(CR) Hunter X Hunter Anime (2011)

[ars89]

Like how Gon was the one that helped everyone out in both parts. He found the pig's weakness and then was able to sense the updraft. Lol how everyone got denied the first time. Can't believe the 2nd phase finished in 1 ep while the 1st phase was so long.

[Toto y Moi]

Originally Posted by Gooral

In this one the joke about Leorio's face being the same was omitted (which is one of my favorite scenes) and instead we've had filler sliding scene and creators showing us the search for boars.

The joke about Leorio's face isn't in the manga either, so it wasn't "omitted"--it just wasn't "added." Also:



Yeah, the searching and sliding scenes are in the manga. Killua isn't there, but it's still more faithful than Nippon Animation's version. More on that in my next post.

Originally Posted by Gooral

A minute was wasted to see how Gon and others go through the woods to find pigs, lol. And while I'm at it, it's hard to believe they wouldn't see pigs from this high ground (even if we take into account that trees would obstruct the view). But this was acceptable. What was not however was the method of incapacitating the boar. Apples falling from a tree could KO the killer-boar? Are they f*cking serious? If it was so easy that a mere apple could do that this species would be long gone. That's just ridiculous and treating the viewer like an idiot.

The boar wasn't KOed; it just was hurt. Why would the creature be extinct if its offensive and defensive abilities are clearly above average, while its one weakness is a tiny spot behind its greatest weapon?

Originally Posted by Gooral

And Menchi evaluating pigs was a fail. They've mixed up two tests into one, a brilliant idea. NOT. They've cut out some great scenes and prevented the viewers from getting to know better some of the characters.

I'm mixed on the effect the scene had, but I'll refute your "getting to know better some of the characters" statement. The only character here that we got to know better in the original manga was Hanzo and there's still time for that.

Originally Posted by Gooral

They also didn't show that Menchi deserves the title of a Hunter and that she could do sth none of the participants (except certain two individuals) could. Getting the eggs was sth that 42 Hunter candidates could easily achieve. And updraft? Are you kidding me? If the wind would be so strong that it could hold a person I don't see how the eggs could be still where they are.
FAIL.

I agree that more information about Menchi should have been revealed, but there's two sides to that coin. Also, There were 70 candidates prior to going to Mt. Split-in-Half, so the egg ordeal wasn't that easily achievable. And the reason the eggs stayed on is because they're attached to a sticky web strong enough to hold at least four people. A telephone wire can survive strong winds, but they'd surely break from heavily weighted people hanging from it.

Originally Posted by Gooral

Also, talk about being lazy, spider webs are in rectangles, lol. Another proof that old anime had better graphics. And the trumpet music is really annoying. It could fit a slap-stick comedy not HxH.

I'll do an image comparison in my next post. The old series definitely did not excel in this scene.

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by Toto y Moi

The joke about Leorio's face isn't in the manga either, so it wasn't "omitted"--it just wasn't "added."

Actually, that particular gag was in the manga as well, though it was a one-panel thing.

[Toto y Moi]

Originally Posted by Oberon

Actually, that particular gag was in the manga as well, though it was a one-panel thing.

My mistake--you're right. Nippon Animation extended the gag with Kurapika saying something like "Your face looks the same to me" after Leorio asks him to look at his face. In the manga, Leorio follows up with a criticism directed toward Kurapika for being so blatant in his perception of Leorio's looks.

Anyways, comparison.

Spoiler for HxH Episode 6 Comparison:

Episode 6 of the Madhouse version covers the rest of chapter 10 through chapter 12. In the Nippon Animation version, it covers the last three minutes of episode 8 through episode 10.

There are good and bad things about both versions of these episodes. In the Nippon Animation version, the background characters are pretty lazily done. There aren't many reoccurring faces (though there are some--don't expect their colors to have been finalized yet), and for some reason most of them are wearing a variation of periwinkle or green clothing--sometimes nearly every character in some shots. The music in Madhouse's version of this part was pretty terrible. Also, many of you are upset about an entire chapter's worth of material being changed from the original--I'll get to that soon.


Anyways, the first few minutes of episode 6 is almost exactly like the ending of episode 8 in NA's version. The character reactions are different, though.

The building in Visca Forest Reserve is different in Madhouse's version from the anime and manga. It's more of a mansion in the 2011 series, whereas it was a warehouse converted into a kitchen in the manga and 1999 anime. None of them really make much sense; it isn't explained why there's a mansion in the middle of the woods with 200 cooking stations stationed outdoors (with plumbing?), nor is it mentioned the reason as to why the warehouse in the other versions have the same.


The Madhouse version takes out the joke with Buhara's rumbling stomach sounding like a beast growling--though I can't really say that the Nippon Animation version made it as funny as it was in the manga because the crowd doesn't react to it.

Here's Menchi. The explanation of her profession is completely removed, which sucks. You learn a few things about the HxH world, and how she's a single-star Hunter at the age of 21. But her characterization is the same in all three versions. In the end, I found her less annoying in the 2011 series than in the 1999 series.


Here's Buhara.


The filler in the 1999 series has Gon seem more naive and childlike than usual; he states that he's a master chef because his aunt liked his tamago kake gohan--a raw egg with rice. It's kind of a logistical error too; tamago kake gohan is almost exclusively a Japanese dish. In the same episode, we learn that the characters aren't Japanese except for Hanzo (in the HxH world, the country is called Jappon in a portmanteau of "Japan" and "Nippon").


Buhara's exam is done better in this version than it was in the 1999 series. In Nippon Animation's version, the Great Stamp just sort of appears (after Buhara mentions it by name, mind you) mows down the candidates (the first ROW of candidates--where Gon and Killua are standing; suddenly, they're out of the way). In the manga and the 2011 version, Buhara intentionally doesn't give away the name of the beast to throw off contestants. Killua joins Gon and his friends in this version, unlike in the manga.


Both versions remove Gon's thoughts while fighting against the Great Stamp; he basically says that he's getting a thrill, but it's nothing like the thrill of fighting against Hisoka.


In the Madhouse version, everyone sees Gon attack the pig and figure out the weak point. In the Nippon Animation version, everyone does something a little different. Leorio trips the pig using a vine, Hanzo tricks it into running into a boulder, and Killua does something unknown/mysterious. When the candidates return, their pigs are already roasted completely in the 1999 series and manga.


So here's where the versions diverge yet again. The sushi part was removed from the Madhouse version. It's a shame, but in all honesty, I don't think that there was any way that they could've done it better than Nippon Animation did. If you watch episode 9 of the 1999 series, the sushi part is pretty much exactly the same as it is in the manga--I recommend watching it.


But I'm not that up in arms about them removing it either. It was easy to condense and I can't say that we lost any real characterization (except for Hanzo) because of it. There are some things the Madhouse version was unable to mimic, but the clues given by the examiners are almost exactly the same. Viewers get a detailed look of the workstation alongside an explanation from Buhara that one must use the facilities there to prepare the meal. Thematically, it feels the same--the intent of the test is still to judge a candidate's observational skill. The jokes aren't as funny for sure, but it's still not terrible. I think that it's one of the best ways Madhouse could have handled condensing this part of the series. It all comes down to whether you prefer this adaptation being held to the letter of the law or the spirit of the law--thus far, it hasn't done anything to deviate from the series' spirit.



Beans shows up for the first time in the Nippon Animation version. His phone got upgraded! He's called Maamen in the 1999 series. We...we aren't really sure what he is. Also, the Madhouse version has Satotz call Beans after observing the result of the situation. In the manga and 1999 series, Menchi calls Beans. Also, Netero and Beans are in an airship already in the Madhouse adaptation; in the manga and Nippon Animation version, the two are at a hotel. For some reason, there's a switch in Netero's hotel room that opens up the wall and leads to an airship hangar in the 1999 series. Ok.


Gon is sort of a brat during Menchi's phone call in the 1999 series (and not the charming kind). He takes the phone from her and tries to convince her to readminister the test because he doesn't like the result. It's essentially the same thing that Todo does, minus the threat. Gon also blurts out his reasons for wanting to become a Hunter in front of every candidate; it sounds childish and Menchi even comments on his complaining.


So after everyone is failed in the Nippon Animation version, Menchi leaves the warehouse filled with enraged candidates for an hour and cuts some moss off of a bear with horns. She returns; Gon's taken her seat and is chilling with Buhara while Todo is standing up in the exact same pose Menchi left him in. She cuts up the moss without preparing it, sprinkles it over some rice, and gives it to Gon. Gon says grace with the inflection of a young child, doesn't understand the flavor of the moss after eating it, acts like a brat by trying to eat some more, and Menchi doesn't prove any point she tried to prove in the first place. This isn't in the manga. Whatever.

Buhara steps into Todo and Menchi's battle in all three versions, but it's quite different in the Nippon Animation version: Todo slams Buhara into a wall. The dialogue is also censored in the Nippon Animation version with food puns: instead of Buhara saying "If I hadn't stepped in, you would have killed him," he says "If you do it, you'll cook him, right?" Menchi then incapacitates Todo through kicking him.

This scene in the Madhouse version is significantly more violent than the 1999 version; pay attention to the way Todo's body slams into the tower and falls to the ground. It sounds sickening. Granted, he doesn't go through a window like in the manga, but it's still pretty violent. Following this, Menchi juggles her knives like in the manga series. Doesn't happen in the 1999 version.

Netero's first appearance is better in the Madhouse version; his weird beard has been fixed too. The animation for that dust cloud is really fluid.


Some of you have been complaining about the Madhouse anime "hand-holding"--the 1999 series does it pretty extensively in the next scene. The protagonists don't show up at all in Menchi's conversation with Netero in either the anime or the 2011 series. In the 1999 version, the protagonists are the ones asking all of the questions like "Who is this geezer" and commenting on Netero's feat. Satotz comes down from his tree and explains Netero's role to both the viewer and contestants.

So everyone goes to Split Mountain.


As for the webs--notice how the creature who builds them is called the Spider Eagle? The 1999 series followed the manga to a T when it came to their structure--several strands of spider silk going across the ravine. So in the Madhouse version, they took it upon themselves to have the rectangular formation. The thing is--that's how spiderwebs actually look. The next time you see a spiderweb, look closely at it. The Spider Eagle in the 2011 seemingly spins its silk in a sheet web formation; sheet webs are rectangular in structure.


Instead of the updraft, the 1999 series and manga had the competitors simply climb back up the ravine. The 1999 series has Todo still attempt to pass this phase, so he jumps off the ravine and catches a gossamer. Gon already has an egg, so Todo decides to kick Gon and steal his egg. Spider Eagles show up and attack only select applicants. Todo falls off and asks for help. Gon somehow jumps off of the web upside-down, saves Todo, and carries him back up the ravine (despite like, ten other people falling into it). When Gon gives Todo some of his egg and tastes it, Todo doesn't acknowledge his faults--he just walks away and says "I'll be back next year" like some villain.

Everyone jumps into the ravine (1999 series)
Everyone jumps into the ravine (2011 series)
Everyone jumps into the ravine (Manga)

In the end, I think that the only "abysmal" part of the newest version was the music. Everything else wasn't especially bad, though I can understand that people found fault with the lack of the sushi test. But I think it's fair to put the 1999 version under the same lens; there are good things and bad things about both. Six weeks in and we've already covered so much material; it took ten episodes to get to this point in the first series.

Bonus--The Gong, in three versions:

[Poky]

#Toto, you've forgotten to add that Netero seems to be a pervert in this version ))

not that I don't support it...for a moment he made me remember master Roshi

[Clarste]

Originally Posted by Toto y Moi

Spoiler for HxH Episode 6 Comparison:

So here's where the versions diverge yet again. The sushi part was removed from the Madhouse version. It's a shame, but in all honesty, I don't think that there was any way that they could've done it better than Nippon Animation did. If you watch episode 9 of the 1999 series, the sushi part is pretty much exactly the same as it is in the manga--I recommend watching it.


But I'm not that up in arms about them removing it either. It was easy to condense and I can't say that we lost any real characterization (except for Hanzo) because of it. There are some things the Madhouse version was unable to mimic, but the clues given by the examiners are almost exactly the same. Viewers get a detailed look of the workstation alongside an explanation from Buhara that one must use the facilities there to prepare the meal. Thematically, it feels the same--the intent of the test is still to judge a candidate's observational skill. The jokes aren't as funny for sure, but it's still not terrible. I think that it's one of the best ways Madhouse could have handled condensing this part of the series. It all comes down to whether you prefer this adaptation being held to the letter of the law or the spirit of the law--thus far, it hasn't done anything to deviate from the series' spirit.

Spoiler:

I disagree with this assessment pretty strongly. While on the surface it appears similar, with the tools being laid out for them and whatnot, when you actually think about it at all the Madhouse version makes no sense at all. The candidates are told to hunt pigs and given a bunch of knives and a firepit. Okay, so what's the test? To make something tasty? How does this test anything at all, other than skill at cooking? Menchi's reason for getting mad doesn't make as much sense either.

The point of the sushi was all about observation and logic. They're told to make handmade sushi, which is the cuisine of a small island nation. They're given a bunch of knives, but no source of heat. They have rice and vinegar, and Menchi waits for their entries with a pair of chopsticks and a small dish of soy sauce. The test is to figure out what the heck sushi is supposed to be. Given the clues, you can guess it's seafood because of the island nation and the knives, you know it's raw because there's no heat, you know it's something you create with your hands and is of the size to be picked up by chopsticks and dipped in the soy sauce. It's an actual test. It's clever. And the only reason Menchi gets mad is because Hanzo gives the answer away in a disrespectful way.

Removing the sushi part removes the test entirely. What we're left with is just an examiner who gets mad at the drop of a hat and fails everyone for no reason.

Originally Posted by Poky

#Toto, you've forgotten to add that Netero seems to be a pervert in this version ))

not that I don't support it...for a moment he made me remember master Roshi

He's a pervert in the manga too. He's got a thought bubble where he comments on her breasts while he's talking.

[UnknownSoldier]

Spoiler for Episode 6 Comments:

I can see why people are upset at the sushi part of the test being removed, and they have a valid point. On the other hand I'm a bit happy that they removed it.

As the previous poster mentioned the sushi part brings in a lot of the reasoning behind the test. Without it we miss out on a clever test, the reasoning behind the test, as well as some character development with Hanzo (not much) and Kurapika (showing his smarts). For me at least it was also the most memorable part of the second test.

However I can sort of see why they might have cut that part, and it comes down to time. The second test quite frankly does not have a lot to it compared to the rest of the tests. With what they did, they were able to squeeze the entire thing into a single episode, and they did do a half-decent job of merging the first two parts. If they were to show the entire second part of the test they would have either had to rush things to squeeze it in, or split this into two episodes; in which case we would have had filler most likely.

So while I might be a tad bit disappointed the sushi part was cut out, I am happy that we're moving on with the story.

[ZODDGUTS]

Wow that's disappointing they took out the sushi test.

[Clarste]

Originally Posted by UnknownSoldier

Spoiler for Episode 6 Comments:

I can see why people are upset at the sushi part of the test being removed, and they have a valid point. On the other hand I'm a bit happy that they removed it.

As the previous poster mentioned the sushi part brings in a lot of the reasoning behind the test. Without it we miss out on a clever test, the reasoning behind the test, as well as some character development with Hanzo (not much) and Kurapika (showing his smarts). For me at least it was also the most memorable part of the second test.

However I can sort of see why they might have cut that part, and it comes down to time. The second test quite frankly does not have a lot to it compared to the rest of the tests. With what they did, they were able to squeeze the entire thing into a single episode, and they did do a half-decent job of merging the first two parts. If they were to show the entire second part of the test they would have either had to rush things to squeeze it in, or split this into two episodes; in which case we would have had filler most likely.

So while I might be a tad bit disappointed the sushi part was cut out, I am happy that we're moving on with the story.

They could have taken out the pig test instead. I don't think that added much.

[UnknownSoldier]

Originally Posted by Clarste

They could have taken out the pig test instead. I don't think that added much.

Yea... but then you'd be wondering why Buhara was there at all, since I just can't imagine sushi fitting with his appetite.

[Clarste]

It's not like he had a role in this version anyway. He just passed everyone but none of that counted because Menchi vetoed everyone. So what was the point of him being there?

[Toto y Moi]

Originally Posted by Clarste

I disagree with this assessment pretty strongly. While on the surface it appears similar, with the tools being laid out for them and whatnot, when you actually think about it at all the Madhouse version makes no sense at all. The candidates are told to hunt pigs and given a bunch of knives and a firepit. Okay, so what's the test? To make something tasty? How does this test anything at all, other than skill at cooking? Menchi's reason for getting mad doesn't make as much sense either.

The point of the sushi was all about observation and logic. They're told to make handmade sushi, which is the cuisine of a small island nation. They're given a bunch of knives, but no source of heat. They have rice and vinegar, and Menchi waits for their entries with a pair of chopsticks and a small dish of soy sauce. The test is to figure out what the heck sushi is supposed to be. Given the clues, you can guess it's seafood because of the island nation and the knives, you know it's raw because there's no heat, you know it's something you create with your hands and is of the size to be picked up by chopsticks and dipped in the soy sauce. It's an actual test. It's clever. And the only reason Menchi gets mad is because Hanzo gives the answer away in a disrespectful way.

Removing the sushi part removes the test entirely. What we're left with is just an examiner who gets mad at the drop of a hat and fails everyone for no reason.

I fully support your opinion; I understand completely if you didn't like the episode. At the same time, I feel like we need to analyze the Madhouse version more.

In the Madhouse version, Buhara and Menchi give the following rules: the Exam is based upon cooking, the ingredient is pork and one can use any pig within the Visca forest (despite there only being one type), at least one of the facilities provided (grill, knives, vegetables, sink, salt, pepper, skewer) need to be used, and the taste needs to be "delicious." It's very ambiguous--even if the candidates find the Great Stamp, the examiners intentionally don't specify that there's only one type of pig in the forest reserve. Observation and originality are key--one needs to seek out the Great Stamp, find its weakness, and then deduce how to prepare it using all of the tools at their disposal. Granted, the sushi test was even more ambiguous due to no one other than Hanzo encountering it before. But the pork test in the Madhouse version has the same spirit of the sushi exam, which is why I accept it.

These are the exact same rules as the sushi exam--switch the fish out for the pig, and you have the same story. The Madhouse version combined the candidates' disdain for cooking into both parts of the second phase; the 2011 series also incorporated the candidates' disparagement of the Gourmet Hunter occupation. The spirit is the same, regardless of whether or not the events follow the manga to a T.

Menchi's irrationality was more understandable in the 1999 version because she was given more reasons to be annoyed: no one takes the exam seriously, they think that Gourmet Hunters are ridiculous, and then the correct methods are revealed to everyone by the contestants. This was a year in which Menchi would have been satisfied if 0-10 candidates passed her exam. Menchi's profession is insulted before the exam even begins in the 2011 version, and then all of the contestants believe that they only need to roast the pig to pass--so Menchi gets annoyed earlier than before. Regardless, Netero finds her exam unacceptable in all versions.

Menchi's passion for cooking and her picky tastes are the same in all of the versions. I think that the Madhouse series was actually more true to her character than the Nippon Animation version was--despite the great differences. In the 1999 series, Menchi stays upset without fully understanding the depths of what she'd done by failing the entire pool. She's less reluctant to conduct another version of the second phase in the 2011 series. Menchi is a better rounded person, whereas in Nippon Animation's adaptation, she's in permabitch mode for the entirety of both episodes 9 and 10.

Though I do agree with your deduction about the small island nation and knives--especially considering that their workstations have no ovens or stoves. It definitely is clever--I just feel as if the Madhouse adaptation did an admirable job combining the second phase into one episode.

Originally Posted by Clarste

It's not like he had a role in this version anyway. He just passed everyone but none of that counted because Menchi vetoed everyone. So what was the point of him being there?

Menchi and Buhara are sort of equalized. In the Nippon Animation adaptation, the viewer is supposed to believe that Menchi is the better Gourmet Hunter of the two. She cares more about the taste and is stricter than Buhara is. But Buhara is clearly not as dumb as he looks--his exam was very deceitful in the manga (and 2011 series) and he's incredibly strong. If anything, the Madhouse adaptation gave me more respect for Buhara.

[kakakka]

That's why the two test is put together.

And the only reason Menchi gets mad is because Hanzo gives the answer away in a disrespectful way.

Removing the sushi part removes the test entirely. What we're left with is just an examiner who gets mad at the drop of a hat and fails everyone for no reason.

I view them as the same. She got mad in both versions (manga, 2011) because she felt the examinees are belittling her job. In the manga, Hanzo said making a sushi is easy, which made her mad, because the study of preparing food is her job. In the 2011 anime, examinees are clearly belittling her job, forcing her habit of putting higher standards on her test.

[deathbringer]

I would disagree that the 2011 version's Menchi is more true to her character or even actually more likable. She in the original made brilliant test of observation that was ruined by the loud mouthed Hanzo telling everyone the recipe and then she is faced with the prospect of everyone passing. Here she panics and decides to start judging by taste although she originally was not planning to. Through her high standards and some spite was not able to let anyone pass. This fulfills the role inexperienced , impulsive but not necessarily bad natured genius that Satoz describes earlier. (which was also taken out)

However in this new version she loses almost everything that makes her situation relatable and sympathetic and makes her into more of a stuck up bitch than the original. Her criteria is not clear at all and she puts everyone through the cooking process out of pure spite rather than unintentionally in the original.

[rinichan]

I love the sushi test in the 99 version , I understand why people hate this episode...

they should have removed the pig than the sushi part

But instead they put the pig test and mixed it with the sushi cooking essence...

and Menchi pink hair color is better, than green but in this version, I think Menchi is more sexy.... (is yellow the official hair color of Menchi? coz it seems that everyone in the other site claims it to be?)

I wonder why did Togashi let this happen, but still nice episode...
from 5 i rate this 3.

[christinemarie]

For first timers and have no idea about Hunter x hunter especially young audience, I'll rate episode 6 as 10.
For anyone that watched the first anime version and read the manga, I'll rate this episode as 6. At least they made it appealing but concise and straight to the point. If sushi part is added, I might rate this as 9. For some reason, Aya Hirano's one episode VA had something to do with this part compressed into one episode.

[kakakka]

I agree that the sushi test really brings out Menchi's character in different angles, but...

I viewed her as more of a bitch in the manga. First, she made a sushi for a test. I mean, if people don't get the looks and the taste, that's not sushi. With only observation, there is no way they can know how to make sushi. Add that the examinees can only get freshwater fish, that's going to affect the taste. The fat guy's question to her about the kind of fish being used really shows that this is not a general challenge, but a challenge fit only for experienced cooks. From the start, the examinees' only way to pass is to get into details of making a sushi, and for her to pass them is to observe the details; which both are not even good news due to her perfectionist outlook in preparing food. She did not even give a concrete guess to the examinees. That's why the result is going to be obvious. There is no cooks in the examinees and they fail whatever happens.

Now, the second test she gives really contrast what she did in the sushi exam. Acknowledged her faults in the first test. She shows them how to do it. And the skills needed to pass applies to a more broader examinees. I do think at first this is a cheesy test, like the pig test, but it works in contrast and views more of Menchi's faults if you look back. And we get to see why she became a Gourmet Hunter.

(I did watch the old anime, but that was long time ago, so I won't comment on that. )

In this adaptation, I think Menchi is less of a bitch. Her letting the fat guy give the challenge means she's more open to the purpose of the exam. Her being pissed off at the contestants belittling her job is also in the scope of her character. In the manga, it's one of the reasons she made the sushi test.

_____________

Originally Posted by deathbringer

She in the original made brilliant test of observation that was ruined by the loud mouthed Hanzo telling everyone the recipe and then she is faced with the prospect of everyone passing.

Hanzo did not ruined everything. It's her intention to make this hard for them. Hanzo bad mouthing the art of making sushi only add more fuel to the fire that's already been set. If he did not say anything, they all going to fail anyways.

Here she panics and decides to start judging by taste although she originally was not planning to.

No. Her goal from the start is to judge the examinees based on her taste.

Her criteria is not clear at all and she puts everyone through the cooking process out of pure spite rather than unintentionally in the original.

I cannot say it is unintentional. The first test was so easy, she just have to make it hard so it would satisfy her. In-story, sushi making is also some vague concept to the examinees.

[Clarste]

Originally Posted by kakakka

I cannot say it is unintentional. The first test was so easy, she just have to make it hard so it would satisfy her. In-story, sushi making is also some vague concept to the examinees.

Sushi being a vague concept was the whole point though. It's a test of intelligence and problem-solving. What exactly is the "problem" to be solved with cooking the pigs? There is no problem and there is no solution. It's not a test.

In both cases her judgments are flawed, but in the Madhouse adaptation there isn't even a test in the first place. It just makes no sense.

[Simonsy]

I'm glad they removed the sushi test. Between this chef test, the airboat and then the naval filler following that I almost dropped the series back in 1999. The episodes were just soo boring and dragged out.

You guys keep talking about how its a huge shame no sushi thing. WHY? Tell me how that has any connection to the rest of the series? We don't see either of those two hunters EVER again, we never have any sort of cooking or anything shown ever again in the series. Testing observation? Um hello, nobody suceeded, so shouldn't they have all failed in that regard anyway? Having them all fail in observation test and yet then have the president come and overrule her seems dumb imo as well.

[kakakka]

Originally Posted by Clarste

Sushi being a vague concept was the whole point though. It's a test of intelligence and problem-solving. What exactly is the "problem" to be solved with cooking the pigs? There is no problem and there is no solution. It's not a test.

I don't disagree with that. Though, too vague is not a test either. Vaque hints for a vague answer, only luck will be the true determinant of that.

The contestants also did some observation too when they subdued the rampaging pigs. Though, I already know you're not convince by just that.