Anime Hunter X Hunter Anime- Fall 2011

[chikkychappy]

gon's design is ok, but killua's is off. he does look too young and "cute" compared to the manga

http://elleway.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/killua-5.jpg?w=640
http://dreager1.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/atukkhkb.jpg?w=450
http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111127074751/hunterxhunter/images/b/b8/Killua-2011.jpg

 

[there76]

gon's design is ok, but killua's is off. he does look too young and "cute" compared to the manga

http://elleway.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/killua-5.jpg?w=640
http://dreager1.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/atukkhkb.jpg?w=450
http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111127074751/hunterxhunter/images/b/b8/Killua-2011.jpg

If your going to compare, you should at least compare using the same scene.
It's a unfair comparison if you are going to use two battle scenes to compare with a scene where he happy.

 

[Netero]

If your going to compare, you should at least compare using the same scene.
It's a unfair comparison if you are going to use two battle scenes to compare with a scene where he happy.

This is a better comparison

 

[TheAmericandream]

^chei

Am I bad for thinking the Yorknew arc was kind of a mess in the manga and that 1999 did it a lot of favors? I mean to each there own I think, I've mostly only read NGL-to present chapters, but it never felt tonally that different from the rest of the series in bad way to me. I've since gone back and read several chapters here and there of the earlier arcs to get a feel for how different 1999 changed things (1999 series was how I was introduced to HxH and I can admit some changes are good some are bad changes I admit). I've noticed that Greed Island has a darker tone then 1999 which I like a lot more. Though I found Yorknew sort of a chore to get through some of its chapters, there's a ton of rigid bland paneled pages filled with talking head where Togashi literally cut and pastes the same images 2 sometimes 3 times on one page or over 4 times in a chapter.

Examples: http://pic.tenmanga.com/comics/16378/153262/e48e6627e0028ffb17f93eab78ad8cb6.jpg
Examples: http://pic.tenmanga.com/comics/16378/153262/f86a3511cbb1ae422f932e01a91f1869.jpg (Notice how he zooms in on a smaller drawing of Kurapika and it begins to blur) It's just a small hangup I have on this arc in the manga as a professionally trained artist that's made it hard for me to really read the arc in depth.

I really don't think Togashi came into his own artistically with Hunter until NGL, It's one of the reasons I guess I would love to get some insight on things that feel drastically different tonally in the Yorknew manga, from what I've noticed the 1999 series matched the pacing pretty close and not that many filler scenes are added.

I kind of want to see the new anime get pretty bold with its adaptation too, and would love to see it feel like watching a Christopher Nolan Batman film (If I was to reference something I'd like to see them draw inspiration from for it). Yorknew to me always kind of felt like manga's Gotham City. But maybe I have a distorted view on it? (I didn't notice anything jarringly different in what I've tried to read of Yorknew) If anyone with insight who's read the whole thing in the manga inform me of the major tonal changes I'd appreciate it. I will say I did notice the focus on Kurapika ramps up during Yorknew, but that sorta made sense to me since he is still the focal character from what I've seen during the manga version in that arc.

This being said I am really looking forward to getting an alternate anime retelling of what is my favorite shonen anime arc. I'm trying to go into it with as open mind as possible. I'd personally love to get some of the Zepile scenes that were cut from the anime (I really like that guy for some reason, seeing scenes like him and Leorio just palling around added would be great) I've been sorta worrying after they truncated the cooking phase of the Hunter Exam that Zepile/Auction chapters might be cut down to keep kids from getting bored. I mostly just hope we might get to see new things like what the 10 godfathers are like or something.

 

[mrsticky005]

gon's design is ok, but killua's is off. he does look too young and "cute" compared to the manga

http://elleway.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/killua-5.jpg?w=640
http://dreager1.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/atukkhkb.jpg?w=450
http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111127074751/hunterxhunter/images/b/b8/Killua-2011.jpg

Ok now that's just bad arguing.

You picked two pictures of Killua where he's in bad-ass mode. Of course he's not going to look cute there. He's supposed to look bad ass.
And if you have been watching the 2011 series DOES change Killua's appearance whenever he goes into bad ass mode. While normally
he's just a "cute" 12 year old kid just like Gon.

I mean can you really call THIS cute?

and even recently in the manga Killua isn't always "badass" looking even though he IS a bad ass

---------- Post added at 11:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:08 PM ----------

^chei

Am I bad for thinking the Yorknew arc was kind of a mess in the manga and that 1999 did it a lot of favors? I mean to each there own I think, I've mostly only read NGL-to present chapters, but it never felt tonally that different from the rest of the series in bad way to me. I've since gone back and read several chapters here and there of the earlier arcs to get a feel for how different 1999 changed things (1999 series was how I was introduced to HxH and I can admit some changes are good some are bad changes I admit). I've noticed that Greed Island has a darker tone then 1999 which I like a lot more. Though I found Yorknew sort of a chore to get through some of its chapters, there's a ton of rigid bland paneled pages filled with talking head where Togashi literally cut and pastes the same images 2 sometimes 3 times on one page or over 4 times in a chapter.

Examples: http://pic.tenmanga.com/comics/16378/153262/e48e6627e0028ffb17f93eab78ad8cb6.jpg
Examples: http://pic.tenmanga.com/comics/16378/153262/f86a3511cbb1ae422f932e01a91f1869.jpg (Notice how he zooms in on a smaller drawing of Kurapika and it begins to blur) It's just a small hangup I have on this arc in the manga as a professionally trained artist that's made it hard for me to really read the arc in depth.

I really don't think Togashi came into his own artistically with Hunter until NGL, It's one of the reasons I guess I would love to get some insight on things that feel drastically different tonally in the Yorknew manga, from what I've noticed the 1999 series matched the pacing pretty close and not that many filler scenes are added.

I kind of want to see the new anime get pretty bold with its adaptation too, and would love to see it feel like watching a Christopher Nolan Batman film (If I was to reference something I'd like to see them draw inspiration from for it). Yorknew to me always kind of felt like manga's Gotham City. But maybe I have a distorted view on it? (I didn't notice anything jarringly different in what I've tried to read of Yorknew) If anyone with insight who's read the whole thing in the manga inform me of the major tonal changes I'd appreciate it. I will say I did notice the focus on Kurapika ramps up during Yorknew, but that sorta made sense to me since he is still the focal character from what I've seen during the manga version in that arc.

This being said I am really looking forward to getting an alternate anime retelling of what is my favorite shonen anime arc. I'm trying to go into it with as open mind as possible. I'd personally love to get some of the Zepile scenes that were cut from the anime (I really like that guy for some reason, seeing scenes like him and Leorio just palling around added would be great) I've been sorta worrying after they truncated the cooking phase of the Hunter Exam that Zepile/Auction chapters might be cut down to keep kids from getting bored. I mostly just hope we might get to see new things like what the 10 godfathers are like or something.

You know honestly, I don't mind the repeated images there. They add a bit of intensity to the situation.

 

[TheAmericandream]

What I meant to say is, if you want a similar panel you redraw the same character. Togashi literally cut pasted and zoomed in the same image, you can tell because the line width changes and it looks slightly blurry. When its so obviously the same thing cut and pasted it bugs me, I think its just an artist hangup of mine as I was told by several artists its something I shouldn't do. It doesn't by any means ruin the arc or manga for me obviously. I just found that to be a "lazy" period of his art style (at least until we got the sketchy chapters, which I don't mind because he fixes and it looks like some of his best art in the volume releases)

I was gonna say your examples of Killua are good for how size. I have to admit I thought they were "kiddy" feeling at first. But I'm used to it now, though I do prefer how Gon and Killua look in NGL over earlier chapters or either anime adaptations.

 

[chikkychappy]

@mrsticky, there76 and others

i wasn't intending to compare whether 2011's killua is as badass or anything like that. i was actually looking more at the proportions: eyes to rest of the body, head to body, height etc.

anyway i'm ok with the designs of the rest of the main cast, but killua's has always bothered me

 

[there76]

What I meant to say is, if you want a similar panel you redraw the same character. Togashi literally cut pasted and zoomed in the same image, you can tell because the line width changes and it looks slightly blurry. When its so obviously the same thing cut and pasted it bugs me, I think its just an artist hangup of mine as I was told by several artists its something I shouldn't do. It doesn't by any means ruin the arc or manga for me obviously. I just found that to be a "lazy" period of his art style (at least until we got the sketchy chapters, which I don't mind because he fixes and it looks like some of his best art in the volume releases)

I was gonna say your examples of Killua are good for how size. I have to admit I thought they were "kiddy" feeling at first. But I'm used to it now, though I do prefer how Gon and Killua look in NGL over earlier chapters or either anime adaptations.

They'll probably animate it differently in the anime.

 

[mrsticky005]

@mrsticky, there76 and others

my bad, ii wasn't intending to compare whether 2011's series is as badass. i was actually looking more at the proportions. eyes to rest of the body, head to body, height etc. i'm ok with the rest of the designs of the rest of the main cast, but killua's has always bothered me.

But you can't do such comparison with the pictures you shown. You need to show the same scene to the same panel.


You do realize that Togashi CHANGES Killua's appearance depending on the tone he wants to send to the reader.
I seriously doubt Togashi actually cares much about proportions and what not as long as it looks like a good drawing.

 

[TheAmericandream]

Yea I know, I'm sure they will. I can't wait to see how they interpret the arc. I think its brilliantly written (it's my favorite part of the story).

I mostly want to see how this new adaptation handles long exposition, narration and action sequences. Character design wise the series has really hit it out of the park in just about every way imaginable.

Also on the whole Killua design debate, I agree with sticky. Designs change in manga all the time, its the character designers job to streamline it all in a way THEY interpret the character. If you don't like it thats fine, but I think its good.

 

[mrsticky005]

What I meant to say is, if you want a similar panel you redraw the same character. Togashi literally cut pasted and zoomed in the same image, you can tell because the line width changes and it looks slightly blurry. When its so obviously the same thing cut and pasted it bugs me, I think its just an artist hangup of mine as I was told by several artists its something I shouldn't do. It doesn't by any means ruin the arc or manga for me obviously. I just found that to be a "lazy" period of his art style (at least until we got the sketchy chapters, which I don't mind because he fixes and it looks like some of his best art in the volume releases)

I was gonna say your examples of Killua are good for how size. I have to admit I thought they were "kiddy" feeling at first. But I'm used to it now, though I do prefer how Gon and Killua look in NGL over earlier chapters or either anime adaptations.

I don't think redrawing it would give the same effect. It looks intense because of how the lines are. It's a sorta "put it under the microscope" analysis.
It causes you to focus on the image. Maybe Togashi is being lazy but it's not necessarily a lazy technique.

I wouldn't say it's something you should not do nor would I say it is something you should do. Rather it's something you should do for
the right reasons. There should be a PURPOSE for having a zoom in effect. Maybe Togashi was being lazy but I don't think so.
I think he wanted to focus on Kurapika. He wanted us wondering, what could Kurapika be thinking at this moment? What's going on in his head?
Notice that we don't see Kurapika's face so it adds to the mystery?

Heck even a completely blank panel isn't necessarily "lazy" if there's a purpose behind it.

Still you should be careful not to abuse such techniques because if you use a blank panel too many times it loses the effect it once had.

 

[chei]

gon's design is ok, but killua's is off. he does look too young and "cute" compared to the manga

http://elleway.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/killua-5.jpg?w=640
http://dreager1.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/atukkhkb.jpg?w=450
http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111127074751/hunterxhunter/images/b/b8/Killua-2011.jpg

Your comparison is really weak, how about choose an example where they aren't in battle mode, such as:

From Chimera Ant Arc:

Killua looks young and cute when he's not in 'badass' assassin/battle mode.

 

[chikkychappy]

But you can't do such comparison with the pictures you shown. You need to show the same scene to the same panel.

this is absolutely not necessary in illustrating my point but here:
http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/Pn-FJsR4avc/hqdefault.jpg
http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/h...a_to_return_his_heart_to_him_before_dying.png

it's not EXACTLY the same scene but it's clear that killua looks younger in 2011. just look at the head to body proportion. younger children tend to have heads larger than their bodies

 

[TheAmericandream]

Well I don't want to harp on it, I just always found the execution to be sort of dry. I definitely hope the new series gets creative with its directing and angles during the hostage portion of Yorknew.

 

[mrsticky005]

this is absolutely not necessary in illustrating my point but here:
http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/Pn-FJsR4avc/hqdefault.jpg
http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/h...a_to_return_his_heart_to_him_before_dying.png

it's not EXACTLY the same scene but it's clear that killua looks younger in 2011. just look at the head to body proportion. younger children tend to have heads larger than their bodies

You were comparing a battle scene in the manga to a happy scene of Killua in the 2011 series.
And as I said before Togashi takes a lot of liberties when drawing Killua from normal to bad ass mode.

Now does Killua appear young in the 2011 version? Yes.
Does he appear young in the manga? Depends on the panel.

 

[chei]

^chei

Examples: http://pic.tenmanga.com/comics/16378/153262/e48e6627e0028ffb17f93eab78ad8cb6.jpg
Examples: http://pic.tenmanga.com/comics/16378/153262/f86a3511cbb1ae422f932e01a91f1869.jpg (Notice how he zooms in on a smaller drawing of Kurapika and it begins to blur) It's just a small hangup I have on this arc in the manga as a professionally trained artist that's made it hard for me to really read the arc in depth.

No way, the copy and paste is part of his storytelling strength. I love the repetitions, it's used in many effective ways. That scene in the manga hit me harder than the 1999 anime much much more.

I kind of want to see the new anime get pretty bold with its adaptation too, and would love to see it feel like watching a Christopher Nolan Batman film (If I was to reference something I'd like to see them draw inspiration from for it). Yorknew to me always kind of felt like manga's Gotham City. But maybe I have a distorted view on it? (I didn't notice anything jarringly different in what I've tried to read of Yorknew) If anyone with insight who's read the whole thing in the manga inform me of the major tonal changes I'd appreciate it. I will say I did notice the focus on Kurapika ramps up during Yorknew, but that sorta made sense to me since he is still the focal character from what I've seen during the manga version in that arc.

This is the problem I have with 1999 series -- I don't care for a Christopher Nolan version of HxH (and I don't like the Dark Knight film) because the 1999 Yorknew adaptation took itself WAY too seriously! They took what's essentially a Quentin Tarantino-sque type of work (wacky auteur post-modern shounen that has something 'off' about it) and tried to make it feel "adult" and serious and traditional Hollywood thriller. It's mainstream-izing and stamping out all the cult flavors and twisted humors from Togashi's work. Most of the characters came off way too silly looking in that solemn atmosphere. We're talking about over the top characters like One-Kill-a-day Grandpa, Steven Tyler Silver haired Daddy, simple lined-Gon, shoujo manga big eyes characters like Kurapika, Machi, Killua, etc. They looked so odd and disconnected with that tried-too-hard-to-be-serious-and-realistic mafia world. The director for 1999 series, Kazuhiro Furuhashi, did the same thing for his take on Kenshin OVA...it turned Kenshin into something completely unrecognizable. But i notice that some anime fans tend to think being dark = adult = good (as if that get them mainstream's approval).

I'm sure that's what you're into, but that's just NOT Togashi's HxH! Not what I find HxH appealing at all.

I enjoyed how in the manga, there's a drastic contrast of how threatening the Phantom Troupe are, versus how nonchalant they act. But the 1999 series tried too hard to make it 'adult' and 'Hollywood' that they just focus on too much on the 'threats' without the 'twisted humor' part, the Phantom group are not as endearing as in the manga.

I roll my eye whenever they tried to portray this anorexic Kurapika with smaller hallow eyes, it's like they tried SO hard to make him less silly looking. They totally knew that they hijack the character from another world and tried to fit him into some realism.

 

[mrsticky005]

Well I don't want to harp on it, I just always found the execution to be sort of dry. I definitely hope the new series gets creative with its directing and angles during the hostage portion of Yorknew.

Adding color, sound, animation and all that jazz will certainly probably do the trick.

For the first page you gave an example of the effect is this awkward silence where the reader is just waiting for Kurapika to lash out on Chrollo.

Keeping the same position causes the viewer/reader to start feel a bit anxious. Sorta a jack-in-the-box effect.

---------- Post added at 12:44 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:20 AM ----------

Also I'd be wary about people telling you what is good art technique and what isn't. I mean I'm sure they mean well and I'm sure they are talented artists.
However it is important to remember that people like Togashi aren't some talented 16 year old kid with a sketchbook. Togashi is a PROFESSIONAL working
with PROFESSIONALS. Even if Togashi doesn't know what works in manga the people he works with do. Togashi knows a lot more about manga than
most likely...all of us or at least the vast majority of us. You also need to remember that Togashi is a minimalist. People often don't understand this
and will think that because Togashi doesn't fill his works with abundant detail that it must be bad art. But it's just different art. And minimalism isn't
some lame excuse to be lazy. While someone like Kentaro Miura can be praised for absolute detail in his work Berserk, Togashii has a mastery
over usage of negative space. A great example of this would be seen here in the second panel

Notice how your eye is almost immediately drawn to Gon despite the fact he's hiding? Togashi does this on purpose.
With the previous panel with Hisoka thinking "Where is he?" The second panel is a total SURPRISE BITCH! moment.
And then although Hisoka sees the attack coming it's too late for him to do anything about it.
The reader sees Gon before Hisoka so it's a total "OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH SHIT!" type moment. Like when you see the killer before the victim does in a scary movie.

The same effect would not work as well had Togashi decided to draw in the audience and what not. It would take longer to find Gon.

 

[TheAmericandream]

Ah, well okay. To each their own . I guess when it comes down to it, I mostly love Togashi for his superb writing skills over his inconsistent and minimalist artwork. Although I think like the page you linked he has flashing moments of brilliance. I sadly can understand why the artwork is a large barrier for some people who are interested in reading the manga version.

The 1999 take on Yorknew or the series was definitely not for everyone (though I literally think it the epitome of anime ), but it's the only version of that arc I know (so I guess I can't argue its accuracy with anyone). But I hope the new adaptation is equally engaging to me even if in a very different way (in fact I want it to be different as long as its still good). I always try to have an open mind about things.

 

[mrsticky005]

Ah, well okay. To each their own . I guess when it comes down to it, I mostly love Togashi for his superb writing skills over his inconsistent and minimalist artwork. Although I think like the page you linked he has flashing moments of brilliance. I sadly can understand why the artwork is a large barrier for some people who are interested in reading the manga version.

The 1999 take on Yorknew or the series was definitely not for everyone (though I literally think it the epitome of anime ), but it's the only version of that arc I know (so I guess I can't argue its accuracy with anyone). But I hope the new adaptation is equally engaging to me even if in a very different way (in fact I want it to be different as long as its still good). I always try to have an open mind about things.

Well it might be a bit of an "acquired taste" to truly appreciate Togashi's art style. Though it's not like Togashi can do no wrong. Sometimes the minimalism
works and sometimes it doesn't. It all depends on a variety of factors. But it's like how One Piece is cartoony and it can be a little bit off putting at first
but then you learn to appreciate it. It also certainly helps if you read the volumes especially during the Chimera Ant Arc.

If I had to complain about the pages you shown it would be more that Chrollo looks a little weird like the head shape seems a little off.


Also I'm not too big on the very first panel with the speed lines. I get the idea is that they are in a car traveling at high speeds but it's just looking
like speed lines. Maybe this was what Togashi meant to do but I think if it looked more like a road in motion it would give a better effect.

Also I thought where Hunter x Hunter really shines...is the fight scenes. I think it has some of the best movement of any shonen fight.

 

[TheAmericandream]

I agree, I like that Togashi doesn't like to waste time, fights tend to be very precise and short. That's something I really like and is inspiring for someone like myself who also likes to draw comics.