Highlights
- Leorio is a comedic character with a big heart, aiming to become a doctor despite his lack of physical attributes.
- Genkai acts as a mother figure to Yusuke, aiding him in his journey as a Spirit Detective with her strength and wisdom.
- Hisoka is a creepy antagonist in Hunter x Hunter who enjoys antagonizing hunters and sees them as his playthings.
In the world of manga and anime, one of the most influential and famous mangakas ever to exist is Hunter x Hunter creator Yoshihiro Togashi. The Japanese mangaka Togashi has garnered mass acclaim for his work, which he has been publishing since the 1980s, with classics such as Hunter x Hunter and Yu Yu Hakusho regarded as his masterpieces.
Despite Togashi’s recent health problems causing delays in the release of Hunter x Hunter chapters, Togashi’s influence is still relevant in modern times. The famed mangaka’s catalog includes several characters that have been hugely popular and influential in pop culture worldwide.
10 Leorio
Stubborn But Comedic Character Set On Becoming A Doctor
- Manga/Anime: Hunter x Hunter
Despite Leorio not appearing in every arc, Leorio is one of the most notable and comedic characters in Hunter x Hunter, with his stubborn and clumsy persona being a shining aspect. In Hunter x Hunter, Leorio becomes a hunter in order to become a doctor. Despite not having the physical or Nen attributes many others have, Leorio still aims high in life, with his goal of becoming a doctor being valid and endearing.
In the Hunter Exam, Leorio meets Gon Freecss, Kurapika, and Killua Zoldyck, with the group creating a special bond as they journey together. Leorio’s primary attribute is his care for others, as Leorio frequently tries to help his friends whenever he can, showing true loyalty and friendship, no matter the cost.
9 Genkai
Yusuke’s Traditionalist Teacher And Former Friend Of Toguro
- Manga/Anime: Yu Yu Hakusho
On Yusuke’s journey as a Spirit Detective, Genkai is tasked with teaching Yusuke everything there is to know about his strengths and abilities. As one of the strongest humans around, Genkai does all she can to aid Yusuke’s progression with the help of Kazuma Kuwabara and their multitude of friends. Despite not being a parent, Genkai acts as a mother figure to Yusuke, with the pair going through ups and downs together during Yusuke’s training.
During the Dark Tournament arc, Genkai plays a crucial role in Yusuke’s team as she gifts Yusuke her Spirit Wave power, giving Yusuke the strength to face off with Toguro. Despite falling victim to her former friend Toguro, Genkai returns after the Dark Tournament thanks to Koenma.
8 Hisoka
Creepy Clown Intent On Making His Enemies Playtoys
- Manga/Anime: Hunter x Hunter
In Hunter x Hunter, no character is more creepy and mysterious than its main antagonist, Hisoka. Introduced in the first arc of the Hunter Exam, Hisoka showcases himself as one of the strongest individuals around, with the character developing an affinity for the show’s protagonist, Gon. As Hunter x Hunter’s leading group develops and grows throughout different arcs, Hisoka is always present to track their progress as he seeks to face off with the strongest hunters.
Being a part of the famed Phantom Troupe, Hisoka even goes as far as challenging their boss, Chrollo Lucilfer. Hisoka’s habit of antagonizing hunters shows his wild antics and goal of using hunters as his playtoys.
7 Toguro
Iconic Anime Villain That Sacrificed His Humanity To Achieve Maximum Power
- Manga/Anime: Yu Yu Hakusho
In the story of Yusuke Urameshi, the character deals with several enemies, with his fiercest rival being Yu Yu Hakusho’s main antagonist, Toguro. During the Spirit Detective saga, Toguro shows up to face Yusuke and Kuwabara, with the pair seemingly dispatching the brute. Despite appearing to die, Toguro fakes his death, with the brute keen on assessing Yusuke’s power for himself.
In the Dark Tournament arc, Toguro is shown to be the strongest demon around, with his matchup with Yusuke being inevitable. To gain his strength, Toguro sacrifices his humanity to become a demon, gaining more power in the process. Toguro’s battle with Yusuke in the Dark Tournament is considered one of the great battles in shonen, with Toguro falling victim to the Spirit Detective Yusuke.
6 Hiei
Cold-Blooded Demon That Learns To Develop Friendships
- Manga/Anime: Yu Yu Hakusho
Starting out as Yusuke’s foe, Hiei makes up one-fourth of the famed group that led Yu Yu Hakusho. Hiei arrives as a cold and callous individual who is deadset on fighting the strongest around, although his involvement with Yusuke’s group slowly changes Hiei.
In the Dark Tournament arc, Hiei is forced to compete alongside Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Kurama, with the group excelling through their unique abilities. Hiei’s attitude towards others changes when his half-sister Yukina becomes involved in their group, leading to Hiei being more understanding of others despite his ominous demeanor.
5 Gon Freecss
Hunter x Hunter Protagonist Famed For His Joyful Attitude And Immense Strength
- Manga/Anime: Hunter x Hunter
As Hunter x Hunter’s main protagonist, Gon is one of manga and anime’s most popular characters, with his joyful persona and rare potential as a hunter giving the character such popularity. Accompanied by his friends Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio, Gon traverses the world as a hunter, aiming to find his father, Ging, whom Gon has never met.
Along Gon’s journey, the character deals with many trials and tribulations that see Gon tested. Due to his unbreakable will and positive mindset, Gon flourishes as a hunter, becoming an iconic character in the process.
4 Yusuke Urameshi
Notorious Bad Boy Given Second Chance In Life To Become A Spirit Detective
- Manga/Anime: Yu Yu Hakusho
In Yu Yu Hakusho, the protagonist, Yusuke, undergoes character development throughout the series. Yusuke starts as a bad boy with no purpose, but the character goes on to become Earth’s savior and friend to many. Throughout his journey, the character is joined by an array of characters who find Yusuke admirable despite his brash attitude.
As Earth’s Spirit Detective, Yusuke fights off many demons, gaining many villains in the process. In the widely acclaimed Dark Tournament arc, Yusuke comes face to face with his arch-nemesis Toguro, defeating the now-turned demon in a highly intense battle that shows Yusuke’s strength and potential as Koenma’s Spirit Detective.
3 Kazuma Kuwabara
Comedic Sidekick Who Shows True Heart And Bravery
- Manga/Anime: Yu Yu Hakusho
Kuwabara acts as Yu Yu Hakusho’s comedic relief throughout its entirety, providing plenty of comedic moments due to his stubborn and confident nature. Starting out as a student who gets beat up by Yusuke, Kuwabara begins to care for Yusuke after his sudden death. Once Yusuke returns to life, Yusuke and Kuwabara become best friends, with the pair joining up with Hiei and Kurama to form a formidable team.
Kuwabara goes through many ups and downs during Yu Yu Hakusho. However, his starring appearance takes place in the Dark Tournament arc, where the character plays a huge role in Yusuke’s team being victorious.
2 Killua Zoldyck
Powerful Assassin Who Opts For Friends Over Family
- Manga/Anime: Hunter x Hunter
Killua is one of the most famous characters from Togashi’s catalog for good reason, as he is renowned for his badass and cold persona. Belonging to the assassin family of the Zoldycks, Killua is viewed as having immense potential, with the character being trained in the ways of his family’s trade.
Upon meeting Gon at the Hunter Exam, Killua starts to change his attitude towards others, with Gon bringing the best out of Killua, leading to the pair becoming best friends. As Killua travels alongside Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio, Killua moves away from his family’s mindset and rules and becomes more reliant on his friends, whom he cares deeply for.
1 Kurapika
Innocent-Looking Hunter Intent On Salvaging His Brethren’s Eyes
- Manga/Anime: Hunter x Hunter
Kurapika is one of Togashi’s greatest characters, with Kurapika being an individual of high intelligence and having the means to turn into a monster, depending on his opponent. Kurapika’s story begins with the destruction of the Kurta Clan by the Phantom Troupe, leaving Kurapika as the last member standing. Kurapika’s whole purpose in Hunter x Hunter revolves around recovering his Brethren’s scarlet eyes, no matter the cost.
Along the way, Kurapika learns to rely on others, as his friendships with Gon, Killua, and Leorio become helpful in his fight for revenge. In the Yorknew City arc, Kurapika becomes the main character as he takes on the Phantom Troupe using his powerful chains, enhanced by Nen. Kurapika’s fight continues into the Succession Contest arc, where he becomes a Zodiac member, descending into further chaos and mayhem.
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