Yoshihiro Togashi’s Hunter x Hunter follows young Gon Freeces as he becomes a Hunter to search for his father, Ging Freeces. Along the way, Gon meets a myriad of interesting characters, many of whom share his profession as a Hunter. But what a Hunter actually is and does isn't exactly obvious at first.
As Gon’s journey progresses and he meets many new and different kinds of Hunters along the way, the mystery of the Hunter Association and its members is slowly unraveled.
The series opens with Gon departing his home, Whale Island, to participate in the Hunter Exam, a multi-stage test that all Hunters must pass to get their license. However, he was only permitted to do so by his guardian, Aunt Mito, after capturing the Lord of the Lake, a massive fish-like creature said to be nearly impossible to subdue. From the get-go, it's clear that those participating in the Hunter Exam are far from ordinary.
The purpose of the first half of the Hunter Exam is to weed out the weak, adding only the strong to the Hunter Association’s ranks, a sentiment that began with the Chairman of the Hunter Association, Isaac Netero. Netero was an individual who valued strength above all else and looked down on those he found lacking. The Hunter Exam reflects this sentiment, as Netero detested the idea of allowing the weak into the Hunter Association’s ranks.
Once participants pass the first half of the exam and are presented with their licenses, they enter the “secret” second exam. The secret exam is revealed during the “Heaven’s Arena” arc after Gon and Killua meet the Hunter Wing. As the young boys attempt to fight to the 200th floor of Heaven’s Arena, they are introduced to Nen.
Nen is the ability to manipulate one’s aura -- one that all Hunters must master. Without mastery of it, a Hunter won't be respected by their peers. Therefore, to pass the secret exam, the participant must master the four basic tenents of Nen.
During the “Hunter Exam” arc, it is revealed that there are various types of Hunters. These variations of Hunters can range from Blacklist Hunters like Kurapika, who dedicate themselves to hunting down large bounties, to Music Hunters like Melody, who seek rare musical pieces. While a Hunter's specific interests and skills may drastically differ, there are rules that all Hunters follow, known as the Hunter Bylaws.
Fully revealed in Chapter #328 of the manga, the bylaws are ten rules that all Hunters must follow no matter their specialty. One rule that stands out is the first bylaw, “Hunters must always be on the hunt for something.” This forms the basis for what a Hunter is and does, an individual that is constantly in pursuit of something. It's as roundabout as it is self-explanatory. Within Hunter x Hunter there are still many strange and unexplored lands, giving Hunters many opportunities to accomplish significant feats in their field.
Another unifying factor of all Hunters is the possession of a Hunter License. This license, granted after passing the first half of the exam, is a simple plastic card that gives its owner many different perks. According to Bean in Chapter #37, possession of a Hunter License grants its owner access to over 90 percent of countries in the world that forbid foreigners, and 75 percent of places that are forbidden to go, as well as the ability to use 95 percent of public services. In addition to being granted many perks, if an individual were to sell their license, they would “have enough money to spend seven lifetimes full of fun.”
Ultimately, in the Hunter x Hunter world, Hunters are all unique individuals who have proven themselves to be truly strong. While many of their responsibilities may vary, each Hunter has special abilities and the drive to constantly pursue impossible goals.