Who is Gon‘s Date? An In-Depth Look at the Relationships of Hunter x Hunter‘s Gon Freecss
Killua IS in love with Gon.
According to various forums and discussions amongst Hunter x Hunter fans, there is strong evidence that Killua has deep romantic feelings for his best friend Gon that go beyond normal friendship. Their incredibly close bond, commitment to each other, willingness to sacrifice everything for the other, and subtle hints throughout the series all point towards Killua harboring an unspoken love for Gon. While some may argue they are just close friends, I believe there is enough subtext to reasonably conclude Killua loves Gon as more than a friend.
Gon‘s Actual Date: Palm Siberia
During the Chimera Ant arc, Gon and Killua promise their teacher Biscuit‘s apprentice Palm Siberia that Gon will go on a date with her. Though Gon sees it merely as fulfilling his promise, Palm harbors genuine romantic feelings for Gon. Their date ends up going poorly, as Palm‘s violent jealousy causes her to knock Gon out when he tries to leave early. This reveals her unhealthy obsession with someone who doesn‘t reciprocate her feelings.
| Date | Palm Siberia |
|-|-|
| Gon‘s Feelings | Sees it as just fulfilling a promise |
| Palm‘s Feelings | Genuinely loves Gon romantically |
| Date Outcome | Goes poorly due to Palm‘s jealousy |
While Gon technically goes on a date with Palm, it is one-sided and does not indicate any actual romantic relationship between them. Gon remains oblivious to Palm‘s advances throughout.
Evidence Supporting Gon x Killua (KiruGon) Relationship
Though never explicitly confirmed in Hunter x Hunter, there are numerous hints that suggest Gon and Killua harbor romantic love for each other that goes beyond normal friendship. Fans widely support the "KiruGon" shipping between the two. Here is some of the evidence:
- In one Hunterpedia, Gon draws an "Ai-Ai Gasa" (Love-Love Umbrella) with their names underneath, a symbol of love in Japan
- The strong commitment, protectiveness, and willingness to sacrifice for each other
- Killua‘s jealousy towards those interested in Gon like Palm
- Killua kissing Gon on the cheek to demonstrate Baise‘s powers
- The song "Hunting for Your Dream" acting as an analogy for their relationship
- Them meeting under the moonlight and making promises to stay together
While no singular moment confirms a romantic relationship, collectively the evidence points strongly in that direction for many fans.
Does Hisoka Have Romantic Feelings for Gon?
The psychopathic villain Hisoka takes an obvious interest in Gon from early on in Hunter x Hunter. But fans debate whether this interest is romantic attraction or just fascination with his talent and power. Hisoka certainly exhibits disturbing obsessive behavior towards Gon. However, as Hisoka seems to lack interest in romance altogether, most conclude his fixation on Gon is not eros love but an unhealthy dangerous obsession.
| | Hisoka |
|-|-|
| Sexuality | Asexual based on lack of interest shown |
| Feelings towards Gon | Obsession and fascination, but not romantic love |
| Evidence | Hisoka obsessed with power, talent, danger, not romance or relationships |
So in summary, while Hisoka is thoroughly creepy and fixated on Gon, the obsessive interest appears one-sided and not indicative of Gon reciprocating any romantic feelings.
Analyzing Gon‘s Age & Date Choices
As Hunter x Hunter progresses, Gon ages from around 12 years old to 14. Some key dates:
- Born May 5, 1987
- Hunter Exam in January 1999, so Gon is ~12
- Yorknew City Arc September 1999, Gon is 12
- Greed Island ends in September 2000, Gon is 13
- Chimera Ants defeated in August 2001, Gon is 14
So during the uncomfortable date with Palm, Gon is approximately 13 years old, while Palm is an adult. This highlights the inappropriate nature of Palm‘s advances on a child who does not share her mature feelings.
Biscuit Krueger‘s Role with Gon and Killua
Initially appearing as a young girl, Biscuit Krueger turns out to be a middle-aged muscular woman. She meets Gon and Killua during the Greed Island arc and trains them in advanced Nen skills. Despite her strength, she takes on a motherly role to the boys, giving them advice and helping them strategize finding Gon‘s father. Her maturation guidance balances the more reckless nature of Gon and Killua.
The Painful Parting of Gon and Killua
In the climactic Chimera Ant arc, Gon undergoes immense trauma fighting Neferpitou. After being healed by Nanika/Alluka‘s powers at the cost of Killua‘s life, the two closest friends sorrowfully decide to finally separate for the first time. Gon goes to meet his father Ging while Killua travels with Alluka. This tearful goodbye devastates fans who hoped the two would remain forever together. Perhaps someday they will reunite…
Kikyo Zoldyck, Mother of Killua
As Killua‘s mother, Kikyo comes across as an intimidating figure whose face is always hidden behind a creepy welder‘s mask. As part of the elite Zoldyck assassination family, she trained Killua from birth in the family trade, putting him through brutal trials to perfect his killing techniques. She seems to care for Killua‘s safety but also wants him to embrace the Zoldyck legacy of murder. Her overprotective and smothering nature contributes to Killua abandoning the family.
Killua‘s Closest Relationship is With Gon
While Killua interacts with many characters over the course of Hunter x Hunter, his closest bond is undoubtedly with Gon. They meet during the Hunter Exam and quickly form a deep friendship based on trust, protectiveness, and mutual admiration. Gon‘s morality helps soften Killua‘s assassin edge, while Killua‘s pragmatism helps balance Gon‘s recklessness. Their fates become intertwined throughout various adventures together. Killua sacrifices everything time and again for his friend Gon, prioritizing him above all else. This incredible loyalty and devotion suggests a relationship beyond mere friendship.
The Mystery of Alluka Zoldyck‘s Gender Identity
Alluka Zoldyck is referred to as Killua‘s sister, but there are conflicting references to Alluka‘s gender identity throughout the series. While Killua adamantly states Alluka is female, his older brother Illumi insists Alluka is male. Alluka presents as feminine in demeanor and appearance. Without definitive confirmation, the debate continues amongst fans whether Alluka was intended as a transgender female character or her gender is deliberately ambiguous. Regardless, Killua cares for Alluka deeply and accords her the female identity.
Kurapika and His Possible Love Interests
The last Kurtapika‘s clan member, Kurapika seeks vengeance for their murder. The killer Phantom Troupe gang remains his sworn enemy. But fans have long debated possible romantic interests for Kurapika:
- Pairo – Kurapika‘s closest childhood friend who gave him his current motives. Were they platonic friends or was there a romance?
- Leorio – Some hints indicate possible mutual feelings between these two main characters. An extra chapter even shows them married!
- Melody – The kindly musician accompanies Kurapika loyally. Could her devotion indicate romantic love?
Unlike more overt relationships in shonen anime, Kurapika‘s possible love life remains ambiguous and open to interpretation.
The Mysterious Romantic Relationship Between Hisoka and Illumi
Two of the most sinister and psychopathic villains in Hunter x Hunter, Hisoka and Illumi Zoldyck have a bizarre relationship rife with murderous betrayal. Yet in later chapters, Illumi makes reference to an "engagement ring" from Hisoka, implying romantic ties. Their mutual murderous obsessions make for an extremely twisted yet ardent love between antagonists. While their conniving natures allow doubt, the evidence points to their passion for one another against all odds.
Conclusion: Hunter x Hunter Shines in Nuanced Relationships
Unlike some anime that focus on flashy obvious romances, I believe Hunter x Hunter portrays its relationships with more subtle nuance. Bonds like Gon and Killua‘s form gradually based on shared experiences and slowly deepening emotions. Hisoka and Illumi likewise convey their twisted feelings through implications rather than declarations. Kurapika retains ambiguity about his sexuality. This allows fans to analyze and piece together the evidence. These complex relationships keep Hunter x Hunter feeling more realistic and grounded than many over-the-top anime series. The characters show devotion and passion in a way that feels true to their personalities.
So in summary, while Hunter x Hunter leaves many relationship questions unanswered and open to interpretation, there are certainly strong indications that point fans to their own conclusions. The nuanced writing allows these connections to feel more organic and meaningful. As an obsessed Hunter x Hunter fan myself, I‘ve certainly enjoyed endlessly theorizing about the true romantic implications for the characters I‘ve come to cherish. Even if subtle, the love within this series remains stronger and truer than most anime I‘ve experienced. I hope this in-depth analysis provides fans plenty to ponder in the subjective debate around Gon and his potential relationships!