Hunter x Hunter is one of the strongest and most complex shonen tales out there. In a manga story that started out as a by-the-books adventure, Yoshihiro Togashi quickly turns things into a cerebral espionage story where differing parties, villains, and moral codes fight each other with complicated and thematically defining high-concept powers.
At the forefront of that story is Gon Freecss, the son of one of the world's greatest Hunters who set out to follow in his old man's footsteps and to also find him. However, fans have always been curious about another arguably more interesting story going on with one of Gon's friends, Kurapika.
On a tale of vengeance that is both endearing and suspenseful, Kurapika presents quite a convincing case for deserving to be the main character instead of Gon. This list will go over both sides as it gauges who really should've been Hunter x Hunter's main face.
10 Kurapika: Sadder Backstory
The sad backstory is something that has defined and revolutionized graphic novels for decades. For a time, comics simply just had their characters go on adventures or were gifted with great abilities, without much in the way of meaningful context as to why readers should be invested.
Hunter x Hunter very much feels like it follows that same tradition, where Gon's story just feels like a simple adventure, whereas his compatriot, Kurapika, has a much more defined and gripping backstory that has helped fans connect with him much more. Though Gon is a bright, shining face, the tragic tale of the Kurta Clan and Kurapika's quiet demeanor managed to capture people's attention.
9 Gon: Simple Motivation
Though Kurapika definitely has a more endearing story behind him, this makes his tale much more narrow-focused. Gon has the major advantage in that his simple journey to find his dad could very well take him anywhere, leaving viewers to be more hyped than confused as to how the story got to where it is.
There's an innate potential for growth that more readily retains the sense of adventure that defines shonen stories, while also helping Togashi create the wild, detailed world that he really wanted to.
8 Kurapika: More Interesting Motivation
While Kurapika's story may be niche, it is something that fans could hold tighter unto. Where multiple fans can just like Gon's story, Kurapika's tale is something that people can genuinely love and be intrigued by. Being the last survivor of the Kurta Clan, Kurapika becomes a Hunter so that he can hunt down and defeat the very organization that killed his family, the Phantom Troupe.
Not only are the operations and members of the Phantom Troupe some of the most interesting and terrifying in the story, but the path to find them takes Kurapika to dark places. While Gon and Killua are exploring a video game island, Kurapika is infiltrating a mafia organization that has ties with the black market organ trade that now swaps his family's treasured eyes.
7 Gon: Simple Power Set
In terms of powers, Gon has the classic, time-tested abilities that have gotten fans hyped for decades. As an Enhancement-type Nen user, Gon is able to channel his Nen either around his body or to a particular body part and enhance its strength.
This allows room for more technical martial arts battles and, if the story calls for it, explosive displays of powers. Though not the most complex ability, Gon being able to punch a hole in the wall and even through an entire forest is plenty gratifying.
6 Kurapika: Unique Power Set
While Gon is an iconic strong boy in anime, his abilities are just another drop in the long sea of shonen heroes who can simply punch really well. Kurapika's powers, on the other hand, could easily be found within any lineup. As a Conjurer, Kurapika creates Nen chains that each carry distinct yet versatile properties that are useful on and off the battlefield.
They can locate people, restrict the Phantom Troupe's Nen abilities, attack enemies, and even heal injuries. When his eyes turn scarlet, Kurapika can even use an ability called "Emperor Time," which lets him use all types of Nen at 100% efficiency. This makes him one of the few characters in the world capable of doing so and a special Nen user among all Nen users.
5 Gon: Adventurous Story
As stated earlier, Gon's motivation has allowed him to undertake a much more adventurous story. Having the will and freedom to go nearly everywhere, Gon has driven plenty of unique and entertaining stories. He's trained in the endless tower and martial arts competition, Heaven's Arena.
He's explored the Nen-based video game world, Greed Island. He helped fight a secret battle against an advanced mutant race of ants. With a heart of gold and a nose for adventure, Gon can continuously take the story to greater and greater places.
4 Kurapika: Gritty, Mysterious Story
While Gon's tale may be more adventurous and even light-hearted in places, Kurapika's is much more gritty and deathly. It took several episodes/chapters for Gon's adventure to really get dark, whereas Kurapika's plot immediately took him to the underbelly of organized crime. While there, he served as the bodyguard to one of the most elite mafia leaders and his organ collecting daughter.
Once Gon's portion of the story was done, the series revealed Kurapika staring at various jars of his clan's eyes. How did he get so many? What did he have to do to collect them? Fans are just now getting a taste for how cerebral and intelligent a Kurapika story can be with the current arc, but fans are still left wondering what he did in the underworld.
3 Gon: Better Underdog
Despite being the son of one of the world's greatest Hunters, Gon is still a child from a secluded hovel of the world. When he embarks on his journey, everything in the world is as new to him as it is to the fans, making his journey much more accessible and mysterious to the equally ignorant viewer.
This also helps fans connect to Gon's plight, as he's constantly overwhelmed by the next obstacle and puzzle. Gon is a child living in a world of killer, competitive, and conniving adults. When he's not busy trying to become stronger, Gon is trying to create simple yet effective plans to circumvent his much more experienced opponents. This helps create interesting and suspenseful scenarios, ones that leave viewers wondering if Gon will actually win.
2 Kurapika: Dependable Leader
As Kurapika is not as simple or childlike as Gon, he makes great use of his intelligence and creativity as a character. Even without his powers, Kurapika is a reliable tactician and leader who even helped Gon and Leorio during their early journey and quickly took charge of his boss's guard when he joined the mafia.
Within the current story, Kurapika becomes the new member of the Zodiacs whose expertise in both the Phantom Troupe and Nen have become incredibly useful for garnering support and creating advantages on a tight battlefield.
1 Gon: Inspirational Character
While Kurapika may be a much easier person to turn to for help and advice, Gon often surprises characters in the story and fans with his odd clarity and humility. He is someone who doesn't want much and doesn't let the world corrupt him (at least during the beginning of the story).
Gon's constant drive to find a solution for everybody is constantly encouraging and ever-surprising with its results. It is this attitude that helps fans connect with both him and the show, which makes his emotional turn later in the Chimera Ant Arc all the more tragic and meaningful. Gon is a face that everyone wants to believe in, and that helped him become the de facto protagonist for most of the series.