually only a little bit older from Togashi's other series Yu Yu Hakusho Gon kind of seems like a sociopath to me.

[@critz6719]

it didn't phase him because he been training and planning beforehand. It was his plan to get the tag when hisoka is distracted because he was too scared to actually confront hisoka. There was a part where he was shaking and expressing how he feels scared & wants to leave. I know seeing him like that in chimera ant arc was frightening but let's not have selective memory and grasp straws to suit your narrative about him.

[@supersqueak]

Claire Riri Your comment doesn't contradict anything I said Gon is human of course he felt fear for his own safety and he was obviously driven but that doesn't mean he felt bad at all for the other exam taker or compelled to help them at all. He didn't care whether other people lived or died because it didn't affect him.

[@critz6719]

supersqueak I was only correcting you about the taking hisoka tag thing, he planned and practiced it prior to taking hisoka tag. He was scared about it too which is why there was that moment he was shaking & expressed his fear. He also did it when hisoka was distracted because that's the best he could do, the best plan and the most courage he can muster in order to get hisoka tag, these are all the things you forgotten or choose to ignore so it can support your narrative.

[@supersqueak]

Claire Riri I didn't forget them they are just not relevant. I mean even being a willing participating in something like that part of the hunters examination is kinda messed and twisted morally so I again don't see how it matters as far as the conversation on Gonsalves morality. If you took too seriously the part where I called Gon a sociopath then I was using that loosely obviously but the kid is still majorly morally screwed up. He's an amazing friend to have in your corner but not a hero.

[@critz6719]

yeah almost everyone in hunter x hunter is like that. Its the fact that you used the hisoka tag thing to support that opinion of yours but then you seem to misunderstood or forgotten several things to what actually happened.

[@alleycat2297]

I love this. I love Gon as a character because he's kind of the antithesis of your typical shounen protagonist in so many ways. He's just plain fascinating. He's good hearted but morally askew, he's innocent but kills without a thought as long as it benefits him and the people he cares in some way, he's pure but acts on impish whims, kind, but only at his own leisure and if it affects his own person in some way. That makes him a questionable human being, but it lines up with the attitude of a naive, inexperienced child.

[@Imaweirdnormalist]

amen amen amen

[@helenamaranhao5851]

Jupiter I totally agree with u XD

[@calicojack5623]

Gon doesn’t kill heartlessly tho. When Kite took them into the woods and they were fighting against the squad of Ants, Gon tells them that he doesn’t want to kill them, just beat them

[@nathanwalker6284]

You could make a case that most Shounen Protagonists are like this. From Goku to Luffy to Yusuke.

[@Prince-dz3fm]

@@nathanwalker6284 dont compare luffy to goku lol. Luffy on the surface is a typical shonen protagnonist but like Gon, it is A LOT more complicated