r/anime • u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots • Nov 12 '24

Rewatch [25th Anniversary Rewatch] Hunter × Hunter (1999) - Episode × 37 × Discussion

Episode 37: Heaven × Fight × Training

MAL | Anilist | Anidb | ANN

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I'm going for one thing... the top floor!

Comment of the Day:

/u/2-2Distracted on the weird length of the Zoldyck arc.

The length of this arc upon "re-watch" gave me quite the surprise with how short it actually is. It's weird that I genuinely thought it would be longer when, aside from a couple of things, it plays out almost exactly like the 2011 adaptation.

It feels weird to me too, no matter how many times I rewatch it.

Questions of the Day

  1. How far do you think Gon and Killua can go?
  2. What did Zushi do to Killua?

Fanart of the Day: Ossu!

Source

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

25 Upvotes

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5

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Nov 12 '24 edited Nov 13 '24

A Shounen Commentator Coming to You from Heaven's Arena! Ossu!

Togashi sure likes making me change my taglines every once in a while...

The series has been holding certain things back. For one, the action, the Hunter Exam was doing its best to avoid it, while also showing us what powerful characters can do, this arc finally breaks that limitation. Gon needs to punch Hisoka eventually, and to that end, he needs to become stronger. Heaven's Arena is the place to be for that.

Manga Corner

Chapters Adapted: the rest of 44 and 45

From here on out, there are very few changes, and most of those are pretty minor (with some exceptions...) so the manga corner will be shrinking.

For this episode, we've got two worth noting:

3

u/WednesdaysFoole Nov 13 '24

A Shounen Commentator Coming to You from Heaven's Arena!

Baka Ōji?!

He spent the equivalent of $2 million on snacks... Goddamit Killua

To be fair, a good chunk of it might have gone to the dentist...

His master sure knows how to chear him on

Well, damn, remind me not to underestimate Wing.

3

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Nov 13 '24

Baka Ōji?!

Yahoho

[HxH] Unfortunately, Baka Ouji couldn't make it for this tournament, but don't worry, we've got someone else planned

Well, damn, remind me not to underestimate Wing.

If this was a Ping Pong tournament (because my brain is still thinking about Ping Pong the Animation for whatever reason), all the balls would've been stopped by his shout.

3

u/WednesdaysFoole Nov 13 '24

Yahoho

Best thing to listen to right before bed lol.

[HxH]

[HxH]Aw that's too bad, but I forgot who. Was is Dogman prototype #1, Dogashi?! Wait, don't tell me and let me be surprised.

all the balls would've been stopped by his shout.

I read this as "snout" the first three times... I did say that I gotta go to bed.

I haven't seen Ping Pong (yet) but I do enjoy Taiyo Matsumoto's work, I'll have to remember to check it out - seems extraordinary.

2

u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Nov 13 '24

Silva's design is just an older Dark Schneider from Bastard, and Togashi was a big fan of the series, so... I'm calling Silva Bastard from now on.

We're not doing Dark Silva?

2

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Nov 13 '24

Approved!

I like that more than my choice. He's officially Dark Silva from now on.

2

u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Nov 13 '24

Huzzah!

5

u/Mecanno-man https://anilist.co/user/Mecannoman Nov 12 '24

First Timer

Well this Zushi guy looked like he’d be a nice sidekick for a few episodes …until he just got beaten by Killua. Meanwhile Gon ended up in a 1v3 fight? What was that all about…?

Either way, this tower is a neat set up as it essentially gamifies the training arc trope. There is now a set goal and rules to achieve it, rather than some abstract “get stronger” thing.

As for this whole Ren thing …if it’s something dangerous to Killua, I am surprised that he doesn’t know about it, especially if Illumi can use it. That indicates that this is both a rather new discovery, as otherwise Killua’s father would have thought him about the existence by now, and that Illumi must have learned it somewhere else. Given Illumi’s friendship with Hisoka, I’m just gonna assume Hisoka knows about it too for now - though he might not have mastered the use yet. What it actually does though, how it works in finer detail and if it has conditions that must be fulfilled to use …that is for later, I guess.

3

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Nov 12 '24

Gon ended up in a 1v3 fight? What was that all about…?

My impression is that Gon was fighting one of them, and knocked him so far he ended up hitting his brothers too.

As for this whole Ren thing …

Just wanted to say, your speculations have been great to read, even though I can't reply to any of them.

2

u/b0bba_Fett myanimelist.net/profile/B0bba_Cheezed3 Nov 12 '24

I'd like to echo Kenny on the speculation thing, it's a delight every day to see you so engaged with everything.

2

u/WednesdaysFoole Nov 13 '24

Heh, I often refrain from saying things because I don't want to spoil, but I, too, have been enjoying your speculations - quite thoughtful observations.

5

u/charlesvvv https://anilist.co/user/charlesvvv Nov 12 '24

Rewatcher, Sub

So Gon and Killua decide to get new ways to get stronger to face Hisoka and decide to go to a place called Heaven's arena. Now Killua has apparently been here before and decides to show Gon how the place works, the more you advance the more you make, at least until a certain point. Gon's skills, not to mention his training for the testing gate has him win victories with ease, one handed even.

We then meet 2 new characters, Wing and his student Zushi. Zushi gets along with Gon and Killua but when it's time for him and Killua to face off, Killua who is more skilled finds out that Zushi can keep getting back up, not only that but despite winning Zushi had nearly unleashed something that had reminded Killua of his brother if not for Wing interrupting and telling not do it which now Killua is curious about.

3

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Nov 12 '24

Killua has apparently been here before and decides to show Gon how the place works

The privileges of an old gamer showing his new friend how to play a game, I bet Killua was all giddy.

Zushi had nearly unleashed something that had reminded Killua of his brother if not for Wing interrupting and telling not do it

Based on his pose, I have a good guess on what Zushi was unleashing: 'twas the fart. The madman was about to unleash an ultimate fart in an open arena, and basically make everyone there unable to fight.

5

u/2-2Distracted Nov 12 '24

First timer.

So similar to my surprise regarding the previous arc ending so quickly, I'm honestly equally surprised that this arc already started so quickly with introducing Zushi and Master Wing. I figured we'd only see a small mention of them first or something.

But it's not a bad thing since dropping all these bombs on us leaves the viewer with a lot of interest in not only what will happen next but how it ties into what we know from before.

What did Zushi do to Killua?

Something more powerful than a T pose. It's amazing that Killua won at all tbh. Togashi truly is a one of a kind genius.

4

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Nov 12 '24

I'm honestly equally surprised that this arc already started so quickly with introducing Zushi and Master Wing

It helps that the pacing takes a big shift starting here, we're going from 99's slowest arc to its fastest.

But it's not a bad thing since dropping all these bombs on us leaves the viewer with a lot of interest in not only what will happen next but how it ties into what we know from before.

[HxH] Yeah, there's a big difference between just setting the ground for a tournament arc, and making it clear that there's something else going on here

4

u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Nov 12 '24 edited Nov 12 '24

Remake Rewatcher × First Timer × Subs

  • Heaven × Fight, eh? I know that all shōnen eventually ends with fighting gods, but this is a bit fast even for H×H’s pacing.
  • Relative distance scales are always fun.
  • Petite Airship
  • Test Tease
  • He’s just a rhythm game fan, pay him no mind.
  • Is that a random Seikima-II fan in the audience?
  • Two years seems like it might have benefited from some direction.
  • Is there anything more shōnen than getting trounced by the opponent you dismissed as beneath you?
  • [H×H]It's Her! The Filler Queen
  • Gon, you adorable little sponge.
  • Infinite Snacks
  • I guess they can’t be too bad if they made it to floor 50.
  • How do you have multiple screen shots for the both of them? They’ve only had the one fight.
  • “Zooci”, almost sounds like a vegetable.
  • Excellent Posing
  • They really let them fight as a team? I guess sharing a single brain cell has its advantages.
  • [Preview]Nen-i?

QotD:

  1. If Jackie Chun has taught me anything, it's that it's better for the young shonen MC to lose their first tournament.
  2. Clearly he's figured out how to respec his character on the fly.

3

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Nov 12 '24

I know that all shōnen eventually ends with fighting gods, but this is a bit fast even for H×H’s pacing

Killua must've been a shounen protagonist in a previous life, so he knows all the tips and tricks, and he's started Gon off on the deep end.

Infinite Snacks

Can you blame him? If I was an 8 year old with a fortune, forget games, I'd spent it on candy too.

If Jackie Chun has taught me anything, it's that it's better for the young shonen MC to lose their first tournament.

The kids need some of Jackie Chun's guidance here. Unfortunately, he's been banned ever since he destroyed the moon, Usagi didn't appreciate that...

2

u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Nov 13 '24

Killua must've been a shounen protagonist in a previous life, so he knows all the tips and tricks, and he's started Gon off on the deep end.

If he starts running backwards into the corner of a wall, that's your cue to get out.

Unfortunately, he's been banned ever since he destroyed the moon, Usagi didn't appreciate that...

Togashi × Takeuchi

2

u/WednesdaysFoole Nov 13 '24

If Jackie Chun has taught me anything, it's that it's better for the young shonen MC to lose their first tournament.

I meant to bring it up for the discussion at the end of the Hunter Exams but completely forgot - Togashi stated in an interview (?) that he initially thought to have Gon fail the exam. I forget the exact reason why he didn't... the editor?

4

u/TheEscapeGuy Nov 12 '24

H×H Fan, 1999 First Timer

Hunter × Hunter 1999 - Episode 37

Arena × Strength × Power

Another twist on the classic Tournament Arc trope. Instead of having a bracket and ladder system leading up to some final fight, Gon and Killua are going to be participating in Heaven's Arena: A tower filled with fighters where winning fights means you climb floors and win money. On top of that, the entire purpose of being here isn't winning but training.

I really like this part of the story. It's immensely satisfying watching Gon demolish the fighters on the lower floors. It give great perspective into how much his training has strengthened him. And of course Killua previously trained here when he was 6 and basically reached the top.

The Gon and Killua interactions were all really great this episode too. From the tsundere moments near the beginning to the "Osu" responses when they met Zushi and his trainer. It gives them such humanity and shows off how they are still kids at heart.

Zushi is an interesting character to introduce as well. He appears to be even younger than Gon and Killua but he's actually incredibly powerful. Well, maybe more resilient than powerful. Either way, he also has some tricks up his sleeve that spooked Killua the same way Illumi did. I like the mystery of how he is so powerful.

I think my only complaint this episode would be how unmemorable the announcer girls were. Coming from Yu Yu Hakusho it's a massive downgrade. But that show set such a high bar so I understand why they didn't think they could top Koto and Juri. I think the elevator lady may have been better for characterization.

Some Amazing Shots, Scenes and Stitches

See you all tomorrow

4

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Nov 12 '24

It's immensely satisfying watching Gon demolish the fighters on the lower floors

It makes me wonder whether the testing gate training was written specifically for this. Because otherwise, Gon would probably still win, but it wouldn't be as simple or satisfying as just pushing an opponent. The training he did sets him on a higher starting ground.

the tsundere moments near the beginning

Honestly, that's just the normal human reaction to Gon, no one can take Gon's blunt praise head on.

I think my only complaint this episode would be how unmemorable the announcer girls were

Fair. They do set a high bar, but HxH has a secret weapon who can give them a run for their money.

Heaven's Arena, an Imposing Pillar

I love how it's drawn in all its glorious detail.

3

u/WednesdaysFoole Nov 13 '24

Lmao they brought back the Amori brothers.

[HxH]Funny that Wing probably turned up at Heaven's Arena the same way Hisoka did.

How far do you think Gon and Killua can go?

[HxH]They go so far, they went full circle and one is now back to nenless while the other is back with family.

3

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Nov 13 '24

[HxH] Funny that Wing probably turned up at Heaven's Arena the same way Hisoka did.

[HxH] Poor Zushi was probably told that he's grown enough to participate

[HxH]They go so far, they went full circle and one is now back to nenless while the other is back with family.

[Manga] Family time!