Summary
Hunter x Hunter creator Yoshihiro Togashi originally wanted Gon to fail the Hunter Exam and have to skip several years before trying again. This idea was rejected by Togashi’s editor, leading to Gon passing the exam and retaining some elements of the original story during Killua’s initial defeat. Editors play an important role in shaping manga, as seen with Togashi’s rejected idea and Naruto’s Chuunin Exam arc, which was a success.
Maker Hunter X Hunter, Yoshihiro Togashi, revealed that if it were up to him, the manga’s story would be completely different from what fans have grown to love. Togashi had a completely different vision of what the first season, focusing on the Hunter Exam, would be like but was stopped by his publisher.
In an interview with TV Asahi’s Iwakura and Yoshizumi Show, Togashi said he wanted to go in a different direction for the Hunter Exam arc, but his editor rejected the idea.
According to a translation by X user TogashiTroupe, Yoshihiro Togashi wants Gon to fail the Hunter exam. The series will then have a time skip of one to many years, during which adult Gon will once again attempt the exams.
Hunter X Hunter is said to skip time right at the start
Gon failed the Hunter exam according to Togashi’s original idea.
One of the show’s hosts sent Togashi a list of questions, which he answered with letters that were read to viewers and fans of the iconic horror series. When asked how many series he wrote before drawing, he revealed that he planned for Gon to fail the Hunter exam. The story then shifts to the future several years later, when Gon takes the exam again. After consulting with his editor, this idea is rejected and Gon goes on to pass the exam. On the other hand, Killua, Gon’s best friend, is the one who failed the exam and tried again in the future, thus retaining a glimpse of the original story.
This isn’t the first time an editor has vetoed a manga author’s idea. Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto hated the Chuunin Exam arc – the story arc that really put the series on the map – and was forced by its editors to make it because he wasn’t a fan of the tournament arcs. In the manga industry, editors play an important role and make sure the series goes in the direction the company wants. Just like in the case of Naruto, the editor’s input or pressure proved successful as the Hunter Exam arc contributed to making Hunter x Hunter very popular.
Time skipping is very common in anime and does a great job of attracting viewers who want to see how the characters have changed over the years. One Piece is a series famous for its time rewind feature, and there is no doubt that Togashi will be successful considering his literary talent. However, it would be quite unusual if it happened right at the start of the series and the main character failed his first real challenge. This will definitely make Hunter x Hunter even more unique than it already is.
While skipping time might be a good idea, it wouldn’t allow fans to experience Gon’s journey as he develops as a character. Hunter X HunterThe appeal of the series partly lies in Gon’s journey as a character, so in this case the editor’s opinion probably benefits the series, but fans must still be very curious about Togashi’s original ideas for his manga.
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Source: TV Asahi’s Iwakura and Yoshizumi Program, TogashiTroupe.