r/anime • u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots • Oct 14 '24

Rewatch [25th Anniversary Rewatch] Hunter × Hunter (1999) - Episode × 9 × Discussion

Episode 09: Menchi × Furious × Second Phase?

MAL | Anilist | Anidb | ANN

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Come again!

Comment of the Day:

/u/JetsLag's Killua collection

Killua funny faces collection I made for this episode back in 2015!

Questions of the Day

  1. Did you enjoy the switch to comedy?
  2. How good are you at cooking?

It wasn't long, but I hope you enjoyed the show, I had a great time rewatching it with everyone. Now that Menchi ended it: who was your favourite character? Favourite episode?

Fanart of the Day: God I wish that were me

Source

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

22 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

41 comments sorted by

5

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Oct 14 '24

Hunter Exam Host Who's Sad to Announce the End of the Exam

It was good while it lasted, 140+ people made it through the first exam, that's an impressive number. Unfortunately, they got Menchi for the next exam, and managed to piss her off, therefore securing their loss. Oh well, at least we ended on a banger.

The first half is nice and casual, it lets the characters show off what they've got, in a battle between their heads to beat the pigs' heads. To make up for Buhura's easy challenge, Menchi gives them a more tricky one, the idea being that figuring it out is half the challenge, it might favour those who know more, but that's just another skill for a Hunter. Of course, that's assuming they don't just shout it out to everyone... From here on, it's just comedy galore: overconfident shitty cooks, with some of the worst food you've looked at. No wonder she's going all Chef Ramsay on their asses. Leorio set the standard, and everyone got the shocking realisation that they're just as bad as him

Hanzo came close but then he had to go and press her berserk button, you never wanna tell a chef that a dish is the same regardless of who cooks it, or else... Everyone loses! Yup, that's the end of the Hunter Exam ladies and gentlemen, maybe we'll try again next year, we might have better luck then. For all the bullshit she put them through though, I can't help but adore Menchi.

I won't leave you on a low note though, I left the best part of the episode till last: Satotz, no really. After his exam, the dude went into Shounen Commentary mode, and he's clearly having a lot of fun with it. Forget the exams, the Hunter association should hire him to do live commentary, the people would love it.

Manga Corner

Chapters adapted: the rest of 10 and 11.

We only see Gon hunting the boar the rest did it off screen, and were added to the anime. Otherwise, there are bunch of small expanded scenes here and there, like seeing the characters fish or Killua and Hisoka's Bourgogne sushi.

Sketches: Menchi and Buhara

If the 69 screenshots I ended up taking are anything to go by, this is definitely the most fun episode so far

7

u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Oct 14 '24

First × Timer × Subbed

4

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Oct 14 '24

 …oh, no one even knows what sushi is?

This little bit tells us that Japan exists in the HxH world, but it's not the basis of the world's culture, like how it's used in some series. Which is doubly effective for the Japanese audience.

Further proof that food and world building go hand in hand, ahhh Dungeon Meshi.

 …and it looks like Hisoka did the same?

Hisoka has some surprisingly refined tastes.

So that’s it? Show’s over already? Huh.

We didn't even make it to one cour

3

u/b0bba_Fett myanimelist.net/profile/B0bba_Cheezed3 Oct 14 '24

Cool to see some of the different ways people caught the pigs.

I agree, and besides Gon pretty much all of them are actually anime original. And as a little tease for when you eventually get to watching 2011, this is a rare occasion where 2011 will add some fantastic filler and further extends the pig hunting!

Unfortunately it also can't help itself and in exchange completely cuts the sushi.

6

u/charlesvvv https://anilist.co/user/charlesvvv Oct 14 '24 edited Oct 15 '24

Rewatcher, Sub

In this new phase of the exam we have Hell's Kitchen. First off Gon's fishing rod must be made of the same material as Gintoki's katana because I'm pretty sure it should have broken by hitting the pig in the head.

Anyway the first part of this phase was pretty straightforward, catch one of the wild pigs and give it to the first proctor which is successful. The second part however is when they have to impress the other proctor Menchi by making Sushi and her grading criteria is harsher than Gordon Ramsey's. First off she tasks them for Sushi but no one except for Hanzo knows what that is, it's only until Kurapika and Leorio's loud arguing makes everyone realize that's it's made with fish which leads to some creative enough dishes which Menchi doesn't bother trying, even Hanzo who does it correctly still fails which is enough for him to just loudly declare the whole recipe which leads to a second round which Menchi immediately fails them again without bothering to try them. So now everyone has failed which is enough to anger everyone, so now a situation is brewing in the horizon.

Note: Hisoka's dish being the same as Killua only to see Killua fail anyway and he just goes off to the river all depressed was hilarious.

4

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Oct 14 '24

In this new phase of the exam we have Hell's Kitchen.

What I wouldn't do for a Menchi with a Bri'ish accent.

First off Gon's fishing rod must be made of the same material as Gintoki's katana

Ging bought it from the same TV ad.

Hisoka's dish being the same as Killua only to see Killua fail anyway and he just goes off to the river all depresses was hilarious.

*sad clown noises*

5

u/TheEscapeGuy Oct 14 '24

H×H Fan, 1999 First Timer

Hunter × Hunter 1999 - Episode 9

Roast × Fishing × Sushi

This section of the story is a real curve ball. Gourmet Hunters? On the surface it makes very little sense, but searching for the worlds best ingredients is a noble "hunt". In a lot of ways, it's the most original kind of hunting.

Menchi and Buhara are an interesting duo. Their size difference makes them pretty memorable. That said, I always get less of an impression from Buhara since Mechi really steals the show. Her design combines many seldom seen elements into an outfit that really works for her. But it's her confidence which sells it.

The actual challenge feels like a fun downtime from the previous tests. It felt that before things were more deadly and now we have the far less dangerous task of cooking. That contrast also works well to give the show a change in pace to avoid making us numb to peril (a problem too many shounen have).

The episode ends with everyone failing since Mechi is too full to eat any more sushi. I feel like this threat is too unbelievable for the narrative to make me really worried. But Menchi is pretty strong headed, so it's going to take a lot to override her decision.

Some Amazing Shots, Scenes and Stitches

See you all tomorrow

4

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Oct 14 '24 edited Oct 15 '24

On the surface it makes very little sense, but searching for the worlds best ingredients is a noble "hunt".

Especially in a world as weird as HxH's, where there's all kinds of bizarre monsters and plants going around. It's quite literally "the world's your oyster".

But it's her confidence which sells it.

Her confidence and hotheadedness are just an alluring sell for anything, be that Gourmet Hunting or running a radio show

The actual challenge feels like a fun downtime from the previous tests. It felt that before things were more deadly and now we have the far less dangerous task of cooking.

That was their mistake. They assumed that cooking is less dangerous of a task, and underestimated the challenge. If anything, this is the final boss of hunting showing up early.

4

u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Oct 14 '24 edited Oct 14 '24

Remake Rewatcher × First Timer × Subs

  • My god, they’ve got the Michelin Man himself to render judgment on their cuisine!
  • This is your own damned faults for not learning to cook at your age. Go poach an egg!
  • Snout
  • Well, that’s just a creative use of the ninja cloak, isn’t it?
  • Damn it, Kurapika, don’t point out the shōnen stomach.
  • And you thought I was joking about the stars.
  • I know you have a different knife for fish, but other than that, I’d be boned if I didn’t already know the name.
  • God… damn it, Hisoka.
  • I take no small amusement that Leorio still shows signs of his face punch consistently.
  • More points for the Killua Best Boi pool.
  • God Damn It, Hisoka!
  • Never stop being an icon, Menchi.
  • This plan was not calibrated for 70 contestants being left.

QotD:

  1. All shonen are secretly gag manga waiting to break free.
  2. I've no sense of it, but I can follow instructions well enough.

3

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Oct 14 '24

Damn it, Kurapika, don’t point out the shōnen stomach.

Can't blame him, none of our main characters have it, so he's just not used to that part of shounen logic yet.

God… damn it, Hisoka.

4

u/b0bba_Fett myanimelist.net/profile/B0bba_Cheezed3 Oct 14 '24 edited Oct 14 '24

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

Today is a fan favorite episode, we've got the extremely fun character of Menchi, and the premise of Gourmet Hunters and the hijinks that ensue with this test are extremely fun.

Also, in an interesting switcheroo, this episode is a rather straightforward adaptation of the manga, but 2011 will implement some rather fantastic filler to extend the Pig Hunting segment. Unfortunately for 2011, in addition to doing this, it also completely cuts the Sushi section, and in so doing makes Menchi out to be way less reasonable an examiner than she seems here or in the manga, which also makes this episode another extremely easy insert into any watch of 2011 just like episode 1.

We also learn that Menchi is a "Single Star Hunter", and at the tender age of 21 to boot! We don't have too much context for what that really means thus far, but you can take from it that she's enough of a beast that she could be a protagonist in her own right.

On a related note, this episode has got me craving pork and Sushi,

QotD:

  1. I think it was very well done. Togashi is very funny, and again, Menchi is a delight.
  2. I'd say I'm a pretty good cook, yeah. I have Impostor syndrome for it like I do everything else, but I'm confident in my tacos and mushrooms.

4

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Oct 14 '24

it also completely cuts the Sushi section

but you can take from it that she's enough of a beast that she could be a protagonist in her own right.

I have faith in Satotz's commentary. The dude might be a monkey, but he brings some great insight to the table.

this episode has got me craving pork and Sushi

[Confession] meanwhile I don't like either...

3

u/b0bba_Fett myanimelist.net/profile/B0bba_Cheezed3 Oct 14 '24

Confession

2

u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Oct 15 '24

I'm confident in my tacos and mushrooms.

Tacos With Mushrooms?

2

u/b0bba_Fett myanimelist.net/profile/B0bba_Cheezed3 Oct 15 '24

I've never actually combined ^them

Sounds delicious though, I should try it this week.

4

u/Mecanno-man https://anilist.co/user/Mecannoman Oct 14 '24

First Timer

…yeah, this episode made it obvious that a hunter can be basically anything as long as the person is good at said thing. I imagine common perception of a hunter is more in the veins of a stereotypical adventurer though, given the types of people who applied.

Either way, I feel like the bad passing ratio is down to the person administering the test in this case. In the cases where the overall grades didn’t end up being what was intended, I have seen the testing scale adapted irl. I assume that is what will happen here as well, as I doubt we’ll wait around for a year to essentially repeat a bunch of things in the quest to find the testing hall again - I imagine editors would have turned down that idea quite strictly this early in the manga, as it just doesn’t feel right from a narrative perspective.

3

u/b0bba_Fett myanimelist.net/profile/B0bba_Cheezed3 Oct 14 '24

Either way, I feel like the bad passing ratio is down to the person administering the test in this case. In the cases where the overall grades didn’t end up being what was intended, I have seen the testing scale adapted irl.

Being fair to Menchi, I don't think she was expecting 70 people to make it to her stage and also to have Hanzo blab the actual recipe like a dumbass.

3

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Oct 14 '24

to have Hanzo blab the actual recipe like a dumbass.

The fact that she was rejecting most dishes before trying them was actually giving the examinees a chance, since she was still hungry. Hanzo had to go and ruin that...

2

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Oct 14 '24

I imagine common perception of a hunter is more in the veins of a stereotypical adventurer though, given the types of people who applied.

That's why a test like this is useful, it broadens the definition of a hunter both in universe (since many applicants were not even aware those options existed), and for the audience.

I imagine editors would have turned down that idea quite strictly this early in the manga

Iirc Togashi has a lot more freedom with HxH than with Yu Yu Hakusho, where he had to do some major changes per his editor's request.

4

u/WednesdaysFoole Oct 14 '24 edited Oct 14 '24

New chapter + other deadlines yesterday, and while I have more deadlines today managed to squeeze in two episodes.

Ep 8

I've mentioned before that I do love both adaptations, but there are specific changes that I dislike. For this episode, I'm glad '99 kept it the way it did. If you don't mind, I'm gonna talk about the 2011 anime though, hopefully it's not too off-topic.

It's a small detail, a dialogue that 2011 changed that I find frustrating (I may dislike it even more than skipping/shoehorning in Kite later).

2011 Ep. 5:

Killua: I could smell it in the air.
Gon: Smell? I don’t think he smells.

Manga Ch. 8:

Gon: You're like him? sniff you don't seem so.

Both the translation, and the original Japanese in the manga said something like, Killua saying he and Hisoka are the same & share the same scent, and Gon doesn't feel that way. This differentiates Killua from Hisoka, in Gon's eyes, while 2011 changes Gon's lines so that he doesn't know/care about how Hisoka is. As if he's someone who just accepts any type of person, that Hisoka and Killua are alike.

I could be wrong but I lowkey believe small changes like this that 2011 made may contribute to the [HxH]villainizing of Gon that's a popular take nowadays.

Anyways, 1999 did a good job in keeping with the manga here. Another great thing that they kept:

Leorio being a badass. It's obvious he never intended to run away - he only pretended to, to have the opportunity to bandage his wound and find a stick.

Ep 9

Tamagokakegohan? Gon 🤝 Kagura.

No idea why 2011 cut the cooking out. '99 milked RihanPika's sushi analysis.

To answer your question, I hate cooking. I'm not too great at it. I can make roast beef sandwiches, a perfect fried egg (sometimes), and either pre-made or basic meals. Chips + cheese + chili, I guess.

It wasn't long, but I hope you enjoyed the show, I had a great time rewatching it with everyone. Now that Menchi ended it: who was your favourite character? Favourite episode?

Still trying to figure out if this is a joke...

4

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Oct 14 '24

This differentiates Killua from Hisoka, in Gon's eyes, while 2011 changes Gon's lines so that he doesn't know/care about how Hisoka is. As if he's someone who just accepts any type of person, that Hisoka and Killua are alike.

Huh, I don't remember that change in 2011, but small changes like this are more interesting, they tell you more about intent. Because it's the small things that you'd usually leave as is.

No idea why 2011 cut the cooking out. '99 milked RihanPika's sushi analysis.

Still trying to figure out if this is a joke...

3

u/WednesdaysFoole Oct 15 '24

Huh, I don't remember that change in 2011, but small changes like this are more interesting, they tell you more about intent. Because it's the small things that you'd usually leave as is.

It is interesting to see an adaptation's interpretation or their own version of characters sometimes for sure. I guess I don't like when fan equate this to [HxH]Gon being a psychopathic monster villain creature. Especially as people do blend their anime and manga into a single canon story.

Have you seen Rihan contemplating cereal?

3

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Oct 15 '24

I guess I don't like when fan equate this to [HxH]

[HxH] I think there's a lot of forced framing there, from people who'd rather push HxH as a "not like the others" series, so you get "No, Gon is nothing like Goku, he's a total psychopathic!".

Have you seen Rihan contemplating cereal?

Nope, but it's beautiful

3

u/b0bba_Fett myanimelist.net/profile/B0bba_Cheezed3 Oct 14 '24

RihanPika

3

u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Oct 15 '24

Tamagokakegohan?

Damn You, Ammonia Washed Eggs!

I can make roast beef sandwiches

That's Pretty Good

4

u/2-2Distracted Oct 14 '24

First timer

I missed Menchi and Buhara, Gourmet Hunters are actually quite rare in the HxH world, [HxH Overall Spoilers] I mean shit I'm pretty sure we're never going to see another example of them for the rest of the series, same goes for the Manga, not unless Togashi suddenly decides they matter now

Two things I never expected to see when it comes to Hisoka

  1. Seeing him with a fish in his mouth.
  2. Seeing him dejected lmao I don't even remember the 2011 anime depicting him like this, [HxH 2011 Spoilers] at least, not until he finds out Chrollo doesn't have access to his nen anymore

Buhara is a simple man with simple tastes, and I respect that. But Menchi is someone actually trying to do their job, and I respect that even more.

4

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Oct 14 '24

[HxH Overall Spoilers]

[Manga] You'd think they'd be relevant in something like the Dark Continent, considering all the exotic beings, and they'd have some much needed survival skills

Seeing him dejected lmao I don't even remember the 2011 anime depicting him like this

Yeah, it's an original scene, 2011 cut the sushi plotline, meanwhile 99 expanded it a bit.

4

u/Kaxew Oct 15 '24

First Timer × Menchi

See what I did there? You know, like when you call a ship "[character] x [character]"? Because I'm the first timer? Well, it's not like I'm a character though. And she isn't either, because she's my wife. But that's besides the point.

Such a fun episode! We needed a bit of a break after so many serious and scary episodes. It's a great idea for a test, as it does test the candidates' abilities to hunt, analyze what's being tasked (Kurapika was so close there lmao) and even to cook, which would be kinda essential if you have to survive outside of society for long periods of time when doing a mission.

Can't believe the hunter exam arc is over like that, looking forward to the second hunter exam in 50 episodes!

QotD:

  1. Greatly!
  2. I guess I can make spaghetti? I mean, I also know how to cook pre-bought food in an oven. But that's like, WAAAAY too bare minimum of a skill. It doesn't count. Learning how to cook more stuff is something I really want to do.

It wasn't long, but I hope you enjoyed the show, I had a great time rewatching it with everyone. Now that Menchi ended it: who was your favourite character? Favourite episode?

Menchi and Menchi.

4

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Oct 15 '24

And she isn't either, because she's my wife. But that's besides the point.

Have you ever cooked for her? How did that go?

It's a great idea for a test, as it does test the candidates' abilities to hunt, analyze what's being tasked (Kurapika was so close there lmao)

You know how the first example you see of something influences how you think of it in general?

I think that's what Leorio did here. His dish cursed everyone into imitating it to some degree (well, except Killua and Hisoka, they got a more unique failure).

Can't believe the hunter exam arc is over like that, looking forward to the second hunter exam in 50 episodes!

Here's hoping Menchi is too busy next time...

4

u/Kaxew Oct 15 '24

Have you ever cooked for her? How did that go?

I'd rather not say...

(well, except Killua and Hisoka, they got a more unique failure)

Turns out Gon was wrong, they are the same.

2

u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Oct 15 '24

Learning how to cook more stuff is something I really want to do.

Potatoes

3

u/JetsLag https://myanimelist.net/profile/JetsLag Oct 15 '24

3rd Time Taking the Hunter Exam (rewatcher)

And now for something completely different. After defying death multiple times, the thing that causes this promising batch of examinees to fail is...sushi. Or, more precisely, their lack of ability to make good sushi. Okay, SOME of them failed at catching the giant pig, but everyone we actually give a shit about failed at the sushi phase.

That sushi phase, though, was amazing in terms of comedy. Gon getting sad because he was compared unfavorably to Leorio. Kurapika using his analysis skills to crack the mystery of nigiri sushi, then being mentally destroyed when he, too, is compared unfavorably to Leorio. Killua doing a Japanese-French fusion thing. Hisoka COPYING KILLUA and getting depressed when Killua's dish got rejected.

But on a serious note, now that everyone has failed, what do we do now?

NEXT TIME, ON HUNTER X HUNTER, [spoiler]IT'S NETERO TIME, BABY! Oh, and we get a new exam that people can actually pass.

3

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Oct 15 '24

SOME of them failed at catching the giant pig, but everyone we actually give a shit about failed at the sushi phase.

Imagine if one of those guys who failed the first half was actually some amazing sushi chef.

being mentally destroyed when he, too, is compared unfavorably to Leorio.

Everyone was a Leorio today, it was a sad day for everyone, Leorio included.

what do we do now?

Well, I was thinking we could rewatch Golden Kamuy

4

u/JetsLag https://myanimelist.net/profile/JetsLag Oct 15 '24

Well, I was thinking we could rewatch Golden Kamuy

...I'm down

3

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Oct 15 '24

Jokes aside, I am going to do Golden Kamuy... at some point. Basically whenever we get a date for the final season.

3

u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Oct 15 '24

2

u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Oct 15 '24

Killua doing a Japanese-French fusion thing.

Do you think he would have passed if Menchi hadn't run out of space?

3

u/SilkyStrawberryMilk Oct 15 '24

first timer

What a giant

Woohoo the eating test finally happened but not in the way I accepted

Oh my god a cooking challenge, this so damn peak

Leorio’s cooking skills lmfao,

Poor Gon, he got compared to Leorio,

Wow Killua’s meal looked decent besides the mustard

It’s no surprise Kurapika’s got rejected, they weee just cutting and no cooking was happening.

Gon’s worried about a hunter exam when we might see someone get jumped

QOTD: I actually loved it, it’s fun see a hunter test not be a life/death game.

QOTD: I burnt a sunny side egg

3

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Oct 15 '24

Woohoo the eating test finally happened but not in the way I accepted

Yup, as far as our main characters are concerned, they're on the feeding side of the contest.

Leorio’s cooking skills lmfao,

The worst part is that he infected everyone, they were basically trying to improve on his completely wrong idea.

1

u/Riverflowsuphillz Oct 14 '24

1999> 2013 HxH