Hunter Exam arc

Hunter Exam arc
Arc Info
Manga Chapters	Chapters 1 - 43
Episodes	Episodes 1 - 36 (1999) Episodes 1 - 26 (2011)
Arc Guide
Previous	← N/A
Next	Heavens Arena arc →

The Hunter Exam arc (ハンター試(し)験(けん)編(へん)()()()()()()(), Hantā Shiken-hen) is the first story arc of the series and follows Gon on his journey to become a Hunter and find his father. After becoming friends with Kurapika, Leorio, and Killua, Gon must endure the Hunter Exam's deadly phases to obtain an all-important Hunter License. Just before Gon and his friends reach the end of the exam, Killua decides to return home. Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio head to Killua's home to see him again.

Summary

Pre-Hunter Exam

Gon trying to catch the Master of the Swamp

Gon is first seen at his home of Whale Island, patiently waiting for the Master of the Swamp (a fish that five grown fishermen pulling together could not land) to bite his lure. Gon wants to catch the Master of the Swamp because of a wager he made with his aunt Mito: if he could catch the fish, she would allow him to take part in the Hunter Exam. After a week of work, Gon finally succeeds, and Mito resignedly holds up her side of her promise, before she asks herself why Gon wants to be a Hunter. Gon proceeds to visit his friend, a grown-up Foxbear named Kon, who Gon had raised since he was a cub, to tell Kon that he was leaving to take the Hunter exam. Gon holds a card, and remembers how he came to possess it - three years before the series, he was attacked by a mother Foxbear, but saved by Kite, a Hunter who happened to be in the area during his hunt for his mentor, Gon's father, Ging. Kite chose to kill the mother Foxbear to protect Gon, and was about to kill Kon, the baby Foxbear, when Gon chose to embrace and protect it. Kite suddenly sees Ging's image in Gon's look, and tells Gon stories about Ging. After his flashback, Gon tells Kon that he plans to be a Hunter, and adds that since he may do things that animals of the forest won't like, Kon can't continue to be friends with a Hunter and also be king of the forest. Kon walks away from Gon to a gathering of other animals, and they all wave goodbye to him, with Gon happily running back home.

Gon valedicting with his aunt Mito

Gon returns home and speaks to his aunt. She learns that Gon had known his father was a hunter, and also tells Gon his father left him with her when he was still a baby; Gon replies being a Hunter must be an important job that family comes only second and that it's time for him to meet his father. He is then seen preparing to board a ship heading for the Hunter Exam. Everyone in the town comes to say bye and wish him luck. Gon makes a new goal of meeting his father. Aunt Mito comes and tells him his father didn't abandon him; she made him give up Gon through the courts. Gon says he knew because she never looks at him when she's lying. He gets on the boat and yells back to her that he will return as a great Hunter.

Preliminary Phases

The boat to the Hunter Exam

The first night on the boat, a huge storm tosses about most of the potential Hunter Exam examinees on board. After the storm, the ship's Captain walks around to see only three candidates still able to move, including Gon who is taking care of some of the more seasick passengers. Later on, when the seas are calm and skies are clear, he sees Gon standing at the front of the boat, predicting another storm. The captain is impressed with his prediction and his ability to loosely understand birds. He suddenly sees Ging's image in Gon, and confirms his suspicion with Gon. The Captain asks Gon to estimate the storm's size, and after hearing that Gon's guess of a larger, more violent storm matches his own estimate, he teaches Gon how to steer the boat. An announcement is made informing the boat's passengers of the upcoming storm, and all but three candidates leave the boat.

Gon & his new friends

The Captain asks the remaining three candidates why they want to be hunters. Gon eagerly shares his reasons, but the other two choose to remain silent. The storm starts to build. Leorio asks why they should tell him, assuming the Captain was only responsible for transporting them. The Captain reveals that he screens applicants and decides whether or not they can take the main Hunter exam. Hearing that, Leorio and Kurapika decide to give their explanations - Kurapika revealing his goal of revenge, and Leorio explaining his goals of chasing money. While explaining, Kurapika and Leorio get annoyed with each other and go out into the storm to fight, where the ship's crew watch them. A wooden beam breaks off in the storm and knocks a crew member overboard. Leorio immediately turns to chase him, catching Kurapika off guard. They both rush to catch him, but cannot reach him. Gon appears between them and jumps off the ship to catch him. Gon's legs are caught by Kurapika and Leorio, who pull them back on board. Leorio and Kurapika apologize to each other, and the Captain is impressed enough to choose to forego any other tests, and decides to use the remaining time to continue teaching Gon how to navigate a ship.

The ship lands at Dolle Harbor and the three search for a way to Zaban City where they expect their next exam to be. When Gon goes to say goodbye to the Captain, the Captain decides to give Gon a final hint - to head towards a lone pine tree on a hill. After checking a map, they discover that the tree is in the opposite direction to Zaban City. Gon decides to head for the pine tree, Kurapika decides to find Gon, and Leorio chooses to wait for the bus to Zaban City, until he hears that the buses to Zaban were another trap, and chases Gon and Kurapika to regroup with them.

The Mind-Boggling 'Two-Choice' Quiz

Two choice quiz!

The trio reach a dilapidated alleyway. Suddenly, an old lady walks in front of them to give them the "Mind-Boggling 'Two-Choice' Quiz". She tells them to correctly answer a two-choice question she poses to them within five seconds, otherwise they fail the Hunter Exam. A man reveals himself and asks to take the quiz before the trio, planning to lay traps ahead of them. The old lady asks the man if he would save his mother, or his lover. The man chooses to save his mother, and the old lady says he may go. Leorio rants that there is no correct answer to such a question. Kurapika picks up on Leorio's words, and the old lady stops him from talking to Leorio. The old lady asks the trio whether they would rather save their daughter or their son from a kidnapping. Leorio walks over to a scrap pile and picks up a piece of wood, planning to attack the old lady after their five seconds is up. Kurapika quietly watches the old lady. Gon thinks about the answer. The time elapses and Leorio jumps to attack the old lady, but Kurapika blocks his attack and reveals that silence was the correct answer - that it was impossible to choose between them. Kurapika shares that he heard the man who went ahead scream, expecting that he'd been attacked by a magical beast and that the path he took was incorrect. The lady allows them to pass and reveals a secret entrance. Before they head through, Gon gives up on answering the question. The other two tell him that the quiz is already over, but Gon asks them what they would do if they had to make a choice like that one day, highlighting the true purpose of the quiz.

Kirikos in the forest

Gon strikes Kiriko

The trio find themselves in the woods as the sun sets looking for a house at the base of the pine tree where a couple live, who are also navigators. The trio open the door to find the couple under attack by a magical beast called a Kiriko. The beast takes off with the lady and Gon and Kurapika give chase. Leorio stays behind to take care of the man. Gon pulls ahead, closes in on the Kiriko, and bashes him in the head. The Kiriko drops the woman, who Kurapika catches. The Kiriko dashes away and Gon continues to give chase. Kurapika inspects the woman for injuries and notices tattooed markings on her arms. Leorio reappears and asks if Kurapika is alright. Kurapika hits him because Leorio abandoned his duties, but the man reveals himself to be another Kiriko in disguise. Kurapika then returns to the woman, who reveals herself to be another Kiriko. Gon reaches a clearing and is attacked by a Kiriko. He asks the Kiriko where the original one he was chasing was. The Kiriko is amused that he can distinguish them and calls over the other Kirikos, revealing that they are both a family of Kirikos and the navigators for the Hunter Exam. Impressed by the trio, the Kirikos fly them over to the Hunter Exam.

The next day, the Kiriko in human disguise helps the trio identify a restaurant in Zaban City, and bids them farewell. They find themselves in an elevator which they take down into a tunnel. When they get off, they see crowds of people, all with badges identifying themselves as candidates for the Hunter Exam. They receive their badge numbers, and Tonpa introduces himself to them. Tonpa points out some of the other regulars: Bourbon the snake charmer, Todo the wrestler, the Amori Brothers, Cherry, and Geretta the huntsman. They hear a scream and see a man missing his arms, owing to another examinee - Hisoka the magician. Tonpa tells the group to avoid Hisoka, explaining that Hisoka was a favorite to pass in last year's hunter exam until he attacked a proctor that he disagreed with. Tonpa then offers Gon and the other two some juice, trying to trick them into ingesting a laxative. Gon happens to taste it first and spits it out, letting Tonpa know that it tastes funny. Kurapika and Leorio follow suit and dump theirs on the ground. They part ways, and Tonpa tries distributing his drinks to the other examinees without much success, including a child on a skateboard, who drinks multiple cans despite having identified its contents.

The 287th Hunter Exam

First Phase

Hunter Exam Begins!!

Satotz appears and announces the beginning of the 287^th Hunter Exam. He asks the remaining 404 examinees to follow him down a dark tunnel. He gradually picks up his pace through the tunnel, and introduces himself as the examiner for the First Phase of the exam (to keep up with Satotz), and the guide to the Second Phase. The child on the skateboard eventually finds himself skateboarding next to Gon, and after finding out that Gon is his age, he decides to get off the skateboard and run alongside Gon, introducing himself as Killua as he does so.

Kurapika and Leorio follow Satotz

Examinees eventually begin to drop out, and the tunnel starts sloping upwards, revealing a steep set of stairs with no ending in sight. Kurapika and Leorio continue their earlier conversation from the ship, and gain a new understanding of each other and their motivations. Leorio reveals his goals of money were to help him finance himself in order to help treat the sick. Gon and Killua talk at the front of the crowd right behind Satotz, and similarly learn about each other's motivations for taking the Hunter Exam.

The entrance comes into sight. The examinees step out of the tunnel and Satotz introduces them to the Milsy Wetlands (a.k.a. Swindler's Swamp), where the next leg of the First Phase will take place in. Satotz introduces some of the local flora and fauna endemic to the wetlands, in particular warning that the wildlife often trick people in the area and eat them. After a small incident with local monkeys disguised as examiners for the Hunter Exam, Satotz begins his run through the wetlands.

Leorio utterly defeated by Hisoka

A thick fog envelops the participants as they follow Satotz. Some examinees are tricked and eaten by the local wildlife, and others are attacked and killed by Hisoka. Gon hears Leorio cry out after being hit by Hisoka's attack, and turns back to find Leorio. The fog thins for a moment, and some of the applicants band together to try and kill Hisoka, but are all easily killed by him. Leorio and Kurapika decide to run in different directions, but Leorio changes his mind and turns back to attack Hisoka. Hisoka easily dodges and is about to attack him but is suddenly hit with a fishing lure thrown by Gon. Hisoka turns to face Gon, and Leorio takes this opportunity to attack Hisoka but is knocked out. Hisoka "passes" Gon and Leorio, and carries an unconscious Leorio's away after being contacted via a pocket radio. Kurapika regroups with Gon, who uses his sense of smell to follow Leorio's cologne and find his way to the end of the swamp.

Second Phase

Cooking test

Satotz announces the end of the First Phase and their location as the Visca Forest Preserve where the Second Phase takes place. Gourmet Hunters (and proctors) Menchi and Buhara introduce themselves as the examiners of the second phase, explaining that the exam is first to make a dish that satisfies Buhara, and then if approved make a dish that satisfies Menchi. Buhara asks the examinees to make roast pig, hiding the fact that the only pig found in the area is the world's most dangerous pig. 70 examinees pass, including Gon and his friends. Menchi then asks the examinees to make sushi (a traditional dish from Jappon), giving some hints out when none of them can identify the dish. Menchi tries several more dishes, but gets increasingly irritated by their inability to satisfy her, and eventually fails all the examinees. Chairman Netero gets word and heads over on the Hunter Association's airship to intervene, arriving right as the examinees start to fight with Menchi. He calms Menchi down and convinces her to redo the test, this time acquiring the ingredient herself to set an example. The group take the airship to Split Mountain where examinees hunt for Spider Eagle eggs by jumping down into a ravine, catching themselves on the webs the eggs hang on, and climbing back out. 42 examinees pass this revised Second Phase.

A Game at Midnight

Showdown on the airship

The remaining examinees board the Selection Committee's airship, where it is revealed that their next phase of the exam will begin at 8:00 a.m. the next day. Netero introduces himself to them. As everyone rests up for tomorrow, Gon and Killua talk more about their families. Netero sees them, and challenges them to a game: take a ball from Netero, and he grants their Hunter Licenses immediately. Killua eagerly goes first but fails. Gon then takes his turn to take the ball, but he also fails. Time passes, and when it seems Gon and Killua have tried every possible tactic, Netero suggests they attack together. Though they are seemingly close to it at one point, Netero rockets between them at lightning speed and takes the ball. Killua calls it quits after that, explaining that Netero had not even used his right hand or left leg. He leaves the room and, in his frustration, kills two examinees who bumped into him in the hallway outside. Gon decides to play until he forces Netero to use his right hand. He eventually succeeds by recklessly launching himself head-first into Netero's rock-hard body, forcing Netero to use his right hand to divert Gon and protect both of them. Gon notices his achievement and collapses in exhaustion on the spot. Netero phones the pilot and has him slow down the airship to let Gon rest.

Third Phase

3rd Phase: Trick Tower

In the morning, the airship arrives at the top of Trick Tower. The 40 applicants are informed that their objective in the Third Phase is to get down from the tower alive within 72 hours. Some applicants try to scale the walls and find themselves killed either by falling or by the local wildlife. Gon's group eventually discover five secret one-use trapdoors in the floor, and decide to take one each down. They find themselves all in the same room with a sign saying "The Path of Majority Rules", indicating the five who enter that room must find their way down by majority vote, and five wristwatches, used to help indicate the group's vote on a matter. The group are forced to wait for a fifth member. After more than two hours pass, their final member appears - Tonpa.

Killua kills Johness

Their first serious test inside the tower is a best of 5 against tower prisoners. Tonpa volunteers fight first against a hardened-looking criminal, but forfeits as soon as the match begins. Gon wins against Sedokan in a match to see whose candle can burn the longest. Kurapika agrees to a death match with Majtani and walks away after knocking him unconscious. Leorio tells their opponents to remove his body and continue with the fights, but Leroute claims that Majtani is only unconscious, and drags Leorio into a battle of bets where both sides wager time. Leorio loses his match, and the group is forced to wait fifty hours should they win their next battle as a penalty. Through the bets, Leorio convince Majtani into revealing his feigned unconsciousness and forfeiting his match to Kurapika. Finally, Killua faces Johness. Leorio tells Killua to forfeit, but Killua simply cuts out Johness' heart, explaining afterward that Johness is an amateur and he is a pro. The group find a nice waiting room and wait for their fifty-hour penalty to elapse. Between Leorio and Kurapika's fights, Hisoka encounters an examiner from the previous exam with a grudge against him, and decapitates the ex-examiner in combat.

After waiting the fifty hours, the group continues navigating through various traps and puzzles in the Trick Tower. They eventually come across a room marking their final fork along the Path of Majority Rules with two choices of path to take: one letting everyone through and taking forty-five hours to complete, and the latter letting only three people through but taking only three minutes to complete. Leorio and Tonpa start fighting to see who will stay, but Gon thinks outside the box. They choose the longer path, destroy the wall between the paths with axes provided so they can fight, and all five make it out.

Fourth Phase

4th Phase: Zevil Island

Lippo and another examiner congratulate the 24 successful examinees of the Third Phase. Lippo has them draw lots to indicate their targets, and explains that the Fourth Phase would take place on Zevil Island, requiring examinees to possess six points worth of badges before their time is up - three points for their own badge, three points for their target's badge, and one point for any other badges. Gon looks at his lot, and sees that he has to obtain Hisoka's badge. The group takes a boat to Zevil Island, where an announcer informs them of their unconditional invitation to next year's Hunter Exam, but is mostly ignored. Kurapika and Leorio confirm that they aren't each other's targets, and Gon and Killua do the same. Killua tries to help Gon figure out a plan to get Hisoka's badge but their plan does not get far. After reaching Zevil Island, the announcer has them disembark in two-minute intervals in order of completion time in the Third Phase, and lets them know of their return in one week at the end of the Fourth Phase.

Pokkle targeting Kyu in the grass

Gon spends his first day thinking about how best to get Hisoka's badge. He sees one candidate sneaking up on another in the grass, and watches their interaction. Gon decides to improve his accuracy with his fishing rod, but struggles with catching living targets consistently. On the second day, Gon sees a bird target a fish at the moment the fish jumps to catch a fly and has an insight - attack Hisoka when Hisoka attacks his own target. Gon notices some butterflies attracted to the blood on his blistered hands and uses the butterflies to search for Hisoka, remembering seeing Hisoka injured while they exited the tower.

Tonpa's partner Sommy attacks Leorio

Elsewhere, Leorio and Tonpa encounter each other. They show their lots to prove that they aren't each other's targets. Tonpa gives Leorio information on his target Ponzu, asking for medicine in exchange. Leorio has Tonpa back off before opening his briefcase, but is attacked by another examinee when he does, and Leorio's badge hidden in his briefcase is stolen. Tonpa reveals that Leorio is his real target, and that he had swapped his lot with another examinee in order to trick Leorio. Leorio chases after a running Tonpa, who quickly runs into Kurapika and is knocked out. Kurapika and Leorio decide to team up, and quickly capture both Tonpa (who happens to be Kurapika's target) and his partner, taking both their badges.

Gittarackur transforming

While Leorio and Kurapika team up, Gon watches Hisoka, who stands up and walks in his direction. Gon almost reveals himself when another examinee steps up from his right. The other examinee attacks Hisoka, but Hisoka dodges and sits down to wait for him to die. Upset, the examinee rushes at Hisoka but is killed by Gittarackur who reveals himself and apologizes to Hisoka for letting him get away. Gittarackur hands Hisoka a spare badge he collected and pulls out the needles in his face, drastically changing his appearance. Gittarackur then digs a hole to hide in until the end of the exam. As night sets, Hisoka sets off to look for two more targets, and spots Leorio and Kurapika.

Hisoka's bloodlust

Gon notices Hisoka heading towards Leorio and Kurapika and silently follows. Hisoka reveals himself to Leorio and Kurapika. Kurapika offers to give him their spare badge in exchange for letting them escape, and Hisoka agrees. Kurapika places the badge in a tree, and Hisoka waits for them to leave before checking the badge, but finds that it is not his target's badge. Gon is relieved to see his friends escape, but worries about the possibility that Hisoka's next target doesn't fight him, and jumps when he senses Hisoka's bloodlust. He continues to watch Hisoka but scouts ahead, managing to find Hisoka's next target before he does.

Hisoka punches Gon

Gon casts his fishing rod as Hisoka and his target exchange blows and manage to snatch Hisoka's badge. Hisoka watches Gon steal his badge as his target falls. Gon quickly runs away, but does not make it far before collapsing. Geretta emerges to steal both his badge and Hisoka's badge, and vanishes. Gon struggles to recover his mobility, but sees Hisoka return with Geretta's head in his hand. Hisoka compliments Gon for his technique in stealing his badge, and leaves it behind as a reward for Gon. Gon refuses, and forces himself to stand up through the muscle relaxant. Hisoka punches him squarely in the face, and tells Gon to return the badge only if he can punch Hisoka in the face like he did. Gon finds a hiding spot in a tree and reflects on the day.

Killua defeats the Amori brothers

At the same time Gon noticed Hisoka heading towards Leorio and Kurapika, Killua calls his stalkers out. Killua convinces the Amori brothers to hand over their badges without fighting. Killua takes the badge he needs, and throws the other two in opposing directions across the island. Hanzo, who also had one of the brothers as his target, catches a badge flying through the air, but realizes that he caught the wrong badge.

Gon rescues his fellow examinees

On the sixth day, Leorio and Kurapika discuss heading back to the finish line early to try and find Leorio's three needed points. Gon jumps down from a tree and joins them. They follow Gon's sense of smell to a cave. Leorio heads in first, but Gon and Kurapika hear him warning about snakes. Gon and Kurapika rush in to find Leorio bitten by snakes, with Ponzo and Bourbon seated nearby. Ponzu warns them of Bourbon's trap, where snakes would attack anyone trying to escape or trying to touch his body. Kurapika offers badges to Bourbon, but Ponzu tells them that she had already killed him, and Bourbon could no longer deactivate the trap. Gon lets himself be bit by snakes as he searches Bourbon's body. He finds an antidote and tosses it to Kurapika to treat Leorio. Gon asks Ponzu to fill the chamber with sleeping gas in exchange for Bourbon's badge, which he also retrieved, so that he can carry the rest of them out as the snakes sleep. Gon carries them out and gives the sleeping Ponzu Bourbon's badge, but takes her badge for Leorio.

The Hunter Exam Committee announces the end of the Fourth Phase and picks up the 9 passing examinees.

Final Phase

While aboard the airship, Gon has a moment of self-reflection about his encounter with Hisoka, and shares his feelings of inadequacy from Hisoka giving his badge to Gon. Netero has an interview with each of the nine remaining examinees, asking them for their motivations in being hunters, which of the remaining examinees interested them the most, and which they least wished to fight. From their interviews, Netero draws the pairings for the Final Phase of the Hunter Exam. The examinees are summoned by Netero three days after the Fourth Phase, who introduces the Final Phase to them - a series of one-on-one contests where the winners drop out and the losers advance, allowing for at most 8 examinees to pass the exam. Netero adds that anyone who kills their opponent is disqualified and everyone else will pass as a result, and declares the start of the Final Phase.

The first match begins between Gon and Hanzo. Hanzo physically outmatches Gon and even breaks his arm, but Gon refuses to concede defeat. Hanzo eventually concedes, refusing to kill Gon and deciding to take his chances on his next opponent, but Gon refuses to accept Hanzo's defeat and asks him to continue fighting. Annoyed, Hanzo knocks him out, and the matches continue.

Seven new Hunters

Gon wakes up to see his broken arm set nicely and finds Satotz congratulating him on his win against Hanzo. Satotz explains the Hunter License to Gon, and shares some of his personal stories about Ging with him. Satotz also reveals that the Hunter Exam finished while Gon was asleep, and that Killua was the one to fail, having killed another examinee.

Satotz gives Gon a quick rundown of the remaining battles. Hisoka and Kurapika fought next, but Hisoka forfeited after whispering something to Kurapika. The sixth match was to be between Leorio and Bodoro, but Leorio requested for his to be delayed to give Bodoro more time to recover from his earlier battle. Instead, Killua fought Gittarackur next. Before any fighting, Gittarackur undid his disguise and revealed himself as Illumi, Killua's older brother. Illumi puts down Killua's aptitude for being a Hunter, telling him that his calling was an assassin. Killua eventually reveals that he wants to be friends with Gon, but Illumi refuses, and threatens to kill Gon if Killua does not give up on the Hunter Exam. Killua eventually reaches a mental breaking point and concedes before leaving the room. Killua unexpectedly returns to kill Bodoro during his match with Leorio, and was failed as a result.

Gon walks into the post-exam room to confront Illumi. Illumi refuses to apologize to Killua, and Gon grabs him by the wrist and swings him. Gon is about to drag Illumi out to bring Killua back, claiming that Illumi manipulated Killua, when Netero tells him that is what they have gathered to discuss - whether Killua was influenced to kill or not. The examinees discuss about the legitimacy of their passing, given the abnormal circumstances of several matches. After hearing the examinees speak, Netero decides Killua still has failed, declares the successful examinees as Hunters, and has the new Hunters briefed on their Hunter Licenses.

After the Hunter Exam

After the briefing, Gon asks Illumi where Killua is. Leorio and Kurapika join Gon shortly after. Expecting them to be unable to reach Killua, he decides to share that Killua has returned home to Kukuroo Mountain. Netero gives his final words to the new hunters, wishing them well before dismissing them. The new Hunters step outside their briefing room into the corridor outside.

Illumi and Hisoka walk one way and watch Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika start moving in the other direction. Hisoka asks Illumi if it was wise to share their home location. Illumi explains that the Zoldyck Family is already famous, and that the location of their residence is not a secret. He sees Hisoka looking at his injured arm and confirms that Gon had broken it during their earlier interaction. Illumi considers killing Gon there and then, now free from the rules of the Hunter Exam, but he catches Hisoka staring at him. Hisoka reminds Illumi that he's marked Gon as his prey, and that he plans to let Gon "ripen" for him to "pluck" in the future.

Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika begin discussing how to find out where Kukuroo Mountain is and how to get there. Killua suggests "surfing", but the trio is interrupted by Hanzo, who has come to say goodbye. Hanzo gives them his business card, and asks them to look him up if they ever go to his country. Pokkle steps up and apologizes to Kurapika for his earlier outburst, and shares that he plans to be a hunter of fantastic beasts. He asks Gon what he plans to hunt, and Gon lets Pokkle know about his search for Ging. Pokkle notes it down on a digital tablet, and he, Leorio, and Kurapika exchange home codes. After learning that Gon did not know what a home code was, Leorio explains home codes and cyberspace to Gon, and Kurapika takes this chance to explain and suggest going to cyberspace to look stuff up, also called "surfing". Gon decides to give it a pass, and Pokkle gives Gon his home code for Gon to contact when ready before leaving.

The trio is about to leave when Gon runs towards Satotz, asking him about the Hunter License that Kite had given him. Satotz inspects the card, and tells Gon that it is a Double-Star Hunter certificate, belonging to a hunter named Ging, the only person to pass the 267th Hunter Exam. Satotz shares what little he knows about Ging, but admits that Ging is a mystery even to him, and suggests Gon surf for more information. Gon waves goodbye and Satotz almost reveals that there is a second part to the Hunter Exam, but stops himself from doing so.

Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika head to a local cyberspace cafe, and look up Kukuroo Mountain. They buy tickets to the Republic of Padokea to depart that same day, and try searching for Ging before they leave for Kukuroo Mountain. They find that information on Ging has been dedicated top secret, a sign that Kurapika explains means someone had chosen to use the authority of a national executive and a vast personal fortune has chosen to keep information on Ging secret.

The Zoldyck Family

Arrival at Kukuroo Mountain and the Testing Gate

Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika arrive in the Republic of Padokea, Killua's home country. They board a tour bus which will take them to the entrance of the Zoldyck estate. During the ride, they notice two suspicious tourists. The tour guide, Coco Loo, informs everyone in the bus about the background of the Zoldyck Family and the Zoldyck Family estate on Kukuroo Mountain.

The Testing Gate

When they arrive, the tour guide introduces the front gate as "The Door to Hades", since no one who goes in comes out alive. She also announces that this is as far as they go, since the area behind the gate is the private property of the Zoldycks, also mentioning a service door beside the guard booth. The two suspicious tourists head to the guard house to try and make their way in. The gatekeeper, Zebro, warns the two not to enter, but they take a key from him and make their way through the service door. Gon goes to check on Zebro, when screams are suddenly heard from within the gate. The gate opens and a large, monstrous hand tosses the skeletons of the two ruffians out. Zebro reprimands Mike, reminding him not to eat too much. The tour guide and other tourists scramble into the bus when they see the skeletons, and leave Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio at Gon's request.

Mike meets Gon

The three introduce themselves to Zebro as friends of Killua, saying they are here to visit him. Although delighted that someone cares to visit the family, Zebro refuses to let them in and be killed. Zebro explains the monstrous hand they saw earlier belonged to Mike, the Zoldyck Family's watchdog, who was ordered to kill all intruders. Zebro also reveals that he lets intruders "steal" the key from him as a way of preventing intruders from damaging the main door, and that he is not a gatekeeper, merely a glorified janitor, the door itself preventing people from entering due to the sheer difficulty of opening it. Zebro demonstrates unexpected strength in opening the smallest door as he explains the meaning behind calling it the "Testing Gate". Each side of the smallest door weighed two tons each side, and each successive door doubles in weight. Killua opened the third door when he returned home after the Hunter Exam. Gon understands that he's not strong enough to enter through the gate at that point, and asks Zebro for the key, believing that he came as a friend, not to be tested, and willing to risk meeting Mike as an intruder to see Killua again.

Zebro understands Gon's point and agrees with him, but refuses to let Killua's friends be eaten, and so decides to phone the main estate. As he expected, he gets nowhere with the calls, only managing to reach the Butlers. Gon tries calling them himself several times, but is similarly refused. This angers Gon, who casts his fishing line over the Testing Gate, intending to climb over it. Finding himself with no other choice, Zebro offers the key to Gon, offering to accompany Gon through the side gate, willing to take the long shot that Mike recognizes his presence and does not get Gon killed. Gon recognizes his selfishness had forced Zebro into a risky situation, and apologizes for it. Zebro opens the testing gate, and the four of them step in. Gon sees the soulless look in Mike's eyes and breaks into a sweat, admitting that he did not believe he could handle Mike. Seeing it is now late, Zebro brings them to the servant's quarters, where another servant is surprised to see that Zebro has invited guests. The three quickly realize how the servants keep in good enough shape to open the doors - the items in the houses are all unnaturally heavy, and they decide to train there to get stronger and open the Testing Gate themselves. Ten days later, Leorio manages to open the door himself.

The Butler's Apprentice

Killua tortured

Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika thank Zebro and Seaquant for their help and head down the path pointed out by Zebro. As they watch the trio leave, Zebro remarks that all three of them had managed to open the door in just twenty days, with Leorio even managing to open the second door. Zebro remarks that they might be able to reach the mansion, but Seaquant disagrees, mentioning an incident three years ago where a blacklist hunter brought a hundred thugs to storm the mansion but was defeated by a single apprentice butler. Zebro hints at Seaquant being one of those hundred thugs, and Seaquant simply states that that incident was enough for him to see how outclassed he was.

The trio continue on their path and eventually encounter the apprentice butler that Seaquant had mentioned. The trio have a short exchange with her, where she refuses all their attempts to convince her to let them in, and warns them that she would remove them by force if they chose to trespass. Gon tries to force his way through and is struck hard enough to send him flying back. Leorio and Kurapika draw their arms, but Gon tells them to leave the matter to him. Gon continues trying to force his way past, refusing to use force against the butler. Their encounter is watched by someone hiding in the trees behind them. Eventually, his repeated attempts begin to pressure her, and she desperately asks Leorio and Kurapika to stop him. Leorio and Kurapika simply remain silent, and watch as Gon once again approaches her, this time punching through a stone post. Gon asks her why she did not attack him this time, and asks her if she is concerned about Killua. The butler breaks down and asks the trio to help Killua, but is shot in the head before she can say more.

The trio look in the direction of the shot and see a lady in an elaborate gown accompanied by a child step into the clearing. She complains about the butler for talking too much, saying that she is only an apprentice with a poor understanding of the family dynamic. She informs Gon that she is there to deliver a message from Killua, saying that he will not be able to see them.

Father and Son

In an isolation room, Milluki smokes a cigarette as he tortures Killua. Milluki hears sounds of Killua sleeping and gets annoyed, whipping him to wake him up. Milluki stubs the cigarette on Killua's chest, prompting Killua to taunt him with a fake apology. Milluki once again whips Killua for his insolence and receives a call from their mother where he learns about Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika being at the Butler's quarters. Milluki provokes Killua by suggesting to have the trio dispatched by the Butlers, prompting Killua to tear one arm free from his chains and threaten Milluki. Their grandfather Zeno comes in to tell Milluki to stop, and tells Killua that his father Silva had asked to see him. After Killua leaves, Milluki expresses his annoyance at Killua continually being let off by Zeno. Zeno does not answer and instead asks Milluki what he thinks of Killua's abilities. Milluki praises Killua as one of the most talented members of the family, but a failure as an assassin due to his eccentricity in desiring friends. Milluki and Zeno continue walking as Milluki tells Zeno about a new bomb he had, prompting Zeno to both praise his intelligence and highlight his foolishness.

Father-son promise

Killua enters his father's room and seats himself opposite him. Silva asks Killua how the Hunter Exam went, but senses Killua is unsure of how to act. He asks Killua to sit next to him, telling Killua that he wants to hear all about Killua's experiences.

The lady in an elaborate gown introduces herself to Gon as Killua's mother, and the child beside her as Kalluto. Gon does not introduce himself, simply watching her, but turns to check on Leorio and Kurapika who are attending to the injured butler. They are relieved to see she is only knocked out. Gon asks Killua's mother where he is, and she says that Killua is currently in solitary confinement to repent, after attacking his brother and herself and then running away (to take the Hunter Exam). Killua's mother says that it was Killua's choice to be confined and up to him when he wants to receive visitors, but is suddenly contacted through her headset by Zeno, and is distressed to hear that Killua has been freed and is talking with his father. Killua's mother begins to leave, and agrees to Gon's request to let Killua know that they would be in the area for ten more days. Killua's mother and Kalluto then leave. The butler regains consciousness and offers to bring them to the Butler's quarters, where they can find a phone connected directly to the mansion.

Killua's conversation with his father takes a more light tone, and his father is happy to hear Killua share his stories. Silva asks Killua if he would like to see Gon again, asking him to be honest. He explains that he believed he should have raised Killua as an assassin, having been raised that way himself, but shares that he realized on the day that Killua left that Killua was not just an extension of him - Killua is his son, but also his own person, with his own path to follow. Killua expresses his desire to see his friends again, and Silva lets him do so after making Killua promise to never betray his friends.

Killua comes across his mother and Kalluto as he leaves Silva's room. His mother lies and tells Killua's that his friends had went away, and orders him to return to his cell. Killua refuses, and his mother reaches a hand out to him, but freezes when she sees his glare. Killua walks away, and his mother cannot help but be impressed with his icy glare despite how he treated her.

Killua's mother enters Silva's room and angrily asks why Zeno and him let Killua go right after Illumi had brough him home, during the most crucial stage in Killua's development as the head of the family. Zeno reassures her, declaring his belief that Killua would return simply because he is his son.

The Coin Toss Game

Gon and his friends are led to the Butlers' quarters. They are received by the butlers, who explain that Killua's mother had informed them to treat the trio as official guests, and invite them into their quarters, where they are served drinks, and Gon's injured eye is bandaged. One of the butlers, Gotoh, sits across them. Leorio asks to be brought to the mansion, but Gotoh says that Killua is on his way to them, and suggests a game to pass the time.

Gotoh catches a coin he tosses in the air and asks them which hand the coin was in. The trio guess correctly, and Gotoh speeds up the game. After several rounds, Gotoh reveals his care for Killua like a son and his disapproval at the trio wanting to take him away, which also upset Killua's mother. At his signal, the apprentice butler is held hostage, and Gotoh gives them new rules. He tells the trio that each of them is out of the game as soon as they guess wrongly, and if all of them guess wrongly, he would remove them himself and tell Killua that they had left without him.

Gotoh's game

Gotoh resumes the game, and Leorio finds himself out. In the next round, neither Gon nor Kurapika could follow the coin, and they pick one hand each, with Gon coincidentally remaining in the game. Now alone, Gon pauses the game for a moment, borrows a knife from Leorio, and cuts his eye to relieve the swelling. Gotoh resumes the game, and Gon manages to keep up, even guessing correctly when Gotoh tosses the coin to a butler behind Gon.

After this final round, the butlers applaud the trio, and the group hear Killua's voice calling for Gon. Gotoh apologizes for getting too invested into his "little joke". Killua says his goodbye to the butlers, telling Gotoh not to follow him even if ordered to by his mother. Before they leave, Gotoh plays one final round with Gon, but tricks him as a way to warn him about the tricks and tricksters in the world. He asks Gon to look after Killua.

Notable Characters

• Gon Freecss
• Leorio Paradinight
• Kurapika
• Killua Zoldyck
• Hisoka Morow
• Mito Freecss
• Kite
• Kon
• Ging Freecss
• Satotz
• Isaac Netero
• Menchi
• Buhara
• Tonpa
• Captain
• Lippo
• Kiriko
• Hanzo
• Gittarackur / Illumi Zoldyck
• Togari
• Majtani
• Johness
• Kikyo Zoldyck
• Kalluto Zoldyck
• Silva Zoldyck
• Milluki Zoldyck
• Zeno Zoldyck
• Zebro
• Seaquant
• Gotoh
• Canary

Major Fights

• Preliminary Phases:
  • Leorio vs. Kurapika
  • Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio vs. Kiriko family

• First Phase:
  • Hisoka vs. Hunter Exam applicants
  • Gon and Leorio vs. Hisoka
• Second Phase:
  • Gon and Killua vs. Netero
  • Gon vs. Netero

• Third Phase:
  • Gon vs. Sedokan
  • Kurapika vs. Majtani
  • Hisoka vs. Togari
  • Leorio vs. Leroute
  • Killua vs. Johness

• Fourth Phase:
  • Pokkle vs. Kyu
  • Leorio and Kurapika vs. Tonpa and Sommy
  • Hisoka and Gittarackur vs. Goz
  • Killua vs Amori, Imori, and Umori
  • Gon, Kurapika, Leorio, and Ponzu vs. Bourbon's snakes

• Final Phase:
  • Gon vs. Hanzo
  • Kurapika vs. Hisoka
  • Killua vs Gittarackur
  • Leorio vs. Bodoro

Story Impact

• Gon's motivation to become a Hunter and find his father after meeting Kite is established.
• Gon meets and befriends Kurapika, Leorio, and Killua.
• The Phantom Troupe, Kurta Clan, and Scarlet Eyes are mentioned.
• Hisoka punches Gon, setting the stage for their eventual encounter at Heavens Arena.
• Hisoka whispers the plans of the Phantom Troupe to Kurapika, which motivates him to participate in the Southernpiece Auction in Yorknew City.
• Gon, Kurapika, Leorio, Hisoka, Hanzo, Pokkle, and Illumi all become Hunters.
• Most of the Zoldyck Family is introduced.
  • Coco Loo mentions on the tour bus that the Zoldyck family has a great-grandfather and a set of grandparents. The great-grandfather is not seen, and only the grandfather Zeno is seen, not the grandmother. Coco Loo also mentions that the Zoldyck Family has five children, but only four are seen or mentioned - Illumi, Milluki, Killua, and Kalluto.
• Killua rejoins Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio.

Trivia

• Among the "hidden treasures" shown in the first "opening/intro" during and exclusively in the 2011 anime adaptation of this arc, there is a golden mask with a red gemstone embedded in the forehead area, very similar and most likely a reference to the Stone Mask artifacts featured in Hirohiko Araki's JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part I: Phantom Blood and Part II: Battle Tendency, particularly the one modified by Kars that can be combined with the Red Stone of Aja. The reference is reinforced with a cloud/flock of bats that fly "from" the mask, an allusion to the mask's power to turn humans into vampires.

Anime and Manga Differences

• In the 1999 anime adaptation, after initially struggling to catch the Master of the Swamp with his flimsy fishing rod, Mito gives Ging's old fishing rod to Gon to help him catch the giant fish.
• In the 1999 anime adaptation, the familial relationships within the Freecss family are changed:
  • Mito is Gon's actual aunt instead of his first cousin.
  • Mito and Ging are changed to be sister-and-brother-in-law instead of cousins.
  • Ging and Mito's grandmother is changed to be Mito's mother and Ging's mother-in-law, making her Gon's grandmother instead of his great-grandmother.
  • Gon's mother is mentioned in the 1999 anime adaptation as Mito's younger sister. Mito tells Gon about how she hated watching her sister suffer while Ging was off journeying, though it's unclear if this was part of her lies.
• In the 1999 anime adaptation, Gon's flashback of him meeting Kite is extended:
  • After being attacked by the foxbear mother, Gon returns home, where Mito questions him about his injuries and torn clothes.
  • Gon are Kite are shown burying the foxbear mother together, whereas she is buried off-panel in the manga.
  • After hearing from Kite that Ging is alive, Gon asks Mito about his father when he returns home. Mito restates that his father died in accident and says that she wanted him to forget about someone who is dead. Later, Gon worries that if Ging really is alive, it means that he was abandoned.
  • Kite briefly stops at Mito's bar to buy a drink.
  • Mito decides to burn some of Ging's old belongings, including his old fishing rod, before her mother stops her.
• Gon's foxbear friend, Kon, is instead known as Konta (コン太, Konta) in the 1999 anime adaptation.
• Gon telling Kon that he is leaving to become a Hunter and that a King of the Forest like him cannot be friends with a Hunter is absent in the 1999 anime adaptation.
• In the 1999 anime adaptation, Gon parts with Mito and his grandmother (great-grandmother in the manga) at a river near their home before setting off in a small boat. In the manga, Gon waves goodbye to Mito at the docks as leaves Whale Island on the Captain's ship.
• In the 2011 anime adaptation, Gon and Killua have a small competition between themselves during the First Phase to see who reaches the end of the tunnel first, with the loser treating the winner to a meal. Their competition is declared a tie and Gon decides to have both treat each other. This is not present in the manga.
• In the 2011 anime adaptation, the Second Phase of the exam has examinees only making one dish (whole roast pig), which both Menchi and Buhara judge. The examinees also present their whole roast pig in an orderly manner. In comparison, the manga has the examinees make two dishes (whole roast pig and sushi), each judged by one examiner. Menchi is only seen sitting beside Buhara as he receives his dishes (not doing any judging) and declaring the end of Buhara's part.
• In the 2011 anime adaptation, a scene is added where Kikyo and Kalluto pay a visit to Killua as Milluki tortures him. This scene takes place after Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika agree to train at the Servant's Residence to open the Testing Gate. This scene is not present in the manga.
  • Kikyo asks Killua if he has learnt his lesson (about stabbing them and running away), when Milluki interjects to say Killua isn't sorry and to suggest making him suffer more. Kikyo scolds Milluki and then switches to a gentle tone to ask Killua to apologize. Milluki lets slip that Gon has arrived on the estate and is attempting to open the Testing Gate. Kikyo uses a soft tone and apologizes to Killua for not letting him know, having expected the Testing Gate to be impossible for Gon to open. Killua insists that Gon will do so and make it to him.
• In the 2011 anime adaptation, a scene is added after Zebro and Seaquant see the trio off and before the trio encounter Canary. Gotoh is seen with Kikyo at a pagoda not seen in the manga, where he informs Kikyo that the Testing Gate had been opened. It is not shown how Gotoh learnt that the Testing Gate had actually been opened. Kikyo is seen reminding Gotoh of the importance of not letting anyone get near Killua during this critical time for him, especially not Killua's "unnecessary friends". This is not present in the manga.
• In the 2011 anime adaptation, a scene is added in the form of a flashback Canary has after seeing Gon's insistence on seeing Killua, despite being injured by her attempts to prevent Gon from entering the Zoldyck residence. Canary briefly remembers welcoming Killua back to the Zoldyck residence after the 287^th Hunter Exam, where he mentions finally making a friend to her. This is not present in the manga.
• In the 2011 anime adaptation, several scenes appear in a different order than they appear in the manga. In particular, the scenes are shown in the orders below:
  • 2011 anime adaptation order:
    1. Killua threatens Milluki
    2. Gon sees Kikyo; Kikyo receives a call from Zeno
    3. Zeno asks Killua to speak to Silva and talks with Milluki about Killua
    4. Gon asks Kikyo to let Killua know that they would be waiting; Kikyo takes her leave
    5. Killua begins his conversation with Silva
    6. Killua continues his conversation at Silva's side
  • Manga order:
    1. Killua threatens Milluki
    2. Zeno asks Killua to speak to Silva, and talks with Milluki about Killua
    3. Killua begins his conversation with Silva
    4. Gon sees Kikyo; Kikyo receives a call from Zeno
    5. Gon asks Kikyo to let Killua know that they would be waiting; Kikyo takes her leave
    6. Killua continues his conversation at Silva's side
• In the 2011 anime adaptation, a scene is added before Killua gives an insincere apology to Milluki after being woken up from being whipped by him. The scene takes place in Killua's memories and fleshes out Killua's relationship with Canary, Canary's background, and the encounter between Canary and Seaquant's group. In the manga, Seaquant's encounter with Canary is only briefly mentioned.
  • Killua's flashback begins with him returning home from an assignment, briefly speaking with Illumi, and noticing Canary after Illumi leaves. Canary bows to greet him, but sees that Killua has vanished when she raises her head. She finds Killua and introduces herself as a new apprentice butler. Killua notices Canary used the Shadow Step to approach him and asks about it. Canary does not recognize the name and suggests that she may have learnt it while growing up in Meteor City. She explains Meteor City to Killua after he says that he does not know about it, and offers to be his guide if he visits. Killua offers to teach her the Rhythm Echo, and demonstrates it to her.
  • Before she can respond, Canary notices a large amount of intruders. Canary explains to Killua that Silva had ordered Mike restrained that day so that her abilities could be tested. Killua watches Canary intercept and defeat the group, also using the Rhythm Echo to defeat their leader. Canary apologizes for not mentioning that she already knows the Rhythm Echo. Killua asks Canary if she believes she is stronger than him, and she politely disagrees. Killua asks Canary to be his friend, but she notices Kikyo watching her, and politely declines Killua's request of friendship.
  • The manga mentions that as a result of this incident, Seaquant asks for a job as a servant. Seaquant is shown to be part of the group, and is the only survivor. Seaquant sees Canary walk past him to ask Zebro to help her clean the mess up. He begs for his life, but is ignored by Canary.
• In the 2011 anime adaptation, Killua arrives at the Butler's quarters before Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika, and is asked to wait by Gotoh, who goes to receive the trio. Killua eventually gets bored of waiting, leaves the room, and finds the trio in a reception room right as they finish their game with Gotoh. In the manga, Killua simply arrives at the reception room right as the trio finishes their game with Gotoh.
  • Kurapika is seen arriving at the Butler's quarters as Canary guides the trio there. Gotoh and Kikyo are seen again at the pagoda, where Kikyo complains to Gotoh about Silva letting Killua leave right after he returned. When Gotoh receives Killua, he asks Killua to wait in a room for the trio and promises to let him know as soon as Gon arrives, but plans to delay or even prevent them from meeting in consideration for Kikyo's wishes. Killua later gets impatient and leaves his waiting room to find the residence largely abandoned, eventually finding the trio in the reception room.

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All differences:

• The opening narration about Hunters is absent in the 1999 anime adaptation.
• In 1999 anime adaptation, Gon is not shown catching the Master of the Swamp until after the flashback of him meeting Kite. In the manga, the catch is shown before Gon's flashback.
• In the 1999 anime adaptation, Gon initially telling Mito about his desire to take the Hunter Exam and asking for her permission is shown.
• In the 1999 anime adaptation, Mito runs a bar with her mother (grandmother in the manga).
• In the 1999 anime adaptation, Kite states that someone becomes eligible to take the Hunter Exam when they turn 12 years old. This rule is never mentioned in the manga.
• In the 2011 anime adaptation, the examinees for the Second Phase present their dishes to Buhara all at once.
  • In the 2011 anime adaptation, the order shown for the examinees presenting their whole roast pig is Todo, Hanzo, several unknown examinees, Leorio, Gon, and finally Kurapika, with some examinees still seen cooking in the background.
  • The main characters are also shown giving their whole roast pig some variety.
• In the 2011 anime adaptation, Satotz is seen calling Netero about Menchi failing everyone in the Second Phase. Menchi is surprised to see Netero arrive. In the manga, Menchi herself is speaking on the phone (though it is unknown who called who and for what purpose).
• The interactions of Gon, Killua, and Leorio with Illumi, Hanzo, and Pokkle in the 2011 anime adaptation takes place in a different place compared to the manga. In the 2011 anime adaptation, the new Hunters are seen stepping from their briefing room into a courtyard (with a sheltered corridor along its perimeter) after their briefing about their Hunter Licenses. In the manga, they step out of their briefing room into a corridor within the Hunter Association building.
• In the 2011 anime adaptation, Satotz approaches Gon in the courtyard to return a booklet he left in the briefing room. Satotz then takes that chance to share what little he knows about Ging with Gon. In the manga, Gon approaches Satotz, and learns what little Satotz knows of Ging after showing him Ging's Hunter License.
• In the 2011 anime adaptation, Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika leave for Kukuroo Mountain immediately after buying their tickets. In the manga, they search for Ging in cyberspace between buying their tickets and leaving. Furthermore, the 2011 anime adaptation also has a scene where Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika get stuck in traffic, and decide to abandon their taxi to the airport and run there on foot, which is not seen in the manga at all.
  • Ponzu is seen in the front seat of the cars stuck in traffic.
• In the 2011 anime adaptation, a scene is added of Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika's time on their flight to the Republic of Padokea. Gon looks at the night sky and is reminded of his conversation with Killua when they were transported in an airship from the Second Phase to the Third Phase of the 287^th Hunter Exam. This scene is not present in the manga.
• In the 2011 anime adaptation, Zebro willingly gives the key to the side door of the Testing Gate to the bounty hunters. In the manga, it is not shown whether Zebro willingly gives the key or it is forcibly taken from Zebro.
• In the 2011 anime adaptation, Mike's hand when seen tossing the skeletons of the bounty hunters out is much larger than when it is pictured in the manga.
• In the 2011 anime adaptation, Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika's training to open the Testing Gate is shown, including their early attempts at opening the first door of the Testing Gate. In the manga, the training is not shown. In the manga, Zebro has a conversation with Seaquant after they see the trio off, where Zebro mentions that all three of them could open individually open the door within twenty days, Leorio even managing to open the second door. This is not mentioned in the 2011 anime adaptation.
  • In the 2011 anime adaptation, Gotoh receives a call at the Butler's residence from Seaquant to let him know of the trio's attempts to open the Testing Gate. Seaquant is later seen watching over the trio from a distance, and later even giving advice to them, betraying his interest in them. Seaquant is also surprised to see that the trio manage to open the door together successfully, in contrast to Zebro who had expected to see them succeed.
• In the 2011 anime adaptation, it is mentioned that Milluki is the brother that Killua attacked (stabbed, in fact) when he escaped home to go and take the Hunter Exam.
• In the manga, Milluki stubs a cigarette on Killua's chest right before Killua gives his insincere apology. This is not shown in the 2011 anime adaptation.
• In the 2011 anime adaptation, in the brief moment between Kikyo leaving and Kikyo calling Kalluto to follow her, Kalluto asks Gon who he is, and Gon introduces them as Killua's friends, which Kalluto seems to be confused by. In the manga, this is not shown, and Kalluto merely looks at Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika before being called by Kikyo.

Arc Navigation

N/A

Hunter Exam arc

Heavens Arena arc