It is no secret that Hunter x Hunter is rivaled only by a few series when it comes to fights and battles, as it features very clever use of tactics, interesting powers and abilities and great conclusions to said fights. However, one fight transcends not just the series' fights but almost all other fights in the manga medium for a plethora of reasons, and it is none other than the legendary battle between Netero and Meruem, a fight to determine the fate of humanity.

After the Palace Invasion, Netero and Meruem, the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva (Hyakushiki Kannon), launching a series of attacks. Despite these efforts, Meruem remained unharmed and deemed the conflict pointless. It was only when Netero mentioned that he would reveal the name given to him by his mother if he won that Meruem stood ready to engage, marking the beginning of their true battle. While the anime did justice to the fight, fans are missing out on a once-in-a-lifetime experience by not reading the manga.

Netero and Meruem's Fight Was More Than Just a Clash of Strength

A Philosophically Complex Examination Of Humanity

While this was a fight to assert dominance between two opposing species, it was also an exploration of the morally gray aspect of humanity, and there was no better person to do this with than the leader of the Hunter Association, a morally ambiguous organization. The entire mission had the Hunters doing things that were morally reprehensible all for the sake of their goal, such as ignoring the millions of East Gorteau citizens heading to their deaths or using underhanded tactics to get the job done.

This fight was a display of humanity's evil and its willingness to go to the extreme to get what it wants. It was an examination of the nuance of mankind and how it can be scary and malevolent, yet so beautiful and elegant. Again, Netero is the perfect character for this, as the moments where he is praying and being grateful for life itself contrast so well with the grim and ghoulish look on his face as he is about to blow up everything around him. There were even s that said humanity was just as bad if not worse than the Chimera Ants themselves.

The fight began in chapter #288 and ended in chapter #298, with the focus shifting to other places at times.

Meruem himself is another brilliant exploration of human morality. When he was born, he was utterly disgusted with the monarchy system and how the least befitting people became leaders and abused their powers. He was repulsed by how mankind mistreats each other, and he decided that, as the Supreme Being, he would take over the world and guide it to a better place, even if his methods were cruel and would lead to the death of many. In that fight, he acknowledged Netero and asked him to cooperate with him to change the world for the better. Netero himself understood what Meruem was saying but attacked him before he hesitated and empathized with his cause.

Togashi's Art Was at Its Best During This Fight

The beauty of Hunter X Hunter's art is that it is highly stylized but can switch to more detailed and realistic art when necessary, and this fight featured the best art in the entire series. The presentation of the entire fight, the symbolism such as using needles and flowers, and the choreography were off the charts. The ing and flow were also amazing, and the fight was very easy to read and keep up with, making it even more enjoyable.

The Conclusion Was Unpredictable and Unbelievable

The Fight's End Was as Perfect as Can Be

While many aspects of this fight made it amazing, it would've been just another great fight without its conclusion. The ending sequence, where Netero pierces his heart and blows himself up with Meruem realizing he lost long ago, propelled this fight to the legendary status it deserves. It was the ultimate plot twist that no one saw coming, and it was a befitting end thematically, as it was humanity's deadliest invention that ended up defeating Meruem in the end. Meruem surviving and slowly dying due to the bomb's aftereffects was another brilliant way to show the true devastation of the bomb.

From its intricate strategies, philosophical examination, and thematic presence, Hunter X Hunter's greatest battle is in contention for manga's best, as it truly is a work of art. The Chimera Ant arc itself is a masterpiece, and this fight is a highlight in a storyline jam-packed with some of the highest peaks in shonen. Furthermore, Netero and Meruem became incredibly rich and complex characters, and this fight increased their depth by magnitudes. More than a decade later, this fight still holds up as one of the manga medium's best and it will be very hard to ever top this masterpiece.