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Hunter x Hunter Episode 7: Showdown × on × the Airship

June 22, 2026 · Anime, Episodes, Hunter x Hunter

Spoiler note: This guide discusses the events of Hunter x Hunter Episode 7. Major future-series spoilers are avoided unless clearly needed for context.

Quick facts

  • Episode: 7
  • Title: Showdown × on × the Airship
  • Original air date: 2011-11-13
  • Category: Episode guide
  • Watch or skip: Watch, especially if you are following the series in order.

Hunter x Hunter Episode 7 Summary

Hunter x Hunter Episode 7, “Showdown × On × The Airship,” follows the episode’s central events with a clearer focus on what actually happens on screen. All the candidates are told by Beans, Neteros' secretary to get their dinner and rest and prepare for the third phase the next morning. Tonpa tries to commit sabotage again by trying to keep Kurapika and Leorio awake for the whole night, but is exasperated to find that none of them fall for his tricks. Gon and Killua explore the airship, and Killua tells Gon that he is actually from a family of assassins. He wished to strike out on his own, which his family has not taken lightly. Neteros arrives and tests both boys' instinct and asks how they felt about the difficulty of the exam. Neteros invites both of them to a game, whoever can grab the ball he is holding before dawn will immediately pass the exam. Gon and Killua find it too hard to pass up, but discovers that with Neteros' skills, they are unable to grab the ball. Eventually Killua realizes that with their skills, they will never be able to take the ball from Neteros for a year, if he keeps it up. Killua retires, but then takes it out on two candidates who harass him, by maiming and killing them. Gon continues trying to grab the ball, and uses a headbutt on Neteros. The old man realizes that Gon will crack his skull if he continues with his headbutt, so he uses his right hand to push Gon away from him. Gon then tells Neteros then he has managed to get him to use his right hand once, which he had not used from the start of the challenge. After his speech, Gon falls asleep from exhaustion.

Detailed Episode Discussion

The episode’s main movement is built around this setup: All the candidates are told by Beans, Neteros' secretary to get their dinner and rest and prepare for the third phase the next morning. Tonpa tries to commit sabotage again by trying to keep Kurapika and Leorio awake for the whole night, but is exasperated to find that none of them fall for his tricks. Gon and Killua explore the airship, and Killua tells Gon that he is actually from a family of assassins. He wished to strike out on his own, which his family has not taken lightly. Neteros arrives and tests both boys' instinct and asks how they felt about the difficulty of the exam. Neteros invites both of them to a game, whoever can grab the ball he is holding before dawn will immediately pass the exam. Gon and Killua find it too hard to pass up, but discovers that with Neteros' skills, they are unable to grab the ball. Eventually Killua realizes that with their skills, they will never be able to take the ball from Neteros for a year, if he keeps it up. Killua retires, but then takes it out on two candidates who harass him, by maiming and killing them. Gon continues trying to grab the ball, and uses a headbutt on Neteros. The old man realizes that Gon will crack his skull if he continues with his headbutt, so he uses his right hand to push Gon away from him. Gon then tells Neteros then he has managed to get him to use his right hand once, which he had not used from the start of the challenge. After his speech, Gon falls asleep from exhaustion. PopRot readers should watch how the characters respond to the pressure of the moment, because the choices made here are what connect the episode to the larger Hunter x Hunter storyline.

In practical watch-order terms, “Showdown × On × The Airship” is not just a title card in the episode list. It marks the specific conflict, reveal, confrontation, joke, rescue, or turning point that the episode wants viewers to remember. The important details to track are who takes action, who gets challenged, and what new information changes the audience’s understanding of the arc.

This recap is written to help fans place Hunter x Hunter Episode 7 in context without losing the thread of the larger story. If you are moving through Hunter x Hunter in order, treat this episode as a checkpoint for the current arc’s momentum, character relationships, and next-step setup.

Characters in this episode

Episode navigation

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Where to watch Hunter x Hunter Episode 7 online

Streaming availability changes by region and over time. Use official platforms when available, and check each service for the current episode catalog in your location.

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