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That apology didn’t really sound sincere to me…
It’s hard to believe that there’s been complaining about the latest run of episodes of Hunter X Hunter, but there has. In fact, it goes back to the days when the manga first introduced this part of the story. I suppose it’s a testament to how faithfully Koujina-sensei is adapting that the complaints are largely the same now – it’s rare that you see an anime criticized for adapting a manga too faithfully. I’ve religiously avoided reading H x H until after the relevant chapters have been animated and I consider these last two months as good as any the series has had, so for me the complaints seem to be a product of false expectations of what kind of writer Togashi-sensei is more than anything. But those opinions are no less valid than mine – just as different as they could possibly be.
I would hope that an episode like this one would be more satisfactory to those dissatisfied with the approach Togashi and Madhouse have taken, for while it wasn’t wall to wall shounen battles it was largely action-driven. And damn, was it tense – though pretty much every episode lately has been unbelievably tense. In hindsight I think a large part of that tension spring from how much of the narrative is playing out inside the characters’ heads – the “Narrator” role gets all the pub (and hate) but the internal narration of the cast is even more important to keep the audience in the loop, and at the same time make us feel the extreme agitation and unease they’re feeling. And yes, that includes the Chimera Ants.
Another product of this approach is that it really plays up the strengths and weaknesses of each character – their thoughts and feelings giving us a greater understanding than the characters have themselves. This episode largely played out through the perspective of three characters – Youpi, Knuckle and Ikalgo. Yes, we saw others – Morel and Pouf’s battle was looked in on, and much to my surprise Killua played a small but crucial role in the end (kudos to last week’s preview for being unusually circumspect in not tipping us off that it was coming). But it was really about Youpi – up until the last few eps by far the least explored of the Royal Guard – and the Bro Squad.
What did this episode tell us about Youpi? Well, for starters I have to give him credit for adapting with incredible speed – obviously a frightening hallmark of his species. Could any human go from being controlled by their own rage to controlling it for purposes of deception as quickly as Youpi has? Of course not. Youpi has always been the most direct of the Royal Guard, never asking too many questions and intentionally avoiding overthinking. But here he recognizes an opportunity that requires a skill that’s completely different than his usual repertoire, and he actually pulls it off brilliantly. I thought to myself that the fact that he was so new at this subterfuge business might be his undoing, but I’m not sure anyone could have anticipated the attack that thwarted his plan. Still – one could argue that it was Youpi’s inexperience in deception that allowed him to be deceived in the act of deceiving – and it’s impossible not to think all the way back to the Hunter exam, when Gon (still new at all this himself back then) was ambushed while in the act of ambushing Hisoka. What goes around comes around, and old themes repeat themselves.
On the other side we have Ikalgo and Knuckle, who’re so alike in many ways – so human despite the fact that one of them isn’t actually a human. Ikalgo continues his quest to locate Palm, and Brovoda has followed him to the basement to confirm his suspicions. Ikalgo has no way to know where he slipped up, so he’s really flying blind here. The quest for Palm nets nothing more than a message from Palm (written in Nen) that confirms she’s fled Area B and headed for the palace – the most-expected result, but not what Ikalgo was expecting to see. The more immediate problem is Brovoda, who unwittingly tips off Ikalgo to the mistake he’s made because he assumes it doesn’t matter, as he’s about to kill Flutter anyway. He does “kill” Flutter, not realizing the real turncoat remains behind – and Borovoda seems to have made a huge mistake in descending Bizeff’s elevator without knowing about the passcode system. But for Ikalgo a major problem remains – he knows now that “Hagya” (which Borovda himself uses to refer to Leol after he blasts Flutter to scraps) is wrong, but not what the new name is.
As usual, the episode saves the biggest drama for last. Knuckle is impossible not to love – he’s just such a straight-up guy. An idiot? Maybe – but one who knows he’s being an idiot and can’t stop himself anyway. The whole notion of going after Youpi instead of waiting him out in foolish to begin with, and Knuckle knows it. His bro-nologue as he’s attacking Youpi is a truly great moment – funny, incredibly tense and very sad. He’s walking right into Youpi’s trap, of course, and some part of him seems to sense it as his time slows to a crawl. “Wow!” he marvels, “I’m amazing myself! I don’t think my mind has ever moved this fast.”
Knuckle deconstructs himself completely as this scene plays out, displaying the full range of his fallibilities. He muses that he never even liked Shoot that much, yet he’s risking everything to land a punch for the sake of Shoot’s honor – yet, that’s Knuckle to a “T”. He’s a bro’s bro, too kind for his own good, a sweet soul who has more faith in the fairness of the universe than someone in his position should ever have. When the nanosecond when Youpi reveals the trap happens (and the BGM changes), Knuckle is convinced he’s about to die and it’s very easy to believe he’s right. It’s yet another shiver-inducing moment of raw intensity in this arc, one earned by Togashi’s willingness to go where few mangaka would be willing to go. Knuckle’s thoughts in that moment reveal him for exactly what he is, flaws and all – probably on-balance the most decent and innocent person we’ve met in a brutal and pitiless world of killers.
Killua isn’t the only one who makes a surprise appearance at this point – though “appearance” isn’t exactly the right word for what Meleoron does. His ability has been used dramatically exactly as it has strategically – unpredictably and with great effect. No question, Youpi bested Knuckle here – Knuckle says it in so many words – but if anyone ever deserved to be bailed out, he does. Killua proves himself a magnificent bastard here, striking at the perfect moment, paralyzing Youpi with a lightning bolt far bigger than we’ve seen him use up to now. Killua may be a young boy and Knuckle a seasoned adult, but too much of Killua’s innocence has already been lost. It would be wrong to call him unsentimental – indeed, he can be hurt very deeply if it’s Gon doing the hurting. But Killua still has a core of cold steel inside him and it reveals itself in moments like this.
As Killua silently (that silence is quite conspicuously showcased) strides towards Youpi he tells him “Sorry, but what’s about to happen is just me blowing off some steam.” As much of a badass as Killua is I wonder if he’s taking Youpi too lightly here, but given than Knuckle was able (thanks to Kil) to land eight blows, Youpi should be in dire straits indeed at the moment. This is a ripple radiating outwards from the moment Gon said those cruel words to Killua – a moment, it seems, that will make its effects felt in many ways subtle and gross, for a long time to come. I’ve said in the past that both Gon and Killua have their moments (and that “ripple” moment was one, for both) where they reveal themselves to be the fragile children they still are. But in Killua’s stature and presence here and Knuckle’s emotions both before and after Killua intervened, it’s impossible to escape the feeling that the man is in many ways far more innocent than the boy. And that does nothing but make the both of them all the more endearing.
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Cat
February 26, 2014 at 7:11 amHonestly the highlight of this episode was Killua's "charging" of his lightning. It's been a while since we have had raw power in this show and the past few episodes have been a bit dry for all the build up.
Building on what I meant by dry, I think that most of the fans who complained are doing so because the payoff isn't really coming the way they expected it. I mean, we have had 10+ episodes of build up, that is a lot of time for an anime and most would be done by this point. So to see this sort of slow fizz of action (i.e. sitting in the smoky jail talking about emotions, 10 minute monologues about friendship and punching people in the face, watching dragonfly man drive down empty hallways for minutes.). Through out this there has been limited action with some really intense scenes of epicness which many viewers expected to happen sequentially.
I love hxh but I really need some crazy over the top fight scene like Gon, killua, and bisky vs the bombers. Hoping meruem vs old man delivers, not expecting much from butterfly vs smoky guy, killua i have high expectations for next episode, and gon vs pitou should be crazy as well.
Unknown
February 26, 2014 at 7:43 amRemember when Knuckle hits something under the effect of APR they don't take damage they just have more aura loaned to the meter. Added on Knuckle said he is bailing the fight so he can get Shoot help.
Azazi Belmont
February 26, 2014 at 9:43 amI don't know why they didn't show Killua and Meleoron in the sky throwing that awesome Narukami. That's Koujima's fault… again.
Simone
February 26, 2014 at 12:19 pmWell, the scene was shown from Youpi's perspective – and he could see nothing (maybe not even the lightning). After all, we already had enough pieces to put the puzzle together ourselves, and showing them could have given the false impression that they had returned visible for the occasion. But yeah, it would have made for a nice shot.
Cancer777
February 26, 2014 at 4:23 pmI liked they way it was done! I was sure Bro-uckle was done, Already started mourning him and everything and boom lighting from the sky. IMO it was more intense that way.
Athos
February 26, 2014 at 4:16 pmI'm not sure how it was handled in the manga, but I would've liked it if they hadn't spent a good 4 minutes of the episode telegraphing what Youpi was about to do over and over. Not only did it ruin the surprise, but it pretty much doomed the plan to fail thanks to the spoken plan guarantee.
elianthos80
February 26, 2014 at 5:26 pmPersonally I dont mind time spent inside every character's head at all when it's done like this :p. That said the action bits were also great. And so was the mood whiplash.
For a moment I had thought IkaBro had managed to save his ass by migrating to Flutter's bottom half and hiding under the latter's skirt – good thing Brovuda didn't take a peek – . Instead he had managed to slide beneath the truck! I'm impressed <3. And he's so full of nakama feels too. Thou must survive this ordeal IkaBro ;_;.
Knuckle's final-moments-not were the top. The effect it had could be summed by a string of contrasting emoticons covering the full spectrum from exhilaration to relief to despair and awe FFFFUUUUU— OH WOW YAYYYY ROFL Knukle escaping WOW (again) Killua baby aren't you badass. *ahem* . The red rose was a nice touch too. I was on the border of weeping and laughing at the same time… meaningful anime red roses and me have a history. Oh dear. Too much at once. Whew.
Anway… Killua. Go blow some steam indeed darling <3.
Last week Shaia seemed to be the coolest-headed among the Guards, but this week Youpi has levelled up spectacularly. Pitou is the one I'm fairly sure is toast – and it will ot be pretty – but these two… ah it seems they have emerged as the most complicate to deal with. Talk of subverting expectations. Ah, such writing.
—
Among all of this… isn't it disturbing Bizeff's 'training' is such those women didn't even display some wtf or fear when for all they know a monster pops up questioning them in their bedroom? They must fear Bizeff even more.
Among all this Palm's ultimate fate is still unknown. A few episodes ago there was that one passing shot of a three-vases set that felt super ominous (carried by the top Ant's names flavour I was reminded of the dead's organs jars/amphorae found in Egyptian burials as byproduct of mummification…) but maybe just maybe there is something better – or worse. I mean, it's Togashi – in store.
—
Your final paragraph seems especially spot-on Enzo. I have my own ideas – so to speak – on the specifics of those ripples we're gonna witness but yeah we'll see week by week.
Yann
February 26, 2014 at 9:01 pm"bronologue" ha ha… Very true.
I really liked that episode. I actually believed Knuckle was going to die and I was so wrapped up in his bronologue that I didn't see it coming at all. And Killua's totally bad ass there… I have to admit that I'm hoping for an actual full blown ol' school fight between those two next week. I'm starting to get shounen blue balls over here…
admin
February 26, 2014 at 11:16 pm"Shounen blue blue balls", heh – could be a new Togashi meme there.
whemleh
February 26, 2014 at 11:50 pmFirst off: 'Bronologue' is an excellent phrase, and the Bro Squad a perfect name for that group. I assume Meleoron is also a member.
Now, my poor heart.. I was all set to grieve for Knuckle and he ends up completely okay?! I mean I'm delighted and I fist-bumped my screen, but my emotions are in a hoop afterwards. And 8 punches is GAR as all hell. Knuckle's retreat afterwards was friggin' hilarious as well.
admin
February 27, 2014 at 12:20 amI think I've made my stance on Meleoron's bro-hood pretty clear. He's still my favorite ant.
Flaiboy
February 27, 2014 at 5:59 amOne of the reasons that these past 12 or so episodes have been so intense for me is that I've convinced myself that there is no way for all of the Hunter crew to remain alive. I fully expect that, when this arc is over, at least one member will be lost if not more, the early favorites being either Shoot or Knuckle and the Chairman. The reason I picked the Chairman is obvious. I have really grown to love Shoot and Knuckle and figure that this was Togashi's plan all along – to get me to love these characters and then stab me in the heart with the sadness of losing them. It will be a difficult struggle to get over the lose of their characters should it come to that.
Btw, I was tripping over myself in a nervous panic trying to run up that hill with Knuckle!
admin
February 27, 2014 at 6:13 amYeah, like I said, Togashi paid the down payment for this tension by proving he's a fearless writer. And he has an amazing ability to make even second-tier characters increddible interesting and often likeable. Dangerous combo. I was very worried for Knuckle there – I really thought his time might have come.
Maxulous
February 27, 2014 at 12:07 pmI'll just leave this here (SFW):
http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bfi_XF2CIAEXy0q.jpg:large
Onix Franceschini
February 27, 2014 at 2:21 pmThat is simply spectacular.
Maxulous
February 28, 2014 at 1:42 amEven right down to the toriyama styled copic shading! Funny, since I had it in the back of my mind that a lot of characters in this HxH arc looked incredibly Dragonball-esk.
hgfdsahjkl
February 27, 2014 at 2:02 pmI didnt get the ((That apology didn't really sound sincere to me.))
kaz_kenshin
February 27, 2014 at 4:14 pmI'm not sure but maybe he means this:
"As Killua silently (that silence is quite conspicuously showcased) strides towards Youpi he tells him "Sorry, but what's about to happen is just me blowing off some steam."
hgfdsahjkl
February 27, 2014 at 10:52 pmaha,I think you're right
admin
February 27, 2014 at 11:26 pmIndeed.