Hunter x Hunter Soundtrack: The Musical Masterpiece That Elevates a Legendary Anime

The Hunter x Hunter soundtrack represents one of anime’s most sophisticated and emotionally resonant musical achievements—a carefully crafted soundscape that transforms an already exceptional series into an unforgettable experience. Composed primarily by Yoshihisa Hirano, with contributions from several talented artists, the soundtrack doesn’t merely accompany the visuals; it actively participates in storytelling, deepens emotional impact, and creates musical motifs that become inseparable from the series’ most iconic moments.

For fans who’ve experienced Hunter x Hunter, certain musical cues trigger immediate emotional responses: the triumphant brass of “Departure!” evokes adventure and possibility, “Kingdom of Predators” creates visceral dread during the Chimera Ant Arc’s darkest moments, and Gon’s theme encapsulates the pure-hearted determination that defines his character. These aren’t just background music—they’re musical characters that evolve throughout the series, reflecting narrative progression and character development.

What distinguishes the Hunter x Hunter soundtrack from many anime scores is its sophisticated use of leitmotifs, orchestral complexity, and willingness to embrace silence. Hirano doesn’t over-score scenes, understanding that sometimes absence of music creates more tension than any composition could. When music does appear, it’s purposeful and meaningful, whether providing propulsive energy during action sequences, underlining emotional vulnerability during character moments, or creating atmospheric dread during psychological battles.

The soundtrack spans 148 episodes across six story arcs, each with distinct musical identity while maintaining cohesive sonic character. From the Hunter Exam’s adventurous optimism through the Chimera Ant Arc’s existential horror, the music evolves alongside the narrative, mirroring Hunter x Hunter’s tonal shifts from lighthearted shonen adventure to philosophical meditation on humanity, violence, and what it means to be human.

This comprehensive exploration examines the Hunter x Hunter soundtrack across all major arcs, analyzes Yoshihisa Hirano’s compositional techniques and musical themes, discusses memorable tracks and their narrative functions, explores how music enhances specific scenes and character moments, compares the 2011 anime’s soundtrack to the 1999 version, and ultimately reveals why this soundtrack stands among anime’s musical masterpieces.

Understanding Yoshihisa Hirano: The Composer Behind the Magic

Before analyzing specific tracks, understanding the composer who created this musical landscape provides crucial context for appreciating his artistic choices.

Hirano’s Background and Musical Philosophy

Yoshihisa Hirano is a Japanese composer and arranger who has scored numerous anime series, but Hunter x Hunter represents arguably his magnum opus—the work where his compositional skills, dramatic instincts, and understanding of narrative function through music reached peak synthesis.

Training and Influences: Hirano studied classical composition and orchestration, giving him the technical foundation to write complex orchestral arrangements that form the soundtrack’s backbone. His work demonstrates influences from classical composers—particularly in his use of leitmotifs reminiscent of Wagner and structural development echoing Beethoven—while incorporating jazz, rock, electronic, and ethnic music elements that create the soundtrack’s diverse palette.

Narrative-First Approach: Hirano’s compositional philosophy prioritizes serving the narrative over showcasing musical virtuosity. Every track exists to enhance storytelling, deepen emotional impact, or provide information about characters and situations. This restraint—knowing when not to compose, when to let silence speak—distinguishes his work from more bombastic anime scores.

Character Through Music: Hirano develops musical themes for major characters that function as sonic shorthand—hearing specific melodies or instrumental combinations immediately evokes associated characters even without seeing them on screen. These leitmotifs evolve throughout the series, reflecting character development through musical variation.

Orchestral Commitment: Unlike many anime soundtracks that rely heavily on synthesized instruments, Hirano employs full orchestral recordings for major pieces, giving the soundtrack richness and emotional weight that synthetic sounds struggle to achieve.

Hirano’s Other Notable Works

Understanding Hirano’s broader body of work reveals consistent artistic concerns and techniques:

Death Note (2006-2007): Hirano’s breakthrough anime soundtrack, featuring the iconic “Low of Solipsism” and demonstrating his ability to create psychological tension through music.

Ouran High School Host Club (2006): Showcasing his versatility, this romantic comedy soundtrack demonstrates Hirano can compose across genres, not just dark thrillers.

Edens Zero (2021): More recent work showing continued evolution of his compositional style.

The Hunter x Hunter soundtrack synthesizes lessons from these previous works while reaching new levels of sophistication, particularly in how music tracks character psychology and moral complexity.

The Collaborative Process

While Hirano composed the majority of material, the soundtrack benefited from collaboration:

Sound Director: The anime’s sound director worked with Hirano to determine which scenes required music, what emotional tone was needed, and how music should interact with dialogue and sound effects.

Episode Directors: Individual episode directors provided input about specific scenes, creating collaborative relationship where Hirano’s music responded to directorial vision.

Opening and Ending Themes: While Hirano composed some themes, several opening and ending songs came from other artists, creating musical variety across the series.

Arc-by-Arc Musical Analysis: How the Soundtrack Evolves

The Hunter x Hunter soundtrack’s brilliance lies in how it evolves across the series’ six major arcs, each with distinct musical identity reflecting narrative tone and thematic concerns.

Hunter Exam Arc: The Sound of Adventure and Possibility

The series’ opening arc establishes the musical foundation—optimistic, adventurous, and filled with wonder.

“Departure!” – The Defining Opening Theme: Performed by Masatoshi Ono, “Departure!” became Hunter x Hunter’s signature song, playing for most of the series’ 148-episode run. The song’s upbeat tempo, inspiring lyrics about chasing dreams and traveling the world, and triumphant brass arrangement perfectly encapsulate the series’ initial adventurous spirit. The decision to maintain this opening theme throughout the series—unusual for long-running anime that typically change openings every arc—creates musical continuity even as the series darkens considerably.

Gon’s Theme (“The World of Adventurers”): The musical introduction to our protagonist establishes his character through sound—bright, optimistic, with flute and string melodies suggesting innocence and natural affinity. The theme recurs throughout the series, often in variation, and hearing it during darker arcs creates poignant contrast between Gon’s innocent beginning and the darkness he eventually confronts.

Adventurous Orchestration: The Hunter Exam arc’s general soundscape employs bright orchestration—strings, woodwinds, and brass creating energy and movement. Percussion drives action sequences forward, while quieter character moments feature more intimate instrumental combinations.

“Hashire!” (Run!): An energetic action theme that accompanies running scenes and chase sequences, its propulsive rhythm and building intensity perfectly match the physical action on screen.

Establishing Mystery: Even in this lighter arc, Hirano plants musical seeds of darker elements to come. Hisoka’s early theme introduces dissonant elements and unpredictable melodic movement foreshadowing his chaotic nature and threatening presence.

Heavens Arena Arc: Introducing Nen and Musical Complexity

As the series introduces its power system and deepens character relationships, the music becomes more complex and layered.

“Nen” Theme Motifs: The introduction of Nen—the series’ life energy manipulation system—receives musical representation through ethereal, mystical-sounding passages featuring synth pads, gentle percussion, and melodic instruments suggesting spiritual/energy concepts.

Training Montage Music: As Gon and Killua train to master Nen, the music balances determination (strong, rhythmic passages) with the meditative nature of learning to control life energy (more ambient, contemplative sections).

Wing’s Theme: Their teacher Wing receives understated musical representation—calm, wise, mentorly—reflecting his role as guide introducing complex concepts.

Hisoka’s Development: Hisoka’s musical themes become more prominent during his arena battles, developing the character through increasingly complex and unsettling musical passages that blend theatricality (he’s a performer, after all) with underlying menace.

“Zoldyck Family” Themes: Killua’s family receives dark, ominous musical treatment—low brass, minor keys, dissonant harmonies—reflecting the assassin family’s deadly nature and foreshadowing challenges Killua faces in escaping their influence.

York New City Arc: Jazz, Noir, and The Phantom Troupe

The York New arc’s urban setting, mafia conflicts, and introduction of the Phantom Troupe inspire significant musical shift toward darker, jazzier, more atmospheric sound.

Jazz Noir Influence: The arc embraces jazz elements—walking bass lines, brush drums, saxophone, piano—creating urban night atmosphere appropriate for the underground auction, mafia dealings, and city setting.

“Requiem Aranea” – The Phantom Troupe Theme: One of the soundtrack’s most memorable and chilling pieces, “Requiem Aranea” combines orchestral weight with choir vocals creating simultaneously beautiful and terrifying music perfectly capturing the Troupe—artistic, cultured individuals who are also mass murderers. The Latin title (“Requiem for Spider”) references the group’s spider symbolism while “requiem” suggests death and memorialization.

Kurapika’s Emotional Music: As Kurapika takes center stage, his themes emphasize the pain of loss, the coldness of revenge, and the internal conflict between his gentle nature and consuming hatred. The music often features solo instruments (particularly strings) suggesting isolation and personal suffering.

“Elegy for the Dynast”: This track’s sorrowful, majestic quality reflects the series’ engagement with loss, legacy, and the weight of history—themes that become increasingly important.

Urban Soundscape: Beyond specific themes, the arc’s general music incorporates more electronic elements, urban sound design, and atmospheric textures creating the sense of a modern city’s complexity and danger.

Tactical Battle Music: The strategic battles between Kurapika and the Troupe receive music emphasizing psychological warfare over pure action—tension-building passages where silence and sparse instrumentation create more dread than bombastic scoring could achieve.

Greed Island Arc: Playfulness Returns (With Underlying Darkness)

The Greed Island arc’s game setting inspires lighter, more playful music while maintaining undercurrents suggesting the games’ deadly stakes.

Video Game Musical References: The soundtrack incorporates musical elements reminiscent of video game soundtracks—chiptune-influenced passages, power-up musical stings, victory fanfares—playfully acknowledging the arc’s game-within-anime-about-a-game setting.

“Kingdom of Predators” Introduction: While this track becomes most associated with the Chimera Ant arc, it first appears in Greed Island, introducing its ominous, predatory quality that will later underscore the series’ darkest moments.

Training and Growth Music: As Gon and Killua train intensively with Biscuit, the music balances determination with the mentor-student relationship’s warmth, featuring rhythmic training montage passages and more emotional pieces reflecting Biscuit’s genuine care for her students.

Card Collection Themes: Specific musical cues accompany card collection and spell usage, creating Pavlovian association between sounds and game mechanics that makes these moments satisfying.

Bomber Soundtrack: The arc’s antagonist Genthru receives appropriately explosive, aggressive musical treatment—harsh brass, aggressive percussion, and dissonant harmonies reflecting his violent, straightforward villainy.

Deceptive Lightness: The arc’s generally lighter music makes darker moments more effective through contrast—when serious danger emerges, the shift to threatening music feels more dramatic after extended playful passages.

Chimera Ant Arc: Musical Horror and Philosophical Weight

The Chimera Ant arc represents the soundtrack’s darkest, most complex, and most philosophically weighty music—a tonal shift so dramatic that many consider it essentially a different series.

“Kingdom of Predators” – The Arc’s Dark Anthem: This track becomes the Chimera Ant arc’s sonic signature—ominous, predatory, building from quiet menace to overwhelming dread. The composition’s structure mirrors the arc’s narrative—beginning with disturbing possibility and escalating to existential horror. The heavy percussion, dissonant strings, and oppressive atmosphere make this anime’s most recognizable “oh shit, something terrible is happening” musical cue.

Meruem’s Theme: The Chimera Ant King receives one of anime’s most sophisticated villain themes—initially alien and threatening, it gradually incorporates more human, emotional elements paralleling Meruem’s character development from inhuman monster to being capable of love, compassion, and even sacrifice. The theme’s evolution IS the character’s evolution expressed through music.

“To Give a Marionette Life”: This haunting piece accompanies some of the arc’s most disturbing moments, its title suggesting the series’ exploration of consciousness, free will, and what constitutes life—philosophical questions the arc grapples with extensively.

Komugi’s Theme: In stark contrast to the arc’s generally oppressive music, Komugi receives gentle, playful musical treatment—simple melodies suggesting innocence and the purity of someone who lives only for the game she loves. The contrast between her musical lightness and the surrounding darkness makes her presence more powerful.

Gon’s Descent: As Gon spirals toward his breakdown, his musical theme darkens, distorts, and fragments—bright, optimistic melodies from earlier arcs twisted into something broken and disturbing. This musical deterioration foreshadows and underscores his psychological collapse.

Netero’s Final Stand: The Chairman’s ultimate battle receives appropriately epic musical treatment—choirs, full orchestra, martial rhythms—creating the sense of legendary confrontation between peak human and ultimate evolution.

Extended Silence: Perhaps most effectively, the Chimera Ant arc often employs extended silence or minimal musical accompaniment, allowing the psychological horror and philosophical weight to speak for itself. When music does appear after prolonged silence, its impact is devastating.

Narrator Music: The arc’s extensive narration receives its own musical accompaniment—contemplative, measured, philosophical—supporting the narrator’s role as guide through the arc’s moral and existential complexity.

Election Arc: Aftermath and Transition

The final arc’s music reflects exhaustion, recovery, and transition after the Chimera Ant arc’s intensity.

Lighter Return: The soundtrack cautiously reintroduces lighter elements—not returning to early series’ complete optimism but acknowledging survival and the possibility of moving forward.

“Hyōri Ittai”: The arc’s ending theme, this beautiful, melancholic piece sung by Yuzu (with later version by Yuzu and Hiromi Hirata) captures the bittersweet quality of Hunter x Hunter’s conclusion—acknowledging pain and loss while finding meaning in connections forged through shared struggle.

Gon and Killua’s Theme Variations: As their friendship reaches transition point, musical themes associated with both characters appear in variation and combination, reflecting their bond while acknowledging they’re taking separate paths.

Alluka’s Theme: Killua’s sister receives gentle, mysterious musical treatment suggesting both her power’s danger and her essential innocence.

Political Maneuvering Music: The Hunter Chairman election receives appropriately political music—strategic, maneuvering, with touches of farce reflecting the election’s initially comedic elements before serious stakes emerge.

Leitmotifs and Musical Storytelling: Characters As Themes

One of Hirano’s most sophisticated techniques is his use of leitmotifs—recurring musical themes associated with characters, concepts, or emotions that develop throughout the series.

Character Leitmotifs

Gon’s Musical Identity: Gon’s theme begins bright and optimistic—flutes, strings, major keys suggesting innocence and possibility. Throughout the series, variations appear in different contexts:

• Triumphant arrangements during victories
• Gentle versions during quiet moments
• Increasingly dark/distorted versions as he confronts moral complexity
• The complete breakdown during the Chimera Ant arc where his theme becomes nearly unrecognizable

Killua’s Theme: Killua receives more complex musical treatment reflecting his dual nature—assassin training versus desire for normal friendship. His themes often incorporate:

• Cold, precise elements (reflecting assassin background)
• Warm, melodic passages (his developing humanity)
• Electronic elements (suggesting his lightning ability)
• Musical tension between these elements (his internal conflict)

Kurapika’s Musical Arc: Kurapika’s music charts his emotional journey:

• Early appearances feature calm, composed themes
• York New arc introduces obsessive, driven, and increasingly isolated musical treatment
• Later appearances show exhaustion and emptiness—music suggesting someone consumed by revenge with nothing left afterward

Hisoka’s Chaotic Signature: Hisoka’s musical themes embrace chaos and unpredictability:

• Dissonant harmonies and unexpected melodic movement
• Theatrical, circus-like elements (referencing his jester aesthetic)
• Underlying menace despite playful surface
• Music that refuses to resolve, keeping listeners unsettled

Leorio’s Absence: Interestingly, Leorio—the main character who appears least often—doesn’t develop strong leitmotif, perhaps reflecting his outsider status among the four main characters or suggesting he represents “normal” person without musical distinction.

Conceptual Leitmotifs

Beyond character themes, certain concepts receive musical representation:

Nen: The mystical, spiritual quality of Nen receives consistent musical treatment—ethereal, floating, suggesting energy and life force.

Danger/Threat: Certain musical cues consistently signal danger regardless of the specific threat source, training audience to recognize imminent danger through sound.

Determination: Rhythmic, building passages signify characters committing to difficult paths or pushing through obstacles.

Loss and Mourning: Elegiac passages accompany death and loss throughout the series, creating musical continuity connecting different losses.

Memorable Tracks and Their Narrative Function

Certain tracks transcend typical soundtrack function to become essential narrative elements inseparable from the scenes they accompany.

“Kingdom of Predators” – Soundtrack Defining Track

This track deserves extended analysis for its perfect marriage of music and narrative function:

Musical Structure: The piece begins with sparse, ominous percussion and low strings establishing immediate threat. As it builds, additional orchestral layers add density and weight, creating mounting dread. The percussion’s primal quality suggests predatory nature—patient, inevitable hunting.

Narrative Deployment: Directors use this track with remarkable restraint, saving it for moments when true existential threat emerges. This selective use makes each appearance more impactful—hearing those opening notes creates immediate dread because viewers associate it with the series’ darkest moments.

Psychological Effect: The track’s effectiveness lies in how it makes viewers feel like prey—the music doesn’t suggest heroic battle music but rather the experience of being hunted by something operating on different level. This perfectly mirrors how Chimera Ants relate to humans—not as equals in conflict but as predators to prey.

Meme Status: The track’s dramatic power has made it internet meme—people overlay it on videos of threatening animals, dangerous situations, or ominous events, testament to how effectively it communicates threat.

“Requiem Aranea” – The Phantom Troupe’s Tragedy

Dual Nature: This piece captures the Phantom Troupe’s essential contradiction—they’re refined, artistic individuals who are also mass murderers. The choir vocals create beauty and solemnity, while the orchestral weight suggests their power and danger.

Mourning Quality: The title “Requiem for Spider” and the music’s elegiac quality acknowledge the Troupe members’ humanity even while depicting their villainy. They mourn lost members genuinely, creating uncomfortable empathy for murderers.

Latin Lyrics: The choir sings in Latin, giving the piece classical, timeless quality while keeping meaning obscure to most viewers—mirroring the Troupe themselves, whose true motivations and backgrounds remain partially mysterious.

“To Give a Marionette Life” – Existential Horror

Philosophical Weight: This piece accompanies the Chimera Ant arc’s most philosophically heavy moments—questions about consciousness, humanity, and what makes life meaningful.

Unsettling Beauty: Like much Chimera Ant arc music, this track is simultaneously beautiful and disturbing. The melody is hauntingly pretty, but the arrangement and harmonic movement create unease.

Puppet Imagery: The title’s puppet reference connects to the arc’s themes about consciousness, control, and the nature of identity—are we simply biological puppets? What gives us life beyond mere animation?

“Hyōri Ittai” – The Bittersweet Ending

Yuzu’s Vocals: The ending theme features vocals by Japanese artist Yuzu, with later version as duet. The human voice provides emotional directness instrumental music can’t always achieve.

Thematic Resonance: The title translates roughly to “two sides of the same coin” or “two but one”—perfectly capturing Gon and Killua’s relationship and the series’ exploration of duality, connection, and separation.

Musical Catharsis: After the Chimera Ant arc’s intensity, this gentle, melancholic piece provides emotional release—acknowledging pain while finding peace.

Silence as Musical Choice: When No Music Is Best Music

Sophisticated discussion of the Hunter x Hunter soundtrack must acknowledge Hirano’s strategic use of silence—moments when the absence of music creates more impact than any composition could.

The Chimera Ant Arc’s Silence

The arc employs extended sequences with minimal or no musical accompaniment, allowing the narrator’s voice, dialogue, and ambient sound to carry scenes:

Psychological Tension: Silence creates discomfort—viewers accustomed to musical cues suddenly lose that emotional guidance, creating uncertainty and anxiety that perfectly matches the arc’s psychological horror.

Philosophical Weight: The narrator’s philosophical monologues often occur in silence or minimal accompaniment, giving his observations space to resonate without musical interpretation.

Real Time Horror: Combat sequences sometimes play in near-silence with only combat sounds, making violence feel more real and disturbing than stylized fight music would.

Letting Dialogue Breathe

Important character conversations often occur without musical accompaniment, respecting the dialogue’s importance and trusting voice actors’ performances:

Intimate Moments: Personal conversations between characters play in silence, creating intimacy where music might feel intrusive.

Dramatic Reveals: Major plot revelations often occur without musical sting or dramatic underscore, trusting the information’s impact.

The Return of Music After Silence

Strategically, Hirano often withholds music for extended periods, making its return more powerful:

Emotional Release: After extended silence, music’s reappearance provides emotional catharsis—feelings held in check during silent sequences burst forth.

Narrative Punctuation: Music can mark narrative transitions, its presence after silence signaling shifts in story or tone.

Opening and Ending Themes: Musical Bookends

Beyond the internal soundtrack, Hunter x Hunter’s opening and ending themes deserve analysis.

“Departure!” – The Constant Opening

Consistency Decision: Unlike most long-running anime that change opening themes every 24-26 episodes, Hunter x Hunter kept “Departure!” for 146 of 148 episodes—an unusual choice that paid dividends.

Musical Optimism: The song’s triumphant, adventurous spirit establishes tone at each episode’s beginning, maintaining optimistic energy even as the series darkens dramatically. This creates interesting contrast—cheerful opening followed by existential horror—reminding viewers of the series’ initial heart even during darkest moments.

Lyrical Themes: The lyrics emphasize adventure, traveling the world, chasing dreams—core themes that remain relevant even when the journey becomes darker than initially imagined.

Viewer Association: Keeping one opening for entire series creates powerful association—hearing those opening notes evokes the entire Hunter x Hunter experience, not just specific arcs.

Visual Changes: While the music remained constant, the opening animation changed slightly to reflect current arcs, maintaining freshness while preserving musical consistency.

Ending Themes: Emotional Epilogues

Unlike the consistent opening, ending themes changed more frequently, providing emotional epilogues to each episode:

“Just Awake” by Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas: Early series ending featuring energetic rock, maintaining optimism while introducing edge.

“Hunting for Your Dream” by Galneryus: Power metal ending emphasizing determination and the hunt’s excitement.

“Nagareboshi Kirari” by Yuzu: Gentler ending reflecting friendship and emotional connections.

“Hyōri Ittai”: The final ending theme, providing perfect emotional conclusion to the series.

Comparing Soundtracks: 2011 vs. 1999 Hunter x Hunter

Hunter x Hunter received two complete anime adaptations—the 1999 version by Nippon Animation and the 2011 version by Madhouse. Each has distinct soundtrack.

1999 Version (Composed by Taku Iwasaki)

Different Composer: Taku Iwasaki (known for Soul Eater, Noragami, Gatchaman Crowds) composed the 1999 soundtrack with noticeably different sensibility:

Jazz Focus: The 1999 soundtrack embraces jazz more heavily throughout, not just during York New arc. This creates looser, more improvisational feeling.

Darker Tone Earlier: The 1999 series embraces darkness earlier, reflected in a darker overall soundtrack from the beginning.

Electronic Elements: More prominent electronic/synth elements give the 1999 soundtrack late-90s/early-2000s sound that some find dated but others appreciate for period-specific aesthetic.

Different Emotional Palette: Iwasaki’s scoring emphasizes different emotions—more melancholy, more jazz noir sensibility, different approach to action sequences.

2011 Version (Composed by Yoshihisa Hirano)

Orchestral Foundation: Hirano’s soundtrack prioritizes orchestral scoring, giving it more classical, timeless quality that’s aged better.

Arc-Specific Identity: The 2011 soundtrack more clearly delineates different musical identities for different arcs, helping track the series’ tonal evolution.

Mainstream Appeal: Hirano’s soundtrack, while sophisticated, has more immediately accessible quality that helped the 2011 version reach broader audience.

Leitmotif Development: More consistent use of character leitmotifs that develop throughout the series creates stronger musical throughline.

Fan Preferences

The fandom remains divided about which soundtrack is superior:

1999 Advocates argue:

• More atmospheric and mature from the start
• Jazz elements create unique sonic identity
• Better matches the manga’s darker tone
• Taku Iwasaki’s compositional creativity

2011 Advocates argue:

• Orchestral sophistication and production quality
• Better arc-specific musical identity
• More effective emotional moments
• “Kingdom of Predators” alone justifies preference

Consensus: Both soundtracks have merit; preference often depends on which version viewer watched first and personal musical taste.

The Cultural Impact: How Music Extends Beyond the Series

The Hunter x Hunter soundtrack’s excellence has given it life beyond the series itself.

Concert Performances

Orchestra concerts performing anime music increasingly include Hunter x Hunter pieces, recognizing the soundtrack’s orchestral sophistication merits live performance.

Cover Versions and Arrangements

Musicians worldwide create cover versions and arrangements:

• Classical musicians arrange pieces for various chamber ensembles
• Rock/metal bands create heavy arrangements of action themes
• Pianists create solo piano arrangements of emotional pieces
• Orchestras outside anime concert context perform the music

Internet Culture

Several tracks have achieved meme status:

• “Kingdom of Predators” overlaid on threatening videos
• “Departure!” used for motivational content
• Various themes used in anime memes and remixes

Influence on Other Composers

The Hunter x Hunter soundtrack’s sophistication has influenced how anime composers approach scoring, particularly in:

• Strategic use of silence
• Developing character leitmotifs across long series
• Balancing action scoring with psychological depth
• Creating music that serves narrative over spectacle

Listening Guide: Essential Tracks for New Fans

For viewers wanting to explore the soundtrack independent of watching the series, here’s a curated listening guide:

Essential Character Themes:

1. “The World of Adventurers” (Gon’s Theme) – Captures the protagonist’s essence
2. Hisoka’s Theme variations – Unsettling, chaotic, memorable
3. Kurapika’s themes from York New – Emotional depth and revenge’s coldness

Best Action/Tension Tracks:

1. “Kingdom of Predators” – Essential, iconic, perfect
2. “Requiem Aranea” – Beautiful, terrible, complex
3. “Restriction and Pledge” – Dramatic, building intensity

Emotional Highlights:

1. “Hyōri Ittai” – The series’ emotional conclusion
2. “To Give a Marionette Life” – Haunting beauty
3. Komugi’s theme variations – Innocence amid darkness

Thematic Openings/Endings:

1. “Departure!” – Essential series anthem
2. “Just Awake” – Energetic early ending
3. “Hunting for Your Dream” – Captures the hunt’s excitement

Conclusion: Music as Narrative Partner

The Hunter x Hunter soundtrack represents anime music at its finest—composition so sophisticated and narratively integrated that it becomes inseparable from the storytelling itself. Yoshihisa Hirano created not merely background music but a musical narrative that develops alongside the visual story, deepening emotional impact, establishing character psychology, and creating sonic landscapes that make the series’ world more vivid and real.

The soundtrack’s excellence lies in multiple dimensions: technical sophistication of composition and orchestration, emotional intelligence in understanding what each scene requires, restraint in knowing when silence serves better than music, character development through evolving musical themes, and perfect calibration to the series’ tonal shifts from optimistic adventure to existential meditation.

For Hunter x Hunter fans, the music has become intrinsic to the experience—hearing “Kingdom of Predators” evokes immediate emotional response even without visual accompaniment, “Departure!” represents the entire journey’s essence, and various themes serve as time machines transporting listeners back to specific emotional moments from the series. This is the mark of truly great soundtrack—music that transcends its original function to become meaningful artistic work in its own right while remaining perfectly suited to its narrative purpose.

Whether you’re a longtime fan revisiting the soundtrack or newcomer discovering it, the Hunter x Hunter music rewards close listening and careful attention. Each track tells stories, develops themes, and creates emotional experiences that honor and enhance one of anime’s greatest series.

For more information about anime soundtracks, composer interviews, and analysis of anime music, Anime News Network’s music coverage provides comprehensive resources about the artistry behind anime sound.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who composed the Hunter x Hunter (2011) soundtrack?

The primary composer is Yoshihisa Hirano, a Japanese composer known for sophisticated orchestral work in anime. He composed the vast majority of the instrumental soundtrack, though various artists performed the opening and ending themes. Hirano also composed soundtracks for Death Note, Edens Zero, and other anime series.

Why does Hunter x Hunter keep the same opening song throughout the series?

Unlike most long-running anime that change opening themes every 24-26 episodes, Hunter x Hunter maintained “Departure!” for 146 of 148 episodes. This unusual decision created musical consistency and strong association between the song and the entire series experience. The opening’s optimistic, adventurous spirit provides interesting contrast during darker arcs while reminding viewers of the series’ core themes.

What is the most iconic track from Hunter x Hunter?

“Kingdom of Predators” is widely considered the soundtrack’s most iconic piece. This ominous, building orchestral track accompanies the Chimera Ant arc’s darkest moments and has become synonymous with threat and danger, even achieving meme status outside the anime community. Its spare opening building to overwhelming dread perfectly captures existential threat.

How does the 2011 soundtrack compare to the 1999 version?

The 1999 version (composed by Taku Iwasaki) emphasizes jazz elements and electronic sounds, creating darker, more atmospheric tone from the start. The 2011 version (Yoshihisa Hirano) prioritizes orchestral scoring with clearer arc-specific musical identities and more developed character leitmotifs. Both are excellent; preference typically depends on which version viewers watched first and personal musical taste.

Does the soundtrack use recurring musical themes for characters?

Yes, extensively. Hirano employs leitmotifs—recurring musical themes associated with specific characters—that develop throughout the series. Gon’s bright, optimistic theme gradually darkens as he confronts moral complexity. Killua’s themes balance cold assassin elements with warm friendship motifs. These evolving themes musically track character development across 148 episodes.

Where can I listen to the Hunter x Hunter soundtrack legally?

The official soundtrack is available on various music streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. Physical CD releases exist in Japan. Some tracks appear on YouTube through official channels. Supporting official releases ensures composers and musicians are compensated for their work.

Why does the Chimera Ant arc sound so different from earlier arcs?

The dramatic tonal shift from adventurous optimism to existential horror required corresponding musical evolution. The Chimera Ant arc’s soundtrack embraces darker, more oppressive compositions, uses extended silence strategically, and introduces tracks like “Kingdom of Predators” that create genuine dread rather than excitement. The music mirrors the narrative’s evolution from shonen adventure to philosophical meditation on humanity and violence.

Are there differences between Japanese broadcast and soundtrack release versions?

Sometimes. Broadcast versions occasionally use slightly different mixes or edits of tracks compared to official soundtrack releases. Additionally, some background music cues used in episodes may not appear on official soundtrack releases due to space limitations or licensing considerations. However, major themes and memorable tracks typically appear in high-quality versions on official releases.