hunterxhell:

Sure! I think there’s a number of reasons that distinguish HXH from other shounen anime:

- Consistent logic to Nen, aka, the “magic system” in HXH. With the rules of Nen, power has limits and restrictions, even if you’re a Nen genius. There are even consequences to your typical shounen “power ups”. Overall the system makes battles very interesting, smart, and high stakes.

- Diverse female characters. Diverse in appearance, personality, and goals. Objectification/fanservice is rare. Overall a gender-friendly series.

- There aren’t really any traditional “villains” in HXH, the closest would seem to be Genthru and his lackeys or some of the Chimera Ants. I say they’re not traditional because there are a number of moments where the bad guys have no ill will towards our protagonists, it really goes back and forth depending on circumstance. This means that not every arc ends in a huge super battle of good versus evil. Gon, the main protagonist, is also not the “chosen one” that defeats all of them. He didn’t even meet the Ant King!

- Speaking of Gon, he’s not a traditional “protagonist” either. He has clear character faults and is hurt by his own determination and idealism, traits that typically save other shounen protagonists from certain defeat. He is also not always the focus of the plot! The current arc shows no signs of including him in any major events so far.

- There is no forced romantic subplot just for the sake of having a romantic subplot, ie, there isn’t a thirdwheel female character that’s main purpose is to fall in love with Gon and have babies in an epilogue.

- Lots of trope subversion that messes with your expectations from other shounen anime and keeps things fresh and unpredictable.

- Character death is permanent, there’s no “oh he died but we can bring him back.” Overall there are no cop-outs in the plot, which is very refreshing.