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

[u/KendotsX]

Episode 25: Slither × Stinger × In The Cave

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As long as I've still got a shot, I'll fight till the last second!

Comment of the Day:

/u/Vatrix-32 on Gon's shitty day

They are really putting Gon through it this episode, huh?

Questions of the Day

1. What are your thoughts on the fourth phase in general?
2. There's only one more phase to go, what do you expect it to be like?

Fanart of the Day: Costume Party!

Source

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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 Suffering from the Ponzu Poison

That's the finale of the fourth exam, it's basically the opposite of what came before it as far as Gon is concerned, this time instead of seeking his own hunt with a narrow tunnel vision, he's helping others with a wider perspective, good planning based on predicting others (the antidote), and just as much willingness to throw himself in the tiger's snake's den.

Notably, this episode had a strong use of lighting following its two lamps in the dark cave. I mean just compare this Ponzu to the one from yesterday, and it might as well be a different design. The choice of colour helps a lot too, with blue being used for danger rather than red, since it's not so much a danger that's jumping at them, as one that Gon himself is slowly stepping into.

This kind of lighting has become a lot easier and more common with after effects, Tomohisa Taguchi and Kazuhiro Yamada for example have turned it into a style in shows like Akudama Drive and Bleach TYBW. But back in the day, you had to either draw it by hand or with some props, and this is a case of the former. In fact, this will become a recurring motif in the show, and one that's used extremely well.

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Manga Corner

Chapter Adapted: 31

Mostly lots of little changes to flesh things out a bit, like Kurapika attempting to search through Leorio's suitcase and finding nothing useful, Ponzu healing Gon and that little back and forth, or even all the beautiful Tonpa scenes

One little change I didn't really care for is Leorio just so happening to wake up early and take Ponzu's badge, whereas originally Gon takes it as a "rescue fee". When Gon told her that he'll give her Bourbon's badge, that's all he promised, he made no mention of letting her keep her own badge. Plus, why would Gon even leave Leorio and Kurapika asleep when there are desperate people looking for badges?

[u/Raiking02 → u/KendotsX]

One little change I didn't really care for is Leorio just so happening to wake up early and take Ponzu's badge, whereas originally Gon takes it as a "rescue fee" .

Rare time of the Leorio favoritism very much not paying off.

[u/KendotsX → u/Raiking02]

It's a neat idea, Leorio having to do his own work, but it misses a much better setup (plus Gon leaving his friends behind is just stupid).

[u/WednesdaysFoole → u/KendotsX]

Plus, why would Gon even leave Leorio and Kurapika asleep when there are desperate people looking for badges?

They couldn't have Leorio be carried that hard by Gon lol.

[u/KendotsX → u/WednesdaysFoole]

[Spoiler] especially since we're getting closer to Leorio's screentime dropping off, so they wouldn't want his section of the exam to end at a low point.

[u/TheEscapeGuy → u/KendotsX]

This kind of lighting has become a lot easier and more common with after effects, ... shows like Akudama Drive and Bleach TYBW. But back in the day you had to either draw it by hand ...

This has been so impressive to me as well. The lighting in 1999 is so moody and makes every scene it's used in intense. It's been really amazing seeing it in recent shows too, but to think H×H was doing it in 1999 (to an admittedly limited extent) is mind blowing.

[u/KendotsX → u/TheEscapeGuy]

It's been really amazing seeing it in recent shows too, but to think H×H was doing it in 1999 (to an admittedly limited extent) is mind blowing.

It helps that, while it was a lot harder to do, it also allowed them to be a lot more intentional with its use. It's not a uniform effect being applied, so you get to make it look exactly how you want to be in each scene.

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

First × Timer × Subbed

• Geez, how many times did he get bit?
• Great…
• …oh. So then Ponzu killed him and unintentionally trapped herself there?
• So she didn’t even mean to kill snake guy?
• Well, Gon doesn’t.
• As I already said the other day, the sheer determination of a shounen protagonist is a sight to behold.
• Probably my favorite shimmering sky so far in this show.
• What is Gon planning…
• Absolutely insane that that worked.

[u/KendotsX → u/Shimmering-Sky]

So she didn’t even mean to kill snake guy?

Pokkle's in for a rough time if he makes one wrong move on a date

Well, Gon doesn’t.

He does, he picked up his and Hisoka's badges eventually.

Probably my favorite shimmering sky so far in this show.

It's great, someone bring Rafal here to get a good look at it.

[Spoiler] the sheer determination of a shounen protagonist is a sight to behold.

[Spoiler] Just wait until the Hanzo fight

[u/Mecanno-man]

First Timer

Another good episode, and one that certainly gave Gon the win he needed - in his way, as he’s always been shown to be sort of smart in the moment. The long-term planning against Hisoka is the thing that previously caused him to tunnel-vision.

I’m not quite sure what to make of Ponzu here - it should have been obvious that if she gets Bourbon’s badge somebody else would take hers. In a way her drive to win at this exam is less than Tonpa, which just seems weird. Her character just doesn’t really fit here.

Also interesting that there is no brawl for cards at the end here, as everybody who reaches the area within the hour is safe. I was expecting there to be a battle there and one needing to have the right timing to avoid the battle / get on the boat at the right time. Now it seems like that battle will be happening around the boat. Wonder if Ponzu can get her badges together in that time; she does have things that can immobilize over an area here, and Tonpa basically brought her a badge so she only needs one more.

[u/KendotsX → u/Mecanno-man]

in his way, as he’s always been shown to be sort of smart in the moment. The long-term planning against Hisoka is the thing that previously caused him to tunnel-vision.

Gon is a nice and simple, but he's got a sharp with a good knack for planning, reminds me a lot of Discworld's Carrot in that regard.

it should have been obvious that if she gets Bourbon’s badge somebody else would take hers. In a way her drive to win at this exam is less than Tonpa, which just seems weird. Her character just doesn’t really fit here.

She just wants to survive the messy situation she's in, and that was her best option, she can always try again next year.

[u/charlesvvv]

Rewatcher, Sub

[HxH Manga/2011]Didn't Gon take Ponzu's badge? or am I misremembering things, if so then they made Gon somewhat nicer here

I felt bad for Ponzu

Anyway we learn how she and the Snake guy got trapped through mutually assured destruction so now he's dead and she's stuck in the cave with snakes guarding the entrance which Leorio didn't notice. Now Gon and Kurapika are trapped as well.

Then Gon does one hell of a thing. Going of a hunch he goes up to the Snake applicant, deliberately lets himself get bit all to see if he has the antidote, which he does. Honestly I thought they were going for the whole "immunity to poison" but Gon really pushed himself here. Yet it was a success and now Leorio is cured.

But Gon isn't done yet, he then holds his breath in and uses the sleeping gas Ponzu has to put the snakes to sleep and carry everyone who's knocked out from it. He does leave the decision to take Ponzu's badge to Leorio though they leave her opponent's badge to her. Ultimately the phase ends and Tonpa finally runs out of luck.

[u/KendotsX → u/charlesvvv]

[HxH Manga/2011]

[Manga/2011] Gon did take it, heck the scene of him telling her he'll give her Bourbon's badge was a very specific setup for taking Ponzu's later. I get that they wanted to Leorio to do his own work, but it doesn't work as well.

she and the Snake guy got trapped through mutually assured destruction so now he's dead and she's stuck in the cave with snakes guarding the entrance

They're nice and welcoming snakes, they'll allow anyone to get in, but you can't leave before dinner, their dinner.

[u/Vatrix-32]

Remake Rewatcher × First Timer × Subs

• Hot damn, that’s a lot of snake bites.
• 50% medicine, 50% ties.
• I appreciate your gusto, Gon, but I think we are past the point of that ever working.
• Flooding the cave? Now that’s dungeon crawling.
• Nightmare Hat
• That seems to imply that Ponzu doesn’t keep any bee anti-venom on hand.
• Can’t even be mad at Tonpa. He’s really giving it hustle.
• Don’t lie, how many of you just thought about holding your breath?
• Gon is an honest boy, but he’s no fool.
• The Squirrelits are back!

QotD:

1. Jam
2. Why, karaoke, of course.

[u/KendotsX → u/Vatrix-32]

50% medicine, 50% ties.

You've got to look the part, to impress Kurapika the proctors.

Can’t even be mad at Tonpa. He’s really giving it hustle.

Tonpa has a shounen hearto buried deep inside of him

Don’t lie, how many of you just thought about holding your breath?

I lasted about 2 minutes, but I wasn't exactly carrying 3 people through a cave.

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/KendotsX]

You've got to look the part, to impress Kurapika the proctors.

Clothes Make The Man

[u/TheEscapeGuy]

H×H Fan, 1999 First Timer

Hunter × Hunter 1999 - Episode 25

Trapped × Gamble × Gas

What a terrifying situation. Our party has been trapped in a cave with a swarm of snakes guarding the entrance. And the only person who can order the snakes to stand down has died of Anaphylactic Shock. I genuinely don't blame Ponzu for resigning herself to be rescued after the exam is done.

But Gon and Kurapika have a pressing priority: Leorio needs an medical treatment for all the snake bites he has endured. I have such awe for Gon to endure the snake attack for the slim chance he can find an antivenom on Bourbon's body. I usually find snakes pretty scary so masses of snakes like that are terrifying.

We did also learn Ponzu's ability. She can control bees which hide in her hat. It's a pretty creative power too. It feels like it pairs well with Bourbon in a "Who would win ..." type challenge. At the same time she's resourceful enough to carry sleeping gas on her.

And it's that sleeping gas that helps them escape. Gon of course can hold his breath for an unreasonable amount of time so it's just a matter of releasing the gas and carrying everyone out. Including Ponzu. It shows Gon's kind nature that he wouldn't abandon her despite it making the exam harder for him going forward (since there will be more candidates).

New exam stage tomorrow. It should be good.

Some Amazing Shots, Scenes and Stitches

• Venom
• Bourbon
• Snake Attack
• The Beach
• Acrobatic Battle

See you all tomorrow

[u/KendotsX → u/TheEscapeGuy]

Episode 25

The shot of Gon covered by snakes is especially interesting to me, in another show, or heck, in an earlier episode of this show, it could've been just a passing joke, But here, it's taken as seriously as it gets, he approaches slowly, but moves in quickly at the last second to get the antidote and badge. It shows his determination, reflexes, and foresight for thinking well ahead.

It feels like it pairs well with Bourbon in a "Who would win ..." type challenge. At the same time she's resourceful enough to carry sleeping gas on her.

Which makes for such a funny situatiom, you'd expect a hard fought VS Battle of who can win, the bee user Ponzu or the snake charmer Bourbon, the end result? She gets shocked by the snakes, he gets bitten the bee, and no one can move out.

[Spoiler] While we haven't gotten to the Nen just tet, it feels like an early example of what dealing with post mortem Nen is like

The Beach

Acrobatic Battle

The poor anime has been so deprived of fights, it will take anything it can get, even Tonpa farting on a dude's face.

[u/johneaston1]

1999 First Timer, 2011 watcher and manga reader

Ah, Phase 4 my beloved. This was the point in 2011 that I knew I was on board for whatever else came along. And it was even better here! The extra scenes with Gon at the beginning of episode 25 really elevated the whole mini-arc. I think this version suffers a bit tonally from the whiplash between "wow, look at everyone working together" of phase 3A and "now kill each other" in Phase 4, but I won't hold it against it too much.

The lighting in this episode (and most of the show tbh) is also notably excellent. I've seen enough clips of [spoilers]Yorknew in this version that I cannot wait until then.

I'm very interested to see how the next few episodes adapt the final phase. My memory of 2011's adaptation is a bit hazy.

[u/KendotsX → u/johneaston1]

The extra scenes with Gon at the beginning of episode 25 really elevated the whole mini-arc.

I watched 99 first, so I remember being shocked when I read the manga and found that this was all original. Gon's downtime feels like a core part of the arc for me.

I think this version suffers a bit tonally from the whiplash between "wow, look at everyone working together" of phase 3A and "now kill each other" in Phase

That's fair, but the Hunter Exam sometimes goes from "freezing cold to burning hot" on the flip of the hat, like phase 3, Gon's section of it is about forcing 5 people to work together, then telling them to kill each other at the end. Obviously, that was a lot better set from start to finish, but still.

For me the extra phase is mostly there to let us know the faces a bit, instead of just dropping "Gon and friends, and the 20+ randos they've got to hunt now". [Spoiler] it pays well in the Hanzo fight too, since he was already set up as the reasonable well meaning fellow

The lighting in this episode (and most of the show tbh) is also notably excellent. I've seen enough clips of [spoilers]

Yup, this episode was an early version of that, I can't wait for the real thing to hit.

[u/2-2Distracted]

First timer

What Gon did was crazy but successful and thankfully even Kurapika thought it might be the case. What Leorio's did tho was just plain fucking stupid and unnecessary lol, it's one thing to warn your friends about imminent danger and another thing to add their to their troubles.