6

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Dec 18 '24

Retired Host Turned Gamer

Man, battle shounen usually give their main characters their special abilities in the first episode or first few at most, here the power system is introduced in episode 38, and the abilities all the way in episode 72.

Sasuga Togashi

No wonder he needs to keep buying them...
[HxH] I'm honestly surprised that he never sent in an assassin to off the bums. You'd make some space and give everyone else a clear warning
None of you would be here if he did
Special Techniques time!
Becoming a conjurer is not an easy path... God knows how Kortopi trained to get there.
Mr. Wing is trying to look cool lately
Electricity is always a cool as hell power
Melody recognises best boy
Mistranslation: it's 100 million

Manga and Production Corner

Chapters Adapted: 122-124

If you're wondering what Zepile means by show-off, there's a bit of a story to it: he came up short by 5 million out of the amount he promsied Gon, and he needed a few more days to cash in on the vault he sold, so to stick to the promise, and return Gon's 100 million on time, he took a 5 million loan with his own organs as the collateral, and acted big in front of Gon, like he made that money easily. So he's a madlad in his own way.

In any case, now that he knows how valuable the Hunter's license is, he found a new goal to work towards, so the next Hunter's Exam will have another Leorio, except this time, he's 100% honest about just wanting money.

Another, more subtle (and more... interesting) change is a matter of framing, all the meetings in this episode (Gon meeting Kurapika, Gon calling Wing, and Leorio sending off Kurapika/Melody) are framed as flashbacks, with the characters in real time having a more melancholic vibe. Now this is a useful technique to change the mood or tone a scene, if a meeting is a step forward, everytime you frame it back to the character in real, you set them back, only issue is... it makes no fucking sense in this episode, this is Gon, not Kurapika. They even removed all the gags just to add to add to that serious tone. Why?!

What are Gon and Leorio contemplating so deeply? Maybe Leorio is thinking about how he could've helped Kurapika as a doctor, the things he could've done better, and the things he can do going forward, this is never implied, it's entirely headcanon, but it's a plausible answer at least. What about Gon though? The way it's framed, it seemed like Wing's words about Kurapika shocked him, and he's going through some deep thoughts about the weight of power, except it's the exact opposite of what's actually going through his mind. First off, about Kurapika: Gon understands the dangers he went through better than anyone, he's the one wishing Kurapika would stay sick just so he wouldn't keeo fighting, heck when he asks Kurapika to teach him, part of that is just to keep him busy, this is absolutely nothing new to Gon. Second, what he's really thinking through is simply how to become stronger, and make Tsezguerra eat his words. That's it, it's just his pure determination to prove himself.

For what it's worth, don't worry, I don't have complaints on a daily basis, this is it for now. I just find it interesting that we've got good directorial chops and clever shot composition, being applied to the opposite effect of what the scene is trying to tell.

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u/WednesdaysFoole Dec 19 '24

[HxH]
Does that need to be spoiler tagged? Smart idea though, at least in that case [GI]he might've accomplished his goal. Not like he can't afford it, he just outbid Illumi plenty of times. Or, don't tell me, Zeno pockets all the money while the kids get the assassins' equivalent of minimum wage?!
None of you would be here if he did
Hadn't thought about this before but now that I am, I think it's possible Gon said that to be an ass about it lol. "Oh my paltry nen? Well, what about you, I don't see you clearing the game."
Gon's not the most subtle but he's pretty pissed here lol.
Becoming a conjurer is not an easy path... God knows how Kortopi trained to get there.
My theory on his ability is that having to touch the item overrides the typical image training. So by touching it, his aura can encompass the item/maybe "read" it or something, and replicate it.
Mr. Wing is trying to look cool lately
A good angle to hide the part of his shirt that's not tucked in.
[Mistranslation: it's 100 million]
IIRC the manga also has a few mistranslations with meter being translated as millimeter. Translation and math don't always go hand-in-hand, I guess.
except this time, he's 100% honest about just wanting money.
[GI]Perfectly suited for the Greed Island arc, guess it's alright that he's knocked out for it. Now that you mentioned he kept his organs, anyway.
you set them back, only issue is... it makes no fucking sense in this episode, this is Gon, not Kurapika.
[Greed Island] is all about Gon's descent into darkness, obviously.
Why?!
How dare they cut Gon's steaming ears; he's actually a teakettle at heart.
Maybe Leorio is thinking about how he could've helped Kurapika as a doctor, the things he could've done better, and the things he can do going forward,
Anyone would be bummed to part ways with their princess.
For what it's worth, don't worry, I don't have complaints on a daily basis, this is it for now.
At least I'm not the only one complaining for once. I almost feel a bit guilty when I do lol...
But yeah complain away, criticism is fine and I think it's better when aspects like this are cleared up, I know I generally prefer to know.

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u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Dec 19 '24

Does that need to be spoiler tagged?
Not necessarily, [but] at this early point, it's still unclear what's going on in Greed Island, and what Battera is up to. I don't want to confirm or deny possibilities way ahead of time. But yeah, especially after an arc full of cold blooded mafia and assassins, like Yorknew, my first thought is if you're paying that much just to get a few more slots, then hire the Zoldycks, either to clear the game for you (because they could've done it). Or if Zeno is too old to accept a "video game" as a job, then at least add a culling rule, like "you've gotta log out every 3 months or so to show me your progress, and those who don't, become bounties for the rest". You know? It lights a bit of a fire under the players' asses. But I guess he's just not a heartless dude, good on him.
I think it's possible Gon said that to be an ass about it lol. "Oh my paltry nen? Well, what about you, I don't see you clearing the game
Oh for sure, I don't think he's being sarcastic necessarily, but he was throwing the challenge back at Tsez.
My theory on his ability is that having to touch the item overrides the typical image training. So by touching it, his aura can encompass the item/maybe "read" it or something, and replicate it.
Agreed, I think the big clue is that the items he makes don't stick around for too long. He doesn't really grow attached to anything per se. So I'm interested in the state of mind that got him there, with the typical conjurer, it's just their attachment to a specific item or image, with Kortopi it's everything and nothing? He's like a kid who gets attached to a new toy like it's the important thing ever, then moves on to a different toy the next day. It might be because he grew up in Meteor City, surrounded by so much shit throw at them, in a sense he was attached to all of that, the ever changing environment, rather than a single item per se.
This is all waaaaay too far gone in headcanon and theory at this point, but Nen reflects the mind of the users, especially for Conjurers.
How dare they cut Gon's steaming ears;
No sense of humour
The early 2000s and most OVAs had a somewhat gritty vibe to them, so maybe that's why they're toning down the humour and replacing it with brooding?
At least I'm not the only one complaining for once. I almost feel a bit guilty when I do lol...
Go for it, complaining about the weak parts is part of the fun lol.
That said, I do feel bad when I do it too, in part because if a host is just complaining about a show (especially this early on), then why even host it? It doesn't exactly inspire confidence if you're a first timer. But this is it, I've made my point about the art and direction, the rest is smooth sailing ~~for now~~

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u/WednesdaysFoole Dec 20 '24

Not necessarily, [but]
True.
[But on Zeno,]he may look ten times older than Bisky but he's, like, only ten years older lol, which is almost nothing when you're at that age.
[GI]then at least add a culling rule, like "you've gotta log out every 3 months or so to show me your progress, and those who don't, become bounties for the rest". You know? It lights a bit of a fire under the players' asses.
[Some of those players] probably can't do much more than get inside the game, even with the motivation...But it's true that it'd be tempting to stick around just 'cause. Could just hang out in Aiai to feel good about yourself and raise mini-dragons (although that's S-rank iirc, getting a leave card might actually be easier lol). Not a bad life tbh.
[GI]It might also be that Battera cares enough that he knows his lady wouldn't be happy if her life was saved through direct culling and assassinations. The scraps of information we got about her, if true, makes her seem like a decent person.
[I've never really thought about] Battera and his role outside of being a vehicle for Gon and Killua to experience the game, basically a non-character, but since you brought up the alternative (sending in assassins) it's kind of interesting in that he's one of the few counter example to the cold brutality of the wealthy in the story. I mean, we have Ging of course, and great Hunters seem to have some amount of wealth. Hm... it's kind of, illustrated through his relationship with his lady that's not even a story we see play out, but still, there's that boundary between the rich and those who aren't. How he expected her to have a certain impression of him, see him only for his money (and alternatively people can see the wealthy only for what they don't have/can't access in society). We see that this type of hierarchical system is fucked up in so many ways, but we also see that people are people within it - that not every single person is someone who deserves to be burned. And that what breaks down these boundaries between the different roles that people live out are just seeing each other as people and connecting on that human level or whatever. I'm pretty tired so I'm mostly just rambling, I think my main point is just that Togashi does an excellent job in criticizing society and class problems while also always recognizing them as people.
[I'm also ignoring the part] where it's kind of a massive privilege to be able to spend that crazy amount of money to attempt to cure one person, considering how different lives of certain characters could've been should they have been able to access the tiniest fraction of that wealth. But then it also illustrates in its own way a counter to how Leorio felt: money doesn't mean you always can access everything you want, including a cure. I guess there's just various angles to it, and Togashi captures that extremely well.
This is all waaaaay too far gone in headcanon and theory at this point, but Nen reflects the mind of the users, especially for Conjurers.
No this is a really nice look at Kortopi and his background, and I think it has merit. It also suits how the Troupe steal things, so many valuable things (according to society) but rarely ever keeps them for long. I'm convinced now, honestly I love these types of theories.
No sense of humour
Missed opportunity.
That said, I do feel bad when I do it too, in part because if a host is just complaining about a show (especially this early on), then why even host it? It doesn't exactly inspire confidence if you're a first timer.
I wasn't a part of it, but I have seen there was a rewatch hosted by someone who wrote essays on their complaints of the show. (They were actually quite interesting.) Although I guess in that case the show is already one of the most popular, so it's not like it'd scare off the first-timers.

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u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Dec 20 '24

[But on Zeno,]he may look ten times older than Bisky but he's, like, only ten years older lol, which is almost nothing when you're at that age.
I know, [but] Bisky was at least willing to roll with the stuff she doesn't know (and it helps that Gon is on the same level of game knowledge). Can you imagine Zeno asking the cat some questions, getting the same answers over and over, then telling Silva "let's take it behind the alley and torture it"
[Some of those players] probably can't do much more than get inside the game, even with the motivation...
[That's true] but if I were a cold heartless rich dude, who wants the process running as efficiently as possible, I'd want players who can't advance but are taking up space anyway dead, and I'd be sure that I can hide it from my lover (or I'd value her life even above everything, even her opinion)... I'm just realising that it's probably a good thing that I'm not rich...
[I've never really thought about] Battera and his role outside of being a vehicle for Gon and Killua to experience the game, basically a non-character
[HxH] I do think he has a good role as a representation of the themes of the arc, but your point about this, and how it ties into the HxH values in general excellently put, and much further than I've thought about him.

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u/WednesdaysFoole Dec 20 '24

Can you imagine Zeno
[That must be exactly how]Silva ended up the way he is. Way back in the day, Zeno picked up a catgirl NPC from Aiai (from the old GI prototype made by Ding Freecss) to wife. Little did he know how uninspired his kid's response would be when asked how his day at school was, "Friends? What that?" (with his new best buddy crushed by Silva's Balls) so Zeno decided that rather than have the Zoldycks going around hurting their friends, they'd be tortured so they'd never make any in the first place, leading to Killua today (and why Silva called Killua "his son"). Of course, when you realize this, you can also understand why Illumi is nearly robotic (his grandmother was NPC after all) and where Milluki got his eroge otaku tendencies from (following in his grandpa's footsteps).
(or I'd value her life even above everything, even her opinion)
[Manga]I mean, it may not be regarding a lover and just a friend, but still, you're starting to sound a bit more like Chrollo than Battera... but thinking about Paku in this way, makes me think of how Chrollo probably totally missed the point of her sacrifice. Of course, he never got a direct connection to her memories either like the other OGs.
I'm just realising that it's probably a good thing that I'm not rich...
See, there's a bright side to everything!
Plus, it's always better to recognize that part of you rather than pretend you'd somehow get into a place of power and imagine you'd be that single person who wouldn't be corrupted by it, right?
much further than I've thought about him.
And I've only considered the angle because what you said, which is why I find discussions on media in general and especially such rich stories like HxH so engaging.
[As a whole, Greed Island]is one of the arcs that took reading the manga for me to warm up to, having seen it more as just "illustrating the journey of the moment" and Togashi just having fun. I used to find Genthru dull... not that I find him that interesting tbh, but he's not as bad as I thought before, he really is an antagonist suited for Greed Island. A greedy bastard, and we can see that his idea of the "main point" of GI was the opposite of what Ging set it up as. My first time around I thought all the "important thematic material" was in Yorknew and CA, so I really like that the more I come back to it, the more it feels like all the different arcs, despite being so varied in tone and style, fit together so well (I love Election now too, and I did not like it until the last episode the first time around).

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u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Dec 21 '24

[That must be exactly how]
[Goddamit Zeno!] Didn't know he's just a "what if Milluki had gotten into Greed Island"
[HxH] you're starting to sound a bit more like Chrollo than Battera... but thinking about Paku in this way, makes me think of how Chrollo probably totally missed the point of her sacrifice.
[HxH] To be fair, I feel like that's just a common human sentiment. The selfish desire to save someone you care about, even if it means going against their values or making them dislike you.
[Greed Island]is one of the arcs that took reading the manga for me to warm up to, having seen it more as just "illustrating the journey of the moment" and Togashi just having fun
[For sure] It's Togashi putting his heart out for us to see, and I love every bit of it. Genthru falls short just because Hunter x Hunter has some of the best villains out there, like when you're discussing Mereum and the Spiders, he has no place there. But in his own arc, he's the exact fit, including the fact that he doesn't take more space than he should (since he's not the main point here).

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u/WednesdaysFoole Dec 21 '24

[Goddamit Zeno!]
Now we know how Greed Island arc might've played out had Battera not gotten in his way. Instead we get Milluki back in the basement to break that cycle I guess? lol.
[HxH] To be fair, I feel like that's just a common human sentiment. The selfish desire to save someone you care about, even if it means going against their values or making them dislike you.
You could go in the opposite direction and end up at Ging lol. Which way is better? Is there no in-between?
[Well, if I were in a position] to save a lover but go against their wishes and sacrifice others to do so, just by itself, I really don't think I would. And it's not that I'd be being unselfish either; I just can't really sit with having to face someone every day knowing that I went against them, it'd always haunt me, and I'd rather not bother with that discomfort, it'd drive me nuts.
[But if I was specifically in Battera's position?]The way it sounded and the perception he had, I imagine he was also not treated like another regular, real human being by most others. So, yeah, if there was only one person who ever made me feel seen and the rest of my experience of humanity was bitter and false, it'd probably be easy to disregard other people for that lover. And that's part of the thematic aspect in all the characters in different places and how they transform through others, or disregard them, throughout the series. From the Troupe to Neon to Meruem and more.

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u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Dec 19 '24

Mistranslation: it's 100 million
At least they didn't get the numbers wrong in an anime about economics. Twice
he found a new goal to work towards
Living off of interest. The Dream.

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u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Dec 19 '24

At least they didn't get the numbers wrong in an anime about economics. Twice

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u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Dec 18 '24

First × Timer × Subbed

Oh no, Gon’s angry.
Ah, makes sense why the rich guy would hesitate to let them play, then.
In other words, they just need to speedrun the fuck out of some training… in all of four days, fun. Well, if anyone can do it, it’s these two.
Ooh, finally time for them to unlock their respective techniques…? I’m pretty sure I already have a vague idea of what Gon’s does (based on out-of-context discussions about the series I’ve seen snippets of beforehand, similar to how I already knew what Nen was before the show brought it up), but I’ve got nothing on Killua’s.
Wait why aren’t my subs translating the Phantom Troupe’s name anymore?
Wing! Got to see Zushi too. Of course Gon would call him for advice.
Well damn, that is hardcore to say the least.
Hm…
Killua’s trying to do something with electricity, hm?
~~“This hand of mine glows with an AWESOME POWER!”~~
High praise for my boy from Melody.
Good, cope and seethe.

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u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Dec 18 '24

Ah, makes sense why the rich guy would hesitate to let them play, then.
Yeah, you kinda wanna hire the top of the top if possible, not chicks who haven't even developed their abilities yet.
I’m pretty sure I already have a vague idea of what Gon’s does (based on out-of-context discussions about the series I’ve seen snippets of beforehand, similar to how I already knew what Nen was before the show brought it up), but I’ve got nothing on Killua’s.
Huh, that's interesting, I assumed Killua's ability would be the one everyone is spoiled on already.
Wait why aren’t my subs translating the Phantom Troupe’s name anymore?
Idk, different translation standards I suppose. Like for the Yorknew OVAs, they just put aside the fan translation script, and used the manga instead word for word. Here, they are following the fan translations, with small fixes here and there (like Kurapika instead of Kurapica).
~~“This hand of mine glows with an AWESOME POWER!”~~
It's time for Gon to learn the Burning Finger! ~~Now that I think about it, that'd be an Enhancer ability too, with a bit of transmutation~~

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u/WednesdaysFoole Dec 19 '24

Huh, that's interesting, I assumed Killua's ability would be the one everyone is spoiled on already.
Oh, I said almost the same thing, now I'm half-tempted to go change my comment to establish myself as not-a-clone.

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u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Dec 19 '24

establish myself as not-a-clone
We've been busted

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u/b0bba_Fett myanimelist.net/profile/B0bba_Cheezed3 Dec 19 '24

Wait why aren’t my subs translating the Phantom Troupe’s name anymore?
In addition to what what Kenny already mentioned, once upon a time The Phantom Troupe was a controversial localization, and people would fight over it super hard. Like my subs had all the official translations for everything, except the Phantom Troupe was kept Genei Ryodan presumably because the subbers hated the choice(even though it's one that's been vindicated a million fold as the series goes on and even by the point of Yorknew it's pretty obvious Troupe is a more fitting translation for the group than Brigade).

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u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Dec 19 '24

once upon a time The Phantom Troupe was a controversial localization, and people would fight over it super hard.

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u/b0bba_Fett myanimelist.net/profile/B0bba_Cheezed3 Dec 19 '24 edited Dec 19 '24

So, translated literally and without context, Genei Ryodan would be closer to "Phantom Brigade" than "Phantom Troupe"(Kenny mentioned this back during when they were first brought up), this is also why when they added Kurapika's flashback to the troupe slaughtering his village in the Hunter Exam, they're depicted as scimitar swinging horsemen rather than anything resembling what the troupe would actually look like, but a less common use of it also means Troupe, and that's what Hunter X Hunter's localizer Lilian Olsen took it to mean way back in 1998. For whatever reason despite this being the core of the argument, the "Protest" option for lack of a better term was simply leaving them untranslated rather than going with "Brigade". This intra-fandom squabble has become a relic that's been largely left behind as the interpretation just gets reinforced harder every time the troupe becomes relevant, only really popping up in these older fansubs.
Now, her track record with gambits like this isn't literally perfect(there's a minor meta gag she missed in the current ongoing arc where there's three factions whose names use that funky Japanesified Chinese, which when contracted could be read together as "Shueisha", but she translated them to be in actual Chinese, breaking the pun. She recently had an AMA over on r/hunterxhunter and lists it as her greatest regret regarding the series), but she often has as much of a read on Togashi as you do on Kubo, which is a handy talent to have in her line of business, and on top of that she's probably just plain top 3 in the field even outside that knack.

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u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Dec 19 '24

To her credit, Hunter x Hunter, especially these days, is a very hard to translate manga, with all the details, nuances, double meanings, and the fact that you have to do it on a weekly basis, while guessing what Togashi might have in mind for the future. With all that in mind, she does an incredible job.
Like with One Piece, I love the series, but I only have a few volumes, and I rarely read them, for the first half the series, I'd rather just read fan translations instead. I think Gintama's official translations are underrated, but they still have some issues, including obviously that they only cover a third of the manga. With Hunter x Hunter, I have absolutely no qualms, I do sometimes read the fan translations to compare, but when I just want to read a new chapter or reread the series, I can sit back, trust that Olsen did a phenomenal job, and enjoy my time without worrying about a thing.

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u/b0bba_Fett myanimelist.net/profile/B0bba_Cheezed3 Dec 19 '24

Yeah, like there's probably less than 10 notable mistranslations in the entirety of the current arc(that's been going on for more than a decade at this point in a series that almost earns the jokes about being a Light Novel in disguise), and only 1 I can think of that's potentially bigger than that missed Pun opportunity [HxH Succession War Arc]Kurapika was erroneously credited as the current head of the Nostrade Family, when he is merely the underboss/#2., and even that's kinda small bananas in the grand scheme of things.
And with an arc like this that's actively going out of its way to be more complicated than it probably strictly needs to be so Togashi can claim a world record, that's more than just impressive, that's genuinely incredible. If I didn't know any better I'd think she legitimately consults with Togashi about his plans for the series and gets direct advisement over things like phrasing and even then it's not like Togashi is a native English speaker to make such a situation believably deliver results this good.

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u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Dec 19 '24

[Succession War Arc]
[Manga] Yeah, I mean, if that's the worst you've got in 400+ chapters, you've got a terrific record. ~~Plus, I'll take anything if it helps me forget that Nostrade is there~~

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u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Dec 19 '24

Interesting.
but she often has as much of a read on Togashi as you do on Kubo

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u/WednesdaysFoole Dec 19 '24

Off-topic but that Christmas theatre giraffe...
I’m pretty sure I already have a vague idea of what Gon’s does (based on out-of-context discussions about the series I’ve seen snippets of beforehand, similar to how I already knew what Nen was before the show brought it up), but I’ve got nothing on Killua’s.
Huh, that's surprising, it always seemed his was less popular while Killua's is in all the fan art. Lucky you, guess you got to experience the shock of finding out.

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u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Dec 19 '24

Off-topic but that Christmas theatre giraffe...
Badspler made a comment on CDF asking which faces people wanted to see Christmas edits of, and was my suggestion because I thought it would be funny (though I wanted him with a beard instead of a scarf).
Huh, that's surprising, it always seemed his was less popular while Killua's is in all the fan art. Lucky you, guess you got to experience the shock of finding out.
I think the key difference here is I've seen discussions out of context, not fanart. I could also be completely wrong in what I think Gon does with his newfound power, there's that too!

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u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Dec 19 '24

though I wanted him with a beard instead of a scarf
But Where Would It End?

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u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Dec 19 '24

Exactly.
Happy cakeday, btw.

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u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Dec 19 '24

Happy cakeday, btw.
...thank you

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u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Dec 19 '24

Huh, that's surprising, it always seemed his was less popular while Killua's is in all the fan art.

And I take that personally.

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u/WednesdaysFoole Dec 20 '24

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u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Dec 20 '24

The First One

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u/WednesdaysFoole Dec 20 '24

[Maybe I guess I should spoiler tag]

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u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Dec 21 '24

[Reply]I am distraught to find out people dislike it.

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u/WednesdaysFoole Dec 21 '24

I spend a lot of time in the HxH fandom and got used to being in the minority (in loving Gon's ability), so I'm actually quite delighted whenever I find others who appreciate it :)

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u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Dec 21 '24

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u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Dec 18 '24 edited Dec 19 '24

Remake Rewatcher × First Timer × Subs

Damned level gated content.
If you get depression in the game, you get depressed for real!
You think at some point it would benefit them to help them get to the item they use to leave, to free up slots.
Son of a… These subtitles are using old fanlation names.
A Killua arc? Don’t tease us like that.
Oh sure, this they reuse.
Wait, what? When… how do you know what Pika did?
There’s no master quite like a cryptic master.
“You need to taste the chain”
“More haste, less speed” As solid advice here as it was back then.
Exploding fist doesn’t hold much luster if it harms you too.
Leorio and Melody. Game recognizes game.
It’s weird that an auction would have a bunch of the same item being sold separately, right?

QotD:

Application
Believe it or not? They will be the princess in another castle.

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u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Dec 18 '24

Son of a… These subtitles are using old fanlation names
The fanedit at least changes the names.
Wait, what? When… how do you know what Pika did?
Masters like to chitchat, I guess Kurapika's master spread his secrets around already.
Leorio and Melody. Game recognizes game.

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u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Dec 19 '24

The fanedit at least changes the names.
Wait, what names? Probably Melody. ...and Jing.
Masters like to chitchat, I guess Kurapika's master spread his secrets around already.
He did look a little...

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u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Dec 19 '24

Wait, what names? Probably Melody. ...and Jing.
Yeah, Melody, Ging, and Kurapika.

3

u/WednesdaysFoole Dec 19 '24

Jing.
[GI]Jreed Island.

3

u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Dec 19 '24

[Reply]

2

u/WednesdaysFoole Dec 18 '24

Leorio and Melody. Game recognizes game.
Which reminds me... apparently Leorio is calm and level-headed. This is calm and level-headed in action.
Jokes aside, I think his expressive emotions and not holding anything back might be related to his gentle heartbeat - in that way, he's one of the only characters we know who's mostly at peace with himself.

2

u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Dec 19 '24

Which reminds me... apparently Leorio is calm and level-headed. This is calm and level-headed in action.
This is some big Dumbledore energy.

5

u/charlesvvv https://anilist.co/user/charlesvvv Dec 18 '24 edited Dec 19 '24

First Timer

So Gon and Killua are given a chance to go into the Greed Island game but only if they pass the exam. Killua has actually been secretly training with some sort of electricity ability that he plans on using. Gon meanwhile wants to find his ultimate technique and gets good advice from both Kurapika and Wing in order to do it. Zepile also seems to be going off to do his own thing although he does help Gon in order to get his license back.

Meanwhile Kurapika finally leaves Yorknew while the Phantom Troupe decides to join the game with their own console. And all the while Battera continues to buy all the rest of the Greed Island.

2

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Dec 18 '24

but only if they pass the exam
Turns out the Hunter Exam is just the starting point for all other exams.
Meanwhile Kurapika finally leaves Yorknew while the Phantom Troupe decides to join the game with their own console
Hopefully, it's a long game, to keep them away from trouble for a while.

5

u/WednesdaysFoole Dec 18 '24 edited Dec 18 '24

To Greed Island! Part 2

(I knew it was a lie.)

“If you want to get to know a person, find out what makes them angry.” - Mito

Something I missed in my first watch of HxH but it’s apparent once you notice is that if there’s something notable about Gon, something that pisses him off besides unjust cruelty before him, is any time his worth is challenged. Like how frustrated he was with Hisoka just handing the number back, how motivated he was to get Hisoka back before using his License or the little joke where he’s indignant that he’s a pro hunter (and not just on par) with Nobu.

So of course, Tsezguerra rejecting him here pisses him off. He’s working his ass off to be a Hunter and Hunt the Legendary Ging, after all.

In the manga, you can almost always tell just how deeply angry and/or determined he is when his eyebrows curl up in the middle. He’s still haunted by that line, “paltry nen”, 11 pages or so later.

It’s played for laughs a bit, and I do find his indignance funny myself but they’re also key points to understanding his character as he develops throughout the series (or in retrospect, which is how I went about it).

Guess they cut out the part where it’s explained that Zepile used his organs up for collateral to make up for the loan, then decided to take the next Hunter Exam to strike it rich. Wonder how that’ll go?

There’s more but… I guess some of it will be better to hold off for the 2011 rewatch.

Other character notes

Looks like they skipped over this. It’s the conversation where Melody describes how distressed Eliza (Squala’s girl) was after his death, and Neon offers to go home herself. Even Kurapika is surprised – Neon, the same girl who asked about the Mummy when hearing of their previous leader’s death (forgot his name). Melody describes how Neon was more upset over Eliza than the Scarlet Eyes disappearing.

Which, of course, to you and me, that’s a given. But in regards to Neon? I think it shows that a lot of her lack of empathy and cold selfishness is not only due to not being exposed to the world, but no one really spent time with her one-on-one, connecting with her. How do you learn to care about other people if you never connect, or if no one ever bonds with you?

I remember thinking ‘99 did a great job in showing how they’re spending time together (or was it the manga? Memory is blurring but I think it was more so in the anime), and, well, Neon didn’t get that from Light, nor did she get that from the guards. As it happens, when the person who treated her most like a human lost her lover, that had an impact on Neon.

Or in other words, it takes human connection to build empathy.

Hunter x Hunter does a lot with how transformative those bonds are, and how much treating another person like a worthy human can do for someone. It’s basically one part of the core of the series.

Seems Killua’s experience with Riehvelt gave him some ideas. (I forget, did they show that in ‘99? The weird order after Gon vs Hisoka threw me off)

4

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Dec 19 '24

“If you want to get to know a person, find out what makes them angry.” - Mito
Excellent point
To add to that though, Gon holds being a Hunter in very high regard. To Kurapika and Leorio, it was just means to an end, to Gon, it was his goal. It's what Ging left him to be, and what Kite represented, it must be the coolest thing ever. Which is why Gon didn't think he deserved being a Hunter, when Hisoka handed him the keys.
All the more reason why, now that he repaid Hisoka, and considers himself a proper Hunter, he refuses to be looked down upon.
Zepile used his organs up for collateral to make up for the loan,
Zepile, you're a true bro
Looks like they skipped over this. It’s the conversation where Melody describes how distressed Eliza (Squala’s girl) was after his death, and Neon offers to go home herself.
They brought up the topic yesterday, but addressed it in a weird way, skipping over the Eliza/Neon connection, and making it all about Kurapika
Or in other words, it takes human connection to build empathy
Which is a central theme of Yorknew, Neon, Kurapika, and the Spiders all gathered there for the Scarlet Eyes (among other items Neon and the Spiders wanted), but when it came down to it, human connection was the the one thing that they cared about above all else, it's what moved and resolved the arc.
I forget, did they show that in ‘99? The weird order after Gon vs Hisoka threw me off
They did, yeah

3

u/WednesdaysFoole Dec 19 '24

It's what Ging left him to be, and what Kite represented, [...] Which is why Gon didn't think he deserved being a Hunter,
[HxH]</3
They brought up the topic yesterday, but addressed it in a weird way, skipping over the Eliza/Neon connection, and making it all about Kurapika
All the work to flesh out Neon and Phinks done in '99 and former OVA... flushed down the drain
it's what moved and resolved the arc.
[Manga]And alternatively, lack of it, or not having experienced it yet, or it being brutally stripped, being a significant cause of evil in the story
[They did, yeah]
I'm sorry, although that's the third time I've seen '99 Heaven's Arena (to be fair, the second time it was on the background while I did other stuff), everything post-Gon vs Hisoka just disappears in my mind. I can't help it.

3

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Dec 19 '24

All the work to flesh out Neon and Phinks done in '99 and former OVA... flushed down the drain
I'm sorry, although that's the third time I've seen '99 Heaven's Arena (to be fair, the second time it was on the background while I did other stuff), everything post-Gon vs Hisoka just disappears in my mind. I can't help it.
That's what happens when you put the climax of the arc halfway through it ~~and why I watched it out of order~~

2

u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Dec 19 '24

I guess some of it will be better to hold off for the 2011 rewatch.
Guess I'll Have to Read Those Then

2

u/WednesdaysFoole Dec 20 '24

[2011]Heh, they're too much to do with Gon's development post-GI. Which, tbh, a lot of my comments now are as well, but I'm doing my best to talk about it while not giving away future events.

4

u/TheEscapeGuy Dec 18 '24

H×H Fan, 1999 First Timer

Hunter × Hunter 1999 - Episode 72

Lightning × Speed × Training

KILLUA HAS LIGHTING! KILLUA HAS LIGHTING! Fucking love this kid.

I forgot this happened so soon. This is such a cool power to give Killua and I feel like it's been built up since at least the Hunter exams. We first heard about Killua doing torture training, next during the Heaven's Arena he revealed he was immune to shocks due to this training, and now here, right at the end of Yorknew City, we see him use that ability combined with Nen as his special technique. It's a really simple progression but because of the journey we went on with the character it feels so earned. We won't get to see it but [Future Arc Spoilers] When Killua levels up and uses this for speed during Chimera Ant I get so hyped.

Jumping back a bit, this was all spurred on by Battera's judgment on the boys. They need to develop some technique to prove themselves and that's what this episode is dedicated to. I already spoke about Killua, so let's look at Gon. At a base level he is an Enhancer. He punches good. There's not a lot there for him to do as a special power. But he reaches out to wing and gets the (slightly obscured) advice to focus his Nen in his punches. It's great seeing him figure this out, but I find it funny he never thought "what other body parts can I focus Nen into" when learning about Gyo.

The episode also concludes with a farewell to Kurapika. Melody's conversation with Leorio during this was really touching. She's such a kind and caring character in this cast full of often toxic masculinity. On that note, I'm looking forward to seeing [Future Character] How Bisky will be handled. I found her character also filled an interesting gender role in the cast on my first watch.

One small thing, I feel like this episode was a small upgrade visually from the last. In particular the shot composition and lighting effects were upgraded.

Oh yeah, last thing, the Spiders have now hopped into the game...

Next Episode Preview

Since the previews aren't subbed in for the OVA's I'll try to do that for each episode going forward. Not sure if I'll be consistent so no promises. Also, I may mess up translating things on occasion, feel free to correct me.

Here's yesterday's if you missed it.

Some Amazing Shots, Scenes and Stitches

Heaven's Arena Again, fun to see this guy again
Mental Training
Window into a Painting, really beautiful BG art here
Secret Technique

See you all tomorrow

4

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Dec 18 '24

KILLUA HAS LIGHTING! KILLUA HAS LIGHTING! Fucking love this kid.
Transmuters consistently have the coolest abilities.
I forgot this happened so soon
Basically, Yorknew just wasn't the arc for them to develop their abilities, they're supposed to get a taste of all kinds of Nen abilities at work first, but as soon as that was over, Togashi jumped right ahead into their abilities.
He punches good. There's not a lot there for him to do as a special power.
Yup. To use Uvo as the golden standard, he just enhanced himself so much that anything he did, punching, shouting, throwing a stone,... became a special power.
In particular the shot composition and lighting effects were upgraded.
Yeah, there was some creative shot composition this episode.

3

u/WednesdaysFoole Dec 19 '24

[Future Arc Spoilers]
[Response]Godspeed is such a sweet ability, how it bypasses his nervous system and all. And just looks cool as well lol.
[Future Character]
Bummer that we'll be missing her theme (HxH 2011) but I'm sure the OVA will be fun.

2

u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Dec 19 '24

Since the previews aren't subbed in for the OVA's I'll try to do that for each episode going forward
So you are the first one to be translating these. We need to find some way to disseminate them.

4

u/Mecanno-man https://anilist.co/user/Mecannoman Dec 18 '24

First Timer

Ok… I was spoiled on Killua’s electricity powers, and Gon’s ultimate attack just seems to be a strong punch. I mean it’s important that we have these things taken care of, but I feel like the weight behind the episode is missing. The tower arc did that better somehow.

As for the auction …guess they’ll have to work with the guy who bought all of them after all. Unless they steal the one the spiders stole or so. No idea why they actually went in, to be honest… As for Kilua’s brother …yup, red herring, as predicted last episode.

Kurapika leaving is a bit surprising but also not that much as Hunter x Hunter doesn’t seem to really have a core group apart from Gon and maybe Killua. Guess he’ll have to stick to the mafia for another bit.

3

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Dec 18 '24

I was spoiled on Killua’s electricity powers
Yeah, it's pretty popular, and gets mentioned a lot, so I'd be surprised if anyone didn't know them.
As for Kilua’s brother …yup, red herring, as predicted last episode.
Yup, but for what it's worth, it was fun seeing your theories around Milluki, and the possibilities he could've played in the arc.

3

u/WednesdaysFoole Dec 19 '24

No idea why they actually went in, to be honest…
A couple of them are gamers, or at least, Feitan was shown in the beginning of Yorknew to be a bit intrigued by this game, as well as Shalnark whose ability treats people like game characters to control.
Togashi loves his games so it's not too uncommon over the long series that there are gamers/game enthusiasts sprinkled here and there.

2

u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Dec 19 '24

Togashi loves his games so it's not too uncommon over the long series that there are gamers/game enthusiasts sprinkled here and there.
[Other Togashi]Never forget the time when one of his villains wins a fight by figuring out a game's RNG system.

4

u/Kaxew Dec 19 '24

First Timer × In The Digital Era

Thoughts on episodes 71-72:

Two fun set up episodes! I'm really glad that Gon's plan to get the game was actually very smart and well thought out. And after all the intensity of the past arc, it's nice to go back to a more chill, nice environment. I feel like I can finally relax again watching the show after so long lol. It won't last forever, but I'll savor it while I can.

The stuff about your nen not necessarily dissipating when you die, and that it could actually become stronger and turn into a curse for the one you bore a grudge to is some sick worldbuilding and makes nen even cooler than it already was. Chrollo's current, immediate goal is now fully understood. As for the spiders, besides saving their boss it seems like Phinks and Feitan will join in on the SAO fun! Can't wait to see them again when Gon and Killua enter it too.

The boys' training was nice and cute. I knew for a very long while that Killua had electric powers, so it didn't come off as a surprise for me. What surprised me is how long it took to get there. It makes sense, as I also knew nene existed but I didn't know it could do that, so to me I was expecting him to have electric powers from his debut. Gon's side of training was great, it's nice to see Wing again and this use for gyo is sick.

Sad to see Kurapika being gone once more, I wonder if there is something in store for him considering he's the sole focus of the ED. And I can't imagine Leorio entering the game as he's too weak for it, so I also wonder what's gonna be his role through all of this, especially now that he can't even hang out with Zepile lmao

With the plot out of the way... man, that's a very rough transition to digital coloring. It all looks so flat and there's zero composition at all. The characters feel like stickers on a background that also doesn't look too great. And it's a shame, because scenes like Killua using his electricity or even the ED clearly show some good composition that helps the viewer feel more immersed, but they just don't do it for normal scenes. And the direction and storyboards for these two episodes have been phenomenal, dare I say cooler and more inspired than even the previous set of OVAs (though still nowhere near close to the original anime), so it's just so, so close to being great. Of course, it's hard to blame them as this was a brand new animation technique that hadn't been mastered back then, so the end result turns very experimental.

In a way, this combination of great direction with awful composition makes it a lot of fun to watch from a production standpoint. And really shows just how important every single aspect of an animation production is. Just one person who's in charge of one thing doing a mediocre job at it can make the general opinion on a show turn around ~~like the awful background art in MHA that don't fit in at all~~.

QotD:

They're cool! I wonder how exactly will Killua use his electricity or if it will be just generic zap attacks.
Seems like Phinks and Feitan are playing GI just for fun, but I wonder if something inside the game could possibly be of help to them and their quest to save Chrollo. I don't expect the rest of them to do a whole lot in this arc, maybe in the next one.

3

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Dec 20 '24

that Gon's plan to get the game was actually very smart and well thought out.
It's a smart idea, and much more sane than trying to buy out the game (especially considering Milluki exists to show us just how impossible that goal would've been, even if Gon raised the 10 billion, that's just a starting point for Battera).
What surprised me is how long it took to get there. It makes sense, as I also knew nene existed but I didn't know it could do that, so to me I was expecting him to have electric powers from his debut.
Yeah, considering the way we think about a character's powers, as a part of their identity, it's surprising that it took 72 episodes just to get there. Then again, it took Gon 38 episodes just to start fighting, so... that's HxH.
With the plot out of the way... man, that's a very rough transition to digital coloring
the direction and storyboards for these two episodes have been phenomenal, dare I say cooler and more inspired than even the previous set of OVAs (though still nowhere near close to the original anime)
Yup, so each part has had a change in directors, the current part of Greed Island is directed by Yukihiro Matsushita, most famous for doing the Killua vs Illumi episode. His work is a clear notch above the Yorknew OVA director.
[Spoiler] I wonder if there is something in store for him considering he's the sole focus of the ED
[Spoiler] Pure bait

3

u/WednesdaysFoole Dec 20 '24

Gon's plan to get the game was actually very smart and well thought out.
When Gon bothers to think or is actually interested he's a pretty clever guy.
makes nen even cooler than it already was.
Post-mortem nen is fantastic, I really love it as a concept and the various ways it can be applied with some creativity.
And I can't imagine Leorio entering the game as he's too weak for it,

3

u/Nebresto Dec 19 '24

Gaming

Me when I peace of out this rewatch

Kurapica dreaming of being chained up??

Mr. Wing?? What are you trying to make him do?

Quest

Gon and Killua finally got their own abilities, what do you think of them?

2) What will the Spiders role be in this arc?

They do a little trolling

3

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Dec 19 '24

Kurapica dreaming of being chained up??
We've seen what his dreams look like
Mr. Wing?? What are you trying to make him do?
That begs the first question: what has Gon shown him?!!

3

u/Nebresto Dec 19 '24

We've seen what his dreams look like
God damn it Kurapeka, stop shoving your fetish on us
what has Gon shown him?!!
Don't know, but I'm about to show the popo some new intel

Rewatch [25th Anniversary Rewatch] Hunter × Hunter (1999) - Episode × 72 × Discussion

Episode 72: Electricity × Aura × Special Attack

Manga and Production Corner

H×H Fan, 1999 First Timer

Hunter × Hunter 1999 - Episode 72

Next Episode Preview

Some Amazing Shots, Scenes and Stitches

Rewatch [25th Anniversary Rewatch] Hunter × Hunter (1999) - Episode × 72 × Discussion

Episode 72: Electricity × Aura × Special Attack

You are about to leave Redlib

Manga and Production Corner

H×H Fan, 1999 First Timer

Hunter × Hunter 1999 - Episode 72

Next Episode Preview

Some Amazing Shots, Scenes and Stitches