I like Netero as a character, but not as a human being! He is very much a foil for… Gon, Ging, and Hisoka. Meaning, he views life as a series of challenges and values physical strength to the extreme. 

Aleczandxer on YouTube has a fantastic video on Netero as a character that I mostly agree with, and I highly recommend that. For example, he points out that the characters in the Hunter Exam who receive the most chances in the final round are those who have proven themselves somehow so far, which shows how Netero values strength.

But the reason I don’t like him is because Netero was never really about kindness or compassion or anything like that: in the end, despite knowing the Rose is a terrible thing, he detonates it anyways. Yes, he believed it was necessary (and also probably didn’t want to lose because again, Gon and Hisoka parallel, it’s not a coincidence he dies right before Gon will almost die and Hisoka will die but then revive) but like… look we’ve seen how nukes work and I’m pretty biased against characters who are pro-nuke because of my real world associations. 

Netero’s conclusion is that human beings contain an infinite capacity for growth but also for evil. Which is not wrong. And he ends his life by doing evil. 

I think the themes of HxH offer that there is also limitless growth for humanity in terms of good, beauty and love, as well. *looks to Meruem and Komugi’s relationship as an example of this* HxH is about discovery not just of the world but also of yourself, and Netero fulfills this symbolic role well as a character. He’s an absolutely excellent character. I just hate nukes and while his message is true I also am more personal-taste-inclined to like the other one. Lol. 

As for Kurapika! The first time I read it I was inclined to follow Gon and Killua’s journey more since Kurapika’s is kind of removed since he isolates himself. But rereading it I caught onto just how much I relate to Kurapika (he’s actually… very similar psychologically to Kaneki Ken from Tokyo Ghoul) and just how deep his self-loathing goes, and my heart shattered for the murder child he is. 

Like, is finding the eyes really about honoring his brethren, or is it about joining them? Is it about honoring them, or punishing himself? Is he literally shaving time off his life because he believes in his quest, or because he believes he does not deserve to live while everyone else in his clan is dead? 

He also embodies fantastic contradictions as a character. (I love contradictory characters lol–Mutsuki from TG is one, Dabi from BNHA is another.) He believes firmly in choice, and that’s why he hates the PT, because he believes they chose to kill his tribe. And yet, he also refuses to consider that he has other options besides killing, choices of his own that he could make. He’s a hypocrite, he’s relatable, and I love this scarlet-eyed golden rage mushroom.