Hunter X Hunter starts as a fun little adventure about a child trying to find his father. However, it soon takes a dark turn around the York New City arc, where we meet the Phantom Troupe for the first time. The world of Hunter x Hunter is vast and full of mystery, teeming with strange creatures and powers that are yet to be explored.
It’s only natural that a world like this will feature dangers for the characters, leading to some highly shocking deaths. Sometimes, it’s not the death itself that’s shocking, but the way it happens and the sheer brutality that it’s portrayed with. Hunter X Hunter is certainly not scared to kill off important characters either.
9 Johness
Killed By Killua
During the third phase of the Hunter exam, Killua teams up with Gon, Kurapika, Leorio, and Tonpa to clear the Trick Tower. They have to tackle various challenges to pass this phase of the Hunter exam, including defeating various death row criminals in a game of their choice.
Killua has to face Johness, a cold-blooded serial killer known for his grip strength. Of course, for a professional assassin like Killua, eliminating Johness is no issue. While we were certainly expecting Killua to win, the way he took Johness’ heart out is one of the most shocking Hunter X Hunter moments.
8 Cheetu
Killed By Silva
Cheery was by far one of the most cocky Chimera Ants to have lived. He survived many battles despite not being a great Nen user. However, Cheetu’s luck ran out when he made the mistake of provoking Zeno just as he was leaving the castle.
Zeno himself didn’t try to kill Cheetu immediately because he wanted to talk with him. As expected of Cheetu, he was entirely self-absorbed and kept rambling about his new technique. While we expected Zeno to finish him, it was Silva who came out of nowhere and completely crushed Cheetu’s head.
7 Pokkle
Eaten By The Chimera Ant Queen
Pokkle was captured after trying to investigate the Chimera Ants and taken to the nest. However, he managed to regain his consciousness and hid in a pile of human skulls. It was going well for Pokkle until Pitou was born.
Pitou managed to sense Pokkle instantly and used him to get information about Nen. It wasn’t clearly shown in the anime, but Pitou opened Pokkle’s skull and messed around with his brain for the information. It’s a horrible and shocking scene that essentially confirms Pokkle’s death.
6 Netero
Stabbed His Own Heart
Netero’s fight against Meruem was hinted at since the start of the Chimera Ant arc. They specifically wanted that match-up because Netero was the strongest Nen user humanity had to offer. The outcome of their fight was completely unpredictable. However, as the fight went on, it was clear that Netero could not win.
Instead, Netero reveals that the fight was over the moment he came in contact with the King. In what can only be described as one of the most eerie scenes of Hunter X Hunter, Netero tells Meruem not to underestimate humanity before stabbing himself and setting off a huge explosion.
5 Kite
Killed By Pitou
Kite was taking Gon and Killua through NGL while eliminating Chime Ants with relative ease. Kite is one of the strongest hunters we have seen so far, making the adventure feel much safer. However, this all changed when Pitou was born.
Kite immediately recognizes the threat and tells Gon and Killua to run away. If that wasn’t shocking enough, Pitou instantly sensed their location and rushed towards them. At this point, Kite loses his arm while Killua takes Gon away and runs. The episode ends with Pitou sitting with Kite’s head in her lap.
4 Pitou
Killed By Gon
Pitou most likely had one of the most gruesome deaths in Hunter X Hunter. Gon’s transformation itself is so shocking that the invincible Pitou is scared, mentioning that Gon’s power has even rivaled the King. At this point, it’s clear that Pitou will not be surviving this encounter.
However, we don’t have much time to think about the conclusion as Gon quickly dismantles Pitou and begins repeatedly punching her. It’s extremely shocking, but sad at the same time, to see Gon be so merciless. The impact of the entire scene intensifies even more when Pitou becomes her own Nen Ability’s corpse puppet, ready to defend the King even after death.
3 Village Child
Killed By Meruem
Meruem’s birth is one of the most terrifying moments of Hunter X Hunter. Meruem appears as a heartless creature who only exists to consume and rule others. After disliking the food provided by the Royal Guards, Meruem and his guards travel to a nearby village.
They stumble upon a family of farmers. Naturally, Meruem quickly kills the two adults, leaving the child to witness the atrocity. You somehow expect him to spare the little girl, or she manages to escape, but Meruem soon eliminates her as well.
2 Kurt And Reina
Eaten By The Chimera Ant Queen
Hunter X Hunter introduces us to a happy family of two children and their mother. Right from the start, you know something will go wrong with them because everything seems way too peaceful. Even if you expect it, their fate remains one of the most shocking things in Hunter X Hunter.
One day, the two siblings wander off into a forest. Unfortunately, they run into a brutal Chimera Ant. Despite Kurt’s efforts to defend her sister, they are unfortunately killed. It’s the first time Hunter X Hunter has directly killed off children, making the scene that much more shocking and horrifying.
1 Ponzu
Shot By A Chimera Ant
Ponzu arrived in NGL with Pokkle to investigate the Chimera Ant situation. While Pokkle was captured and taken to the nest, Ponzu managed to run away in an attempt to call for help. Unfortunately, she was spotted by a sadistic Chimera Ant who enjoys killing for fun.
Right when you sigh with relief thinking that Ponzu got away, that specific Chimera Ant captures Ponzu and shoots her several times with a gun. Even after Ponzu dies, the Chimera Ant continues shooting Ponzu’s lifeless body while laughing maniacally.
