Hunter X Hunterhas blessed fans with one of thebest and most nuanced casts of charactersin manga, but one in particular is not as appreciated as they should be. Furthermore, they are not only the most controversial characters in the series, but also one of the most disliked in anime. However, the vitriol is misplaced, and it turns out that this character is one of the most complex in HxH and is the glue that holds it all together.
Ging Freecss, father ofthe protagonist, Gon, and the main driving force of the story, is a very controversial character in the anime world for abandoning his son to travel around the world and achieve the things he dreamed of, which earned him the label of a bad father and a deadbeat. However,this is a very shallow way to approach his characterand not at all what Togashi would like readers to gain from him. Embodying the main theme ofHunter X Hunterperfectly and a key to understanding what the story is trying to tell us,Ging Freecss is one of the series' most complex and best characters.
Ging’s Character Is About Enjoying The Little Moments
The Journey Is More Important Than The Destination
Hunter X Hunter’s main conflict is a young boy looking for his father, and the series takes viewers on a grand adventure to so many different places that the reader will sometimes even forget about the main goal. From an arc about New York-style mafia, a storyline about an apocalyptic species, a deep dive into an RPG island and more, Gon and Killua go through all types of places for one particular goal, but it is through these side quests that fans really came to love the characters and the series. Having the meeting between Gon and Ging be anticlimactic also reinforces the theme thatthe journey is usually more fulfilling than the goal itself.
Chapter #338 is one of the most narratively important chapters in the series. Gon climbs the World Tree and meets his father, and they finally have their long-awaited talk. Gon asks Ging about his goals, and this is where Ging recounts a story about how he looked for people and funds to explore an archaeological site and restore it. It took him 2 years to get everything he needed, and he said that even after getting into the tomb and finding out the truth,the end result was more of an extra compared to the people who helped and the journey it took to get there. At that moment, Ging functioned almost like a mouthpiece for Togashi and what he really wanted to convey to readers.
Ging Isn’t The Terrible Father Fans Think He Is
His Decision To Leave Isn’t As Straightforward As Some Would Believe
Another core aspect of Ging’s character is the choice between free will and obligations. Initially, Ging wanted to take Gon with him, but this proved to be difficult. He made the decision to leave Gon in a loving home with someone to look after him and went on about his way, choosing to chase his goals and ambitions instead of staying in one place and raising Gon.This plot point highlights that freedom is not as glamorous as it is usually depicted in other works, but instead shows that freedom will always come at a cost, and in Ging’s case, it was time with his child.
WhileGing might not have been there for his son, he still did what he thought was best for him and held immense hope for him. He had full belief that his son would become strong and, later, that he would wake up from the coma. Gon knows this and holds no grudge or animosity towards him. After going around the world and enjoying the thrill of adventure, he came to understand why his father did what he did. Indeed, the dynamic between Gon and Ging is one of the most nuanced relationships explored in the series.
10 Best Hunter X Hunter Characters
Hunter X Hunter boasts some of the most memorable characters in manga, and some stand above the rest for their unique traits.
From how he is the most important character in the narrative alongside Gon, his incredibly cool design, entertaining personality and wit that made the 13th Chairman Election, and the thematic excellence he brings to the series, Ging Freecss is undoubtedly a character who deserves more appreciation for how tightly and brilliantly he is written.The Succession War arcis still unfolding, and Ging is definitely going to return as the ship nears the Dark Continent. With more of his character to explore, Ging is only going to get better and better and continue to prove whyHunter X Hunter’s cast is unmatched.
