Gon Freecss is the lovable main character of the popular anime Hunter X Hunter. In many ways, Gon is your typical anime protagonist. He's selfless, courageous, and possesses almost inhuman willpower. Like your traditional hero, he often achieves his lofty goals through hard work and determination.
But Gon has a dark side to his cheerful and optimistic nature. His desire to get stronger and need to protect his friends drives the young hunter to extremes. Gon appears either unafraid of death or ignorant of potential consequences. He sometimes struggles to think logically, leading with his heart instead of his head. Because of his impulsive behavior, Gon often loses control.
10 For a moment, Gon is prepared to kill Morel but Killua intervenes, bringing Gon back
After Knuckle's nen ability wears off, Gon can use nen for the first time in a month. He is expected to join the chimera ant extermination team immediately; however, Morel is still unsure of Gon's abilities. He asks Gon to attack him as if he was responsible for the death of Kite.
In an instant, Gon remembers the brutality of Kite's death and this fills him with unbridled rage. The Hunter gathers his nen but loses all focus of the situation, only seeing red. For a moment, Gon is prepared to kill Morel but Killua intervenes, bringing Gon back.
9 Gon Won't Be Defeated; Although Killua informs Gon he's fine, the young protagonist's tunnel vision prevented him from seeing through Killua's lies
During the Greed Island Arc, Gon and friends must defeat powerful player Razor in a dodgeball match. Razor's strength is immense and his mastery of the game leaves Gon on the brink of defeat. For Gon to release his full power on the ball, Killua holds the ball in place, protecting his hands with a thin coating of nen.
However, this isn't enough and Killua's hands are severely damaged. But Gon can't control his desire to win and becomes unaware of his best friend's pain. Although Killua informs Gon he's fine, the young protagonist's tunnel vision prevented him from seeing through Killua's lies.
8 Gon Takes A Risk in Heavens Arena, signing up to fight Gido despite Wing's objections
After reaching the top floor of Heavens Arena and learning the basics of nen, Gon is excited to challenge the top fighters. But his excitement is seen as foolishness by his teacher Wing, who warns Gon that his current power level is inadequate.
Killua and Gon are still nen novices and have yet to develop offensive and defensive nen abilities. But Gon is unable to control his excitement and signs up to fight Gido despite Wing's objections. Gon loses the fight and breaks a few bones in the process, but he was lucky to escape with his life.
7 Gon Puts His Body On The Line Against The Bomber
Gon is a strong believer in justice and detests senseless killing. Genthru is a player on Greed Island responsible for the unnecessary deaths of several players. These two were destined to collide, and Gon finally gets the opportunity to meet Genthru and prevent him from winning the Greed Island game.
Killua devised a plan that would prevent Genthru, also known as the bomber, from collecting the cards needed to win the game. However, Gon instead sees the opportunity to teach him a greater lesson and make him pay for the lives he has taken. Despite Genthru's superior power, Gon sacrifices his arm to defeat the bomber but nearly kills himself in the process.
6 Hisoka Can't Wait: fans are left with the feeling that Hisoka could have killed Gon if he desired
From the moment he met Hisoka, Gon desired to one day grow in strength and challenge the killer clown. When the two first cross paths, Hisoka is on a different level. The sadistic hunter has full mastery of his nen abilities, whilst Gon is unaware of nen's existence.
But after extensive training from Wing, Gon believes he can compete with Hisoka. Killua and Wing advise against it, but Gon struggles to contain his excitement, challenging Hisoka to a match. As expected, Hisoka wins but Gon performs admirably. Despite this, fans are left with the feeling that Hisoka could have killed Gon if he desired.
5 Gon Refuses To Quit: Impressed by his determination, Hanzo concedes the match
It's the final stage of the Hunters exam, and the final contestants must win a single match in this knockout tournament to become a hunter. Gon is drawn against the shinobi Hanzo and finds himself quickly outmatched. Hanzo is stronger, faster and an expert in his ninja ways. He swiftly floors Gon, but the stubborn prodigy refuses to give up.
Hanzo breaks Gon's bones and exhausts the protagonist, warning Gon that he knows thousands of ways to make people quit. Any logical person would give up and hope for an easier opponent in the next round. But Gon can't control his pride and refuses. Impressed by his determination, Hanzo concedes the match.
4 Gon Gives His Own Life To Avenge Another
Unquestionably one of the greatest moments in anime history, Gon's transformation gave every fan chills. Neferpitou, the chimera ant responsible for Kite's death, informs Gon that she is unable to restore Kite. Before this revelation, Gon had faith in the medical abilities of the overpowered ant. With Kite's restoration no longer a possibility, Gon had no reason to contain his rage.
What happens next is unexpected. A dark and sinister nen envelopes Gon and his physical appearance begins to change. He transforms into an adult version of himself and his powers have grown to absurd levels. To obtain this form, Gon sacrificed almost his entire lifespan, simply because he couldn't control his desire for revenge.
3 Gon Protects Killua by grabing Illumi by the wrist, applying enough pressure to break the bone
Gon is hospitalized after his fight with Hanzo and wakes to find out that Killua failed the Hunter exam due to killing one of the contestants. Having grown to know Killua, Gon questions this event and it is revealed that Illumi, Killua's brother, hypnotized his sibling and made him commit this heinous act.
Unable to control his fury, Gon grabs Illumi by the wrist, applying enough pressure to break the bone. Illumi seems unfazed but Gon might have reconsidered his actions if aware of Illumi's true strength.
2 Due to Gon's unwillingness to admit defeat, he ends up building up a huge amount of interest & eventually goes bankrupt
In order to join the Chimera Ant extermination team and avenge Kite's death, Gon must defeat Knuckle, an experienced beast hunter who occupies Gon's spot on the team. The nen-using prodigy tries and fails many times to defeat Knuckle, exhausting himself each time.
Knuckle's nen ability provides his opponent with nen but demands they pay it back with interest. Due to Gon's unwillingness to admit defeat, he ends up building up a huge amount of interest and eventually goes bankrupt, meaning he can't use nen for 30 days.
1 Gon defeats Nobunaga, but it almost costs him his life
Danger has a way of finding Gon, and there's no one more dangerous than the Phantom Troupe. The internationally-wanted band of thieves ends up kidnapping Gon and Killua after the pair is caught following the group. Inside the Troupe's hideout, member Nobunaga challenges Gon to an arm wrestle and he is easily defeated.
However, after Nobunaga gives a speech about the pointlessness of human life, Gon loses control of his anger, furious at the Troupe's willingness to kill innocent people. His strength grows and he defeats the Troupe member, but it almost costs him his life.