How Yorknew City Changed Hunter x Hunter Forever

Hunter x Hunter, at least in 2025, is very well known for consistently telling some of the most intricate, detailed, thematically rich and emotionally intense stories in the Battle Shounen sub-genre. Yet, it hadn't always been that way. Its first number of arcs were presented in contrast, with more simple plotlines, characters and goofier, fantastical settings. So what happened? When did Hunter x Hunter change? The blame falls at the feet of Yorknew City, an arc that not only acts as an important turning point, but simultaneously acts as an important template for the type of storytelling Hunter x Hunter has become most well known for today, with its DNA being all over acclaimed storylines such as "Chimera Ants" and the ongoing "Succession War"