Anime Hunter X Hunter Anime- Fall 2011

[Netero]

The 1999 series added a lot of corny lines... lol. Also thanks again Popo.

 

[Popo]

Spoiler: Hunter x Hunter Episode 20 Comparison Pt. 2

Illumi. This blog post is quite interesting. I suggest reading his comparisons between Illumi and the characters from Cat Soup. Nekojiru (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nekojiru) seems like the type of artist whom Togashi would draw inspiration from. It's very possible that Illumi is based upon these characters, due to the similarity in disposition and eyes.

The creepy way in which Illumi speaks is different between versions. The 1999 series has Illumi speak in a monotone; he sounds emotionless. But Illumi is supposed to have emotions. His demeanor is creepy because it completely is at odds with his gaze in the manga--his gaze is the monotone whereas his voice and manner of speaking are lively.

The ways in which Illumi's creepiness is emphasized is done differently between versions. The 1999 series makes a motif out of his dark eyes while the 2011 series prefers his hypnotic gaze.

The 2011 series directs Illumi's hold on Killua to be almost a sort of weird eye-effect or hypnosis, whereas the 1999 series directs the scene so that Illumi seemingly has the ability to use some ghostly force on him. The room starts to distort when Killua is being hypnotized in the manga/2011 series (lol, it looks like something you'd find on tumblr). In the 1999 series, occasionally a dark mountain will loom behind Illumi and crows will fly about.

And finally, a really big moment.

This is the first time in the series that you realize what kind of person Killua is supposed to be. You weren't supposed to be sure whether or not he was a "good guy" or "bad guy" because of the many people he's killed (just like Hisoka). He also hasn't ever really said why he's taking the exam in the first place. But his true intentions are revealed and they're so sweet. You start to get a feeling for who he really is.

The 1999 series emotes Killua fantastically when he says that he wants to be friends. Every frame moves. There's also this great organ track played during this scene that's used as the Zoldyck Family theme song in the 1999 series. But I personally prefer the 2011 series' song choice during because it's a more bittersweet sounding track, emphasizing the dual nature of Killua's own situation. The track is actually Killua's theme song in the 2011 series--it's entitled "The Silver-Haired Boy."

The 1999 series slightly extends Illumi's conversation with Killua:
Illumi (all): "If you stay by his side, you'll end up wanting to kill him one day. You'll get the urge to see if you can kill him or not. Because you have the soul of a killer."
Killua (1999): "That may be so... But I would never kill Gon. I wanna be his friend. And I'd never kill a friend."
Illumi (1999): "Are you sure?"
Killua (1999): "Yeah."
Illumi (1999): "(sighs) Hey, you know what that is? It's like a kid asking for a dog. They promise they'll take care of it but before long the novelty wears off and the dog gets neglected."

Illumi threatens to kill Gon. Here's how each version portrays Illumi as creepy; though the 1999 series' version is used at an earlier part of the episode instead of immediately after he plans to kill the protagonist.

The song that plays during this scene isn't on the OST, but you can bet it's likely the Zoldyck Family theme song. After all, the singers are clearly saying "Zoldyck."

Illumi's needles don't massively deform this referee's face in the 1999 series. Also, Illumi is given a line afterwards that lets the audience know that he'll live:
Illumi (1999): "Don't worry, you're not dying. Your face is just changing a little. But if you don't remove those pins quickly enough, it might never return to normal. Well then."

The 2011 series doesn't show the carnage from the front, but the scene is drawn from behind and does imply massive deformity when the ref's face expands.

The ADR during the scene when Leorio is yelling at Killua to fight is fantastic; Killua's shallow breaths are mastered at a louder level than Leorio's yelled encouragement. Madhouse has done a pretty great job directing the sound in this series.

The 1999 series starts doing some pretty great things with the artistry from this point onward. Killua gives up. I like how small his head looks in Illumi's hand in the manga.

I don't like the way Illumi says "I lied" in the adaptation done in 1999. The 1999 series does this thing where characters frequently split certain words into syllables. He says "u-so-da-yo" in the 1999 series; the English equivalent is something like "It-was-just-an-act!" with a pause between each word. The 1999 also does this with the phrase "Hi-mi-tsu!" (lots) which is stereotypically anime-esque way of saying "It's a secret."

Great direction; great song.

I really like this. The use of blur is great. The sound is great, again. I like the song and the background noise is sounds like a jet turbine rushing through a hangar. Very tense.

The irony of Killua murdering Bodoro, whom refuses to fight children, is not lost. When Bodoro dies in the 1999 series, the violence is told through creative angles and silhouette. Viewers can see Killua's hand go through Bodoro in silhouette. Kurapika is disgusted by Killua's actions.

Bodoro doesn't die immediately in the 1999 series; he dies on the way to the hospital--meaning that Killua injures him with his attack instead of killing him on the spot like with Johness. There's no blood spray in either version.

The scene in which Killua murders Bodoro isn't told in conjunction with Gon running to the orientation in the 1999 series. All three versions have different/added dialogue.

I love the way that Gon says this last line. I also really like the narrator; it reminds me of the narration in a chapter we'll see animated much further in the future.

 

[mrsticky005]

The 1999 series added a lot of corny lines... lol. Also thanks again Popo.

True. But I don't even think that's a bad thing.
It's just a "not very accurate to the manga" thing.

I know I must put down the 1999 version a lot these days.
But the truth is I still love it. It was pretty much what got me
into Hunter x Hunter. And I think the english dub adds a whole
new sense of fun. I hear people complaining that Illumi has
too much emotion now. But what really is going on is that
the Japanese voice actress from the 1999 version was just dull.
the english dub thankfully gave a lot more personality but
was just as if not even more then cold hearted than the japanese.
this japanese version feels more like the english dub. except
i would say this one sounds less of a jokester and more of a
manipultive bastard. Of course I can't wait for a dub version.

 

[MegamanX195]

The scene in which Satotz kills Bodoro isn't told in conjunction with Gon running to the orientation in the 1999 series. All three versions have different/added dialogue.

Satotz kills Bodoro huh, that's news to me...

Jokes aside, great comparison. Really enjoyed it, and I hated Kurapika's filler fight against Hisoka, upon re-watching it recently. I swear, I've watched the old anime at least 3 times and didn't remember that...

 

[mrsticky005]

Satotz kills Bodoro huh, that's news to me...
.

the truth

 

[Foreva]

The referee who Illumi throws needles at doesn't die. You can see him during the 1st round of the election for the 13th chairman.

(the 5th one of the 9 referees, from top to bottom, right to left)

 

[Netero]

True. But I don't even think that's a bad thing.
It's just a "not very accurate to the manga" thing.

I know I must put down the 1999 version a lot these days.
But the truth is I still love it. It was pretty much what got me
into Hunter x Hunter. And I think the english dub adds a whole
new sense of fun. I hear people complaining that Illumi has
too much emotion now. But what really is going on is that
the Japanese voice actress from the 1999 version was just dull.
the english dub thankfully gave a lot more personality but
was just as if not even more then cold hearted than the japanese.
this japanese version feels more like the english dub. except
i would say this one sounds less of a jokester and more of a
manipultive bastard. Of course I can't wait for a dub version.

Even though I prefer the new anime I still like the 1999 series, heck I even own all the box sets Viz released lol. I know some people hated the dub but I found it enjoyable too, and Brendan Hunter as Hisoka was awesome.

 

[heron bpv]

Also, if he died, Illumi would be disqualified, no?

 

[Netero]

I have been listening to this track all day. It's just such a beautiful song and probably my favorite out of the entire OST.

 

[Sea Hunter]

Here it is

wait did you miss it?

It was the third panel

where absolutely nothing happens.

expecting a bit more? sorry

I already know that, but i was expecting some action like in the old anime it was really good.

 

[chikkychappy]

i think a lot of people here are overthinking the differences between the 1999 series and the manga, with the intent of downplaying the former. you guys are completely failing to appreciate just how amazing the execution of the 1999 series was, and it is very apparent in this episode where nippon animation's version outclasses even the manga.

 

[Uriel]

I don't think the comparison is to downplay the Nippon one, but to show the differences between Manga and both versions because some fans are too attached to that older series to give the new one a chance.

I actually made the poll a bit tricky, but because I like stats. IMHO both version are different. The approach is differently. I agree that it was the anime who made me read the manga, but it's also truth that I enjoyed the manga more. Some of the things that bothered most in the series were not in the manga at all. Leorio being the main thing about it and body proportions. But that's only me.

I still think it's good, but I can't deny I think 2011 is better.

 

[chikkychappy]

I still think it's good, but I can't deny I think 2011 is better.

in what way? (let's limit ourselves to this episode) 1999 series is better in nearly all aspects: character design,background, coloring, pacing, animation, music, script, mood/atmosphere/tension, storyboarding and overall direction. the only edge 2011 series has is that it's more faithful in the manga, but even then this isn't necessarily an advantage. in fact, i'd argue that the additions made the story more engaging and have better flow, and shows that nippon animation put more effort into it instead of just copying and pasting everything. this is not a knock against madhouse (i don't expect them to include these same fillers), but i'm simply giving credit where it is due rather than dismissing it via overgeneralizations like "it's crap because it's filler."

anyway i don't hate the 2011 series and i don't judge it by the standards of the 1999 series, but i think it should be obvious that the latter is faaaar better in the handling of the current episode. there shouldn't even be any discussion.

 

[Noonealive]

i think a lot of people here are overthinking the differences between the 1999 series and the manga, with the intent of downplaying the former. you guys are completely failing to appreciate just how amazing the execution of the 1999 series was, and it is very apparent in this episode where nippon animation's version outclasses even the manga.

Yes you can say the older series executed the story great but that was its Ultimate downfall. The story got changed, the dialogue was presenting the characters in a different manner and overall it would greatly affect and contradict most of the things that would later happen in the series. That being said it doesn't really matter since the old series is still available to watch. The old one is good, but i appreciate the 2011 version much more.

 

[chikkychappy]

Yes you can say the older series executed the story great but that was its Ultimate downfall. The story got changed, the dialogue was presenting the characters in a different manner and overall it would greatly affect and contradict most of the things that would later happen in the series. That being said it doesn't really matter since the old series is still available to watch. The old one is good, but i appreciate the 2011 version much more.

and again, people are overplaying the significance of the differences between the 1999 series and the manga. the changes are so bloody minor, they're basically just nitpicking

besides, hxh isn't some rocket science. in many ways, it is a work of art, so not everything in the "system" has to add up. it is the viewing experience that matters more.


anyway i think i've vented and enough, this will be my last. episode 30 is my third favorite episode in the 1999 series (outside york shin), so i was just frustrated that people overlook all the things it did excellently just because of a few rather minor divergences from the manga.

 

[Uriel]

Only music was better, the rest I still prefer the new one. Animation wise, how the characters were drawn, the backgrounds, mood and tension being subtle in gestures and attention to detail is what made this episode better than the Nippon one.
Although music-sound wise I have to agree that Nippon was better. And that helped a lot to the mood, so I'll go neutral about it.

But the animation particularly was good and the little changes on the expressions are one of those things that buy me over.


And every opinion is respected, you can rage about it as much as you want. As long as you don't disrespect others and don't bother me you've free way.

 

[Salce]

and again, people are overplaying the significance of the differences between the 1999 series and the manga. the changes are so bloody minor, they're basically just nitpicking

besides, hxh isn't some rocket science. in many ways, it is a work of art, so not everything in the "system" has to add up. it is the viewing experience that matters more.


anyway i think i've vented and enough, this will be my last. episode 30 is my third favorite episode in the 1999 series (outside york shin), so i was just frustrated that people overlook all the things it did excellently just because of a few rather minor divergences from the manga.

The problem is that for us the changes are significant.

Hunter x Hunter is a manga that explores the psychology of the characters, in a very subtle way. So the way in which the characters are simplified or altered in the 1999 anime is important. To me it's more important than if the scene is placed in a sunset or if the animation is superior in the 1999 version.

 

[chikkychappy]

^example pls

 

[mrsticky005]

I already know that, but i was expecting some action like in the old anime it was really good.

STOP DOING THAT

Seriously this is NOT supposed to be the 1999 anime. So stop expecting it to be.
This 2011 series is meant to follow the manga. Have you ever read it? You should.

Look I don't expect everyone to like this version but if you're gonna complain
do so when it fails to follow the manga NOT when it doesn't follow the 1999
series which failed to follow the manga. I DON'T CARE THAT YOU THINK IT IS
THE BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD. THE 1999 SERIES FAILED TO FOLLOW
THE MANGA.

 

[Salce]

^example pls

Well, Popo explains it with a lot of details in his comparisons. I now you read them.
But even if you don't go so much into detail, just look at Killua. He is a completely different character in the 1999 version. He is quiet, serious, and seems to have split personality.