Naruto vs. Hunter x Hunter

Please note, this is not a comparison of the two series as a whole, but rather certain aspects and why I prefer one aspect over the other. Naruto draws much of its inspiration from Hunter x Hunter, so they have many similar characters, themes, and plot devices. And this won't be a rant about how much I like HxH more than Naruto because (although it's true) I am focusing on constructively and critically comparing certain aspects of the two shows, and there are actually aspects of Naruto that I prefer. This will also mostly leave out comparing the quality of the aspects, as well as a lot of my complaints with Naruto (though I will have to touch on some of them to make my point).

Gon vs. Naruto

Gon. I like the way the story and characters of Hunter x Hunter treat Gon much more than Naruto's treatment of our favorite orange wearing ninja. They both start off as kids with dreams much larger than their abilities, and they both (although this is unbeknownst to Naruto at the time) are aspiring to be like their famous fathers. They attract people to them through their skill and their refusal to give up, making people cheer for them as the underdogs. However, as the stories progress they begin to diverge in character. Naruto becomes incredibly powerful and the solution to everything, while Gon becomes both a help to the solution (note that he himself is never the complete and total solution) and becomes a problem in and of himself. His flaws become painfully apparent after he gets his first real taste of true hardship, making how much of a child he is very clear. He completely disregards advice he himself had given other people, and basically forgets about all his friends and ideals for his revenge (I haven't finished the arc, but I'm hoping one of his friends finally snaps him out of it though I kind of love a murderous Gon). This development is well executed and subtle enough to ensure that he is still a lovable character, as most would understand that he is still a kid so childish actions are to be expected, but you still feel bad for his friends. (Killua.) Not once is Gon used as the solution to the main problem, and he doesn't get to fight the big bad (as far as I know). (His assigned target and the one he wants to kill is the guard of the big bad.) Also, there are a myriad of characters in Hunter x Hunter who are much stronger than Gon, and he isn't the only one who shows qualities of a strong leader/type of person people want to follow and/or support, whereas Naruto seems to be one-of-a-kind in his universe (or at least the people who are like Naruto let him have the spotlight).

Kirapika vs. Sasuke

Kurapika. I think Kurapika is a much more likable character, as he is basically the opposite of Sasuke in terms of friends. While Sasuke had friends and decided to ditch them for his revenge, Kurapika had no friends and only his revenge until he gained friends and ultimately chooses his friends over his revenge when faced with the choice (though I think we may see more of that story with Kurapika's return which has been foreshadowed). Kurapika is also, in my opinion, a better representation of a consuming desire for revenge, as Kurapika is normally a kind, gentle, and intelligent person who becomes rash and cruel when thinking of his revenge, often to the point of disregarding his own plans. Sasuke, on the other hand, is just whiny. Kurapika rarely complains and rarely tries to make his friends understand his desire for revenge and only explains his past when prompted. As my sister put it, they both have almost identical back stories, but Kurapika isn't a whiny, heartless bitch.

Hisoka vs. Orochimaru

Orochimaru, on this one. Hisoka plays the role of a wild card much better simply because of the fact that his back story isn't explained at all (the only thing revealed about his childhood is his favorite candy flavors. Literally) and receives little to no development, making his actions very unpredictable concerning whose side he is on. However, although this is his most appealing aspect, it is also his greatest downfall as a character because you can't really feel for a character you know virtually nothing about. (Of course, you're not supposed to be able to relate to him, but that's beside the point. He is a creepy-ass-pedofile, as my sister described him. Also, I'd be scared if someone related to him.) Orochimaru, on the other hand, receives development and back story, and although it makes him a tad more stereotypical than Hisoka because of this, it's also why I prefer him.

Illumi vs. Itachi

Itachi. Illumi serves his purpose as a roadblock for his younger brother, Killua, rather well but that's as far as Illumi's character goes. Itachi serves the same purpose for his younger brother, Sasuke, however Itachi receives development of his own and is a much deeper character. Itachi is also written in a way that makes you really care about him, while Illumi receives no such light. Plus, come on guys, Itachi is an awesome person and Illumi is the creepy acupuncture assassin. There's no real contest on this one.

Chrollo vs Pain

Pain. I think Pain receives more development and his character makes a commentary on the state of the world. Although I hated him when he was first introduced, he really grew on me. I think the biggest flaw with him is that Naruto was suddenly able to change his mind, but I can see how it made sense because he was always more of a follower than a leader. While Chrollo also receives development and is a more fitting leader in my opinion, Pain is more relatable. They are, however, very similar as they both want to leave their mark on the world that discarded them. Pain, however, works for the greater good (even if his methods are convoluted), while Chrollo seems to be revenge driven and is just lashing out against the world. Although, I did go back and forth on this because of Chrollo's charisma (strange as it sounds, I really like his on-screen moments) and because he is also one of those wild card characters that you have no idea what they're thinking or trying to acomplish. They're fun to watch because they're normally surrounded with interesting plot twists, however this is (as with Hisoka) their greatest downfall as characters. I think they're both fun characters, but Pain is much deeper therefor I prefer him.

Phantom Troupe vs Akatsuki

Phantom Troupe, simply because they're much more of a dysfunctional family. They're like the Noahs (from D.Gray-man) in that they care greatly for each other but commit horrible crimes. The Akatsuki are a legitimate organization, but their members change frequently and they're less of an obstacle individually than the Troupe. (So far the only character that has managed to take down members of the troupe was a character whose abilities are specially designed to kill them.) Also, despite the Troupe's goofiness, if you read the two-shot manga depicting Kurapika's past that describes what, exactly, they did to Kurapika's clan in detail, you realize just how much of a despicable bunch they are – yet they're hard to hate, even if you adore Kurapika. I also think the Phantom Troupe is more intimidating for several reasons. Even if they were the first real villains introduced in the series, they don't fall into that normal shounen stereotype of the first villains being the weakest. If anything, they're still really fricken' powerful, and in their two episode appearance in the Chimera Ant Arc, we got to see just how insane their abilities are and how tough they'd be to beat. They also take on a lackadaisical attitude about their surroundings, making them not seem to give a crap about a supposed dire situation because they're powerful enough to take it lightly. The Akatsuki are awesome, but the Phantom Troupe just has more presence in my opinion. If an Akatsuki member shows up, my reaction is: “Oh, cool.”, whereas my reaction for a Phantom Troupe member showing up goes something like: “Crap who's dying a horrible awful death” or “shitshitshitshitshit” or “yesyesyesyesyes”.

Hunters vs. Ninja

I actually don't have a preference for this one. If I had to pick, I'd pick hunters simply because you'll never convince me the Naruto ninjas are real ninjas. (Ninjas don't wear orange.) Both occupations seem pointless in a real world situation (I still haven't figured out why hunters exist)(you can argue for ninjas but why not use a real military they seem less temperamental than ninjas I mean you have all this drama with clans and rivalries and scaring teenage ninjas – the only kind of ninja that seem to be important and surpass their elderly in the duration of a sneeze). Anyway, aside from my random really long side notes, hunters just appeal to me an tiny bit more because they actually follow the general principal of 'If you've been doing it a while you're probably better at it', and there's also more diversity in the types of hunters and abilities.

Netero vs The third Hokage

Um... I'm going with Netero because he wears a love shirt to battle. Yeah, I know I said I'd be critical, but I never paid much attention to the third Hokage because he never really interested me much, so I'm withholding any judgment on him. So, really I'll just go neutral on this one. 

Hunter exams vs. Chunin exams

Hunter exams. The Hunter exams are much more difficult to pass, and are frankly much more interesting. Everything trail and strategy I found entertaining in the Chunin exams was basically in the Hunter Exam Arc. 

Nen vs. Chakra

Nen. It's much more complex and a lot more interesting to me. It takes a very simple concept and develops an entire science around it, and it can pretty much explain any kind of ability you can think of. It's also very individualized. Every Nen ability, in order to be powerful, most be a reflection of the person's personality, which I think is a very intriguing concept.