Hunter x Hunter (TV Series) Defeat × and × Disgrace (2012) User Reviews

Top 10 episode of this series

[oaktreeinspring · 10/10 · 6 June 2021]

This is an episode that really develops Gon's character. He shows the essence of what being a Hunter is all about. Gon's resolve to tackle challenges that are seemingly too difficult to him becomes a common theme in the series and this is one of the brightest moments. I see this episode as an encapsulation of the entire series itself. Gon, on his journey to hunt an ever-elusive and powerful target, his father. In this episode, Gon is on a mission to hunt an ever-elusive and powerful target, Hisoka.

If someone said to pick a quintessential episode, maybe not the best, but quintessential episode of this series, it would be hard to not argue for this episode. It's that good.

And also, if the manga ever completes, let's be honest with this question: what is the one-on-one fight for all the marbles that should happen for closure and completion of character arcs? Watch this episode to get the hints.

A Pivotal Episode

[liammc-73274 · 10/10 · 27 May 2022]

This episode is an absolute roller coaster! We begin with Gon immediately thrust into a dilemma where he has to evaluate and prioritize the things he values the most: loyalty/friendship, and the pursuit of his father / the Hunter lifestyle. While not forced to make an immediate decision, getting to see him grapple with this choice is very compelling.

Gon's dynamic with Hisoka is the crux of this episode, and the writers and directors explore and illustrate every facet of it. The enigmatic joker figure is developed even further here, and every scene he appears in has a palpable energy and tension to it. His flamenco-inspired theme in the score is electric, and all of the additional ambient sounds perfectly augment the tone of each scene.

The other brilliant aspect of this episode is the symbolic significance of the hemotropic butterflies. They're used to represent bloodlust, foreshadow violence, and illustrate the dire situations that Gon finds himself in over the course of the episode. They were beautifully integrated into the story through subtle directing choices, and really made this episode stand out for me.

This is definitely the best episode of the series thus far, and it serves as a perfect setup for one of the best payoff fights in the history of anime in the next arc!

IMO, the greatest HxH episode at the time of writing

[chonzo · 10/10 · 8 January 2024]

For me this is one of the greatest episodes in anime. It is rare to encounter a single episode in a show that checks all the boxes as to why I enjoy anime so much, those boxes being great character development and symbolism, intense action/suspense, and ingenious foreshadowing that makes you ask questions about the direction of the plot. The way this episode is directed is equally as brilliant, especially with regard to its pacing and selection of shots. All these elements help us to ultimately view Gon as a much deeper and layered character than had been shown up until this point, and the constant suspense held throughout the episode kept me invested in Gon's (and other characters') development.

Overall, a perfectly executed adaptation of a clever, unique, and thrilling plot. Hard to find other single episodes that could say the same.