Glad you enjoyed the arc HStallion. I invite you to check out this forum post regarding Gon's transformation. I recall hearing a lot of complaints regarding this transformation, about how it didn't make sense or came out of nowhere, but that forum post reinforces why the transformation actually made A LOT of sense. Everything leading up to Gon-San was setup perfectly.
-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
New Hunter x Hunter Anime |OT| of Hunters and adventure and NO MANGA SPOILERS
- Thread starter Crash Station
- Start date
I'm on episode 112 right now, which I assume is near the end of the Chimera Ant arc. My God, so much of the stuff going on is incredibly cool and well done, but the amount of exposition is killing me. I'm currently paused on Knuckle's reaction to Youpai unleashing his aura, so I'm in the middle of what's supposed to be a climatic moment. After so much build up and tension, this thing that has been foreshadowed is finally happening, but instead of letting it unfold in an impactful way, every moment is dragged down by an exposition dump. There are times this feels more like a visual novel than a show, and I'm beginning to cringe whenever I hear the narrator'a voice.
Anyway, this is me wondering what's going on with the pacing and storytelling shift, and finding myself getting more and more impatient with the jarring pauses in action. I had to vent before I continued with the episode.
On a more positive note, I'm really in love with the show. I decided to watch it on a whim near the beginning of the month, and before I knew it, I had watched over 100 episodes. I'm really happy I finally gave it a shot.
Anyway, this is me wondering what's going on with the pacing and storytelling shift, and finding myself getting more and more impatient with the jarring pauses in action. I had to vent before I continued with the episode.
On a more positive note, I'm really in love with the show. I decided to watch it on a whim near the beginning of the month, and before I knew it, I had watched over 100 episodes. I'm really happy I finally gave it a shot.
Watching more episodes it actually makes sense. He basically made a self destructive rule to gain more Nen ability and a monstrous aura increase, something like Kurapika Nen knife at his heart ready to strike if he misuses his chains but times 10000.
I do wonder if he could have taken down the CA King with sacrifice play of his. Though it begs the idea of just how far the whole self contract rule could be taken especially since we have a walking SCP with Alluka. Is that even Nen?
Oh the best moment for me was Leorio uppercutting Ging from across the room and then announcer chick telling the "audience" to watch that again and again. Man fuck Ging!
I am not quite sure how powerful Gon was in that state. I believe he could have defeated Mereum before he ate some of Pouf and Youpi, not sure about after. The King's level of power just seems too insane after that. Either way, he would have never of had that kind of motivation against Mereum, to achieve such a power in the first place. Avenging Kite and feeling responsible for his death, were his motivators. With Alluka . . . yes that is Nen, she is a specialist. Which actually shows you just how frightening the extent of Nen's power can be. That and when Neferpitou's body was re-animated.
Dark_castle
Junior Member
I'm on episode 112 right now, which I assume is near the end of the Chimera Ant arc. My God, so much of the stuff going on is incredibly cool and well done, but the amount of exposition is killing me. I'm currently paused on Knuckle's reaction to Youpai unleashing his aura, so I'm in the middle of what's supposed to be a climatic moment. After so much build up and tension, this thing that has been foreshadowed is finally happening, but instead of letting it unfold in an impactful way, every moment is dragged down by an exposition dump. There are times this feels more like a visual novel than a show, and I'm beginning to cringe whenever I hear the narrator'a voice.
Anyway, this is me wondering what's going on with the pacing and storytelling shift, and finding myself getting more and more impatient with the jarring pauses in action. I had to vent before I continued with the episode.
On a more positive note, I'm really in love with the show. I decided to watch it on a whim near the beginning of the month, and before I knew it, I had watched over 100 episodes. I'm really happy I finally gave it a shot.
Yeah they went tad overboard with narrative exposition around those chapters, creating unnecessary slow pace. Despite that CA is still my favorite arc. That ending man. Yorkshin arc is amazing as well, a close second.
Damn I love HxH. Togashi what are you doing?
I'm on episode 112 right now, which I assume is near the end of the Chimera Ant arc. My God, so much of the stuff going on is incredibly cool and well done, but the amount of exposition is killing me. I'm currently paused on Knuckle's reaction to Youpai unleashing his aura, so I'm in the middle of what's supposed to be a climatic moment. After so much build up and tension, this thing that has been foreshadowed is finally happening, but instead of letting it unfold in an impactful way, every moment is dragged down by an exposition dump. There are times this feels more like a visual novel than a show, and I'm beginning to cringe whenever I hear the narrator'a voice.
Anyway, this is me wondering what's going on with the pacing and storytelling shift, and finding myself getting more and more impatient with the jarring pauses in action. I had to vent before I continued with the episode.
On a more positive note, I'm really in love with the show. I decided to watch it on a whim near the beginning of the month, and before I knew it, I had watched over 100 episodes. I'm really happy I finally gave it a shot.
I had that same initial frustration as you did while watching the arc unfold. But eventually, once I just went with the flow , I started to really get into the exposition and narration. I started to genuinely enjoy it. 112 is actually one my favorite episodes, and easily my most re-watched. Despite being frustrated like you on my first watching.
Yeah this one of those shows that I could see being a pain to watch week to week instead of binging it after the fact.
Yeah, Knov' skill is one of my favorites, so many utilities.
Yeah his ability when I realized how powerful some Nen is compared to others. Some powers don't even need a strong user if they are cleverly made or used. Knuckles works so well over time or enemies who use a lot of aura in their attacks and abilities. He was coming close against Youpi till he willingly deactivated it.
If a Nen user was driven and crazy enough they could make a contract with something insane on line like yourself and your loved ones like with Alluka and you have a pretty broken power. Or Feitan and his power which is also crazy OP
Yeah but the way Nen works pretty much balances all of these by default. Feitan risks dying if he takes too much damage before using it, not to mention the possibility of killing allies nearby.
Alluka's ability is crazy insane but she can't:
Use it herself, she needs someone else to make the wish
and
The Alluka Requests can be lethal if the previous wish was too powerful, and if so in that case at least 2 people will die if no one can keep up with them.
The show has always shown that the most dangerous abilities have huge setbacks, like Chrollo's conditions to steal abilities, or the fact that Killua's abilities are tailor-made just to fight the Genei Ryodan, otherwise he isn't all that powerful, and he risks dying if he uses it against other opponents.
Hisoka, one of the most lethal characters has the simple power of changing the property of his aura to being rubber-like and changing the texture of different surfaces, but that simplicity gives him a lot of versatility and doesn't have any setbacks with the rules.
Is a very interesting and well-thought power system.
The only seemingly unstoppable being was the King, and he got defeated thanks to a smart "sneak attack"
Also on the topic of typical shounen shenanigans, one of my favorite moments was when
Gon was giving the hopeful typical "don't worry, we will rescue him! ! speech regarding kite looking all happy and then it just immediately cuts to Kite's decapitated head
! speech regarding kite looking all happy and then it just immediately cuts to Kite's decapitated headDark_castle
Junior Member
Yup, Nen is simply a brilliant "energy" mechanics in shounen manga. Easy example is to just look at Phantom Troupe, one of the main and strongest villains in the manga. But when we say strongest, it's easy to assume they are all made of brute force, but when in reality, many of them are powerful largely because of what they can do OUTSIDE of combat.
Pakunoda - Can see a person's memory and thoughts via physical contact alone, useful to identify target, potential weaknesses and so on.
.png/revision/latest?cb=20130517070441)
Shalnark - Control a target's action and mind directly via a playful remote control. Think this has a limit though, don't think it could work against someone like Mereum for example.
Kortopi - Recreate things out of thin air easy, critical member of the team for stealing purposes.
Machi - Uses thread to heal wounds and injury, and the nen threads can strangle people as well for interrogation.
Shizuku - Scary vacuum cleaner that absorb things, including humans, wipes evidence, great asset for non-combat situations as well.
Chrollo - Leader of the team, can steal others' ability permanently. I call hax.
Others on the team are more offensively and defensively oriented, but the point is, this is just the Phantom Troupe, a villain team that is traditionally geared for fighting, yet have incredible versatility in both fighting and non fighting situations like engaging in thievery and robbery. Bonus points for the team for being a group of villains with unique personality that steal and kill people, but sometimes does donate to charity.
Pakunoda - Can see a person's memory and thoughts via physical contact alone, useful to identify target, potential weaknesses and so on.
Shalnark - Control a target's action and mind directly via a playful remote control. Think this has a limit though, don't think it could work against someone like Mereum for example.
Kortopi - Recreate things out of thin air easy, critical member of the team for stealing purposes.
Machi - Uses thread to heal wounds and injury, and the nen threads can strangle people as well for interrogation.
Shizuku - Scary vacuum cleaner that absorb things, including humans, wipes evidence, great asset for non-combat situations as well.
Chrollo - Leader of the team, can steal others' ability permanently. I call hax.
Others on the team are more offensively and defensively oriented, but the point is, this is just the Phantom Troupe, a villain team that is traditionally geared for fighting, yet have incredible versatility in both fighting and non fighting situations like engaging in thievery and robbery. Bonus points for the team for being a group of villains with unique personality that steal and kill people, but sometimes does donate to charity.
Even then, Chrollo's power involves the target being alive for his stolen ability to work, he can't rely on those abilities forever, as they may disappear without warning. They left Owl go and live, and Chrollo got his ability, but if anything happens to Owl (he can't use his ability to defend himself anymore) Chrollo loses it too.
Dark_castle
Junior Member
Shit, even when we consider non-combat scenario as well, Hunter x Hunter doesn't take a single step back in creativity, because basically everyone has their fighting style and technique in battles as a result of Nen being fucking awesome. Like looking at the remaining of the Phantom Troupe team who's more fighting-oriented, you have one Samurai guy who creatives a circular radius in which any outside contact that touches this circle will be sliced with a fast katana slash, that's some sweet defensive stuff that turns offensive. One that fires bullet ranged attacks from fingers, this one is fairly straight forward. One that fights with holes on his bodies, creating music that generates different effects in battles. One that spins his hands with each rotations increasing the output damage, but takes time to charge. One that takes on damage, creates strong protective armor out of rage and creates a sun to melt opponents, while being protected by the armor.
Yorkshin arc was an amazing showcase of how the ally team manage to win not because someone turns into super saiyan or some shit, because of tactics, strategy, timing and meticulous planning. I mean for real, the ally team consists of nothing more than the 4 main character and this lady,
Not a fighter, but her nen allows her to contribute tactically. It worked. It just worked. Okay, Kurapika was a beast specifically against Phantom Troupe, but the team survived in the end not because they were physically stronger. Not even close as a whole. I loved that.
Chimera Ant arc too, but since there are people watching, I don't wanna go in detail. Keep watching.
Yorkshin arc was an amazing showcase of how the ally team manage to win not because someone turns into super saiyan or some shit, because of tactics, strategy, timing and meticulous planning. I mean for real, the ally team consists of nothing more than the 4 main character and this lady,
Not a fighter, but her nen allows her to contribute tactically. It worked. It just worked. Okay, Kurapika was a beast specifically against Phantom Troupe, but the team survived in the end not because they were physically stronger. Not even close as a whole. I loved that.
Chimera Ant arc too, but since there are people watching, I don't wanna go in detail. Keep watching.
Also more about the Troupe, one of my favorites things is that Nobunaga, who is one of the "frontline fighters" in the gang is never actually shown on a full fight, he always gets interrupted. My favorite is when he is tracking down Gon and Killua at their HQ and they just ditch his ass lol
Dark_castle
Junior Member
Yeah, another great thing about Hunter x Hunter is that most things have restrictions and risk (vs reward), and especially actions and consequences. The latter becomes a major theme, which is in manga spoiler territory.
Dark_castle
Junior Member
Episode 136 or 137, was it? Around those episodes, my body has been desensitized to feelings after 135 hit me, so hard. But yeah, it was still touching to see them reunite. How Hunter x Hunter made me care and feel for a low status, unimportant in a grand scheme character is nothing short of amazing.
Episode 131 is my favorite episode of the series. I go from
to
I just finished the Chimera Ant arc and wow it's dusty in here.
I don't even care about the pacing issues because the payoff to all that meticulous setting up of pieces is so, so good when it happens. Like holy crap, episodes 135 and 112 in particular are amazing.
Also re: Gon's transformation: The only issue I have about it is that he's doing all this over Kite. I guess the implication is Gon's never lost anyone he actually cared about before, but the show didn't really sell me on the strength of that particular relationship.
I don't even care about the pacing issues because the payoff to all that meticulous setting up of pieces is so, so good when it happens. Like holy crap, episodes 135 and 112 in particular are amazing.
Also re: Gon's transformation: The only issue I have about it is that he's doing all this over Kite. I guess the implication is Gon's never lost anyone he actually cared about before, but the show didn't really sell me on the strength of that particular relationship.
Wolf Akela
Member
Was it even confirmed that he can't use a stolen ability anymore after the victim dies? That sounds more like Leol's rent ability.
I was just winding down emotionally, having somehow survived ep 135 with just a few sniffles, despite what happened to my favorite character...thought I was in the clear. Then BAM, that unexpected ray of sunshine. Even in the darkest hours there is still hope.
To anyone who has recently finished HxH, I recommend YuYu Hakusho if you haven't seen it already. It doesn't reach the same highs, and it follows (in many ways it created) the shonen script a lot more than HxH, but it's still a really good series in its own right. Togashi is just the best at writing this stuff.
Yeah, same here, but the manga fleshes out their relationship more: Kite is there in the very beginning, teaching Gon about the Hunters. It can be inferred that the fatherless Gon (fuck Ging, he does not exist) saw him almost as a father figure.
I was pretty much tearing up during 134-136. I never knew I would care so much about ants, haha.
One of the things that makes me obsess over HxH is how great the characterization is, so I might go check YuYu Hakusho out next, because I'm guessing Togashi is just good at that in general. I haven't read/watched any of his stuff before this though.
I suspected there might've been a father figure thing going on, that makes sense. I kinda want to read the manga now even though I know the story already.
Dark_castle
Junior Member
I should definitely check out Yu Yu Hakusho. Hopefully Madhouse pick up it for a remake haha.
Anyway, fuck man, I just rewatched the last few episodes of Chimera Ant arc. So good. I found a review on Episode 135, and I fully agreed with what he said. The episode was bittersweet, not merely depressing. Man, I really love how Togashi manage to create such a subtle, beautiful love story out of a seemingly dark and intense fighting arc. True love needs no sex or lust for each other. It only needs a moment of trust, respect and genuine care for one another.
Anyway, fuck man, I just rewatched the last few episodes of Chimera Ant arc. So good. I found a review on Episode 135, and I fully agreed with what he said. The episode was bittersweet, not merely depressing. Man, I really love how Togashi manage to create such a subtle, beautiful love story out of a seemingly dark and intense fighting arc. True love needs no sex or lust for each other. It only needs a moment of trust, respect and genuine care for one another.
heliosRAzi
Banned
Hisoka's ability is amazing because of that versatility. He can use Bungee Gum on anything while fighting, talking, or whatever. When he fought Gon in Heaven's Arena, he could've attached his aura at any time, not just landing a hit. All he had to do was point at Gon. And it's a hard ability to detect since you would need to use Gyo, but no one ever does that unless something suspicious is happening. It's perfect for Hisoka since he's great at misdirection. Plus, if someone is using Gyo during a fight, they'll be vulnerable. Hisoka's Nen is probably my favorite in the entire show just because of the versatility.
While I was rewatching HxH, some of the Phantom Troupe, and even Chrollo himself, commented on their support members like Pakunoda, Shizuku, and Machi. They have unique abilities and are very valuable to them whereas the others can be replaced more easily. In fact, Nobunaga and Uvo are meant to be their shields according to Chrollo.
As a power system, Nen is the best that I've seen. It's rigid enough to make sense, but flexible enough to allow for amazing and unique powers. The way Togashi presents it is amazing, like we're students; same as Gon and Killua. We start with the basics -- the four main principles -- and we go from there. Then we learn about more advanced techniques such as En and Ken and so on the further we go. It's utterly amazing. Togashi is a fucking god.
pelicansurf
Needs a Holiday on Gallifrey
Yeah, it was confirmed. That's why he doesn't just kill the girl after he takes her future prediction ability.
heliosRAzi
Banned
And why he didn't kill Zeno and Silva.
Dark_castle
Junior Member
2011 is intrinsically superior on the basis that it is a more self-contained series that has a beginning and a fairly conclusive ending that covers more arc from the manga unlike the original which ends on a cliff hanger and continued in separate OVA's, and not covering the subsequent two arcs.
Anything else is subjective. General consensus is that Madhouse did a great job with the 2011 remake overall.
flintstryker
Banned
YYH does not need a remake its still fantastic as is if they are gonna remake any anime is should be Rurouni Kenshin
Nah, aside from the tone being a lot better in the Yorkshin arc, Introducing Kite properly and some of the side characters getting more development on the Hunter Exam arc, the 2011 version is better in terms of pacing, lack of filler, and a more "conclusive" ending.
heliosRAzi
Banned
Truth.
hosannainexcelsis
Member
When I judge an anime adaptation, my primary quality is not "Does this cover all the manga material exactly with no additions?" but "Is this well-made? Is the direction strong enough to elevate the material? Does it sensitively portray the characters?" On that basis, at least from what I've seen, the 1999 Hunter X Hunter adaptation handily beats the 2011 one. You just have to look at their first episodes to see that: the 2011 one rushes through the story so it can get to the "action", while the 1999 one takes time to set up a mysterious atmosphere, to portray Gon's curiosity about his father, to portray Mito's pain at losing him. The 2011 adaptation treats the story as a fairly standard boys' adventure tale, while the 1999 adaptation treats it as a serious character drama. The first approach isn't bad, but it pales in comparison to the second.
A fully animated Jinchu Arc by Madhouse would be a dream come true.
Dark_castle
Junior Member
I get what you're trying to point out. 2011 adaptation is not perfect, I'm not saying it is. In some ways, I too prefer how 1999 did it, including more setup especially in the beginning to establish the relationship between Gon and his aunt, as well as Kite with Gon, which I do feel was a mistake to have it left out in the 2011 version.
But if you look at a different perspective, 2011 is a better complete package because you cannot deny the fact that it IS the one with one full structure, a beginning, middle and end (sorta). 1999 version has beginning and middle. If we tied OVA's as 1999, that would still be missing two arcs, two great arcs at that. It just is a more concise and yet completed adaptation between the two. That's what I was pointing out.
Your comparison about how the adaptation treats the story differently felt subjective, sorry. Besides, look at Chimera Ant arc, you're going to tell me it's standard boy adventure tale? Or the chairman election arc. It's basically a political story with nearly zero focus on the main character, lots of dialogue and character interaction, little action, standard boy adventure how?
I wish new manga chapters would come out
I would have to agree. Out of the great many shonen series I've read/watched, it stands above all of them easily. It even beats out DBZ for me, despite my extreme bias and nostalgia towards Dragon Ball in-general. Togashi please come back
Episode 136 or 137, was it? Around those episodes, my body has been desensitized to feelings after 135 hit me, so hard. But yeah, it was still touching to see them reunite. How Hunter x Hunter made me care and feel for a low status, unimportant in a grand scheme character is nothing short of amazing.
Episode 131 is my favorite episode of the series. I go from
to
This was something that surprised me a lot about the end of the Chimera Ant arc. There were several rather heartfelt and touching moments, especially the final section with Meruem and Komagi. Just them talking to one another and slowly fading away from one another. Really wasn't expecting that or the fact I actually felt bad for the King. Dude was born thinking he knew everything already and only at that last moment realized what life was all about.
And yes seeing that little girl reunited with her mom was another moment as I'd almost forgotten about her since we don't really see anything about her for like... 30 or 40 episodes. Even the giant crawfish Ant seems to get a happy ending.
Whatever happened to the chameleon guy? He didn't got back to the NGL and he didn't leave to search for Gyro with the other remaining Chimera Ants.
flintstryker
Banned
After reviving FMA and HXH I was expecting this next
If they ever do it they should keep the music though
Episode 136 or 137, was it? Around those episodes, my body has been desensitized to feelings after 135 hit me, so hard. But yeah, it was still touching to see them reunite. How Hunter x Hunter made me care and feel for a low status, unimportant in a grand scheme character is nothing short of amazing.
Episode 131 is my favorite episode of the series. I go from
to
Mine is still 146.
That final segment, it hit me like a truck.
Yep, that would be cool to see. RK is one of my old favorites, actually own all the manga volumes for it. The only complete series I have! I'd also love Toriko by Madhouse. Toei fucking ruined that series. It's the only series I read on-going currently, really enjoy the hell outta it. It has helped satisfy my Hunter x Hunter craving a little bit, there are similarities in regards to world-building and narration.
to say that the 2011 version is superior because covers all content from the manga
It is not a good argument
even the filler in teh original version is good
It 's all good
the pacing is better imo, the little changes to the 3rd an final exam improve the pacing of that arc (even with that filler between)
I may have to check out the original version to see what they did different. I may even pick up the manga at some point to see what was cut though it seems the 2011 version keeps up with a lot of stuff.
I haven't finished the current anime yet, still got a few more episodes but Pariston Hill? come on Togashi.
BobTheFork
Member
The original anime had more gore up front. When Killua had a little baggie in his hands, I thought they were going to be too tame with the new series. They progressed it as they went on to the correct tone I thought.
I don't think a remake for YYH could live up to the original. Unlike HxH, the original anime covered almost all of the story (iirc) and it had a lot of artistic flourishes throughout. One of the AnimeGAF guys (I think Jehxius but don't quote me on that) did some great episode-by-episode breakdowns of the directing a while back. Plus, the soundtrack is money.
This is my favorite breakdown of HxH ep 135.
MetroidPrimeRib
Banned
There's zero reason for a YYH remake. The original anime is ace and there's nothing else to cover.
Wolf Akela
Member
On top of my head, a few things that the original did better IMHO:
- Introduction of Kite
- The ship filler ep (so good)
- Killua killing Jones, but I still wonder why Gon was smiling after seeing that
- Hisoka being more of a psycho
- Heavens Arc ending
- Phantom Troupe being way scarier in York arc. Particular shout out to the scene where Gon and Killua get caught. Actually the entire arc being darker. Zoldyck appearance felt more epic.
-
- Introduction of Kite
- The ship filler ep (so good)
- Killua killing Jones, but I still wonder why Gon was smiling after seeing that
- Hisoka being more of a psycho
- Heavens Arc ending
- Phantom Troupe being way scarier in York arc. Particular shout out to the scene where Gon and Killua get caught. Actually the entire arc being darker. Zoldyck appearance felt more epic.
-
I have grown to like the Zoldyck family nor and more, they are like the Adams Family of the Shonen anime world. Of sure the fat shit brother and psycho mom can be a bit much but the fact they are an actual family who happen to be world famous assassins works pretty good.
heliosRAzi
Banned
I love the psycho mom.
He died in the worst possible way for somebody like him. Disgraced and alone, crawling on the floor with nobody to pay him any mind.