Summary
Hunter X Hunteris considered a masterpiece for its compelling story, the evolution and well-developed relationship between its protagonists, Gon and Killua, and for presenting interesting characters and antagonists with brilliant motivations and dilemmas, sharing inspirational and encouraging life lessons but also dark and thought-provoking quotes that can even blur the line between the concepts of good and bad.
Hunter x Hunterhighlights the personal search of every character, showing diverse human perspectives and fascinating dialogues that portray deep themes from existentialism to politics, humanity, and friendship.
Some dialogues from the series have stayed with viewers forever, even inspiring a change of perspective with its powerful messages, and because of this,someHunter x Hunterquotes are so noteworthy that they deserve to be remembered as the best of all time.
Every Hunter x Hunter Anime Arc, Ranked
Hunter x Hunter has produced a timeless collection of arcs that will surely entertain a wide range of audiences for decades to come.
10“When I Say It Doesn’t Hurt Me, That Means I Can Bear It” — Killua Zoldyck
Hunter x HunterEpisode 34 - Chapter 59
Killua was raised in a family of assassins, and they expect him to not only continue the family business and legacy but to be the new head of the family. For this reason, since he was a child, Killua has been tortured by his family to develop greater mental stability and assassinating skills such as tolerance to poison, electricity, and pain.
However, this quote expresses that he is not immune to pain; he just learned to endure it because it is what he has done his entire life. Fortunately, Killua begins to cut his ties to his family after meeting Gon, gradually managing to overcome his past and free himself from their control.
9“People Who Live at the Brink of Death Never Think of Throwing Their Lives Away” - Killua Zoldyck
Hunter x HunterEpisode 101 - Chapter 255
Ikalgo has lived his life as another dispensable pawn of the Chimera Ants, but meeting Killua gave him what he has always looked for:acceptance and a place to belong. Thanks to this, Killua means to Ikalgo what Gon means to Killua; a first friend and a significant relationship. Killua’s quote to Ikalgo also refers to his own situation; he is risking his life for Gon’s sake by getting involved in the fight against the CA, but he still wants to live.
Killua begins to find his self-worth through the arc, distancing more and more from his family, which ultimately leads him to finally pull out Illumi’s needle. Gon, on the contrary, loses himself in rage, grief, and guilt because of what happened to Kite and decides to throw away his life and future just to defeat Neferpitou, so Killua’s words also foreshadow what will happen to him.
8“In the Hands of an Incompetent, Power Brings Nothing but Ruin” – Meruem
Hunter x HunterEpisode 93 - Chapter 217
The Chimera Ants have a marked hierarchy, with a royal family guarded by soldiers, whose ranks are similar to those of the armed forces and established according to the strength and capacity of the individuals. The king, Meruem, stands asa superior being both physically and intellectually. With the birth of the King came the first confrontation of the chimera ants with humans, which was not only focused on power but also clashes of political and philosophical thoughts.
This quote was uttered by Meruem, who is surprised after meeting the supreme leader of the Republic of East Gorteau, Ming Jol-ik, someone not fit to rule, believing himself to be a sovereign, and claiming power, which represents part of the themes discussed during the arc, a criticism of the world of politics, modern societies, and human egocentrism to achieve authority over the rest.
7"The Grim Reaper’s Riddles Don’t Need Anyone To Answer." - Narrator/Hisoka
Hunter x HunterEpisode 142 - Chapter 327
Hisoka enjoys hunting his opponents, but only if they are strong enough to entertain him. He enjoys the thrills of combat and also likes to play before killing his victims, and this was shown in his fight against Gotoh, the Zoldyck’s butler. Gotoh launched coins more powerfully than bullets; however, Hisoka was able to catch them with his bungee gum.
Before returning them, he asks Gotoh a tricky question, “How many coins should I return?” and while he is distracted, Hisoka sneaks up from above him and slices him. In the anime, Hisoka answers his own question and finishes with this chilling quote (in the manga it is stated by the narrator), referring to the fact that he is the grim reaper asking a death riddle;replying is unnecessary because only death awaits. If a grim reaper asks a question, you should focus on him, not on the question, because you will be killed before you notice.
6“I Do Not Fear Death. I Fear Only That My Rage Will Fade Over Time” - Kurapika
Hunter x HunterEpisode 1 - Chapter 2
The clash with thePhantom Troupe is one of the highlights ofHunter x Hunter’s story, and this quote introduces Kurapika’s goal to avenge his clan. It also showcases Kurapika’s complex and contradictory character, who, despite being a moral and caring person, is actually someone consumed by revenge who is willing to do anything to eliminate his enemies.
Kurapika’s rage and hatrednot only drive him but also affect him, as it makes him miss his usual calm and rationality, becoming narrow-minded and someone easy to lose composure, which puts his friends at risk. That’s why he becomes distant from others. This dark motivation is also a sad attribute of the character, as he has no other goals besides getting his comrades' scarlet eyes, which is why he is afraid of losing his wrath.
5“No Matter the Pain, I Will Keep Living. So When I Die, I’ll Feel I Did the Best I Could” – Koala
Hunter x HunterEpisode 147 - Chapter 337
Sometimes the best reflections come from unexpected characters.Hunter x Hunterfans wouldn’t have predicted that one of the most fascinating monologs of the series about existentialism, regret, and life decisions would be expressed by a pink Koala who was a hitman in his previous life before reincarnating as a Chimera Ant.
Though Koala was a hitman, he was disgusted with himself about his sins and regretted taking lives, but he didn’t do anything to change his situation, in both his life as a human and as a chimera ant. Koala shared his struggle with Kite, who was reborn in the body of a girl that he killed, believing he wasn’t worthy of being alive. However, Kite gave him a purpose:to stay by her side as a way to atone for his actions, which gave Koala a motivation to keep living and eventually maybe find peace.
4"You believe I cannot pray with a single arm?… A Prayer Comes From the Heart." - Isaac Netero
Hunter x HunterEpisode 126 - Chapter 297
Netero gained immense power through training, discipline, and lifetime dedication; this led him to achieve “enlightenment” and surpass the limits of human strength.Netero’s impressive Nen power Kannonwas born because of this devotion to martial arts and prays because he is showing his gratitude.
Netero makes the prayer motion with both hands, as it showcases the depth of his gratitude for martial arts; that movement is meaningful to him. However, after Meruem tears his arm, he acknowledgeshe doesn’t need his hands to pray, so long as he believes he is doing it from his soul. A powerful and iconic quote that has even beenreferenced inJujutsu Kaisen.
3"Gon, You Are Light. But Sometimes You Shine So Brightly, I Must Look Away" - Killua Zoldyck
Hunter x HunterEpisode 85 - Chapter 199
The friendship between Gon and Killua is one of the most endearing elements ofHunter x Hunter. Killua didn’t know what friendship was because of the environment in which he grew up, but knowing Gon saved him. That’s why,for Killua, Gon is a light in the midst of the darkness of his life. This quote clearly describes Killua’s desire as well as his anxiety to stay by Gon’s side and serves as a call-back to what Illumi said during the hunter exam:
You just don’t know how to classify Gon because he’s too dazzling for your eyes - Illumi Zoldyck, (Episode 20- Chapter 36)
Killua has always struggled with his self-worth, believing that he doesn’t have the right to be happy, and his friendship with Gon serves as an anchor for him to live the way he wants. However, the bond they both share not only pushes forward their growth but also sometimes brings with it moments of pain, as Killua is afraid to lose Gon and will go to any length to protect his warmth and hopeful personality.
2“You Know Nothing of the Bottomless Malice That Lurks Within the Human Heart” - Isaac Netero
Hunter x HunterEpisode 126 - Chapter 298
The Chimera Ant’s King, Meruem, underestimated humans, believing their inferiority came from their individuality, while the ant’s greatest strength is their unity. However,the double meaning of the quote “the potential for evolution/malice”is actually because of human disunity.
The evolution of the human race came partially because of the malice of some people, for their greed, self-interest, and benefit, which led to the development of society, but also to the worst things of humankind, such as weapons for destruction like the one that Netero placed inside him, the Poor’s Man Rose.
Netero’s quote before activating the bomb shows that weapons are the lowest point in the darkness of humans, but this is also what saves them from being conquered by the Chimera Ants, proving their potential for both evolution and evil is infinite. Also, there was no good versus bad in their battle, showing that humans aren’t better than Chimera Ants.
1"You Should Enjoy the Little Detours to the Fullest Because That’s Where You’ll Find Things More Important Than What You Want" - Ging Freecss
Hunter x HunterEpisode 148 - Chapter 339
Ging taught Gon a life lesson, saying that it’s good to take advantage of even the slightest unforeseen event in life and that going forward is the way to find the things you want to do, and sometimes even something more important than what you want. While having a purpose to achieve is what allows people to advance, the journey to reach that goal is more meaningful.
People can’t dedicate their lives to only being focused on one thing, because that will keep them from enjoying the beautiful things in life, experiencing the present, and meeting significant people along the way. This phrase summarizes the meaning behind the story in a single sentence: “enjoy the adventure,” and that makes it the bestHunter x Hunterquote of all time.
Hunter x Hunter
Cast
In Hunter x Hunter, young Gon Freecss discovers his long-lost father is a legendary Hunter, an elite class of adventurer with the license to go anywhere or do almost anything. Determined to find him, Gon sets out to pass the Hunter Examination, a life-threatening challenge that draws hundreds of hopefuls seeking fortune, fame, and adventure. Along the way, Gon becomes friends with other candidates, including the vengeful Kurapika, the ambitious Leorio, and the enigmatic Killua. Together, they face a world filled with bizarre creatures, sinister criminals, and unpredictable adventures.
