Hunter X Hunter Continues Without Gon as Main Character: Togashi’s Long-Term Plan Revealed

The narrative of Hunter X Hunter features several potential main characters, with the concurrent journeys of Gon, Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio. While Gon Freecss initially took the lead as the central hero alongside his friend Killua, he has recently been missing from the plot, making his last appearance towards the finale of the Chimera Ant arc.

At present, Kurapika has stepped up as the primary protagonist. Gon’s absence from the storyline, coupled with the minimal disruption it entails, and Kurapika’s effortless assumption of the central role, imply that Togashi may have planned for Hunter X Hunter to center around various characters in differing narrative arcs from the beginning.

Disclaimer: This article contains significant spoilers for the Hunter X Hunter series.

Hunter X Hunter: Kurapika embodies the manga’s evolving narrative

Gon from the anime (Image via Studio MADHOUSE)

Initially, Gon was presented with a straightforward yet compelling goal: to find his father, Ging, who had left him when he was young. His participation in the Hunter Licensing Exam aimed at meeting Ging also facilitated the formation of his team, which included Kurapika, Leorio, and Killua.

While Leorio serves as a more relatable figure with practical ambitions, Gon’s, Killua’s, and Kurapika’s narratives reveal deeper complexities and backstories. Along his adventure, Killua became a loyal companion to Gon until their paths diverged post-Chimera Ant arc.

Gon’s character arc culminated with his reunion with his father at the arc’s conclusion, while Killua embarked on a journey around the world with Alluka.

Killua Zoldyck from Hunter X Hunter (Image via Studio MADHOUSE)

Kurapika’s quest for vengeance against the Phantom Troupe and the retrieval of his clan’s Crimson Eyes is a multi-faceted mission that directly motivates his actions. His Nen training was specifically designed to prepare him for his inevitable encounter with the Phantom Troupe, and his current expedition toward the Dark Continent stems from his desire to procure the remaining Crimson Eyes.

As of now, the primary unresolved motivations in the storyline belong to Kurapika and Leorio, while the arcs for Killua and Gon have reached their conclusions. Considering the severe tonal shift during the Yorknew arc with the introduction of the Phantom Troupe, it suggests Togashi had always envisioned a darker atmosphere for the series.

Among the protagonists, Kurapika is the only one that resonates with this darker theme. Gon’s character was largely self-centered, with aspirations mainly revolving around his own experiences and those closest to him. Since he has already achieved his personal goal and is not involved in the Succession Contest arc—along with displaying little interest in the unfolding events—this indicates that he might not re-enter the narrative’s core focus.

The series is likely to continue with Kurapika in the spotlight, aligning with the current shift toward a more somber tone. While Gon was meant to originally lead the story through its transformation from whimsical to darker themes, Kurapika’s character may have been strategically developed to effectively drive the plot in this new direction.

Final thoughts

The next chapter of Hunter X Hunter, Chapter 403, is set to be released on October 20, 2024, featuring Kurapika’s strategy to protect all succession candidates while pursuing the Crimson Eyes from Prince Tserriednich.

Currently, nearly all significant characters except for Gon and Killua are aboard the Black Whale. However, it remains possible for Gon and Killua to make a return during upcoming missions, especially with hints from Ging suggesting Gon may regain his Nen abilities.