Having pretty firmly established the parameters of the situation over the past two chapters, Togashi-sensei seems to effectively signal the start of the succession battle itself this week – Kurapika’s announcement having been the catalyst to set the wheels in motion.
Did Kurapika intend to do so? It’s an interesting question. We spend some time with a couple more princes this week (and it turns out it was Woble’s bodyguards that were all dead, not Halkenberg). Camillia seems like a total throwaway, pretty much – a despicable spoiled egotist even by the high standard of her siblings, Hui. Benjamin is much more interesting, though. The eldest prince, he’s decisive and straightforward – though in this instance that means he’s bound and determined to kill all the younger princes for the good of the kingdom. And like the others, he’s being manipulated by those with more grounding in Nen.
Benjamin’s chief bodyguard theorizes that Kurapika made his announcement in order to throw the advantage to those with more Nen experience, and to try and extend a stalemate long enough to allow the ship to reach the Dark Continent. Maybe that’s true and maybe it isn’t, but the immediate upshot of it is that Benjamin has effectively turned all of his spies into assassins – and remember, as the oldest he has spies in every other prince’s army. So the battle has been joined whether Kurapika intended it to be or not, and the next move is in his court.
Even as this story really rounds into shape, I’m still struggling with the lack of any kind of rooting interest among this group. Somehow even the Phantom Troupe – mass murderers that they are – had members that were much easier to identify with in “York Shin”. Hell, even among the Chimera Ants we had sympathetic figures – and of course Gon and Killua fighting them. Maybe Togashi can get there with this current group, but I don’t see anyone yet who stands out as a potential breakout character. But it’s way too early to judge, as this is a writer whose arcs are marathons, not sprints. The real question is whether he has one more marathon left in him.
Mr. Braun
July 9, 2017 at 11:45 pmI think you’re really underestimating this story format. I think, personally, that once alliances start shaping up (the younger princes, Kurapika and Halkenburg perhaps?) it’ll be easier to attach to some of the princes.
Or for others, to draw out the rottenness inside. You know, a human being truly showing himself in a moment of life-and-death crisis and all. That’d make them relatable, and easier to root for these now exposed human beings. It’s also possible Togashi effectively understates this given how grisly of a writer he is.
But I think he wouldn’t pass up opportunities like these.
I strangely find myself rooting for Benjamin and Balsamico’s low-key friendship. For Theta (Topaz?) & Sarkov’s teachings of Tserriednich. For Halkenburg and nobleness & maturity. For Fuugetsu & her loyalty & what I perceive as selflessness (apparently Kacho robbed her ego in the womb in this twin duo), despite the limited screen time. For Momoze and her nobleness & maturity too, strangely, which I think is interpreted as kindness because she’s very young.
And, of course, Woble and Oito and Kurapika and Bill. I effectively felt stabbed in the heart myself when I saw that poor lady (one of the two that asked to quit a few chapters prior) assassinated & staged, in that order, on basis of assholery.
What will SHE do to either improve or decrease your chances to get to the Fourth Prince and his bodyguards? Fight back? It was obviously just a fury bait for Kurapika.
Pepe
July 10, 2017 at 7:57 pmTotally agreed!!!
Even if I fear Tserried, I kind of… like him??
Also, my opinion on Benjamin really changed. So much faith from someone like Balsamico really showed a new angle about him. And I don’t think that Balsamico thinks of manipulating Benjamin so much as helping him, they both have the same objective: Kakin’s glory.
PS: Camilla was too much disappoint…
Booshwashna
July 10, 2017 at 1:00 amI think the 3rd prince, Zhang, is talking about Woble’s guards who died in Chapter 359 starting with Woody, and then the next five at the close of the chapter, and the one’s that Sayird killed in Ch. 360, leaving only Bill and Sayird. He’s just left the reception and I don’t believe he’s learned that Halkenburg’s Guards have died as well.