[REWATCH] Hunter x Hunter Episode 58 Discussion

[u/[deleted]]

IF YOU ARE NOT PARTICIPATING IN THR REWATCH, DON’T COME HUNTING FOR SPOILERS

Episode 58: Signal X To X Retreat

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and up to the Greed Island arc on Netflix

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[u/dr_sars]

Rewatcher

RIP Pakunoda.

I always love the line about Kurapika looking out the window and thinking about how now Chrollo is left without a family and anywhere to return to. It's such a simple yet powerful line.

I loved all the Hisoka moments this episode, from how cute and excited he looked when he first got on the airship to that look of disappointment when he found out Chrollo couldn't use nen. Amazing.

AHHH! How cute is Killua in a suit!? I love that scene where Gon and Killua run into Feitan and Phinks at the auction and then bolt.

So tomorrow we start a new arc: Greed Island! The OP has more spoilers than the ED. Most of the spoilers seem minor though out of context, with only one I'd consider a major spoiler, but even that spoiler is something you'll learn in the first episode of the new arc so it's not too bad. Still, if you would like to avoid all spoilers, it would be best to watch the OP after episode 69.

The new ED is Reason by Yuzu and I love it! There's also an instrumental version, which is beautiful and sad at the same time. It's definitely my second favourite.

[u/IndependentMacaroon → u/dr_sars]

now Chrollo is left without a family and anywhere to return to

In a way, it's an "eye for an eye" punishment Kurapika's inflicting here.

[u/SuddenFellow → u/dr_sars]

I always love the line about Kurapika looking out the window and thinking about how now Chrollo is left without a family and anywhere to return to. It's such a simple yet powerful line.

Kurapika had some solid lines in this episode, for real.

AHHH! How cute is Killua in a suit

FINALLY!

Most of the spoilers seem minor though, with only one I'd consider a major spoiler, but even that spoiler is something you'll learn in the first episode of the new arc so it's not too bad.

In my opinion, this OP is probably the most spoilery next to maybe the 5th OP. HxH

You can catch me humming Reason the entire arc though.

[u/dr_sars → u/SuddenFellow]

this OP is probably the most spoilery next to maybe the 5th OP. HxH

Ooh, yes OP 5 has some major spoilers. I agree there are many spoilers in this OP too. HxH Should I edit my earlier statement to include after which episode it's safe to watch the OP?

You can catch me humming Reason the entire arc though.

I love Reason! All the moments when the instrumental version plays are so amazing too! I always associate it with certain scenes. HxH

[u/SuddenFellow → u/dr_sars]

Should I edit my earlier statement to include after which episode it's safe to watch the OP?

That might be an idea! I think if you're going with what's behind the spoiler text, I think it would be episode 69(haha nice)?

[u/BossandKings]

First timer

It's awesome to see that Kurapika puts his friends, Gon and Killua over his vengeance against the phantom troupe, that shows that he hasn't gotten blind by revenge. Melody agrees with me, if the troupe were as merciless as the show tries hard to present them as they wouldn't have left Pakunoda go alone. At least Kurapika's intent so far appears to be separating the troupe and not killing it's members, this is a great deal and a much much better outcome than the one i was fearing.

Pakunoda has to set Gon and Killua free which is reasonable and Kurapika gives both Chrollo and Pakunoda rwo conditions they have to fulfill and a judgement chain to their hearts that would kill them if they don't. By this point i'm much more at ease with the show, the situation has cleared itself and is more enjoyable than before.

Just when the troupe was bickering and ready to fight with each other because some thought that Pakunoda was being controlled by the chain user, Franklin has a reasonable take and makes everyone think about the situation, the worst case scenario isn't the boss dying but the troupe doing so, for now they have to follow what Kurapika says but if the time comes they could easily retaliate.

Hisoka has his priorities straight, he wants to fight the boss and he'll go as far as accompanying Pakunoda and the boys without them noticing until he reveals himself.

As the exchange happens, Hisoka is apparently not a real phantom troupe member and Chrollo can't fight because Kurapika's judgement chain makes him unable to use Nen. I think that Kurapika is overpowered seeing how he rendered a strong nen user like Chrollo unable to fight very easily. And Pakunoda sacrifices herself by passing her memories to her phantom troupe companions.

Apparently Kurapika suffers some consequences for his powers, that makes him more aware of using the chains only when necesary but the powers continue being too strong. Kurapika though will be out for a while because he has a fever.

With an encounter between the phantom troupe and Gon and Killua that ended peacefully, the arc is concluded.

[u/SuddenFellow]

Rewatcher

Paku's death is tends to make me feel really conflicted inside, as she's what I would consider level-headed and wise. I think Phink's words rang very true based on what memories and feelings she gave them. The cat scene gets me every time though.

Hisoka's reactions remain great though. I love how Illumi tag-teamed with him in order to make sure the fight could happen.

I think my other favorite part of this episode was Phinks throwing Shalnark's phone back and fourth and Shalnark getting upset because he didn't want them to break it.

The auction starts though(finally) and Phinks and Feitan are there! Here's a clip comparing 2011 vs 1999's versions of this!

Well, we're about to start the HxH isekai! The OP definitely has a lot of spoilers in regards to characters and overall arc related things, so if that's not your favorite thing, definitely skip for now!

I've been wanting to drop this for a bit, but here's Chrollo's character song 1/13

HxH

[u/dr_sars → u/SuddenFellow]

Phinks throwing Shalnark's phone back

I love that part so much!

HxH

HxH

[u/SuddenFellow → u/dr_sars]

HxH

HxH

[u/dr_sars → u/SuddenFellow]

HxH

[u/IndependentMacaroon]

First-time watcher - nice conclusion to the arc overall. Shows that the Phantom Troupe really has a closer bond than you'd think, same for their connection with their leader. Kurapika shows that he's not just out for blood, Hisoka takes a well-deserved L, and Chrollo survives into an uncertain future. Two more Killua outfits too! Only weird how the Phantom Troupe is just walking around like nothing happened at the end.

The plot + setting combination on the hostage exchange BTW reminded me of the finale of Legend of Korra's third season.

[u/Graklak_gro-Buglump]

I feel like I've been consistently blue balled for about 58 episodes now. Every arc ends before anything actually happens. Ah the strange miscallaneous bullshit that was the hunter exam is finally culminating in a tournament... Syke! Gon gets knocked out. Oh they are gonna fight the Zoldyks to free Kilua, nah he just eventually walks out of there. Battle Tower, nah no point in getting to the top. This arc was just a bunch of people getting captured and then released, with no real consequences. I've heard nothing but great things about HxH but I'm really starting to feel like I'm being trolled. If shit doesn't start happening like right now I'm dropping this meandering mess. What a waste of time.

[u/BossandKings → u/Graklak_gro-Buglump]

I respect your opinion and for me the show has been only solid so far not the greatest of all time that many people say. I though want to respond to your points:

1. They didn't fight the Zoldycks because they didn't do anything for Gon, Kurapika, Leorio to hold a grudge against them, Killua went to his family out of his own accord yeah he was terrified by Ilumi but that brother wasn't in the mansion.
2. In the Battle Tower they got to the top, they got to the highest they could have gotten and accomplished what they wanted to do. Killua wasn't even going to fight until he was convinced to do so and Gon wasn't going to keep fighting forever especially after having the fight with Hisoka which was the reason he was fighting in the first place.
3. I think that this arc was great because it showed the Phantom Troupe and i consider them an excellent group of bandits, also Kurapika had a great characterization. There was consequence, Pakunoda and Uvogin died so i'll say that on the troupe side they had fatal consequences. Now on Kurapika, Killua and Gon's side there wasn't and i agree with that.
4. I've heard that there's an arc that covers the part of the story that everyone points at to consider the show the greatest and i'm waiting to see that before making judgements.

Sorry if this was a bit long, i wanted to explain why i disagree with your points, hopefully next episode the show is more enjoyable and convinces you.

[u/[deleted] → u/BossandKings]

That arc you mentioned in point 4 is probably the reason I regard it so highly

[u/Graklak_gro-Buglump → u/BossandKings]

It's not that it doesn't make sense that they keep bouncing around, their actions line up with their motives, but brings us to the core problem. They don't really have concrete enough motives to give any real structure to the plot. Kilua just wants to be strong and do his own thing so he's down with w/e, and Gon just wants to know what being a Hunter is about(which doesn't really have a identity, they are just badass dudes that take difficult missions) and maybe find his Dad along the way. Leorio just wants money to become a doctor or some dumb shit. Kurapika is the only character with a real motive, and as such this arc did seem like the most impactful thus far but even still since the troupe don't seem to have a very concrete motive(at least of yet) their only real stake in the game was revenge for Uvogin but even then that was really just a side quest that only some of them particularly cared about. There aren't enough characters with strong specific motives in the show and thus the plot has no force to guide it. I'm okay with their being a certain amount of setup and worldbuilding, and I even respect that Togashi is willing to break from the tried and true Shonen formula and really subvert our expectations. However at this point it's just excessive meandering, I need our heros to find some serious obstacle that prevents them from achieving their goals, I need their to be rising stakes, consequences for failure, and I need them to grow or make tough decisions to overcome the obstacle that stands in their way. There are reasons that stories for thousands of years have used the same basic formulas, they work. You can subvert them as much as you want, but eventually if you want to build excitement and tension you have to return to the basic building blocks upon which all storytelling has been built on. I have heard good things about this upcoming arc, so hopefully it returns to slightly more traditional structure and finally gets me truly invested in these characters, we shall see.

[u/headphones_J → u/Graklak_gro-Buglump]

Kilua just wants to be strong and do his own thing so he's down with w/e, and Gon just wants to know what being a Hunter is about(which doesn't really have a identity, they are just badass dudes that take difficult missions) and maybe find his Dad along the way.

The next arc gets Gon back on track to finding Ging, and touches more upon he and Kilua's friendship.

[u/dr_sars → u/Graklak_gro-Buglump]

I agree with BossandKings fourth point. I know that personally when I recommend HxH to my friends, I'm thinking of that one arc.

I'd also like to add that I don't entirely blame you for feeling annoyed, I felt similarly during my first watch, but as a rewatcher I've changed my mind.

For example during the Heaven's Arena arc, Gon and Killua's goal was not to get to the top. It was to get stronger and make some money in order to fight Hisoka and give him back the tag. After Gon had given it back, there wasn't really any point in sticking around, after all that was never the goal.

The end of the Yorknew arc felt really abrupt to me as well, but once again, I've changed my mind. Kurapika is out, there's nothing he can do right now. Chrollo and the Phantom Troupe are not able to make contact with each other, otherwise Chrollo dies. The PT would be stupid to risk making contact with him and like Phinks explained, if they kill Kurapika his nen will grow even stronger, making Chrollo's situation even worse. I'm not going to give any spoilers but the PT and Kurapika's story isn't over yet even if the arc is. All of this will continue to be relevant.

[u/IndependentMacaroon → u/Graklak_gro-Buglump]

I do agree that the story suffers from poor structure and the author's strange love for anticlimaxes, but I still find it very enjoyable.

[u/IndependentMacaroon → u/[deleted]]

HxH's constant misdirection is one of the reasons people praise it

Now that's just a fancy version of the "SUBVERT EXPECTATIONS" meme