Anime as Philosophy: Embodiment and Transformation in Hunter x Hunter

# In this seminar, we will be addressing the themes of embodiment and transformation explored in the famous shounen anime Hunter x Hunter. We will take a serious philosophical lens to this work, investigating questions such as the difference between man and animal, the body and its signifiers, and how transformation can mark ruptures between identities and forms of political recognition. Expect vigorous and civil discussion with like-minded individuals. Formal training in philosophy is not required; all are welcome.

Alex Gutierrez is a Philadelphia-based writer, teacher, and independent scholar with a background in philosophy. He hosts philosophy seminars at the Philadelphia Ethical Society, where his discussions explore questions at the intersection of ethics, politics, and language. His interests are shaped by post-structuralist thought, particularly the work of figures like Derrida, and focus on themes such as interpretation, incompletion, and the limits of system-building.

Alex’s approach to philosophy emphasizes dialogue, critical reflection, and the idea that no framework—political, ethical, or conceptual—is ever fully closed or complete. In both his seminars and his writing, he is interested in how people navigate uncertainty, disagreement, and the practical challenges of living out philosophical ideas in the world.