AnimeSuki Forums

AvianWing · 2011-10-01, 15:09

It's kinda strange how the tone in HxH changes so dramatically once we hit the shin york arc (and basically have a protagonist switch). I think the new OP is fine and pretty in tune with the first op of the 1999 HxH, since it gives the fresh feeling of adventure that the first part is all about.

Edit: just saw the first episode. Animation is actually pretty smooth. Not a fan of the ending, at all. Kurapica sounds more feminine than he did in the 1999 version, and his eyes aren't green.

The pace is pretty good; seems like they want to get to the meat of the story fast.

FlareKnight · 2011-10-02, 00:36

Spoiler for Ep1:

Jarmel · 2011-10-02, 00:55

So should I see the original or new version?

vansonbee · 2011-10-02, 01:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarmel

So should I see the original or new version?

I saw the old one, but I'm watching the new one too, so yes, watch the new one, but if your anxious to find out what happens in the new version, go back to the old

(I would so do that)

nellA · 2011-10-02, 02:15

Spoiler for Episode 01:

thundrakkon · 2011-10-02, 02:22

I just saw the new episode. I saw all the older, original episodes as well, and well, besides being newer with better animation, this new version is just not up to the standards of the old version, so far.

First off, Gon's VA is a little high pitch and annoying. I checked her out, and she is new, with this being her first or second character.

Next, the background music just did not match. I hope that improves, but it seems like the producers knew that this was a good series, so they did not care what they threw in just hoping the fans will just accept it.

Furthermore, this one episode jumped straight in without much background information at all. It took 3 episodes from the original series to come to the same point where this first episode ended. I guess they want to catch up to where the previous series ended as soon as possible, but I am concerned that the quality and deep characterization that made the first series so great will suffer from this.

I will try to keep an open mind for a few more episodes, but I do hope it improves.

Kaoru Chujo · 2011-10-02, 02:39

I'm totally new to this franchise, so I can't compare it with anything, but I thought ep1 was excellent. I thought the plot moved along well, and was interesting and sometimes moving. The characters had a bit of depth, which was communicated very efficiently. It used a kiddy style, but made something of it.

I myself thought the voice-acting was outstanding, particularly Han Megumi, who played Gon. The voice had such vibrancy and purity, an irresistible sunny strength. Apparently her actual mother, Han Keiko, a well-known seiyuu/actress/writer/astrologer, played the mother-figure Mito.

I thought Sawashiro Miyuki used a perfect version of her voice, soft but strong. And Fujiwara Keiji was effective as always, balancing strength and silliness. But the voice that stole the show for me was the captain. And he was played by the chairman of the Ken Productions seiyuu agency, Utsumi Kenji.

ZODDGUTS · 2011-10-02, 02:46

Yeah this wasn't as good as the original. They threw away many scenes between Gon and Mito. Their relationship is shown nowhere as deep as it was in the original.

This guy in another forum is spot on about the first episode:

Quote:

[Hunter X Hunter Reboot 1]

I can't really recommend this to anyone. Not because it's bad, but because it's very...'eh'.

If you are already familiar with the original series, you may be happy to see the show move past a lot of the introduction stuff and into main arc as quickly as possible. But if you've already seen the original I don't see this as being much better, in terms or art, animation, detail choreography etc. It has that cheap, modern, low-detail look that isn't very appealing. So this isn't a FMA: Brotherhood situation where at least it looks great.

If you're one of those people who has not seen the show before I really wouldn't recommend watching this version, unless you can't sit still for three minutes without having something happening.

This reboot compressed the events of the first three episodes into a single piece (with some changes and alterations, obviously). I don't really like that, at all. The pacing of the events, the character interactions and development, important and weighty choices...they are all gone or severely reduced. For example, in the original, Gon's mother doesn't want him to go take the Hunter exam. There's some family tension that lasts two episodes - in this version it's a few lines. That's it. You can't make us care about all this in two lines, there's no time for anything to develop. That really kills the whole scene for me, and robs it of any impact.

I really think the original shows pacing, which focused on letting events unfold naturally. The actual direction is very...unremarkable as well. Scenes exist and connect, but nothing interesting is being produced.

I would recommend checking out Hunter X Hunter Orginal 1-3 and see if you prefer that version.

Clarste · 2011-10-02, 03:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by nellA

Spoiler for Episode 01:

When was it revealed in the original anime? This is always where he talked about his clan and such. If you're talking about the eyes, that was revealed before he even got on the boat in the original anime.

Sazelyt · 2011-10-02, 03:46

There may be parts to skip later on but why now????

It is really silly, story became awfully shortened, characters started missing, and there has been no emotional connections...

There will also be voice related problems, Kurapica is fine and Leorio's can be ignored. But when did Gon become a female character? I hope that they will supplement Gon's voice actress with extensive male hormones, so she can start sounding a bit normal for a male kid. Also where is the good old emotional background music that created a unique connection with the storyline.

Right now, even with the animation quality of the old ages, I think the original is way better than whatever they are creating at the moment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarmel

So should I see the original or new version?

Definitely, unless you wanna first finish the current series with a feeling of wth..

yourfriendrick · 2011-10-02, 04:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by AvianWing

Not a fan of the ending, at all. Kurapica sounds more feminine than he did in the 1999 version, and his eyes aren't green.

The pace is pretty good; seems like they want to get to the meat of the story fast.

I also like the fact that the pace seems faster. I didn't like the slow pace of the original series and OVAs. However, the ending song is perhaps the worst use of autotune I have ever heard.

Kurapica doesn't just sound more feminine, Kurapica sounds like a 30-year-old woman. She sounds like a really *attractive* 30-year-old woman, but she sounds like a mature, adult woman, not like a boy, not like a man.

Then again, considering that Kurapica is a rather grim and serious character, it doesn't really matter what his sex might be, because he's all about the violent revenge.

Edit:
http://myanimelist.net/people/99/Miyuki_Sawashiro

She was born in 1985, and she's got a beautiful voice, but she's got an amazingly feminine voice.

thundrakkon · 2011-10-02, 05:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaoru Chujo

I myself thought the voice-acting was outstanding, particularly Han Megumi, who played Gon. The voice had such vibrancy and purity, an irresistible sunny strength. Apparently her actual mother, Han Keiko, a well-known seiyuu/actress/writer/astrologer, played the mother-figure Mito.

I guess that is why this newbie got such a highly coveted role as her first role. She did not grow in the ranks through smaller roles leading to larger roles like most seiyuu do. Besides, it looks like I am not the only one that has issues with her acting.

I am okay with the rest of the cast, even liking the voice acting of some of them very much. It is just Gon that seems so out of place for main, most prominent, character of the show. I do hope she improves, but the first episode did not impress. Btw, I did not compare this Gon to the original Gon at first, since it has been 6-7 years since I saw the original series, so I don't have much memory of it.

I do recommend that you watch the first 3 episodes of the older series to see the difference why that series was so epic. I don't recall much else from that series (so long ago), but I do remember that I could not stop watching it. It really pulled me in with the story, deep characterizations, emotions, and great fight scenes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fipskuul

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarmel

So should I see the original or new version?

Definitely, unless you wanna first finish the current series with a feeling of wth..

I am sure he meant that you should watch the older series.

vrz · 2011-10-02, 05:08

man i was hoping this would be a continuation of the series.

but turns out its a remake?

sighs... got my hopes up and all

Keroko · 2011-10-02, 05:22

I can think of a reason for why they shortened everything. Ten years ago, the pace of Hunter X Hunter was good, but these days the TV and movie industry is all about being faster and more intense. You need to grab your audience with the first episode or you have a high risk of them being turned off. And investors will keep pushing that short even shorter.

So they shortened everything and got the entire cast together in the first episode. Putting out the entire basic premise of the show in one episode rather than three.

Now for my own opinion, the new voices are going to take a bit of getting used to. They sound so similar that the small difference actually sounds more off than it should. Not really a fan of how much detail, character building and general world building they skipped. Yeah I can understand the why, but that doesn't mean I like it. The slow pace of the series and the well developed cast was one of its charms.

Shiroth · 2011-10-02, 05:51

I certainly enjoyed the first episode, and the difference approach it had to adapting the material. Does help that i fell in love with the look of this adaptation right from the start (does help that the OP certainly pumps me up). I welcome this to my Sunday morning watch.

kitten320 · 2011-10-02, 08:26

So it is a remake of old series? Not a second season or something?
I haven't watched original but do want to watch it at some point. But since we have a new version now, is there a point for me to bother with old one? Or should I watch both at the same time? Or just new one?

ZODDGUTS · 2011-10-02, 08:37

Well for one the original series is one of the best shonen anime ever made. Yes it's that good, right up there with Kenshin. I would recommend watching it and also watch the first OVA series which continues off the TV series and finishes the arc that the TV series didn't. After that ignore the other OVA's and either read the manga where the first OVA series left off or wait for this remake series to catch up to that point.

articuzwolf · 2011-10-02, 08:42

like the new cast, especially Miyuki Sawashiro (as Kurapica) and Fujiawara Keiji (as Leorio)

Gon's VA is quite good as well but he doesn't give a deep impression like the other two...

now the only problems left are Killua and Hisoka

Quote:

Originally Posted by vrz

man i was hoping this would be a continuation of the series.

but turns out its a remake?

sighs... got my hopes up and all

you realized it waaaay to late

Toto y Moi · 2011-10-02, 08:55

A lot of what this series is doing is retconning the creative liberties taken with the original series. The original, while great, created some problems due to the direction. The very first episode of the 1999 series changed Mito's profession and her relationship to Ging (making Mito her mother's sister instead of Ging's cousin; problematic to future episodes).

The end of the 1999 anime series was running concurrently with the manga; it reached a point where a significant plot point was left out of the anime because the SJ draft had a typo in the text.

Also,

Quote:

Originally Posted by yourfriendrick

Kurapica doesn't just sound more feminine, Kurapica sounds like a 30-year-old woman. She sounds like a really *attractive* 30-year-old woman, but she sounds like a mature, adult woman, not like a boy, not like a man.

Then again, considering that Kurapica is a rather grim and serious character, it doesn't really matter what his sex might be, because he's all about the violent revenge.

Edit:
http://myanimelist.net/people/99/Miyuki_Sawashiro

She was born in 1985, and she's got a beautiful voice, but she's got an amazingly feminine voice.

The reason why I quoted your post is because I think that the choice to give Kurapika a feminine voice was in order to do another one of these retcons. Togashi has never fully revealed whether or not Kurapika is male or female. In all of Togashi's series, at least one character does something atypical with gender (and gender roles as a consequence). Hunter x Hunter is a prime example of this. Many characters who look like women are actually men, and vice-versa. Often times, he doesn't ever give a clear answer (i.e. in the case of Neferpitou).

Kurapika's gender is intentionally ambiguous, and this episode only added to the question of whether or not he's hiding that. The scene where Kurapika refuses to tell his reasons for trying to become a Hunter was adapted quite differently than the original series. Quote:

"That said, if I were to tell you the truth, I would be exposing my deepest secrets."

In that instance, he clutches his robes over his heart and the camera pans down to his chest. Also, Kurapika and Leorio's tension in this episode could be interpreted as romantic tension. Of course, Togashi doesn't give a shit about traditional gender roles and relationships--anything goes.

The problem with the 1999 series is that Kurapika was made more masculine than in the original manga. There were scenes with his shirt off, which threw out any chance of him being a girl there.

Vicious108 · 2011-10-02, 08:58

People really should watch the original anime first. It was a fantastic adaptation, whose filler wasn't even possible to identify as filler because it tied in so well with everything else. It had great voices, animation, music, etc. I really don't have nearly as much faith in this remake, especially after all the toned down violence reports we've gotten.

Anyway, pretty decent first episode. I assume they'll be including all of first chapter stuff they skipped in a future flashback.

As for the new voices... As expected FujiKei fits Leorio like a glove, and Gon's newbie seiyu is actually pretty good, but Miyuki Sawashiro's just not very credible as a male, even one as effeminate looking as Kurapica. Yuki Kaida will be missed and it will take me a while to warm up to this new Kurapica. As for the secondary characters, it's good to hear Han Keiko again after so long, though she sounds a little too old these days for Mito, IMO.

The ED theme was amazing. And Hisoka's glowing crotch = fabulous. Hopefully Daisuke Namikawa will do him justice, albeit I though he'll be as good as Hiroki Takahashi, who was as perfect as it gets in the role.

2011-10-01, 15:09	Link #161
AvianWing lol whut? Join Date: Jun 2006	It's kinda strange how the tone in HxH changes so dramatically once we hit the shin york arc (and basically have a protagonist switch). I think the new OP is fine and pretty in tune with the first op of the 1999 HxH, since it gives the fresh feeling of adventure that the first part is all about. Edit: just saw the first episode. Animation is actually pretty smooth. Not a fan of the ending, at all. Kurapica sounds more feminine than he did in the 1999 version, and his eyes aren't green. The pace is pretty good; seems like they want to get to the meat of the story fast. Last edited by AvianWing; 2011-10-01 at 23:50.

2011-10-02, 00:36	Link #162
FlareKnight User of the "Fast Draw" Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Canada	Spoiler for Ep1: Well here it begins. Have next to no knowledge about the series so this should be a good and long journey . There really are all types. Some would just resent their father to the end for abandoning them for their job and then some like Gon want to find out what was so amazing about the job that they would abandon their kid. Follow the same path as that person. Of course with a series that has had a manga running this long it's probably not very simple what went down with his father. Guess we'll find out eventually which it ends up being for Gon. Get some characters introduced and get the journey started off. __________________ Anime-Evo

2011-10-02, 02:15	Link #165
nellA Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006	Spoiler for Episode 01: Old vs. New The new anime covered 3 episodes of the old anime in 1 episode. [So quick.] Many of the emotional scenes between Mito and Gon are gone. [Emotional scenes are good.] Kurapika's secret is already revealed. [Too soon.] There is no knife fight between Kurapika and Leorio. [Best action is omitted.]

2011-10-02, 02:22	Link #166
thundrakkon Anime-Only Viewer Graphic Designer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: USA	I just saw the new episode. I saw all the older, original episodes as well, and well, besides being newer with better animation, this new version is just not up to the standards of the old version, so far. First off, Gon's VA is a little high pitch and annoying. I checked her out, and she is new, with this being her first or second character. Next, the background music just did not match. I hope that improves, but it seems like the producers knew that this was a good series, so they did not care what they threw in just hoping the fans will just accept it. Furthermore, this one episode jumped straight in without much background information at all. It took 3 episodes from the original series to come to the same point where this first episode ended. I guess they want to catch up to where the previous series ended as soon as possible, but I am concerned that the quality and deep characterization that made the first series so great will suffer from this. I will try to keep an open mind for a few more episodes, but I do hope it improves. __________________

2011-10-02, 02:39	Link #167
Kaoru Chujo Yuuki Aoi Join Date: Jul 2004	I'm totally new to this franchise, so I can't compare it with anything, but I thought ep1 was excellent. I thought the plot moved along well, and was interesting and sometimes moving. The characters had a bit of depth, which was communicated very efficiently. It used a kiddy style, but made something of it. I myself thought the voice-acting was outstanding, particularly Han Megumi, who played Gon. The voice had such vibrancy and purity, an irresistible sunny strength. Apparently her actual mother, Han Keiko, a well-known seiyuu/actress/writer/astrologer, played the mother-figure Mito. I thought Sawashiro Miyuki used a perfect version of her voice, soft but strong. And Fujiwara Keiji was effective as always, balancing strength and silliness. But the voice that stole the show for me was the captain. And he was played by the chairman of the Ken Productions seiyuu agency, Utsumi Kenji. __________________ YUUKI Aoi 悠木碧. b92.03.27 (age 29). 2008 Kurenai (Murasaki). 2009 Yumeiro Pâtissière (Ichigo), Kiruminzuu (Riko), Yutori-chan (Yutori-chan). 2010 Vampire Bund (Mina Tepeş), Shiki (Sunako), Samurai Girls (Juubee), Pokémon: Black and White (Iris). 2011 Madoka Magica (Madoka), Gosick (Victorique), A-Channel (Tooru). 2012 Symphogear (Hibiki). 2014 Pilot's Love Song (Claire/Nina), Nanatsu no Taizai (Diane). 2015 Owari no Seraph (Krul Tepes), Rokka no Yuusha (Fremy). 2016 Boku no Hero Academia (Tsuyu, Froppy). 2017 Kino no Tabi (Kino). 2021 Kumo desu ga (watashi), Kaizoku Oujo (Karin), Heike Monogatari (Biwa), etc., etc. Total of 513 roles in anime and games.

2011-10-02, 00:55	Link #163
Jarmel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006	So should I see the original or new version?

2011-10-02, 05:08	Link #173
vrz Member Join Date: Jul 2011	man i was hoping this would be a continuation of the series. but turns out its a remake? sighs... got my hopes up and all

2011-10-02, 05:22	Link #174
Keroko Adeptus Animus Author Join Date: Jan 2007 Age: 36	I can think of a reason for why they shortened everything. Ten years ago, the pace of Hunter X Hunter was good, but these days the TV and movie industry is all about being faster and more intense. You need to grab your audience with the first episode or you have a high risk of them being turned off. And investors will keep pushing that short even shorter. So they shortened everything and got the entire cast together in the first episode. Putting out the entire basic premise of the show in one episode rather than three. Now for my own opinion, the new voices are going to take a bit of getting used to. They sound so similar that the small difference actually sounds more off than it should. Not really a fan of how much detail, character building and general world building they skipped. Yeah I can understand the why, but that doesn't mean I like it. The slow pace of the series and the well developed cast was one of its charms. Last edited by Keroko; 2011-10-02 at 06:14.

2011-10-02, 05:51	Link #175
Shiroth Beautiful fighter. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: England, UK Age: 37	I certainly enjoyed the first episode, and the difference approach it had to adapting the material. Does help that i fell in love with the look of this adaptation right from the start (does help that the OP certainly pumps me up). I welcome this to my Sunday morning watch. __________________ MyAnimeList Twitter

2011-10-02, 08:26	Link #176
kitten320 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007	So it is a remake of old series? Not a second season or something? I haven't watched original but do want to watch it at some point. But since we have a new version now, is there a point for me to bother with old one? Or should I watch both at the same time? Or just new one? __________________ My anime list

2011-10-02, 08:37	Link #177
ZODDGUTS Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005	Well for one the original series is one of the best shonen anime ever made. Yes it's that good, right up there with Kenshin. I would recommend watching it and also watch the first OVA series which continues off the TV series and finishes the arc that the TV series didn't. After that ignore the other OVA's and either read the manga where the first OVA series left off or wait for this remake series to catch up to that point.

2011-10-02, 08:58	Link #180
Vicious108 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007	People really should watch the original anime first. It was a fantastic adaptation, whose filler wasn't even possible to identify as filler because it tied in so well with everything else. It had great voices, animation, music, etc. I really don't have nearly as much faith in this remake, especially after all the toned down violence reports we've gotten. Anyway, pretty decent first episode. I assume they'll be including all of first chapter stuff they skipped in a future flashback. As for the new voices... As expected FujiKei fits Leorio like a glove, and Gon's newbie seiyu is actually pretty good, but Miyuki Sawashiro's just not very credible as a male, even one as effeminate looking as Kurapica. Yuki Kaida will be missed and it will take me a while to warm up to this new Kurapica. As for the secondary characters, it's good to hear Han Keiko again after so long, though she sounds a little too old these days for Mito, IMO. The ED theme was amazing. And Hisoka's glowing crotch = fabulous. Hopefully Daisuke Namikawa will do him justice, albeit I though he'll be as good as Hiroki Takahashi, who was as perfect as it gets in the role.