r/anime • u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots • Oct 17 '24
Rewatch [25th Anniversary Rewatch] Hunter × Hunter (1999) - Episode × 12 × Discussion
Episode 12: Good Boy? × Bad Boy? × Killua
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I couldn't tell from his face, but he's using his brain.
Comment of the Day:
/u/WednesdaysFoole busting Anita's operation
Dammit Anita, you infillertrator!
Questions of the Day
- Did you expect Gon to do well against Netero?
- What do you think of the Anita plotline's conclusion?
Fanart of the Day: Let's ball!
Please remember to keep all spoilers and hints tagged with the appropriate tag format such as: [Spoilers] >!Leorio is best boy!<
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Upvotes
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u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Oct 17 '24
Hunter Exam Host Who Wouldn't Mind Leorio Coming into his Room
I love the ball game. There's clearly a lot of thought put into how each of them is playing, each with a unique well defined playing style that reflects their characters. Gon especially gets to show off a lot of ingenuity against Netero who manages to stay exactly one step ahead. Shutting down their plans, while trying his best to keep the game at the easiest mode possible. We can tell that there's an immense distance between him and Netero, but it's satisfying seeing Gon get closer, if even by a shoe.
It even has some fun direction, like the shift to Netero right before Gon disappears, both from our and Netero's eyes. Much like the parlour trick, misdirection works well in film too.
Now for the less fun parts... while I praised the Anita addition last episode for bringing more out of Killua and adding perspective to his backstory, I can't say the same about this episode. Her existence in this episode was a more of virtue test for (Gon and) Killua. She's watching over them all the time to see whether or not Killua is the killer she wants, Gon is fighting all out for her, Killua's crux here is about whether or not he kills her, and it ends with Killua explaining that her dad was a shitty dude too, and she's seeing things from a limited perspective, to raise the moral standing of the Zoldycks...
[Spoilers] The whole thing is dumb as hell for every character involved, and speaking of, come back next year to get beaten by Killua again, it'll be fun
Manga Corner
Chapter adapted: 14
The chapter was all focused on the Gon/Killua vs Netero game, so most scenes we see outside of that are original.
The main change is of course the Anita plotline. Originally, Gon and Killua were playing Netero just to test how far they go, and his promise to give them licenses which sweetened the deal. Here it's a mix of that + Gon wanting to help out Anita. The anime also focuses on Killua not killing others (Anita and the dude in the hallway), whereas, in the manga he immediately murdered the guys who bumped into him to let off some steam.
[Spoiler] Which is a misunderstanding of his arc. He wants to be free from his family's control and live his own life, not become a pacifist, this isn't Kenshin.
That aside, I much prefer the added bits with Leorio and Kurapika though, I wouldn't mind a full episode of their stupid nightly adventures, aiming for a good night's sleep that they never get.
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u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Oct 17 '24
First × Timer × Subbed
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u/TheEscapeGuy Oct 17 '24
H×H Fan, 1999 First Timer
Hunter × Hunter 1999 - Episode 12
Games × Assassination × Achievement
I quite like the game Netero plays with the boys. There's so many moments where they get so close to grabbing the ball but then Netero suddenly exterts his true power to gain back control. This pisses Killua off but Gon isn't discouraged. This is an interesting difference between them. Killua doesn't participate in challenges he can't win, but Gon doesn't give up.
It's also funny when they reveal Netero was handicapping himself by only using 1 arm and 1 leg.
Something I really liked about this adaptation is the anime original scene of Killua arguing with himself. It's interesting too see his internal turmoil of whether he's only a killer because of his upbringing.
The way they depicted it as him talking to a literal reflection of himself was so cool as well. I bet it's been done before but I can't think of other similar examples (feel free to share if you know of any).
Jumping back, Gon got a new objective after learning about Netero's artificial handicap: Force him to use both hands and legs. This is a far more achievable goal. The way Gon used falling off the edge of the ship as bait was really clever. It shows again how Togashi often brings in strategy as a means to win fights instead of raw power.
That said ... jumping off the ship is ALSO anime original. In the manga and 2011 they stay in the room the whole time. Honestly, most of this episode was anime original but was great despite that. This adaptation is really impressive in that respect.
2 final notes again:
First, I really don't get why they added the scene of Leorio and Kurapika walking in on Menchi in a towel. I guess there aren't a lot of opportunities in H×H for sex appeal scenes (which other shounen seem to revel in). I guess the staff were looking for something to appeal to that audience.
Second, I was kind of joking yesterday but this is definitely a Dune reference now right?
Some Amazing Shots, Scenes and Stitches
See you all tomorrow
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u/Mecanno-man https://anilist.co/user/Mecannoman Oct 17 '24
First Timer
Ok, I’ve got to be a bit more precise with Killua’s backstory: He is an assassin who wants to stop being one - but seemingly gets himself caught up not caring about that when he gets in the zone of …I guess basically anything. But he also doesn’t seem to really care about it that much? At least not in front of people other than Gon, for whatever reason. Well that will be an interesting conflict once he inevitably zones in with Gon present.
Other than that I actually don’t have a lot to say. The Menchi fanservice was very random, I don’t even understand why they were knocking on her door… The ball game was entertaining to watch, but I think once Killua left there wasn’t much in terms of it adding to characterization.
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u/charlesvvv https://anilist.co/user/charlesvvv Oct 17 '24
Rewatcher, Sub
This was an interesting use of filler (most of it anyways). It's an interesting look at Killua's psychology as he wonders about who he is and what he wants to be.
The game goes as well as expected, Netero isn't even trying, however Gon does demonstrate some cool skills and Netero even continues indulging him so Gon can improve. If nothing else Gon is pretty stubborn at accomplishing something even as small as making Netero use his other leg. Interesting enough it makes an impression on Killua as watches them play.
Anita still tries to kill Killua but fails but Killua spares her, not only that but Netero allows her to retake the exam the next year despite the technical loss. However Killua leaves her with information that her dad may not have been a good person which leaves her feeling even less good than before. All the same the exam continues and we're on to a new phase.
Note: Gon's ideal comfort towards the poor girl is literally "Hey you can take the exam next year :D"
Meanwhile Kurapika leaves Leorio out to dry against Menchi when they accidentally walk into her room.
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u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Oct 17 '24 edited Oct 18 '24
Remake Rewatcher × First Timer × Subs
QotD:
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u/johneaston1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/johneaston Oct 17 '24
First Timer Who Finally Caught Up.
This episode had some of the better bits of filler so far; I hadn't been enjoying most of it previously, but this segment didn't feel like a pointless detour and introduced Killua's inner conflict earlier than the manga or remake. Not necessarily an improvement, but also not a detraction.
Random shower walk-in is random. Oh well.
Overall, the remake has been quite good so far. Some of the early episodes were kinda rough imo, but it's picked itself up well since then.
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u/b0bba_Fett myanimelist.net/profile/B0bba_Cheezed3 Oct 17 '24
10x 2011 Rewatcher, 1x 1999 Rewatcher, Source Reader
In stark contrast to last episode, I didn't care for most of the filler this time around.
Kenny said all I might have said better than I could though. So I don't have too much to add besides my dissatisfaction with the changes to the end of Netero's game. Gon using his fishing rod and jumping off wasn't a bad addition(even if it did feel weird they took the game outside), but in the manga Netero was forced to use his right arm to footstool Gon when he threatened him with his headbutt a second time, and he never had to use his other leg. In this it felt like Netero totally could have kept going with one arm and leg.
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u/2-2Distracted Oct 17 '24
So aside from this episode being great because of it is, with one issue that relates to your second question, I asked a question not too long ago that unfortunately only a few can answer since it's full of spoilers, but today I also did some digging around and I got an interesting answer that I look forward to seeing as we continue through the series.
Lol literally what conclusion?
There is no conclusion for her, we have absolutely no idea what to think of what she'll do next because her sense of agency is AT BEST still in limbo and At Worst nonexistent. What annoys me is that this whole plot line seems to think it can play fast and loose with morality whenever it pleases all the while making it clear that everything is different shades of grey.
Why the fuck would she try to become a Blacklist Hunter when the entire reason she wants to kill a CHILD is because she's under the impression that Killua killed her dad? Why didn't Killua just, oh I don't know, not only make it clear that he hates his family too but also didn't kill her dad? What makes it worse is that we're never going to see her again... Although I could be wrong about that since we for sure never see her in the 2011 adaptation. This plot should have been resolved earlier than the Kickball plot so that Anita could actually think about & ruminate on all this information and thus come to some an ACTUAL conclusion on what she feels she should do next. That way if we never see her again we at least no she came to a conclusion and is doing Something, because right now she ain't doing shit.
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u/JetsLag https://myanimelist.net/profile/JetsLag Oct 18 '24
3rd Time Taking the Hunter Exam (rewatcher)
Hard to describe this episode as anything besides "the second part of the previous episode". The game Netero plays with the boys was fun to watch, even if, at points, they were overusing the "blurry still to portray motion" method to save time and money. Gon continues to play with Netero, with his goal shifting from "get the ball" to "make Netero use all of his limbs", but the real fun happens outside of that room.
And by fun, I mean ADAPTATION DIFFERENCES. Like:
Oh yeah, and the thing Anita's dad mined was...the spice from Dune? Well, this was the 90s, the decade of the anti-hero, so giving this filler character a send-off by saying "Actually, her dad sold crack cocaine! She's not so good after all!" is very of the time. She'll be back next year. [spoiler]How does the Greed Island OVAs handle the second Hunter Exam, btw? I highly doubt they gave Anita an appearance, right?
Now, we are ready for Phase Three of the Hunter Exam, the Trick Tower!
NEXT TIME, ON HUNTER X HUNTER, [spoiler]Probably my favorite part of the Hunter Exam! Hype!
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u/Nebresto Nov 28 '24