I'm late, as always lately, but whatever.
First, on the new look of the Genei Ryodan.
-Kuroro's coat has purple lining...? They kinda made him look like some vampire count or something with it like that... And I still don't like his nose. Also, I'm not sure how I feel about his eyes being gray. First, in the manga they're pretty dark, black even where it's impossible to distinguish between the pupil and the iris, and on one pic Togashi colored they were dark blue; and second, Kurapika's eyes are also gray already... I don't want this repetition.
-Phinx as a blonde... somewhat weird, but hey, I'll just think of him as a punk with bleached hair, and it'll be alright.
-Shalnark's pinkish clothes... from OP2 it was obvious they would be pink, but still, that color will definitely take some getting used to...
-Speaking of weird color patterns, Pakunoda's also looks kind of weird. And... where're her trademark high heels...? Give 'em back!
-Oh, and now Coltopi looks like a real bum straight out of a garbage bin. I know he's not exactly an example of a neat person with good fashion sense as it is, but I think it's his new hair color that adds to that impression and makes him look even more bum-y.
Pretty much everything was said about the episode. I can only agree and repeat, 'Perfection'. Animation quality was superb; it's like they're pulling out all the stops. They even kept the glowing crotch! And there was even extra fanservice with stark naked Hisoka. Not that I complain, being a girl and all, but I admit I wanted to see that outfit with bandages he wore in the manga when Gon called him as it was kind of cool.
Anyway, if Madhouse aimed to outdo the 1999 anime, they clearly succeeded. But what impressed me the most was the sequence before the fight. That's how you get your viewers all excited! I was seriously going, 'Wow!' during the locker room shots, the fire show when the fighters appeared and when they were going to the arena... WWE, only so much cooler!
Ah, and seeing that Mori-san is a woman, damn I'm so awed!
I only hope Madhouse won't stop, and the level of the Genei Ryodan arc will be just as crazy high as this episode.
I'll be repeating myself, I don't think there'll be a new op until episode 52.
Cuz you know, if they are changing openings every 26 eps, they won't insert a new one midway.
Under the normal circumstances, I'd agree. But considering that the 2nd OP wasn't really new, with almost the same song and good chunks of recycled animation, as well as the mood change that the next arc brings, I cling to the hope that it was done on purpose to save some money in order to use it for a brand new OP specifically for the Genei Ryodan arc (which is widely considered the best arc of the manga so far). Though, probably the arc will start with the old op, and the new one will make its appearance not in the beginning of the acr (Whale Island), but only when the Genei Ryodan do (that is, when they all gather in Yorkshin).
Wasn't it that you're not supposed to LEARN specialization unless it is your initial category? It was mentioned that only Manipulators and Conjuers do have a chance.
Yeah, I noticed that inconsistency too, cause I clearly remember Kurapika's sensei telling him tokushitsukei was a unique category with hardly any connections to the rest of the types and out of reach for everyone who isn't sousa or gugenka (and even those have only a tiny chance to become specialists later in life) and doesn't have special genetic features that make them different from the normal people. It's especially true if we consider Kurapika's case who has both requirements met (gugenka in the first place and has a unique genetic makeup (hi no me)), but can't be a specialist the whole time, only shifting into specialization when his special genetic feature is active (Emperor time). I guess the relation between the types was simplified a bit for now to keep it understandable and later we'll get a more detailed explanation.
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