It can be nervewracking to come up with something original within the battle shonen genre, but for writers seeking inspiration, you could do much worse than looking at Yoshiro Togashi's masterpiece Hunter x Hunter. The series is subversive in its storytelling, original in its characters and unique in its approach to fighting scenes. Hunter x Hunter changed what a shonen series can be, so what can future shonen manga and anime learn from it?
A Complex and Detailed Magic System
The first obvious thing setting Hunter x Hunter apart is its magic system, the Nen System. Although we see Nen foreshadowed in Hunter x Hunter's first few arcs, we don't get a larger explanation about its existence until the Heaven's Arena Arc when Wing teaches Killua and Gon about aura and it's different classifications. The Nen System has a lot of detail and thought put into it, starting with the difference in the techniques a Nen user can utilize and the different Nen classifications that a person would fall under. Any character in Hunter x Hunter with an understanding of Nen could use Zetsu to hide their presence, but if say, you wanted to make a Double of yourself with Nen like Kastro, you'd need to train yourself in Conjuration and Manipulation.
What makes a technique fall into a specific category may seem simple at first, but it's in how Togashi approaches this system that makes it's interesting. Take an Enhancer-type character like Palm. Enhancers are able to increase their natural abilities like strength and speed; how Palm does it with her "Black Widow" technique to completely wrap her hair around her body like a suit of armor. This gives her an impervious defense but also makes her attacks stronger and heavier.
Characters like Hisoka fall under the Transmutter category, able to change the properties of their Nen. His main ability, Bungee Gum, gives his Nen the elasticity of rubber and the adhesiveness of gum. This sounds simple at first, but becomes so adaptive in combat. One such example is his fight against the coin sharpshooter, Gotoh. Hisoka was not only able to catch the coins using his Nen but able to return them back to Gotoh with equal force using his Bungee Gum.
A Magic System Used For Worldbuilding
Strong fantasy series often have their worldbuilding and magic system build off one another. With Hunter x Hunter, the existence of Nen is not something the general public is privy to, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist for non-hunters. One great example is the daughter of the Nostrade mafia family, Neon. The Nostrades earned their fortune and influence due to Neon's unique Nen ability to predict a person's future through poetry, even though she isn't aware of the existence of Nen. Considering the dangerous lives the 10 Dons lead, having this ability on standby is a good precaution, and this is just one example of how Nen still affects people without them realizing it.
Likable and Unique Villains
There are many approaches to writing villains, but let's take a look at Hunter x Hunter's approach to it. Hisoka has one goal: find strong fighters who can give him a good fight. It's what gives him ecstasy. This one goal is what separates Hisoka from a lot of other shonen villains because Togashi can utilize Hisoka unconventional ways as long as they stay in line with Hisoka's desire for "a good fight." For instance, when Gon, Killua, and Biscuit find Hisoka in Greed Island, Hisoka agrees to help them fight Razor so that he can continue his search for a Nen exorcist to exorcise Chrollo uninterrupted. This is so that he could finally fight Chrollo, which he would later get during the Dark Continent Expedition Arc. Hisoka is an unpredictable character, but he has a clearly defined code; he's not simply a chaotic entity, just a person who has no problem severing connections or forming unusual bonds as long as he gets to fight the people he wants to.
It's one thing to make a villain malleable and a bit unhinged, but how do you make them likable? Togashi approaches this concept with another of his best villain groups, the Phantom Troupe. At first glance, they appear like any intimidating group of vile villains, but once we spend some time with them we get a sense of camaraderie among them. They joke around and share kindred respect for one another. A moment that will always speak to the Phantom Troupe's cheerful but cold aura is in during Uvogin's fight against The Shadow Beasts. When Uvogin steps up to fight the mafia while outnumbered, none of the Phantom Troupe step in to lend a hand, as they're very familiar with Uvogin's strength. Instead, they decide to sit around to play cards and enjoy themselves, even once the Shadow Beasts arrive.
A Strong Ensemble Cast
One aspect of Hunter x Hunter more shonen needs to learn from is its ability to focus on characters other than the protagonists, Gon and Killua. Gon and Killua aren't even present in the Yorknew City Arc until the second half, with the focus shifting to Kurapika. Much later on, the 13th Chairman Election arc focuses more on the relationship between Killua and his sister Alluka. In the manga's most recent arc, as a ship heads to the Dark Continent carrying 14 princes all participating in a killing game to succeed their father, neither Gon nor Killua are involved in the slightest.
What's great about Togashi choosing to do arcs that don't feature his main characters is this lets him craft more interesting narratives and flesh out his world. Gon and Killua are not the centers of Hunter X Hunter's universe. Stepping away from them to see what other characters are up to makes others feel just as important as the protagonist and provides a greater sense of perspective.
