Hunter X Hunter (Original + Remake)

[Dr. Ensatsu-ken]

Some nice animation this week, and it was great to finally see some daylight again. Just like the last episode, it was another touching one.

It was nice to see some characters that we hadn't seen in a long time. If you remember the beginning of the arc from over a year ago, then it was nice to see Reina finally return to her mother. Most of the surviving Chimera Ants will be officially classified as Magical Beasts and will be allowed to pursue their own goals now that they are no longer concerned with the King or his Royal Guards.

Then we get to see Colt, who we also haven't seen in a long time (and if you don't remember, he's the Chimera Ant incarnation of Reina's brother). More satisfying is that the last Chimera Ant baby that the Queen had who Colt vowed to protect, turned out to be Kite's incarnation. Granted that, it's strange since Kite's body was turned into a puppet, so it would seem that the Queen didn't eat him, but maybe they gave her some of his organs or something along those lines, and left his outer-body in-tact.

Gon is still in critical condition, and it looks like Killua has a desperate plan to save him. We'll find out more about that soon.

but, of course, the true highlight of this episode for me was the gathering of the 12 Zodiacs at the end. They'll be carrying out the election process for the new Chairman of the Hunter Association. And yes, Ging has finally stepped onto the stage. No more dicking around, Gon's dad will finally be a part of the main plot. I love how Togashi gave him a look reminiscent of Yusuke Urameshi, as a sort of homage to Yu Yu Hakusho.

Oh, and if all of that wasn't awesome enough, even good old Hisoka will be returning in the next episode. Seeing such familiar faces after such a long absence makes me realize just how much I've missed these characters.

[LumRanmaYasha]

Huh, I wasn't expecting them to change the opening or ending animation since the series is almost done, but I'm happy that they did. I appreciated the ending especially, if only for the fact it shows the main 4 together, which is a nice thing for the final ending theme of this anime to have (even though it's a bit misleading, since Kurapika will barely appear for 30 seconds before this show ends unless they add filler scenes with him or something).

I felt like more should've happened in this episode, but I was still thoroughly entertained, and it helps that Ging and Pariston are so much fun to watch. Next week's episode should be great, though, since in addition to the Alluka stuff it should also have Leorio's return scene (at least, I think it should).

[Mas]

I can't stop rewatching the new OP.
So happy to see Alluka finally animated.

[gunswordfist]

I thought "OH MY FUCKING GOD" when I saw Ging at the end of episode 136. My heart is still hurting from that surprise.

[gunswordfist]

Just finished episode 137. Dammit, why did I watch the OP? I would preferred half of what I saw to be a surprise. I had a nerdgasm either way.

Ah, so that's the Pariston Hill I've heard a little bit about?

I loved seeing the Hunters from past seasons. Surprised to hear that Illumi is stronger than a few Zodiacs. Probably thanks to Gon vs Illumi in 1999.

Hmm, I wonder why Illumi wants to kill Feitan. Can't see that turning out well for him. Also, lmao at Hisoka being oblivious to the events of Chimera Ants and him saying Illumi should be his manager.

[Dr. Ensatsu-ken]

So, just to remind everyone, Togashi is a huge fan of the occult. You can definitely see that in this episode given the flash-back scene with Alluka. She is as adorable as she is creepy as hell. Clearly Killua is willing to take the risk of using her ability to help save Gon, but going by the rules of her ability, it will have to come at a tremendous cost to someone else, unless they just lock her up again, but I doubt that Killua will allow her to be treated like a prisoner any longer.

Meanwhile, the Chairman Election still isn't reaching its minimum turnout percentage, so Pariston is cleverly attempting to work it in his favor by suggesting additional stipulations to increase the turnout, which it just so happens can also potentially work to his advantage. I love the underhanded politics between the Zodiacs to claim the now vacant title of Chairman of the Hunter Association. It's just a ton of clever scheming between multiple members, which is always entertaining.

[LumRanmaYasha]

Doubt? But you already know. 

I thought this episode was going to cover up to Leorio's return, for some reason, but I forgot that is a few chapters away. If the next episode only covers two chapters it will for sure happen in episode 140. I actually forgot how short this arc is. There's only 17 chapters left to adapt, which will only make for 9 more episodes at most unless they adapt only one per episode at some point, which I doubt they'll do. It's going to be a fun few weeks, though.

[Dr. Ensatsu-ken]

Doubt? But you already know. 

I'm speaking as if I haven't read the manga so as to not spoil anything for anime-only watchers.

[gunswordfist]

I can't think of another show where I wish the episodes were longer just because I'm so immersed in it. I keep on checking the time hoping it won't end and I hate seeing the halfway points come up.

[Dr. Ensatsu-ken]

As if Killua wasn't already bad-ass enough, he defiantly outsmarts his entire family and forces his father (a proven bad-ass in his own rite) to submit to his demands (it's for reasons like this that he's one of my favorite characters in any shounen manga/anime). It's hilarious to see his mother praise him for threatening his life, which is a nice call-back to Killua's story arc much earlier in the series. I mean, of course her logic is twisted enough to be proud of him for something like that.

The exchange between Hisoka and Illumi was also nice, and it was really funny to see Hisoka, of all people, comment on how twisted Illumi was to think that he was the person that Killua cared about the most (or so he wishes, as his caring but completely psychotic older brother).

In the next episode we'll also get to see the long awaited return of Leorio! This arc is already escalating and getting more exciting, and that's a big feat when it's coming hot of the heels of the an epic scale arc like the Chimera Ant arc. They really got the pacing back in order this time around.

[gunswordfist]

Oh man, that was fucking confusing. The episode was just as interesting though.

[Dr. Ensatsu-ken]

Ha! Leorio is such an awesome character, and if you needed a reminder, this episode is it. His long awaited return does not disappoint. He shows off his new Nen ability and punches Ging square in the jaw (who, may I remind you, is a legendary Hunter among the association), and as a mockery of modern society, the video will go viral, thus making Leorio insanely popular because everyone thinks of Ging as kind of a jerk (which, to be fair, he totally is). It was also great to see Kurapkia for all of 2 seconds, even if he didn't have any dialogue. And of course if was nice to have all of those cameos of characters that Gon had met in the past (bonus points to anyone who can actually remember all of their names, besides myself, of course).

Meanwhile, on Killua's end of the plot, they have to discreetly deliver Alluka to Gon in order to heal him, which may seem simple enough, but since this is HXH, they will of course run into major trouble in the next episode, and as the title pretty much gives away, it'll be Hisoka who's behind that trouble (along with Illumi, who clearly doesn't want Gon to be rescued by Killua).

[LumRanmaYasha]

Yeah, I knew that scene was going to be even more awesome animated. 

I was surprised that they showed that scene with Kurapika here early, but it was a good change. I also just love all the extra touches the anime has been making to some scenes, like Biscuit yelling at Gon through and Hanzo pounding the glass and stuff.

Leorio coming back in this episode made me realize just how much I missed the guy. I think it's great that the current arc is focusing on him and Kurapika (plus Ging and Pariston), and not Gon and Killua, for a change, at least so far.

[Dr. Ensatsu-ken]

Who knows? Perhaps Togashi will flat-out not use either Gon or Killua in this arc, and just focus on the duo of Leorio and Kurapika instead, with Ging and Pariston as a parallel to them. Yes, I know that Gon is the "main character," but until further notice he really has no business going to the Dark Continent, and it wouldn't be the first time that Togashi has defied convention. Of course, we still may see Gon doing his own thing in a side story/sub-plot just like in the York New City arc, while the main conflict focuses on other characters, which would be a style of story-telling that Togashi has already used before in this series. One of the great things about HXH is that it's just that unpredictable. Were this any other shounen manga, having Gin written into the main conflict would be guaranteed. In this series, though, I have no idea what Togashi has in store for him and the other characters, but I can't wait to find out.

[Spark Of Spirit]

I don't think there's anything wrong with the main character sitting out an arc. To be honest, in Yu Yu Hakusho, I actually wanted some sort of arc in the real world starring Kuwabara while the other the three were in the demon world. I think it would have worked really well. Of course, Togashi completely lost it by that point in the manga, but still. It would have been cool to see.

So, I have no problems if Gon and Killua sit out on this one. These characters more than deserve the focus.