Hunter x Hunter's Chimera Ant arc deserves to be called the best in shonen for some obvious reasons

Modified Sep 06, 2024 10:30 GMT

Hunter x Hunter is one of the most critically acclaimed shonen anime series ever, with many considering the Chimera Ant arc its crowning glory. This arc pulls the series into the depths of darkness, making it more complex for both characters and viewers. The storyline revolves around strong new enemies, the Chimera Ants, who threaten humanity's existence.

As Gon and his friends face off against these terror-inducing foes, the real cost of survival raises the stakes. This arc deserves its status as the best in shonen history for several reasons.

Disclaimer: Any opinion expressed here belongs to the author and not Sportskeeda as a whole.

The real reasons why Hunter x Hunter's Chimera Ant arc is the best in shonen history

Ant Queen and Meruem as seen in anime (Image via Studio Madhouse)

The Chimera Ant arc is a masterpiece in the shonen genre, distinguishing itself from other arcs with its perfect blend of intense storytelling and complex character development that very few story arcs have.

Events preceding the Greed Island arc transition Gon and Killua into joining Kite on a perilous journey that puts them up against the Chimera Ants, a newly minted species that threaten the survival of humanity.

This arc delves deep into the characters' psyches, pushing them to their limits and showcasing the best and worst of both humans and antkind. Due to the extended runtime, the arc has an exemplary balance between action, strategy, and emotional depth, thus captivating fans from start to finish. Though a bit slow at times, the intricacies in plot and character transformations make every moment purposeful.

Meruem as seen in anime (Image via Studio Madhouse)

From Gon's fall to darkness upon the loss of Kite to the philosophical shift in Meruem, the Chimera Ant Arc has a great number of deeper themes of sacrifice, survival, and morality.

The complexity, combined with fantastic animation and a strong storyline, cements it as the best of shonen. For all these reasons and many more that resonate with viewers long after the story is over, the Chimera Ant arc deserves to be called the best in shonen.

Chimera Ants arc of Hunter x Hunter pushes Gon and other characters to their emotional limits

Gon and Kite as seen in anime (Image via Studio Madhouse)

Hunter x Hunter's Chimera Ants arc unveils a new emotional and psychological dimension for Gon and other characters, a side that fans had not seen earlier. Until then, Gon always seemed to be a positive and driven main character, but one starts seeing a completely different side of him during this arc.

Kite's death drives him into a downward spiral of bitter sadness and anger that controls his every action, leading him toward immoral actions. Gon's desperation for revenge pushes him to the brink of self-destruction, exposing his character's more sinister and explosive side, in a rather powerful contrast to the innocent boy he once was.

Alongside Gon, Killua's character undergoes significant development in this arc when he struggles with his inner demons, especially the ever-ingrained fear of protecting others due to his traumatic upbringing. His loyalty to Gon makes him face those fears head-on, showing a rather vulnerable and deeper-looking part of himself.

Final thoughts

Gon Freecss, as seen in anime (Image via Studio Madhouse)

The Chimera Ant arc of Hunter x Hunter deserves to be called the best for various and obvious reasons since it over-drives the genre with an intense storyline, deeply developed characters, and an abundant consideration of themes.

This arc lingers in the viewer's mind hours after the last episode by digging deep into the most horrific side of its characters' psyches and shaking their moral compasses. Due to its well-balanced mix of action, strategy, and emotional depth, it rises above any other, thus securing a place for itself as the crowning achievement of Hunter x Hunter and of shonen anime.

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Edited by Shreya Das