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I don’t want to say that episode was tense, but if my phone had rang my upstairs neighbor would have seen something like this…
As arcs go, “Chimera Ant” pretty much redefines epic. It’s epic in terms of length, it’s epic in terms of scale, and it’s epic in terms of quality. In many cases the danger with a storyline that powerful is that the event itself doesn’t live up to the buildup, but this is Togashi and Koujina we’re talking about so I’m not really concerned about that. In fact, this arc is so epic that it really needed a buildup to the buildup, and that’s what we’ve seen – we’re truly in the on-deck circle now, and getting what amounts to a dramatic payoff before the real battle even starts. Leave it to Hunter X Hunter to deliver a “night before” episode that’s a more gripping payoff than most series could dream of pulling off with the big game itself.
I think it would be fair to say that the situation on both sides of this conflict is equally riveting. The psychology of The King himself is obviously center-stage, but not to be ignored is the dynamics of the Royal Guard. Of Menthuthuyoupi we’ve seen nothing to indicate that he’s more than what he seems – a straight-up muscle guy who doesn’t overthink what he’s ordered to do. Shaiapouf is the strategist of the bunch, though so emotionally volatile that it makes him unpredictable. It’s obviously Neferpitou that’s the most dangerous, we can all see that – but it strikes me that what makes him dangerous to the Hunters can also make him dangerous to The King.
I think it’s very interesting to watch Pouf and Pitou in their responses to the King’s very odd (so it certainly must seem to them) obsession with Komugi. Pouf is overdramatic by nature, so he isn’t hard to read – and however much he disapproves, his ultimate loyalty to The King (I would unhesitatingly call it love) is so strong that he would never intentionally be a threat to him. Pitou, by contrast, is the most willful of the trio. He bends a knee to The King, but he never submits – you can see it in his eyes. Watch his face after The King commands him to use his En to protect Komugi. Both Pouf and Pitou have second thoughts, but only Pitou represents a danger to The King, I think. Youpi just needs orders to follow; Pouf just wants to adore his master. But Pitou is the one who’s shown motivations unrelated to The King – the thrill of the fight, the desire to test his strength, abject sadism. Pitou is a wildcard in every sense of the word.
Meanwhile, the good guys are coming to terms with the reality they now face. I don’t think I need to do a sales job for why this setup was as great as it was – it speaks for itself. But what really makes it work is the fact that these characters – even the ones who’ve only been on-screen for a short time like Meleoron and Ikalgo – are so richly developed and so different from each other. They all come from different backgrounds and bring different perspectives to the moment, with only one thing in common – the task at hand. And seeing the way each of them deals with the stress of the moment is highly illuminating about their natures.
I love the way Koujina chose to frame the scene where we were given insight into each character’s inner thoughts, panning from one to the next. Knuckle reveals his undying belief in the goodness of everyone, and hopes it can survive even what he knows will be a horrifying test. Shoot reveals himself – not for the first time – to be a deceptively interesting character, one of the more thoughtful and introspective (too much so for his own good) in the cast. He notes that the boys seem composed, though he senses something about Killua – that he could “fade away” at any moment, despite the fact that he seems free of the hesitation he showed during their fight (though Shoot doesn’t know the reason). Ikalgo sees this as his opportunity to be born anew and redeem Killua’s trust in him; Meleoron focuses on the practicalities of the task at hand and his role in it. Morel – now the undisputed leader of this group – reveals a little vulnerability (he assesses his strength at “35%”) beneath his rock-hard exterior, and an expectation this his role as the strongest and most visible is going to be to sacrifice himself. And Knov – his hair turned white by the ordeal he’s endured – is tortured by self-loathing over being unable to do more to help the others because his fear is even stronger than his disgust with himself.
And then we have the boys, superficially the calmest of the bunch. They, too, reveal their essential character in their inner thoughts at this moment. Gon, as always pure and utterly at peace with who he is, isn’t thinking of himself or of how terrifying this foe is – his focus is on his fear for Palm’s safety, and his desire to avenge Kaitou and bring him back to himself. And Killua thinks first of Gon – defining his role as providing his friend the support he needs to do what he has to do. But what is it that the razor-sharp Shoot (who’s most like Killua among any of the Hunter team, I suspect, and thus most attuned to what he’s truly feeling) saw in Killua that made him think the boy might “fade away”? It’s Killua who’s taken on the role of strategist, using his experience as an assassin and the insider info from Ikalgo and Colt (who appears to be watching over The King’s diminutive twin) to try and plan for the unexpected scenarios he knows are coming.
Here’s how I see what Shoot sees – Killua is someone who always wants to feel in control. He wants to plan, to be prepared for anything – but by his nature, that makes him less adept at reacting than the instinctual Gon. And no matter how much he desires it, he can’t plan for every scenario and ultimately, can’t be prepared for the caliber of the opponent he’s about to face. And even with Illumi’s needle removed from his head, Killua isn’t fully confident in his ability to come through this ordeal intact. He doesn’t know how he’ll react when the shit hits the fan, and this unnerves him deep inside. This is a great difference between the boys: Gon, even after his defeat to Knuckle and subsequent breakdown, is always sure of himself. He expressed his agony in spectacular fashion, got over it and moved on. Killua internalizes everything – he seems incapable of “getting it out of his system”. He carries all his fears and worries with him all the time, and his greatest fear is – “What will I do when things really go wrong? Am I strong enough to be the partner Gon needs at that moment? When Gon most needs me to have his back – will I have his back?”
Finally there’s The King, who’s never seemed more isolated even from his Royal Guard than he does right now. Even as they scheme to protect him they must do so in deceptive fashion, so as not to anger him. Knuckle’s idealism is such that he knows even The King has a heart, and hopes it has good in it – and indeed, we’re seeing The King as a much more complex and conflicted figure than he appeared at first. Identity, as always, is the crucial philosophical question the Chimera Ants pose with their existence. The King is no longer satisfied knowing what he is – he longs to know who he is, and why he’s been brought into the world. We’re seeing The King going through a classic adolescent search for identity – it just so happens that he’s the most powerful creature on the planet. Even as 5 million hapless East Gorteau march (“like lemmings” in Knov’s words) towards doom and the greatest clash of titanic power in a series full of such clashes approaches, the fate of the story may in fact hinge on how The King answers those questions.
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Gary Cochran
December 18, 2013 at 3:56 amI wonder how many of the good guys will still be alive when this arc is all over. Considering how dangerous the bad guys are I just can't see all the good guys making it to the end. We still don't know the fate of Palm and if Kite can be changed back to his old self as Gon hopes.
In tv and movies we hear stories about someone being so scared their hair turns white. I wonder if such a thing is really possible?
admin
December 18, 2013 at 4:06 amI worry about questions like that being too tempting for spoilers, but yeah – I figure someone or someones isn't going to make it. There's just too much power on the opposing side.
Yes, that has been known to happen in real life. Illness can do it, too – anything that places great stress on the body.
Shigy Amoto
December 18, 2013 at 4:36 amKnov, as he ventured into the palace defenseless with Zetsu active, had basically run naked into a snowstorm.
elianthos80
December 18, 2013 at 2:22 pmIt's probably due to my BeruBara imprinting but the first thought crossing my mind at that was ' Holy ***t Knov pulled a Marie Antoinette'.
Shigy Amoto
December 18, 2013 at 4:26 amHuh.. did you post this earlier than usual?
I know I'll enjoy the sakuga in the next episode.
Shigy Amoto
December 18, 2013 at 4:31 amAnd yes – the beginning with the characters theorizing (along with getting to see Colt again!), and ending displaying all their internal monologues were my favorite moments.
TigerxDragon
December 18, 2013 at 5:22 amBetween this episode and just watching the Steins; Gate movie I am pretty positive anime is the only medium in which monologues can hold such a high volume of screen time and have it be a immensely intense,powerful, and emotional experience.
ishruns
December 18, 2013 at 5:45 amIn the words of the late Heath Ledger – 'Here we go.'
The final portion of Chimera Ant will take at least another cour to complete, so Hunter x Hunter will definitely not end until Spring. But unless Togashi starts writing again, I fear that it will end in Spring. The final arc is in my opinion suited more for a movie release than an anime, especially if Togashi doesn't start work again.
If I can find a complete collection of HxH 2011 when this glorious run Madhouse has made ends, I certainly intend to purchase.
admin
December 18, 2013 at 7:17 amThere are apparently 58 chapters left in C.A. as of now. At the rate the adaptation is currently proceeding, that works out almost perfectly to two cours.
ZonikStrike
December 18, 2013 at 2:32 pm^The chapters are really short though. I'd also guess about a cour for the rest of CA; and then the last arc is about ~10 more: chapter 339 is more suitable for an ending point imo. Though I hope they'll continue the anime once the manga is finished.
ishruns
December 18, 2013 at 5:26 pmYeah, I felt those last chapters just flew by. I'm not sure Madhouse can stretch it out for 2 cours. There was less talking and more epic action which takes up less time. We can see how the pace changes after the New Year but I think it'll speed up. I think that the final chapter of Hunter x Hunter is a good ending point too. I always thought it was an actual ending but that SJ didn't want to announce it formally as HxH is a cash cow but Togashi seems to have no interest in expanding beyond it for now, we'll see how the return of HxH in the manga might turn out if he actual does it. Probably a flashback for the movie.
SummonedSquall
December 18, 2013 at 6:12 amI always love reading this blog because no matter how right or wrong your assessments end up being they're always fascinating to read. Most of my friends aren't into HxH – I agree with them that Togashi's work ethic is completely beyond defense – so to see somebody else pore over such a deep series? It's really fun. It's also fun to watch your reactions to how things end up turning out: I'll be having a lot of fun with that in the coming weeks~
admin
December 18, 2013 at 7:15 amI appreciate that, thanks. I must say, though, that it's presumptuous of any of us to cast aspersions on Togashi's work ethic when we don't know what's really going on that might be causing his erratic output.
Besides, look at it this way – which is better, spectacular work published erratically or mediocre work published punctually?
Simone
December 18, 2013 at 10:07 amOr in other words, what is better, HunterXHunter or Bleach XD?
Trafalgar Law
December 18, 2013 at 10:29 amBleach, Naruto, One Piece, have all turned into mediocre works of generic content. Not because of consistent releases. Togashi can be more consistent and still make it good, it's not like he's holding out because he ran out of ideas.
admin
December 18, 2013 at 11:31 amHow do you know why he's holding out, or whether he's "holding out" at all?
Trafalgar Law
December 18, 2013 at 1:26 pmWell have you seen any chapters the past 2 years? So whether he's holding out or not… he is.
As for the reasons, it could be as many as there are stated on the internet, but being on a rut doesn't seem like one of them. If he really takes all this time to "prepare" for the story and write it all along then it would sure look like it. The art shows that it's a dash-in and dash-out of sessions of writing going back on vacation.
Trafalgar Law
December 18, 2013 at 10:28 amWhy was my comment deleted it wasn't implying anything, just judging from their current personalities and what we know. It's just a wrong analysis that Pitou's aura is more evil.
admin
December 18, 2013 at 11:30 amWhen things are stated as facts rather than opinions and based on what we've seen on-screen there would be no way to know for sure, they look a lot like manga spoilers.
Unknown
December 18, 2013 at 12:54 pmIt is time for what many consider the climax of the series.
elianthos80
December 18, 2013 at 2:34 pmHow nice among this episode range to also get a glimpse of Colt and baby Ant I had wondered about them for a while now :,).
On Shoot's evaluation of Killua I'm a bit hesitant to elaborate (there are a few traits in his backstory and personality that just hit a tad too close to home for comfort. Oh woe :,D ) beyond a "I quite agree".
But this episode as a whole made me quite uneasy.
Because anyone in this attack squad but Gon and Killua might not come alive (Palm's fate is suposedly up in the air still but I'm not holding hopes). Especially Ikalgo's brofeels are giving me this death flag vibe. May he lose just a few tentacles at worst and save his cephalopodan butt along with his comrades.
Gary Cochran
December 18, 2013 at 9:25 pmThere are still many unresolved stories to be told in this amazing world:
Hisoka vs. Chrollo
Phantom Troupe vs. Kurapika
Killua and his assassin family
Gon finding his father
just to name a few…
Nero
December 19, 2013 at 1:24 pmEnzo, that's probably a foolish question, but will you watch The Last Mission?
admin
December 20, 2013 at 12:16 amWhy in the world wouldn't I? Spoilers? I'll live with it – the movie isn't canon, anyway.
Avishek Chatterjee
December 23, 2013 at 1:58 pmSo, the main question is…………..when the anime reaches the current end of the manga, will the anime continue with Madhouse making new storylines or will it end?
Given that the manga is most likely off for the immediate future, what do you think (and what would you want), Enzo?
admin
December 23, 2013 at 2:12 pmI don't think they'll continue with original stories. As a late-night anime, it makes very little money for anyone concerned (doesn't sell discs) and there's no new manga to promote.
As for what I would wish for? A brutally hard question. This team has done a fantastic job and there's a big part of me that says, any H x H anime is better than none. But in the end, I think it's better to close where Togashi did, and if he picks up the story again, wait a few years and re-launch the anime.