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killua clocking gon for the murderer he's going to become after kite's death, but being unable to accept that their friendship and killua's possible feelings for gon simply did not matter in the grand scheme of gon's rage and revenge.

kurapika finally finding it in his heart to believe in love, and thus trust the life a baby in the hands of two of his closest friends (they're fourteen and traumatized child soldiers).

senritsu trusting her would-be murderer and maybe-friend kurapika with the life of a young girl because he literally is the only person she can rely on, even though once upon a time, he literally was going to kill her.

gon befriending killua doesn't mean he doesn't think the fact he is an assassin is important. this point of view is stupid to me because gon befriended killua BEFORE he knew he was an assassin. gon got to know killua, and then learned he was an assassin, when they were having a conversation on the airship. gon trusting and liking killua for who he is before he knew this, is pretty much the point to me : because that is who killua really is. gon understood this. so when he learned that killua was born in an assassin family, he didn't stop being friends with him because he knew that's not who killua is at his core.

A lot of discussions focus on Killua's reaction because his internal monologue gives the audience direct access to his feelings, but Gon is also visibly affected. Before this conversation, Gon is upset because he feels disappointed by what he is seeing in Greed Island. And Killua is the one to help him process with it and reassure him.

Also, notice that Gon blushes when he expresses appreciation towards Killua. He isn't just saying a casual thanks. He has a moment where he struggles to put his feelings into words. He hesitates and corrects himself because it isn't enough to simply say, "I'm glad you're here with me." What he actually wants to say is "meeting you changed my life, and for that, I'm grateful."

bunch of ice

It has come to my attention that during the palace invasion there are 4 characters who pinpoint that Killua looks sad (because of Gon pushing him away). I never thought much about it besides the fact that Togashi made other characters to emphasize Killua's pain to show us how much Killua cares for Gon and as a result how hurt he is to be pushed away.

But then it came to me that each character that points out Killua's sadness represents a stage or an aspect of Killua's emotions that are related to Gon.

What I mean?

The first one to notice that there is something wrong with Killua is Shoot.

When Shoot was first introduced he seemed to share a trait with Killua. They were both very cautious because they were afraid of a stronger adversary which caused them to be overly cautious.

Shoot (not his whole character, but that common trait he shares with Killua) seems to mirror Killua before he removed the needle. When he was afraid he would lose Gon due to his family's infuence on him.

The second individual to take notice of Killua's emotions thoughout the war was Ikalgo.

Ikalgo basically voiced out what is part of the reason that Killua seems sad. However, Ikalgo at the same time is the enemy that Killua spared and befriended, resulting in Killua being Ikalgo's light that gave him a chance to start over a new leaf, representing that way Gon and Killua's dynamic where Gon became Killua's light and offered him the chance to start anew.

Ikalgo (again, not as a whole character but that certain aspect of him) mirrors Gon's positive effect on Killua and how Killua came to admire and care for Gon.

The third person that remarked that there was something going on with Killua was Meleoron.

Meleoron was told by Killua himself that Killua is prepared for a double suicice which made Meleoron question things. Things that he decided not to voice.

He simply decides to keep things to himself because Killua is either unable to tell or does not want to, which reminds me of this panel.

This panel perfectly sums up the way Killua does not have the courage to voice his feelings so he chooses to hide what he truly feels.

Meleoron's decision not to ask him mirrors Killua's trait of keeping to himself.

The final individual that was aware of Killua's pain was Palm who did not actually make an internal remark, but was told by Killua himself about his struggles.

Killua's emotions bottling up finally caused for his feelings to explode during his battle with her, resulting in him letting his real feelings out in the open to which Palm responded that Killua is actually the person Gon needs the most.

When Palm was first introduced her plot was treated like a gag that could be said it was probably meant to highlight Killua's feelings by making him protective (and jealous).

Palm's statement could not only represent Killua's need for reassurance, but also Killua's need to come in touch with his emotions openly.

Think about it, Killua fights an enemy whose feelings and memories are separated by a wall, which is removed by Killua admitting to his own struggles openly. This could serve as an allegory for Killua to overcome his own wall that stops him from expressing himself.

Finally, I find it interesting that 3 out of the 4 individuals are people that Killua fought with, except for Meleoron who joined the team through Gon.

If I take it a step further, one could say that Killua's battle with each of these people who were aware of his sadness represent a step closer to his development.

Killua removed the needle after being defeated by Shoot and deciding to protect Gon before leaving him -> Killua eventually overcame his fears and escaped his family's emotional abuse.

Killua spared Ikalgo because of his loyalty -> Killua showcases his own loyalty and good nature that was able to come to the surface thanks to the time he spent with Gon.

Killua fought Palm to whom he almost lost until he brought her back to her senses by being honest -> Killua needed to come in touch with his emotions and admit to them openly.

Killua did not fight Meleoron who decided not to ask him any questions -> Killua still needs to learn how to voice the questions he wanted so badly answers to from Gon.

So in the end there is one battle that needs to be conquered and that is communication.

I have always thought that Gon saying this was very telling about how he feels about Killua, but it is the way it is framed in the manga that it gives it more emphasis.

In the anime adaptations Gon's words come off as more casual cause they suit his expressive nature, but it is like the manga makes Gon's declarations of love more special. it is the way they are emphasized that they really come off as if they are meant for Killua and only Killua.

same with this scene

or this

I don't know how to explain it, but it is like the manga does a better job on how Gon feels about Killua in comparison to the anime versions that focus on Killua's reactions instead which seems to reduce the impact of Gon's words.

I kinda have the feeling that the gayer one is Gon in the manga up to the greed island arc lmao. I have always thought that Gon was the one to have developed feelings and the way the manga is written supports it more.