What Does Razor’s Training on Greed Island Mean?

Greed Island was a highly influential arc in Hunter x Hunter due to deepening the lore of the popular Shonen anime in a lot of ways. The arc presented a lot of new characters and showcased some new applications of Nen in a setting brimming with danger.

Among one of the notable figures to make their debut is Razor, a formidable Game Master, and Nen user whose influence on Gon stuck with him through the rest of the show. His training methods and ideology profoundly influenced the growth of the protagonists and played a part in crafting them into the formidable Hunters they are.

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Razor’s Background And Role In Greed Island

His Connection With Ging And Gon Freecs

To understand the meaning of Razor’s training in the Greed Island Arc, one must understand the basis of his character and background. As a child, Razor was rejected by society and its inhabitants, being the victim of abuse from quite a young age. As such, he was only exposed to the negative side of life and unfortunately grew up into a hard-hearted criminal responsible for multiple murders.

Ging, Gon’s dad, was assigned to capture Razor when he became a menace to society.

Following his capture, Razor was put on death row, but thanks to Ging who saw something special in him, he was able to escape his sentence. Ging hired him to help create Greed Island and act as one of the final bosses in the “Plot of Beach” quest. Ging knew Gon was going to enter the game at some point in his search for his father, and he made Razor promise not to go easy on his son, as testing him extensively is the only way Gon can reach his full potential. Ging’s trust in Razor allowed him to change as a human, as he slowly began to believe in the good of humanity. He found himself starting to respect Ging and even began to grow familial feelings towards him. Razor has been in Greed Island for at least thirteen years, and in that much time, he has seen many participants tested to their limits in his gruesome sports challenges.

Razor’s Dodgeball Match Is A Lesson In Resilience, Teamwork And Strategy

The Lesson Behind The Game-Master’s Favorite Game

Greed Island arc’s climactic dodgeball match is Razor’s defining moment, both as a character and a mentor. He had been put as one of the final bosses in the game by Ging to test his son and his friends when they eventually set out on their journey to become Hunters. While initially promising the premise of a simple sport, fans of Hunter x Hunter know that nothing is ever as simple as it seems. Gon, Killua, Hisoka, and their companions were initially set to go up against some of Razor’s lackeys who were transported to Greed Island as a sentence for their criminal acts.

However, Razor decided it would be best for him to take them on himself as that is the mission given to him by Ging Freecs. The game eventually revealed itself as a high-stakes battle of Nen mastery and mental fortitude when Razor created a team of eight players solely from his 14 Devils technique to take on the trio and their group. Prior to the beginning of the match, Razor had demonstrated the sheer amount of his physical ability by killing one of his criminal lackeys who went against his instructions by smashing a dodgeball on his head, so it was pretty obvious that Gon and Killua would have to surpass their limits, think on their feet, and collaborate effectively with their teammates if they were going to defeat Razor at his own game.

The stakes were upped even more by the fact that Greed Island is actually a part of the real world, and not virtual reality like they had been led to believe. The game entrance was simply a portal that transported them to an isolated place reserved specifically for the game.

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What Exactly Was The Significance Of Razor’s Training Exercise?

Razor Is One Of The Gon’s Biggest Influences

Gon’s indomitable spirit and unrelenting determination got a huge boost during the final events of this arc and his encounter with Razor. Catching a Nen-powered dodgeball capable of killing a human is an act of pure willpower and determination, showcasing Gon’s capacity to endure tough situations to achieve a goal. The training also emphasizes the importance of teamwork and relying on others, as every individual on the team, including Hisoka, played a part in defeating Razor.

This was a particularly crucial lesson as Gon and Killua repeatedly face challenges that demand trust and cooperation, and Razor’s training was the perfect stage for them to learn. Razor is also particularly important to Gon, as he is a reflection of the legacy Ging has built for himself as a Hunter. His admiration for Ging is evident in his respect for Gon, as he recognizes the same unyielding spirit in the young protagonist. Just as Ging inspired Razor, Razor inadvertently becomes a mentor figure to Gon, perpetuating the cycle of growth and discovery that defines the series.

Hunter x Hunter is available to watch on Crunchyroll.

Hunter x Hunter

In Hunter x Hunter, young Gon Freecss discovers his long-lost father is a legendary Hunter, an elite class of adventurer with the license to go anywhere or do almost anything. Determined to find him, Gon sets out to pass the Hunter Examination, a life-threatening challenge that draws hundreds of hopefuls seeking fortune, fame, and adventure. Along the way, Gon becomes friends with other candidates, including the vengeful Kurapika, the ambitious Leorio, and the enigmatic Killua. Together, they face a world filled with bizarre creatures, sinister criminals, and unpredictable adventures.

Release Date

October 2, 2011

Seasons

4

Creator(s)

Yoshihiro Togashi