>>173835739Hisoka is one of the most complex, and creatively written characters in Seinen. As one of the most fascinating things about Hisoka, to me, is how he is so much more than a character. Hisoka is a narrative instrument that exists as a fundamental thread in the fabric of Hunter X Hunter. Hisoka is, perhaps, one of the most sutlbtle but potent examples of Togashi's writing brilliance. By making Hisoka purely hedonistic in nature with no particular goal outside of being entertained Hisoka can easily adapt to any role the story requires of him. Hisoka played an important role in Gon's party passing the hunter exam, and even gave the #44 tag McGuffin that served as an impetus for some of Gon's early character development. When a powerful antagonist appears in Greed Island Hisoka gladly steps into the role of protagonist to aid the main characters on their quest. At the appearance of the story-changing Chimera Ants where Hisoka isn't deemed to be a very suitable fit for the arc's story he can easily be sent away to chase after Chrollo. When coming down from the roller coaster of the Chimera Ant arc Hisoka is more than fit to step in as an antagonist to keep the stakes high and the story entertaining as we transition into the next arc. During the ever tense Succession War arc Hisoka exists as a force of nature. An oncoming storm of chaos and death that threatens to tip the scales and cast the war into madness. Which even if Hisoka doesn't affect the Succession War arc at all, the threat of him doing so still keeps the stakes high for all of us readers. Of course I would be amiss not to at least make an honorable mention here of his changing wardrobe. To have Hisoka's attire change every arc is a clever, subtle way of visually expressing that the series is entering into a new story and theme.
In truth I realized HXH was truly something special when the hunter exam arc began putting more focus on him. Hisoka is the brainchild of Togashi's legendary wit.
