In my continuing quest to spread awareness of this all too often overlooked series, I thought it was past time to start a thread about it. 
Anyway, for those who don't already know, Hunter X Hunter is a 62 episode TV series followed up by 3 OVAs (30 more episodes in total) that sadly has yet to be licensed. The story follows Gon, who spends the early years of his life living on Whale Island with his aunt Mito and believing that both his parents are dead. Of course, that wouldn't make for an interesting story, so in the first episode he finds out that his father is not only very much alive, but is also a famous Hunter. Naturally, Gon takes it into it his head to follow in his father's footsteps and leaves Whale Island (armed with a fishing rod, of all things) to attempt the notoriously difficult Hunter Exam.
Of course, shows like this always have a healthy cast of characters- as well as our hero, who falls into the 'pure hearted to the point of naivete, but still likeable' category, there are three other main characters and aspiring Hunters in the form of Leorio, a hot-head who initially seems only interested in money (he's meant to be 19, even though he looks older); Kurapica, who despite being cool and logical for the most part, is also consumed with a need to avenge the slaughtered members of his tribe (of which he is the last survivor), and Killua, a young yet accomplished assassin who seems to taking the Hunter Exam just for something interesting to do. And there's plenty of interesting recurring characters as well, such as the magician Hisoka, who has a penchant for inflicting mass slaughter with a pack of playing cards (trust me, it'll make sense once you start watching).
It might sound a little cliche at first, and the series does take a few episodes to hit its stride, but once the exam proper starts around episode 6 it becomes well and truly addictive. And if you're wondering how taking an exam can possibly fill a whole series, don't worry, because that's just the first story arc. In fact, the one thing that makes Hunter X Hunter really stand out from other Shonen Jump shows is that it never drags, there are no ten episode fights or dull sections of throwaway filler material. Be warned, though, the TV series ends rather abruptly- the OVAs are essential viewing to get the next part of the story.
Well, I've probably ranted enough, so I'll just close by saying how much I enjoyed this series, and let someone else post their thoughts...
Anyway, for those who don't already know, Hunter X Hunter is a 62 episode TV series followed up by 3 OVAs (30 more episodes in total) that sadly has yet to be licensed. The story follows Gon, who spends the early years of his life living on Whale Island with his aunt Mito and believing that both his parents are dead. Of course, that wouldn't make for an interesting story, so in the first episode he finds out that his father is not only very much alive, but is also a famous Hunter. Naturally, Gon takes it into it his head to follow in his father's footsteps and leaves Whale Island (armed with a fishing rod, of all things) to attempt the notoriously difficult Hunter Exam.Of course, shows like this always have a healthy cast of characters- as well as our hero, who falls into the 'pure hearted to the point of naivete, but still likeable' category, there are three other main characters and aspiring Hunters in the form of Leorio, a hot-head who initially seems only interested in money (he's meant to be 19, even though he looks older); Kurapica, who despite being cool and logical for the most part, is also consumed with a need to avenge the slaughtered members of his tribe (of which he is the last survivor), and Killua, a young yet accomplished assassin who seems to taking the Hunter Exam just for something interesting to do. And there's plenty of interesting recurring characters as well, such as the magician Hisoka, who has a penchant for inflicting mass slaughter with a pack of playing cards (trust me, it'll make sense once you start watching).
It might sound a little cliche at first, and the series does take a few episodes to hit its stride, but once the exam proper starts around episode 6 it becomes well and truly addictive. And if you're wondering how taking an exam can possibly fill a whole series, don't worry, because that's just the first story arc. In fact, the one thing that makes Hunter X Hunter really stand out from other Shonen Jump shows is that it never drags, there are no ten episode fights or dull sections of throwaway filler material. Be warned, though, the TV series ends rather abruptly- the OVAs are essential viewing to get the next part of the story.
Well, I've probably ranted enough, so I'll just close by saying how much I enjoyed this series, and let someone else post their thoughts...