Decisions. Decisions. Killua is faced with a tough decision that has consequences. He was the MVP of this episode. As much as I love Gon, I think this episode clearly showed why Killua is essential to Gon. Gon means well but his idealism gets the best of him while Killua's pragmatism is vital. I think the game the two boys played with Netero on the airship really foreshadowed this episode. Killua realized they couldn't get the ball and went to bed while Gon kept going for it...this show is great!
5 Reviews
Start to get serious
hasdkeanr1 May 2020
Will Make your Blood Run Cold
liammc-732746 June 2022
This episode is framed first around Gon and his relationships with Ging and Kite, then around Killua and the ideals instilled in him over the course of his childhood assassin training.
Over the course of these first 10 episodes of the Chimera Ant arc (and especially in the first part of this episode), we've come to realize how thoroughly Gon latched onto his one experience with Kite. Gon truly sees him as a father figure, even going so far as to say, "You were teaching me the rules in Ging's place," while reminiscing about their run-in with the fox-bear mother and her cub. Through this, we come to understand Gon's deep-rooted longing for his father on a more profound level.
Before the climax of the episode, Kite explains one last rule to our optimistic duo: that of the hunt. He explains that a Hunter must always be in pursuit of prey, and how hunting is a constant battle of resolve. He attempts to convey the harsh reality of the Hunter lifestyle to them, but this only sinks in after a horrifying run-in with the first member of the Royal Guard.
Kite, Gon, and Killua's confrontation with Neferpitou is one of the most anxiety-inducing and gut-wrenching moments in anime. Neferpitou is absolutely terrifying with his childlike curiosity, cold and calculating demeanor, and menacing beastly aura. Killua is able to assess the gravity of their situation and performs some necessary damage control. The fallout of this confrontation examines the importance of accepting defeat in order to fight another day, while also pointing out the weakness of the mentality that was drilled into Killua by his brother and father. It also introduces and highlights the theme of powerlessness and how it affects people differently.
The final portion of the episode beautifully illustrates how Killua views his friendship with Gon. He sees himself almost as an outsider on this journey, symbolized by the blue bird observing his conversation with Gon on a branch outside the window. He is accompanying Gon on his quest because preserving their friendship is the only real aspiration he has at the moment. He is in the process of rejecting the profession he was conditioned to pursue since birth, and Gon is the one giving him the strength to do it. Gon is his light, his purpose. This tender moment is brilliantly juxtaposed with the brutally blunt finale. This conclusion is a wonderfully clever use of dramatic irony. It looms large over Gon and Killua (unbeknownst to them of course) until an incredibly potent payoff much later in the arc.
This episode is one of several peaks of this arc, which in my opinion are some of the best in the entire medium. While the Chimera Ant arc certainly has its fair share of lulls in the pacing department, episodes like these make them more than worth it to sit through.
Over the course of these first 10 episodes of the Chimera Ant arc (and especially in the first part of this episode), we've come to realize how thoroughly Gon latched onto his one experience with Kite. Gon truly sees him as a father figure, even going so far as to say, "You were teaching me the rules in Ging's place," while reminiscing about their run-in with the fox-bear mother and her cub. Through this, we come to understand Gon's deep-rooted longing for his father on a more profound level.
Before the climax of the episode, Kite explains one last rule to our optimistic duo: that of the hunt. He explains that a Hunter must always be in pursuit of prey, and how hunting is a constant battle of resolve. He attempts to convey the harsh reality of the Hunter lifestyle to them, but this only sinks in after a horrifying run-in with the first member of the Royal Guard.
Kite, Gon, and Killua's confrontation with Neferpitou is one of the most anxiety-inducing and gut-wrenching moments in anime. Neferpitou is absolutely terrifying with his childlike curiosity, cold and calculating demeanor, and menacing beastly aura. Killua is able to assess the gravity of their situation and performs some necessary damage control. The fallout of this confrontation examines the importance of accepting defeat in order to fight another day, while also pointing out the weakness of the mentality that was drilled into Killua by his brother and father. It also introduces and highlights the theme of powerlessness and how it affects people differently.
The final portion of the episode beautifully illustrates how Killua views his friendship with Gon. He sees himself almost as an outsider on this journey, symbolized by the blue bird observing his conversation with Gon on a branch outside the window. He is accompanying Gon on his quest because preserving their friendship is the only real aspiration he has at the moment. He is in the process of rejecting the profession he was conditioned to pursue since birth, and Gon is the one giving him the strength to do it. Gon is his light, his purpose. This tender moment is brilliantly juxtaposed with the brutally blunt finale. This conclusion is a wonderfully clever use of dramatic irony. It looms large over Gon and Killua (unbeknownst to them of course) until an incredibly potent payoff much later in the arc.
This episode is one of several peaks of this arc, which in my opinion are some of the best in the entire medium. While the Chimera Ant arc certainly has its fair share of lulls in the pacing department, episodes like these make them more than worth it to sit through.
A rollercoaster of emotions
stefankljajic22 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I don't even know what to say, I'm speechless.
The hope Gon gave me when he said that Kite is still alive and hiding, then the heartbreak in the end... 85 episodes in and Killua keeps confirming why he's been my favorite character from the episode where he got introduced till now. Love the friendship between the two, it makes this show even more special (I'm also a fan of Naruto, so it's not hard to read between the lines xD).
Kite was a dope character man, really wish I could've seen more of him because he was on another level compared to previously introduced Hunters. And Ging better show up soon, like where are you at my guy? His student got killed and his son is in danger and he's nowhere to be found.
Anyways, that ending was a shock. Didn't expect to get such a brutal arc after a couple of amazing, but not so dangerous for main character arcs. Super entertaining, and I have no doubt it will continue this way.
The hope Gon gave me when he said that Kite is still alive and hiding, then the heartbreak in the end... 85 episodes in and Killua keeps confirming why he's been my favorite character from the episode where he got introduced till now. Love the friendship between the two, it makes this show even more special (I'm also a fan of Naruto, so it's not hard to read between the lines xD).
Kite was a dope character man, really wish I could've seen more of him because he was on another level compared to previously introduced Hunters. And Ging better show up soon, like where are you at my guy? His student got killed and his son is in danger and he's nowhere to be found.
Anyways, that ending was a shock. Didn't expect to get such a brutal arc after a couple of amazing, but not so dangerous for main character arcs. Super entertaining, and I have no doubt it will continue this way.
Chilling episode. Goosebumps
MReddy_Nolan2 January 2022
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