Friday Hunt – Hunter X Hunter challenge week 3

There are a LOT of favorites on this list. Hunter x Hunter has roughly a gadgillion characters and I’m not entirely sure which ones can be called “supporting” so I’m just going to assume it means anyone who’s not part of the fab four.

1. How did you find HxH?
2. Favorite main character
3. Favorite supporting character
4. Favorite Chimera ant
5. Least favorite character
6. Favorite Zoldyck Member
7. Favorite Villain
8. Favorite Nen type
9. Favorite Nen ability
10. Favorite episode
11. Favorite scene
12. Favorite opening animation
13. Do you ship anyone
14. Saddest scene
15. Favorite non-nen ability
16. Favorite ark
17. Least favorite ark
18. Favorite type of Hunter
19. Favorite character outfit
20. Funniest scene
21. Who would you cosplay as
22. Friendliest character
23. Least friendly character
24. Best main character family member
25. Favorite character backstory
26. Worse main character family member
27. Manga or Anime
28. Most relatable character
29. What got you hooked on the show
30. Why do you love HxH

Favorite supporting character

Like I said there was a huge pool to choose from here but I figured I wouldn’t take any chances and pick someone I felt I absolutely had to include in any Hunter x Hunter conversation. Aww heck, you all saw the gif, Hisoka – it’s Hisoka!!!

You’re probably thinking to yourselves – well look at this gung-ho little strumpet, jumping the gun instead of just waiting a couple of weeks for the favorite villain question. Now she lost the chance to talk about Netero or Knuckles or someone else… Well perish the thought! I’m not being impatient…I am not just being impatient. I happen to think that Hisoka doesn’t fall in the villain category.

Now, now, I’m not saying he’s a good guy. No one has ever said that. The guy’s a psychopath. It’s just that in the Hunter x Hunter universe, that’s sort of a common trait. You can’t really accuse him of being particularly Evil. He is arguably less malicious or vindictive than most, he just happens to have zero morals or ethics, at least beyond “do what seems fun”. It’s not like we haven’t met other people like that, **cough Killua cough**. Really, the only thing that elevates him to villain status, rather than one more violent mercenary (just like every single other hunter – it’s the job description, people) is that he happens to be extremely talented, making him that much more threatening.

And if you take villain to mean antagonist, well it’s still a stretch. Sure, Gon may perceive him as such but the narrative never actually uses him in that way. His presence may add tension and suspense. Clearly, he is a menacing element but he never serves as an obstacle. His goals are never in direct conflict with the protagonists, well since his only goal is “have fun” that’s not too difficult, so there is no reason for him to actively impede Gon or any of his friends. He never initiates hostilities. From a practical standpoint, he is probably the supporting character that has been the most helpful to our protagonists. Not only has he spared and even saved Gon and Killua on several occasions, he’s helped them upon request, partnered with Kurapika and never even asked for anything in return. I don’t know about you but my villains tend to be more, you know, villainous…

How about An Exercise For the Reader (I’ve been playing Gahkthun – maybe I’ll tell you about it someday), I mentioned Killua up there (and wrote up a post last week) – Can we consider Hisoka and Killua to be different embodiments of the same character? Think about it. If we take Killua as he’s first presented to us, on paper, the two are strikingly similar.

Both have twisted morals but are not actively evil. Both lack any higher purpose or goal. Both are incredibly intelligent and cool headed and both are proficient strategists and accomplished fighters. It’s no wonder they share a Nen type. If anything, Hisoka has never killed an innocent bystander just because he was having a bad day (well he probably as but we didn’t see it). Of course, Killua grows and evolves beyond the selfish unscrupulous kid whereas Hisoka seems to be in a perpetual state of arrested development but what do you think: If Kil had never met Gon, would he have eventually spiraled down into some pit of depravity and turned out just like Hisoka?

I don’t think so. I mean they might have been similar but I think Killua lacks the sense of humor and joy for life that Hisoka has. At the end of the day, Hisoka is a narcissistic hedonist more than anything else. A weird pervert who lets his freak flag fly and unabashedly indulges and every inch of his baser nature. It’s almost admirable. Well the murdering isn’t. But again, as long as you stay out of his way, you’re going to be relatively safe. Unless he happens to decide you’re a worthy opponent then maybe try to break your leg or something. As for his deviant nature, there’s nothing wrong with a few kinks, is there? Hisoka may be lusty but he’s not rapey which is so much more than I can say for almost every single anime boy out there.

But mostly, Hisoka is my favorite supporting character because his presence in a scene means excitement. No matter what you may think about the guy, there’s never a dull moment when he’s around. If he’s not cracking jokes or putting on a comedy routine, he’s turning the suspense up to 11. And he can switch from one to the other on a dime. As much as I love this guy, I have to admit that the show was very wise in not overusing him. He doesn’t show up at all in the  biggest arc. Every appearance has an impact because we get a chance to miss him. He remains unpredictable and surprising because we are never told too much about him. He probably has the least backstory of any recurring character despite being one of the most recognizable. This air of mystery keeps us wanting more every time he steps off stage. And speaking of mystery, how the heck does he make creepy clown look so good. It makes NO sense. Do you understand how much therapy I’m going to need…

There is no such thing as strong drink – only weak men

Suggested drink: Clown Tears

• Every time Hisoka drops a double entendre – take a shot
• Every time Hisoka side eyes – take a shot
• Every time Hisoka says gum or bungee – have a snack
• Every time Hisoka gets badly hurt and isn’t phase – take a shot
• Every time Hisoka has a pleasant conversation – wonder what you missed
• Every time Hisoka pulls off a Nonchalant Dodge – take a shot
• Every time Hisoka beheads someone – get some water
• Every time Hisoka is helpful – take a shot
• Every time Hisoka is with Illumi – take a shot
• Every time Hisoka loses – take two shots