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Explore Hunter x Hunter’s worldbuilding and the different elements under it. Additionally, find out why it needs more appreciation.
When talking about worldbuilding in anime, most fans immediately refer to series such as One Piece or Attack on Titan. The setting in these shows is integral to the plot, openly displaying the different landscapes, cultures, and people. They are much easier to remember as well since the series constantly emphasizes the interaction between the cast and the world.
Hunter x Hunter, on the other hand, takes a different and more subtle approach. Perhaps due to this, despite its immense popularity, its worldbuilding often goes unnoticed. Fans are constantly present in the detailed world presented by Togashi, but they fail to realize how intricately crafted it is unless they specifically focus on it.
This is not a flaw, but rather what Hunter x Hunter aims to do. While it may define itself as a fantasy series, the world is relatable yet creative in a manner that hasn’t been depicted in other anime. This complexity undoubtedly deserves more appreciation, but it is not without its own oversight. Here is a closer look at both sides of the argument regarding Hunter x Hunter’s world, and why it is too underrated.
Hunter x Hunter’s Realistic and Dynamic World
The main reason why Hunter x Hunter’s world is often overshadowed is because Togashi intends to do so. The creator does not wish to specifically highlight grand settings, whereas series such as One Piece take several episodes exploring their islands.
Rather, Hunter x Hunter’s world serves as a backdrop to the intense events occurring. This doesn’t mean its worldbuilding is inferior, but rather that it is simply different. Fans often fail to appreciate the different locations in this series because of how frighteningly realistic it can be for a story with supernatural elements.
Every region, from Whale Island to the Dark Continent, has its own unique culture, governance, and economic systems. The mafia-controlled underworld, the intense political hierarchy of the Kakin Empire and even abandoned landmasses such as Meteor City are not completely new concepts for fans.
In contrast, they mirror real-world complexities to create a higher level of immersion. This is a challenging task to accomplish, as fans will be more attentive due to their deeper understanding of the concepts. Nevertheless, Hunter x Hunter delivers a homerun, seamlessly integrating the world with a fictional setting.
However, as mentioned earlier, Hunter x Hunter is far from a copy-paste of real-world locations. It draws inspiration from different settings but puts its own spin on it. Through creatures such as Spider Eagles, enormous hounds, and the plethora of dangerous creatures in the Dark Continent, the series proves it is still a fantastical tale at heart.
Notable Locations in Hunter x Hunter’s World
1) Heavens Arena
Located in the Republic of Padokea, the Heavens Arena is a tower combat arena where fighters search for wealth and glory. With each victory, they climb the floors, and the difficulty of opponents keeps rising.
The country where the Heavens Arena is located is the same where the Zoldyck Family lives. However, by bringing us back to this location for a separate arc, Hunter x Hunter showcases how there are a vast variety of sites within the same landmass. This may not seem special, but it is exceedingly rare in shonen anime that usually follows one common theme for each setting.
2) Yorknew City
Yorknew City is the best example of an extremely realistic city that makes us forget Hunter x Hunter is an action series with fantastical elements. It has a black market, underground networks as well as an economy driven by rare artifacts.
The contrast between the wealth of the auction participants and the criminal underworld vying for power adds layers to the setting. This disparity needs to be analyzed by the viewer, rather than being specifically laid on a plate.
3) NGL
While the Chimera Ant Arc is mainly known for its emotional storytelling, memorable characters, and philosophical themes, the setting itself is often understated. NGL is an ingenious location that is an autonomous region with a strict anti-technology policy.
Its self-sufficient lifestyle that attracts explorers is fascinating. At the same time, it perfectly sets up the Chimera Ants, keeping their existence hidden from the rest of the world.
4) Dark Continent
The biggest testament to Hunter x Hunter’s worldbuilding is that we have hardly explored most of its world. This was revealed with the introduction of the Dark Continent, a dangerous location that is deadly to the strongest of hunters.
The Dark Continent has its own flora, fauna and history, referring to several failed explorations of its territories. However, each of these trips helped characters understand different aspects of its lore. This gradually unraveled the continent while deepening its intrigue.
The Complexities of Nen
Power systems, though often considered separate from worldbuilding, are undoubtedly part of an anime’s world. This holds truer for Hunter x Hunter than the rest, given how well Nen is developed.
Nen serves as the life energy of users and functions in various ways. Initially thought to only enhance combat, the story quickly disproved this idea. Nen follows a structured, logical system rooted in strategic application. Every Nen category—Enhancement, Emission, Manipulation, Transmutation, Conjuration, and Specialization—comes with clear rules and limitations, ensuring that battles rely more on intelligence and inventiveness than raw strength.
These range from Hisoka’s Bungee Gum to Chrollo’s ability to steal skills. However, Hunter x Hunter first displayed the lengths of creativity through Nen by directly pairing it with a location. This is Greed Island, a world that can be accessed only by Nen users.
However, upon entering the world, the power system immediately changes to the game cards used in the video-game-like setting. The versatility of the ability, to make a real location into a game, deserves much more appreciation.
At the same time, Nen is also tied to societal structures and hierarchy. Nen abilities relate to different career paths, even in organized jobs and illegal organizations such as the Phantom Troupe. The royalty from the Kakin Empire each have Nen Beasts that correlate to their personalities and abilities. Hence, Nen also differs from location to location.
The Downside of Hunter x Hunter’s Expansive World
We have now seen how expansive and detailed Hunter x Hunter’s world is. Each location is subtly introduced, serving as the backdrop but also elevating characters and the story. However, this world is not without its own issues.
One major drawback of Hunter x Hunter is that its world often leaves story threads unresolved. Togashi introduces various regions, factions, and conflicts, but only properly explores a minority. While some fans believe this fits the series tone of realism, since we ourselves know little about our own world, others disagree.
These viewers wish for the series to dive into the creative elements it offers more thoroughly rather than simply touch upon them and continue shifting them to the background. Meteor City is the best example of this, being the home ground of the Phantom Troupe.
Known as a lawless area, this place has produced some of Hunter x Hunter’s most prominent figures. It has played a key role in several arcs, from its ties to the mafia to the Kurta Clan massacre and an all-powerful, enigmatic elder. Unfortunately, apart from being mentioned in passing, Hunter x Hunter has not delved into it again.
Similarly, the highly anticipated exploration of the Dark Continent has been overshadowed by the Kakin succession war. While the focus on another empire is enjoyable, Hunter x Hunter has once again shifted away from its main setting.
Pacing and Information Overload in Hunter x Hunter
Another reason some viewers struggle to engage with Hunter x Hunter is its irregular pacing. Ironically, while some parts of the world are mentioned only once or twice, Togashi presents them in extreme detail during those moments.
This happens through an information dump, where multiple pages focus entirely on a location’s history, lifeforms, politics, and more. Shonen fans who are used to gradual world-building through character interactions and adventures may find this approach unorthodox. The novel-esque feeling, especially in the Hunter x Hunter manga, is not widely beloved by all for this reason.
Togashi intensifies the information overload by failing to revisit key world elements after their introduction. The V5, the world’s ruling powers, fade into the background despite their supposed influence. Additionally, the Hunter Association remains largely mysterious, with an open-ended structure and purpose.
For other stories, fans may enjoy this non-linear form of storytelling, given the fact that they will be addressed in the future. Regrettably, Hunter x Hunter has faced multiple hiatus issues due to the author’s health. Since Togashi keeps adding elements to his grand world even before concluding unresolved subplots, fans fear he may have bitten off more than he can chew. As a result, the world feels vast but sometimes frustratingly unfinished.
Conclusion
Hunter x Hunter’s worldbuilding is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it is one of the richest, most intricate settings in anime and manga, filled with political intrigue, a logical power system, and a sense of realism rarely seen in shonen storytelling. On the other hand, its depth and mode of deliverance can sometimes be overwhelming. This leads to unresolved plot points and pacing issues that might alienate some viewers.
Nevertheless, it goes without saying that Hunter x Hunter’s world is one of the most fascinating among all its peers. It may not actively try to stand out, but it greatly enhances the depth of its tale. Its potential is endless, due to which fans hope Togashi can successfully complete the tale. Until then, Hunter x Hunter’s worldbuilding will remain an underappreciated masterpiece, waiting for the day it receives the full recognition it deserves.
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