The world of Hunter x Hunter is filled with excitement and wonder. Gon and his friends are some of the best group of friends anime fans can ask for, especially Leorio.
Out of the four main characters in the story's early stages, Leorio is the most relatable. While many people respect his aspirations of why he wants to become a doctor, Leorio does also possess some traits that show that he’s not perfect. Consequently, at times, Leorio can be both underrated and overrated.
This article only contains events from the 2011 anime.
10 Underrated: Great Friend
The medical student really created a bond with Kurapika, Gon, and Killua after the Hunter Exam. Leorio will do anything within his power to protect his friends, despite not being the strongest or as gifted as the other characters with Nen.
For instance, Leorio attempts to fight Hisoka, although he knows he is no match for him. He does this to keep the magician from harming Gon.
9 Overrated: He Talks Too Much
Leorio has one of the most engaging personalities in the anime, but he needs to learn to be quiet. The heroes almost fail the preliminary phase of the exam because he would not stop complaining about the question they were asked.
It’s a good thing Kurapika told Leorio to stop talking, otherwise, they could have failed. There was no correct answer to the question.
8 Underrated: Team Player
One of the reasons why HxH is such an entertaining series is the dynamic between the characters. For example, Leorio, Gon, and Kurapika pass the first phase of the exam by working together to save a man from falling overboard.
This all happens before they were technically friends, by the way. Later in the series, Leorio contributes more to the group by helping Gon and Killua raise money so they can participate in the Underground Auction.
7 Overrated: He’s Materialistic
While Leorio maybe a deep and caring individual, he can still be rather vain. Early in the series, Leorio tells Kurapika his sole reason for becoming a Hunter is to make money. Later in the exam arc, audiences find out Leorio also wants to be a doctor because of a promise he made to a childhood friend.
This is touching, but later during the Yorknew City arc, it’s revealed Leorio has been spending his money on booze and parties. He has enrolled in medical school, so there’s that.
6 Underrated: He’s Smarter Than Most Give Him Credit For
Leorio never gets enough credit for his intelligence. The man is studying to be a doctor, after all. Furthermore, during the third phase of the Hunter Exam, Leorio is the only one who caught on to Majtani's scheme.
After Kurapika knocks Majtani out, the latter only pretends to be unconscious in order to run out the clock. Leorio threatens to throw his body off the platform if he doesn’t wake up. The convict eventually stops playing possum, as a result. They saved a lot of time thanks to Leorio.
5 Overrated: Lacks Maturity
Despite being the oldest out of the four, Leorio is the most immature. In all fairness, he is still a teenager, but he should still know better. Leorio argues with everyone he encounters.
For example, he is always at odds with Tonpa during the exam arc. It's true that Tonpa is sabotaging them on purpose, but again, Leorio should know better. Ultimately, yelling at Tonpa was not helping matters, nor was it going to hinder him from doing it.
4 Underrated: Honest
Count on Leorio Paradinight to say what everyone is thinking. Leorio becomes furious at Gon’s father, Ging, for neglecting to see his son. Out of blind fury, Leorio uses his Remote Punch to hit Ging.
Everyone is so impressed with what he did, Leorio becomes a prime candidate in the election for chairman of the Hunter Association. Guess it's true that people do favor honest politicians.
3 Overrated: Can't Fight
For someone that loves to run his mouth, one would think he can hold his own in a fight, right? Leorio has many valuable skills, but fighting is not one of them. Since he wants to be a doctor, fans are not expecting him to be an outstanding warrior.
However, for someone who is not much of a fighter, Leorio questionably picks a lot of fights with others. Hisoka and Ging could easily put him in the infirmary if they want to. Luckily, they don’t see him as a threat.
2 Underrated: He’s Practical
One of Leorio’s reasons for becoming a Hunter is due to financing, but there is a little more to it than that. Leorio knows how imperative money is, seeing he grew up in an impoverished country. In addition, he had a close friend that died from a fatal illness because he didn’t have the money to pay for the operation.
When Leorio becomes a doctor, he plans to work pro-bono so he can help patients who can’t afford medical procedures. Leorio will use the money he makes as a Hunter not only to pay for medical school but also for the medicine and other medical tools required for his patients.
1 Overrated: He Couldn’t Pass The Hunter Exam Without Help
Leorio is bright, but he might not have passed the Hunter Exam if it was not for Gon, Killua, and Kurapika. Had he not followed Gon and Kurapika when they first met, Leorio would have surely gotten on that bus and missed taking the exam. During the fourth phase of the exam, Gon and Kurapika assist Leorio in taking Ponzu’s badge.
As the Hunter Association's Chairman and Head of the Exam Commission, Isaac Netero notices that Leorio leans far too much on his friends for support. Consequently, Netero makes it extremely difficult for Leorio to pass the last stage of the exam. This isn't to say Leorio did not earn his spot as a Hunter, just that he needed assistance.