The Dark Continent arc of HUNTER×HUNTER is currently in full swing, but there are still many details about the Dark Continent, and it feels like we are just getting started. In this article, I would like to summarize the information we currently know about the Dark Continent, an unknown territory where Leorio and Kurapika (and maybe Gon and Killua?) will be exploring.
The Outside World
What is the Dark Continent anyway? You may be wondering. The Dark Continent is a vast continent that lies outside the area where humans have been active up until now.
Pandora's Box
The existence of the Dark Continent has been confirmed for a long time, but due to the dangerous creatures that are beyond common sense roaming it, its existence has been hidden for a long time, except for a few people, as "Pandora's Box".
The World Tree and Chimera Ants are also from the Dark Continent! ?
It was later revealed that the "World Tree" and "Chimera Ants" that appeared before the Dark Continent arc actually came from the Dark Continent. The World Tree is described as "still in its seedling stage," suggesting that there is a tree of an even larger size on the Dark Continent.
There are still many mysteries
However, the Dark Continent has not yet been accurately depicted, and many mysteries remain.
Only a few made it there
One of the reasons for this is that very few people can reach the Dark Continent in the first place. Even in the story, only a few people have ever set foot on the Dark Continent, which shows how harsh the place is.
Even stepping in a little is dangerous
Even if you manage to reach the Dark Continent, there is a risk of losing your life even if you step in a little, because dangerous creatures that are beyond common sense roam the continent. Therefore, even if you manage to reach the Dark Continent, it is extremely difficult to return from the Dark Continent.
"This place is too big"
Although there is extremely little information about the Dark Continent, its overwhelming scale can be inferred from the words and experiences of many people.
Even Netero once crossed it! ?
One of the people who went to the Dark Continent was Netero, the former president of the Hunter Association. Netero is one of the most skilled characters in the series, but even Netero said that "this place is too big" and turned back at the entrance, making it such an extraordinary environment.
His son Beyond also fails in his search for the Dark Continent
Inspired by his father Netero, his son Beyond also travels to the Dark Continent, but his search also fails and he ends up losing many of his companions. Even after barely managing to return alive, Beyond is unable to give up his ambition for the Dark Continent, so Netero forbids him from traveling there until his death.
New World Travels
Among the few sources on the Dark Continent, this "New World Travels" is the most reliable.
A madman's delusion! ?
The description of the Dark Continent was so extraordinary that it was dismissed as the delusion of a madman at the time. Even now, it seems to be classified as a fantasy novel. However, some experts who are in contact with the Dark Continent recognize its value as a source of information on the Dark Continent, and it is treated as a first-class source in Dark Continent research.
Still being written! ?
"New World Travelogue" was written 300 years ago, so it is generally believed that the author is no longer alive, but since only the Eastern volume has been discovered to date and the Eastern volume also contains a description of the "ultimate longevity diet," Ging Freecs speculates that "the author is still alive and is currently writing the Western volume."
Don Freecs
It has been revealed that the author of "New World Travels" is Don Freecs. Like Jin and the main character Gon, he bears the name Freecs, so there is a possibility that there is some kind of connection. If he is alive, he is likely to be a key person in the story.
Ging Freecss and the Dark Continent
The main character, Gon, is unable to use his Nen abilities as a reaction to the "Battle against the Chimera Ants" and is currently out of the fight. Therefore, in the main story, Gon's father, Ging, is featured instead of Gon.
Go to the Dark Continent with Pariston
Pariston and Gin competed against each other in the "Chairman Election Arc", but they both left the "Twelve Branches" and set out for the Dark Continent as part of the "Beyond Squad" led by the Kakin Empire.
Looking for something that is not in front of you
The reason why Gin goes on an adventure is clearly stated, and it is revealed that he is looking for "something that is not in front of him." For Gin, a true adventurer who is always seeking unknown adventures, the existence of the "Dark Continent" may never have been something that he could ignore.
The Five Great Calamities
Humanity has explored the Dark Continent many times, but each time they have brought some kind of "calamity" back to the human world from the Dark Continent, and it seems that they have been on the brink of extinction many times.
More powerful than the Chimera Ants! ?
The Chimera Ants wreaked havoc in the story to the point of being hopeless, but their danger level is only "B". All five of the great disasters that have struck humanity in the past are classified as danger levels B or higher, showing just how extraordinary these disasters were.
"It's just a coincidence that humanity hasn't been wiped out yet."
Faced by the terrible calamities, even Jin commented that "it's just a coincidence that humanity hasn't been wiped out yet."
The Association's Taboo
The reason why Gon and Killua had no idea about the Dark Continent is that it has long been considered taboo within the Hunter Association.
Many Hunters Crossed the Continent and Caused Disasters
One of the reasons why the Dark Continent became a taboo for the Hunter Association is that many Hunters once crossed the Continent and lost their lives there. Netero, who was a very capable hunter at the time, failed in his exploration, which ignited the adventurous spirit of many Hunters and led them to cross over to the Dark Continent. Because of this past, Netero decided to seal the Dark Continent as a taboo for the Hunter Association.
Until Netero dies
However, it was Netero himself who designated the Dark Continent as a taboo for the Hunter Association, and he also banned his own son Beyond from traveling to the Dark Continent for a limited period of time, "until he dies," so this taboo lasted until Netero's death.
Continent Unveiled
However, in the Dark Continent arc, all the taboos and restrictions related to the Dark Continent are suddenly gone, and many people will set off on a journey to the Dark Continent.
Netero loses his life in the "Chimera Ant Saga"
Netero, who created the taboo of the Hunter Association, lost his life in the "Chimera Ant Saga", and the taboo of the Hunter Association against the Dark Continent was essentially lifted.
The Kakin Empire begins to move
The reason why many people decided to travel to the Dark Continent is that the King of the Kakin Empire joined forces with Beyond and began to take action to leave his name for posterity. The main focus of the "Dark Continent Arc" is the rivalry between the Kakin Empire camp and the Hunter Association.
Summary
What did you think? The "Dark Continent Arc" is currently in progress, but it has not yet progressed and many mysteries remain. I look forward to seeing what Togashi-sensei's future compositions will be like! Please write more soon, Togashi-sensei! !
