You might personally find it stupid, but in reality that's as much of a genuine reason to not like a manga as it can possibly be. You pretty much said it just yourself now "if HxH was a book"... if you remove the art, the only thing you have is a book and if you want to read a book, go read a book, not manga. The visual representation of a story is what makes a manga a manga. The origin of the word "manga" even finds its roots in the visual aspect, not the text. In theory you can remove all the text and still have a manga, but if you remove all the art you just have a book, not a manga anymore. In my country we even have comics that almost use no text.
Not liking a manga because you don't like the artwork can be considered the most purest reason of not liking a manga as in your eyes it failed in what is supposed to define the most what it is supposed to be. There are quite a lot of series I stopped reading because the artwork didn't appeal to me. Why? Because it's a manga and I read manga because of the visual representation. If I just want text, I can go read books. If you read books, you can at least imagine everything yourself, but if you do that with a manga of which you do not like the art, your own imagination gets into conflict with what you see and that annoys me.
Well I don't want to get into this argument too deeply but this is a bit weak argument.
1.Many GOAT tier manga have weaker art as compared to many flashier ones that doesn't reduce their place in the history of manga.
a.
Osamu Tezuka the father of modern manga had a weak artstyle if you compare it to many modern authors but that doesn't limit Adolf ni Tsugu, Buddha, Metropolis, Black Jack or MW form the great manga.
His animation from 1st person perspective is a thing of imagination only for many.
b.
Shigeru Mizuki and
Kazuo Umezu the savants of horror genres artwork is weaker than many horror mangaka but that doesn't make their work less appealing or less path breaking. GeGege no Kitaro, Akuma kun or Kami no Hidari-te Akuma no Migi-te or Fourteen are better than most horror manga.
c.
One: In modern times One, his artwork is weak but his stories and paneling are of the highest order and emotions he creates despite writing comedy is amazing
2.As for Togashi and HxH:-
a.
Artwork might be weak but he redraws it for the tankobon also please check out the last nine chapters it has amazing artwork.
b.His
character design are simply magnificent even with those minor details and even for the minor characters for example the Koala who contemplates the cycle of hate and life and his weakness. Emphasis to most minor details is given.c.
Plot development Just terrific never redundant So much info is provided towards lore, so much effort given to maintain consistency.
See for example the time skip that occurred was so silent if you didn't pay attention you missed it.
Attention to detail is mind blowing.
d.
Character development: Well this is his strongest suit, each and every character is given importance and he ensures they'll leave a mark on you. Again for example the koala who speaks with kite explaining that he is asking for forgiveness for himself.
Or Gyro only one chapter but yet he is remembered.
It's just best amongst best except Gintama none come closer in shonen.
For Togashi in general I implore you to read some of his older works like level E or Ten de showaru Cupid, both have great artwork, just because he doesn't draw regularly doesn't take away is level of art. I agree it's not on Miura or Inoue or Murata or Kazushi level but good enough.
3. The difference between a child's picture book and manga is it's cohesive and a good plot without it manga will never be good. Inverse is not always true thousands of manga with amazing artwork and shallow stories are released every year.
I agree HxH is in no way perfect but it is an amazing shounen.