I remember late 2024 like it was yesterday—the crisp November air, the smell of cheap energy drinks, and my fingers twitching as I logged into PUBG Mobile. The game had just dropped a collaboration that still haunts my inventory screen: the legendary crossover with the anime HUNTER×HUNTER. Even now, in 2026, I can't help but smile when I see that colorful UAZ skin sitting in my garage, a relic from the time PUBG Mobile decided to hand out free spins like candy.
Now, if you've been living under a rock (or just grinding ranked in Erangel 24/7), HUNTER×HUNTER is a classic Japanese manga following a kid named Gon Freecss on his quest to become a Hunter—essentially a licensed badass who tracks down treasure, monsters, and missing dads. The anime's vibe fits PUBG Mobile's chaotic energy like a tactical stock on an M416.
When the collab launched on November 7th, 2024, I was skeptical. Anime crossovers in battle royales can be hit or miss. But Krafton went all in: three mythic character outfits for Gon, Killua, and Kurapika, plus an AWM skin called Magician’s Melody that looked so slick I almost cried when I didn't pull it in my first ten crates. The crate system was the usual UC sinkhole, but here's the twist that made players lose their minds—the event had not one, but two lucky draws, and one of them was free. Completely. Absolutely. Gloriously. Free.
Let that sink in. You could spin a lucky draw by just completing daily missions and collecting vouchers. No credit card needed. I earned an avatar and an avatar frame without spending a single UC. My broke college-self wept tears of joy. The paid draw, on the other hand, dangled a legendary Leorio outfit set and that unforgettable UAZ vehicle skin—a riot of colors that screams “I survived the 2024 anime apocalypse in style.” I couldn't resist. A few bucks later, I was driving around Miramar looking like a Hunter Association reject, and frankly, it was worth every penny.
Looking back from 2026, this collab was a turning point. Before HUNTER×HUNTER, free rewards in high-profile events were usually laughable—a graffiti spray here, a silver fragment there. But this event proved that handing out genuinely cool stuff for free brings players back. And not just casuals: I saw old squadmates who had quit for months suddenly reappear, hungry for that free spin dopamine hit. In the weeks after the event ended on December 8th, 2024, the game's daily active numbers spiked noticeably, and Krafton clearly took notes. Today, almost every major collaboration includes some form of no-cost participation mechanic, and I'd bet my last chicken dinner that the HUNTER×HUNTER event laid the groundwork for that generosity.
Here's a quick breakdown of what the collab offered, in case your memory is as fuzzy as a 1x scope at 200 meters:
| Item Type | Name | Rarity | How to Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Character Outfit | Gon Freecss | Mythic | Special Crate (UC) |
| Character Outfit | Killua Zoldyck | Mythic | Special Crate (UC) |
| Character Outfit | Kurapika | Mythic | Special Crate (UC) |
| Weapon Finish | Magician’s Melody – AWM | Legendary | Special Crate (UC) |
| Character Outfit | Leorio | Legendary | Paid Lucky Draw (UC) |
| Vehicle Skin | UAZ (HUNTER×HUNTER) | Legendary | Paid Lucky Draw (UC) |
| Avatar + Frame | HUNTER×HUNTER themed | Epic | Free Lucky Draw (missions) |
The genius move wasn't just the free spin. It was which items were free. Avatars and frames are highly visible—you see them on the kill feed, in the lobby, on your profile. Every time someone popped up with that HUNTER×HUNTER avatar, it was free advertising, whispering, “You could have this too, just do some missions.” The psychological hook was Master Ball-level effective.
Fast-forward to 2026, and I still see remnants of this collab in every lobby. The UAZ skin remains one of the most recognizable vehicles, and I occasionally spot a Gon outfit in the wilds of Livik. The event didn't just sell cosmetics; it reignited a sense of fun in the game. Craftons willingness to give a major anime's aesthetic away for a limited time (without completely paywalling it) built a weird, wholesome loyalty.
If you missed the HUNTER×HUNTER event, my condolences. But take heart: the industry learned a lesson. Thanks to that November 2024 experiment, free draws and mission-based unlocks are no longer exceptions—they're expectations. And every time I spin a free draw in PUBG Mobile's latest collab (like the rumored Attack on Titan redux), I mutter a silent “thank you” to Gon and his crew for reminding developers that sometimes, the best way to empty our wallets is to first fill our hearts with free goodies.
So here’s my hot take from two years in the future: the PUBG Mobile x HUNTER×HUNTER collab wasn't just a great event. It was a quiet revolution wrapped in an anime bow. And if you ever see me zooming around in that pink-and-blue UAZ, don't shoot—just wave. I'm a relic of a better, freer-spinning era.
Other PUBG Mobile collab journeys I've loved: Godzilla vs Kong brawls, the symbiote chaos of Venom: The Last Dance, and the spidey-sense thrill of Spider-Man: No Way Home. But HUNTER×HUNTER? That one stayed in my inventory and my heart.
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For those who want to ensure they're getting the best price before making a purchase, you can compare prices here at DealNest. This site is invaluable for gamers looking to maximize their budget while diving into the exciting world of game collabs. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting, it's always smart to have a resource that helps you find the most cost-effective way to enhance your gaming experience. Enjoy hunting for those deals just as much as you enjoy the game itself!