Mito Freecss (ミト＝フリークス, Mito Furīkusu) is the aunt and foster mother of Gon Freecss.[3]
Appearance
Mito is a grown woman with fair skin, hazel eyes and orange, shoulder-length hair. She wears a red, long-sleeved blouse that partly exposes her collarbones over a long cream-colored dress. For accessories, she wears brown shoes and an Aegean, circular necklace.
Personality
Mito is Gon's mother figure, as she has taken care of him since he was a baby. Gon stated that when he tries to picture his mother, Mito's image shows up. At first, she was against the idea of Gon following his father's footsteps by becoming a Hunter as well, but she accepts this later on. She is motherly, kind and patient, being able to put up with Gon's faults and tends to him very well. Mito also tends to get easily embarrassed, namely when Abe told Gon about when Mito was always lost when she was young.
She believes that people shouldn't take others lives, such as when she slapped Killua when he tried to kill a foxbear cub. She is also a great cook.
Background
Mito and Ging Freecss used to be very close when they were children. She often got lost and only Ging seemed to be able to find her, to the point that the inhabitants of Whale Island started to gossip that she did it on purpose, although she does not seem to remember this. When Ging left to become a Hunter, she was very upset and told him not to return.
Mito has had the guardianship of Gon since he was an infant. At first she told Gon that his parents died in an accident soon after his birth but eventually reveals that his mother is unknown and his father, Ging Freecss, is a Hunter who left Gon in her care. Originally, Ging returned to his home on Whale Island to ask his grandmother to babysit Gon for him. Specifically, Mito fought Ging for custody of his infant son because she believed he was irresponsible. He has never returned.[1]
Plot
Hunter Exam arc
Mito was against Gon becoming a Hunter from the start. She lied about his parents to keep him from following his father's path. Eventually, she makes the promise that should Gon catch the giant fish known as the Master of the Swamp, she will sign Gon's application to take the Hunter Exam. However, she only makes this promise because she believes the task is impossible, even giving Gon his father's fishing rod for the job. A couple of days before the Hunter Exam, Gon manages to catch the Master of the Swamp much to the surprise of Mito and everyone in Whale Island's Harbor area. Mito hesitates to sign the application form that would allow Gon to partake in the Hunter Exam, even though Gon insists she does.[3]
Mito saddened by Gon's decision
Frustrated and reluctant to sign the application, she finally gives in after Gon reminds her about how she taught him about keeping promises. Back in their house, as Gon heads out to mail his Hunter Application, Mito argues with her grandmother on how Gon figured out the truth about his father. Gon subconsciously apologizes to Mito, claiming he's known about the truth for a long time. That night in their dining room, Mito discusses with Gon how why he'd want to pursue being a Hunter when his father abandoned him so he could continue being a Hunter. Gon's response though baffles Mito as he thinks being a Hunter must be incredible profession. Agitated Mito leaves Gon and claims he truly is his father's son.[3]
Mito hugs Gon
On the day of Gon's departure, everyone on Whale Island give their farewells to Gon, he approaches Mito who stands by the harbor. Gon thanks Mito for all that's she's done for him and Mito apologizes to Gon admitting she lied to him that his father abandoned him and confesses he took him from his father by the court. Gon tells Mito with a smile that he always knew since she doesn't make eye contact with him when she lies. Aboard the ship as it sails off Mito and Gon wave goodbye to one another.[3]
Gon mention's Mito during the Hunter Exam when Killua inquires why he wants to become a Hunter.[4]
Heavens Arena arc
Mito appears as a memory as Gon meditates with Killua in his room in the Heavens Arena.[5] She's briefly mentioned when Killua expresses interest in meeting her, making Gon reminiscence about her, his Great Grandmother, Kon, and Whale Island.[6]
Yorknew City arc
Gon with his Aunt Mito, Great Grandmother and Killua upon arriving home.
Upon the day Gon returned to Whale Island, Mito hangs laundry on the line and hearing her name being called she sees Gon accompanied with Killua. In their home, Mito scolds Gon for not contacting her beforehand, since she hadn't prepared anything. Though Gon tries to help Mito, she spouts out a series of commands that the boys have to complete before dinner. Later Gon and Killua enjoy a meal with Mito and their Grandmother. When Gon shows his Hunter License, Mito tries to break it while examining it, though she insists it was a joke. Afterwards the boys head into the forest and Mito offers to pack the boys some lunch, but they refuse the offer. While in the forest the boys talk about Gon's Mom and he claims he knows nothing about his mother, but Mito raised him as his mother. Gon reveals that Mito told him his parents died in a car accident. Although he later learned that his father was alive from Kite, he now wonders if his real mother is dead, but respects Mito as his mother. Perhaps a bit envious Killua wishes he had a mother like Mito, while Gon says she's the best, but a bit picky. Hiding behind a bush, Mito holding a picnic basket eavesdrops on the boys conversation.[7]
Ging and Mito in their youth
Back at home, Mito and Gon do chores together in the kitchen and Mito asks Gon how much longer he plans on staying. Gon replies a month or so, she asks him if he plans on finding his father, to which Gon replies yes. Mito then leaves the room momentarily and returns with an iron box claiming Ging left it behind for Gon and to give it him when he's become a Hunter. She also mentions that she'll inform Gon of everything she knows about Ging.[7] In dining room, Mito divulges that Ging is her first cousin and the oldest memory she has of him is when she was 3 years old and she chased after him. She also details that he also took the Hunter Exam before he was 12. In a flashback Mito chases after Ging asking why he's leaving the island to become a Hunter and his response was he wants something. Mito reveals that he never told her what exactly he wanted and soon after telling her that he left the island.[1]
Mito's Grandmother enters the room with some tea and reveals that Ging is her eldest son's child, while Mito is her second son's daughter and that her parents died in an accident. Mito then claims they died after Ging left the island and when Ging's father went on a fishing trip he never returned as well. Flustered by the fact that a string of events happened after Ging left, regains her composure and informs Gon she has no knowledge about her Mother. She then divulges that 10 years after Ging left to take the Hunter Exam he returned to the island with Gon. Mito's Grandmother explains that Ging wanted wanted them to watch over Gon in his absence and when inquired about his Mother he informs them that they're separated from one another. Apparently Mito was furious at Ging for doing such a selfish thing and had a court take all guardianship privileges from Ging to herself and the rest is history. And as Ging left Mito screamed that he never come back.[1]
Ging finds Mito's hiding spot
Livid by her Grandmother's admissions, Mito again points out that all Ging left for him was the iron box. Mito's Grandmother confesses that Mito made several attempts to dispose of it, but she made sure it was put pack where it belonged. Still curious to learn about his father, Gon inquires about his father in his Childhood. Surprised by Gon's curiosity she reveals that her and Ging were the only kids on the island at the time. Mito's Grandmother reveals that Mito would often get lost and once when she went missing all of the Whale Island residents formed a search party to try and find Mito, but in the end Ging manages to find Mito and return her home. Though Mito admits she truly wonders if that's true, but then tells more stories to Gon about her and Ging in their childhood.[1] The following day as Gon and Killua listen to a tape left by Ging, Mito does more laundry.[8]
Chimera Ant arc
When Killua asks Gon if he's even gone on a date with anyone before. Gon confesses he's been on a lot of dates with Mito back on Whale Island.[9]
13th Hunter Chairman Election arc
Mito receives a postcard sent by Gon from the post man. The postcard features a picture of Gon with a flock of Small-billed Swans behind him.[10]
Dark Continent Expedition arc
Gon makes another surprise visit to Mito who at the time was holding a basket of clams. After doing some chores together, enjoy a meal with their grandmother, and clean up after themselves. Later in the living room Mito inquires why Gon didn't go on any adventures with Ging. Gon tells Mito he felt he'd be a hindrance if he did, but would have if he was still capable of using Nen. Mito asks Gon for further details and explains he can't really describe it, but felt his initial goal was to find Ging, but only realized this after meeting him. He goes onto say that they talked for a long time about various stories they had and was elated by the experience he had with him. Gon though admits Ging was more like an amazing relative he heard about than a father. Finishing off a clam, Mito claims that has absolutely no qualities, skill, or experience to be a father and adds he doesn't have any motivation or self-awareness what-so-ever.[11]
Gon then brings up the point that he shares some of those same traits for he has no qualities as a son. Flustered Mito and makes apologizes for her actions, claiming Ging is a scumbag. Gon confesses he never thought of being with Ging just because he's his father, but for rehashes that if he was still Nen capable he'd feel Ging's strength and "awesomeness" then he'd want to follow him. Mito clarifies what Gon explained to her and leaves the room briefly and returns with two piles of books and claims she's received a bunch of flak from the government when he was active within the government. She then demands that Gon write up a 8,000-10,000 word report on all of his activities, 30 volumes journalling his personal history as a Hunter, and then in order to get certification for advancement of his academic level, his remote schooling from the department of social services education division has sent them 4 semesters worth of textbooks and tests.[11]
Gon baffled by all of this cries foul and claims he can't do all of that. Mito retorts not to get her started and she herself claims that kids who go to school have to work 100 times harder than this.[11]
Trivia
- Mito tried to break Gon's Hunter License upon seeing it.[7]
- Though Mito is considered to be Gon's aunt in the manga, she is actually his first cousin (once removed).[1]
- The Nippon Animation adaptation of Hunter × Hunter changes Mito's familial relationships. Mito's grandmother was changed into her mother, making her the sister of Gon's mother and sister-in-law of Ging, rather than his cousin.
- Mito's 2011 Japanese voice actor, Keiko Han, is Megumi Han's (Gon's 2011 voice actor) mother.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 8, Chapter 65
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 359
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 1, Chapter 1
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 1, Chapter 7
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 6, Chapter 51
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 7, Chapter 63
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 8, Chapter 64
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 8, Chapter 66
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 22, Chapter 217
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 32, Chapter 339
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 33, Chapter 345