Anime Hunter X Hunter Anime- Fall 2011

[shareme]

@thatguy3331

May I use one of your images as a sig? I like the n00b one

Of course! Mots are for all to use afterall![/QUOTE]

Thanks! I've put it up but I don't see it at the moment... <---- newb at putting on forum sigs

Anyone with a working eye and a working brain can discern a big difference in the portrayal of the characters. From the character design (disproportionate eyes, fat baby cheeks, head to body ratio) to the damn way Gon makes strange "MMMM!!" sounds in response to Killua's lead; from the soundtrack accompanying Gon's special moments... oh why do I bother.

I never said anything about the '99 series. You must be feeling defensive.


I'm being defensive for some other guy when there is absolutely - absolutely - nothing in his post to suggest he is a hater/fanboy? Open your eyes and moreover, look in the mirror.

I didn't know body proportion of an anime character is an integral way of portraying a character... I must be feeling defensive.

It's also quite a shock to know that manga do have the capacity to emit sounds like "MMMM" and soundtracks to boot! I must have lost this piece of marvelous technology somewhere.

You're logic is outstanding, sensei. Will you take me as your pupil?

 

[TheAmericandream]

We should drop this proportions debate soon. Both adaptations are accurate to the manga only to a certain point, in the very manga its inconsistent. Its gotten kind of silly.

Moving on, did anyone point out Gon's steaming head during the first Nen convo in episode 27? It made me think of this from the Greed Island arc in the manga: http://pic.tenmanga.com/comics/16378/153271/de9b2c02683eda6f873cba299e2712f5.jpg
This is an iconic part of Gon to me, not being able to really handle too much info dump at once. It's Togashi sort of acknowledging that he's doing a large info dump.

 

[Netero]

We should drop this proportions debate soon. Both adaptations are accurate to the manga only to a certain point, in the very manga its inconsistent. Its gotten kind of silly.

Moving on, did anyone point out Gon's steaming head during the first Nen convo in episode 27? It made me think of this from the Greed Island arc in the manga: http://pic.tenmanga.com/comics/16378/153271/de9b2c02683eda6f873cba299e2712f5.jpg
This is an iconic part of Gon to me, not being able to really handle too much info dump at once. It's Togashi sort of acknowledging that he's doing a large info dump.

I just finished rewatching the episode and the part with the steam rising from Gon's head was pretty funny.

 

[TheAmericandream]

The new ending song truly is great. Though I feel like a lot of its just my enjoyment of fanservice. I wonder what I'd think of it if all this was brand new to me?

 

[Beans]

Have you noticed the chains in the background of this scene.

 

[mrsticky005]

Have you noticed the chains in the background of this scene.

Yes and the fact that the spider has 13 eyes.

 

[SHINOBI-03]

You know, the criticism of the new HxH series reminded me of Rurouni Kenshin. Who have seen the OVA and have not read the manga?

I bought the manga first, and watched the anime later. As for the OVAs, I tried to watch them, but I couldn't bare them. Why, because they were so gloomy and too serious compared to the original manga atmosphere.

Now, if a remake of RK was done that covered the same materials as the OVA but made it more faithful to the manga, would the OVA fans bash this remake because it showed comedic scenes like these?

Spoiler

 

[TheAmericandream]

SHINOBI-03
You should stick comparisons to another thread probably (technically its another topic), but I think I'm an exception (when it comes to manga vs anime debates).

Spoiler

I saw both HxH and Kenshin as anime first (own them both) but also like the manga adaptations. The key difference is Kenshin (trust and betrayl) is just a flashback story not the whole series but its worse since its so gloomy and doesn't represent the manga's tone at all! It has its own unique fanbase separate from the rest of the franchise. I think that's sort of interesting anyway, and I'd probably be less then interested in seeing a remake UNLESS they animated the rest of the Enishi arc to go along with it (only then would I care to see that animated, I already own the manga version) (Though I go on the record to say the filler OVA is garbage (where kenshin dies)

Back to Hunter X Hunter: Hunterpedia omake at the end of the episodes are really cute! But the first one seemed a bit redundant, its alright so far but my hope for it is to actually goes over series tidbits the anime normally can't cover. Like maybe going over Nen details, or other things like how in Yorknew arc you get pages like this:

(Manga spoiler)

Spoiler

New episode is only two days away XD getting hype for Hisoka and seeing more Nen.

 

[chei]

You know, the criticism of the new HxH series reminded me of Rurouni Kenshin. Who have seen the OVA and have not read the manga?

I bought the manga first, and watched the anime later. As for the OVAs, I tried to watch them, but I couldn't bare them. Why, because they were so gloomy and too serious compared to the original manga atmosphere.

Now, if a remake of RK was done that covered the same materials as the OVA but made it more faithful to the manga, would the OVA fans bash this remake because it showed comedic scenes like these?

Exactly. And you know why? Because the director who directed those Kenshin OVA was the same guy who directed HxH 1999 series- Kazuhiro furuhashi. (btw Kenshin's author expressed that he didn't like those OVA.) Kazuhiro took what's essentially an shounen series and imposed his gloomy seinen take on it. I appreciate his bold and unconventional effort and many people liked them. But he basically hijacked someone else's work and overwroted it with his own darker and more melodramatic vision, which in the process sacrificed the original author's voice, the flow of the overarching series's storytelling, distorting the characterization and ultimately changing the core focus of the story.

Kazuhiro almost went even further to try to create his own resolution for the Yorkshin arc - he had it written where both Kurapika and Kuroro died at the end. There's a storyboard and screenplay floating around on the internet where you can see how the writings/frames goes (very melodramatic). HxH's author Togashi of course rejected it. But that shows you how much he's attached to Kurapika's story and pretended that HxH is over after that arc, as he obviously didn't care much for other characters, nor care for the fact that HxH is actually a shounen series where the leading focus should have been on Gon and Killua.

What's annoying for fans of the manga is that, all these people who were introduced to HxH thru the anime insist Kazuhiro's version is the canon, or that it's 'better'. When the new anime series first started, you keep hearing people complain how come the colors are so bright, how come it's not serious, not dark, no tension...etc. But if you come to the series from the manga, you won't feel there's much difference between the new anime and the manga. If you were to compare the general tone, the body/eyes proportion of Gon and Killua to the later where Togashi's drawings are more settled, they're basically the same! In manga, Gon and Killua are portrayed as cute, cheerful and pudgy, and would only appear badass where it needs to be. HxH has always been humorous and fun (with a dark streak and Togashi's odd flavors of course), even at the Chimera arc. Not to mention how cartoony the 12 zodiacs looks.

So this false impression of HxH being 'dark', "serious', etc. came largely from the 1999 series. As a manga fan, I'm glad that we get another adaptation that's more shounen, which is what HxH is.

 

[thatguy3331]

a real breif offtopic note:

Spoiler

I've started to get into ruroni kenshin, but I want to be as clost to the acctual plot as possible, so should I just go try to find the manga or should I watch certian parts of th anime and certian parts of the manga? to avoid more offtopic posts, just PM me

on topic:

wait both dying? WTH?

as for the york new arc, I always percived it as darker in tone when it was kurapika's scenes, any time gon and killua weren't with the spiders before meeting with killua it was lighter to me, which is a good thing considering I don't like stories that are TOOO depressing without a humor outlet. I can't speak for the anime version, but from clips and pictures I could see that there was a sense of evangelion creepiness to it (particularly the scene where kurapika woke up in a pool of blood, For craps sake I saw FMA brotherhood, but that just disturbed me on the first frame!) If anyone can correct me on anything or enlighten me go ahead.

I'm not really sure what to expect this version of the arc to be to be honst, All I know is that there will be TONS of debating. everytime I hear someone say HxH is the best shonen sereis ever, they always relapse to this arc. I like this arc don't get me wrong, but I honestly think the best arc here was the chimera ant arc, because there was a little bit of everything that made HxH, for me, enjoyable: fights, tidbits of odd/messed up humor, bloody scenes, diffrent approach to handling shonen tropes and habits and etc. plus it was focused on Gon and Killua and their character development (I was worried when they said killua was getting too Ho yay in this arc, but I honestly didn't percive it this way, now that DAMN BUTTERFLY DOUCHE... is another ran- story) I know the art stunk, but I managed to weave through it and look forward to when I can get thison my shelf, wether it be in manga or anime format.

also one last note to that whole "kurapika and kuroro both die at the end and thats it" ordeal, I don't know if its real or not, but that would suck, because I always thought there could be a better version of what york new was doing, giving off a proper end to kurapika's conflict. I dunno if it would be death or not, but having them be dead now would be shame and waste in my opinon.

 

[TheAmericandream]

Yea I had never heard this rumor either of them both dying. That sounds absolutely horrible.

I will refrain from comparisons any further though since I know Mods don't like it and it derails the thread. The original 1999 Yorknew arc (and OVA that concludes it) is my favorite story arc of HxH but the Chimera ant arc is a very close second favorite. I think if I had read the manga all the way through (as my first experience of HxH) I might be inclined to agree with you on it being the best, it has some of the best chapters in all of shonen manga. While I love the quirky badasses that are the Spiders, (a lot more then the ants), NGL does such a good job of having almost every element of HxH woven together so nicely. I wasn't huge on the ending of the arc at first, but as I've been recently rereading the arc I find myself enjoying it more and more! I think that's really where Togashi's art got a lot better too (but maybe this is because of how he sketches it first and cleans it up later in volume releases, technically he spent the most time on this arc)

As for Yorknew's ending, I guess you can say it doesn't really have an ending? I am happy with how the conflict ends for the most part but I didn't like it that much when I first watched it. I've read the manga version of the ending and rewatched the anime adaptation many times now, and I find it mostly satisfying. It's more satisfying to me then the end of NGL actually (I'm probably in the minority with that opinion), which is why its still my favorite arc. I just think the Spiders are so cool! I nearly sprang out of my chair in excitement over the new opening and ending theme seeing all my favorite Yorknew characters again. I sort of wish I could hear some of the new soundtrack now, the translated track listings just got me more excited.

 

[thatguy3331]

Yea I had never heard this rumor either of them both dying. That sounds absolutely horrible.

I will refrain from comparisons any further though since I know Mods don't like it and it derails the thread. The original 1999 Yorknew arc (and OVA that concludes it) is my favorite story arc of HxH but the Chimera ant arc is a very close second favorite. I think if I had read the manga all the way through (as my first experience of HxH) I might be inclined to agree with you on it being the best, it has some of the best chapters in all of shonen manga. While I love the quirky badasses that are the Spiders, (a lot more then the ants), NGL does such a good job of having almost every element of HxH woven together so nicely. I wasn't huge on the ending of the arc at first, but as I've been recently rereading the arc I find myself enjoying it more and more! I think that's really where Togashi's art got a lot better too (but maybe this is because of how he sketches it first and cleans it up later in volume releases, technically he spent the most time on this arc)

As for Yorknew's ending, I guess you can say it doesn't really have an ending? I am happy with how the conflict ends for the most part but I didn't like it that much when I first watched it. I've read the manga version of the ending and rewatched the anime adaptation many times now, and I find it mostly satisfying. It's more satisfying to me then the end of NGL actually (I'm probably in the minority with that opinion), which is why its still my favorite arc. I just think the Spiders are so cool! I nearly sprang out of my chair in excitement over the new opening and ending theme seeing all my favorite Yorknew characters again. I sort of wish I could hear some of the new soundtrack now, the translated track listings just got me more excited.

I can't say I dislike the ending, untimatly only achiving sealing away Kuroro's nen was a pretty good way to conclude things (definetly better than them dying) but I always felt that togashi could top it , and when I said real conculsion, I was talking about kurapika's revenge issue. Maybe I'm beeing too shounen-istic in my thinking here, but I think a real conclusion will be reached when we see how his revenge is settled and the ultimate fate of the spiders will be, but I assume that'll be near the end since it will most likely finish Kurapika's main story.

also as far as the art goes, I'm aware togashi redaws his work and the volumes are much better, but I still had to read these chapters online. plus, I'm not sure if viz is still releasing the hunter x hunter manga so I'm hesitant in going after a incomplete collection (though collecting OP dvds has DEFINETLY been a risk...)

lastly, I have to agree I like the spiders alot more than the ants, some were good, some ok, and then some.................FRIGGIN BUTTERFLY DOUCHE!!!!!!*calm down....calm dowm......*

yeah. I agree with ya there.

but still, I'm just gonna expect a animated version of the manga's telling and then we'll see how this arc plays itself out with fans and such.

 

[chei]

Yea I had never heard this rumor either of them both dying. That sounds absolutely horrible.

Yeah, I googled a little bit and couldn't find the information in English, so I'll write about it here. It's quite a long time ago and the Japanese internet tends to not archiving data well (coz that information was circulated on 2ch). So as the 1999 series was catching up with Togashi's hiatus, the series's director Kazohiro Furuhashi decided to end the series right there with his original written ending. He sent the screenplays and storyboards to Togashi and the manga publisher. There were going to be two episodes:

Episode 61 Avici x Calling x Requiem (阿鼻×叫喚×レクイエム)
Episode 62 Red Eyes x Silence x Catastrophe (緋の目×沈黙×カタストロフ)

We don't know about the details too much but in a board summary, Kurapika ended up killing Kuroro, but as Kazohiro liked to input his moralistic "eye for an eye" view Kurapika has to die too to pay for the price. He died laying in Leoreo's arms.

Of course Togashi rejected this ending vehemently, and for the people who knew the manga well knew this is definitely not Togshi's style (his ending would be way more anti-climatic, non-endings, and got the lol/wtf vibe...that's why I think he rarely takes HxH that 'seriously'.)

The screenplays and storyboards for these two 'phantom finale episodes' was auctioned off after the TV series was over. It was up on the Japanese Yahoo!Auction for a day and was sold for 81000yen, in which you can see there were 3 images

Basically Kurapika was Furuhashi's Mary Sue. He mentioned in many occasion that he sees Kurapika as a 'tragic heroine figure' and that's why the Yorkshin arc in 1999 series took a dive and deviated from the source material drastically in terms of focus, tone and core. It's almost like fanfic. Strangely that it seems like a consensus on 2ch that Furuhashi doesn't 'get' Togashi's style at all, and he liked to impose his own views/style on things he adapted too much...but of course there're so many fans who prefer Furuhashi's re-interpretation of HxH as many found the tragic heroine Kurapika very 'moe', and prefer the dark and take-itself-too-seriously melodrama.

---------- Post added at 06:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:47 PM ----------

Who are you even talking to? If you're talking to me I'd rather you just drop it. As for it being insulting. Are you referring to my calling him a troll?

Relax mr.sticky , Uriel was talking to that mousiehamster user, who asked why his posts kept on disappearing. That 'asking why my post was gone' is gone again so it appeared now Uriel's reply came after yours. I saw his post this morning but it's now gone, Uriel's post was not addressing you.

 

[TheAmericandream]

Now these changes sound absurd, but in terms of what was actually done (and this is just my own perspective) I don't actually think Yorknew in the 1999 anime vs manga is that different. I've now read it in the manga (the whole arc). I agree it has a slightly enhanced tone, but I didn't really notice much difference. It's not like its unrecognizable or is filled with filler dialogue, the dialogue seemed mostly the same to (granted I read the Edited Mangas which aren't that accurate). That alternate ending sounds awful though! Its neat that you found the source of it, I'm just glad we didn't get anything like that in the canon of the story.

 

[futurefrog]

One thing you will notice with Hunter x Hunter is the all of the story arcs end in an anti-climax of some form or another. It's a staple of the series. I really love that most of the arcs end not with a bang but with a real honest human moment. Even the most violent arc of all ends in such a way with the most monstrous creature known to man Meryem discovering the value of humanity. Let's look at all the arcs endings just briefly shall we?

- Hunter Exam Arc: Ends in anticlimax with Gon being knocked out in the final phase only to wake up realising everything is over.
- Zoldyck Family Arc: Ends in anticlimax after Killua is simply let go by his Father and Grandfather.
- Heaven's Arena Arc: Ends in anticlimax after Gon is defeated by Hisoka.
- York New Cirty Arc: Ends in anticlimax after both warring parties make an exchange and go their separate ways.
- Greed Island Arc: Ends in anticlimax after Gon and Killua discover that 'Nigg' is not Ging but in fact Kite.
- Chimera Ants Arc: Ends in anticlimax after the King is defeated by poison and quietly passes away with Komugi.
- Election Arc: Ends in anticlimax after Pariston immediately resigns from position of Chairman after winning. Also Ging and Gon meet on anticlimactic terms.

That's every arc in the series all ending in anticlimax. All of these represent a truthful moment of humanity:

- Hunter Exam Arc: Ending represents 'Disappoint'.
- Zoldyck Family Arc: Ending represents 'Freedom'.
- Heaven's Arena Arc: Ending represents 'Defeat'.
- York New City Arc: Ending represents 'Compromise'.
- Greed Island Arc: Ending represents 'Surprise'.
- Chimera Ants Arc: Ending represents 'Love'.
- Election Arc: Ending represents 'Trolling''Expectations'

Sorry for my analysis, just this talk of anticlimax endings got me going haha. I strongly believe that Togashi has the mentality that it's not about the destination, but about the journey. That is true for all of his arcs in Hunter x Hunter.

 

[thatguy3331]

ugh... its bad enough HxH has the hoyay material it does, I know kurapika looks like a girl but seriously.... UGH. (not a big fan of the hoyay within the series, its probably the only thing I dislike about it.)

But damn talk about depressing. It was a friggen story board but I was ready to tear up when I saw gon trying to go towards kurapika only to be stopped by... leorio? I thought he was holding kurapika, did that not happen yet?*part of me dies typing this* and ging was supposed to be involved in this? was kurapika little and he was hugging him?

Ah.... I'll just stop myself here.

--------------EDIT---------------------

@futurefrog
Allow me:

YOSHIHIRO TROLLGASHI

 

[chei]

I don't actually think Yorknew in the 1999 anime vs manga is that different. I've now read it in the manga (the whole arc). I agree it has a slightly enhanced tone, but I think now you might be exaggerating a bit. But that's just my opinion of course. You make it sound as if its unrecognizable or is filled with filler dialogue, the dialogue seemed mostly the same to (granted I read the Edited Mangas which aren't that accurate). That alternate ending sounds awful though! Its neat that you found the source of it, I'm just glad we didn't get anything like that in the canon of the story.

No I'm not talking about the content (by that point, 1999 series knew better and stick quite close to the source material content wise), I was talking about the tone of the work. In the manga, Togashi balanced the three path really well: Gon and Killua's money making adventure, Kurapika and the mafia, the Phantom Troupe being a family. Because Togashi has this light, snappy, effortless vibe for his storytelling, so all three can develop independently and converged smoothly later.
But in the 1999 anime, Kurapika and the mafia and the Phantom troupe are like in an entire different series of their own. Furuhashi has this big budget Hollywood thriller direction for these two paths, and when we switch back to the boys, it's really jarring (for me at least). The simpler, more cartoonish looking characters (Melody, the girls) sticks out so much in that dark palette and serious tone. And if I have to pick in details, I think the portrayal of Ubojin and Phinx didn't quite 'hit' it for me, which is a let down for me. So I'm definitely look forward for another take on it, and wouldn't held the 1999 series as some canon to match.

 

[Netero]

If you want to see how great of troll Togashi is watch or read Level E

 

[chikkychappy]

I prefer Furuhashi's York Shin over the manga. This "tragic heroine" and "too much melodrama" tag is just one of the many interpretations it can have; in my view, Furuhashi's approach added more depth and maturity the manga didn't have. Not to mention, there was so much artistry in his adaptation. (I prefer the manga counterpart over OVA 1, however.)

I also agree with theamericandream that the final result of york shin isn't that significantly different from what happened in the manga. It's just overthinking things, imo.

Anyway, 1999 series>>>>>>>>>2011 so far. It can copy the manga page-by-page for all I care but it will still have mediocre and soulless execution.

 

[futurefrog]

No I'm not talking about the content (by that point, 1999 series knew better and stick quite close to the source material content wise), I was talking about the tone of the work. In the manga, Togashi balanced the three path really well: Gon and Killua's money making adventure, Kurapika and the mafia, the Phantom Troupe being a family. Because Togashi has this light, snappy, effortless vibe for his storytelling, so all three can develop independently and converged smoothly later.
But in the 1999 anime, Kurapika and the mafia and the Phantom troupe are like in an entire different series of their own. Furuhashi has this big budget Hollywood thriller direction for these two paths, and when we switch back to the boys, it's really jarring (for me at least). The simpler, more cartoonish looking characters (Melody, the girls) sticks out so much in that dark palette and serious tone. And if I have to pick in details, I think the portrayal of Ubojin and Phinx didn't quite 'hit' it for me, which is a let down for me. So I'm definitely look forward for another take on it, and wouldn't held the 1999 series as some canon to match.

Kurapika made Furuhashi's pants tighten, he knew it was wrong, but he liked it anyways.