Hunter X Hunter characters frequently face danger by encountering experienced Nen users and mysterious creatures. Unfortunately, not all characters survive the situations that they find themselves in. Despite this reality, the main characters from the series stand a greater chance of living. Important characters often have luck on their side to help them persevere against slim odds.
Characters sometimes find themselves saved by the convenient circumstances of plot armor. Main protagonists and villains shrug off injuries, change their opponent's minds, and strike deals that keep them in the fight. Hunter X Hunter characters find ways to endure the direst situations by being essential to the plot.
10 Gon Recovered From His Fight With Neferpitou
Gon enters a coma after he summons all of the Nen he'll ever have to kill Neferpitou. The cost of using immense power withers his body beyond what even Nen exorcists can heal. Fortunately for Gon, Killua's sister Alluka is revealed to be possessed by Nanika, who grants wishes for a cost and fully heals Gon.
Upon being injured, Gon still hadn't accomplished his goal of finding Ging. As the main character, Gon's dream of meeting his father drove the plot's action, which never would have succeeded if Gon had perished. With Nanika's existence, Gon survives a decidedly lethal ordeal.
9 Chrollo Walked Away From Silva & Zeno Zoldyck's Attack
When Silva and Zeno Zoldyck try to assassinate Chrollo after the mafia's Ten Dons hire them, Illumi kills the Ten Dons just before the two assassins finish the job. From the mafia leaders' deaths, Chrollo ceases to be their target and walks away mostly unharmed. Although Chrollo ranks among the strongest Nen users, Silva and Zeno are powerful enough to stand a fair chance of winning.
Right before Silva and Zeno stop attacking, Chrollo is struck by Silva's powerful aura spheres after Zeno pins him down. Illumi's perfect timing spares Chrollo from the severe injuries he could have suffered if the fight had continued.
8 Knuckle & Morel Are Spared By Youpi
After Knuckle challenges Youpi to a fight when Youpi discovers Morel's blood trail, Youpi decides to spare them and rejoin Meruem instead. As a Chimera Ant Royal Guard, Youpi had never been one to show mercy to Meruem's enemies in the past. With a change of heart that surprised Youpi himself, Knuckle and Morel lived to fight another day.
Despite Knuckle and Morel's best efforts, they are unable to succeed in their plan to exhaust Youpi's Nen and defeat him. Yet, their persistence managed to impress Youpi enough at the critical moment to survive when other main characters of the arc didn't.
7 Gon's Injuries From His Fight With Genthru Are Fully Healed
Gon loses one hand and severely injures the other in an explosion while fighting Genthru in the Greed Island arc. Gon ignores the pain of his injuries and continues to fight Genthru as usual. Although he sacrifices his hands on purpose with the knowledge that the Angel's Breath card would heal him, the card's existence spares him from permanent injury.
Gon's recklessness gets him into trouble on numerous occasions, yet his status as the main character helps him avoid lasting consequences. He avoids having a lengthy recovery period because of his access as a protagonist to the rarest Greed Island cards.
6 Killua Survives Against The Ortho Siblings Nen Abilities
In the Chimera Ant arc, Killua's body is pierced in multiple locations by the Ortho Siblings Nen darts. Through his injuries, Killua loses enough blood to fall unconscious and reach the brink of death. Killua barely prevents himself from dying on the spot by blocking the dart that targets his forehead. Without Ikalgo's timely intervention, Killua's wounds would've killed him.
Killua recovers from his wounds in a hospital after his previous enemy Ikalgo unexpectedly decides to switch sides and help him. Killua's luck as a protagonist enables him to acquire the help he needs to survive.
5 Welfin Is Spared By Meruem
When Welfin runs into Meruem and Pouf, he receives the chance to explain himself before Meruem decides to eat him. Meruem's usual lack of mercy makes Welfin realize how slim his chances of survival are. However, Welfin says Komugi's name at the last second and awakens Meruem's human emotions. Welfin receives Meruem's mercy and leaves the East Gorteau palace unharmed.
Welfin had just begun his quest of finding his former boss Gyro upon encountering Meruem. If Welfin had died in East Gorteau, his developing characterization as a free Chimera Ant would have led nowhere.
4 Hisoka's Arm Is Reattached By Machi
Hisoka loses part of his right arm during his fight with Castro in the Heaven's Arena arc. Hisoka allows his arm to be severed to confirm that Castro conjures doubles of himself. Hisoka's sacrifice should've resulted in a permanent injury, yet Hisoka's connection with the Phantom Troupe aids him. He meets with Machi, who uses her Nen stitches to reattach his arm.
Hisoka consistently remains one of Hunter X Hunter's main villains and avoids significant damage to continue to pose a threat. His deceptive Nen abilities and nature provide him with ways of escaping numerous threatening circumstances.
3 Chrollo Isn't Killed By Kurapika
Kurapika captures Chrollo with his chains and uses him as a hostage to prevent Pakunoda from revealing his identity. Kurapika has every opportunity and the motive to kill Chrollo and avenge his clan, yet he exiles him instead to save Gon and Killua. Beforehand, Kurapika showed no hesitation in killing Phantom Troupe members like Uvogin. He uncharacteristically lets his greatest enemy go despite his previous actions.
Chrollo had yet to fully exhibit his power by the end of the Yorknew City arc. His potential as a main villain would've ended up wasted if Kurapika had eliminated him.
2 Gon Stood Up After Being Poisoned By Geretta
Gon is left defenseless after Geretta hits him with a poisoned dart during the Hunter Exam. However, when Hisoka gives Gon his badge after killing Geretta, Gon stands up and attempts to return it. He resists the poison with pure willpower, as he lacks the trained resistance to toxins that Killua has. Gon shouldn't have been able to move almost immediately after suffering the poison's effects.
Gon possesses the enhanced willpower that anime protagonists tend to have when under pressure. Without this protagonist's resilience, Gon wouldn't have found the strength to challenge Hisoka on the spot.
1 Gon Wins Against Hanzo By Being Stubborn
When Gon faces Hanzo in the final phase of the Hunter exam, Hanzo surrenders after Gon refuses to concede defeat. Gon was nowhere near Hanzo's skill level at the time, as Hanzo blocked his attacks with ease. Gon only wins after Hanzo surrenders for the reason that he couldn't get Gon to give up.
Gon would have lost to Hanzo and fought with other competitors in the tournament if he had fought a straight-up battle. His protagonist status allows him to find an unconventional way of beating a stronger opponent without realizing it.
