For the second time, I apologize for the last line in this post:
Next thing you know, Shinobi will be claiming that in 1999, everyone thinks Kurapica is a guy but in reality "she" is just hiding "her" true gender. ZING! The logic of a 2011 fan.
It was uncalled for for me to generalize the 2011 fanbase. I shouldn't have and I regret it. However, I do not apologize for my jab at Shinobi. I was planning to actually, but what do you know,
my prediction was correct:
Except that we are NOT the ones who started this logic! Even before the remake started I'v read rumors and fan theories that said Kurapika was originally a girl and took her dead brother's name and disguised as a man. There's even a fan art depicts the moment of her change. Not to mention some doujins about Leoreo's and Kurapika's wedding! If he's not a girl then that makes it worse!
See what I mean? But whatever, I will respond to this later.
Anyway, I already posted the screencap that
explicitly referred to Kurapica as a guy in the 1999 anime.
Comments? Views? Explanations? Let me proceed to respond individually to Shinobi's claims:
>変わらない部分としてはクラピカがヒロイン兼任する部分とキャスティ
ングの大部分かな。
A quote by the '99 anime director, it says that he saw Kurapika as a tragic heroine and wanted to portray him as a one so that's why the character is a little bit different than in the manga and gets more screen time. And yes "ヒロイン" is indeed a heroine and not a hero, no wonder so many people were confused with his gender. Kurapika was his waifu.
Please provide source. Just because it's in japanese does not mean it's reliable.
Episode 07: Look at this pictures. Are you telling me these are not breasts and his shirt "happened" to look like this?!
A single screencap at a time when the 1999 series was still plagued with fillers? A single screencap while the staff is still trying to get a feel of HxH? A single screencap compared to the hundreds of moments where Kurapica was shown to be flat-chested? Yes, this is conclusive.
Episode 18: What's the deal with "his" reaction of seeing naked Leoreo?! Even he thought Kurapika's behavior was suspicious!
1. Kurapica had this same reaction right before this scene, when Leorio was saying to himself, "I'm handsome" (or something like that). In that part, he was reacting that way because he was cringing at how Leorio thinks himself as "handsome" or cool. This reaction is not exclusively due to seeing Leorio's manhood because he's "such a girl."
2. This is obviously meant to be humorous.
3. You know what happened 10 seconds after this scene you cited? This:
Episode 32: What's the deal of this pose?! Guess who else I saw doing this...
Obviously meant as a joke. I will not defend this, I also thought it's a strange scene, but it's far from conclusive. Do you see me or any 1999 fan making a big deal when Killua kissed Gon in the Hunterpedia? All of us think it's a joke right and do not think much of it. Same idea here.
Episode 45: Need to remind you about the chain bondage scene?! Just give it watch to know what's the deal.
Yes the direction is feminine. But it's obviously due to Furuhashi's artistic choice. If you look closely there is no body part that is definitely feminine. No breasts, no full butt. In fact, his collarbone is more defined compared to most women (unless said woman is anorexic). The full shot of Kurapica's back also show him having the build of a guy. It's much clearer in HQ. There's nothing conclusive about this at all.
Aren't these hints enough to what was their direction?
"Hints"? You make it sound like there are a lot more. In fact, I would like to formally ask you to provide other scenes where Kurapica was "hinted" to be a girl. (This not include episode 62, because most of the fandom consider this a yaoi-esque scene. And you know, it's called "yaoi" for a reason.) The fact is, those "hints" that you mentioned are vague and inconclusive, not to mention there are few of them and they are rather isolated. The "hints" you mentioned can be chalked-up to attempts to humor and artistic choice. 99% of the time, Furuhashi portrayed Kurapica as the androgynous fellow that he is.
In fact, aside from the screencap that referred to Kurapica
exclusively and conclusively as guy, let me offer this counter example: In the Anita filler, Leorio and Kurapica knocked on Menchi's door. Menchi opened the door angrily and accused both of trying to peep on her. If Kurapica were a girl do you think Menchi would act this way? Would Menchi chase him down? Leorio later ruminated that it was unfair that he got punched while Kurapica wasn't. If Kurapica were a girl, the idea of another girl punching her for "peeping" would be weird.
Except that we are NOT the ones who started this logic! Even before the remake started I'v read rumors and fan theories that said Kurapika was originally a girl and took her dead brother's name and disguised as a man. There's even a fan art depicts the moment of her change. Not to mention some doujins about Leoreo's and Kurapika's wedding! If he's not a girl then that makes it worse!
So are the theories that Hisoka is Gon's father and that Kuroro is a member of the Kuruta tribe. I do not understand how you can even seriously consider these conspiracy theories in the discussion. I mean, seriously?
And funny you should mention "some doujins". Seriously? Yeah, because doujinshis are reliable. Same doujins that concoct male pregnancy not only in HxH but also in other fandoms like Gundam Wing, YYH, DBZ, including characters that are lot more manly that Kurapica.
It's also funny that you mention these doujin. How about I point to you the thousands of fangirls who have only seen that 1999 anime but who are so deeply in love with Kurapica? Or the other fangirls who ship Kurapica/Leorio and Kurapica/Kuroro etc as a "yaoi" couple. Some doujins that concoct the weirdest shit vs the opinion of 99% of viewers, which do you think holds more weight? It's not even close.
To summarize my point and to avoid any confusion about what I'm trying to say/do:
I am not arguing that Kurapica does not look "feminine" in the 1999 series. I agree that the scenes are strange and I myself raise an eyebrow and laugh at them. So if you want to hate on Furuhashi for making Kurapica more "feminine" (but still think he was a guy), go ahead.
What I am merely disputing is Shinobi's claim that Furuhashi made Kurapica
definitely and literally a girl. In my point of view (and others as well) it is clear as day that Kurapica is a guy, but if Shinobi is not convinced, then we can at the very least
compromise that it's not conclusive. That's why I found it irresponsible for Shinobi to say that Kurapica is a girl and parade it as
a conclusive fact (when in fact it isn't) in a comparison post that many people read, including those who haven't even seen the 1999 series. And this is a
BIG claim, and it brings with it the message that the 1999 series has absolutely no respect to the source material that it is willing to change a main character's gender for no real reason. He should have been taken due discretion when stating these kinds of things as facts.
But if he still wants to discuss Kurapica's gender in the 1999 series,
the comparisons are not the time and place for it. Whether I like it or not, some readers actually consider them reliable; Shinobi should have the sense of responsibility to be as fair to both series as he can, not to make claims based on the latest conspiracy theory that he has heard about.
So if Shinobi agrees with me, I would like to respectfully request him to delete his "Kurapica is a girl" comments because it is not conclusive at all and is just spreading unnecessary confusion. Likewise, I would like him to take greater care next time in making these kinds of claims and if possible, to temper emotionally-charged comments like "Pathetic!" "ruined!" in the comparisons themselves, comparisons which aim to be as objective as possible.
Anyway this is probably my last say on the matter. I have no time and energy to further discuss this issue extensively. (I will not even visit MH because I will just be tempted to reply).
but 1999 has the edge for the coherent directional intent and artistry (as usual). you should watch it again.
