Gon is a young boy who discovers his father, Ging, who left Gon at a young age, is actually a world-renowned Hunter, a licensed professional who specializes in locating rare or unidentified animal species, treasure hunting, surveying unexplored enclaves, and hunting criminals.

Despite initial mixed reviews about the character's simplicity, Gon has been well received by critics, who praised his likability and close relationship with Killua Zoldyck.

This friendship, however, resulted in several critics expressing multiple opinions about his character development in the Chimera story arc of the series, where Gon's rage makes a less sympathetic lead than Killua's.

[1] Togashi had a rough idea of the setting, and felt he could continue the story as long as he started with Gon taking the Hunter Examinations.

When planning the manga, two important aspects of Gon were decided; Killua Zoldyck would be his friend and Hisoka Morow would be his enemy.

During the Hunter Exam, Gon befriends Killua Zoldyck, Kurapika, and Leorio Paradinight while being antagonised by the magician Hisoka.

69] While searching for copies of Greed Island in Yorknew City, Gon and Killua are sidetracked while helping Kurapika fight the criminal Phantom Troupe to avenge his massacred clan.

Gon develops his Nen's special technique, the "Hatsu" Ja Jan Ken (ジャジャン拳), a play on "Janken", the Japanese word for rock-paper-scissors.[ch.

When the Chimera Ant Neferpitou attacks them, Kite covers Gon's and Killua's escape, and goes missing in action.[ch.

199] After training his Ja Jan Ken again, Gon and a group of Hunters go to fight the Ants but are horrified when Kite's body is recovered, and is re-animated as a puppet by Neferpitou.

Kite is revealed killed by Neferpitou and his body rebuilt into a manipulated puppet to train the Chimera Ants.[ch.

After being healed by Killua's sister Alluka Zoldyck's ability, Gon meets Ging in an election and expresses his sadness for letting Kite be defeated and having him reincarnate into a young Chimera.

Upon meeting Ging, Gon asks why he became a Hunter, to which his father replies to discover new lands and treasures with his friends.[ch.

The next day, Retsu leads Gon and Killua to the mansion from Kurapika's vision and after leaving her behind for her safety, they meet another puppet, now based on Illumi, who attacks them.

Omokage sends the Pairo and Illumi dolls to attack the Hunters, but Gon and Kurapika defeat them with Leorio and Killua's help, and retrieve their eyes.

[22] Gon's adult appearance when confronting the enemy Neferpitou was the subject of jokes due to exaggerated design, most notably its long hair, and it was used for merchandising.

[23] Gon initially garnered a negative reception because he appeared to be a common archetype comparable to Goku, Naruto Uzumaki and others similar characters due to his youthful behavior and simplistic design.

[32][33] Polygon said the training the characters are into continuously tests Gon's and Killua's relationship as the former becomes selfish in his quest to save Kite until it is made impossible for the duo to be together.

Anime News Network noted Goku feels like he has something "prototypical not-Snyder Superman doesn't" through his self-centered obsession with fighting and getting stronger.

Anime News Network also found Gon's characterization darkens when his mentor Kite is seemingly killed by the Chimera Ant Neferpitou.

[33] Despite the negative response to Gon's rude behavior, Polygon still regarded his forced transformation against Pitou as one of the most iconic forms ever seen in anime because someone innocent becomes ruthless and delivers a brutal defeat to Neferpitou.

In retrospect, Gon's simplicity appears to test the way Togashi decided to write such an innocent hero until his mental breakdown, when he wants to save Kite.