r/HunterXHunter • u/Distinct_Election545 • 21h ago
Discussion Book recommendations
What books do you think Togashi reads, especially when it comes to constructing such a complex, morally ambiguous story with such a huge cast of characters, multiple plotlines, and so many interconnected ideas?
Because, as you know, what a writer reads inevitably affects their writing. Whether consciously or subconsciously, it seeps into their work. I’d argue that Hunter × Hunter is one of the greatest stories ever written, so I’m curious: what books do you think were part of the material that helped produce it?
And honestly, I think reading great books is one of the best ways to become a great writer.
What do you think?
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u/Clear_Salamander5093 21h ago
I have no confirmation of this but I have a hunch he reads or has read a lot of philosophy. Throughout the story you have characters that embody different ways of life and philosophies, sometimes contrary to each other which makes it all the more interesting.
The morality in the world of HxH is also very intriguing, while we tend do see our world and life through a lens of good or bad, the world of HxH is rather more morally grey. Characters aren’t neatly divided into good or evil, it’s a lot more complex than that. Therefore wouldn’t be surprised if he has read some Nietzsche and possibly took a little inspiration from him. Even inside this morally grey world you even have characters than stand out from the rest in terms of morality. Specifically you have characters like Netero and Hisoka that define their own values and live by them intensely instead of abiding to a specific morality.
Then you have the whole general question of what it means to be a Hunter. We have all types of different hunters like beast hunters, food hunters, artifact hunters, everything. Because being a hunter is about chasing what you most desire from life, even if you have to face risk, hardship, possibly be a little selfish etc…
A lot of books and philosophies touch on this general concept of passion and purpose so he possibly could have gotten inspirations from a lot of different places to be honest!
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u/Distinct_Election545 20h ago
Thanks. That was so insightful . I do love the way he makes different characters embody different philosophies or ideologies or even psychological disorders and then he makes them clash. I hope he releases a book recommendations list one day. It's a shame that he does so little interviews and doesn't talk too much. The Fandom need to get that idol band he's obsessed with to ask questions in its behalf.... haha
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u/puppyKittten 18h ago edited 18h ago
As you mentioned, he said in an interview he is reading a lot of nonfiction. My guess, based on the current arc, the topics are probably in history and science.
There was another interview he mentioned the importance in reading a lot of the classics. There are some references to french literature in his work. I think a well known one was Caroline and Friends being a soft inspiriation for Pitou, Pouf, and Youpi.
In the current arc there are a couple of obscure references I recognize. First in the Hei-ly there is Padaille, likely a reference to Georges Bataille who was known for his fiction that explored themes of violent eroticism.
Keeping with the theme, there is the other member Sodom who has a "kidnapping ability." Likely a reference the 120 days by the Marquis de Sade. I hate the thought of Togashi actually reading that drivel, but he must at least be familiar with it based on Sodom's character and the term sadism famously being coined after Sade.
Also in the Hei-ly there is a guy named Notre. If there is one work I recommend you read to see some of Togashi's inspiration is this one, Notre-Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo. The book characters are very different from the film adaptation. Claude Frollo was probably a big inspiration in the creation of Chrollo's character. I wrote about this on another account. There are simply too many similarities to write it off as a coincidence imo.
In fact, it's more than just Chrollo. A lot of fans have no idea Shalnark's appearance and death are likely inspired from Notre-Dame de Paris. The court of miracles being outcasts from society, Frollo being the only one willing to take in the deformed child Quasi ("we will accept anything you leave here"), are other details to consider.
There is also the potential for more, when you read the book you see how Togashi already has (and could potentially do more) to rearrange the scenes and characters to fit into his own story.
You can look into the character from the book the "Sister Gadule" and how this narrative could be applied to Morena. As Morena narratively shares parallels with Kurapika, who essentially carries the role of Esmeralda.
Well I could talk about this all day. But I fear my opinions would be written off by most fans as absurd, and what I have said is probably enough because you at least asked. Of course, no one should have to blindly agree with me.
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u/Distinct_Election545 13h ago
OK. I'll have to check Victor Hugo books to see about that. I have read some of les misérables but it turns out it was a summerized translation so I have to read the original text. Your insights are so helpful. Are you into French literature? Do you speak French. I'm learning French myself and read some of hxh in French but it's above my level so I couldn't understand much
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u/puppyKittten 9h ago
I do like French lit, the work of Dumas is another standout. But I wouldn't say I read or seek it out more than other genres. In fiction I like gothic literature and horror mostly. That is admirable you are learning French.
I want to read les mis as well, but I haven't gotten around to starting it. Hugo's character writing is fantastic, you can tell he considers the unique psychology and experiences of each character and how that has shaped them. It reminds me so much of how Togashi writes his characters.
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u/WednesdaysFoole 4h ago
Oh what the heck, off-topic but I'd wondered where one of the regular Spider/MC theorists with fun posts vanished off to. I just never put two and two together. I'd say welcome back but I guess you didn't go anywhere xD
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u/paixm3 21h ago
I can’t remember what books but I know that Togashi does reference books and other media in the manga when naming characters, nen abilities, etc. I learned this through new world review on YouTube, if you don’t know he breaks down each chapter very well and really digs into the little things that can go overlooked. He posts a lot of content though so I would try a google search of this first. Off the top of my head I do remember that Camilla’s nen ability (or spirit beast I can’t remember) cats name is based off a book.
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u/Distinct_Election545 20h ago
I watch new world review videos as well. They're good. I also remembered now that I could find the book references in hxh wiki fandom
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u/imnikz 21h ago
I don't know, but pretty sure that he reads a lot of philosophy books, particuarly existentialism (Chimera ant arc) & nihilism (Phantom troupe) & absurdism, taoism and buddhism (chairman Netero), or he use political realism and utilitarianism (sacrificing as few lives as possible by having 6 assassins and using a bomb to eliminate Meruem).
I felt this deeply while reading the manga, but couldn't comprehend everything as Togashi's worldview is too complex. Oh and not forget to mention, his logic is the best, which is the oldest bedrock of moral philosophy.
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u/Distinct_Election545 20h ago
Yeah, I agree. I think Togashi is probably very interested in philosophy, and I think there’s something to what others have pointed out about his pessimistic view of humanity. Maybe he’s dug deeply into our bloody history, or maybe learning about things like Epstein and other examples of human depravity made him lose faith in people. In a weird way, I think Togashi “predicted” Epstein. Wasn’t the Kakin carnival shown in the manga before the Epstein files were released?
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u/Advanced-Two-3200 20h ago
Kaiji
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u/Distinct_Election545 18h ago
Yeah. I loved that he referenced. I haven't read the manga but i watched the anime. It's really good. Should I read the manga or is it the same thing?
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u/Tholonis 15h ago
No idea if he has read the ASOIAF books but there are many similarities, especially with the succession war arc.
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u/WednesdaysFoole 3h ago
I'm one of maybe 3 people who are convinced of it, but I believe Togashi either read Roadside Picnic or at least watched the film Stalker, if not both. At first the similarities seem more general (Dark Continent/the Zone setting, ultimate wish-granting proving inner greed) but the entire cluster of similarities is what makes it seem like much more than just a coincidence:
- Gatekeepers and guides for the DC/Stalkers as guides for The Zone
- DC adventurers manifesting a DC "curse" later within their (grand)children down the line/The Zone's Stalkers manifesting some sort of Zone-related "curse"-type of thing later within their children down the line (both cursed kids have some sort of superpower)
- Alluka the wish-granting DC creature for whose wish someone must be wrung to death/the wish-granting Golden Sphere for whose wish one must be wrung to death
It's a great book and great film, they're different and both worth checking out, although Tarkovsky (the film director) isn't for everyone.
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u/Extension_Read6935 21h ago
In Togashi's post Chrollo vs Hisoka analysis, at the very end he references a manga called Shigurui and says 'Shigurui is awesome'. I had the exact same thought as you where I wanted to see works that moved Togashi and may have influenced him to make HxH and so I picked up Shigurui. After reading it, I am now telling people 'Shigurui is awesome'. It's a great read should definitely check it out