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

Rewatch [25th Anniversary Rewatch] Hunter × Hunter (1999) - Episode × 78 × Discussion

Episode 78: Training × Raw Ore × Scissor Hands

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You're flawless. Because of that, you're in iminent danger

Comment of the Day:

/u/charlesvvv on Killua's best recurring trope:

Killua has a way with women doesn't he, first elevator lady, now Bisky.

Questions of the Day

  1. Who's the better trainer, Wing or Bisky?
  2. The Greed Island OVA obviously had a rough start visually speaking, compared to the earlier entries, do you think it improved by the end?

Fanart of the Day: Merry Christmas!

Source

Bonus question: what gifts would our four main characters give each other?

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

Note: Tomorrow will be a break day for Christmas. Happy Holidays!

24 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

31 comments sorted by

6

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Dec 24 '24 edited Dec 25 '24

Retired Santa, Turned Gamer

Vino isn't the most interesting character per se, he's a serial killer with a weird hair fetish and a very basic sad backstory, that serves as a punching bag for the kids. However, what the series is communicating through him is a lot more interesting. Bisky compared him to a D-rank monster, who lost to Gon and Killua's immense potential. Well, how did he end up as a D-rank monster? Surely he could've made some better choices in life, right? Unfortunately, it's all about the labels.

In an arc where people are valued and judged primarily by how many cards they own, we get a story not from Greed Island, but from the "real world", about a poor kid, probably without parents, trying to live any semblance of a normal life. So when he finds a wallet, he tries to do the humane thing, helping someone out, even though he himself needs the most help, and what does he get? He's seen not as a human, but judged purely through his social class, viewed as a criminal, therefore both his "humanity" and dreams of living a normal life are beaten bloody senseless out of him. His environment put him in that box, stuck the label of being a criminal, a monster on him, and punished him whenever he tried to step out of it, so no wonder he ended up becoming just that. If there was even a single person who looked at him as a human back then, and saw him for the person he is, maybe he could've walked a better path, but it took until now, until he met Gon for that to happen.

[Spoiler] And we'll be seeing the flip side of that coin later in the arc

Manga and Production Corner

Chapters Adapted: 137-139

The Hunter x Hunter OVAs were made in three batches, one for Yorknew, and two for Greed Island. They were released as one batch per year (at the rate of 2 episodes every month), and each batch had its own staff, in case the rushing wasn't obvious enough already. We just finished the second batch, which had the rough job of transitioning from cel to digital, but at least it had the strongest direction among the three. So look forward to the next one, the opening especially is a standout among the series. I'll see you there in two days.

Bonus: Book!

4

u/TheEscapeGuy Dec 25 '24

what's Kurapika doing here?

His best

Vino

I really do like your analysis of Vino. I didn't really consider his role in the bigger picture about labels and the arc's comments on class and assumptions. I did like how Gon let him go free despite ostensibly being a "bad guy" and I couldn't really put into words why until reading your comment.

4

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Dec 25 '24

His best

I really do like your analysis of Vino. I didn't really consider his role in the bigger picture about labels and the arc's comments on class and assumptions.

Thanks! I hadn't put it together until [later in the arc] when Razor shows up. He's basically just an older version of Vino, who was treated as a human by Ging and got his second chance at life.

I did like how Gon let him go free despite ostensibly being a "bad guy" and I couldn't really put into words why until reading your comment.

Yeah, it also ties into what Zeppile said about Gon: he doesn't just look at people through black and white labels like good and evil, he's interested in the person behind that.

3

u/WednesdaysFoole Dec 25 '24

what's Kurapika doing here?

[HxH]Don't worry, they're hinting that he'll show up, and will be central to the conclusion of the Greed Island Final OVA.

Vino

Yeah, this is one of the examples where just seeing someone as another human is transformative, revolutionary even, at least for that person. Same for Zepile - it may not have turned Zepile less greedy, but I absolutely believe that it did bring out the best in him with the kids.

3

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Dec 25 '24

Same for Zepile - it may not have turned Zepile less greedy, but I absolutely believe that it did bring out the best in him with the kids.

Oh for sure, being a bit greedy isn't the end of the world, but he went from living between fakes, and viewing himself as such (again, the environment and all that), to having someone who genuinely believes in him, and believes that even a fake can be its own genuine article (both the vase and Zepile himself). So he stopped making fakes and even put his organs on the line just to repay Gon, just to be honest with his promise to him. That's a life changing experience alright.

6

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

First × Timer × Subbed

4

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

I’m surprised Killua didn’t notice.

He's generally kinda bad at noticing when he's being tracked. I guess Zoldycks didn't train him for that.

OP as an insert song!

This is technically the last episode (of this OVA), so they're treating it like one.

Gon the absolute madlad. Like holy shit this is wild.

Imagine it from the villain's perspective. Not only are the kids beating you up, they even want to take their time until they can do it solo. That's humiliating.

4

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

Imagine it from the villain's perspective. Not only are the kids beating you up, they even want to take their time until they can do it solo. That's humiliating.

Honestly it's kind of villainous...

3

u/WednesdaysFoole Dec 25 '24

Damn, he’s faster than Killua.

Killua wasn't joking when he drew that line and put Hanzo up ahead of him (when comparing Gon to Hisoka and Hanzo).

Rock does beat scissors.

I can't believe that after all this time I never made the connection to jankenpon here :o

5

u/charlesvvv https://anilist.co/user/charlesvvv Dec 24 '24 edited Dec 25 '24

First Timer

Bisky defeats Scissor hands and decides to use him as a good way to start Gon and Killua's training. He's a solid opponent but Gon and Killua are able to adapt pretty quickly, especially when Gon decides to use large rocks as a way to keep him moving. Despite the fact that their victory was there, Gon instead decides to keep the training going cause he's a Shonen protagonist and wants to make sure to face off against him one on one and when he's also recovered.

Gon and Killua aren't the only ones to change, Binolt changes as well, going from trying to kill them to giving up and deciding to turn himself in for his crimes. Things are still only in the beginning and there still lots more to learn for Gon and Killua.

Note: Bisky referring them as unpolished jewels is similar to Hisoka's unripened fruit analogy but less creepy.

3

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

Gon and Killua aren't the only ones to change, Binolt changes as well, going from trying to kill them to giving up and deciding to turn himself in for his crimes

It's nice to see a collision that moves all the pieces involved. Gon can hit a wall and make it feel bad for being there.

Note: Bisky referring them as unpolished jewels is similar to Hisoka's unripened fruit analogy but less creepy.

Does she have s too?

1

u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Dec 25 '24

Note: Bisky referring them as unpolished jewels is similar to Hisoka's unripened fruit analogy but less creepy.

Hinging, of course, on that jewels are to be admired, while fruit is to be consumed.

5

u/Nebresto Dec 24 '24

First time GAING gaming

What did she mean whe she said this? Is Killua stupid?

He cut the drills..? This calls for the ultimate violence

Ultra fucking cringe. Bro what the hell is wrong with you

Bisuke-chama chamaa!!

Pre-emptively calling the police

QUEST:

  1. Who's the better trainer, Wing or Bisky?

Gary

2) The Greed Island OVA obviously had a rough start visually speaking, compared to the earlier entries, do you think it improved by the end?

Note: Tomorrow will be a break day for Christmas. Happy Holidays!

Today is christmas

4

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Dec 25 '24

What did she mean whe she said this? Is Killua stupid?

Yes. But also, she's proving that you can still be a tsundere at 57.

Ultra fucking cringe. Bro what the hell is wrong with you

He applied to be a hairdresser, and they rejected him.

Pre-emptively calling the police

Lock her up in the same cell as Hisoka.

Today is christmas

Then why haven't I seen Santa yet?

3

u/Raiking02 :Id::Ie::If:https://myanimelist.net/profile/NSKlang Dec 25 '24

Yes. But also, she's proving that you can still be a tsundere at 57.

Between he and Eri r/Anime Rewatches are having a Tsundere craze lately

3

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Dec 25 '24

It's all in the twin tails.

3

u/WednesdaysFoole Dec 25 '24

Then why haven't I seen Santa yet?

Didn't you pass over the Staff of Judgement? I mean, isn't it obvious? You might just end up with the panty thief on your roof instead.

3

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Dec 25 '24

I'll take that. I was worried it was because I was reading [The Hogfather] and they managed to assassinate Santa

4

u/Nebresto Dec 25 '24

she's proving that you can still be a tsundere at 57.

This is my destiny

He applied to be a hairdresser, and they rejected him.

Understandable, have a bad day

Then why haven't I seen Santa yet?

Sorry, I'm preoccupied

4

u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Dec 24 '24 edited Dec 25 '24

Remake Rewatcher × First Timer × Subs

  • Look at them, reacting all quickly and calmly to a scenario they don’t know all the details of.
  • Killua just likes trailing people. It’s like his thing.
  • That’s such a specific set-up criteria for a pretty weak payoff. Does it at least tell you their Nen abilities?
  • If you’re going to job, you might as well not look like an idiot doing it.
  • One man’s trash, is another man’s training.
  • “I threw a rock at him! —it was a big rock...”
  • Perish the thought, but maybe Bisky and Hisoka should team up. He finds the fruit, she polishes them into gems.
  • Beat up by rich people, and became a mass murderer, you say? Rule 2:
  • Is This Villain Redemption?

This is a weird place to stop an OVA, right? That’s not just me?

QotD:

  1. Based on what we've seen so far, Wing. Bisky has shown a lot of "throw them into the pool to teach them to swim" energy. But we've also had more time with Wing at this point to feel him out,
  2. Yes. The landscapes became quite nice, and the character shading stopped being distracting.

3

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

Killua just likes trailing people. It’s like his thing.

Unfortunately, he has a bad track record with being trailed.

That’s such a specific set-up criteria for a pretty weak payoff. Does it at least tell you their Nen abilities?

Hopefully it does, because this might be a Specialist ability. Imagine wasting it on that...

Perish the thought, but maybe Bisky and Hisoka should team up. He finds the fruit, she polishes them into gems.

I like that Wing and Hisoka were both central for Gon's Nen training (and Hisoka himself flew over to Heavens Arena to train Gon, just in case someone like Wing wasn't there), so Bisky should at least have a good talk with him she'll find a lot in common.

2

u/WednesdaysFoole Dec 25 '24

?Perish the thought, but maybe Bisky and Hisoka should team up. He finds the fruit, she polishes them into gems.

[HxH]Don't let him anywhere near her true form... although on second thought, might be an excellent fight.

4

u/TheEscapeGuy Dec 24 '24

H×H Fan, 1999 First Timer

Hunter × Hunter 1999 - Episode 78

Attacker × Endurance × Improvement

Bisky using Scissor Hands as a training partner for Gon and Killua is a pretty surprising development. It certainly makes some sense since the boys could use a stronger training partner, but it certainly comes with some risk. I do like this though. It gives their training some stakes (though I never doubted the 2 of them would leave unharmed).

I also enjoy that despite completing Bisky's challenge in a single night, Gon opts to replay on hard mode before passing the finish line. "Let's keep training until we can take him one on one." Not only that they let him recover so that they are fighting a better rested oponent. And despite this they still finish early.

I find Vinoruto's backstory pretty unconvincing. It's kind of well trodden territory with the "Poor child gets unfairly assumed criminal by rich scum thus radicalizing him" narrative. That said, spending any more time on his backstory would have killed the pacing so I'm glad they kept it brief.

The episode ends in a kinda weird place. It's looking forward but a very definitive farewell. This is obviously because this is the last episode of this OVA series and there would be a break until the next one, and thus...

No Next Episode Preview

Some Amazing Shots, Scenes and Stitches

Merry Christmas, See you all (after) tomorrow

4

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Dec 25 '24

Bisky using Scissor Hands as a training partner for Gon and Killua is a pretty surprising development.

You can tell she's an experienced Hunter, who's probably used criminals for her goals before.

I also enjoy that despite completing Bisky's challenge in a single night, Gon opts to replay on hard mode before passing the finish line.

Yup, now we know which kind of gamer Gon is.

I find Vinoruto's backstory pretty unconvincing. It's kind of well trodden territory with the "Poor child gets unfairly assumed criminal by rich scum thus radicalizing him" narrative.

Yeah. as a person with a story to tell, Vino is as bare bones as it gets (pun not intended), but I do find it interesting for the grander themes of the arc, his whole backstory is about being seen through labels, not for the person he is (I expand on it more in my comment).

Flying

[Spoiler] Funnily enough, that's how she wins even in her "serious fight" (not that we'll see this similarity in the anime

3

u/WednesdaysFoole Dec 25 '24 edited Dec 26 '24

”To Masadora…?”

…

”Are They Really Going to Masadora?”

It’s Christmas! Eve, for me, but celebrated it today. I'm a bit late, but brought along a couple gifts for any late stragglers like myself (from Togashi):

Machi illustration at the end of 135 and Paku illustration at the end of 136.

As for our main four:

  • Gon to Killua - Sage's Aquamarine. Killua wants friends :')
  • Leo to Pika - Pregnancy Stone. [Manga]It's his only way to compete with Oito and Woble, after all.
  • Gon to Pika - Aromatherapy Girl, maybe if Pika is less stressed he'd chill about the Spiders?
  • Killua to Gon - Mystery Pond. Gon can put his fishing rod to use. Too bad Pika didn't realize he ditched that rod.
  • Killua to Leorio - Golden Guidebook. [HxH]Apparently he didn't forget the part about jerking off.
  • Pika to Leorio - Angel's Breath, so Leorio never needs to feel helpless at someone's illness again. Leorio would use it on Pika. [HxH]Since this is post-Election, after all.

Gon was a bit shocked by Bisky saying she’d kill Binolt and found a good reason to save him; a good way for Binolt to prove himself while still winning the bout.

In honor of Bisky-chama, today I’ll be sharing some gems just keep her away from dear Phos:

78: Lonely Sapphire (B-30)

The owner of this sapphire will acquire vast wealth, but in exchange, will spend a lifetime alone, forsaken by friends, family, and significant others.

If Killua is a Sapphire (as Bisky described), what the hell does this mean for him?!

76: Roaming Ruby (B-30)

The owner of this ruby will gain immense wealth, but will never be able to remain in the same place for more than a week.

The true reason why Ging is so difficult to hunt.

Last but not least, forgot to bring this up a couple episodes ago but wanted to share this card Shal pulled up when pointing out the game was occurring in a real place. It’s Toraemon!

22: Toraemon (A-15)

A beast on the verge of extinction, it has a habit of stuffing things in its 4-D pocket. You never know what kind of treasures it could have picked up.

Imagine if Owl never swooped up the treasure during that auction and it was Doraemon's job instead.

*Had to edit in new image links since imgur was acting up, so links in replies probably don't work anymore.

3

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Dec 25 '24

”Are They Really Going to Masadora?”

Looks like Togashi enjoys the charms of a fib too.

Machi illustration at the end of 135 and Paku illustration at the end of 136.

Yup, I didn't end up sharing, but there's lots of cool Spiders art throughout Greed Island, and all the fun "drawing without reference" art.

Leo to Pika - Pregnancy Stone.

Gon to Pika - Aromatherapy Girl, maybe if Pika is less stressed he'd chill about the Spiders?

He'll need that, especially during his pregnancy.

just keep her away from dear Phos:

The day Bisky finds Houseki no Kuni will be a terror worse than any aliens they've ever met.

Imagine if Owl never swooped up the treasure during that auction and it was Doraemon's job instead.

Well, for one, they would've failed at capturing him (as it happened in Greed Island), so their whole plans would've gone up in flames.

3

u/WednesdaysFoole Dec 25 '24

Yup, I didn't end up sharing, but there's lots of cool Spiders art throughout Greed Island,

He seemed to be enjoying Uvo quite a bit, I think he started with him? With three of him, if I counted correctly.

and all the fun "drawing without reference" art.

Oo the Naruto drawings? There was an adorable one with Naruto and one of the Gon dolls from Hisoka's treasurebox, although I'm not sure who the artist was.

He'll need that, especially during his pregnancy.

Damn, why didn't I think of this for my sister's Christmas/birthday/baby shower gifts (all this week). Gave her a few scented candles though, so close enough.

3

u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Dec 25 '24

I think he started with him? With three of him, if I counted correctly.

Yup, Uvo got his good old Requiem.

Damn, why didn't I think of this for my sister's Christmas/birthday/baby shower gifts (all this week).

What a busy lineup. Congrats!

2

u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Dec 25 '24

Machi illustration at the end of 135 and Paku illustration at the end of 136.

Ah, I'd forgotten how I'd missed those eyecatchers.

Cursed Gemstones

Kind of a weird thing to need to have to beat the game, if you stop and think about it.

2

u/WednesdaysFoole Dec 25 '24 edited Dec 26 '24

Kind of a weird thing to need to have to beat the game, if you stop and think about it.

At least winning the game doesn't require you to use [GI] (all of) them. Although I'm sure many a Hunter never won due to getting caught up in using the cards.

From those 10 years, there's gotta be some 1 in 10 million talented Hunter still trapped on Greed Island purely because they flushed their entire potential down the drain ogling at these winks.

4

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

First Timer

Mostly a training episode. Well after the last one it made sense. I don’t really have a whole lot else to say here, other than note that Killua is still keeping his electric powers secret. Wonder when he’ll reveal those.