Hunter X Hunter

Gon Freecss has reached the age of twelve, the earliest age at which one is allowed to register for the Hunter examination. Above the objections of his aunt Mito (also his adoptive mother), Gon sets off to follow in the footsteps of his father, the legendary Hunter Ging Freecss, in spite of the fact that he left Gon with Mito when Gon was an infant, and has never returned.
However, registering for the Hunter exam, does not mean one can take the Hunter exam. Gon must journey from his native Whale Island for the city on the mainland where the exam is held. On the way he must contend with fierce storms and agents paid to weed out unpromising examinees by leading them astray. It is during this time he meets and befriends his fellow examinee and future companions, the cold and determined Kurapika, and the seemingly brash and avaricious Leorio.

The trio reach the hidden exam site, shortly before registration is finalized. Gon quickly makes friends with Killua Zaoldyeck, the only other examinee as young as he is. The first test soon begins: a marathon run of unknown length through an underground tunnel and a deadly swamp to an unknown destination, led by Satotsu. The situation becomes even more dangerous in the swamp when another examinee, the deadly Hisoka, feels the first test is too boring and decides to "help" in the examination process.