Who is Gon in Hunter x Hunter?

Gon Freecss is the central protagonist in the anime/manga series Hunter × Hunter. He happens to be the son of the renowned Hunter, Ging Freecss. Gon's primary motivation in pursuing Hunter's license revolves around his earnest desire to locate his father.

In the original Japanese version of the 1999 anime adaptation, the character of Gon is voiced by Junko Takeuchi. Interestingly, Takeuchi also lends her voice to other notable characters like Naruto Uzumaki from Naruto, Red from Pokémon Origins, and Gumball Watterson from The Amazing World of Gumball. On the other hand, Elinor Holt takes on the role of providing the English dub voice for Gon. In the 2011 anime adaptation, Megumi Han takes over the original Japanese voice acting, while Erica Mendez handles the English dub. Han and Mendez have previously voiced characters such as Atsuko Kagari from Little Witch Academia. Furthermore, Mendez has also expressed Megumin from KonoSuba: God's Blessing on this Wonderful World! and Kamisato Ayaka from Genshin Impact.

Appearance

Gon's physical appearance features a youthful boy with lengthy spiky hair that is primarily black with green tips. His eyes are large and possess a warm hazel-brown colour. His typical attire comprises a green jacket with reddish accents, covering a black or white tank top worn underneath. Additionally, he wears green short shorts and laced boots. However, during certain story arcs like Greed Island and Chimera Ant, he removes his jacket and solely sports the tank top. In the Greed Island arc and the initial stages of the Chimera Ant arc, Gon adorns the Paladin's Necklace, an item obtained from Greed Island possessing the power to nullify any external effects on a card held by its wearer.

Personality

Gon possesses various notable characteristics that define his personality and behavior. He is an energetic, outdoorsy, and friendly young boy who harbours a deep thirst for adventure. One of his remarkable qualities is his kindness and forgiveness, as evidenced by his decision to heal a psychopathic individual who had recently attempted to take his life. This benevolent nature enables him to make friends and effortlessly connect with others. Having spent significant time in the wilderness during childhood, Gon has developed exceptional skills in dealing with animals.

In terms of his Nen abilities, Gon belongs to the Enhancer category, known for their unwavering determination and straightforward mindset. This combination of grit and talent attracts potential allies and adversaries, who often trust him and align themselves with his cause. However, despite his inherently kind disposition, Gon can occasionally exhibit self-serving tendencies and possess a rather peculiar sense of morality.

Gon possesses heightened senses, including a keen sense of smell, sight, and taste. Initially, his motivation to become a Hunter stems from his desire to understand the extent to which his father prioritized his profession over his own family. However, as the story progresses, Gon's primary objective shifts towards locating and reuniting with his long-lost father. Additionally, Gon shares a profound love and affection for his aunt Mito, considering her his mother figure due to her role in raising him since infancy. Consequently, he is reluctant to explore or learn about his biological mother.

Gon's self-assurance and confidence in his abilities are pronounced. He often needs to recognize when his opponents are significantly stronger than him and continue to engage in combat regardless. He refuses to accept his inferiority to those he disagrees with, even when they are undeniably more powerful. Initially portrayed as naivety by Togashi, this attribute showcases Gon's unwavering determination and belief in his capabilities. Beyond his overarching goal of becoming a Hunter and finding his father, Gon yearns for strength above all else. His most significant insecurity lies in his perceived weakness and inability to protect those close to him.

However, Gon's temper and impulsive nature are central flaws in his character. Often, he acts without thoroughly considering the consequences, leading to personal suffering. Although he possesses an exceptional talent for his age, Gon feels compelled to prove himself whenever his abilities are challenged. This relentless pursuit of greater power often makes him extraordinarily strong when fueled by anger. Nevertheless, this anger can also lead to recklessness, as he becomes utterly oblivious to everything except his immediate goal. While his strong will allows him to maintain a level-headed demeanour in many situations, it can also render him cold and detached.

Moreover, his simple-mindedness occasionally distorts his perception of others, making it difficult for those around him to comprehend or relate to his actions and thought processes. Observers have even remarked that Gon seems to disregard conventional notions of good and evil, judging individuals based on his curiosity about them or their actions for him and his friends. Regardless of an individual's character, if they have directly or indirectly assisted Gon, he will express gratitude for their efforts. An example is seen during the Greed Island arc when Gon extends his thanks to Binolt, despite the latter being a psychopathic murderer and cannibal who had attempted to kill them. Similarly, Gon maintains a strong friendship with Killua, despite Killua's past as a killer, and he even admires the strength of individuals like Hisoka, despite the latter's sadistic and bloodthirsty personality.

Gon's morality is highly subjective and often twisted. While he values life in general, he holds no resentment towards individuals like Killua and Hisoka due to their strength and the assistance they have provided him. He fails to consider warning individuals who may cross paths with Hisoka, even if it would likely result in their death, as long as it serves his purpose of obtaining the magician's tag. On the other hand, he harbours an intense hatred towards the Phantom Troupe due to their disregard for the lives of the individuals they have killed, such as the Bomb Devils and, most significantly, Pitou.

During the Chimera Ant arc, Gon's character takes a dark turn. Filled with rage and a burning desire to exact revenge for the harm inflicted upon his mentor, Kite, he becomes relentless in his pursuit. Upon witnessing Pitou healing another character, Komugi, Gon initially hesitates to wait for Pitou to finish the healing process and is only dissuaded from killing Pitou by Killua, who reminds him of the need to keep Pitou alive to restore Kite. Notably, his rigid black-and-white perspective of the world fuels his anger at the notion of Pitou caring for Komugi's life, perceiving it as unfair. Furthermore, he views Komugi solely as a bargaining chip rather than an individual with inherent worth, hastening the time required for Pitou to heal her and even threatening to harm Komugi if Pitou deviates from his demands, effectively using her as a hostage. This behaviour reveals his hypocritical nature, as he condemns the Phantom Troupe for killing individuals unrelated to their cause while being willing to do the same with Komugi if it serves his own goals. Upon learning of Kite's death, Gon's rage intensifies to the point where his sole becomes the eradication of Pitou, and he is willing to sacrifice his own Nen abilities and even his life to acquire the power necessary to achieve this goal. Even after being healed by Nanika, he exhibits no remorse or guilt for his actions against Pitou or Komugi, solely apologising to Killua for his harsh words.

Abilities

Enhanced Senses

Gon possesses animal-like senses, particularly a highly advanced sense of smell and hearing. Comparable to a dog, his sense of smell allows him to accurately detect scents and track targets. His acute hearing complements his sense of smell, enabling him to perceive even the faintest sounds. This heightened sensory perception contributes to Gon's exceptional observational skills and agility, which have been praised during the Hunter Exam.

Enhanced Strength

Gon's physical strength is genuinely extraordinary. Even before learning Nen, he displays immense power, effortlessly handling tasks that would challenge multiple grown men. His training at the Zoldyck Family's estate further enhances his strength, enabling him to perform incredible feats such as pushing open a four-ton gate and shattering rock pillars with a single punch. Gon's strength is also evident in his victories against formidable opponents, including members of the Phantom Troupe.

Enhanced Speed and Reflexes

Gon's speed and reflexes are crucial assets in combat. Although not the fastest character, he compensates for his speed with quick thinking and remarkable agility. He can dodge attacks from powerful adversaries like Hisoka and react swiftly to unexpected situations. Gon's reflexes and superhuman eyesight allow him to win games like rock-paper-scissors by reading his opponent's movements. Through training with Biscuit, Gon attains equal running speed and reactions to his friend Killua.

Enhanced Agility

Gon's agility is a critical component of his combat style. He utilises his swiftness to dodge enemy attacks and strike from various angles. His exceptional speed and agility give him a significant advantage, enabling him to manoeuvre effortlessly in battle and maintain the upper hand against opponents.

Enhanced Stamina and Endurance

Gon possesses exceptional stamina and endurance. He can endure physically demanding tasks for extended periods without showing fatigue. For instance, he completes a gruelling long-distance run during the Hunter Exam without exhibiting any exhaustion. Additionally, Gon demonstrates unwavering determination and the ability to fight even when subjected to severe pain and injuries.

Enhanced Adaptability and Intellect

Gon's ability to think outside the box and adapt to challenging situations is remarkable. He consistently surprises allies and opponents with his unconventional strategies and problem-solving skills. Gon's keen intellect, intuition, and good memory allow him to devise effective battle plans and anticipate his opponent's moves. While he may struggle with mathematics, his lateral thinking and quick decision-making make him a formidable adversary.

Proficient Combat Skills and Weapon Mastery

Gon is an experienced hand-to-hand combatant skilled in Shingen-ryū kung-fu techniques. Despite little formal training, he exhibits remarkable skill and resourcefulness in close-quarters combat. Gon's fighting style relies on his punch-based attacks, unpredictable tactics, and the occasional use of his versatile fishing rod as a weapon. He is proficient in offensive and defensive maneuvers, making him a formidable opponent.

Stealth and Tracking Abilities

Gon possesses natural stealth capabilities, allowing him to move unnoticed and conceal his presence effectively. He can tail targets for extended periods without being detected.

Equipment

Gon Freecss possesses a telescopic fishing rod for multiple purposes in his adventures. Initially used for his hobby of angling back in Whale Island, the fishing rod proves to be a versatile tool for Gon. During the Hunter Exam, he demonstrates its potential as a makeshift weapon by striking opponents from a distance using its heavy float and utilising the hook to grasp objects that are far away. He carries the fishing rod when he visits the Zoldyck Mansion to meet Killua, although he doesn't employ it until his battle against Gido at Heavens Arena. Afterwards, he is presumed to leave the fishing rod at his house on Whale Island.

Both the fishing rod and its accompanying wire exhibit exceptional durability. They withstand lifting and hurling a massive 1-ton flagstone without snapping. The float attached to the fishing rod possesses considerable weight, capable of leaving a visible bruise on Hisoka's face when struck by it. The fishing rod appears rather plain, consisting solely of a handle and a rod without a reel or guides.

There are minor variations in its depiction across different media adaptations. The fishing rod is light brown in the manga, with white bandages wrapped around the handle, while the 1999 anime version features red-brown applications. In the 2011 anime, the fishing rod is constructed from metal, displaying a silver colour and dark grey bandages. It surpasses Gon's height when fully extended but significantly decreases in length when retracted. Regardless of the medium, Gon employs the fishing rod alongside a three-pronged hook and a large spherical red float.

Interestingly, Mito reveals that this fishing rod originally belonged to Ging, Gon's father. Ging used it during his childhood to capture a Master of the Swamp. The material composition of the fishing rod remains undisclosed, but it has demonstrated remarkable durability and flexibility in various situations throughout Gon's journey.