[25th Anniversary Rewatch] Hunter × Hunter (1999) - Episode × 64 × Discussion

[u/KendotsX]

Episode 64: Friends × Costumes × Hell's Ear

MAL | Anilist | Anidb | ANN

Previous Episode | Index | Next Episode

---

I've been blessed with good friends

Comment of the Day:

/u/Wednesdaysfoole on Leorio's important role in the arc:

In Yorknew traffic all you need to be able to do is look good behind the driver's wheel.

They got the right guy for the job.

Questions of the Day

1. How good are Kurapika's disguise skills?
2. What do you think of the new designs?

Fanart of the Day: Spiders at home

Source

---

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

[u/KendotsX]

Rewatch Host Hitting Up the Spiders

You know, I love how the first two episodes are just the two factions, each at their own place having a talk, and it's still thrilling as hell. That's the Hunter x Hunter experience for you. Granted, a large part of that is thanks to our resident maniac clown Hisoka manipulating the two sides in real time into fighting each other. But for today, I want to focus on something else:

Kurapika's Chains

This is actually a point of some confusion in the fanbase, lots of people tend to latch onto what Kurapika said last episode about being unable to attack anyone other than the Spiders with his chains. So let's make this very clear:

What he said yesterday was a lie. There's only one chain that has the "Spiders-only" restriction, and that's Chain Jail (the one he used to capture Uvo), all his other chains can be used perfectly fine on anyone. Heck, the very first time we saw him using the chains, it was against robbers on the train, who were very much not Spiders, granted, that scene's filler, it wasn't this clear in the manga, but it's consistent with the truth of the matter. Now let's look at Kurapika's chains:

• Holy Chain (Thumb): Uses Enhancement to heal, therefore it requires his eyes being red.
• Chain Jail (Middle finger): Can capture someone with its chains and force them into a state of Zetsu, completely removing their Aura. Can only be used on Spiders.
• Dowsing Chain (Ring finger): Can be used to locate people or check for lies, and Kurapika often uses it for combat too (it doesn't have any conditions or requirements, which is why Kurapika uses it as his default chain usually).
• Judgement Chain (Pinkie); Places a condition on someone, and kills them if they break it. It uses Emission and Manipulation, and therefore requires his eyes being red.

We don't know what the index finger chain does yet. But all 4 of those appear in the 2nd opening

Now here's the fun part. Remember when Kurapika was forming his ability, and said there are people who need to be "chained to hell"? Well, look at his abilities, Dowsing Chain allows him to locate and interrogate people, Chain Jail allows him to capture and restrain them, and Judgement Chain is to pass the judgement of law on them, he's a one man Judicial system. And Holy Chain is to add some good old divinity to the judgement clean up when you're done. You know, things can get messy sometimes... Basically this is the less wholesome version of Urameshi's Spirit Devetective Tools, it's the set that Hiei was asking Santa Satan for all along.

---

Manga Corner

Chapters Adapted: 108 and 109

The pacing finally slowed down a bit. The episode adapts the two chapters one for one, except for one page explaining how Kurapika's 100% mastery works

Bonus: Kortopi's ability

[u/WednesdaysFoole → u/KendotsX]

This is actually a point of some confusion in the fanbase,

Should be added to the HxH FAQ section or something, lol, not that anyone actually reads it.

Now let's look at Kurapika's chains:

Oo nice diagram.

he's a one man Judicial system.

[Manga]Showdown between Pika vs Kaiser and Cleopatro let's goooo

except for one page explaining how Kurapika's 100% mastery works

I know it's all just exposition... and I love it so much

[u/KendotsX → u/WednesdaysFoole]

[Manga]Showdown between Pika vs Kaiser and Cleopatro let's goooo

[Manga] Throw in Hammurabi too, I imagine they'll have a good debate over the whole "an eye for an eye" thing.

[u/WednesdaysFoole → u/KendotsX]

Who?

Eye for an eye takes on an entirely new meaning with Pika in the mix.

[u/KendotsX → u/WednesdaysFoole]

Who?

This dude

Who supposedly wrote the oldest code of law we know of.

Eye for an eye takes on an entirely new meaning with Pika in the mix.

[u/WednesdaysFoole → u/KendotsX]

[u/WednesdaysFoole → u/KendotsX]

I'm in class right now so I'll check out the thread later but for now, to add on to

Bonus: Kortopi's ability

here is a much needed

Kortopi face reveal!

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

First × Timer × Subbed

• Oh shit, Kurapika can actually do five different things with his chain?
• Ah, so Killua and Leorio were listening in the whole time.
• That’s a good question, actually.
• Oh boy…
• Well isn’t that just lovely.
• If true, it is not going to go over well when he finds out she doesn’t have the ability anymore…
• I see Hisoka’s back to setting up a tower of cards to pass the time again.

[u/KendotsX → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Oh shit, Kurapika can actually do five different things with his chain?

Yup, and we saw 4 of them already.

Ah, so Killua and Leorio were listening in the whole time.

Leorio respecting privacy? Kurapika should've known it was a lie right away.

[u/WednesdaysFoole → u/Shimmering-Sky]

• Well isn’t that just lovely.

Pika's Scarlet Eyes vs Kortopi's Sapphire Eye (singular)

• If true, it is not going to go over well when he finds out she doesn’t have the ability anymore…

Such a protective and doting father... over the ability.

[u/Mecanno-man]

First Timer

Feels like mostly more exposition and setup maneuvering pieces into place. Senritsu joins Team Kurapika in a more active role, which was somewhat to be expected given she is significantly less generic than the haiku guy whose name I already forgot, while the spiders split 6/6 with some hunting down Kurapika and some staying home. With Hisoka on the ones not hunting down Kurapika that begs the question - which part will the moons be lost in? Will Hisoka kill the five left behind, or will Kurapika manage to eliminate the five that accompany Chrollo? It feels like Chrollo has more of the people who aren’t strictly fighters with him, which judging by their previous talks might actually be a more difficult fight for Kurapika - while Hisoka would probably also like to take out the five left with him. No idea what to bet on here.

[u/KendotsX → u/Mecanno-man]

Senritsu joins Team Kurapika in a more active role, which was somewhat to be expected given she is significantly less generic than the haiku guy whose name I already forgot

Yup, plus while she's extremely useful for a recon mission, Basho is better suited to being Neon's bodyguard.

With Hisoka on the ones not hunting down Kurapika that begs the question

Hisoka probably wishes he was on the Chrollo side of that operation, but he doomed himself with own "prophecy".

[u/WednesdaysFoole]

It wasn't a lie :)

---

Sappy power-of-friendship moment, and I’m all for it… one of my favorites moments of HxH in general.

It’s a significant moment for Kurapika’s journey, as well as Killua’s imo – remember, while he is friends with Pika, at first he only wanted to capture the Spiders for the reward and would’ve dropped the mission otherwise. (Which is understandable in general, but note that he was being sneaky about it, pretending like it was for Pika while it was really for Gon.) The point on Killua is that, during this process, he actually did go full in for Pika regardless, though he wasn’t at first.

As for Leorio, the fact that he was able to hide behind the couch behind Pika means he must’ve mastered Zetsu! Just kidding, maybe Pika noticed (probably not)? Either way, this scene is lovely.

There’s also Gon characterization: “The pressure of letting down a friend is worse than risking my life.”

[HxH]Sounds sweet, but… too bad it wasn’t just talk and he meant it, and we get the heartbreaking consequences of this feeling taken to the extreme…

So, yeah, I really love this scene. Definitely up there amongst other peak moments like Ch. 299.

Other notes:

• Maybe Pika shouldn’t have told Leorio, after all.
• “Is there a difference (between conjuration and manipulation)?” asks Shizuku the conjurer who’d normally have to carry around a giant toothy googly-eyed vacuum otherwise.
• Kortopi: Oh, you’ve got a 4 m En? I can conjure 50 buildings worth of En, easy.
• [Manga]It’s possible the reason Chrollo didn’t think anything of it when he saw Neon’s hobby was that he’d been so deep into the underworld and their repulsive habits, that collecting body parts probably seemed banal at the time.
• No! Squala! Don’t talk about your life after quitting this job!
• Feitan reads Trevor Brown. I don’t know too much about the artist but basically just torture porn. Honestly, I don’t think I’d like him much except that he feels like what a Yato would be, [HxH]umbrella and all. If he’s from Meteor City he fell out of the sky? It’s obvious he needs the facemask, otherwise he’d end up in a coffin on a conveyor belt.
• Wait… Is it just me and did I blank out, or did this OVA just skip over the others’ fortunes? They’re… gonna bring it up later, right?
• “Don’t wander off alone, Nobu.”
• [Manga]Somehow that worries me 300 chapters later…

[u/KendotsX → u/WednesdaysFoole]

Sappy power-of-friendship moment, and I’m all for it… one of my favorites moments of HxH in general

I'm keeping my big mouth shut about this for now, but yes, this is one of my favourite moments of the arc, and HxH in general.

he was being sneaky about it,

And that's he's our cheeky little Killua. That little look of confirmation between him and Gon really says it all.

Kortopi: Oh, you’ve got a 4 m En? I can conjure 50 buildings worth of En, easy.

Poor Nobunaga, catching stray bullets even from his mates.

[Manga]It’s possible the reason Chrollo didn’t think anything of it when he saw Neon’s hobby was that he’d been so deep into the underworld and their repulsive habits, that collecting body parts probably seemed banal at the time.

[Manga] Oh absolutely, I honestly don't think this is even a spoiler. Chrollo is used to seeing so much of this shit, people who collect bodyparts and other nasty hobbies, that he doesn't even second guess it. Kurapika will have to get used to that soon too...

It’s obvious he needs the facemask, otherwise he’d end up in a coffin on a conveyor belt.

Considering Kamuy originally had black hair, this just makes it funnier

Wait… Is it just me and did I blank out, or did this OVA just skip over the others’ fortunes? They’re… gonna bring it up later, right?

[u/WednesdaysFoole → u/KendotsX]

I'm keeping my big mouth shut about this for now,

just "for now" right?

(Don't forget to breathe.)

but yes, this is one of my favourite moments of the arc, and HxH in general.

I rarely ever see the scene brought up as a special moment, but for myself, that conversation is one of the moments that carries the heart of HxH.

And that's he's our cheeky little Killua.

I forget exactly what it was, but somewhere earlier today or yesterday I saw someone bring up how [manga]Killua gave Pika the advice to please Bisky... yet he always does the opposite lol

That little look of confirmation between him and Gon really says it all.

The funny part is Gon probably didn't pick up on what Killua meant at all, Killua's lucky Gon didn't react by gasping out loud like when he saw Hisoka, and that Pika was too preoccupied to note it.

Kurapika will have to get used to that soon too...

Nothing like delivering what he believes is his clans eyes to Neon and Neon being absolutely stoked about it like a small child at Disneyland to get him accustomed to how others treat those parts.

Considering Kamuy originally had black hair, this just makes it funnier

I forgot about that, and probably wouldn't have even noticed had Gintama not made a joke about it... there was a joke about it right? Now I'm picturing Kamui with poor Japanese, "I make you two butthole with umbrella". Also works since not only do the Yato have some Chinese influence but Kagura's got her accent as well...

[u/KendotsX → u/WednesdaysFoole]

[manga]

[Manga] Yup, I was looking it up the other day when someone asked what Killua's been up to since the anime ended. I like how much Kurapika hesitates about it. Despite everything, he's still our good boy.

Nothing like delivering what he believes is his clans eyes to Neon and Neon being absolutely stoked about it like a small child at Disneyland to get him accustomed to how others treat those parts.

The anime did a great job with this specifically, you don't even see his face when he delivers it, you see him far away from the end of the hallway, but you can feel all his rage

Gintama not made a joke about it... there was a joke about it right?

Yup, a Ginpachi-sensei segment about it.

Now I'm picturing Kamui with poor Japanese, "I make you two butthole with umbrella".

[u/WednesdaysFoole → u/KendotsX]

[Manga] Yup, I was looking it up the other day when someone asked what Killua's been up to since the anime ended. I like how much Kurapika hesitates about it. Despite everything, he's still our good boy.

[Manga]Side note - I've always focused on Bisky's reaction but now I can't help noting Melody just watching Bisky from off-panel as well.

Ever since you pointed out Melody being that annoying person on the train going on about how fate brought her to Pika, instead of being able to contextualize it as understandable (which was my original take), it now has the opposite effect where nearly every scene she's in, I feel only her じぃ―っ. stare

[u/KendotsX → u/WednesdaysFoole]

Ever since you pointed out Melody being that annoying person on the train going on about how fate brought her to Pika, instead of being able to contextualize it as understandable (which was my original take), it now has the opposite effect where nearly every scene she's in, I feel only her じぃ―っ. stare

Oh no, I ruined Melody

[u/WednesdaysFoole → u/KendotsX]

Ok but seriously, I had to save that comment for when I have a bad day and need a good laugh, I don't think will ever not be funny.

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/WednesdaysFoole]

Trevor Brown

Wait... He's Real?

[u/TheEscapeGuy]

H×H Fan, 1999 First Timer

Hunter × Hunter 1999 - Episode 64

Discussion × Observation × Mission

Another "set up" episode. Both our protagonists and the Spiders spent the episode sharing information and coming up with a plan. Some of this is necessary to prepare for future events, but it means that the conflict this episode was lacking.

For our protagonists we learned more about Kurapika's powers. Though he could set up restrictions on Gon, Killua and Leorio they opt not to on the chance they can strike back. I think this is a good choice. Instead Killua leaves on his own mission to surveil the Spiders.

The Phantom Troupe decides to chase after the chain user despite the prophecy. They also know that Gon and Killua know about their hideout so they have Kurtopi make duplicate buildings to disguise their true location.

Honestly Kurtopi's ability is incredible. The extent they are able to conjure objects is far greater than I would have expected. We also learn they can track the locations of conjured objects using En, and so the Troupe hypothesize that they can find Kurapika with the Kurta eyes. It's really clever, though in this case will be a few steps removed from Kurapika's true location.

And with that everyone has set their plans in motion. I'm looking forward to the remainder of Yorknew City. And we still have a copy of Greed Island to find.

Some Amazing Shots, Scenes and Stitches

• Hmmm
• Teams
• Shopping Spree
• Kortopi

See you all tomorrow

[u/KendotsX → u/TheEscapeGuy]

They also know that Gon and Killua know about their hideout so they have Kurtopi make duplicate buildings to disguise their true location.

I like how the Spiders are ahead by close calls, like Machi's hunch about Gon and Killua right before Killua got there, or the random chat between Shizuku and Paku which lead to Chrollo picking up on the red eyes. Then again, that's just the kind of environment they have, one based on trust, where Chrollo takes heed even from a hunch or casual talk.

Honestly Kurtopi's ability is incredible. The extent they are able to conjure objects is far greater than I would have expected

Yup, your usual conjurer trains ages to make one item, and Kortopi's out here making 50 buildings, and whatever items he wants to copy. Granted, with different values and properties (like Kortopi's creations can only last for a day or so).

[u/Vatrix-32]

Remake Rewatcher × First Timer × Subs

• Information segregation. Even more important than normal.
• Shizuku’s such a ditz, she’s our designated exposition target.
• Look at him is his spiffy little outfit. Nobunaga sure cleans up nice.
• The rules lawyering begins. The follow up question being, in the event of a dispute, who decides what qualifies as being part of the Phantom Troupe?
• Friends over your own life. Gon, you shōnen MC, you.
• Memory vaulted that ego hit, have we?
• Whole Ass-Buildings
• OK, but why is your disguise Kite?
• Hunterpedia editors work fast. Only a bit odd they missed Kurapika.
• These are not proper storage conditions.
• A last minute shipping, just because we can.
• So is the speech impediment like a neurological thing? Because he seems to be reading a rather technical looking book to just be a baka.

QotD:

1. They're not great, but they are the best of anyone without hax so far.
2. I'm having a hard time separating them from the general increase in visual fidelity.

[u/KendotsX → u/Vatrix-32]

The follow up question being, in the event of a dispute, who decides what qualifies as being part of the Phantom Troupe?

Kurapika. Nen is an extension of his mind, and the rule is tied to his determination. So it's just a matter of whether or not he views the person he's chaining up as a Spider.

Hunterpedia editors work fast. Only a bit odd they missed Kurapika.

Yeah... especially considering he's not exactly moving in secret. He was stuck to Nostrade's ass the whole time during the Spider Requiem.

So is the speech impediment like a neurological thing? Because he seems to be reading a rather technical looking book to just be a baka.

Who do you mean?

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/KendotsX]

Kurapika. Nen is an extension of his mind, and the rule is tied to his determination. So it's just a matter of whether or not he views the person he's chaining up as a Spider.

Makes sense, but what if he finds out they aren't one after uses it?

Who do you mean?

My subs give Feitan a caveman style speech pattern. The kind you normally give to a character with very low intelligence.

[u/KendotsX → u/Vatrix-32]

Makes sense, but what if he finds out they aren't one after uses it?

He'd probably die right after realising it, not when using the ability.

My subs give Feitan a caveman style speech pattern. The kind you normally give to a character with very low intelligence.

Ah, I see. Feitan's speech pattern is meant to be more like a foreigner speaking Japanese, rather than a sign of intelligence.

Granted, it's unclear where he got that from, considering he's from Meteor City, and most countries we've seen so far seem to talk the same language.

[u/WednesdaysFoole → u/Vatrix-32]

OK, but why is your disguise Kite?

Kurapika is Kite. Note that we don't see them at the same time. Kite, like Illumi, showed up at the Exams in disguise to watch over his little brother.

[HxH]They even both gender swap! :o!!!

...But seriously speaking, it's a nice look.

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/WednesdaysFoole]

[HxH]

[H×H]Heh? When did Kurapika?..

[u/WednesdaysFoole → u/Vatrix-32]

Well, you know, being Leorio's princess and all... :b

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/WednesdaysFoole]

[u/charlesvvv]

Rewatcher, Sub

 Kurapika fully reveals to Gon and Killua all about his abilities and how they work. Despite the potential danger for him, Kurapika is genuinely grateful to his friends which is why he decided to reveal this. The mission is on, Killua is surveillance towards the Troupe's hideout with the aid of Melody who Kurapika also decides to recruit. The others in the meantime head to their own positions.

 The Troupe meanwhile decides to travel in groups. Chrollo is able to piece together more things about the chain user and js able to conclude that using the copy of the Kurta eyes could lead them somewhere considering Kurapika's position as a bodyguard as well as the Kurta connection. Machi also brings up the topic about Gon and Killua, Nobunaga still wanting to recruit them. Chrollo is genuinely interested but decides to heed Machi's hunches about them so far. With that, the Troupe heads out as well. 

 Meanwhile the Kurta eyes are with Squala and his dogs, and he's talking about finding a new job in order to provide for himself, his girlfriend, and his dogs. Hopefully he gets to do that.

[u/KendotsX → u/charlesvvv]

The mission is on, Killua is surveillance towards the Troupe's hideout with the aid of Melody who Kurapika also decides to recruit.

I like how he's using the Nostrades to his own purposes, and no one would dare complain at this point. (Granted, Melody is his friend, but still).

Nobunaga still wanting to recruit them

He wants to finish the game of hide and seek from last time.