Hunter X Hunter is filled to the brim with interesting characters. Each new arc introduces new secondary and tertiary characters who guide Gon, Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio on new and intriguing adventures.
As each arc passes, old supporting characters fall to the wayside in order to make room for a new cast. If Hanzo and Wing never faded out of the HxH plot, there wouldn't have been room for Bisky and Kite to join the fray. Each new character keeps the viewers and the protagonist moving forward, but this constant shift also comes with its own set of problems.
10 Silva Zoldyck Has Taken A Back Seat To His Father & Children Since Being Introduced In The Zoldyck Estate Arc
The head of the Zoldyck family has gained the love of fans more thanks to the strength of his name than any actual displays of strength. Though he does put on quite a display when faced with the power of Chrollo Lucilfer, his father makes it clear that they are both outmatched by the head of the Phantom Thieves.
After the Zoldyck Estate Arc and the Yorknew City Arc, fans don't get to see much of Silva at all. Considering the fact that Silva is the only Zodyck outside of Alluka who resonates with Killua, this is a genuine shame.
9 Chairmen Netero's Dramatic Sacrifice Undermined The Playful Persona Fans Originally Fell In Love With
When Isaac Netero was first introduced, he was nothing but a powerful and playful old man intent on helping Gon and Killua have fun during their Hunter Exam. Watching Gon and Killua play a make-shift ball game with Netero is one of Hunter X Hunter's most engaging scenes.
This is saying quite a bit when fans consider the number of incredible action sequences packed into the plot of HxH. Even Netero's battle with Meruem struggles to stick in the minds of viewers as well as this game. Is it possible that HxH fans are more interested in a fun and playful series than the dark and serious concepts that are gaining popularity today?
8 Chrollo Lucilfer Left His Mark On Yorknew City Before Fading Into The Background
The leader of the phantom troupe is a well-crafted character with an incredibly unique hatsu. While all hatsu are meant to be personal and unique expressions of nen, Chrollo's ability stands out from even the most powerful nen users.
After standing against the combined might of Silva and Zeno Zoldyck, Chrollo is defeated by a vengeful Kurapika at the tail end of the Yorknew City Arc. Though he eventually regains his nen, Chrollo won't regain his popularity until the battle between him and Hisoka makes it into the HxH anime canon.
7 Kurapika Took A Back Seat To His Co-Stars During The Chimera Ant Arc, But Manga Readers Haven't Forgotten His Scarlet Eyes
After serving as one of the protagonists of the Yorknew City Arc, fans were shocked when Kurapika disappeared from the main plot of HxH for the entirety of the Greed Island and Chimera Ant Arcs. Even the Phantom Troupe got their own short arc during the invasion of the Chimera Ants, but Kurapika was left to simmer in the shadows.
Kurapika fans have no need to worry, though, as Yoshihiro Togashi has brought the scarlet-eyed hunter back into the role of protagonist for the most recent arc of his hit manga series.
6 Gon's Obsessive Behavior Throughout The Chimera Ant Arc Pushed Him Out Of Fans' Good Graces
It may be bold to say that the protagonist of Hunter X Hunter has lost popularity since first being introduced, but the Chimera Ant arc really put a dent in Gon's lovable personality. After giving in to his anger and devoting himself to revenge, Gon nearly destroyed everything that fans had learned to love him for. If it weren't for Killua, Gon would have been erased entirely from the main plot of Hunter X Hunter.
5 Knuckle & Shoot Disappeared After Being Petrified By The Power Of The Chimera Ants
Knuckle and Shoot were never the most popular characters in Hunter X Hunter, but there was a time when everyone was talking about Knuckle's brilliant APR hatsu. The ability to tax an enemy's nen over the course of a battle is extremely powerful. It also serves as a gauge for nen ability, which fans have used to calculate the strength of Hunter X Hunter characters.
Shoot's hatsu may not be as overpowered as Knuckles, but it offers some of the best action sequences in the Hunter X Hunter canon. Hopefully, the future of HxH can bring these two powerful nen users back for another battle that is sure to captivate anime fans.
4 The Sloppy Nen Teacher From The Heaven's Arena Arc Is Likely Still Helping Zushi Catch Up With Gon & Killua
Before Gon and Killua ever began playing rock paper scissors and creating lightning with their nen, they first had to learn the basics of this mysterious power structure. Thanks to Wing and Zushi, both Gon and Killua were able to pick up the basics of nen and enter the heavens arena to test out their new skills.
Though fans would later find out that Wing studied under Bisky Kruger, the messy nen sensei fell off of most fans' radars as soon as Gon and Killua completed their climb through the Heavens Arena arc.
3 Hanzo Shortly Reappeared During The 13th Hunter Chairmen Election Arc But Wasn't Able To Make A Strong Impact
The bald assassin who passed the 287th Hunter Exam bloomed in popularity by passing the aforementioned exams with ease. The only time Hanzo struggled during the Hunters Exam was when he was faced with Gon's stubbornness in the final tournament.
This moment only further pushed Hanzo into the limelight because of the way he responded to the protagonist's stubborn behavior. Unfortunately, Hanzo disappeared after the exam and only reappeared down the line as a background character.
2 Alongside Kurapika, Melody Is Waiting For Anime Production To Return Before Regaining Her Popularity
Melody's powerful sense of hearing and helpful attitude during the Yorknew City Arc quickly made her stand out. During Kurapika's mission to take down the Phantom Troupe, Melody became one of the most reliable secondary characters who have been introduced in the HxH mythos.
Though she certainly doesn't have the fanbase that Killua does, Melody seems to fill a similar role in relation to Kurapika. When Kurapika leans too far into his mission for vengeance, Melody is there to add a sense of calm to an otherwise hectic anime series.
1 Palm & Bisky Both Attempted A Comeback But Failed To Hold Onto Viewers Interest After Their Introduction
Palm's frightening introduction during the Chimera Ant Arc allowed what could have been another forgettable tertiary character to stick into the minds of viewers. The terrifying young woman who has a hellish temper quickly takes a liking to Gon but is soon abducted by the Chimera Ants and removed from the plot. After her reincarnation, Palm's new character design adds some intrigue to the character, but it is unfortunately outdone by Kite's new form.
Bisky Kruger goes through one of the most shameful demotions in the Hunter X Hunter mythos. After being introduced as a member of the main cast during the Greed Island Arc, she returns as a secondary character before being relegated to a background character by the end of the series. Though fans still love the strong pretty girl, she has certainly lost a bit of sparkle since first being introduced.