DBZeta Watch: 1999 Hunter x Hunter (Plus the Yorkshin OVA)

[Papasmurf]

Since CC and I both agreed to do a rewatch (in my case) of 1999 Hunter x Hunter, and there are some Hunter fans on the site such as Pocket-fag Gog and ahill1, I decided to make a Zeta watch topic of the series.

I will watch 4 episodes a day since there are 62 episodes, meaning we will be done in about 15 days. Anyone else is free to participate if they wish, although I urge you guys to do it early into the watch so you don't end up like 30 episodes behind or anything.

While you guys are free to comment on the series episode by episode, to avoid cluttering the thread I will only comment on filler episodes and/or situations where the anime changed significantly upon the manga since posting my thoughts on things that should be obvious to people who read the original manga will be pretty ineffectual.

If anyone else wants to sign up, this is the thread to do it.

 

[Captain Cadaver]

Watched the first 4:

Episode 1 - There's a lot to compare when it comes to the art and style of both versions alone. The 1999 version has a darker colour palette with better use of tones and some more realism in characters' faces, whereas the 2011 version has a more distinctive artstyle and uses its more vibrant, hyperbolised style to make it seem on the surface to be a lighthearted run of the mill Shonen in order to provide some juxtaposition when it comes to its darker subject matter and more unique ideas. Overall, I'd say the 2011 version is superior in terms of visuals for those reasons.
For the story within the initial episode though, I'd say the 1999 version is significantly better. The inclusion of Kite helps provide a better basis for what a Hunter is and is capable of as well as more reasoning as to why Gon wants to be one like his dad. Mito is far better in the '99 version as well with her desperately trying to stop Gon treading the same path as his father before conceding he is capable of his own choices in life, whereas her 2011 self didn't fully display the protesting against Gon's desire. The familial change of Mito to being the sister of Gon's mother rather than Ging's cousin seemed fairly pointless though. I imagine this version was trying to add extra stimulus to why Mito would fight Ging over custody of Gon after his mother's death, but I wouldn't say the idea of her having grown up with Ging and his constant absence for his own ideals gradually chipping away at her perception of him is any lesser a route for her character history.
Despite that, I wouldn't say it outranks the 2011 in every single manner. As I already said, the lighter tone of the remake makes the later revelations and change in tone have more impact as well as seeing Gon struggle after having initially been presented as basically an unstoppable force in the initial several episodes, compared to the 99 version providing him a lot of trial and error to succeed from Day 1 lessening that impact, making catching the Master of the Swamp without difficulty a better establishing point for that. That said, I can appreciate the 2011 version omitting those parts from its first episode to fit better with its tonal progression, with the main problem being not revealing them in a flashback properly.

---

Episode 2 - This episode does a good job showing Leorio's physical capabilities, though it's not as though the Hunter Exam wouldn't provide several instances to show his more than just an average Joe. The episode is overall just filler when considering things such as Leorio's desire for money and Kurapika's motivations would just be revealed in the following episode anyway and Gon's ability to bond with animals would have many other points to be established. The idea of his perception of what a Hunter is being shaken could have been interesting, but the Hunter being revealed to be a fake makes it overall pointless. Also, I don't know why Gon was so surprised at the Foxbear not being as gentle as Kon when the latter's parent almost killed Gon .

---

Episodes 3 and 4 - These can both be placed in the same category of being slow paced and padded compared to the 2011 version, being quite inferior to episodes 1 and 2 of that. The only major inclusions in Episode 3 were Gatso's fight scene and the imagery of Ging, neither of which were necessary when the former doesn't fully show the capabilities expected of those taking the exam as well as what we'd already seen of Gon and the latter would have the idea of how much Gon is like his father repeated ad-nauseam all throughout the series anyway.
The increased role of Mashu in this version was not only pointless, but contradictive. How exactly would Leorio not be immediately suspicious of the guy who told him to get on the bus ride that both sent him the wrong way and almost killed him? Moreover, how did Leorio even get to the group so quickly with the head start they had and was able to find there exact location without anywhere close to the senses Gona and Kurapika have?
The test and Gon's attitude after it in both versions is interesting to think about. Perhaps this was foreshadowing to Kurapika being forced to pick betweeen vengeance and saving his friends during the climax of the Yorknew Arc?

 

[Pocket-Gog~]

Will be watching this thread with interest, will be great to see other perspectives on 1999.

 

[Papasmurf]

Moreover, how did Leorio even get to the group so quickly with the head start they had and was able to find there exact location without anywhere close to the senses Gona and Kurapika have?

Maybe Mashu was GASLIGHTING Gon and the others to take it slow so he could suddenly run way past them and set his :trapcard trap cards

The test and Gon's attitude after it in both versions is interesting to think about. Perhaps this was foreshadowing to Kurapika being forced to pick betweeen vengeance and saving his friends during the climax of the Yorknew Arc?

Exactly what I thought as well. Too bad they didn't flashback to this moment in any of the three versions of the Yorkshin arc (similar to how Galu doesn't flash back to when Kuririn made him promise him the next time Vegeta came back to pick a fight with them, Galu would blow him away at full power, when Vegeta went Majin and did just that).

Kind of disappointing, but I guess the argument that it was so long ago that Togashi and Toriyama either forgot about those foreshadowing moments, or didn't expect the readers to remember that far back could be made.

 

[Captain Cadaver]

Maybe Mashu was GASLIGHTING Gon and the others to take it slow so he could suddenly run way past them and set his :trapcard trap cards

Could've actually fit in line with what's shown if he did absolutely nothing outside of getting a piggyback from Gon .

Exactly what I thought as well. Too bad they didn't flashback to this moment in any of the three versions of the Yorkshin arc (similar to how Galu doesn't flash back to when Kuririn made him promise him the next time Vegeta came back to pick a fight with them, Galu would blow him away at full power, when Vegeta went Majin and did just that).

Kind of disappointing, but I guess the argument that it was so long ago that Togashi and Toriyama either forgot about those foreshadowing moments, or didn't expect the readers to remember that far back could be made.

Or the third option that these bits of foreshadowing were ones where calling them out may have detracted from the payoff in the mangaka's eyes by making it too obvious. It's not as if it's the only moment where Togashi implemented subtle foreshadowing after all, considering he'd implement it in even less noticeable ways later on (eg. Netero refraining from using the same limbs he'd lose against Meruem during the volleyball game against Gon and Killua).

 

[Papasmurf]

I'm not sure Netero losing the same leg he didn't use against Gon and Killua has much more meaning than Piccolo losing his left arm every time he had to regenerate

 

[Captain Cadaver]

He refrained from using both the arm and leg that he'd lose to Meruem though, something a bit too similar to be pure coincidence on Togashi's part. The volleyball game is also one in which Netero seemed to enjoy toying with and constantly defeating the boys which further ties it to the Meruem fight in which some of the darker implications of his character's take on morality are brought to light.

 

[Papasmurf]

So, I stayed up last night watching Episode 5 and then watched 6-8 back to back once I finished what I had planned today in real life. Since Episodes 6 and 7 are quite different from their manga source material, I thought it apt to comment on the particular pair of episodes as they expanded upon the otherwise boring marathon portions of the manga.

Firstly, there is Episode 6. It's quite interesting that it first began with a disappointment of Hisoka not chopping off that poor sap's forearms as he did in the manga, which considering the violent material this series retains later on (such as that serial killer faggot whose heart got ripped out by Killua), I found to be a pretty lame change when there wasn't even that much blood. I guess it was to reduce the cruelty of the show for a basically meaningless entrance for Hisoka (when Episode 8 definitely shows Hisoka's psycho side in a much more extravagant light), but it is still disappointing still that both adaptations of the HxH series censored Hisoka's first moment in the show.

That being said, I was also iffy on them revealing Tonpa's true nature so quickly (seeing as he doesn't reveal it until like over half the exam had passed in the manga and 2011 anime iirc), but I was pleasantly surprised to see them deviate from the manga to improve upon it unlike a lot of adaptations from the 80's and 90's (looking at you, One Piece/DBZ). Unlike in the manga where they lazily infodumped Leorio's ulterior, noble motives for wanting to become a rich ass Hunter, here in Episodes 6 and 7 they took advantage of the hallucinations caused by the sap in the wall to develop Leorio's character significantly - perhaps more than he ever was developed in the manga in its ENTIRETY. It's also interesting to see the "swords clashing" effect we saw in the Rurouni Kenshin T&B OVA being seen in Kurapika's hallucination, with his red eyes silently debuting far ahead of when it pretty much came out of left field in the fight against that faker Marutani. All very interesting changes indeed, although my hazy memory of 1999 HxH does make me wonder how they'll handle the reveal of Tonpa being a limp dick troll in the fight against the prisoners later in the exams now that his true nature has already been exposed. I will say that Nicole also had far more of a character here than he did in the manga as well.

For all the things these two episodes did right, though, I will say that the "Killua conveniently has bombs that can bust the wall and allow everyone to catch up to the examinees crowd that should be miles ahead by now" thing was lazy bullshit, unless we're to believe they were just running in circles the whole time and that all they needed to do was bust through a wall and climb through the debris to catch up

Then there's Episode 8 which is honestly little different from the manga, so no real comments there. Looking forward to how 1999 uses its fillers to expand upon the rather childish first arc that was the Hunter Exams in the original manga, since I know from reading reviews that compared the three incarnations of HxH that 1999 does indeed have some filler, but it's good filler - particularly the filler they apparently put later in the show that makes it all the more cruel that the examinees have to hunt each other after bonding in the previous (filler) episode.

Good shit all around.

 

[Papasmurf]

[mention]Captain Cadaver[/mention] Feel free to post the review on your next batch of episodes, but make sure you don't take longer than a day to do so

 

[Captain Cadaver]

Episode 5 - It's become quite apparent how better the pacing was in the 2011 version, with the events involving the Kiriko only taking up around half an episode in it as opposed to the full episode here without anything being lost. I will say the darker palette of the '99 version makes the art more befitting the tone for this episode though, since the major use of shadows helps reflect the idea of the hidden danger with the Kiriko's test.
As for the episode in itself, it does a good job at presenting a lot of character traits that would become important soon enough such as showing Leorio's medical expertise as well as Kurapika attacking the Kiriko regardless of whether it was Leorio or not for not staying at the cottage showing how much he values sticking by his convictions unwavering, something that would become important in the Yorknew Arc. Gon noticing the very faint differences between each Kiriko further shows his enhanced senses, perhaps foreshadowing his status as an Enhancer.

---

Episodes 6 and 7 - The First Phase of the Hunter Exam was done a lot better overall in the 2011 version, particularly in animation and movement with Satotz's more exaggerated and flamboyant walking movements from the manga being retained to add a bit more character to him (and such befitting of someone with his design). The decision to change Tonpa's actions also comes off as very strange when considering making his villainous personality apparent to Leorio would require heavy rewriting of his role in the Third Phase. Not sure how the '99 anime will handle that, but it's a problem if nothing about it was changed to fit this difference in character dynamics.
The sap causing hallucinations of people's fear was a decent idea that fits with the fantastical nature of the world constantly displayed throughout the arc. I'd say Kurapika finding out about Leorio's true motives through this cheapens the discovery compared to the manga and 2011 version though in which Leorio choosing to reveal it helps show the trust he's gained towards Kurapika from all they've endured thus far. At least the hallucination shows more of Leorio's background and lifestyle as well as expands on his guilt though. In short, the manga and remake have a better reasoning for Leorio's reveal, whereas the original anime has more of an expanded characterisation of Leorio.
As for Gon and Killua's first meeting, I'd say both versions did well in their own way. The '99 version's slower pace gives a lot more time to show Killua gradually becoming interested in Gon's attitude, whereas the 2011 version's more casual and quick bonding is more fitting for two children, particularly one with Gon's simplicity.

---

Episode 8 - The only major differences I'd cite between the two versions is Killua's explanation about Hisoka. I'd say the 2011 version in which he only mentions Hisoka's bloodlust is better than the '99 version having him say how he and Hisoka are the same in being devious and Gon will discover soon enough. It is fitting with the reveal that they'd both be Transmuters as well as Hisoka's later Nen personality reading that'd foreshadow some of Killua's later internal conflicts, but it's far too on the nose compared to the latter version for little reason when there were already enough hints to suggest there was more to Killua than meets the eye (eg. his physical abilities and carrying a bomb).
Differences aside, perhaps the most important scene of the episode is the conversation between Kurapika and Gon of how Hisoka would've sensed some similarity between them and him. It possibly foreshadows not only Kurapika's later alliance with Hisoka in Yorknew, but definitely helps highlight the similarities between Gon and Hisoka's self-serving motivations that would become apparent as the series went on. Shame the older anime never got a chance to adapt the Chimera Ant Arc to fully follow up on that.

 

[SSJ2]

Just here to tell [mention]ahill1[/mention] that 1999 HxH is fucking trash. It's so bad that [mention]Pocket-Gog~[/mention] is watching GT instead of this nonsense

 

[Pocket-Gog~]

You're right

 

[Papasmurf]

Just here to tell @ahill1 that 1999 HxH is fucking trash. It's so bad that @Pocket-Gog~ is watching GT instead of this nonsense

 

[Papasmurf]

Watched episodes 9-12 tonight as per the terms of this thread. Since Ep. 9 and 10 were basically the same thing as the manga version with more demonstrations from Menchi for that fat wrestler faggot, I'll only be commenting on the way Episodes 11 and 12 expanded on the source material here.

Firstly, I thought it was a misstep to have Anita be a dropout from the previous test, rather than having her be more credible as a threat by showing her to be a crafty devil and having her poison Menchi and the fat Gourmet Hunter to get rid of obstacles to her revenge (which she achieves by applying a tiny portion of poison to the food in the previous test, for instance) - which would get the job of her being disqualified accomplished while not undermining her credibility as a threat to Killua.

That being said, Killua giving up because of his innate insecurity in facing opponents stronger than himself (which becomes a recurring plot point later) rather than him quitting because he noticed Netero barely used two of his limbs was an interesting touch. I also liked that Green Goblin-like split personality moment he showed while talking to that reflection of himself, and it helped make him killing that random Hunter Exam participant less gratuitous and edgy than it was in the manga, as well as showed Killua's disdain for being a hired killer more gradually than the manga version which had it come mostly out of nowhere in his "fight" against Illumi, since "I don't wanna be a killed, you can't tell me what to do! Wah!" sounds more like a temper tantrum than a legitimately well thought out reason to detest the path your family decided for you.

So, overall an interesting change, but Anita was too little of a threat for the change to be all that fascinating. I look forward to seeing how Furuhashi and crew adapt the Trick Tower portion.

 

[Captain Cadaver]

Episodes 9 and 10 - Not much to say in terms of major differences or the events in general beyond the pacing being better in the 2011 version. I'd say the colour palette of the Great Stamp work better in the remake too due to the typical pink colour being better in showing them as pigs whereas the black colouration in the '99 version makes that quality less pronounced due to how their snouts differ from regular pigs to the point they can seem more rhinoceros-like in the original anime. The horned bear was a nice addition and helped showcase Menchi's skills, though the 2011 anime had a better display of her general knifework.

---

Episodes 11 and 12 - The Anita plot line is kind of a mixed bag. On one hand, her presence helps showcase the difficulty Killua has in running from his past that will come back to bite him later with Illumi as well as the change in his motivation for forfeiting against Netero being a nice touch (even if the absence of the Chimera Ant Arc in this continuity makes it far less relevant for later arcs). The reveal that Anita's father was far from benevolent helps bring in the more grey morality the series is well known for rather than the simplistic take it could've had of "assassin man bad." On the other hand though, the more detailed display of Killua's capabilities and earlier fleshing out of his background to both the audience as well as Leorio/Kurapika respectively before Trick Tower makes him oneshotting Johness far less surprising to both. Gon partially wanting to win to not make Anita mad also seems a bit inconsistent with how his morality would be presented later on as he's characterised as fighting for someone else when they are either part of his circle of friends or important to someone in there, so he probably shouldn't have been concerned about doing so after she attacked Killua. Killua's monologue to himself in a split personality manner is interesting on the surface, though does break the "show, don't tell" rule a fair bit and isn't really consistent with how his internal conflict would be later characterised. On the subject of Killua, I vastly prefer his voice in the 2011 anime in which it often presented a mature aspect that sold the idea he wasn't a normal kid a lot better whilst still having enough range to fully display his more immature moments.
The lack of changes involving Tonpa further make out how the early heel turn and reveal of his true motives to Leorio was a detriment to the character dynamics, with Leorio not even bothering to call out or go against his "advice."
One thing I definitely do prefer in the '99 anime for this portion though is the tones for the volleyball game being without any artificial light to make the dark palette more fitting as well as the setting more distinct. As I've already mentioned, it was a nice detail/foreshadowing on Togashi's part that Netero avoided using the same arm and leg in the volleyball game that he'd later lose against Meruem, especially considering the latter would consider their fight a "game" of sorts at first too. It doesn't mean much for this anime since it'd never cover that part, but still something noteworthy.

 

[Papasmurf]

Finished Episodes 13 to 16. Since they all just dealt with the trick tower tournament, I'll review them all at once.

So, Leorio does seem slightly more suspicious of Tonpa than I remember him being in the manga or 2011, but decides to trust him anyway after a not-so-lengthy argument. Gay. Then there's the fact that Tonpa tricking them before with the sap thing isn't even properly mentioned (we just see a brief montage of Kurapika being upset enough to activate his red eyes from the sap episode). A little disappointing, but that Mugen Yonto-ryu faggot (Togari I think was his name) getting fucked over by Hisoka was even more amusing in this version, 'cuz the writers even realized he'd be a disgrace to all Hunters and just made him a bitch that failed the last exam and then spent 6 months learning how to throw swords

Interesting that Hisoka's texture ability is foreshadowed in these episodes despite Nen being nowhere near its introduction (when Hisoka covered his knife wound). The Seto-whatever candle faggot was a little shit in this version as well and a waste of time, while Majitani was just Majitani. I liked the additional layer they added to Leroutte's character by making her a psychopathic psychologist. Got a kick out of watching Leorio kneel on the floor lmao. The animation suddenly improved in the scene where Killua ripped out Johness' heart.

These episodes are getting more interesting now at least, despite the lackluster start with the lack of change regarding the Tonpa portion. Too bad I'll have to delegate time to watching the 4 episodes tomorrow.

 

[Captain Cadaver]

Episode 13 - So, the obvious elephant in the room is how little is changed for the group's interaction with Tonpa despite him having already established himself to Leorio very early on as untrustworthy and purely out to sabotage others. Even though Leorio's attitude is fitting for this and he does get one additional statement of not wanting to be with Tonpa, his reaction is very tame when considering this is someone who left him for dead after pretending to save him, especially from someone as boisterous in his reactions as Leorio; not to mention the shock the group have at learning Tonpa's true motivations being very inconsistent. If it wasn't already apparent, this solidifies the 2011 version of the arc easily being the superior one as a whole.

---

Episode 14 - Gon VS Sedokan is almost entirely inferior to the 2011 version. Whilst I prefer the warmer textures on the wall of the room in the '99 version as a more general background, the context of the wind and the difficulty to keep the candles alight makes this lighting a detriment to it. The older anime also doesn't show how Sedokan was able to switch the candles that makes his strategy seem somewhat contrived and the lack of dynamic movement or comment on Gon's speed when he moves forward to blow out Sedokan's candle makes him seem like a buffoon rather than just someone physically outmatched.
I prefer the more natural colouration of Majitani in this version with it being easier to sell that he was a surgically modified human than the blue skin he has in the remake. Kurapika's fight with him, however, was done a lot better in the 2011 version too due to more dramatic music for the reveal of the spider tattoo, more detail to Kurapika's Kurta eyes and better animation with subtle details such as the flow of his clothes and hair after delivering the punch. I will say Kurapika's theme in the '99 version is leagues above its 2011 equivalent though.
The aftermath with things such as the the consequences of Leorio's lack of anonymity was one of the earliest moments of the series establishing itself as putting more of a focus on psychological mind games than most other action/adventure Shonen, being something that definitely spiced up the Trick Tower portion of the arc from what could've otherwise been a generic series of battles in the same vein to a good percentage of Togashi's previous work.

---

Episode 15 - Not much to comment on in terms of changes beyond Hisoka VS Togari being pretty poor compared to the 2011 anime. The dialogue implying he was a candidate rather than the former examiner previously mentioned reduces the scale of the fight by making it seem as though Hisoka only schooled some nameless fodder rather than someone with significant credentials and him sparing Togari here as opposed to decapitating him in the manga and remake really undersells Hisoka's bloodlust that both versions had harped on about. The early introduction of Texture Surprise in the '99 version is nice though.
Leroute's design differences in both versions have their strengths. The '99 version is more realistic in its proportions, whereas the 2011 one is more stylised and has unique features such as a lack of distinct pupils. Personally, I prefer the 2011 version, not to mention her reveal scene having that entertaining "wow" sound effect in the remake.
Comparisons aside, the episode does a good job showing Leorio's deductive skills with his choices in the bet being well thought out, making it apparent he wasn't just the "dumb guy" in the group or a Kuwabara clone, making it even more apparent how much HxH would differ in both style and quality from YYH.

---

Episode 16 - This version fleshing out Leroute's background more does a better job in showing her credentials when it comes to psychology. This is one of the few cases in which the slower pace of the '99 anime works in its favour in showing the psychological strain the bets and thinking of what to bet are putting on Leorio. Also interesting to note that Kurapika's explanation on the psychological aspect of Janken may have been what helped influence Gon into making it his signature Nen skill.
I prefer Johness' design in this version with the shading making him drawn in a style similar to the Hokuto no Ken anime to add to his physical intimidation as opposed to the 2011 version making him too clean. For the scene of Killua removing his heart, both versions are good in their own way. The 1999 version is more explicit with us seeing the heart, but the 2011 version has a lot more characterisation with Killua being gracious enough to hand wrap it in a bag to add to the mystery of it as well as Johness making a greater attempt to reach out for it. Overall, I'd say the 2011 anime did that part better. The Anita filler does hinder Gon revealing Killua is of the Zoldyck family though since Leorio and Kurapika would already know this in this continuity and it's doubtful someone with Kurapika's intel on a wide variety of subjects would be surprised at someone of Killua's abilities when knowing of this fact beforehand.

 

[Papasmurf]

him sparing Togari here as opposed to decapitating him in the manga and remake really undersells Hisoka's bloodlust that both versions had harped on about. The early introduction of Texture Surprise in the '99 version is nice though.

I don't think that Hisoka spared him, I think the decapitation just got censored and Togari/Mugen Yonto-Ryu just got slit in the throat instead because of censorship standards on primetime television.

but the 2011 version has a lot more characterisation with Killua being gracious enough to hand wrap it in a bag to add to the mystery of it as well as Johness making a greater attempt to reach out for it. Overall, I'd say the 2011 anime did that part better. The Anita filler does hinder Gon revealing Killua is of the Zoldyck family though since Leorio and Kurapika would already know this in this continuity and it's doubtful someone with Kurapika's intel on a wide variety of subjects would be surprised at someone of Killua's abilities when knowing of this fact beforehand.

Killua being able to wrap a grown, pretty large man's heart in the tiny portion of clothing he ripped off from his shirt (from what we saw of Johness' shirt after his heart was torn off) was contrived, so this fight scene was done entirely better in the 1999 version.

 

[Captain Cadaver]

I don't think that Hisoka spared him, I think the decapitation just got censored and Togari/Mugen Yonto-Ryu just got slit in the throat instead because of censorship standards on primetime television.

The 1999 version did a poor job displaying it then, considering it decided to show the blades in the wall behind him and Togari in a shocked state rather than any wounds being present. Would've been a better choice to have just cut entirely after the screen went red.

 

[Papasmurf]

I think the screen going red with his neck being shown to be where the red paint effect was shown to cover implied throat-cutting. They just couldn't show raw decapitation for a children's show on primetime.

I think it's understandable that the 1999 writers bumped down Togari's status from a former examiner to an exam applicant, considering Gon later lamented probably being the weakest Hunter in the organization and did better than Togari did when he fought Hisoka on Heaven's Arena.