Gon has a long way to go before he can be considered grown-up. In fact, he consistently displays emotional outbursts which reflect his lack of sophistication, something other characters have pointed out on many occasions. Despite his innate childishness, it's clear that Gon's personality undergoes notable changes over the course of Hunter x Hunter.
After his experiences with death, Gon loses a significant chunk of his innocence, but he simultaneously develops an admirable sense of maturity — as long as he keeps a cool head. Unfortunately, Hunter x Hunter's ongoing hiatus means that Gon's potential future has been left in flux.
10 He Learns How To Fight Using His Nen
After passing the first Hunter Exam, Gon undergoes a second, secret exam that gauges his Nen potential. Despite having no prior knowledge of Nen's existence, he quickly grasps the basics of En, Ko, Gyo, Ten, Hatsu, and Zetsu under Wing's tutelage.
Gon goes on to perfect his Jajanken technique, charging his attacks with such force that it induces anxiety in his opponents, including the likes of Morel Mackernasey. Gon's rapid progress is a metaphor for his emotional growth.
9 Gon Willingly Renounces His Hunter Career
In his bid to destroy Neferpitou, Gon enacts a Restriction & Covenant on himself, consequently acquiring power beyond his wildest dreams. His plan succeeds, but he promptly falls into a deep coma until Nanika wishes him out of it.
Although Gon has no more Nen left, he doesn't feel upset by his powerlessness; on the contrary, he accepts the sacrifice he made for Kite and willingly returns home to Whale Island. Gon's reaction to losing his powers is nothing if not mature.
8 He Adapts To Situations Beyond His Comfort Zone
Gon has always been the adaptable sort — a personality trait that sets him apart from most characters in the show. However, he gradually becomes more and more flexible with each passing day, even if his morals are occasionally compromised.
Not only does Gon learn how to survive and thrive outside his comfort zone, he always takes the first step into uncharted territory. Gon's combat adaptability is one of the many reasons he wins so many fights.
7 Gon Temporarily Abandons His Innocence After Losing Kite
Gon descends into the deepest pits of villainy following the death of his beloved friend and mentor, Kite. He cruelly orders Neferpitou to abandon the seriously injured Komugi and restore Kite back to normal.
While he goes beyond the pale, Gon's transformation is a defining moment in his character arc — a rite of passage that temporarily destroys his innocence and replaces it with unbridled anger. In fact, Gon's abrupt change in demeanor shocked the fandom to its core.
6 He Manages To Land A Punch On Hisoka
Hisoka mocks Gon's weakness during the Hunter Exam, stating that he can only return Hisoka's badge after landing a successful punch, something Gon is incapable of doing at that point.
As a result, Gon undergoes intense training at the Heaven's Arena and reaches the 200th floor, where he challenges Hisoka to a match. The battle skews heavily in favor of Hisoka, which surprises nobody, at least until Gon uses an ingenious feinting tactic to smack Hisoka in the face.
5 Gon Allies With His Enemies If Necessary
Characters who bear grudges are forever doomed to relive their worst moments. On the other hand, those inclined to trust their enemies are considerably more mature.
Gon doesn't technically trust Hisoka, but he's certainly willing to put aside their differences for the sake of a common goal. He gratefully acknowledges Hisoka's assistant during the Dodgeball match on Greed Island, noting that his team would have never won had it not been for Hisoka.
4 He Doesn't Begrudge Killua's Need To Protect Alluka
Killua enlists his baby sister's help to save Gon from the consequences of his vow. Spending time with Alluka helps him realize that she can only thrive if she's freed from her imprisonment on the Zoldyck Estate. After Gon finally wakes up, he is extremely excited to meet and hang out with Killua.
However, when Killua mentions his plans of traveling the world with Alluka, Gon cheerfully wishes his best friend good luck. Gon is confident that his friendship with Killua cannot be eroded by something as trivial as distance.
3 Gon Acknowledges Mito Freecss As The Only Mother He Needs
Gon's mother is currently unknown; it appears that she and his father have been separated for a very long time. Ging brings baby Gon to his home on Whale Island and tasks his cousin Mitou with his parenting responsibilities.
Mitou is naturally annoyed by Ging's flighty attitude towards fatherhood, but agrees to raise her nephew, nevertheless. Gon used to wonder about his mother when he was younger, but he has since abandoned the fantasy, affirming that Mitou is the only mother he needs.
2 He Realizes That He Can Never Rely On His Father For Anything
Ging is a classic example of the absent father trope — he would rather scour the world for mysteries than become a trustworthy part of his son's life. Gon relates deeply with his father, explaining why he desperately attempts to arrange a meeting with Ging.
He finishes Greed Island for this very reason, but Ging uses a feeble connection between weakness and friendship to justify his emotional distance. Thankfully, hundreds of Hunters observe Ging's incomplete parenting style firsthand and scold him for being such an irresponsible dad.
1 Gon Literally Transforms Into An Adult
Gon turns into an over-muscled adult version of himself in the process of achieving enough strength to beat Kite's killer, Neferpitou. It is unclear if Adult Gon possesses the mental faculties and emotional intelligence of an adult, or whether it's a preteen brain in a grown-up body.
Although Adult Gon looks like he's somewhere between 30 and 40 years old, his actual age cannot be confirmed since the form disappears after Pitou perishes. It can be argued that Gon's metamorphosis is a literal representation of his character growth, except at lightspeed.