Well this one is just impossible. How can anyone even answer this. The show is meant to be enjoyed as a whole and it’s absolutely wonderful, who can pick just one episode? No one….
This is not my favorite episode, I have roughly 132 favorite episodes of Hunter X Hunter (they can’t all be winners!), so this week I bring you a two-part episode which is nice and doesn’t get talked about that much, I think, I did no research again… I’m bad at this guys.
These episodes kick off the wonderful Yorknew City arc with an understated bang. Gon inviting Killua back to his home is an adorable way to establish their future all-encompassing friendship on solid ground. We got to see how moved and impressed Killua is with the warmth and friendliness of Gon’s childhood home and how willing everyone is in turn to accept him as one of the family. Kids always tend to want what the other one has. This is very obvious as Gon loves his home but can’t really see anything special about it, even thinks it a little boring, unlike the fascinating Zoldyck compound. All the while Killua seems to have fallen in love with the quiet charms of Whale Island and is visibly moved by the family dynamic around him.
This is also where Gon and Killua really get a chance to talk for the first time. It’s a rare thing to actually have the chance to sit down and think about what makes someone your friend. Under the enormous sky of Whale Island, Gon and Kilua did just that and in turn reminded me what friends really are.
Speaking of Whale Island, I am also a big fan of the place so it was nice to see the show come back to it. Too often, shows tend to adopt a “you can never go home again” attitude and we are left with half explored setting brimming with unfulfilled potential.
Aside for the nice welcoming break to the action this episode provides, we also get a touch of exposition and a first glimpse of Gon’s deeper personality. The boys bickering and brotherly fun is interrupted by the mystery of Ging’s parcel. In a nice touch, the boys really have to work together to get the box open, highlighting each of their individual strengths.
For me, Ging’s message was a pivotal moment, or rather Gon’s reaction to it. In his traaditional and extremely frustrating, worst dad ever way, Ging brings us much more questions than answers but at least he does admit that he’s kind of a jerk. He also gives Gon a renewed sense of purpose. The message further contains the possibility for Gon to find out about his birth mother. Ging did warn at the beginning of the tape that it can only be played once and it will autodestruct after being stopped all mission impossible style. Despite this, and despite Killua’s questions, Gon doesn’t hesitate to turn off the tape before hearing anything about his birth mother. He acts in a definitive and aggressive way which is a little more harsh than his usual manner. At the time, Gon explained it by simply saying that his mother is Mito and he has no use for anyone else.
When I first saw this episode I thought this was charming and thoughtful of Gon. I also thought it was wonderful to acknowledge that a parent is someone who puts in the time and effort to raise you, not someone who donates genetic material. It left a very positive impression on me. In hindsight though, there is something in Gon’s single minded determination that was probably foreshadowing future events. I’m no longer so certain Gon’s actions were completely out of respect for the woman who brought him up. Gon tends to adopt a particular view of the world around him and stubbornly stick to it with little regard for others. As much as I love the kid and as kind as he can be, he’s also quite selfish and devoid of empathy. His lack of understanding is often played for laughs and portrayed as naiveté, but we do slowly and painfully realize that Gon is very far from innocent and maybe he just isn’t interested in seeing other’s point of vu.
Once you look back on the surprisingly scathing character study Hunter X Hunter becomes, you realize that the first clues may have been laid as early as these episodes. And it’s brilliant!
Half drunk is wasted money.
I know right? It’s not like I didn’t enjoy the arc, just felt like it drug on at times and got a little too crazy… and maybe a little too DBZ?
All I know is that by the end of it I was so ready for more and then it ended too soon.
I envy you, such great wonders await!
No you won’t…I reject your reality and insert my own. You’ll be around and writing forever.
They are like preparations for when I really go away next week. Gonna dissemble my PC to get ready then.
I do, like all the time, and only because you keep ordering me to. I hope you appreciate it.
You simply must watch HxH. I regret putting it off for so many years!