Top 10 Best Hunter x Hunter Moments — 2025 Updated Guide
Hunter x Hunter (2011) remains one of the most nuanced and emotionally complex shōnen series. This updated 2025 guide curates the series’ most unforgettable moments — scenes that define characters, shift tone, and leave a lasting impact on viewers. Expect concise scene breakdowns, context for each moment, and tips for first-time rewatchers.
Why these moments matter
Hunter x Hunter is celebrated for mixing tight battle choreography with unexpected moral complexity. The moments below were chosen because they:
- Reveal deep character development (e.g., Gon and Meruem).
- Shift series tone from adventure to darker, philosophical territory.
- Demonstrate creative Nen usage and stakes that redefine power scaling.
Whether you love strategic fights, tragic sacrifice, or psychological drama, these scenes show why Hunter x Hunter is frequently cited in 'best anime' conversations. This guide also helps searchers and casual viewers find the most discussion-worthy beats to rewatch or use as entry points into the series.
Quick list — the moments
At-a-glance: the top 10 best Hunter x Hunter moments covered here.
- Gon's Transformation (Gon vs Pitou)
- Netero vs Meruem
- Meruem and Komugi's Last Moments
- Requiem (Phantom Troupe revenge scene)
- Kite's Death
- Palace Invasion
- Kurapika vs Uvogin
- Killua vs Youpi
- Killua's One-Shot kill (Hunter Exam)
- Leorio punches Ging
Best Hunter x Hunter Moments — scene-by-scene
10. Leorio punches Ging
Leorio’s moment with Ging functions as release — it’s a grounded, human beat amid mythic stakes. Leorio stands for the friends who hold Gon accountable and it’s a rare sequence where adult responsibility collides with hero worship.
9. Killua's One-Shot kill
This early Hunter Exam beat quickly reframes Killua from charming kid to lethal product of an assassin lineage. The scene is short but it signals the series’ willingness to go dark when needed.
8. Killua vs Youpi
Killua’s speed and emotional beats make this a highlight — it’s a showcase of tactical Nen application and the cost of Killua’s past.
7. Kurapika vs Uvogin
Kurapika’s revenge arc is personal, methodical and tragic — Uvogin’s defeat underscores Kurapika’s cost and obsessive focus.
6. Palace Invasion
The palace infiltration crystallizes team strategy, sacrifice and how far the protagonists will go to stop Meruem.
5. Kite's Death
Kite’s fate propels Gon into a darker character arc and represents the series’ frequent willingness to punish hope with harsh reality.
4. Requiem
Chrollo’s revenge sequence blends music, spectacle and menace — the Phantom Troupe's family-like bonds get framed in a chillingly beautiful way.
3. Meruem and Komugi's Last Moments
The arc’s centerpiece: an unlikely love and philosophical conversion. Meruem’s final game with Komugi is an emotional thesis about empathy and the humanizing power of connection.
2. Netero vs Meruem
Beyond spectacle, this duel posits an ideological clash about humanity and power — Netero’s sacrifice and method leave a moral aftershock.
1. Gon's Transformation (Gon vs Pitou)
Gon’s transformation is the narrative and emotional apex: a literal and symbolic monstrousization of grief and vengeance. It’s a key reason the Chimera Ant arc is widely discussed in graduate-level analyses of shōnen extremes.
How to rewatch these moments (best viewing order)
For newcomers or those planning a targeted rewatch, follow this lightweight plan:
- Watch the 2011 Hunter x Hunter reboot from episode 1 (it covers all major arcs with polished animation).
- Key checkpoints: Hunter Exam (early Killua moments), Yorknew City (Kurapika & Phantom Troupe), Chimera Ant arc (Kite, Palace Invasion, Meruem arc), resolution (Gon’s transformation).
- Rewatch the pivotal episodes sequentially after a full run — the emotional weight lands stronger with context.
Watching with attention to character motivation and Nen rules enhances appreciation. These moments are often layered: a single beat may carry foreshadowing from several arcs, so the cumulative rewatch experience is superior to isolated clips.
Conclusion
These top 10 Hunter x Hunter moments blend emotional stakes, ideological depth and inventive combat. They represent why the series is repeatedly recommended to fans who want an anime that balances action with moral complexity. Did we miss one of your favorites? Share it in the comments below — community discussion keeps these scenes alive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Is the 2011 Hunter x Hunter series a reboot?
- Yes— the 2011 adaptation reboots the earlier 1999 anime and covers key arcs more faithfully to the manga with updated animation and pacing.
- Which arc contains the Chimera Ant scenes?
- The Chimera Ant arc is mid-to-late series and includes Kite’s death, the palace invasion and the Meruem storyline — essential for the dramatic high points listed above.
- Where can I watch Hunter x Hunter legally?
- Availability changes over time; please check official streaming platforms and regional services for legal streaming options.