(CR) Hunter X Hunter Anime (2011)

[k//eternal]

Can I request that you use imgur instead of photobucket (now that the latter is all "upgrade to Pro" images)? Photobucket's gotten worse and worse over time and it's kind of a shame that people still use it, especially for nifty things like these comparisons.

[Toto y Moi]

Originally Posted by k//eternal

Can I request that you use imgur instead of photobucket (now that the latter is all "upgrade to Pro" images)? Photobucket's gotten worse and worse over time and it's kind of a shame that people still use it, especially for nifty things like these comparisons.

Your wish is my command. Imgur is cooler, anyway.

Spoiler for Hunter x Hunter Episode 15 Comparison Pt. 1:

Episode 15 covers chapters 25 and 26 in the manga, and corresponds to episode 22 of the 1999 series.

The first scene has Gon say completely different lines. The scenario also changes.

Gon (Manga): "Ow! My hands are all bloody. I guess it's from casting the rod for two days straight. But thanks to that, I have perfect accuracy catching birds as they go for their prey. If I put this in practice, I'll definitely be able to take Hisoka's badge. Now all I need to do is find Hisoka!! (Gon pauses and realizes that he has no way of locating Hisoka) Um, how? (Birds flutter above) This island is pretty vast...hmm...I guess I'll have to walk around and trust my instincts."

(Hemotropic butterflies surround Gon.)

Gon (Manga): "Wha-what?!" (Gon tries to swat them away.) "Why are they gathering around me?" (Gon notices that they're attracted to his hands.) "They're attracted to the scent of blood?"

--

Gon (1999): "(Gon releases the bird) I'm sorry. Ow-ow-ow-ow-ow! I guess it's from casting the rod nonstop since yesterday. But thanks to that, I have perfect accuracy catching birds as they go for their prey. If I put this in practice, I'll definitely be able to take Hisoka's badge. But...How am I going to be able to find Hisoka?"

(I'll note that Gon's hands aren't bloodied at all, but the skin is tender and there are some welts. Immediately after this line, the Hemotropic Butterflies sort of just start swarming his closed fist.)

Gon (1999): "These are...! They must be attracted and gather to the scent of blood! (Gon remembers the butterflies that flew next to Hisoka after disembarking) I see! These are the same type of butterflies that were following Hisoka. That must mean he's been wounded. If that's the case, these butterflies should be able to lead me right to him by scenting his blood! Please hurry! We have to get to Hisoka before his wounds heal!"

--

Gon (2011): "Ow! My hands are all bloody. I guess it's from casting the rod for two days straight. But thanks to that, I have perfect accuracy catching birds as they go for their prey. If I put this in practice, I'll definitely be able to take Hisoka's badge. Now all I need to do is find Hisoka!!" (Gon pauses and realizes that he has no way of locating Hisoka) "Um, how?" (Birds flutter above) "Really though, how am I supposed to find Hisoka's badge? I guess I'll have to walk around and trust my instincts."

(Hemotropic butterflies surround Gon.)

Gon (2011): "Wha-what?!" (Gon tries to swat them away.) "Why are they gathering around me?" (Gon notices that they're attracted to his hands.) "They're attracted to the scent of blood?" (Gon tests his theory to see if it's true).

The Hemotropic Butterflies chirp in the 1999 series. They don't in the manga/2011 series. This next scene is pretty much the same between versions, but the 2011 series already revealed that Gittarackur was in contact with Hisoka in episode 5 so it combines the conversation with imagery not seen in the manga--it shows Siper hunting Gittarackur.


The 1999 series moves the positions of scenes from the manga all over the place, so I'll write this comparison based upon the manga instead. Gon finds Kyu. Gon doesn't patch up Kyu's wounds in the 1999 series, nor is his shirt removed. In the 2011 series, Gon doesn't place Kyu near the water that Pokkle mentioned in the previous episode.

The 1999 series removes pretty much all of the quiet scenes of Gon exploring until he finds Hisoka. Togashi devotes an entire page to this in silence in the manga. The 2011 series retains these scenes. In the 1999 series, gunshot, Gon hears it, ignores it, and soon finds Hisoka. I'll give more details on this in part 2.





Look how Gon's face changes from anticipation and slight fear to a completely neutral expression. The ADR is fantastic for this scene in the Madhouse version. Gon's heartbeat and shaky breath can be heard the whole time while he's telling himself to calm down, but as soon as he enters into that state, he exhales his last breath and all you hear is silence. It's sort of creepy--it implies that Gon's heart stops and that he stops breathing in order to silence his presence. And most importantly of all, look at how his eyes change in the manga/2011 series.

It's very obvious that something happens to Gon in this scene in the manga. On page 155, his eyes are normal. But on 156, they've darkened. This is very important.

Anyways, I'm going to backtrack a bit. The 1999 series has a filler scene in which Gittarackur hunts down Gozu. A few things. Gozu stops at a waterfall to grab some water, but looks down only to see Gittarackur waiting for him in a deep pond. Gittarackur rises from the water without getting wet and then somehow stands atop water?

Anyways, then you see Siper taking aim. Siper is female in the 1999 series, but male in the manga/2011 series (at least, Gittarackur's line near the end of the episode implies such is the case). Also, Siper's clothes are different in the 1999 series from their design in the manga.


Siper gives us a bit of a monologue in the 1999 series ("I suppose I should be thankful for this phase. I may not be able to challenge these guys in physical strength, but when it comes to hunting, I won't lose to anyone! You are just my adorable prey. Before you know what happened to you, you'll already be in heaven. Farewell."), gunshot. OK. Moving on.

After Gon discovers the Hemotropic Butterflies in the first scene, the 1999 series skips ahead to Tonpa approaching Leorio for meds (before trying to offer him anything in return). Their conversation is scripted very differently in the 1999 series, which has been transcribed below. In fact, most of the 1999 series' script for this scene is entirely different from Togashi's. If you've seen the 2011 series, the scene is essentially the same as it is in the manga.

In the 1999 series, Leorio draws his knife onto Tonpa on the first day. But in the manga/2011 series, it's on the second day. Also, Tonpa doesn't reveal his stomachache to Leorio until after offering to tell him information about his target.

Leorio: It's you again? You're so annoying! Why do you keep following me?!
Tonpa: My stomach hurts. I think those berries I ate back there were rotten!
Leorio: Serves you right for being a pig!
Tonpa: I thought you wanted to be a doctor... Please, are you carrying any medicine?
Leorio: I don't think so. You're probably faking it. You're pretending to have a stomachache just to catch me off guard and steal my badge.
Tonpa: I'm not faking it--it really hurts!
Leorio: I don't believe you! (Tonpa keels over in pain) That really does sound like it hurts...
Tonpa: It does really hurt!!
Leorio: Hmph. When I think of your track record, I can't help but to be skeptical.
Tonpa: C'mon, please! Because I'll tell you info about your target in return!
Leorio: The information first. Who's this?
Tonpa: What's that? So it's Ponzu?
Leorio: Ponzu?
Tonpa: A woman. She wears a hat.
Leorio: Oh yeah. That girl, huh?
Tonpa: That woman will use any and all kinds of chemicals as weapons, good and bad. But the way she uses them is quite simple. She'll set a trap and just sit there and wait for the opponent to walk right into it. She's a spider of a woman.
Leorio: Really now? So she's cute, but deadly huh?
Tonpa: If you find Ponzu, especially pay attention to the direction of the wind and the ground beneath your feet. She already knows that someone is out to get her, so you can bet she's going to be ready and waiting.
Leorio: Anything else?
Tonpa: Nothing special. She's just your average woman...if you can get the jump on her, you should have no problem winning.
Leorio: The jump on her, huh? That doesn't sound bad!
Tonpa: I'm at my limit!! Quickly, the medicine...!
Leorio: Yeah, I got it! I got it! You stay there.
Tonpa: Wh..what? You're still suspicious? I already told you, you're not my target, didn't I?!
Leorio: I just can't trust you. Let's see...medicine...medicine...

Sommy attacks.



Sommy: Pureeto Ge~htto (I love the way this line is said, haha)
Tonpa: Just as I predicted; his badge was in his bag.
Leorio: TONPA...! You assholes...you're in cahoots?!
Tonpa: That's correct. Well, to reveal the secret, you've been my target all along.
Leorio: What? But you even showed me that your card had number 191 on it!
Tonpa: Oh yeah... You mean this guy?
Sommy: That's the number of my target. Tonpa's is this guy right here. (Holds up card)
Leorio: Wha...? You're saying that you guys...switched cards...?
Sommy: Wow...You fell for such a childish trick, didn't you~ (Sommy's monkey laughs)
Tonpa: Don't be stupid! I had to have my stomach turned inside out to fool him! He wants to be a doctor, so if I was faking he would've known pretty quick. But thanks to that, you didn't see through my trick!
Leorio: So you tricked me?!
Tonpa: Hey now! You should have already known by now...I'm Mr. Tonpa, the Rookie Crusher!
Leorio: You bastard!!
Sommy: Tonpa, meet back at the rendezvous point!
Tonpa: Right!
Leorio: Damn! Just you wait!
Tonpa: Hey, hey! Your badge is over in that direction!
Leorio: Shut up! I won't be satisfied unless I punch you in the face!
Tonpa: Hahaha! Don't get mad! It's your own fault for letting us trick you! Besides, working in teams during the Hunter Exam is common sense!
Kurapika: I agree with you on the former, but I cannot forgive you for the latter. (Kurapika kicks Tonpa in the face) You shouldn't be tricking people in the first place.

I sort of think that Leorio is oversimplified in this scene. There are a lot of occasions where he just repeats what the previous person said. He's more of an idiot. The line in which he says "So you two tricked me?!" is an example--um, duh.

Also: Sommy swings from trees like a monkey in the manga/2011 series. He doesn't in the 1999 series.

Spoiler for Hunter x Hunter Episode 15 Comparison (Pt. 2):

Chapter 26 opens with Tonpa having been tied up. He gets his just desserts. In the 1999 series, he and Sommy are hung from a tree almost like they're being lynched. But this isn't the last we've seen of him in the arc (in the 1999 series).


In the manga, Kurapika and Leorio chase Sommy down and hold him up using their weapons; it's a robbery. They tie him up and find his badge lodged in a tree. In the 2011 series, Kurapika holds Sommy's monkey hostage. But in the 1999 series...well, um. It's complicated.


Kurapika goes after Kamuri (the monkey's name in the 1999 series) while Leorio takes on Sommy. "I've got no choice." Kurapika flings a berry at Kamuri and knocks him out of the tree. Kurapika pins him down, placing his hand on the monkey's chest. "I don't want you to trouble me too much, little monkey. Now then, where is that badge?" The camera pans out and the monkey starts screaming in the background for six seconds straight. The screams turn into crying. I wish I was joking.


Leorio then takes on Sommy. He throws a fork and somehow hooks Sommy's arm to a tree, then whacks him in the face. Leorio seizes him, and Sommy initially believes that there's still no way that Kamuri will ever reveal the location of the badge. But all of a sudden, the monkey suddenly likes Kurapika better than his owner. A lot better. This scene sort of speaks for itself. Eventually, he sets the monkey free. Coincidentally, Zevil Island just so happens to have the exact same type of monkey living there as Kamuri.

The above is the type of filler scene that I could never picture happening in the series while reading the manga. Also, the 1999 series often has a different sense of humor than the manga. It's all in the imagery and dialog. For example, this scene:

Just by having Leorio show his expression, the joke feels significantly different. I'm not a fan of his over-the-top yelling the entire episode in the 1999 series. Also, the 1999 series cuts out this entire next page. The scene with Killua is moved to episode 24 and combined with a later chapter. These scenes are preserved in the 2011 series.


The 2011 series reveals who is tailing Killua.

Back to the protagonist. He thinks that Hisoka notices him and tenses up, but it's Gozu that Hisoka notices.


I should probably mention that Gozu is mortally wounded in the 1999 series because Siper, expert sniper, misses Gittarackur and hits Gozu instead--even though the two are standing completely still.


Gozu and Hisoka start to fight. The 1999 series removes Gon's line: "Here's my chance...Right when Hisoka goes to finish off his prey!" The second sentence was used verbatim literally two chapters ago, when cute li'l Gon catches a bird with his fishing rod. Think about how different this feels from when the Gon is catching birds hunting fish. Despite how cute the prior scenes were, Gon is essentially allowing murder to take place in order to win. This is an intentional parallel.

After Hisoka explains the extent of Gozu's wounds, Gozu's lines in the 1999 series are completely different from the manga/2011 series. He gives a monologue about his warrior clan in it.

Hisoka (1999): "Someone has already dealt you a fatal wound, yes? Since this is pointless, you should stop."
Gozu (1999): "Though that may be, I still must fight!! For the honor of the Bianu Warrior."
Hisoka (1999): "What's that?"
Gozu (1999): "I am one of the mighty Warrior of Bianu mercenaries. Wherever there is a fight, you will find us right in the thick of it. Any one of us is worth a thousand men! Our role is to slash through the enemy. We have the full honor of being the best in any battlefield. And ever since the Exam started, I've been feeling this way...I want to have a battle with you, you wretch! Please, allow me to fulfill my wish before my life comes to its end! So please...please fight me!!"
Hisoka (1999): "Well you know...I have no interest in corpses. You're already dead. It's in your eyes."

The manga and 2011 series are essentially the exact same thing.

Hisoka (Manga/2011): "Someone has already dealt you a fatal wound, yes? Though I do understand your desire to die in battle."
Gozu (Manga/2011): "You wretch... If you understand this so well, then why do you still refuse to fight me?!?!"
Hisoka (Manga/2011): "Well you know...I have no interest in corpses. You're already dead. It's in your eyes."


Gozu in the 1999 series duels Hisoka because he has always wanted to since the beginning of the exam. Gozu in the 2011 series/manga challenges Hisoka because he literally has a death wish--he's committing suicide. In a last ditch effort, Gozu charges towards Hisoka, and...

The 2011 series keeps in the idea that Gittarackur uses needles with differently sized handles. Gittarackur's transformation snaps and cracks in the manga/1999 series. His transformation still snaps in the 2011 version, but the sequence is more fluid and quiet.


キタ━━━(゜∀゜)━━━!!!!!

Did anyone else notice that Gittarackur's clothing almost immediately changes in the 2011 series? He loses his sleeves (and nails) somehow. That outfit is more consistent with the one he wears in his next appearance, but still. Maybe the sleeves are just rolled up.



End of part 2.

[rinichan]

Originally Posted by Toto y Moi

Your wish is my command. Imgur is cooler, anyway.

Spoiler for Hunter x Hunter Episode 15 Comparison Pt. 1:

Episode 15 covers chapters 25 and 26 in the manga, and corresponds to episode 22 of the 1999 series.

The first scene has Gon say completely different lines. The scenario also changes.





The Hemotropic Butterflies chirp in the 1999 series. They don't in the manga/2011 series. This next scene is pretty much the same between versions, but the 2011 series already revealed that Gittarackur was in contact with Hisoka in episode 5 so it combines the conversation with imagery not seen in the manga--it shows Siper hunting Gittarackur.


The 1999 series moves the positions of scenes from the manga all over the place, so I'll write this comparison based upon the manga instead. Gon finds Kyu. Gon doesn't patch up Kyu's wounds in the 1999 series, nor is his shirt removed. In the 2011 series, Gon doesn't place Kyu near the water that Pokkle mentioned in the previous episode.

The 1999 series removes pretty much all of the quiet scenes of Gon exploring until he finds Hisoka. Togashi devotes an entire page to this in silence in the manga. The 2011 series retains these scenes. In the 1999 series, gunshot, Gon hears it, ignores it, and soon finds Hisoka. I'll give more details on this in part 2.





Look how Gon's face changes from anticipation and slight fear to a completely neutral expression. The ADR is fantastic for this scene in the Madhouse version. Gon's heartbeat and shaky breath can be heard the whole time while he's telling himself to calm down, but as soon as he enters into that state, he exhales his last breath and all you hear is silence. It's sort of creepy--it implies that Gon's heart stops and that he stops breathing in order to silence his presence. And most importantly of all, look at how his eyes change in the manga/2011 series.

It's very obvious that something happens to Gon in this scene in the manga. On page 155, his eyes are normal. But on 156, they've darkened. This is very important.

Anyways, I'm going to backtrack a bit. The 1999 series has a filler scene in which Gittarackur hunts down Gozu. A few things. Gozu stops at a waterfall to grab some water, but looks down only to see Gittarackur waiting for him in a deep pond. Gittarackur rises from the water without getting wet and then somehow stands atop water?

Anyways, then you see Siper taking aim. Siper is female in the 1999 series, but male in the manga/2011 series (at least, Gittarackur's line near the end of the episode implies such is the case). Also, Siper's clothes are different in the 1999 series from their design in the manga.


Siper gives us a bit of a monologue in the 1999 series ("I suppose I should be thankful for this phase. I may not be able to challenge these guys in physical strength, but when it comes to hunting, I won't lose to anyone! You are just my adorable prey. Before you know what happened to you, you'll already be in heaven. Farewell."), gunshot. OK. Moving on.

After Gon discovers the Hemotropic Butterflies in the first scene, the 1999 series skips ahead to Tonpa approaching Leorio for meds (before trying to offer him anything in return). Their conversation is scripted very differently in the 1999 series, which has been transcribed below. In fact, most of the 1999 series' script for this scene is entirely different from Togashi's. If you've seen the 2011 series, the scene is essentially the same as it is in the manga.

In the 1999 series, Leorio draws his knife onto Tonpa on the first day. But in the manga/2011 series, it's on the second day. Also, Tonpa doesn't reveal his stomachache to Leorio until after offering to tell him information about his target.

I sort of think that Leorio is oversimplified in this scene. There are a lot of occasions where he just repeats what the previous person said. He's more of an idiot. The line in which he says "So you two tricked me?!" is an example--um, duh.

Also: Sommy swings from trees like a monkey in the manga/2011 series. He doesn't in the 1999 series.

Spoiler for Hunter x Hunter Episode 15 Comparison (Pt. 2):

Chapter 26 opens with Tonpa having been tied up. He gets his just desserts. In the 1999 series, he and Sommy are hung from a tree almost like they're being lynched. But this isn't the last we've seen of him in the arc (in the 1999 series).


In the manga, Kurapika and Leorio chase Sommy down and hold him up using their weapons; it's a robbery. They tie him up and find his badge lodged in a tree. In the 2011 series, Kurapika holds Sommy's monkey hostage. But in the 1999 series...well, um. It's complicated.


Kurapika goes after Kamuri (the monkey's name in the 1999 series) while Leorio takes on Sommy. "I've got no choice." Kurapika flings a berry at Kamuri and knocks him out of the tree. Kurapika pins him down, placing his hand on the monkey's chest. "I don't want you to trouble me too much, little monkey. Now then, where is that badge?" The camera pans out and the monkey starts screaming in the background for six seconds straight. The screams turn into crying. I wish I was joking.


Leorio then takes on Sommy. He throws a fork and somehow hooks Sommy's arm to a tree, then whacks him in the face. Leorio seizes him, and Sommy initially believes that there's still no way that Kamuri will ever reveal the location of the badge. But all of a sudden, the monkey suddenly likes Kurapika better than his owner. A lot better. This scene sort of speaks for itself. Eventually, he sets the monkey free. Coincidentally, Zevil Island just so happens to have the exact same type of monkey living there as Kamuri.

The above is the type of filler scene that I could never picture happening in the series while reading the manga. Also, the 1999 series often has a different sense of humor than the manga. It's all in the imagery and dialog. For example, this scene:

Just by having Leorio show his expression, the joke feels significantly different. I'm not a fan of his over-the-top yelling the entire episode in the 1999 series. Also, the 1999 series cuts out this entire next page. The scene with Killua is moved to episode 24 and combined with a later chapter. These scenes are preserved in the 2011 series.


The 2011 series reveals who is tailing Killua.

Back to the protagonist. He thinks that Hisoka notices him and tenses up, but it's Gozu that Hisoka notices.


I should probably mention that Gozu is mortally wounded in the 1999 series because Siper, expert sniper, misses Gittarackur and hits Gozu instead--even though the two are standing completely still.


Gozu and Hisoka start to fight. The 1999 series removes Gon's line: "Here's my chance...Right when Hisoka goes to finish off his prey!" The second sentence was used verbatim literally two chapters ago, when cute li'l Gon catches a bird with his fishing rod. Think about how different this feels from when the Gon is catching birds hunting fish. Despite how cute the prior scenes were, Gon is essentially allowing murder to take place in order to win. This is an intentional parallel.



The 2011 series keeps in the idea that Gittarackur uses needles with differently sized handles. Gittarackur's transformation snaps and cracks in the manga/1999 series. His transformation still snaps in the 2011 version, but the sequence is more fluid and quiet.


キタ━━━(゜∀゜)━━━!!!!!

Did anyone else notice that Gittarackur's clothing almost immediately changes in the 2011 series? He loses his sleeves (and nails) somehow. That outfit is more consistent with the one he wears in his next appearance, but still. Maybe the sleeves are just rolled up.



End of part 2.

I will be lost if I didnt see comparisons great... and Thanks...

[cereal_killerxx]

Well, I can't really compare the the original and the new anime seeing as I have never seen the original, but I am really enjoying the crap out of the new Hunter x Hunter! 7 episodes in! xD

[Guardian Enzo]

Man, this show has really hit its stride. I love a shounen that operates on this many levels, most of them psychological and pretty complex. This is good stuff.

[Vicious108]

Yeah, this is just about that point in the story where if I were watching it for the first time here, I'd find it really hard to resist the temptation to go ahead and read the manga or watch the original anime to find out what happens next.

I like how they briefly showed the faces of those the contestants answered as the ones they're watching out for the most or would want to fight least. I remember reading that in the manga and finding it rather annoying to have to go and check back who was what number to see who the hell they were talking about. I guess I just have a bad memory with numbers.

[Reckoner]

Oh man, I really am more tempted than ever to read the manga. I mean goddamn, that was a terrible cliff hanger. Must resist temptation...

[fanty]

A slow episode, but I liked it. I'm really excited to see where this goes next.

Edit: I'm barely holding myself from reading the manga!!! Ahhh!

[FlareKnight]

Spoiler for Ep18:

Well damn this is the kind of thing that makes you want to hurry and read ahead.

Of course can make some reasonable guesses. Used the chart of who the didn't want to fight against and who they were looking out for to make matchups for a final test. Of course can assume this is going to be horrible for Gon's group who has tied so hard to work together and help each other to reach this point. If they have to fight each other it will be an utter disaster. They can hardly help each other as well if they match up against each other. I'm sure what made things tough for the old guy was that Hisoka/Gon came up quite often.

This could very well suck for the group.

[ookamigirl]

This was an interesting episodes.
Gon really is brave and kinda reckless.
Fourth phase finally ended.
So 9 of them passed to the final phase.
The interviews were interesting too.

[Vena]

Gotta admit, I'm really digging this new adaptation of the manga. Its hitting all the right spots with me be it from: sounds, characters, appearances, or just the mood it establishes. Feels very close to what I had thought would be suitable back when I read the manga.

Spoiler for 18:

Episode 18 was, while dialogue heavy, still a good set of character development steps giving us a better look into the head of the Chairman, how the participants think of one another, and a good bonding opportunity between our team of four but especially with Gon and Kapurika.

[ditn]

Same for me.
I think its better than the original anime,i really enjoy it although i already know whats gonna happen

[ars89]

Gon was awesome getting the antidote and then saving everyone. So i guess they each have to fight someone from the answers they gave. Though since there were 9 who passed the last stage it can't be an even bracket.

[Shiroth]

I can't blame those wanting to start reading the manga. It's pretty much none stop awesome material for a good while after this weeks episode. I hope you all end up making the right choice that suits you.

[Kaioshin Sama]

Brimming with anticipation at who is going to pass. Obviously I think Gon, Killua, Kurapika and Hisoka will pass, but I don't know about Leorio. One would assume he'd pass cause he's a main character, but then again he's so much further behind the other 3 in raw skill and talent and there's no guarantee that Gon and Kurapika are going to be able to help him again in this final phase.

[Guardian Enzo]

I smell incoming redemption for Leorio in the final phase.

[Vicious108]

On that note, since it'll probably still be a while before Toto makes her review for this episode, you might want to know that Leorio's lines about having been useless and wanting to make it up to Gon and Kurapica were anime original material and weren't in the manga.

Not a bad addition, but yeah.

[ars89]

I want to say the group of 4 passes, but if its a fighter's bracket doesn't that mean only 1 winner?

[Guardian Enzo]

Originally Posted by ars89

I want to say the group of 4 passes, but if its a fighter's bracket doesn't that mean only 1 winner?

I'm not making any assumptions about what that devious old man is thinking.

[Toto y Moi]

Here's a comprehensive comparison of episode 16. I might do one for episode 17 tonight.

Spoiler for Hunter x Hunter Episode 16 Comparison Pt. 1:

Episode 16 covers material from chapters 27 and 28 of the manga and corresponds to episode 23 in the 1999 series.

Hisoka has a line change in the first scene in the 1999 series.

Hisoka (Manga/2011 series): Oh, it's those two? Fun. <3
Hisoka (1999): So it's those two? (Hisoka chuckles) It's a pity and waste, but...

The latter implies that he plans on killing Leorio and Kurapika, whereas the former leaves his intentions unknown.

Hisoka runs in a really strange way in the 1999 series--he doesn't in the manga/2011 series. The animation during this scene in the 1999 series is pretty good, which is surprising because the end of the episode doesn't look too special. There's a short segment in which you can see Geretta following Gon. It's easy to miss, but a really great touch.


When choosing to follow Hisoka, Gon in the manga already knows whom Hisoka is targeting. In the 1999 series, he doesn't find out until after Hisoka has already stopped. He never considers whether or not it would be better to steal Hisoka's badge if he attacks Kurapika and Leorio. The difference is in the fact that Gon in both the manga and 2011 series makes a conscious decision at first to stick with his plan, despite knowing what it might mean for Kurapika and Leorio. Gon's dialogue is almost the exact same as it is in the manga in the 2011 series, though there's a short scene added that has Gon spot Leorio and Kurapika from the same rock upon which Hisoka just stood.


Gon (1999): "He's on the move! He must've found his target! This is my chance! Stick to the plan and when Hisoka attacks, go for his badge! That'll be the only chance I'll get to steal it!"
Gon (2011): "Hisoka must have found someone to prey upon...(Gon goes atop the rock Hisoka once stood) Leorio! Kurapika! (Gon starts following after Hisoka) I didn't expect him to go after Leorio and Kurapika! What do I do?! ... Don't stop!! Stick to the plan and when Hisoka attacks, go for his badge! That'll be the only chance I'll get to steal it!"

The 1999 series largely adapts the negotiation between Kurapika and Hisoka as it is in the manga. The 2011 series slightly alters the wording of a few lines and cuts out Hisoka's line: "Too bad. You're not my target." The 1999 series changes Kurapika and Leorio's weapons. Leorio has the Japanese blade that he's been using throughout the 1999 series, and Kurapika's wooden swords are changed into katana blades. I think Leorio looks really cool in this scene in the manga. I like his expression.



I don't think either adaptation gets Hisoka's vogue pose down. Hisoka's eyes glow yellow in the 1999 series during this scene.


Bloodlust.





I think that Madhouse did a great job of making this scene actually sort of creepy. Despite not copying the images exactly, I think the tone was set in the artistry and music. The 1999 series has Hisoka do this strange laugh as he has that menacing air around him. His bloodlust physically affects him much more than it does in the manga, as he claws at his arms and tries to contain whatever is inside of him. The 1999 series also gives him a pretty visible erection during this scene.

When Hisoka says "I'm not planning on moving from here for quite a while" to Kurapika and Leorio, he actually means it in the manga/2011 series. He stays in the same position until morning. The 1999 series keeps the scene at night in order to set a scarier tone, as well as associates this funky red crescent moon motif with Hisoka. The manga and 2011 series do this. Also, Hisoka has dark rings around his eyes from his sleepless night in the manga/2011 series.

Spoiler for Hunter x Hunter Episode 16 Comparison Pt. 2:

Gon climbs a tree and locates Hisoka's next target: Agon. The 2011 series has a filler scene in which Gon silences his presence again. I found this to be a bit overkill in its direction (it's directed in a way that is definitely intended to appeal to fans of the manga and people who realize what Gon is doing in the scene), but it also kind of works (?) in terms of the story since that was part of Gon's plan to begin with.


Hisoka attacks Agon. The 1999 series reuses the exact same image of Hisoka running 8 times instead of making him move like in the manga.



The 2011 series emphasizes Gon's good eyesight in the same way that the manga does.




When Agon is killed, there's blood in the manga/2011 series. Hisoka's expression in the 2011 series after discovering Gon is more like his expression in the manga--a mix between severe fascination and delight.



Geretta is portrayed as a heartless villain in the 1999 series when taking Gon's badge. His eyes are drawn to look more fierce and villainous than they are in the manga. The voice actor's intonation makes it sound like Geretta is sneering at Gon when he tells him his faults. In the manga and 2011 series, it is intended as a lesson to the boy.


When Geretta removes the dart on the back of Gon's neck, he puts it into his pocket the 1999 series--implying that he needed it back. But in the 2011 series, he tosses it! It implies, like in the manga, he removes it out of mercy--he's showing compassion to Gon.


I really like how the 2011 series subtly mimics Gon's helplessness by showing the hemotropic butterfly caught inside of a spider's web.


When Geretta dies in the 1999 series, he's given an extra line. The 1999 series implies that he's someone who doesn't care about personal relationships with others. That, despite saving Gon in the filler, he really doesn't care because it's just not who he is.

Geretta (1999): "But what an impressive little brat! He lost his first chance by not being able to let go of his friends, but he got over that naive sentiment fast."


Hisoka appears. The tone of this scene is different between versions. It's very macabre in the manga because he enters carrying a severed head. In the 1999 series, he's wearing Geretta's hat--it's intended to be cute. In the 2011 series, he carries the corpse, which has a similar effect to a severed head. Visible death.


Hisoka typically closes his eyes and smiles in a friendly way when speaking with Gon, which contrasts with the fact that there's a severed head/dead body in their midst. That entire scene has an unsettling tone marked with a slight perversion, mostly because of how nice Hisoka is seemingly being to Gon. The 1999 series hasn't been too good at matching Hisoka's interactions with Gon.



Furuhashi completely misses the point of Gon standing back up to give Hisoka back his badge. Since the 1999 series largely stressed the importance of Gon stealing Hisoka's badge, that's our protagonist's biggest moment in the 1999 series. But in WSJ, that scene occurred at the beginning of the chapter. The really exciting moment comes from Gon's refusal of Hisoka's badges. If you've noticed, the first time that Gon says a word to Hisoka comes in this episode--when he refuses Hisoka's charity. Prior to this moment, Gon could only drop his jaw in sort of a quiet mix between awe and fear in the manga/2011 series.

But in the 1999 series, Gon directly speaks to Hisoka all the way back into episode 8. It significantly lessens the impact of the first words that Gon says to Hisoka--holding up his badge and refusing it. Moreover, despite it taking ten days for a normal person to recover from Geretta's muscle relaxant, Gon does it in a matter of minutes/hours. The valiance of Gon's actions are deemphasized in order to make Hisoka seem creepier in the 1999 version.




I'm extremely interested in moments in the series in which Togashi has a character say something poignant but doesn't show their expression. These moments are to be emphasized. The 1999 series completely missed the mark on this scene by overtly showing Hisoka's gaze--I don't think the scene in the 1999 series is as terrifying as it is in the manga/2011 series because it's so direct.

What the 1999 series often lacks in its first few arcs is the subtlety Togashi threw in. Surprisingly enough, this scene is reanimated in episode 41 and redrawn to match Togashi's style more.

Gon and Hisoka's relationship is an extremely messed up situation. Think about the pact that Hisoka makes with Gon.

Hisoka: "Right now, I'm letting you live. And I'll continue to keep you alive...until you've grown enough to become worth killing."

Gon hears that in its entirety. Think about his future interactions with Hisoka--Gon knows his intentions. The emphasis placed on the line in the 1999 series makes him sound creepy instead of perverse. I like how the 2011 series shows us Gon's reaction to Hisoka's line. The 1999 series has him wearing the same exact expression he did when he first tried to give Hisoka the badge.


Gon is sent flying. This part was reanimated in episode 41 of the 1999 series as well.



And finally, the ending.


Furuhashi's direction in the 1999 series is more about Gon overcoming his fear of Hisoka by stealing his badge. Remember Gon's initial interaction with Hisoka (in the Milsy Wetlands) and how he couldn't decide whether or not he was frightened or excited? In the 1999 series, fear wins out. This isn't the case in the manga. Look at those eyes.

Furuhashi is more concerned with the ideas about how Gon survived and how this event affected/traumatized him. The entire first half of the next episode is devoted to this, and it's painful. He tries to fill in the blanks that Togashi purposefully leaves open, which I find to be a huge mistake. I'll talk about the filler in a later post, but below are some thoughts I had while watching the episodes.


Some of Gon's biggest moments come very quietly. They're usually subdued or left for the reader to ponder. And because of his introversion--this need for him to always quietly observe to himself instead of expressing it to his friends likely developed from having none as a child. His friends only realize once it becomes egregious or reckless, but his anger is trouble.

The 1999 series' version, though subdued for the genre, was still very loud. We experience everything that Gon feels--his sorrow, his fatigue, his anguish, and specifically how he feels he failed. This episode is directed very well, but there are a few issues in Gon's characterization (in contrast to the manga, anyways). Gon deals with his emotions silently, which is a fault. Typically, it's only when he's angered (or very moved) when he lets them out.

I started realizing something troubling after watching these few episodes a few times. Gon is a mary-sue in the 1999 series. He is literally flawless. His only visible flaw (if you can call it that) in the 1999 series is that he's younger than everyone else around him. Any time he does something wrong, it's assuaged by the fact that he's a child. His flaws are overlooked due to his age, which isn't something Togashi wants the viewer to do because the story is a coming-of-age tale. It wipes away his responsibility. And worst of all, he becomes less interesting as a character is a result. I don't think that it's much of a surprise that he doesn't feel like the main character in much of the 1999 series.