If you’ve spent any time on Pixiv, X, or Tumblr over the last decade, you already know. Fanart Hunter x Hunter isn't just a hobby for people; it’s basically a collective survival strategy. Yoshihiro Togashi is a genius, but his hiatuses are legendary. We’ve waited years for single chapters. In those long, quiet stretches where the manga is dormant, the community doesn't just sit around. They draw. They paint. They animate.
Honestly, the quality is terrifying. You’ll be scrolling through a feed and see a digital painting of Kurapika that looks like it belongs in a high-end gallery in Paris, only to realize it was posted by a 19-year-old in their bedroom. That’s the magic of this specific fandom. It’s dense. It’s obsessive. And because the source material is so psychologically complex, the art tends to reflect that same depth.
The Kurapika Obsession and Why He Dominates Your Feed
There is a very specific "look" to a lot of fanart Hunter x Hunter creators gravitate toward, and usually, it involves the Yorknew City arc. Why? Because the vibes are immaculate. You have the suit, the chains, the scarlet eyes—it’s a visual goldmine.
Creators like p_yo84 or re_0o on Twitter (now X) have spent years capturing the sheer melancholy of the Kurta clan's sole survivor. It’s rarely just a "cool pose." Usually, the art focuses on the tragedy. You’ll see him submerged in water or surrounded by the eyes of his people. The community has this unspoken agreement that Kurapika art needs to feel heavy. It’s a contrast to the early Gon art, which is all sunshine and green jackets.
But then the Chimera Ant arc happened. Suddenly, the fanart shifted. It got darker. It got more abstract.
People started experimenting with the silhouette of Meruem and Komugi. If you look up the Gungi board scenes, the fan interpretations are endless. It's fascinating how a board game can be rendered in so many different artistic styles—from watercolor to harsh, jagged line work—all to convey the same feeling of inevitable doom.
Style Evolution: From Shonen to Seinen Aesthetics
One thing you’ve probably noticed is that Hunter x Hunter fanart doesn't usually look like "standard" shonen art. It leans into the weirdness.
Togashi himself has a very erratic style. Sometimes it’s incredibly detailed; sometimes it’s basically a scribble. This gives artists permission to be messy. You see a lot of "sketchy" styles that prioritize emotion over clean lines.
Take Hisoka, for instance.
Artists love playing with his duality. He’s a clown, sure, but he’s also a predator. The best fanart of Hisoka usually ditches the bright pink hair for something more muted, focusing on his eyes or his cards. There’s a specific sub-genre of art that focuses entirely on the "Bungee Gum" texture. How do you draw something that has the properties of both rubber and gum? Fans have spent years trying to figure that out visually.
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The Phantom Troupe: A Masterclass in Character Design
If we’re talking about fanart Hunter x Hunter wouldn’t be the same without the Spiders. The Phantom Troupe is arguably the most "drawn" villain group in anime history, maybe tied with the Akatsuki.
Chrollo Lucilfer is the obvious favorite. His design is versatile. You can draw him in the fur coat, the suit with the headband, or the more casual "unstuck" version from the later chapters. Artists often use him to practice lighting—specifically the harsh glow of the Nen abilities or the dim light of an abandoned building in Meteor City.
But it’s not just Chrollo.
- Feitan gets a lot of love for his edgy, Victorian-goth aesthetic.
- Shizuku is a staple for minimalist or "lo-fi" style art.
- Pakunoda is frequently the subject of more emotional, nostalgic pieces.
The dynamic of the Troupe allows for group shots that are legendary in the fanart community. You’ve probably seen the "Last Supper" parodies featuring the Spiders. It’s a cliché at this point, but it works every single time because of how Togashi built their loyalty.
The Meteor City Aesthetic
Lately, there’s been a surge in art focused on the backstory of the Troupe. Since the manga recently gave us those heartbreaking chapters about their childhood, the art has pivoted. It’s no longer just about them being cool assassins. Now, it’s about them as kids in a literal trash heap, trying to build a world for themselves.
This is where "environmental storytelling" in fanart comes in. You see artists focusing on the rust, the grime, and the desolation of Meteor City. It’s a grim aesthetic, but it’s beautiful in a way that captures the "junk soul" of the series.
Digital vs. Traditional: The Media of the Fandom
While digital art dominates platforms like Instagram and TikTok, there is a massive community of traditional artists who use Hunter x Hunter as their primary subject.
Copic markers and Hunter x Hunter are a match made in heaven. Because the character designs use such distinct color palettes—Gon’s green, Killua’s blue/silver, Leorio’s navy—they are perfect for practicing blending and shading.
Go to any major comic convention. You will find "Artist Alley" packed with Hunter x Hunter prints. Most of them are digital, but the ones that stand out are often the ones that mimic Togashi’s own pen-and-ink style. There’s a certain respect for the "roughness" of the manga. Some fans even go as far as to recreate the infamous "scribble" pages, turning them into high-concept art pieces that comment on the creator’s health and the pressure of the industry.
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Why Killua is the Gold Standard for Fan Artists
We have to talk about Killua Zoldyck. He is the most popular character in the series for a reason.
From a technical standpoint, his "Godspeed" ability is a dream for artists. It allows for the use of "speed lines," electric sparks, and high-contrast lighting. When you see fanart Hunter x Hunter tags trending, it’s almost always because someone posted a new, high-quality Killua piece.
His character arc—from a cold-blooded assassin to a kid who just wants to protect his sister—is a goldmine for visual storytelling. Artists love drawing the contrast between "Assassin Mode" Killua (the dead eyes, the claws) and "Alluka’s Brother" Killua (the soft smiles, the vulnerability).
The relationship between Killua and Gon is also the backbone of the fandom’s creative output. Whether it’s platonic "best friends" art or shipping art, the chemistry between the two is what keeps the community alive. They are the sun and the moon. The colors reflect that. Gon is warm; Killua is cold. It’s basic color theory, but it’s executed so perfectly in the source material that it makes the fanart incredibly satisfying to look at.
The Challenge of Netero and the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva
On the other end of the spectrum, you have the "boss level" art. Drawing Isaac Netero’s Guanyin Bodhisattva is basically a rite of passage for elite fan artists. It’s incredibly complex.
The sheer number of arms, the golden glow, the scale of it compared to a tiny Meruem—it’s a massive undertaking. Artists who pull this off usually gain instant "legend" status in the community. It’s not just about drawing a character; it’s about drawing a masterpiece of architecture and spirit.
Navigating the "Hiatus Culture" Through Art
It’s weird to say, but the hiatuses are actually good for the art.
When a series is airing weekly, the art is often rushed. It’s "reactionary." But when a series disappears for three years, the fans have time to sit with the characters. They ruminate. They think about the subtext.
This results in "Thematic Fanart." You start seeing pieces that explore what the characters are doing during the time jumps.
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- Leorio in medical school, exhausted and drinking too much coffee.
- Kurapika on the Black Whale, slowly losing his mind.
- Ging Freecss just being a terrible father in various exotic locations.
This "gap-filling" art is what keeps the story "real" for the fans. It bridges the distance between the official releases.
Where to Find the Best Pieces
If you're looking for the top-tier stuff, you have to know where to look.
- X (Twitter): This is where the Japanese artists live. Use the Japanese hashtag #ハンターハンター to find the most "authentic" feeling art.
- Pixiv: This is the deep end. You’ll find 100-page "log" books from single artists who have dedicated their entire lives to drawing just one character.
- Reddit (r/HunterXHunter): Great for seeing Western artists and getting feedback on your own work.
- Lofter: A Chinese platform that has some of the most stylistically unique and painterly HxH art you will ever see.
How to Start Making Your Own HxH Fanart
If you’re a creator looking to jump into the fanart Hunter x Hunter scene, don’t try to be "perfect." The series isn't about perfection. It’s about strategy, grit, and weirdness.
Start with the eyes. Togashi’s eye shapes are very specific for each character. Gon has these huge, honest circles. Killua has cat-like, slanted eyes. Chrollo has those deep, soulless pits. If you get the eyes right, the rest of the character falls into place.
Don't be afraid to experiment with the Nen aura. Nen shouldn't just look like fire or steam. It’s an extension of the soul. Hisoka’s aura should look sticky. Netero’s should look divine. Killua’s should look sharp and erratic.
Honestly, just draw what you love about the show. The community is surprisingly welcoming of all skill levels because, at the end of the day, we’re all just waiting for the next chapter together.
Actionable Steps for Aspiring Artists
- Study the manga panels: Look at the "Dark Continent" chapters. The level of detail in the monsters and the backgrounds is insane. Try to copy one panel a day to understand Togashi's line weight.
- Focus on silhouettes: One reason HxH designs are so good is that you can recognize the characters just by their shadow. Test your own drawings by filling them in with black—can you still tell who it is?
- Join a "Zine": There are always "fanzines" being organized on social media. These are collaborative projects where artists come together to create a digital or physical book. It’s the best way to meet other HxH fans and get your work seen.
- Limit your palette: Try drawing a character using only the three main colors associated with them. It forces you to be more creative with shading and composition.
The world of Hunter x Hunter fanart is vast, dark, and incredibly beautiful. Whether you're a lurker just looking for a new wallpaper or an artist trying to capture the "Scarlet Eyes," you’re part of a tradition that’s been going strong since the late 90s. It’s not just art; it’s a tribute to one of the greatest stories ever told. Keep drawing, keep sharing, and for the love of Ging, keep the faith that the next chapter is right around the corner.
To really improve your output, start by analyzing how Togashi uses negative space in the manga. Most people over-complicate their fanart by adding too many effects. Sometimes, a simple black-and-white ink drawing of Gon looking into the distance is more powerful than a 50-layer digital masterpiece. Focus on the emotion of the scene first. If the "vibe" is there, the fans will find it. This series lives on its emotional stakes, and your art should too.