I’m seeing a lot of people hate on Ging and I’d like to remind each of these people a few things
1. He is a fictional character. People can appreciate a character whether they are an absolute angel or the worst pile of trash ever, because they’re from a work of fiction. In those, we don’t need to choose a side and can condemn actions while finding them interesting in the way they’re linked to the plot.
2. Ging is human, he is flawed but his role of father is not all he’s about. I recognise that he’s a selfish character, quite careless and insensitive towards others. He’s also not hesitated to expose Gon to great perils with not even a second thought. The fact that he is partly responsible for Gon’s trauma is unforgivable. Yet, Ging left that possibility open for Gon to choose if he wanted to follow in his tracks or pursue a normal life. Gon decided on his own to chase after him because he is a “mad kid“ (Togashi’s words). Togashi himself said the story wouldn’t have taken this turn of events if Gon hadn’t been a risk seeker. Having said that, Ging‘s role is not restricted to being a father. For the most part of the series, we only heard of Ging as a father. And he is a terrible one, we can all agree on that point. But more than a father, he’s been a mentor to Gon. He’s been a crucial element to his development and helped Gon understand his desires and who he wanted to be. Also, if Gon had never formed the wish to follow in Ging’s steps, he would’ve never had this great adventure neither met his friends. Again, Ging is insensitive and his games could have had terrible consequences. But he never wished for Gon to endure those sufferings.
3. Don’t forget about the world they are living in. It’s not about our normal world. It’s about a combination of our world and the world of Hunters, a society where the strong are privileged and rule. In their world, it’s not that unusual to see powerful children beat the shit out of people. It’s how it works. Not to mention that Gon and Killua are particularly talented and, given that Ging’s blood also runs in Gon’s veins, it is probably fair for a father to wish to see his kid become as he is, strong. Hunter x Hunter is also a world where much people wouldn’t want to live because it’s populated by quite a lot a mad men. Just have a look at the Zoldyck Family, Hisoka, the Phantom Troupe, the Zodiacs, Razor, Pariston and much more... They’re not considered the norm but they aren’t social outcasts either. People have accepted that these kind of persons/phenomenons exist. Living in a world governed by strong elitists surely also requires to get a little mad to accommodate, which is why I don’t think Ging is acting particularly bad on Gon
4. As I said before, Ging’s character isn’t just his role as a father. As a father, he is irresponsible, almost a child himself, definitely lacks empathy and the most easy parenting skills. But as a human being, I think he’s fascinating. He represents the idea of autodidacy and critical thinking, rejecting school for its strict and close minded teachings. He represents adventure and the taste for discoveries and learning and encourages not to follow the paths you’ve already been given but to stray off them. He defends a very independent way of living and doesn’t live with much, because a few things make him happy. He is grateful for every little thing happenening to him, valuing the procedure rather than the destination. Ging truly is a lesson for a lot of us
Anyway, that is to say, love him or hate him or both (which to me sounds like the most reasonable way to enjoy his character), Ging remains an interesting facet of Hunter x Hunter. That is an indiscutable point
