Hunter x Hunter (2011), Yu☆Gi☆Oh! Zexal Second Recommendations
- Aside from both of them being long running shonen titles, the episode count for ZEXAL is only 2 less than Hunter.
- Both ran from 2011 to 2014.
- The protagonist of both is an optimistic young boy who's goal is to not only find his father, but to be just as skilled a Hunter/Duelist(respectively) he's said to be. Not to mention both of their fathers are adventurers who explore and study ruins and plan for bigger things, not of this world.
-The fathers of both characters may be absent, but they leave clues for their sons, one isn't very overt about it and comes off as
nonchalant, the other sends a whole person.
- Something very similar with both is that at some point the plot revolves around collecting 100(ok one is 99 but they sorta implement more so it's whatever) numbered cards, the collection of these cards is the focus at the start, but eventually takes a step back for drama between the characters to shine.
- The protagonists are extremely friendly and cheerful, and also kind of dumb, and they are accompanied by a character who starts out lonely and cynical, but eventually becomes cheerful. Both of these pairs of characters consider eachother their most or one of their most precious thing. They also know they'll have to part with them someday.
- Both series feature a character who is a hunter of sorts with a companion that's more of a tool than a friend, that have a consciousness and can speak and assist said character in their hunts. These two characters are both experimenting/researching information about things not of this word that could threaten it. Both of these characters pass and are brought back in some way at the end of the story.
- Grey haired cat girl(kind of?) who often makes cat puns.
- Both feature a creepy psychopath who isn't exactly a hero nor a villain.
There are more related things but personally I think ZEXAL is a much richer show, it's entire cast has an absolutely perfect dynamic and none of the characters really feel unnecessary, and I know the ranking of it is worrying, but it's something worth watching for the plot, the characters, and all the emotions that come along with that. Obviously since it's Yu-Gi-Oh!, it requires the viewer to utilize their suspension of disbelief, but the narrative is worth enduring it.
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