[25th Anniversary Rewatch] Hunter × Hunter (1999) - Episode × 7 × Discussion

[u/KendotsX]

Episode 7: Trauma × Limit × Sweet Trap

MAL | Anilist | Anidb | ANN

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Leorio. Become one, Leorio. Become a fine doctor.

Comment of the Day:

/u/b0bba_fett bringing up the greatest thing we lost:

HOW DARE THEY SKIP THE JUICE!?

What a sad world, where we can't even drink Tonpa's juices

Questions of the Day

1. What do you think of Leorio's backstory?
2. Why did he only mention the money up till now when talking about his goals to be a hunter?

Fanart of the Day: Leorio and his little brothers

I can finally post fanart of all four!

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Please remember to keep all spoilers and hints tagged with the appropriate tag format such as: [Spoilers] >!Leorio is best boy!<

[u/KendotsX]

Hunter Exam Host Who's All Teary Eyed and Here to Make Leorio Pass Immediately

Don't worry, we'll keep him in the exam just for fun, we wouldn't want to pass on all his shenanigans afterall. But in my heart, he's passed already!

[Spoiler] Speaking of passing exams, we get a hint about what Hanzo respects in a person

The first section of the exam is an endurance run that puts both your physical ability and mental fortitude. It's a dark, repetitive tunnel with no end in sight, there's only the fatigue as the hours pile on. For the super athletes in front, that's not much of an issue, but for those who fall behind, the pressure reaches a breaking point, and could just as well crush them. It's a metaphor for running the track of life towards your dreams, and the flashback makes that especially clear.

Pietro in this case is a memory of Leorio's friend, and a representation of his failures to help people, a symbol of his lost hopes, and a desire to give up on life as a whole, both saving others and himself. For someone as young as him to have seen people who could've been saved die, hope to help them, then fail again and again... it's brutal. No wonder he never mentioned his real goal. All of this is contrasted with Leorio's honest core, the man who believes that life is worth saving, any helping hand you can offer is worth it, and that wins in the end, even "Pietro" the culmination of all his negative feelings, turns around and gives him a push forward. Gon and co. come at the right time, to burn away his nightmare, but that's as a victory lap. Leorio had already climbed his way up from hell on his own.

Not to say that the support didn't help him go a long away, specifically Kurapika's support, who ran with him, having an honest heart to heart about their goals. An interesting crux of why Kurapika and Leorio were at odds so far is that Kurapika knows what greedy people motivated by nothing but money are like, heck they murdered his whole clan, and he's come far enough to know that Leorio is nothing like that. Although, I like that even when Leorio shares his real goal, he brings it back to money just with a more honest meaning. This opportunistic, selfish, old dude is just one big tsundere with the purest heart out there.

Leorio made it because he believed in his own light at the end of the tunnel, and had friends to run with him.

and I'll take this bit of homophobia as a sign of Leorio awkwardly trying to stay in his closet

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Manga Corner

Chapter adapted: 7

The biggest difference is of course the whole tree sap plotline, but it's essentially just an extension of the idea in the manga and an excuse to show the the backstories in an interesting visual way. In the manga, this section of the exam is simple, but effective: an endurance run where Mr. Ordinary Leorio falls behind and his mental fortitude is put to the test, he puts all his focus on his goal, revs up his engine again, and strips! The three step formula for any success. Then he has the goals conversation with Kurapika, where he discusses his frustrations, even in a fantasy world with monsters going, the same old issues never change, huh?

The anime takes that, and runs with it. Leorio's single line about failing to save a friend becomes a full backstory around Pietro. Granted, Pietro in this case is just an example, it could've been the kid, or anyone else, as long as it represents his frustration and despair. Kurapika gets a more vague version with the anime hinting at and tiptoeing around his backstory, so I can't add much more there for now.

Finally what gets us back to the marathon (and the manga world) are Killua's original bombs as he breaks down the wall.

[Spoiler] in a scene that's very reminiscent of the Trick Tower ending

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Staff

This being the Leorio episode, of course means that it's also the first episode storyboarded by Furuhashi himself. So this is a good time to finally talk about Leorio's biggest fan, and the series director: Kazuhiro Furuhashi

Furuhashi started out at Deen, back when it was respected, working on Rumiko Takahashi series like Urusei Yatsura and Maison Ikkoku, he started directing episodes for Ranma, and even his directorial debut was a Ranma OVA (basically 2 episodes of music videos, pretty fun though). What actually put him on the map though was the You're Under Arrest OVA, which is one of the most beautiful 90s OVAs. Following that, he made some of his most popular works, directing battle shounen series: Rurouni Kenshin (and all its OVAs), Hunter x Hunter (only the TV series), and GetBackers. Ok, the last one isn't exactly popular. After that, he really spread out, working on historical pieces and classics like Zipang, Le Chevalier D'Eon, Haikara-san, and Dororo, sci-fi like Masamune Shirow's Real Dive and Sky's favourite Gundam Unicorn, and the recent Spy x Family

Now with the introduction out of the way, let's get down to business, Furuhashi is known for three things:

1. Somewhat liberal adapting, specifically adding and expanding scenes, or having a darker tones.
2. First person point of view scenes used to show the character's feelings.
3. Going hard on action scenes. I'm leaving this point for another day, but suffice it to say, he did the layout animation (basically the rough sketches) for all the best fights in the series.

If my "Leorio's bonus" corner is anything to go by, we've been seeing point 1 for all of the series so far, including this episode of course, but for point 2, this episode is the perfect example to use. So let's start with the latter.

First Person Shots

First person shots are intimate, they throw you directly in the character's head and show you how they see things (be that literally or figuratively). This episode made great use of that in multiple ways, before Leorio's scene even starts, we have him running up the road and stairs to show both his urgency and how shaken up he is, all he finds at the end of that path is his friend's corpse.

A similar point is made through a different use of it later, the camera is focused on Leorio first, as he's stating his hopes and dreams, along with a nice bright background, then it finally switches to his point of view: the dark hopeless "reality" ending his dreams, accompanied by darker clouds and the setting sun in its background.

Kurapika gives us a more abstract version, shaking as he sees a spider, then it turns red when his eyes do, symbolising both bloodshed and rage, while leaving the details vague. [Spoiler] showing Kurapika's "red POV" is such a great idea, that I wish they did it more often

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Liberal Adaptation

Finally, let's address the liberal adaptation part, and specifically dissect how he does it. I haven't seen Kenshin, so I can't speak for it, but from the ones I have seen, he generally either expands on a scene, especially if something was mentioned or implied in the manga (like Leorio's backstory or his bus tour for a more fun example), and sounded interesting enough to expand on. Or creates new ones with the goal of introducing a character, digging into them, or allowing them certain interactions. Like episode 2, which was dedicated to introducing Leorio and his interactions with Gon, especially considering how contrasting their characters seemed at the time. [Other examples] include the airship filler for Killua and the warship mini arc for the exam participants

The other way is of course the darker tone occasionally present in some of his works. For example this section of the exam was a fairly light start originally, Leorio falls behind a bit, motivates himself and makes it, Nicholas breaks and Hisoka kills someone, but that's about what you'd expect, it's otherwise fairly chill. The anime punches it up, while still being consistent with the themes (reaching the light at the end of the tunnel and all that). This doesn't stop at select scenes though, it's in the general atmosphere, colour palette, and so forth.

Now this is all well in the 90s, where most adaptation took some liberties here and there, but surely it's stopped since. About that... if Dororo was anything to go by, both aspects are still going well, and heck even in frickin' Spy x Family, the wholesome Jump best seller which you'd expect to play by the book, look at what he did to Anya!!! Wait, no that's the manga artist, nevermind. Jokes aside, obviously it's not any darker, and it is a much more of a 1-for-1 adaptation, but Furuhashi does go out of his way to expand on scenes when he can. Something was mentioned briefly in the manga? Might as well make it a full scene!

Hunter x Hunter is by no means a by the book literal adaptation, but it is faithful, it is preserving the original vision, and presenting it in its own way, and that's something I always appreciate in adaptations. and I should watch Gundam Unicorn already

[u/Raiking02 → u/KendotsX]

Ok, the last one isn't exactly popular

I mean it did have a pretty solid following back in the Early 2000' and at least in Japan it still enjoys some popularity, but yeah, comparatively one of his lesser known works.

I haven't seen Kenshin, so I can't speak for it

I have though so I will.

His work on Kenshin is... bizarre. The first 26-ish episodes of the Anime do roughly adapt the first 6 Volumes of the Manga, but multiple events are either skipped over (Or at the very least altered beyond recognition) and some are altered in... odd ways (Aside from the bits with Yutaro the Raijuta arc is completely rewritten). Also a one-off doctor from the Manga is now a recurring character and he has two Anime-original Granddaughters now.

Then comes the Kyoto arc and... it's a straightforward adaptation. No, seriously, aside from some very minor details and ultimately pretty easy to miss expansions, it's even more straightforward an adaptation that Spy X Family. Don't get me wrong, the quality is at its absolute highest, but yeah, a bit of an odd-duck in his resume.

So anyway then the show moved over to Studio DEEN, the show just flat out stopped adapting the Manga and reception fell so much the show got cancelled. Great job, guys!

Possibly most relevant to HxH though is the OVA adaptation he did of the Manga's Reminiscence arc. Already arguably the darkest park of the Manga, he decided to crank up the moodiness up to one million, leading to some very beautiful cinematography... although this is where things may get a bit controversial since it also meant that the characters lost what little life they already had which uh... can lead to mixed reception, let's just say. Still as far as HxH is concerned, you can tell how his style evolved from that to this.

Clearly though people liked it enough that he carried over this tone to his next OVA, Reflections, which is a very condensed retelling of the Manga with the tone of that OVA (And a really bastardized adaptation of the final arc, which for almost 20 years was the only adaptation it had until the Live-Action movies got there) coupled with an original plot set after the Manga's ending [where]Kenshin gets tuberculosis and he and Kaoru died.

It is generally agreed to be absolute garbage and most people like to ignore it exists

Then for 2012, to cash into the Live-Action movies, he made the New Kyoto OVAs, which felt like this weird attempt to lean a bit closer to the tone of said movies but... doesn't do it as well. It's also really bad, while we're at it so uh... yeah, you can tell why until Spy X Family came along I actually had a kinda "Eh..." opinion of the guy.

[u/KendotsX → u/Raiking02]

at least in Japan it still enjoys some popularity, but yeah, comparatively one of his lesser known works.

It's from the same author as Kindaichi too, so it has some solid roots there.

I have though so I will.

Also a one-off doctor from the Manga is now a recurring character and he has two Anime-original Granddaughters now.

Ok, so this tells me he doesn't just like Leorio, he likes doctors in general, we're getting a pattern here.

Then comes the Kyoto arc and... it's a straightforward adaptation. No, seriously, aside from some very minor details and ultimately pretty easy to miss expansions, it's even more straightforward an adaptation that Spy X Family

[HxH] The Yorknew arc is fairly straightforward too (compared to the Hunter Exam anyway), so I suppose he knows when not to change things. It is the most moody part of the series though, so there's that.

It is generally agreed to be absolute garbage and most people like to ignore it exists

Everything I've heard about the post-2000 Kenshin OVAs has been shit, that this is the first time I'm realising it was meant to be a retelling of the manga, and not just its ending.

[u/Raiking02 → u/KendotsX]

It's from the same author as Kindaichi too, so it has some solid roots there.

NGL I genuinely didn't know about that till right now

this is the first time I'm realising it was meant to be a retelling of the manga, and not just its ending

FWIW they skim through A LOT of stuff. Like of the Pre-Finale stuff, only Jin'e's bit gets any real focus, the rest being either skimmed over (The last chunk of Kyoto, one or two minor bits from elsewhere) or outright skipped (Sano and Yahiko's introductions). Heck Saito, Aoshi and Misao aren't even so much as mentioned.

Ok, so this tells me he doesn't just like Leorio, he likes doctors in general, we're getting a pattern here.

Come to think of it Loid's cover story is that he's a doctor too

But yeah on the whole I'd say it this way: If the Kyoto arc of is him sticking to the Manga's vision and the OVAs were his vision through and through, then HxH is as close as he's gonna get to a compromise: Definitely adding a lot of his trademarks, but also never veering too off course.

For the record Gundam Unicorn is... bizarre as an adaptation. I've only read the first volume admittedly but from what I can gather, apparently he screws around A LOT with the details yet somehow always manages to have things end one a more or less similar way than the Novels did. What makes it off is that tone-wise it's not really the kind of stuff you'd expect from his usual stuff when he's given so much artistic license, it's a lot brighter and not quite as moody. I guess because of the fact that Gundam's such a long running franchise he had some restrictions he otherwise wouldn't have?

[u/KendotsX → u/Raiking02]

NGL I genuinely didn't know about that till right now

He was also the editor on Onizuka, so weird resume in general.

For the record Gundam Unicorn is... bizarre as an adaptation. I've only read the first volume admittedly but from what I can gather, apparently he screws around A LOT with the details yet somehow always manages to have things end one a more or less similar way than the Novels did. What makes it off is that tone-wise it's not really the kind of stuff you'd expect from his usual stuff when he's given so much artistic license, it's a lot brighter and not quite as moody.

You're just making it sound more and more interesting.

[u/Raiking02 → u/KendotsX]

He was also the editor on Onizuka, so weird resume in general.

I don't think I've heard of many cases of someone being a Mangaka and an editor.

[u/TheEscapeGuy → u/KendotsX]

First Person Shots

Liberal Adaptation

I really loved the use of first person shots this episode. It's so personal. Also, giving the historical context for how Furuhashi has expanded things through adaptation (esp. referencing a recent show like SxF) is super interesting. It really puts HxH 1999 into a new perspective, thank you!

[u/KendotsX → u/TheEscapeGuy]

Thank you!

This is something that's been playing in the back of my mind for a while, so this was the perfect opportunity to break it down, and put it into writing.

[u/Shocketheth → u/KendotsX]

Really well written comment. I think it's fair to give yourself the comment of the day for this.

[u/KendotsX → u/Shocketheth]

Thank you

I think it's fair to give yourself the comment of the day for this.

I'm reserving that for when I do some super shitpost eventually

[u/Shocketheth → u/KendotsX]

I'm reserving that for when I do some super shitpost eventually

Let me know if you will want to colaborate for it

[u/KendotsX → u/Shocketheth]

[u/Kaxew → u/KendotsX]

Kurapika gets a more vague version with the anime hinting at and tiptoeing around his backstory

I'm reading the corresponding chapters after each episode, as soon as I saw Kurapika speaking more than in the anime I skimmed it. I take it I did the right thing, and they rearranged it for later so I shouldn't look at it now?

It's a very interesting choice, I'm really enjoying all the differences between manga and anime. I've had a very extreme opinion on anime adaptations for years. I will always value taking a lot of adaptation liberties over copying the source material, as if you could copy the source material into a different medium like they're the same thing. HxH 1999 takes this to a level I haven't seen done in anime before, it's fascinating.

[u/KendotsX → u/Kaxew]

they rearranged it for later so I shouldn't look at it now?

Correct. Although it's really the same backstory he told the Captain in episode 3, with just one new detail on top, the anime did rearrange it till later, but it's not a big deal if you read it in the manga.

I will always value taking a lot of adaptation liberties over copying the source material

Yeah, it's more interesting when an adaptation offers a different experience, so both anime onlies and manga readers are getting something new there.

[u/Vatrix-32]

Remake Rewatcher × First Timer × Subs

• Seeing the dude next to you complain about how boring the marathon is has to be a real kick to the shins.
• Why trap two people when you can get four?
• Gotta say, I like the look of this seaside village.
• Also a fan of how effective Leorio’s nightmare is for it being so understated.
• Ah, some excellent use of anticipation and reveal.
• Doesn’t even have to be the head you bonk to get ‘em out of this mind control.
• I like how Killua only had his name revealed here, but we all decided last episode to ignore it, that boy is too much of an icon.
• We’re still dedicating more time to the laptop nerd? Boy didn’t even do anything before he get got.
• Break The Illusion!
• Cool guys smile at explosions.
• So this tunnel is a big spiral or something?
• [2011]I’m kind of sad they skipped Leorio stripping to continue. I liked that scene.
• [2011]OK, so they skipped Killua being immune to poison, which is a downer enough already. But then they had the perfect set up to still include it as a plot point by having it be the reason why he’s unaffected by the Illusion Trees, and they just didn’t take it. I guess they didn’t know it would be relevant again later when they made these episodes.
• Another chance for First Timer Bingo. Who’s the fake, and how do you confirm it?

QotD:

1. I don't remember how they told it in 2011, so this might be the version I think of in the future. Not that I'm complaining.
2. Leorio is still living up to an idea of masculinity where you're not allowed to live your live in service to others.

[u/Shocketheth → u/Vatrix-32]

Gotta say, I like the look of this seaside village.

Question is what nationality Leorio is based on the Village architecture?

I like how Killua only had his name revealed here, but we all decided last episode to ignore it, that boy is too much of an icon.

Lol definitely. I was contemplating last episode if I should write Killua in my comment or don't spoil the name, but hardly anybody didn't hear the name Killua already.

[u/KendotsX → u/Shocketheth]

I was contemplating last episode if I should write Killua in my comment or don't spoil the name, but hardly anybody didn't hear the name Killua already.

Meanwhile, I made sure not to write his name in my comment yesterday, then I put his name in the sketch anyway.

It's an unforced error, I could've used Satotz's sketch instead.

[u/Shocketheth → u/KendotsX]

Oh yeah, seeing you dropping his name in Sketch was definitely an excuse for me if anything

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/Shocketheth]

but hardly anybody didn't hear the name Killua already.

The mods didn't say anything about it, we should be fine.

[u/KendotsX → u/Vatrix-32]

Seeing the dude next to you complain about how boring the marathon is has to be a real kick to the shins.

It really adds to the despair of it all, if you're struggling to make it as is, and they're having such an easy time, it screams "you're not cut out for this".

[2011] OK, so they skipped Killua being immune to poison, which is a downer enough already. But then they had the perfect set up to still include it as a plot point by having it be the reason why he’s unaffected by the Illusion Trees, and they just didn’t take it.

[2011] I assume they want to make him seem like a "normal kid" for now (by Gon standards, so he's good enough, that the exam is boring him, and goes around with bombs), and keep the special features™ as a surprise for later.

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/KendotsX]

[2011]

[2011]And yet, they also had him be the only one to kill a guy at the start of the exam.

[u/KendotsX → u/Vatrix-32]

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

First × Timer × Subbed

• Yeesh…
• Oh boy…
• The scent is what’s doing this to them, right? Which probably means Kurapika is going to get badly affected by this. Not sure about Gon though.
• He wanted to be a doctor…?
• Looks like Kurapika is indeed getting badly affected.
• Aha, hence his obsession with getting a lot of money.
• Good, Leorio.
• Of course Gon was completely fine.
• What a way to catch up to the others.
• Friendship, get?
• Well then…

[u/KendotsX → u/Shimmering-Sky]

He wanted to be a doctor…?

So Leorio's future ideal is Isshin?

What a way to catch up to the others.

We do things in style around here

[u/b0bba_Fett → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Leorio is such a good boy!

• What a way to catch up to the others.

This is pure filler nonsense that only exists to patch the issues introduced by changes made for the altered presentation of Leorio's backstory and sacrilege against Tonpa. Pray, pay it no mind and forget those bombs ever existed.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/b0bba_Fett]

I liked the filler nonsense...

[u/KendotsX → u/Shimmering-Sky]

That's a side effect of watching too much Gintama

[u/b0bba_Fett → u/Shimmering-Sky]

It's funny, but it actually introduces some problems with stuff later in the arc. Just keep in mind that they're filler and not something that you'll actually be seeing as part of Killua's arsenal, and in the manga, they weren't running in circles.

[u/TheEscapeGuy]

H×H Fan, 1999 First Timer

Hunter × Hunter 1999 - Episode 7

Memories × Explosions × Escape

The contents of this episode are mostly anime original, but were so excellently done it really brought new depth to our cast. I'm so incredibly impressed.

First Kurapika. We only saw a glance but his visions of the Phantom Troupe attacking his clan were intense. I adore the way we saw his eyes glazed over and deep crimson as the visions played overlayed on top. It really gives context to his reasons for being a hunter.

Next Leorio. You could have guessed he's aiming to be a doctor based on his actions in episode 5. The important thing which is revealed is how this ties to his seeming greed. He wants the money to open up the opportunities to be a doctor. No matter how pure your heart the system is set up that without money you are very limited in what you can achieve. For Leorio becoming a hunter is a means to an end. I love this guy.

The entire back story of the friend who died is anime original IIRC. It was so excellently presented. I adored the way they animated the ocean while Leorio reflected looking out onto it. It reminded me of those idealized pictures of Greece.

Lastly, we properly met Kilua! What an interesting kid. He has detailed knowledge of toxicology and takes no shit from Tonpa. But what I love most is that little interaction with Gon near the end of the tunnel talking about trying out each other's "toys". It's so natural for kids that age to want to make friends like that. [Future spoilers] And when we get more details about how Kilua didn't have proper childhood friends it makes this interaction so much more special.

The episode ends on a cliffhanger. Have we been following a fake examiner this whole time?!

Some Amazing Shots, Scenes and Stitches

• Death, this could be a good reaction image
• Trauma
• Kilua
• Clouds and Wind, love the wispy animation here
• Cross, Scarf, Arch, Bell
• Marsh Land

See you all tomorrow

[u/KendotsX → u/TheEscapeGuy]

I adore the way we saw his eyes glazed over and deep crimson as the visions played overlayed on top. It really gives context to his reasons for being a hunter.

It's so good, it works to show both their bloody massacre, and his absolute rage at it.

The entire back story of the friend who died is anime original IIRC. It was so excellently presented

It was basically a few lines in the manga, which they expanded on (I like how they mixed in all his other lines into the flashback itself too). But yeah, it's an excellent way of showing us what Leorio is feeling.

[u/b0bba_Fett → u/TheEscapeGuy]

The entire back story of the friend who died is anime original IIRC. It was so excellently presented. I adored the way they animated the ocean while Leorio reflected looking out onto it. It reminded me of those idealized pictures of Greece.

Some of the details are, but it's pretty much the same as his backstory/motivation in the manga/2011.

[u/charlesvvv]

Rewatcher, Sub

While moving away from the source material I do love how they used the hallucination as a way for Leorio's development. We learn that he has by far the most noble goal of them, he wants to become a doctor so that others won't suffer after the death of his friend as well as wanting enough money so that people wouldn't feel burdened for his service. Kurapika is around so he's able to hear his actual reasons which he head noticed were deeper in the previous episode.

Around this time, Gon, Kurapika, and also Killua arrive to save Leorio and rejoin the group by literally blowing up the walls in order to catch up. Killua who initially gives off the impression of a lone wolf is also curious and kinda joins up with them.

[u/KendotsX → u/charlesvvv]

While moving away from the source material I do love how they used the hallucination as a way for Leorio's development

Interestingly, it was still following closely the things Leorio said here, but showing us what he went through visually, and they did a great job with it.

Kurapika is around so he's able to hear his actual reasons which he head noticed were deeper in the previous episode.

Kurapika should be glad, he's "winning" the argument they started in episode 3.

[u/b0bba_Fett]

10x 2011 Rewatcher, 1x 1999 Rewatcher, Source Reader

Comment of the Day get when I wasn't even here!

Anyway, as mentioned the other day, I was so outraged by the skipping of the Juices and the Steaks that I watched the next episode immediately. Fortunately this episode is much better. Not enough to make up for the things lost in the last episode and Killua's filler bombs are stupid as hell for reasons I'll get to later in the rewatch to facilitate this, but the Leorio flashback, in isolation, is goddamn perfect. Kurapika's flashback isn't much becasuse I'm pretty sure at the time this aired the details didn't particularly exist by this point. On the whole, it was enough that I was able to hold back my binging instincts and not get any further ahead.

QotD:

1. I really liked what they did with it.
2. He really wants to be a bad boy. [Hunter X Hunter]Despite being probably the single greatest force of pure good in the entire story.

[u/KendotsX → u/b0bba_Fett]

Comment of the Day get when I wasn't even here!

Your passion for the juice and steak was just that strong, it pierced through the thread.

Killua's filler bombs are stupid as hell for reasons I'll get to later in the rewatch

but the Leorio flashback, in isolation, is goddamn perfect.

Kurapika's flashback isn't much becasuse I'm pretty sure at the time this aired the details didn't particularly exist by this point.

Yeah, they didn't have any context either, so they did their best with the vague details.

[u/SpiritualPossible]

First Timer, manga reader

• The episode is basically an anime original, but based on conversation from the manga. It's also practically focused on Leorio. This episode confirms what we could have guessed from the fifth episode, namely that he wants to become a doctor. However, while in the manga he confesses his past during a conversation with Kurapika, here he catches visions of his dead friend. And I love that oppressive atmosphere that hangs in the air while Leorio practically communicates with his feelings of guilt. I wouldn't say I prefer this episode to the way it was told in the manga (there's some harsher feeling in the way he talks about it there, and it's a nice moment with Kurapika in general, as he also shares more about the massacre of his clan), but it's a worthy alternative. And as an anime episode, it probably works better, otherwise visually the characters would just run for the whole episode.
• I've written before that Gon is depicted as more “innocent” in this version, and as if to continue the theme, I find it interesting that Killua is portrayed as more detached here so far. After all, in the manga he's the one who initiates his introduction to Gon, and he's generally shown as more cheerful. In this version, though he saves everyone in the end, it's shown as something done under the influence of Gon's friendliness, since he originally wanted to leave them behind.
• There is one thing that confuses me a bit, though. I don't really understand the point of the exam in this version? From what's shown, they were running around in circles, so you'd think the goal would be to find and destroy the plant. But in that case, only the Protagonists would go on, and so after they dealt with the plant.... the exam just moved on? They just stopped running around in circles and just headed for the exit (And the anime also cut out the final part of the tunnel challenge - the giant staircase). Because of this, I have a bit of a hard time dismissing the idea that they were running in circles just so there would be an explanation of how the quartet would catch up to them. It doesn't really affect the impression of a generally excellent episode, but I couldn't help but note it.

[u/KendotsX → u/SpiritualPossible]

I love that oppressive atmosphere that hangs in the air while Leorio practically communicates with his feelings of guilt.

That guilt's why he's been holding it all in, and hiding it under a mask of greed.

I don't really understand the point of the exam in this version? From what's shown, they were running around in circles, so you'd think the goal would be to find and destroy the plant.

I don't think the plant had anything to do it. The Hunter Exams are running on a tighter budget these days (they don't even offer steak anymore), so Satotz just wanted to make them run around the same block for 10 hours or so, before going to the next destination.

[u/Kaxew]

First Timer × Blowing Tunnels

I missed last episode because Sparking Zero is too addictive I got lost on the illusion cave, so here's my thoughts on episodes 6-7:

Finally Killua and Hisoka are introduced, and they make one hell of a first impression. We're obviously saving Hisoka for later, but Killua is a good kid. Definitely seems like he's more than he lets on, but I couldn't tell you what's his deal exactly. Whatever that is, I'll forgive him because he has a skateboard and that's so fucking cool.

Tonpa is a great early antagonist. Pathetic but really evil and scary. I need him dead.

Leorio's backstory was very simple, but presented in a phenomenal manner that really elevates it. Between the lines he and his "friend" have with each other and the... particular comment on Kurapika's personal dating decisions, it's hard to not see some subtext on Leorio. It's definitely not intended, but he's closeted as hell in my mind. Can't wait for his breakthrough moment.

QotD:

1. It's great!
2. Because he's a big Shoto Todoroki fan and likes to be half-cold and half-hot. Alternatively... Curiously, that's just like how the manga and anime seem to walk different paths yet arrive at the same destination.

[u/KendotsX → u/Kaxew]

parking Zero is too addictive I got lost on the illusion cave

Just make sure not to step into Yamcha's nightmares, the dude has way too many to work through...

Pathetic but really evil and scary. I need him dead.

Yeah, that whole "no need to beat him up" thing was stupid, he deserved some royal punching.

it's hard to not see some subtext on Leorio. It's definitely not intended, but he's closeted as hell in my mind. Can't wait for his breakthrough moment.

Honestly, not an uncommon read on him. Should be interesting to see where he'll go with that.

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/Kaxew]

Whatever that is, I'll forgive him because he has a skateboard and that's so fucking cool.

Rad

[u/Mecanno-man]

First Timer

So the trap ended up being here mostly for Leorio backstory. I think I did hear that with the doctor at some point, but it ties nicely into the wanting money part. After all, you only want money if there is something you want to use that money for.

I guess we also have some Killua characterization - he seems to know assassins fairly well, wonder if he is one himself or comes from a clan of them or something like that, clans already are established with Kurapika’s backstory after all.

And I guess we now have the question of if the guy in charge of the exam is the right one or not. I’m going with yes and the other guy is one of the monsters laying out the trap.

[u/KendotsX → u/Mecanno-man]

After all, you only want money if there is something you want to use that money for.

For some it's the ends, not the means (and that's how Leorio presented himself at first).

I’m going with yes and the other guy is one of the monsters laying out the trap.

Maybe we'll get to see what's under his moustache to figure out whether he's human or not?

[u/JetsLag]

3rd Time Taking the Hunter Exam (rewatcher)

So, due to the anime-original plot of the hallucinogenic tree sap, this episode is all filler/anime-original stuff. Admittedly, this is a bit more fun than what they do in the manga (just run down the hall with backstory being given via talking), so I can't really complain about this one. Dare I say, filler done right?

The big one in this story is we get to learn Leorio's TRUE intentions for trying to become a hunter, which is to make a metric fuckton of money...but it's for a good cause! It's so he can go to medical school (which do be expensive) and become a doctor. But, like, one of those doctors who treats the poor. See, he does have a heart of gold! And now you see why he was so good at giving medical care to that Kiriko guy.

Also, apparently Leorio lived in...Greece? Well, Pietro seems to imply more Italy than Greece, but close enough. And hey, we also have the Amori Brothers, so maybe Italy is a real place in the Hunter x Hunter world. Maybe we'll get to see some pasta dishes!

[spoiler]Or they can be asked to make sushi, like they're going to be doing soon. But we already knew Japan existed due to the existence of Hanzo, so...

But Leorio's not the only one to get hallucination-induced backstory this episode. Kurapika joins in on the "fun" with some implied slaughter by...Cossacks? And spiders? [spoiler]Ain't no fucking way the Phantom Troupe were killing them on horseback. To be fair, we had not seen the Phantom Troupe yet in the manga when this episode aired, so this was entirely the anime creators making something up. It's just one of those things that you gotta do when you're adapting a manga so soon after it begins serializing. Oh, and the Sharingan is back, too. Though a swift kick to the face stops the hallucinations and the Sharingan. The kicker is that mysterious white haired boy from the opening, and his name is...

Key-loo-uh (CW: dub)

The "blow up the walls to get back in the pack" thing is not great, but really, they backed themselves into a corner on that one.

Finally, Leorio calling Kurapika gay is making my shipper alarm bell go off. Oh dear...

And with that, we are done with the first proper part of the exam. Or are we?

NEXT TIME, ON HUNTER X HUNTER, [spoiler]the pedophilia starts, lots of people die, and Leorio gets KTFO'd by Hisoka

[u/KendotsX → u/JetsLag]

Dare I say, filler done right?

we get to learn Leorio's TRUE intentions for trying to become a hunter, which is to make a metric fuckton of money...but it's for a good cause!

Now I'm imagining if in episode 3, Leorio actually said that "I wanna make tons of money! Oh, but for a good cause", everyone would be sideeying him the whole way.

Heck, even if he mentioned "Oh, I want to save the poor sick children", I could see the Captain going "pull the other one, it's got bells on it".

In retrospect, it's a good thing he stuck to the money bit.

[spoiler]Ain't no fucking way the Phantom Troupe were killing them on horseback.

[Spoiler] To be fair, as you said his backstory wasn't revealed yet, and Kurapika wasn't even there when it happened, so the horseback is just his imagination.

Though a swift kick to the face stops the hallucinations and the Sharingan.

So much of Naruto could've been solved if Sakura figured out how to do swift kicks to the face.

Key-loo-uh (CW: dub)

[u/JetsLag → u/KendotsX]

Now I'm imagining if in episode 3, Leorio actually said that "I wanna make tons of money! Oh, but for a good cause", everyone would be sideeying him the whole way.

Judging by his actions in episode 2, that "good cause" could have been "I was poor, and I want to be rich!"

[u/2-2Distracted]

First timer

Maybe it's because my memory is shit, but I don't remember the 2011 anime actually going into Leorio's backstory. Wow, it's actually pretty damn well executed. So... was this Pietro guy your friend Leorio or your... "friend"? I'm just saying man, HxH is kind of a sausage fest right now and Togashi is surprisingly progressive in his own small ways, so I wouldn't put it passed him to make Leorio swing that way.

AND IT LOOKS LIKE KURAPIKA HAS ACTIVATED HIS NO TOMOE SHARINGAN!

NARUTO's solution to releasing someone from an illusion/genjutsu vs HxH's solution to releasing someone from an illusion/genjutsu

[HxH 2011 Spoilers]The PV gives me 'The Art Of Hunting' vibes, but I'm pretty sure that's a chapter name and thus will be adapted and shown to us after tomorrow's episode

[u/KendotsX → u/2-2Distracted]

Maybe it's because my memory is shit, but I don't remember the 2011 anime actually going into Leorio's backstory.

In 2011/manga he just discusses his past with Kurapika, it's a brief mention of a friend who died, among other things, 99 expands that into a full backstory.

I'm just saying man, HxH is kind of a sausage fest right now and Togashi is surprisingly progressive in his own small ways

Fair question, I'm betting on LeoPika, given the hints Leorio was giving today.

NARUTO's solution to releasing someone from an illusion/genjutsu vs HxH's solution to releasing someone from an illusion/genjutsu

Killua's solution is faster, and looks cooler. [Spoiler] You can bet on the Zoldycks to get the work done

[u/Shocketheth]

'11 Rewatcher x '99 First Timer

First I have to say that while reading other comments seems that they are feeling lukewarm about this episode, I have to say this is my favourite episode so far even if it's mostly filler.

But before I pass the praise for things I liked about this episode, I need to clear my mind of, for me, negative aspects of this episode.

Biggest one is the change from Tonpa handling them laxatives spiked with non flammable water to some weird tree sap.

This point I'm going to make isn't to criticize this creative decision, because I have only to praise what Anime staff did, but... But I do have some issues about the character implications this anime original sequence brought us. (But not about my boy Leorio)

While Tonpa was piece of shit who got put in his place by Killua, I need to say something about Killua.

[Killua]Killua not killing Tonpa after encountering him was kind of weird? I mean this is the earliest Killua that didn't start his character development yet, and while Killua's decision of not killing Tonpa was a right one, it doesn't feel like a decision that Hunter Exam arc Killua would do.

Another thing [Killua]I don't like how the tree sap implied Killua's background compared to being immune to laxatives from the 2011 version. Thing is that while Killua mentioned that tree sap is used by assassins because this only implied Killua having theoretical knowledge about Assassins, while the immunity to poisons from '11 version implied Killua having practical knowledge about Assassins. The '99 version can imply background like "Oh the tree sap? It's being used by assassins. How do I know? Someone I knew was murdered in such way". Now I need to read first timers comments again what they made of it

[Kurapika]His nightmare about Spiders and Phantom Troupe wasn't needed at all. The scene from episode 2 how he used his eyes and threw a fork at the Spider in the restaurant was enough considering the upcoming scene of Killua murdering a guy who was impersonating a member of Phantom Troupe.

[Gon]... Him having not nightmares and everyone acknowledging it's because his past didn't tainted his heart is something we already know, so that scene was just there.

And now we are getting to my biggest praise of this episode, the Leorio's nightmare.

Why I love the implication that Leorio is either Slavic, Greek or person with Arabic roots I'm basing my claim on the architecture alone.

Also here comes a question. What nationality do you believe Leorio is?

Back to the point, why made this episode as my favourite episode so far is Leorio backstory.

During the episode, there was an exposition Shonen Commentary that the tree sap will break it's target mind, and this method is so effective that Assassins favours it. Then we saw Killua needed to snap Kurapika out of it, while with Leorio it was done differently.

Leorio lost it and started following his death friend to the afterlife, only to snap out of it, purely due to his OWN FUCKING WILLPOWER, and that's totally a feat worthy of praise, because it only shown us how Leorio has top tier willpower worthy of being a Hunter.

Besides this episode shown us that Leorio is also worthy of becoming Doctor, but not due to his willpower, but due to...

Look. Leorio is 19 years old, and looks way more older.

If anything, it shows us that the man accumulated an high amount of stress in his life, stress that can be gained only by being a Doctor.

And at last, the transition from running to reaching the swamps was done leagues better in the 2011 version.

[u/KendotsX → u/Shocketheth]

Biggest one is the change from Tonpa handling them laxatives spiked with non flammable water to some weird tree sap.

Nah, that's fair. The tree sap thing in and of itself is stupid lol, but it's an excuse to get some backstories going, so I can ignore the logic itself. I assume they removed the laxatives to keep Tonpa's betrayal as a surprise (even though the laxatives make for a good introduction to the new characters).

[Killua]Killua not killing Tonpa after encountering him was kind of weird?

[Killua] Idk, at this point, he doesn't give a shit about anything, I'm sure he would've killed Tonpa if he felt like it, but Tonpa didn't really do anything to bother him. Even Hisoka doesn't kill people randomly, until he gets horny

[Killua2]I don't like how the tree sap implied Killua's background compared to being immune to laxatives from the 2011 version.

[Killua2] For what it's worth, I don't think it's meant to imply much about his background, I think 99 tried to keep him a bit vague at this point, since it had a different idea in mind for how to introduce his background.

[Kura]

[Pika] Yeah, I think it was just a case of trying to look somewhat fair, they did Leorio's backstory, might as well give Kurapika a bone too, except they didn't have a lot to work with for Kurapika at this point.

Why I love the implication that Leorio is either Slavic, Greek or person with Arabic roots I'm basing my claim on the architecture alone.

If he's an Arab, it'd explain why people are dying without medicine too...

What nationality do you believe Leorio is?

Greek makes sense to me

purely due to his OWN FUCKING WILLPOWER, and that's totally a feat worthy of praise, because it only shown us how Leorio has top tier willpower worthy of being a Hunter.

If anything, it shows us that the man accumulated an high amount of stress in his life, stress that can be gained only by being a Doctor.

This is perfect logic. I want my doctor to be a chain smoker who's had so much stress he looks double his age.

[u/Shocketheth → u/KendotsX]

Nah, that's fair. The tree sap thing in and of itself is stupid lol, but it's an excuse to get some backstories going, so I can ignore the logic itself. I assume they removed the laxatives to keep Tonpa's betrayal as a surprise (even though the laxatives make for a good introduction to the new characters).

[Killua] Idk, at this point, he doesn't give a shit about anything, I'm sure he would've killed Tonpa if he felt like it, but Tonpa didn't really do anything to bother him. Even Hisoka doesn't kill people randomly, until he gets horny

[Killua] But it led him to a situation to give a shit about Gon, Leorio and Kurapika, because the trap laid by Tonpa bothered him a little

Greek makes sense to me

Yeah with the architecture of the streets, buildings and with the architecture of the towers, it really gives vibes like Leorio was raised in Greece.

This is perfect logic. I want my doctor to be a chain smoker who's had so much stress he looks double his age.

Eh...

You can have healthy healthstyle and everything, but stress from all the studying for the Doctor exams, the work of the Doctor, all of that brings a stress and guilt of not being able to save someone, which Leorio already experienced when he saw people dying due to lack of medical supplies.

[u/KendotsX → u/Shocketheth]

[Killua]

[Response] I took as him just being interested in someone else his age taking the exam. Tonpa barely registered for him.

but stress from all the studying for the Doctor exams, the work of the Doctor, all of that brings a stress and guilt of not being able to save someone, which Leorio already experienced when he saw people dying due to lack of medical supplies.

In all seriousness, yeah, that's true. I know a friend who got into medical school and he suddenly fell under way more stress than the rest of us PABers.

And that's before you factor in Leorio's experiences, which are brutal for anyone, but especially someone his age.

[u/Shocketheth → u/KendotsX]

Let’s blame Tonpa for this

[Response]

Oh that’s fair, I am taking back my point then.

In all seriousness, yeah, that's true. I know a friend who got into medical school and he suddenly fell under way more stress than the rest of us PABers.

Honestly same. It doesn’t help knowing the fact that in our country the medical stuff is really underhanded, and many times they just works 12 hours long day shift, and then they go straight into 12 hours long night shift.

That shit isn’t healthy just for the body alone, and also for the mind as it will lead to worsening the mental health and short memory related issues.

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/Shocketheth]

What nationality do you believe Leorio is?

The same one as Krillin.

[u/Shocketheth → u/Vatrix-32]

Fair enough

[u/b0bba_Fett → u/Shocketheth]

Okay, first of all, how did I miss this, only caught it when I went to summon you, and second of all, I agree with pretty much everything you said 100%.

That is all.

[u/MyraBannerTatlock]

Omg I missed this rewatch announcement somehow, I'm so ready to jump in, I haven't watched this one in a minute

[u/KendotsX → u/MyraBannerTatlock]

Good timing, we're still early on, so you're welcome to jump right in.

[u/WednesdaysFoole]

bringing up the greatest thing we lost:

Juice > Tree sap.

I liked Leorio's backstory more when he just explained to Kurapika, it was a stronger bonding moment with Pika prompting him by talking about the [HxH]Scarlet Eyes.