Hunters dedicate themselves to completing dangerous assignments, ranging from exploring the world's uncharted regions to tracking down rare items and monsters. To become a Hunter, an individual must pass the Hunter Examination—a high-stakes selection process where most candidates end up injured or dead. Ambitious candidates who take on the infamous exam each have their own reasons. For 12-year-old Gon Freecss, the driving force is finding Ging, his father, who is also a Hunter. Convinced that becoming a Hunter will allow him to meet his father, Gon takes the first step to follow in his footsteps. During the Hunter Examination, Gon befriends medical student Leorio Paladiknight, the vengeful Kurapika, and former assassin Killua Zoldyck. Although their motivations differ greatly, they join forces for a shared objective and begin to venture into a perilous world.