neferp1t0u:

Something I love about Hunter X Hunter is that Gon’s determination is NOT portrayed as his best feature. It’s his flaw.

In most shonen, the protagonist never gives up and that’s how he wins (along with the power of friendship). It’s seen as admirable, something that viewers should strive for.

But in HxH, that refusal to give up is terrifying. Gon goes past his limits and hurts himself and others in the process. It gets to a point where you don’t want him to win anymore, if this is what winning means. You take one look at Gon, and you think, “He needs to stop. This isn’t healthy.” And even when he does win, it’s bittersweet. You aren’t left with the high of a power fantasy. You’re left with concern for this small child who is continually destroying himself, over and over.