Why The Hunter X Hunter Association Is Actually A Force For Bad

"Hunter x Hunter" is probably one of the most popular anime series out today. Created by Yoshihiro Togashi — also known for his work on "Yu Yu Hakusho" — it was first serialized in "Weekly Shonen Jump" in March 1998. In 1999, a 62-episode anime was produced, running for about two years. The anime was then rebooted in 2011 with new and improved animation; it ended in 2014. There have also been two film adaptions, both released in 2013. The manga is not over yet, and though fans are eager to find out what happens next, it is currently on another hiatus and has been paused since 2018. 

"Hunter x Hunter" follows Gon Freecss, a young boy who desires to be a Hunter like his father before him. In order to do that, he must undertake the Hunter Exam and obtain his license. During his exam, he meets and befriends Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio, each with their own reasons for wanting to become Hunters. They are just a few of the participants in the rigorous test, and each who passes officially becomes a Hunter. Though many are able to fulfill their dreams, the Hunter Association is not great as it seems. Thanks to CBR, we have a few reasons why. 

The Hunter license has many benefits for those who pass the test. It allows for convenient travel, higher chances of getting amazing employment offers, and bragging rights, especially since only a handful of people actually get one. However, as CBR pointed out, there is something much darker that holders receive after their exam: A license to kill without major consequences.  Despite this, Hunters are not advised to take advantage of this benefit just because they want to.

While our main characters have pretty tame reasons for being a Hunter — Kurapika's desire to kill the Phantom Troupe is justified given his history with him — the Association cannot assume that all the participants are the same. Even though Hunters can be disciplined, there is a way around any such problem. A bloodthirsty person could easily convince his superiors that his actions are justified, and thus, be able to not only keep his license but also roam free and possibly slit a few more throats with little to no trouble. 

The Hunter Association is not only beneficial to its license holders, but to criminals as well. During Gon's exam, he and his team come across the Trick Tower, where they must reach the bottom in 72 hours in order to move forward. In addition to other obstacles, examinees must fight against prisoners, each of whom are serving hefty sentences for their crimes. While the team hopes to win, the criminals hope to stall. For each hour they keep the group from advancing, they are awarded one year being cut off from their punishment. 

The exam is not easy, and with a time limit, it makes sense to have things to slow the participants down. This could have been done using trained fighters, but the Association made a conscious decision to use people who have committed heinous crimes — one of them killed over 100 citizens. It seems testing is much more important than the fact that a murderer is being handed a way out.

There are seemingly few requirements for taking the Hunter Exam. As long as the hopeful can pass all stages, they will be rewarded with a license. It really doesn't matter what kind of person they are or what their background is. This is proven by the fact that Hisoka Morow is able to take the test, no questions asked.

Hisoka belongs to the elusive Phantom Troupe — the same organization that is responsible for the annihilation of Kurapika's clan — and finds great pleasure in killing strong opponents. He hopes one day to murder Gon and Killua and decides to wait until they have grown more powerful so the event will be more thrilling. Hisoka also acts very inappropriately to the underaged friends, checking out their bodies as they walk in front of him.

This man poses multiple dangers, but the Association has no problem with any of this. Hisoka can freely interact with younger test-takers and can participate in an exam that gives him the right to act on his murderous desires (which he does pass, by the way.)