Hunter x Hunter is a wonderful anime covering four friends’ journey to becoming hunters—elite adventurers who can track, locate, and capture pretty much any item, animal, or person.
The star of the show is Gon Freecss, an unusually strong but otherwise normal boy. Gon is 12 years old, and perhaps that’s why he’s as obstinate as only a 12-year-old can be. Even when he isn’t physically up to a challenge, he’ll usually persist until his opponent either agrees on a different mode of competition or gives Gon what he wants. And though he is willful, often outright unreasonable, Gon is never unkind. He strikes a fine balance between asking for what he wants and deserving it, and that’s why he leaves a lasting impression on everyone he meets.
In one episode, Gon wants to see his friend Killua, the son of a famous assassin family. As you can imagine, assassin’s don’t frequently receive guests, and, therefore, the way to Killua’s house is long and arduous. Canary, a young butler girl, is only one of many enemies standing in Gon and his friends’ way. She blocks their path, draws a line in the sand with her cane, and threatens violence upon anyone who dares cross her gate.
Gon clearly states his goal: “I want to see Killua!” Then, he starts walking towards Canary. His foot crosses the line, and wham! Canary’s cane hits his face so hard, Gon flies back several feet. Without further comment, he gets up and starts walking again. He reaches Canary—pow!—back he slides. And again. And again.
Hours later, the sun is already setting. A bloodied, battered Gon still stands. For the hundredth time, he starts walking—and despite zero physical exertion, Canary’s mind is wearing thin. “Why don’t you finally give up?” she yells. “You know it’s useless!” And then, looking at Gon’s friends Leorio and Kurapika, who’ve done nothing but stand a few feet behind him all day long, she pleads: “Why don’t you stop him? He’s your friend, after a…”
Canary’s last words escape her voice. In their faces, she can see it. Like facades cast of steel, they’re not moving. Neither Leorio nor Kurapika even blink. They just stare, arms crossed, waiting. But they stare with that same determination she’s been seeing in Gon’s eyes for the last several hours, and in that moment, she knows: These guys are passing through here, and there’s nothing I can do about it.
A determined hero is inspiring. If they don’t stick to their guns, why should we? But you know what’s just as inspiring? A pair of friends who sets said hero up for success, if only by not interfering. By accepting his or her will as their own, just as hell-bent on helping their friend reach an important goal as our hero is in finding their destiny.
It looks like Queen was right twice: Friends will be friends, and that’s because a friend’s will can be their friends’ as well.
