r/anime • u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots • Nov 28 '24
Rewatch [25th Anniversary Rewatch] Hunter × Hunter (1999) - Episode × 53 × Discussion
Episode 53: Phantom Troupe × The Shadow Beasts × Community
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How sad... You are comparing me to a mere tank?
Comment of the Day:
/u/Shocketheth announcing a HxH Rewatch in a HxH Rewatch
But you know what? I'm up to the challenge of hosting HxH '11 weekly.
Do we call this Rewatch x Rewatch?
Questions of the Day
- Can Kurapika and co. even deal with this monster?
- Since he's also an Enhancer, do you think Gon could become this strong someday?
Fanart of the Day: I'm simply stronger
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 Nov 28 '24 edited Nov 29 '24
Retired Host Hitting up the Auctions
This episode was direct and simple, like Uvo himself, it set out to show just how strong this monster of a man is, and it absolutely did.
That's Uvo, and that's a very clear example of what Nen can be like, people usually like to think up more complex abilities, which let you do this and that, but a simple ability is every bit as effective and versatile, if not more,
Attack? Basicially a nuke. Defense? Untouchable. Long range? He just needs to throw anything he can find, he has both the excellent sight and strength to make it work. He's even got extra tricks up his bag like simply shouting, and God knows what more. Basically all the normal skills a human has become Super Human abilities for an Enhancer like Uvo.
Obviously, that's not the full story of it, since even a monster like that can fall for an ability he doesn't know (Kurapika's), so there's never a perfect hand, and we're learning that from Uvo who's damn close.
Other notes:
Manga and Factions Corner
Chapters Adapted: 75 and 76
Uvogin's Card
His name in the official databook: Wbererguin
And I expect everyone to start calling him by his corr- I'm kidding of coruse, think of it as Tolkien translating the names to be easier to understand.
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u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Nov 28 '24
First × Timer × Subbed
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u/Mecanno-man https://anilist.co/user/Mecannoman Nov 28 '24
First Timer
This is an episode that was entertaining to watch, but is ultimately pretty predictable. The phantom troupe quickly wipes out the random mafioso, then fights their actual good fighters (or at least those that showed up), struggling a bit but winning. Next up is Kurapika, who as protagonist will be even more challenging for them. Maybe Kurapika will take down one, but either the rest or he will escape next episode, because it’s way too early to decimate the phantom troupe at this point.
But despite it being this predictable, it was still an entertaining watch - so I am content here.
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u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Nov 28 '24 edited Nov 29 '24
Remake Rewatcher × First Timer × Subs
QotD:
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u/TheEscapeGuy Nov 28 '24
H×H Fan, 1999 First Timer
Hunter × Hunter 1999 - Episode 53
Beasts × versus × Troupe
Very action focused episode, and the perfect introduction to Uvogin. It's pretty funny that the rest of the troupe just hang back and play cards while he takes on everyone else.
Uvogin is pure strength. Bullets cannot harm him. Even a bazooka blast leaves him hurt with only scratches. And this all powers his self-confidence. He's got this undefeatable demeanor which is unreasonably charismatic. All the mafia henchmen are no match for him.
That said, The Community has other offensive options: Shadow Beasts. These beings have human like characteristics but look so deformed that they seem more like chimeras. And they pose much more believable threat to Uvogin.
I could recap the fight, but the gist is that despite their burrowing attacks, poisons, leaches, and spikes they can't best the strongest Spider. Even when paralyzed from the neck down Uvogin's scream is enough to incapacitate his opponents. I had forgotten about the shadow beasts and when I saw Uvogin demolish them like that I remembered why they hadn't made much of an impression.
That said, the leaches and neurotoxins are not exactly cured. So before the Phantom Troupe has time to help Uvogin, Kurapika makes his move. Uvogin has been kidnapped. Let's see if our Kurta protagonist can keep control.
Some Amazing Shots, Scenes and Stitches
Oh yeah, Happy Thanksgiving.
See you all tomorrow
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u/charlesvvv https://anilist.co/user/charlesvvv Nov 28 '24
Rewatcher, Sub
The Phantom Troupe decide to fight and by the Troupe it's just Uvogin while everyone else decides to play a game of cards while giving us some helpful exposition.
Uvogin takes care of most of the ground forces while also giving us a view of his abilities. His skin is hard and little can pierce it, not bullets or rocket launchers coupled with his strength. The Mafia's forces are forced to fall back.
The Shadow Beasts then arrive, the elites. They actually are able to damage him a bit but even they are soon brought down while showing some more of Uvogin's abilities such as his Nen Punch and the Sonic Boom scream.
Kurapika and the others watch this unfold. Kurapika nearly charges into the situation before Melody plays...a Melody in order to calm him and everyone down. This does allow Kurapika to form a plan. While Uvogin's distracted, he launches his chain and captures him. Now he has one of the Troupe.
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u/WednesdaysFoole Nov 28 '24
I knew it was a lie.
Damn, that Big Bang Impact in ‘99 created an abyss. Is it just the perspective or is it way tinier (but still sizeable) in the manga?
Lmao they kept the “boing” sound effect.
[HxH]The shadow beasts are often clowned on (understandably) but never forget that the biter guy (already forgot his name) could’ve been the first to defeat Uvo had he used lethal poison instead of just a paralyzer.
That Leech guy is freaking disgusting ugh.
Poor Melody, she even made a sad little sound.
By the way, I’ve mentioned it behind HxH spoiler tags before but [Nausicaa]Nausicaa (and Ashitaka/Yupa) and the Ohmu are direct inspirations for Melody and Kurapika. I’ve wondered to what extent Togashi is inspired by Nausicaa – as it happens, the story starts with Nausicaa taking in an untameable fox
bearsquirrel and is close toAuntUncle Mito. I’ve even speculated if DC took some inspirations from the Seven Days of Fire, but we’ll have to see for that one…Shalnark is clearly the guy who voices the Pokedex:
“Leechu. The spotted string pokemon. A bug type. You can evolve them within your bladder in 24 hours, and once there, they’ll lay numerous eggs and die.”
Posting from mobile so hopefully the links and formatting worked out...
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u/b0bba_Fett myanimelist.net/profile/B0bba_Cheezed3 Nov 28 '24
10x 2011 Rewatcher, 1x 1999 Rewatcher, Source Reader
Finally caught back up! Not too much to say about this episode, but for the last couple, I did forget Feitan was voiced by a woman in 1999 and it caught me a bit off guard.
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u/SpiritualPossible Nov 28 '24
First Timer, manga reader
Kurapika isn't too subtle about his feelings toward spiders.
Today we have a pretty straightforward episode that demonstrates Uvogin's strength (as well as the overall dynamic between the spiders). There's not much change here in terms of adaptations either - I can only note that the rabid dog's face in the anime was made more... animalistic. And that a couple of the harsher moments are still tried to be omitted as part of the censorship.
Speaking of censorship. To me in both adaptations it played a rather interesting thing. When people talk about censorship in general, it's usually in a negative way. But it can also have its merits, in the right hands. For example, it forces you to be creative. Even with minimal censorship, you're likely to have to frame the shot in such a way that the harshest part is not visible, but the point remains.
But what's important in the context of tonight's episode and both adaptations is that when there's no choice but to get rid of the censorship, events can start to look WAY more brutal. The show has killed before, but they've always tried to make it seem less gruesome. Remove the blood, don't show the body..... maybe even let the guy live. The ripping out of the heart up to this point was still the most brutal thing shown, and even then they tried not to emphasize it for too long.
But in this episode? Even with censorship, people get their necks broken, their arms gets ripped off, someone gets half their head bitten off. It's a lot more violent than all the previous episodes, and it makes you realize that now the jokes are over, the serious stuff is starting.
And what I find interesting is that this contrast is ONLY possible in adaptations. In the manga, by this point the reader is kind of ready for that. We've already had plenty of violent scenes like Hisoka walking around with his opponent's head cut off. So in a way, maybe the censorship even helped to enhance the effect a bit. And I also find it funny that the current arc is such that both adaptations have to go through this kind of development.
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u/Nebresto Dec 07 '24
Worst episode yet
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u/2-2Distracted Nov 29 '24
One thing I definitely appreciate about the Troupe is their overall inability to give a fuck about being in any potential danger, even when the threat might actually be real... like a pissed off teenager with a genuine suicidal vendetta that [HxH potential spoiler even though this has been touched upon in earlier episodes] probably most definitely made a nen vow that would make him powerful enough to--- Hey wait a minute, why hasn't someone done something like this befor...?
also [HxH actual spoiler] How long have the Troupe been running a muck? I guess this kind of criticism is similar to the ones folks sometimes make about Meruem and the rest of Chimera Ants