The stand-alone pilot OVA which was shown as part of the "Jump Super Anime Tour" of 1998. Shortly before the TV series, a summary is presented of the story of Gon who wants to become a hunter and the friends he makes in the process.
Direction
Noriyuki Abe's kinetic energy before Bleach fame.
Acting
Rica Matsumoto's Gon hits different — scrappier, wilder.

Director
Noriyuki Abe
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This pilot predates the 1999 TV series and uses a completely different voice cast — Rica Matsumoto (Gon) is best known as Satoshi/Ash in Pokémon, making this technically Ash Ketchum becomes a Hunter.
Shown at the Jump Super Anime Tour alongside pilots for One Piece and Seikimatsu Leader den Takeshi, this was Togashi's first animated work — made while he was still drawing Level E and struggling with Yu Yu Hakusho's aftermath.
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