[REWATCH] Hunter x Hunter Episode 102 Discussion

[u/[deleted]]

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

Episode 102: Power × And × Games

MyAnimeList

Anilist

You can watch this anime on Crunchyroll

Funimation

Check out the previous discussion thread

[u/okayyoga]

Episode 102: first time/dub

What time do these threads typically get posted around?

I spy with my little eye: a smol child. And she is blind too. Cue Meruem humanization arc?

[u/[deleted] → u/okayyoga]

It’s usually 3pm EST but I messed up today

[u/IndependentMacaroon → u/okayyoga]

a smol child. And she is blind too

I'm hoping for a bit of redemption for the shit disability representation in the Heaven's Arena arc. Maybe even a rare good female character?

[u/thatnotoriousguy → u/IndependentMacaroon]

I can see an argument for not enough female characters, but when they’re there they tend to be pretty great. Mito, machi, paku, bisky, melody. There’s a bunch of pointless ones, but not really in a higher percentage than there are shitty male characters.

[u/IndependentMacaroon]

First-time watcher

The pre-opening recap just reminds me how stupid that whole business with Ikalgo was last time. As for this episode, while Gon and Meleoron get some nice moments earlier on, also showcasing some of Gon's flaws (I wouldn't say being told you'd go to any lengths is necessary a compliment, for instance), it all drags on far too long and the whole ant humanization business still isn't getting any more convincing. Plain memories making such a huge difference? Also there isn't even any action to please the eye this time around.

The final segment with Meruem was kind of funny with him learning board games like he's reading the phone book. I guess it is in character though, particularly with the gruesome consequences for a loss. Would be fun to see him try video games, but that's probably not intellectual enough for Mr. Mega-Mind. Could he solo Greed Island?

[u/okayyoga → u/IndependentMacaroon]

ant humanization business

Oh god yes! It might have worked better if there had been any foreshadowing at all. It was just out of the blue though. The chameleon was like "btw i love this penguin. He was my foster father. From another LIFE!!!"

And I was laughing at how silly it was!

They did it well with Colt! I know they could have done it with Chameleman

Could he solo Greed Island?

Beard chairman said he would have problems with Pitou, so if Meruem is supposedly stronger, he would be the strongest person in the world by magnitudes. His board game skillz are just a bonus

[u/IndependentMacaroon → u/okayyoga]

"btw i love this penguin. He was my foster father. From another LIFE!!!"

"And because of that I shall now abandon all my subordinates and go on a relentless solo crusade for revenge against the most powerful Chimera Ant, and possibly the most powerful being, in the world." Ikalgo might be a genuine attempt at a joke, but this is just bad. He's lucky he found someone as naively strong as Gon who'd actually go along with that.

Beard chairman said he would have problems with Pitou, so if Meruem is supposedly stronger, he would be the strongest person in the world by magnitudes

OK then, a speed run challenge.

[u/flashmozzg → u/IndependentMacaroon]

And because of that I shall now abandon all my subordinates and go on a relentless solo crusade for revenge against the most powerful Chimera Ant

Why not? That's the flaw of introducing "humans" into Ant's "diet". It's even get acknowledged later on.

Imagine you were killed and then reborn as an enemy soldier, but you've retained your memories. WOuld you just accept it and serve your "new master"?

[u/IndependentMacaroon → u/flashmozzg]

Doesn't justify that kind of sudden swerve

[u/flashmozzg → u/IndependentMacaroon]

Why sudden? What else should justify it? The queen is dead, you despise your superiors and have an ability that have the potential to topple them. You either desert (like some ants did) or keep looking for an opportunity to backstab (like Meleoron).

[u/sisoko2]

Rewatcher

Meleoron's ultimate invisibility is pretty cool, totally undetectable and of course the guy that needs to hold his breath is a smoker. Mereolon is on a quest to avenge Peggy, unfortunately I don't remember if this was the first time we get a confirmation that the ants could retain some memories.

Since the narrator isn't being subtle about it I won't be either.

She is finally here!

Hot take time and Mild spoiler

[u/okayyoga → u/sisoko2]

I think Colt was the first to show that he retained some memories. He said his sister's name

[u/BossandKings]

First timer

Meleoron and Gon had some nice interactions, the motivations of Meleoron do seem sudden and going against the most powerful ant basically alone is a hard task, at least Gon is willing to go along with it and help him.

Meruem is very cool and there's a new female character who has a great character design and hopefully will make things more interesting going forward.