Anime Hunter X Hunter Anime- Fall 2011

[chei]

I enjoy this new anime series a whole lot! I especially like how stylized the colors and characters' proportion are, it's more fitting to the vibe of the early volumes of the manga...it reminds me of looking at a wondrous illustration book that takes you to a different world, instead of attempt to be dark and realistic like the old series was. The shadows have a nice pastel blue color and I love that hisoka's hair turn a shade of hot pink/purple under lighting.

It was long time ago when I watched the original anime adaptation in real time back then and remembered being very frustrated by the changes, fillers and the characters being OOC. I especially couldn't stand how they portrayed Gon back then -- that overtly cheery innocent voice, innocent face and big eyes annoyed me so much, and Killua in the old anime was basically a complete different character than the manga. It's like they tried too hard to fit them neatly into stereotypical shounen cliches.

 

[mrsticky005]

I actually thought the pacing was excellent on this episode. It made Hisoka vs Agon seem a lot more intense. Reading the manga and seeing ho the two were going to meet it was just like ok they are going to run into each other. and Hisoka is going to rape him. Here it was like OH SHIT THEY ARE GOING TO RUN INTO EACH OTHER AND HISOKA IS GONNA RAPE HIM.

Also I love the ending with how Gon is sitting under the tree and he's all quiet. You can tell from the look in his eyes he wants payback.


Best moment of the episode: Hisoka's crazy scream when he attacks Agon. So freaky.

 

[Uriel]

I completely forgot posting some gifs :P
Leorio knows some skills. lol, that plus his scene as kid makes me think of him as He was from a brazillian fabella.

Punched Gon. Freaking awesome animation there. I love bouncing bodies xD

As always Hisoka has the best gifs :O

Peekabo.

 

[Sea Hunter]

mmmm I think everyone should wear hisoka's rape face as their sig then we go dominant the "best villain" thread

 

[Netero]

I had to add a Hisoka pic in my sig because it's just epic!

 

[~Andrew~]

When adapting the work into animation, what essence of the series was the most important to depict?

Because the original manga first started being published 13 years ago and since the first Hunter x Hunter animated series ended 7 years ago, we made this series because we wanted people who don't know about "Hunter x Hunter" (especially children) to see its charm. Of course, we've had to avoid some grotesque imagery . However, we were especially careful not to ruin the atmosphere present in the original work.

So the greatest wish they had was to show children an Anime Adaption of a Manga in which Human-sized Ants cut off children's/woman's/everyone's heads and taste pieces of their brain.

On a serious note... It sounds like the Guy is an idiot who would sell XXX-Films without a single sex/erotic scene to children who don't know about sex. I'm just kidding that's bullshit (of course), but some people could get a little bit angry/confused, if they only read this answer from him, because HxH's atmosphere, which they want to keep, isn't supposed to be seen by children. It sounds a little bit contradictory.

BUT as I read the whole Interview it made MUCH more sense for me and I'm kinda relieved.

Here is why:

Let's have a look at another question&answer first.

What makes you happiest about being able to create this work? And the opposite--is there anything difficult about it?

Since the original work is fairly well known, sometimes I get comments after it's been animated. I've been quite happy to hear the general response to the new series, criticism included; I feel as if it's a difficult work to do again.


There're a few reasons as to why I'm believing now a whole lot more in them and their work:
- They knew how famous HxH was from the start, but my guess is that they got even more feedback than expected.
- They've got to fulfill wishes from new fans, old fans and hardcore-fans ( hardcore hxh fans endured every hiatus over years so it's a delicate situation).
The new fans are probably children and teenagers, the "old" fans who knew the manga from the start but didn't watched it from the start to the end and the hardcore-fans who are the oldest fans. So they've got an audience with people from 10 to 25 (or maybe 30) years old fans.

- He said he's happy to get comments (critisism included) and that alone is a very good sign and shows that he respects the fan's wishes (that's always good. just remember Infamous 2 and the new hero they had at the beginning, but the fans conplained and they listened to them. For an opposite example look at the new Devil May Cry game, the chef of Ninja Theory made an Emo out of dante and most fans complained but he said he won't listend and so on, but in the end he changed his look a bit, you see that in the new trailers). They should listen to their fans to a certain point, that's how it goes in this age xD.

- I wrote too much again, sorry. I could've just wrote 2 sentences to make my point clear. xD
- The main reason I'm relieved is this :
I'm a bit worried as to whether or not we'll have to alter the unavoidable grotesque imagery from hereafter.

They understand that it's unavoidable, but if they keep the violence reduced then the atmosphere will without any doubt be ruined and crushed to bits.

So, is he thinking about completely removing the "grotesque imagery" or does that sentence mean he's thinking about raise the violence level from here on?

In both cases I'm relieved, because if they remove more violence the atmosphere will be ruined and the ratings will go down or the critisism will raise, but if they try to keep the manga's atmosphere AND violence (because violence isn't the only part of HxH's atmosphere, don't get me wrong there) 1:1 then most fans will be happy.

An Anime containing the true atmosphere of HxH will be the most epic Anime since years.
The Emotions I felt while reading HxH were just mind blowing.

Well, anyways they should decide on their course as fast as possible because it will be impossible to Animate the Chimera Ant arc if they don't take it serious.
I don't want the Anime to end after Greed Island again O:

What do you guys think of this Interview?

 

[hunted]

thanks uriel
that face what i mean by the last reply of mine

 

[Popo]

Spoiler: Hunter x Hunter episode 16 comparison

This episode covers chapters 27 and 28 in the manga, while corresponding to episode 23 and half of episode 24 in the 1999 series.

Hisoka has a strange run in the 1999 series.

When choosing to follow Hisoka, Gon in the manga already knows he's targeting Leorio and Kurapika. In the 1999 series, he doesn't find out until after Hisoka has already stopped. He never considers whether or not it would be better to steal Hisoka's badge if he attacks Kurapika and Leorio.

The 1999 series changes Kurapika's bokken swords into katana, for some reason. Leorio's knife is also made into a Japanese blade.

I don't think either anime adaptation gets Hisoka's vogue pose down.

Hisoka's bloodlust sees him standing still until morning in the manga and 2011 series.

The 1999 series sees Hisoka claw at his arms and grasp his stomach while trying to suppress his bloodlust. His eyes roll into his head too. None of this happens in the manga.

While the 1999 series does shade the areas around Hisoka's eyes while he lurches, it doesn't look similar to how it is in the manga.

Agon. 1999 series doesn't show blood when he dies--he just falls over.

Geretta is beheaded by Hisoka in the manga. In the 1999 series, Hisoka kills him and steals his hat. In the 2011 series, Hisoka drags his body and drops it in front of Gon.

Gon being hit by Hisoka is more violent in the manga/2011 series.

Gon in the 1999 series is traumatized by the encounter after this point. He is afraid of Hisoka more than anything. He can't move for two days, urinates himself, eats bark, pities himself, and cries. We have no access to Gon's thoughts in the manga/2011 series, but it's clear that something inside him has changed.

 

[Bomber D Rufi]

Although for the most part I am happy with what the 2011 anime is doing (some scenes like Pokkle's arrow, and Hisoka fighting against that one guy in the trick tower were breathtaking.) I am a little let down that the one filler episode in which Gon is alone in the woods recovering from his encounter with Gereta and Hisoka won't be covered in this version. I like many first saw the HXH anime before reading the manga, (which I am collecting now.) so I was convinced that the episode with Gon reflecting on his journey thus far and fearing Hisoka was part of the manga. I really liked how the episode was presented in this 'stream-of-conciousness' style as it probably reflected Gon's jumbled up thoughts after being hit with the relaxer dart and getting his clock cleaned by Hisoka. So when I read the manga I was really surprised to see that he really recovered quickly, and that the 1999 anime had added all of that. In a way it detracts from Gon's character a little bit -he's supposed to be this kid that gets back up from ANYTHING. While in another sense it humanizes him -a kid who just experenced true fear for the first time.

As for the later atmosphere and whatnot while I can understand others worrying and speculating on how it will be handled I think it's probably for the best that we just watch and see. If anything Madhouse has shown that action scenes will be handled proficently so I'm looking forward to how they'll do things when the series shifts from the Hunter exam to Yorkshin and beyond. I hope for big things, and other than the fact that the pace has been a little slower than I would have liked (which to be fair is because of the anticipation for later arcs), it has been delivering. Lets not forget that 1999 had to deal with censorship as well, and for the most part people still enjoyed the series. One thing that bugs me though is that they note them as 'grotesque' scenes, which isn't wrong but denotes that the staff themselves find them too disgusting to animate. I may be reading into things too much, but that may create a bias that keeps them from staying close to the manga version. Togashi isn't Togashi without the gore after all.

Also Popo-san I take it you're also Toto on the Animesuki boards? Thanks so much for the comparisons. I enjoy reading them as much as I do actually watching the anime. I have reasons as to why I don't join Animesuki, so I really appreciate you going through the trouble of posting them here as well. Thanks.

 

[Popo]

Although for the most part I am happy with what the 2011 anime is doing (some scenes like Pokkle's arrow, and Hisoka fighting against that one guy in the trick tower were breathtaking.) I am a little let down that the one filler episode in which Gon is alone in the woods recovering from his encounter with Gereta and Hisoka won't be covered in this version. I like many first saw the HXH anime before reading the manga, (which I am collecting now.) so I was convinced that the episode with Gon reflecting on his journey thus far and fearing Hisoka was part of the manga. I really liked how the episode was presented in this 'stream-of-conciousness' style as it probably reflected Gon's jumbled up thoughts after being hit with the relaxer dart and getting his clock cleaned by Hisoka. So when I read the manga I was really surprised to see that he really recovered quickly, and that the 1999 anime had added all of that. In a way it detracts from Gon's character a little bit -he's supposed to be this kid that gets back up from ANYTHING. While in another sense it humanizes him -a kid who just experenced true fear for the first time.

I think it depends on how you feel Gon's character is. These both represent major turning points for him, in some ways. I think it's out of character (only in the manga/2011 series) for him to be deathly afraid of Hisoka--in the 1999 series, Gon is traumatized. He's frightened and it's something he has to overcome. It's an expected response to the whole matter, considering that he's a kid and was just hit in the face by an adult. But in the manga and 2011 series, his reaction is the opposite of what you might expect. Gon doesn't fear Hisoka like he does the boogeyman, but he spends the night in anger instead of fear. Gon gains a new desire as a result, and his personality is warped in a way because of it.

Also Popo-san I take it you're also Toto on the Animesuki boards? Thanks so much for the comparisons. I enjoy reading them as much as I do actually watching the anime. I have reasons as to why I don't join Animesuki, so I really appreciate you going through the trouble of posting them here as well. Thanks.

Thank you for even taking the time to say this! I appreciate it.

 

[Uriel]

I actually enjoy hos Gon is portrayed and was a bit annoyed by him when I initially saw the first series. It was way too naive for my taste more considering all the praise He got. As it's now, He actually catches my attention as much as Killua does, makes sense on the balance of the characters. Each one are portrayed as Hunters and not only as comic reliefs. Specially Leorio, I might add.

 

[Netero]

Gon is one my favorite characters but I just didn't like how his character was portrayed in the first anime.

 

[~Andrew~]

While in another sense it humanizes him -a kid who just experenced true fear for the first time.

Well, while I can agree that Gon has experienced a killer Aura like Hisoka's for the first time I can't agree that he hasn't got the feeling of TRUE fear before.
Remember that he's a wild boy.
He once run into a "marked" (scratches on a tree from a mother animal) area and the angry mother was about to kill Gon, but Kaito saved him and exlpained a few things to Gon. That's true fear in terms of instincts, like when a tiger stands before you, your body fills with adrenaline and you either fight, flee or you get paralysed.

But that's natural fear and you can still think about fleeing while hisoka when he sends out his murderous aura/intend it's like you could die any second, so I'll give you that.
Its the first time for Gon to experience that he could die any second a trauma of sorts.
Because as a Hunter he's a kid compared to the likes of hisoka.^^
Just to clarify: Gon isn't a Kid, he's an adult.
And that are Killuah's words not mine.^^ He had sex with women which prefer kids or something like that. In that matter he's truly an adult, heh. You get what I mean.

As for the later atmosphere and whatnot while I can understand others worrying and speculating on how it will be handled I think it's probably for the best that we just watch and see.

Yeah, that's what I think, too.
I just didn't get this last statement "alter the grotuesqe imagery from hereafter".
Will he completely remove all traces of violence or is it the opposite and he's about to make everything more violence like in the manga?

If anything Madhouse has shown that action scenes will be handled proficently so I'm looking forward to how they'll do things when the series shifts from the Hunter exam to Yorkshin and beyond.

Yes, I agree completely.
Madhouse will do a good job regarding the Animation of upcoming battle scenes.
But what exactly do you want to see in Yorkshin "and beyond"?
Do you want to see how they handle things in upcoming arcs?
I feel the same way since the Guy from the interview said the atmosphere will change very soon.

One thing that bugs me though is that they note them as 'grotesque' scenes, which isn't wrong but denotes that the staff themselves find them too disgusting to animate.
Togashi isn't Togashi without the gore after all.

That's exactly what I thought. :'D

 

[thatguy3331]

I missed the ep saturday and just finished watching it.

what ever doubts I had about madhouse transitioning the tension and darkness of the manga... has all been washed away... almost.

But even still this was amazing! The OST was on track, they portayed the my three favorite scenes just right, and even though hisoka didn't take the dudes head off in this version, like with killua, they put that extra effort so the creepiness was still there. I particulary like how gon was this intire episode, not only acting as a hunter and not a shounen hero who's only a hunter in title, but His sense of fear and finally the shame he felt of having to be helped/spared by hisoka got across wonderfully without making him seem like a wuss.

I give this one a 9.5!

While I'm not as bothered by how madhouse will handle the violence in he chimera ant arc anymore, I'm still sort of wondering how a few scenes will work, like the cheetah ant when he stole all the cops fingers. I've been reading back through it and I can already take a guess and what they'll do for most things, but a few I can't quite put my finger on...

 

[MegamanX195]

This last episode was wonderful, most likely my favorite!

I never thought that was the case, but I started wondering... was Hisoka... really doing what I think he was in that scene? Did Togashi have that planned by that point already? I'm speaking that way so I don't spoil people watching it for the first time.

 

[Popo]

This last episode was wonderful, most likely my favorite!

I never thought that was the case, but I started wondering... was Hisoka... really doing what I think he was in that scene? Did Togashi have that planned by that point already? I'm speaking that way so I don't spoil people watching it for the first time.

Are you referencing

Spoiler

Hisoka using Nen?

If so, Togashi had that planned probably since the beginning of the series.

Spoiler

Menchi notes that Hanzo's aura is good in episode 7, Netero uses Nen in episode 7, Gon uses Zetsu in episode 15. Togashi had it in the works for quite a while.

 

[MegamanX195]

My brother and I were arguing about that, actually.

Spoiler

I was arguing that Hisoka wasn't using Nen, and that was just his "killer instinct", or something. When Menchi mentioned Hanzo's aura, I thought she was simply saying that he was capable of being a good hunter or some other metaphor, never took that by face value. And about Netero using Nen, I thought he simply used more strenght, since the manga never implies he did.

Thinking better about it, you're right. But I still think in Netero's case he didn't really use it, it was just added for dramatic effect.

 

[Popo]

My brother and I were arguing about that, actually.

Spoiler

I was arguing that Hisoka wasn't using Nen, and that was just his "killer instinct", or something. When Menchi mentioned Hanzo's aura, I thought she was simply saying that he was capable of being a good hunter or some other metaphor, never took that by face value. And about Netero using Nen, I thought he simply used more strenght, since the manga never implies he did.

Thinking better about it, you're right. But I still think in Netero's case he didn't really use it, it was just added for dramatic effect.

In Netero's case, you're right--it could have just been his speed. But the way Gon and Killua felt his presence is sort of reminiscent of the other thing.

Spoiler

Menchi's comment on Hanzo, however, specifically makes use of the English word "aura," which is exclusively used in the manga to refer to one's Nen.

 

[MegamanX195]

Yeah, I checked my manga right after that.

Spoiler

She says that there were some examinees that emanated a great amount of aura, so he definitely had it planned since then. Also, I liked your comment on how Gon used Zetsu subconsciously: I never thought about it that way before, I just thought he hid his presence so well that he could fool even Hisoka, but that makes a lot more sense.

Also, are you doing comparisons for the episodes you missed? I really enjoy your comparisons, you catch on to a lot of small things I wouldn't notice if I was doing something similar.

 

[Uriel]

It's not that He was using Zetsu, remember that everybody has those chakras sealed. Using En means to expand the aura to feel the presence of things. Gon did not hide, He camouflaged with the natural surrounding as the beast He can be. A natural animal instinct.