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At this moment it’s utterly pointless to compare Hunter X Hunter with anything else currently airing. It’s a combination of the fact that H x H is at a ridiculous level and the fact that we’re in the midst of a historically weak season, but I can’t remember a time when the gap between one show and everything else on the schedule was this wide. It’s no exaggeration to say that the only competition for Hunter X Hunter right now is itself.
Of course, that’s some insanely strong competition – the best, in fact. There truly was no way any show could possibly top last week’s episode, which was the best anime episode of the season by a country mile and possibly the best for a very long time. It was one of the three of four most historically spectacular eps in Hunter X Hunter’s historically spectacular run, and one of the most intense anime episodes ever created. There was no way this one was going to top or even match it – and if we know anything about Togashi by now, it’s that he’s smart enough and knows his own talent well enough not to even try.
In keeping with the narrative practice of this arc (though the episode title is a bit of a fake-out), Togashi gives us a staggeringly good setup and then points the camera elsewhere, usually where you least expect it. Gon and Killua are almost entirely absent from this episode and judging by their absence from the preview, it may be a while before we return to the A-plot. That’s sheer agony given how incredible it is and where it was left off, but that’s Hunter X Hunter. We get just a glimpse of Gon and a bit more of Killua, though the latter is fascinating even at that. Meleoron tracks the boy down and reveals himself with an encouraging smile. Meleoron brings Killua up to speed and enlists his help, but what’s interesting here is that he clearly senses Killua is suffering – just when did Meleoron arrive, and how much did he see? Meleoron is such a kind soul, a bro’s bro – whether he’s seen what happened between the boys first hand or simply inferred as much as he could from Killua’s face, he’s clearly determined to help Kil get through it.
Meanwhile, another brief but fascinating encounter is taking place outside. Cheethu has spotted Zeno Zoldyck and (frustrated at not being able to get at Morel) challenged him. Cheethu is Cheethu – a child, yammering on about his cool new ability and oblivious to everything else. It’s obvious Zeno – who ominously says he’s “not in the mood” to fight – is troubled. For the first time as head of the family, he may have killed someone he wasn’t paid to kill. He’s seen great changes in his grandson. Zeno tries to give Cheethu a chance to spare himself, but Cheethu is determined to show off that precious new ability of his and won’t take no for an answer.
I think we all know how a fight between Zeno and Cheethu would have ended up, but Silva makes it a moot point by turning Cheethu’s head into mush (Zeno even tried to warn Cheethu about that). What an ignominious end for Cheethu, shocking in it’s quick and clinical (if messy) nature – but Cheethu was always in over his head amongst the big boys in this story, never able to think on their level. He’s a bit player (his ability not even worth the trouble of revealing) and I think that’s the real point here – this is a battle so epic that only the truly terrifying matter. The most consequential aspect of this encounter for me, in fact, comes when Zeno off-handedly tells his son that Killua seems to have removed Ilumi’s needle, and Silva’s reaction clearly indicates that he’s know about it all along as well. It explains to some extent why both of them were so willing to let Killua walk away and pursue his own path when they did, but it also paints that final conversation – at the time surprisingly warm and sincere – between Silva and Killua is a different and rather cynical light.
Whether the two senior generations of Zoldycks will continue to play a role in this encounter remains to be seen, but for the bulk of the episode the focus turns to Knuckle and Youpi. Morel continues his standoff with the cocooned Shaiapouf, with an increasing sense (which I share) that something isn’t quite right here – it seems odd that Pouf is so willing to be sidelined while his beloved King is in danger. Knuckle successfully evades Youpi’s initial flurry of attacks and manages to lure him into following, but Youpi foils his plan by refusing to chase Knuckle out of the palace. In fact, Youpi is so unconcerned with the “flies” that he passes up a chance to finish off the barely-conscious Shoot – once these opponents are no longer a threat to the King (as he perceives it) they interest Youpi no longer. The only problem I have here is that it’s only later that Youpi considers that killing Shoot might have impacted the strange blight on his shoulder (Hotel Rafflesia), but given what he knows and that he’s a direct and uncomplicated creature, this probably isn’t unreasonable.
The problem here is that Knuckle is every inch the bro that Meleoron is, and Youpi thinking so little of himself and Shoot rubs him entirely the wrong way. This is a mistake (as the Narrator tells us) because if Youpi wants to guard an empty throne room, Knuckle really ought to let sleeping dogs lie. But he doesn’t – no, for Shoot’s sake more even than his own Knuckle determines that he has to land a blow for both of them. He even devises a perfect way to deal with Youpi’s overwhelming power, but the problem is that Youpi keeps leveling up and foiling Knuckle and Shoot’s plans before they have a chance to work. And Youpi is growing increasingly frustrated that no one on the other side of Morel’s smoke cloud is answering his shouts, not to mention that the annoying Potclean and Hotel Rafflesia are still attached to him. This causes yet another level-up, revealing yet another monstrous new form and ability (and knocking the palace off its foundations) – and even in his heightened sense of bro-rage, Knuckle realizes the prudent course of action is to scoop up Knuckle, make like an egg and beat it.
That’s where things come to an end – with three minutes having passed since the start of the mission (which means we’ve seen about 130 minutes of screen time over six spellbinding episodes cover a bit more than 3 minutes of narrative time). Again we see the surprising twist where Pitou is effectively helpless, while it’s Youpi and Pouf who seem most frightening. Pouf’s silence in his pupa is ominous, and the growth of Youpi’s menace is pretty terrifying – not only has he exponentially increased his aura based on pure rage, but he seems to have figured out that this is only useful if he’s in-control enough to use it to support the King. The Hunters remain the more cohesive and mutually loyal team (ironically) but the tide of battle seems poised to turn against them at the moment.
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Shigy Amoto
February 19, 2014 at 9:15 amThe name, "Monroe Walk," was all we got of Cheetu's ability in the manga.
admin
February 19, 2014 at 9:25 amWell… That pretty much has to refer to either Marilyn Monroe or NBA legend Earl "The Pearl" Monroe – who seems like the more likely model for Cheethu…
Flaiboy
February 19, 2014 at 10:12 amThe Zoldycks are such an interesting family; I would be cool to see more of their backstory fleshed out. Not too many families have their own dragon, for Pete's sake!
nc622x
February 19, 2014 at 2:48 pmWhat is that last picture? Is the yaoi thing official now? 🙂
admin
February 19, 2014 at 11:18 pmIt's a "know your meme" kind of thing from the Tokyo blizzard.
http://kotaku.com/lovers-in-the-snow-spawn-anime-art-meme-1521247054
nc622x
February 20, 2014 at 2:48 amLOL I love this meme.
gedata
February 19, 2014 at 3:27 pmI laughed how the narrator's unbiased logic made him call out Knuckle's attempt to honor his bro-code a stupid folly. His inner dialogue got my behind the idea at first, then this disembodied voice remind ed how stupid the whole idea is in the grand scheme of things
Simone
February 19, 2014 at 3:49 pmAlso considering how what Knuckle had to do in order to avenge Shoot was literaly just stick around for a while and let the Power of Exponentiation do its thing. One hour with Potclean attached would drain the Nen of ANYONE. Then he goes in and smashes his skull in with a punch.
Unknown
February 19, 2014 at 8:46 pmNo Knuckle has to remain close to Potclean for it to work and likely in sight of Youpi.
admin
February 19, 2014 at 11:19 pmThat is also my understanding, though I don't recall if that's been officially laid out yet.
hgfdsahjkl
February 20, 2014 at 3:56 amyeah,it was already mentionned in his fight with cheethu,remember when he and moru were tagging him
hgfdsahjkl
February 20, 2014 at 3:57 ambut he doesnt have to be in his sight,there were a certain range but I can't remember the distance
maverickmann84
February 20, 2014 at 12:01 amIf HxH continues to stay at this level (not necessarily last weeks, but the same high level with 1-2 more elite level episodes) where would you rank it as far as best anime of all time lists go? Not just your personal favorite ranks but also best all time? (for example I've never much cared for Evangelion, but will accept it as one of the all time best bc of its importance)
Rita
February 20, 2014 at 2:56 amThis section of the manga was one of those 'oh look it's 3 AM I should go to sleep but NO have to keep reading' type scenarios and I'm kind of glad I've been rationing my anime viewing of HxH or I'm sure I'd be right in the middle of pulling my hair out waiting each week.
elianthos80
February 20, 2014 at 4:55 pmYoupi's form(s) are really something. Yikes. And it seem he's only beginning. I really wonder if at least one of the bros duo here is gonna survive. Also we saw Welfin as spectator for a moment didn't we? is he going to intervene? More importantly… on whose side?
Pouf is the calmest of the three Guards atm. Ironic enough given his previous drama queen bursts but not unexcpected given how emotion and mind reading has turned up to be his thing. Two faces, same coin. Isn't he one fascinating butterfly 8D…
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Gon's pose and face here reminded me a lot of his stance in the tree trunk (episode #16 I think it was. After his little encounter with Hisoka for the whole plate stealing Hunter Exam challenge.
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Kil and Meleoron: all my lurve.
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Last but not least: Zeno and Silva knowing about the needle all along? I'm so NOT surprised. Know your Zoldycks, baby. If they have to resort to any kind of mean to curb their golden child's rebellious or 'non.conforming' streak to keep their family and family trade they'll do it. Needles? Figurative or literal torture? Emotional manipulation? Ha. I would bet on that and more.
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The preview Gon-Killua lines are sort of cute. Choco robotto! *W*
elianthos80
February 20, 2014 at 5:45 pmP.S.: talking about bit Ant players… never mind Cheethu (aren't we cruel? ) we never saw what happened to Mr. Pink Koala Killer In Black. Is he dead? Hiding? He was one cool cold mofo :,>. I'm rooting for him to reappear someway, somehow.
No spoilers please. Leave me to my fuzzy dreams XD.
SummonedSquall
February 22, 2014 at 7:08 amLast we saw him, the Koala was hanging out with the leftover Chimera Ants that petitioned the Hunters or help in saving the Queen.
elianthos80
February 22, 2014 at 11:28 am@SummonedSquall: oh thank you for refreshing my hopes :,D.
usasoldiern
February 24, 2014 at 3:47 amYeah, Koalaman was awesome. Hoping to see him some more.
xFallenAngel
February 22, 2014 at 9:25 pmI don't know if the last conversation between Silva and Killua is necessarily cast in a different and more cynical light due to Silva being aware of Illumi's needle. He might just as well have expected Killua to break Illumi's hold over him if he really cares about Gon as much as he said he did. Maybe I'm giving him to much credit and making him out to be nicer than he really is, but it does seem like he genuinely cares about his son(s).
admin
February 22, 2014 at 11:55 pmIt's possible to cast that conversation in a more cynical light without unequivocally stating that Silva doesn't genuinely care about Killua. There's plenty of room in the middle there.