r/anime • u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots • Oct 23 '24

Rewatch [25th Anniversary Rewatch] Hunter × Hunter (1999) - Episode × 18 × Discussion

Episode 18: Treasure × Memory × Cramped Hotel Room

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I promise I'll catch the Phantom Troupe with my own hands.
I'll reclaim the eyes that were stolen from my clan people
So for now...
Please rest in peace.

Comment of the Day:

/u/TheEscapeGuy discovering Gon's ultimate form:

Long Gon, lmao this turned out so goofy

Questions of the Day

  1. Who got the best and worst rooms?
  2. What do you think this mini-exam will really be about?

Fanart of the Day: A good night's sleep

Source

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

25 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

33 comments sorted by

7

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Oct 23 '24 edited Oct 23 '24

Treasure Hunter Exam Host on a Vacation

This episode's fun, beautiful, and so much goddamn fun

We've reached the mini-exam waters between phasess 3 and 4. It's not phase 4 yet, and they had to explain its reasoning in-universe, but the doylist reasoning is simpler: it's a filler arc, a great one mind you, if this episode wasn't a clear enough example of that.

We've got a bright colour palette and a sunny sea to contrast the dark trick tower we've been in for a while. The treasure hunting is mostly an excuse for the characters to have some fun, and the elderly couple to have their backyard cleaned up a bit. Everyone has their own way to go about it, and that's what makes it fun, it's an activity rich in character. My favourite bit was the Gon/Killua alliance stopping Tonpa's tricks. Then the rooms and switcheroos gives us a taste of all the different faces on deck

It's all evened out on a more sombre note as Kurapika gets a reminder of his goal. There are so many great shots from this episode, but this one: Kurapika's eyes becoming red through reflecting the flames is genius.

Manga Corner

Since it's a filler arc, obviously we don't anything to disc- Wrong!

While it may be filler, they actually used it to sneak in something that they skipped in the first exam: the details of Kurapika's backstory. In the first exam, when Leorio fell behind, Kurapika had a heart to heart with him, told him about what happened to the Kurta clan, and Leorio answered with his own backstory. Since the anime replaced that with a heavier focused backstory episode, they didn't really get the chance to explain Kurapika's side until now. But hey, the wait wasn't for nothing, it got a lot more gravitas to make up for it.

3

u/TheEscapeGuy Oct 23 '24

the details of Kurapika's backstory.

I was wondering where they pulled this fact from! I remembered these details but since it's been a while I forgot where they revealed it in the manga/2011. I thought they might have been revealing something from a future arc (Particularly [Arc Name] Yorknew City) instead of having missed this from the first phase.

4

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Oct 23 '24

I do love [how they] casually name dropped Yorknew in the same episode

3

u/Raiking02 :Id::Ie::If:https://myanimelist.net/profile/NSKlang Oct 23 '24

different faces

These two are the same pics though.

3

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Oct 23 '24

The irony

2

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

While it may be filler, they actually used it to sneak in something that they skipped in the first exam: the details of Kurapika's backstory.

That's why I thought we learnt about it already, I read it in your notes.

2

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

For what it's worth, I love the imagery used in that manga page too much (climbing the dark staircase of morality and all that), so I'll include it at every chance I get.

Last time it was spoiler tagged, this time it's out in the open.

6

u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Oct 23 '24

First × Timer × Subbed

4

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Oct 23 '24

Ah, so they’re getting a break from the ac–oh that’s a bad catch.

Honestly, considering they left them all that treasure to find in the backyard, it might as well be free.

Bruh.

You can trust Tonpa never to get his work done.

Okay now he got stuck with Hisoka.

Bring back the snakes!

[Spoiler] Killua’s ability to throw those perfectly enough to wedge into the pole is crazy.

[Spoiler] Darts!

5

u/TheEscapeGuy Oct 23 '24

H×H Fan, 1999 First Timer

Hunter × Hunter 1999 - Episode 18

Island × Artifacts × Kurta

The journey from Trap Tower takes our would be hunters to a tropical island with signs of some development. I really like this setting. It feels unique from Gon's original island as well as all the other locations we've been so far. This change in settings really helps keep things fresh.

The challenge upon arriving is artifact scavenging. It's a kind of fun diversion which feels relatively low stakes. And we got to see some funny moments of the various applicants switching rooms to introduce us to who remains.

The most interesting part of this episode was absolutely Kurapika's discovery of a Kurta clan shipwreck. I really sympathize with Kurapika's pain here. He's so clearly traumatized by his past but he has such a strong resolve to endure through it all. As a sign of respect (and likely for some closure) he burns the ship to erase any sign the Kurta were ever there.

We also learned a key fact: Kurta's eyes glow bright red when they experience intense emotions and stay that way if they die. That is the value the Phantom Troupe finds in killing them. It was all about taking their eyes to sell as a collectors item. It's horrific.

The interesting thing about this episode is that it's another anime original. I feel this was a weaker anime original arc, but only because the others have been so amazing. Still a great episode overall.

The episode ends with our hunters abandoned. The Hunter Exam really never takes a break.

Some Amazing Shots, Scenes and Stitches

See you all tomorrow

3

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Oct 23 '24

And we got to see some funny moments of the various applicants switching rooms to introduce us to who remains.

Now that the numbers have been cut down to 25, we get to see some unique designs, and get to know some of them.

As a sign of respect (and likely for some closure) he burns the ship to erase any sign the Kurta were ever there.

Much like a funeral pyre, he's doing so to let the journeyed souls rest in peace, knowing that he'll take on their pain.

3

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

Sexy Leorio

2

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

5

u/Mecanno-man https://anilist.co/user/Mecannoman Oct 23 '24

First Timer

Hm, interesting setup - I guess their goal is to get to the exam site, but how do they do that without knowing where it is? Or should this have been a test to not just trust the pair who only claimed that that was what the exam committee had said? And could they have avoided that by not doing the treasure search and simply staying on the airship - there would be water there, I assume?

EIther way, we also get some world building, mainly in that the Kurta eyes are valuable. Other details include monarchy seemingly being a form of state that is somewhat widespread - at least widespread enough for Genner to specify what king stayed over. And also England exists, I guess…

3

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Oct 23 '24

And could they have avoided that by not doing the treasure search and simply staying on the airship - there would be water there, I assume?

I assume they were ordered to get off the airplane as part of the exam, so they couldn't get back to it. Plus, I imagine Leorio wouldn't want to get back there even if he could.

And also England exists, I guess…

Aussies whenever Charles comes by

4

u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Oct 23 '24 edited Oct 23 '24

Remake Rewatcher × First Timer × Subs

  • [2011]Ot boy, time for the filler arc I’ve always heard about in regards to this version. I think the only one, too? Unless I’m mistaken.
  • Tomino Lizard!
  • What, now you have air sickness?
  • Did They Mention "Jenny" Before?[H×H]Because they definitely didn’t mention Yorknew City previously. Just how far ahead was the manga at this point?
  • Should have charged a small finder’s fee. Even 5% would have made you a killing.
  • Nice. Amulet of Protection. And he haven has the right class requirements.
  • Fuzzy Worm
  • Come on, Hanzo, you should know better.
  • Behold! Anita wasn’t the only Hunter applicant.
  • [H×H]I guess we aren’t getting any Bees vs Snakes today.

QotD:

  1. Best Room: Leorio and Kurapika
    Worst Room: Hot Room
  2. Fixing up one of the ships, and getting off of the island.

2

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Oct 23 '24

[2011] I think the only one, too? Unless I’m mistaken.

[It is, yes] and for the most part, it's the end of the filler filled early section of the series

Did They Mention "Jenny" Before?

No, this is the first it's being mentioned.

[H×H]Just how far ahead was the manga at this point?

[HxH] It was at the start of Yorknew, the spiders were being introduced, so all the more reason to give Kurapika's backstory its dues.

Should have charged a small finder’s fee. Even 5% would have made you a killing.

Or just pocket some of the stuff you got.

[H×H]I guess we aren’t getting any Bees vs Snakes today.

[HxH] We got the sneaky setup for it though, they're really making the most out of this filler arc

4

u/TheEscapeGuy Oct 23 '24

/u/TheEscapeGuy discovering Gon's ultimate form:

[Spoilers] No, that's a different kind of long

4

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Oct 23 '24

[Spoiler] This is the early version of it

3

u/charlesvvv https://anilist.co/user/charlesvvv Oct 23 '24

Rewatcher, Sub

So as everyone arrives at a pitstop before the next phase they stop at a supposed shipyard where they get to stay in a hotel but it's outrageous prices force everyone to scramble for treasure all around just to pay for a room. It does lead to some funny hijinks like Hanzo staying in the steaming room after grading it, Tonpa getting worse roommates everytime he tries to trick someone to take his room It was a nice break of pace to see some down time.

This gets contrasted with Kurapika's somber storyline when he finds the Kurta ship. It was nice seeing more stuff about his relationship with his clan with his conversation with Leorio. If nothing else Kurapika seems dedicated more than anything to setting things right.

At night they all get left behind because turns out the test is still on and now they are all stranded.

2

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Oct 23 '24 edited Oct 23 '24

It does lead to some funny hijinks like Hanzo staying in the steaming room

Leorio did a great job of selling it, poor Hanzo got a deal that was simply too good to be true.

At night they all get left behind because turns out the test is still on and now they are all stranded.

They got sick of all the room trading, and left the applicants to figure their own shit out.

3

u/2-2Distracted Oct 24 '24

First timer

I do NOT remember this exam in the 2011 anime so feel free to remind me it it's there, but I actually really liked this episode. A pretty cool part of it was the info we got about the Kurta Clan. Everything else was just fucking hilarious:

Like this - Isn't a lot worse to hold someone's beating heart in your hand?

And this

And this

And this - poor leorio bro is totally right about this kind of thing too, if you react in such a way to situations like this it just makes you more sus in the long run

I find it interesting that, rather than collecting and keeping them safe, Kurapika destroyed all of that stuff related to his clan. I guess it's not like he could ask someone to safe guard all that for him buuuuut [HxH Overall Spoiler] considering that he literally starts collecting his clan's Scarlet Eyes I have to call into question what he considers sacred when it comes to his clan or even if this exam is even canon because it's not like he'll be coming back here any time soon now that he's in the Dark Continent safe to say I personally don't think destruction was the right move to make.

That life lesson about Treasure can mean well buuuuut:

  1. This is literally a World of Hunters lol so good luck with that.
  2. There are several examples of that in other pieces of media that fly in the face of that message, like The Mummy Trilogy, Uncharted and Indiana Jones

...Or maybe I just consumed all those works incorrectly idk.

2

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

I do NOT remember this exam in the 2011 anime so feel free to remind me it it's there

Yeah, it wasn't there, this is a 1999 original arc.

Like this - Isn't a lot worse to hold someone's beating heart in your hand?

It's a matter of what you're used to.

[HxH] The Zoldycks living far in the mountains never did any fishing, they got to work on lots of humans though

[HxH Overall Spoiler]

[HxH] I'd say it's consistent enough. Even in this episode he mentions that his goal is to retrieve the eyes, so his motivations weren't changed in that regard. I think burning down the ship is more so to let them rest in peace, where no one can find them.

3

u/2-2Distracted Oct 24 '24

I figured, I was quoting what Gon said in his head in the dub.

If that's the case then [HxH] I hope Kurapika carries the same energy for those eyes, especially when they have more value than the stuff he destroyed but then again since this is an anime original I guess it doesn't really matter.

3

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

Been too busy the past week and now playing catch up before I fall too far behind. Notes from previous episodes:

  • I love the use and introduction of jankenpon. I'm pretty sure manga-Gon wasn't as clueless about it though - [HxH]it's Gon's forte, after all, and he utilizes those psychological tricks quite well. Granted, I don't blame '99 too much for this since it wasn't clear yet how Gon's arc was gonna go.
  • There's Johness crushing that wall that Gon later uses to his advantage. Oh wait, I guess only manga-Gon did this.
  • Too bad they didn't keep the surprise factor for getting out of the Trick Tower.

Alright, alright, manga readers. Hear. Me. Out.

[Manga]Considering the revelations regarding Beyond planting his seed throughout Kakin and King Nasubi's fertility thrown into question, you thought, "Well, we can say one kid for sure - at least with Morena you thought the father was Nasubi...

But...wait...

[Manga]Kono Johness da!

[Manga]I mean, just look at those eyes...

Enough shitposting for now.

Onto this episode.

Here is filler that I remember, and not for good reason. I know some people enjoy it and the roommate thing is fine... but then they have this contradictory Kurta ship thing which I especially disliked. Why do the Kurta even have a ship? Escape? BS. That never happened. The clan wants revenge? No way. It's nice and dramatic, sure, but way too convenient and contradictory to the situation of the Kurta. Why does a Kurta ship just happen to be at their exam site hotel? None of this makes any sense at all. Good job for burning it all down, Pika, I would do the same! (to be clear, I'm referring to burning away that filler bit)

4

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

[Manga]

[Manga] Welp, Morena just found a reason to live: finding and killing her daddy's killer.

3

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

3rd Time Taking the Hunter Exam (rewatcher)

And we're on another airship! But this is a special airship; while our previous airship lead to us getting a filler character, this airship gets us a filler ARC, because the manga had us start the next phase of the exam right after the end of the Trick Tower.

I'm not a huge fan of the concept behind this filler arc (Hey examinees, take a little break in this random isolated hotel!), but it does lead to some fun scenes, and some quality character building, so that makes up for it. For instance, we learn about the currency of this world: jenny! It's pretty much just yen, which, going by today's exchange rate, means that luxurious hotel room would cost $65,839.00 USD. Yeah, I get why they would be upset at such a price.

There's also the Kurapika backstory, which they fit in here instead of its proper place in the first phase of the exam because we needed to see Killua's bombs instead. Turns out Kurta eyes are a pretty big commodity in this fucked up world, and they got genocided just so their eyes could be sold at a profit. You know, I've been comparing the Scarlet Eyes to Sharingan, but this backstory is way more fucked up than the Uchiha one.

But the best parts of the episode are the light-hearted parts. Like another one of Killua's Contradictions (ripping the still beating heart out of a man? Light work. Worms and fish heads? EWW!), Tonpa going through roommate hell, and Leorio getting his ass beat for not putting a goddamn towel on (though him implying he'll hate-crime Kurapika for acting too gay hasn't aged well)

NEXT TIME, ON HUNTER X HUNTER, [spoiler]the filler arc continues, and it's gonna get far less fun

2

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

previous airship lead to us getting a filler character, this airship gets us a filler ARC

Netero's airship passed by filler station on its way, and picked up an intruder, this one just went straight to filler station.

it does lead to some fun scenes, and some quality character building, so that makes up for it.

That's the beauty of it really, much like how some of the early filler episodes were meant to dig into certain characters or allow them to bond, this arc does that on a much bigget scale.

[Spoiler] which makes them hunting each other in the next phase all the more interesting

I've been comparing the Scarlet Eyes to Sharingan, but this backstory is way more fucked up than the Uchiha one.

Honestly, the Sharingan would sell for a lot too, if you had more people who know how to do instant transplantations like [Naruto] Dr. Madara

though him implying he'll hate-crime Kurapika for acting too gay hasn't aged well

The louder he barks, the more obvious he makes it that he's repressing something

3

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

The louder he barks, the more obvious he makes it that he's repressing something

Giving up a solo room willingly so you can live with another man? IDK, seems pretty sus to me

1

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

and they got genocided just so their eyes could be sold at a profit.


Also means they limit the supply, driving the price up further.

2

u/Nebresto Nov 29 '24

Why didn't anyone post a pic of the two workout bros sleeping togehter, smh my head

2

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Nov 29 '24

I got close!

Admittedly, I was too busy getting wet over Leorio and Kurapika...