One of the most easily loveable aspects of Hunter x Hunter has to be Gon and Killua’s incredibly wholesome, constantly evolving friendship. Ever since their encounter in the first phase of the Hunter Exam, they’ve been nearly inseparable, and filled voids in each other’s lives that neither was originally aware of.
As pure as their friendship may seem, however, it does not come without flaws and fragilities. While they’ve proven their loyalty to one another countless times, there have also been several instances where their bond was put into question — whether that be due to uncertainty about one another’s past, resentment of their abilities, or differences in motivation. As the two kids step out into the real world from their upbringings for the first time, they’ve still got a lot to learn about how to trust and treat their closest companions.
10 QUESTIONED: Gon Learns About Killua’s Background As An Assassin
On the airship ride to the Hunter Exam’s third phase, the two friends marvel at the glittering lights below them and share their pasts. Gon asks Killua where his parents are and what they do, and Killua admits that he comes from a family of assassins.
Rather than fear, Gon only displays curiosity initially. However, Killua then flaunts that in order to run away from home to take the exam, he stabbed his mother and brother, and that his goal as a Hunter would be to capture his family for bounty money. As comedic as the scene is, Gon becomes noticeably troubled by this, likely because his own family values are far different.
9 AFFIRMED: The Two Share Their Target Numbers On The Way To Zevil Island
The Hunter Exam’s fourth phase called for a manhunt of sorts, with the objective being for each contestant to steal their targets’ badges. Knowing this, it was brave of Killua to go up to Gon on the ship to Zevil Island and inquire who Gon’s target was. As risky as it was with the possibility of one of them being the other’s target, they still sought to confide in each other.
After assuring that they were not each other’s targets, they even agreed to reveal their actual target numbers, in hopes of helping one another figure out who the contestants behind them were. During this exchange, the friends showed true acts of trust and solidarity.
8 QUESTIONED: Killua Feels Inferior To Gon In The Hunter Exam’s Final Phase
For a brief moment in the Exam’s final phase, Killua seems caught in a fit of animosity. As Netero explains, the brackets for the contestants’ one-on-one fights are organized by who the committee deemed the strongest. Killua refutes this, declaring there must be a mistake. Even after the Chairman’s explanation, the boy experienced a moment of resentment towards his friend, asking himself, “Do I have less potential than Gon?” Although this could be read as Killua feeling self-critical in general, it comes off as sour to the viewer for the fact that he appears so irate over being inferior to Gon specifically.
7 AFFIRMED: Gon And Killua Reunite At Kukuroo Mountain
Once Killua is eliminated from the Hunter Exam for killing another applicant, he returns to his home at Kukuroo Mountain, deemed one of the most guarded places in the world. Killua neglected to inform Gon of his departure, possibly because he’d felt a sense of disappointment within himself and could not face his friend to say goodbye. However, Gon was not going to let Killua get away that easily. As soon as the Exam concluded, Gon and his friends ventured to the forbidden volcano to rescue their friend.
After enduring painstaking trials to enter the Zoldyck family’s domain, Gon was finally able to reunite with Killua, their bond stronger than ever for taking on the next adventure ahead.
6 QUESTIONED: Killua Withholds Advice To Help Gon Find His Hatsu
When Gon and Killua were still training with Wing-san to uncover their specialized Nen ability known as “Hatsu,” there came to be tension between the friends as one exceled faster than the other. Killua struck gold early on by figuring out how to channel his Nen into lightning, a power he called “Godspeed.” Gon on the other hand was struggling to find his unique ability.
When he looked to Killua for advice to help him along, Killua declined, claiming that it would be better for Gon to figure it out on his own. As friendly as this may seem, it is also possible that Killua derived a sense of superiority from being one step ahead, putting his sincerity into question.
5 AFFIRMED: Gon Asks Killua To Stick Together While They Find His Dad
After concluding their time at The Heavens Arena, the two friends visit Gon’s home on Whale Island to recoup before planning their next move. One night, as the two sit by a fire and gaze at the stars, Killua admits he feels envious of Gon for having a goal, whereas Killua feels directionless after abandoning the dream his parents’ laid out for him.
Amid Killua’s self-doubt, Gon cheerfully asks, “Do you have fun when we’re together?” Furthermore, he proposes that Killua join him on his mission to find Ging. Although Killua was startled by this gesture, Gon’s earnestness put his mind at ease knowing they were not leaving each other’s sides anytime soon.
4 QUESTIONED: Gon Says “Let’s Go” On The Way To Confront Pitou
Atop The Royal Palace in the Republic of East Gorteau, Gon sniffs out the tower that contains Pitou, whom he is determined to confront. Before taking off, Gon says a firm “Let’s go,” which sets Killua down an emotional spiral of analyzing Gon’s mindset. “In what sense did you mean that,” he wanted to ask, but had a feeling that questioning Gon’s intentions would jeopardize their friendship.
More deeply, Killua may have felt as though his friend did not see him as a companion, but rather a secondary figure simply there to help him on his mission. With Gon’s cold demeanor, it is no wonder Killua felt this sense of rejection and betrayal.
3 AFFIRMED: Killua Removes Illumi’s Needle And Says Gon Is His Best Friend
At a certain point, it seemed as if the dynamic duo’s friendship was unavoidably doomed when their mentor, Bisky, informed Killua that he was going to abandon Gon eventually.
This assertion was put to the test as Killua faced off with Rammot. Killua vowed to do everything in his power to protect Gon while he was unable to his Nen — however, Killua could not shake the voice in his head telling him to run from Rammot since he knew he could not defeat him. On his last legs, instead of giving in, Killua rips Illumi’s needle out of his head while yelling that Gon is his best friend. Free from his brother’s manipulation, he saves himself and Gon from Rammot in one swift move.
2 QUESTIONED: Gon Tells Killua That Defeating Pitou Means Nothing To Him
When Gon finally finds Pitou hovering over Komugi in The Royal Palace, Gon enters a state of rage unwitnessed by anyone before. While on the verge of taking out Pitou with his rock-paper-scissors, Killua reminds him that if he kills Pitou, they’ll never get Kite back. Gon responds to this with cold-hearted accusations: “You have it easy, Killua. (...) Since it means nothing to you.”
Gon was obviously blinded by his rage in this moment, but his careless words cut his friend deeply, especially since he was just trying to help Gon stick to the mission. As Gon collects himself and waits for Pitou to heal Komugi, Killua exits the scene feeling more heartbroken and distant from Gon than ever.
1 AFFIRMED: Gon Apologizes For What He Said
At the base of The World Tree, Gon, Killua and Alluka exchange farewells before Gon embarks on the climb to meet Ging, and Killua plans to spend his life traveling with and protecting Alluka. As Gon starts to thank Killua for everything they’ve done together, Killua initiates a playful guilt trip, reminding Gon of the hurtful things he said while looking to defeat Pitou.
Gon obviously feels bad and offers a sincere apology, which Killua accepts because he admits that he could have only saved Alluka because of the time they spent together. Before the two part ways, Gon reminds Killua of something: “Kite said that no matter where we go, we’ll always be friends.”