Nitpicking flaws in Hunter x Hunter is one of the gravest sins in the anime community, and for good reason. There are very few series that are as complete as Hunter x Hunter, and although the anime did not adapt all the available chapters of the manga, it did leave a lasting impression on fans in the span of 148 episodes.
That said, nothing can be flawless, and Hunter x Hunter is no exception, no matter how creative and imaginative it is. There are a handful of masterpiece anime that execute their plot and characters slightly better than Hunter x Hunter, and generally just do more to set themselves apart from the rest of the all-time greats.
One Piece Is More Adventurous Than Hunter x Hunter
When it comes to adventure, One Piece is in a league of its own. Even an anime as imaginative as Hunter x Hunter looks modest in front of One Piece. Though both Hunter x Hunter and One Piece are excellent shonen anime, the latter outshines HxH in several respects. Every arc of One Piece can be a standalone story, nearly all of them well-executed, which can’t be said for Hunter x Hunter.
Ostensibly, One Piece comes across as a silly tale about a bunch of pirates looking for a grand treasure, but in reality, its anti-authoritarian rhetoric blends seamlessly with the action without disrupting the rhythm of the story. What makes One Piece a masterpiece anime better than Hunter x Hunter is its ability to deliver powerful commentary without ever abandoning its love for comedy.
Vinland Saga Portrays a Grim Reality Through Its Socially Aware Lens
Similar to Vinland Saga, fatherhood is a central theme in Hunter x Hunter. In Vinland Saga, Thorfinn vows to avenge his father’s death by killing the perpetrator, Askeladd, while in Hunter x Hunter, Gon wants to become a professional hunter to find his dad. Hunter x Hunter’s theme might be suited to the shonen demographic, but the storytelling gravitates more towards seinen, which results in conflicting developments, causing a sense of frustration.
However, Vinland Saga, being a seinen anime, never suffers from indecisiveness, and delivers an eye-opening tale that stands firm with its anti-war rhetoric. Vinland Saga is considered a masterpiece because of the clarity it provides not only with its storytelling, but also with its messaging. While both anime have a considerable amount of action that often delves into the characters’ emotional states, Vinland Saga does it better with its unique sensibilities.
Golden Kamuy Is a Cockamamie Version of Hunter X Hunter
Golden Kamuy and Hunter x Hunter have quite a few things in common, like an underlying theme of mystery, adventures involving a search for one’s father, encountering enemies who get significantly stronger with each passing arc, and an antagonist that keeps the protagonists on their toes throughout the story. Even though it’s a seinen anime, Golden Kamuy masterfully deceives its viewers with shonen-like storytelling while holding onto its seinen sensibilities.
Although it’s very much a shonen anime, Hunter x Hunter occasionally acts as a seinen storyteller, but is unwilling to commit. It’s the same with Hunter x Hunter’s high-stakes battles; there’s always a way out of death for the protagonists, which is never the case in Golden Kamuy’s realistic setting. Furthermore, Golden Kamuy dishes out outrageously absurd humor, which never feels out of place, even amidst the most nerve-wracking situations.
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Outshines Hunter X Hunter With Its Ever-Evolving Character Dynamics
Mushoku Tensei is often misunderstood, and being an isekai doesn’t help its case. In spite of its controversial nature, Mushoku Tensei matures like no other series. Like Hunter x Hunter, family is intrinsic to Mushoku Tensei, which becomes more apparent as the story progresses. As for adventure, both fantasy heavyweights are equal to one another.
Mushoku Tensei is relatively newer than Hunter x Hunter, yet its decisive nature to always be on the move, curiosity for the unknown, and the wild-card element of fervent romance help the isekai anime surpass its rival. What makes Mushoku Tensei a masterpiece is its ability to showcase diversity, inclusion, and a strong stance against discrimination, all of which very much need to be seen in media right now.
Ranking of Kings Doubles Down on Familial Relationships
Ranking of Kings is a criminally underrated anime. While initially loved by many, over time, it has started to fade from the collective consciousness of viewers. Ranking of Kings is, without an ounce of doubt, a thorough masterpiece that transcends the boundaries set by demographics.
Despite being an adventure fantasy, Ranking of Kings doesn’t shy away from making its family feud the central theme. It’s exactly that bold step, that decisiveness, that makes it much better than Hunter x Hunter. Ranking of Kings makes Bojji, a deaf and weak prince, the main protagonist of its plot. Rather than earning pity points, Ranking of Kings shows Bojji as a symbol of bravery, kindness, and empathy, allowing him to be the glue that ties all of his family’s complex dynamics together.
- Release Date
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2011 – 2014
- Directors
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Hiroshi Kôjina
- Writers
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Atsushi Maekawa, Tsutomu Kamishiro
