Anime Hunter X Hunter New Anime Discussion

[mrsticky005]

Nitpick time!

OMG this episode sucked because Wing has a DVD of Hisoka's fight when the manga had it as a VHS! Get with the times, Madhouse!

LOL! Just kidding.

---------- Post added at 02:06 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:59 AM ----------

For a series that has a good soundtrack, the one responsible for placement of that soundtrack--I'm going to chalk it up to the director--is rendering me crestfallen with that slapdash approach when dealing with it.

One musical interlude cuts off another when the topic of Nen is raised, undermining the elegance of the screenplay; one jaunty ditty invades one of Wing's explanatory scenes which hurts the attention demanded by him; familiar chords permeate every episode where Gon and Killua are concerned, which--while it can be justified in characterisation terms--grates when its use is superfluous and routine, as I feel it is here in the moments before Zushi leaves to get kidnapped and when Gon and Killua leave Wing's place to talk about the threat; and, most of all, rare is the screenplay that moves and unfolds in tandem with the music, with that music instead feeling only like an afterthought. It is on that last point that I would dwell most: Hirano's soundtrack is beginning to enjoy the nuance it once lacked, but I'm not feeling the sensitivity from the director who avails of it. I don't want to resort to hyperbole, but this reminds me of FUNi's Dragonball Z dub where the appearance of a given character would often summon that character's theme tune when another track was half the way through--such as the aforementioned Nen scene here--and the scene feels messy and even irritating as a result.

I am no greater advocate of any adaptation or form of HUNTERxHUNTER than the other, but as far as direction is concerned, I am disillusioned with this one. Listening to those previews for the second soundtrack the other day makes me really happy--but that faith wavers and wavers with every passing episode when I see just how untidy the music placement is here. I recognise that any endeavour to adhere strictly to the panels of the manga is going to have repercussions for how creative you can be on the screen when it comes to length, but that should stipulate either a different form of soundtrack or the requisite sensitivity when dealing with one as melodramatic as Hirano's--sensitivity that is needed to handle something like this believably. For Koujina, he could afford to take a page out of Hirano's willingness to breathe some of his own creative daring into the series, rather than treating the manga as a straitjacket--something that I feel is suggested through music placement that is the victim of a storyboard that can't always use it.

I don't feel total antipathy for this episode: Killua's voice actress is coming along; Killua's design is nicely modelled for his darkly moments; there is some willingness to take creative liberties, such as Killua's clothing and his birthday spiel, plus the cutting of the dialogue of the chaps he was talking to--some of these liberties show some recognition of how best to read the underlying mood of the scene and not belittle it with some attributes of the manga that exist because of the inherent constraints or stipulations of that medium, but if the existence of these liberties is there in the first place, I'd prefer to see them used to better avail of the soundtrack. And when the director's hit-and-miss approach to the interplay of the soundtrack and screenplay actually hits--when Killua is told about Gon's match--the moment is delicious. These traits do not neutralise the general mood of discontent as far as overall sensitivity is concerned, but I'd like to say they give reason to hope--but I don't want to have to keep saying that after every episode.

End thoughts and opinions.

While I wholeheartedly disagree I do appreciate the time and effort and thought you must have put into that critique.

Plus you have Near as your Avatar and Near is awesome.

 

[Refraction]

While I wholeheartedly disagree I do appreciate the time and effort and thought you must have put into that critique.

Thank you. It's worth clarifying on my behalf that the very reason I took to writing about this episode is because this adaptation has a lot going for it. I do feel that the infrastructure is there to step the game up a couple of notches, but if it wasn't any good in the first place I wouldn't have felt the need to offer up those sentiments; what'd be the point? I don't want to sully anyone else's enjoyment of the show, so I tried staving off posting anything before because everyone else is getting a real kick out of the series and it's not my place to disturb that. The reason I post in this thread today is because I liked the second soundtrack quite a bit; I just don't feel reassured by Koujina that he can pull off the same creative daring with it in the same way that the director of Death Note could, for example.

I suppose that, if there's any way to reconcile my differing views on the series with most everyone else, it'll be in this regard: because the series does have something going for it, I can feel the need to offer commentary in the hopes that, somehow, the director could take them into account. I'm not going to change anyone's view on the show; I don't think anybody's open to that, and my arguments aren't going to do that. What I posted above is just from the heart, intended to explain my own feelings on the show. I can't change what my first impressions were--not with any enlightened argument--so I'm just hoping that Koujina can bring me something that I'll end up cherishing, too, in the same way that everyone else cherishes this show to bits.

 

[mrsticky005]

Is anyone else getting sick and tired of hearing the 1999 version being called the "original" series?
I know many will think I'm nit picking. But really it's dishonest. 1999 fans try to make it seem like
because the 1999 version did it first that it's better but THIS IS FALSE. The 1999 version DID NOT
do it first. The MANGA did it FIRST. The MANGA is the original. This is not nit picking this is the truth.
If you're calling the 1999 version the "original" then I'm sorry but you're using the word incorrectly.
An adaptation by it's very essence CAN'T be the original. That just makes no sense. It is an adaptation
because it is BASED off the original. the 1999 anime is just simply an earlier adaptation
of the manga than the 2011 version is. You can like whichever you want better.
But if you're basing your choice off of "the 1999 came before" then well that's just being shallow.

---------- Post added at 03:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:42 AM ----------

Thank you. It's worth clarifying on my behalf that the very reason I took to writing about this episode is because this adaptation has a lot going for it. I do feel that the infrastructure is there to step the game up a couple of notches, but if it wasn't any good in the first place I wouldn't have felt the need to offer up those sentiments; what'd be the point? I don't want to sully anyone else's enjoyment of the show, so I tried staving off posting anything before because everyone else is getting a real kick out of the series and it's not my place to disturb that. The reason I post in this thread today is because I liked the second soundtrack quite a bit; I just don't feel reassured by Koujina that he can pull off the same creative daring with it in the same way that the director of Death Note could, for example.

I suppose that, if there's any way to reconcile my differing views on the series with most everyone else, it'll be in this regard: because the series does have something going for it, I can feel the need to offer commentary in the hopes that, somehow, the director could take them into account. I'm not going to change anyone's view on the show; I don't think anybody's open to that, and my arguments aren't going to do that. What I posted above is just from the heart, intended to explain my own feelings on the show. I can't change what my first impressions were--not with any enlightened argument--so I'm just hoping that Koujina can bring me something that I'll end up cherishing, too, in the same way that everyone else cherishes this show to bits.

A question for you...Musically...which episode do you think is the best so far?


Also, I don't always find the music placement to be excellent in the series. But truthfully it doesn't bother me unless it's obviously out of wack.
But when the music placement is done good...I do rather enjoy it. As for the sudden change of music in the beginning of the episode
after Wing says he was lying. I just take this as a comedic technique. I think it can be a bit staggering but it didn't bother me too much.
I was fine with the music during the explanation. The music for ren though I thought a little too mystical or whatever. I mean it works
for the first time nen is shown but I think with Zushi doing ren and then Gyo...It's almost a little bit distracting.

The one thing I hope for the music is that more restraint be used on when to use certain songs.
While I'm glad that Madhouse limited themselves to just an instrumental version of the Zoldyck theme this time around and I do think it fit.
Even with the subject changing to Killua using Gyo we know that there is something else on his mind. He's already premeditating and
thus I think the song works well there.

But if they use it next episode...I think it will just sound silly. When Killua threatens Gido and Riehlvelt again it would be best to keep it low key.
And Killua's fight against Riehlvelt is too comedic to use such a epic song. The fight has action. But story wise it is not epic. But it is cool.
So I hope they use a lot of the guitar themes next episode.

 

[TheAmericandream]

I liked the new episode too, but I also agree with the critique against it, the cheery music playing when Wing describes Gyo was really jarring to me. It seemed random, and cheerful. I would have preferred something like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2AFU9J2VkU&feature=plcp not necessarily this track but something mysterious or intriguing not happy. I've felt this way before in this series as well. I felt overall Heaven's Arena and Zoldyck arc have been much better music wise (though my overal liking of the tracks themselves have helped too), but that one scene I thought wasn't handled well mood wise. It's not a huge problem for me in the grand scheme of things though honestly, since these 2 chapters weren't some of my favorite stuff in the manga or original series either.

sticky- Calling the 1999 series the original series or not, is it okay? Well, its the original anime adaptation (unless you count the pilot), so in that way it is the original (doesn't make it right or better then the 2011 series) but that distinction could be made. Now, no its not the original source material, at this point I think you're splitting hairs criticizing what casuals fans want to call it. Fans aware the manga came first they shouldn't call it the original, they should know better. I think you may be reading into it if you feel all people hold it over 2011 because they refer to it as the original.

It's like with the Thing franchise, the 1982 movie for many people is the "original" or the 1950's movie "Thing from another world", but both are wrong its based off a novel. I'd say its proper to call 99' First Hunter X Hunter anime, because thats an accurate description of what it is. Ah I feel we're splitting hairs here :P

 

[Demonspeed]

Is anyone else getting sick and tired of hearing the 1999 version being called the "original" series?
I know many will think I'm nit picking. But really it's dishonest. 1999 fans try to make it seem like
because the 1999 version did it first that it's better but THIS IS FALSE. The 1999 version DID NOT
do it first. The MANGA did it FIRST. The MANGA is the original. This is not nit picking this is the truth.
If you're calling the 1999 version the "original" then I'm sorry but you're using the word incorrectly.
An adaptation by it's very essence CAN'T be the original. That just makes no sense. It is an adaptation
because it is BASED off the original. the 1999 anime is just simply an earlier adaptation
of the manga than the 2011 version is. You can like whichever you want better.
But if you're basing your choice off of "the 1999 came before" then well that's just being shallow.

ME!!. 1999 series was good but full of fillers and Kurapika centric. It had only better OST but with the new soundtracks...

 

[TheAmericandream]

Ok which do you prefer

Blue 2011

Spoiler

or Red 1999

Spoiler

you guys are also wrong (mostly jk). I prefer Red, because it reminds me of Terry Bogard from SNK's Fatal Fury/King of Fighters games. In the 1999 anime he even tosses it off like Terry does in the games:

Before I knew of the manga I thought this was the anime studios nod to Fatal Fury having Killua wear this in a martial arts centric arc. :P But blues cool too, just dat reference.

 

[Refraction]

A question for you...Musically...which episode do you think is the best so far?

I think I was most rapt in episode 30--the episode in which they first introduced the Nen explanation before the theme song plays. The scene that follows after Killua and Wing finish their private talk was is definitely one I'd like to wax lyrical about. The expanse of the airy blue sky juxtaposed against a tower that reaches into the clouds paired off beautifully with the wails of the choir that provided all the words that quiet scene ever needed. Gon and Killua sitting with their eyes closed in that mentally transcendent state with the bright of the sky drifting through the window would have married very nicely with the heavenly chanting alone, but panning the camera up towards the sky and the heavens themselves to accentuate the transcendent, divine vibe of the scene was, to my eye, very impressive--and it breathes into that scene an unease that is born of the dissonance created by the gravitas of the music when offset against the darkening of the comparatively juvenile visuals (the shading on Gon's face, for example). That seemingly intentional dissonance is what enthrals me, for it is a reading of that scene that I didn't get in the original manga. It excites for it may tell of the director reading into the scene and delivering a perspective that he has confidence in. Whereas other episodes, I would argue, have had some flat musical placement that has suggested that the director is afraid of pairing the wrong music with a scene--lest he upset the feel of the comic--this part saw him take the reins and go all out to give us his own perspective: it's nuanced and confident, and that confidence impresses.

That same confidence is evoked in the end of the episode. Kurapika's interplay with his master doesn't labour the music, and instead lets the visuals and the sounds speak for Kurapika's character with more dimensions than one musical track or a hodgepodge of many could muster. Shrouded first in the darkness and the deathly purples and reds, I'd say the director illustrates Kurapika's hardy and almost passively aggressive temperament; and then he is showered in rain to underline the sadness and frustration that underpins it all. For my own two cents, giving us the latter directly after the former suggests at the despondence and aggravation that underlines his prevailing steely-face attitude and general no nonsense air. Giving us music there, I feel--music that may be a character theme--would hack away at the elegance and dimensions that the sequencing demands. Musically, then, I am impressed at the restraint in the latter half of episode 30--because that, in itself, takes confidence: it has its own ambiguities, but I'd say it feels tailored, and that's something that some scenes in other episodes--which seem to have almost conflicting sensibilities in the music, dialogue, and visuals--don't have. That's just how I feel on the matter, mind.

 

[SHINOBI-03]

Spoiler: Episode 33 - Anime vs Manga

The new series gave us a better look for the ten flow. However, it omitted the part when Wing described it as riding a bicycle.

Since this is the 21st century and no one uses VHS tapes anymore, they changed the recording of Hisoka's fight to a disk.

An explanation of Gyu was given. The effects were not the same as the ending theme.

Looks like the studio has settled on one color for all nen methods in the normal circumstances.

In Zushi's abduction scene, we see the full Evil Trio in the anime. In the manga we only see Sadaso and Reihlvert and we don't see them take Zushi's shoe off.

In the manga, Killua was asking how Sadaso looked like. In the anime they changed to confirm if he's the guy with the one arm.

When Killua asked permission to fight from Wing, he never says that date was his birthday, which was a lie of course (Between brackets in the manga), and Gon gives his date as well which he didn't do in the manga.

And here comes the big moment. It was excellent by keeping the knife and the lack of music, but they've ruined the element of surprise when they showed Killua's strike before splitting the head.

8.5/10

Spoiler: Episode 33 - Old vs manga/New

Now we get to the old version and how it handled the same event. Unfortunately, the events were in shambles and it was hard to keep track on what's going on in the correct order.

Episode 41:

After Hisoka x Kastro fight, Gon and Killua goes to Wing to show Gon's progress. The aura does not show the improvement as good as the manga and the new anime. And instead of using the recording of the fight, Zushi practices gyo on Wing. The effects were not as "fiery" as the manga.

But wait... there's a problem... if we go forward, and to be exact in episode 42 during Gon's fight with Hisoka, we see in a flashback that they've used the recording to practice gyo. And since they've been able to adapt the scene from the manga, that makes the previous one:

But even that had its flaws. Gon and Killua were not able to use gyo and they went to do that later, as so are we. But not without mentioning that Wing said the recording was done in a special way by a nen user. The question here is: Who was that guy? And how can he give Wing the recording just like that? And How did Wing find him? That part was not mentioned in the manga and it was treated as if it's possible to record the nen aura in a regular video with no special ways. And are we going to see something new? No. We all saw what they've shown to us with the exception of Hisoka leaving the arena. Also notice that they've censored the shot when Hisoka chomps his arm.

Back to episode 41:

After the class, Gon goes out in the woods and practices gyo, and we see... the plants have nen? What?! Did they ever mention that nen exists in all living beings including plants? If that wasn't enough, Hisoka some how feels Gon aura from his room and decides to give a break and ignore his condition to win at least one battle if he wanted to fight him. Hisoka is easy on him here...! Also, this change doesn't make Gon deserve the honor of fighting him with real effort and not by fulfilling Hisoka's condition. Remember. This is the same Gon who refused Hisoka's help in the Hunter Exam and demanded to take his badge back, And yet, we see him accepting Hisoka's call to forget all about it and just fight him just like that?

Let's ignore Gon and Hisoka's fight and concentrate on the correct path of events.


Episode 43:

After the fight, the Evil Trio were discussing about them and their goals. The line was originally said by Sadaso when he was alone in his room.

Then we see a fight between Killua and a guy named "Dorado" ((Gee, I wonder what's the meaning of his name!)). This fight is completely filler and did not happen in the manga. Nippon studio is weird! They didn't have time to show us Hisoka x Kastro full fight and yet here they are wasting time with a filler fight? And look at Dorado's bright red color. I don't see anyone complaining about it the same way they complained about Majitani's blue color! Maybe because he's not from the manga, but since when the old anime purists took manga as canon? Anything different from the old anime is wrong for them! And look. Killua got slashed by the spear and he doesn't bleed let alone get a scratch on him! I though the old version was the "brutal, Not kid-friendly" version!

I'd like to point this out. The announcers are over the top silly! Look at this one's facial expressions! They changes within a second! And what's the deal with the randomly falling tooth? Did they think it was funny or something?

Then we get another filler scene where Wing was talking to Killua about his fighting style and not to follow others' shadows etc.

When the Evil Trio stood in the Good Trio's path, Gon gave his date to Sadaso. In the old anime he didn't.

When Killua knew that Sadaso broke his promise, he smashed a billboard and the windows of a nearby building. We see the repair in progress.

In the manga, when Killua goes to check on Zushi, he watches Hisoka's fight to test his gyo. In the old anime, we see that both him and Gon were able to see the threads and figured out his abilities together. In the manga, Gon was only able to see the threads, but couldn't figure out Hisoka's abilities. They also took their time to explain Kastro's abilities. Howewer, they made Killua ask Wing as if he wasn't there when Kastro explained them in public. Of course, we didn't get to see that in the old anime and had to work it one way or another.

Later when Killua asks permission to fight, he gives the date and says that it's his birthday, but we didn't know it was a lie. The old anime also made Wing aware of what's going on which was not confirmed in the manga.

What comes after? A training montage. Note that they are practicing their hatsu. We will get to that due time.

Here's a note: Killua's and Sadaso's names are written correctly in English instead of whatever language they use in their world.

In Killua threatening Sadaso scene, they changed the knife to Killua using his claws. If you asked me, I say it made more sense. Killua's claws are already sharper than knives, so why would he need one? And where did he get one and how did he get past the security with it? Also note that the shading of his eyes were redone in the next episode recap to make it closer to the manga. Also note that Sadaso can indeed move his other arm when he was repeatedly clenching his fist.

And again, more over the top reactions by the announcer.

 

[riniloves]

as far as I know the first adaptation is the "98 Hunter x Hunter " (from the Jump festa) where Gon wears blue...
so this one should be the original and should be called first.... not the 99...

 

[shareme]

I've posted this on another board before but what I'm getting is that rather than matching the mood of a scene (to viewers), the BGM corresponds more to what the character(s) mood/feelings are in that scene.

It helps drive the point that these said characters are definitely NOT normal if they're feeling cheery and adventurous on a life and death scenario (Gon).

It also serves as a distraction - aimed to the younger audience - and misdirection - aimed to casual viewers (read: parents) - that HxH is your regular kid-friendly anime... hence, the "cute" character design, the "kiddy" BGM and use of creative censorship.

======= ADDED ========

My only "complaint" about this episode is that they removed Killua's "it's my birthday" line. It helps point out that Killua has a propensity to lie (and Gon can tell when Killua lies) which is a trait for

Spoiler

Transmutation types

.

In Killua threatening Sadaso scene, they changed the knife to Killua using his claws. If you asked me, I say it made more sense. Killua's claws are already sharper than knives, so why would he need one?

1) Sadaso doesn't know about the claws. Unless Killua demonstrate how sharp his nails are (which he didn't do), Sadaso shouldn't feel threatened with a hand.

2) Killua, at this point in time, is aware how noob and powerless he and Gon are in terms of nen. Any advantage he has must be kept close in hand. Information is crucial.

 

[Refraction]

I've posted this on another board before but what I'm getting is that rather than matching the mood of a scene (to viewers), the BGM corresponds more to what the character(s) mood/feelings are in that scene.

It helps drive the point that these said characters are definitely NOT normal if they're feeling cheery and adventurous on a life and death scenario (Gon).

It also serves as a distraction - aimed to the younger audience - and misdirection - aimed to casual viewers (read: parents) - that HxH is your regular kid-friendly anime... hence, the "cute" character design, the "kiddy" BGM and use of creative censorship.

That's a nice reading of the show! Myself, I do figure that this use of music is functional to an extent. This sort of show would maybe be incomplete without communicating the mood of the characters through music, for it would deprive them of some colour, but I do not feel this should be to the detriment of tone. I feel that the demeanours of the characters and the way they speak, in addition to their actions, could be a better vehicle for illustrating the mood of the characters in scenes where the imperatives lie elsewhere--such as where it is paramount to command attention for an explanation. Music can be engineered to illustrate moods of characters, but it is also the complement of the storyboard to carry scenes into new ones or to foreshadow: Togashi leaves much of his characters' psyche nebulous or unclear; and I get the impression that if Koushina embarked to use music to reflect the moods of the characters perpetually, the screenplay would emerge feeling unfitting or incoherent musically--chiefly because Togashi does lay on heavily the plot at points, and there exists only a set amount of musical accompaniments to etch out a full spectrum of character tones.

 

[Uriel]

Hm.

Seeing those pictures of the Nippon version made me realize that they made Heavens Tower located in Korea or Japan, all chunky. Instead, Madhouse version seems to be located in Europe of some sorts. That's why I felt them SO different.

I liked Gyo, actually. I wanted it white, since all aura seems to go with it. Fire wouldn't make sense. Although it kept the cool shape of a flame, so I'm happy with it.

About the music...I felt the same, but didn't bothered THAT much. It felt weird at some places, but it wasn't that bad anyway. Still, was enough to difficult the enjoyment of the scene.

Will post gifs later.

It also serves as a distraction - aimed to the younger audience - and misdirection - aimed to casual viewers (read: parents) - that HxH is your regular kid-friendly anime... hence, the "cute" character design, the "kiddy" BGM and use of creative censorship.

 

[mousiehamster]

Is anyone else getting sick and tired of hearing the 1999 version being called the "original" series?
I know many will think I'm nit picking. But really it's dishonest. 1999 fans try to make it seem like
because the 1999 version did it first that it's better but THIS IS FALSE. The 1999 version DID NOT
do it first. The MANGA did it FIRST. The MANGA is the original. This is not nit picking this is the truth.
If you're calling the 1999 version the "original" then I'm sorry but you're using the word incorrectly.
An adaptation by it's very essence CAN'T be the original. That just makes no sense. It is an adaptation
because it is BASED off the original. the 1999 anime is just simply an earlier adaptation
of the manga than the 2011 version is. You can like whichever you want better.
But if you're basing your choice off of "the 1999 came before" then well that's just being shallow.

What the hell do you think people mean when they call the 1999 series the "original adaptation"? Does it even matter anyway? The 1999 series is probably how most people came to know HxH.

---------- Post added at 03:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:42 AM ----------

Also, I don't always find the music placement to be excellent in the series. But truthfully it doesn't bother me unless it's obviously out of wack.

It is almost always out of whack. It's been that way throughout the entire Hunter Exam. I think it's pretty easy to tell the guy who's doing the sound doesn't have a clue.

 

[SHINOBI-03]

What the hell do you think people mean when they call the 1999 series the "original adaptation"? Does it even matter anyway? The 1999 series is probably how most people came to know HxH.

Well, for me, I wasn't a follower when it aired dubbed here. I was familiar with some key events in the Hunter Exam arc when I flipped the channel when there's nothing better to see, but I didn't know much of the story until I decided to buy the manga. I was going to start watching the old series, but the news of the remake changed my mind.

 

[Pokymonn]

After seeing today's episode I'm assured that at this stage the newer adaptation is better in every aspect.
What's more I've found a nice gif directed at those hardcore fans of the '99 version who claimed that this one would be worse.
Wank it, haters

 

[mousiehamster]

After seeing today's episode I'm assured that at this stage the newer adaptation is better in every aspect.
What's more I've found a nice gif directed at those hardcore fans of the '99 version who claimed that this one would be worse.
Wank it, haters

Of all the episodes you could have used for support, you chose this one?

 

[SHINOBI-03]

After seeing today's episode I'm assured that at this stage the newer adaptation is better in every aspect.
What's more I've found a nice gif directed at those hardcore fans of the '99 version who claimed that this one would be worse.
Wank it, haters

Slight edit

And because someone asked for it

((Okay, why aren't they looping?))

 

[Kamen Rider Dragon]

It is almost always out of whack. It's been that way throughout the entire Hunter Exam. I think it's pretty easy to tell the guy who's doing the sound doesn't have a clue.

I disagree but I'm sure you could do better right?

 

[mousiehamster]

...but I'm sure you could do better right?

Irrelevant. But likely yes.

 

[Kamen Rider Dragon]

Irrelevant. But likely yes.

Doubt it but ,ok