Near the end of the Chimera Ant Arc in Hunter x Hunter, Gon finally confronted Neferpitou. After learning that his beloved friend and father figure Kite was already dead, Gon’s rage spiraled out of control. He made a Nen contract enabling him to defeat Pitou. However, the price paid for this power was his potential: Gon gave up his future for the here and now.
On his deathbed, Gon’s life energy dwindled. Nen-exorcists were unable to remove the effects of his vow and only Nanika, a being from the Dark Continent that inhabited Killua’s sister Alluka, was able to save him. While his contract clearly traded his future Nen and potential for momentary power, Hunter x Hunter always makes room for the magical unknown. This raises the question: Did Gon really lose his Nen?
What Is Nen in Hunter x Hunter?
To understand Gon’s situation, it's important to understand Nen, and how contracts are made in Hunter x Hunter. Nen responds to the aims, strengths and wants of the user, because it is a mental system based on the user’s individuality. As a result, a Nen user can raise the overall power of a single ability by limiting other aspects, therefore redirecting the energy all to one area. For example, if a Nen user makes a conscious decision to only use their power against one person and sticks to it, that skill will develop to be stronger.
These constraints are known as Limitations, and swearing to follow them is the basis for the contract. A strict Limitation reflects the vigilance of the user, and hence the greater their ability. However, Limitations, are not just positive. They are also regarded as liabilities and the user’s fate can be unpredictable.
During the York New Arc, the audience is introduced to this concept through Kurapika as he developed his Nen ability. Similar to Gon, Kurapika harbored an immense amount of rage and sought to avenge his clan. Kurapika entered into a contract, promising to only use his special ability, Judgment Chain, against members of the Phantom Troupe. This is due to them being responsible for the Kurta clan massacre. If these terms are broken then he trades his life and places a Nen dagger into his heart.
How Did Gon Lose His Nen in Hunter x Hunter?
As previously mentioned, Gon made a Nen contract to get enough power to defeat Neferpitou. The key difference between Gon and Kurapika’s contracts is that Gon not only puts his life on the line but also willingly gives up all of his Nen. He grew immensely powerful because the contract's price was a trade, not a potential penalty. Gon's limitations are finite and he gave up his life and Nen, infamously declaring, “I don’t care if this is the end. I need more power.”
Nen exorcists are also unable to remove the effects of the contract. Mangaka Togashi took the creative liberty to introduce a deus ex machine, though. This plot device abruptly remedied a seemingly unsolvable problem in an unexpected way. By all reasonable accounts, Gon should have died as stated by his contract. Because of this, the reader can also expect that the story will take more unexpected turns.
The anime ended shortly after Alluka restored Gon and never touches on the current situation of his Nen. However, the continuation of the manga addressed this tricky situation. After recovering during the Election Arc, Gon parted ways with Ging and the others, returning to Whale Island. While he keeps in touch with Ging, it becomes clear that he is no closer to becoming a father than he was before.
Did Gon Get His Nen Back?
Gon called Ging after discovering he can no longer sense his aura. He expressed concern, under the belief that he lost his Nen. Ging rebuked that, saying that Gon had not lost his Nen, as Nen exists in all living things. Gon has, however, lost his ability to control and manipulate his Nen, as he had before. Ging offered a little advice, telling Gon he should be happy that he’s “returned to normal,” and can now figure out what he wants in life. Ging offered no direction on how to get there, and Gon is going to have to figure this part out for himself.
After their conversation ended, Gon expressed his disappointment to Aunt Mito. He accomplished his goal of finding Ging but found him to be a letdown. Since he's been gone, Aunt Mito informed him that he's missed more than a year of school. Gon, who isn't exactly a bookworm, isn't thrilled with his new predicament and this reveals a lot about him.
The audience will recall that when Gon and Killua first began their training, they had to learn Nen in less than 24 hours. Wing initiated training by forcing open their nodes, which was risky. In addition to this, they took many shortcuts, accomplishing years of training in a fraction of the time.
That directly differs from the slow-paced training of Zushi, who was not allowed to use his Nen during fights in Heaven’s Arena. Likewise, Killua had been through systematic assassin training since he was a toddler, while Gon grew up with little structure. He is used to a lot of freedom, so he lacks their discipline. Gon has a difficult time following the rules and is constantly looking for ways to get around them. This has assisted him throughout the series, helping him to progress at a rapid pace, but that habit eventually caught up to him.
Some fans believe that because Gon has lost his Nen abilities, his story has come to an end. But, to lose Gon would mean to lose the heart of the series. He means well and cares deeply about others to the point that this has blinded him. The universe of Hunter x Hunter can be ruthless and considering this, it's easy to understand Gon’s many struggles. When the story picks back up, Gon’s character arc should focus on his redemption through humility and hard work. There are no shortcuts this time, and Gon will be better for it.
Hunter x Hunter is, after all, a coming-of-age story. Perhaps Gon will mature into a different kind of a hero and his true heroic strength will then be shown after he loses everything and then discovers himself as an individual. This will give necessary depth to his character who, up until this point, only found his value in strength. In the absence of this strength, Gon can finally grow up.
