There are so many layers and themes to uncover in this episode. All the development of the ant king culminates to the climax of this episode. This is what strongly changes the antagonist and shakes his beliefs to the core. Incredible episode, incredible action and incredible animation.
28 Reviews
Masterpiece
friannk29 August 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This is it!!!!
This is all we we've been waiting for since the hunters assault on the royal palace began.
Netero vs. Meruem is with no doubt the greatest fight among all hxh great fights and with no doubt one of the greatest fights in history of Anime.
This Episode also proves that hxh is still awesome and is one the best animes ever made!
This Episode also proves that hxh is still awesome and is one the best animes ever made!
Excellent
randy-2655630 May 2019
A Clash of Humanity
BadgerStorm434521 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This fight wasn't Just great because of its visuals or music, but it's character development. Meruem, the villain of this arc, is painted as a protagonist where as Netero, the old man fighting for Humanity, is who you're rooting against. This fight truly gives us our first and last dive into how truly unstoppable Meruem can be if he goes all out, in which he still didn't do. This fight's visuals and music also obviously add to how great this clash of titans is. Chairmen Isaac Netero was a great character and this episode ends him off perfectly.
Peak of shonen anime
Alex-Akh18 February 2021
Great
mark-9944112 August 2020
What can I say?
youssef-0718031 August 2020
Greatest anime episode ever made
gantzbasset12 February 2021
The fight isn't the only great thing about this episode its the twist at the end , great animation, the philosophy of both sides getting clashed , the theme of the fight , the dialogue , the use of color , the music , the strategies
.
Everything in the episode is just godly epic
Masterpiece
lipeplay28 May 2021
Epic
sandeephkotegar10 February 2021
An Exercise in Spectacle (Long-winded Analysis Ahead :) )
liammc-7327414 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Here we have it. This is Meruem and Netero's inevitable ultimate clash. It's positively rife with tension and the stakes are the highest they've ever been. Meruem, the end-product of the evolutionary process shouldering the responsibilities passed onto him by every past generation of his species, battles with one man fighting for humanity's right to retain free will and live without fear of oppression at the hands of the ants. Within this episode we explore themes of obsession, ultimate respect, love, malice, and the essence of humanity.
I want to start off by saying that the staging of the battle is flawless. Netero effectively creates a massive tomb for the both of them while simultaneously setting up a crack in this barren stone landscape for the "miniature rose" to blossom from. At the end of the last episode Netero's heart gesture foreshadows the outcome of the match, subtly alluding to the trap he'd laid for Meruem.
Meruem's love of games, inspired by his initial quest for ultimate mastery of all things, is a prominent aspect of his approach to this battle. Komugi's influence permeates the king's philosophy here. He thoughtfully considers Netero's every move, breaking down his combat rhythm and uncovering the tiniest of unconscious biases in his attack and defense strategies. It also manifests in Meruem's new motivation to utilize his ultimate power to "protect the weak who deserve to live." Finally, it inspires Meruem's newfound ability to express genuine admiration. Meruem is constantly professing his respect for Netero as a warrior throughout the fight, trying to convince him that he doesn't need to die.
Netero's Nen ability stems from his ultimate respect and love for martial arts. Through his obsession with the activity for his entire life, he established the condition for using 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva as a literal expression of gratitude to martial arts for making him the person he is. This obsession toes the line between sublime love and utter insanity, which dawns on Meruem in the midst of the duel.
Both Netero and Meruem find themselves in a state of bliss and rapturous joy during their clash. Meruem is easily the strongest living thing we've seen in the HxH universe, and is a head and shoulders above Netero in terms of raw power despite Netero's being the most competent Nen and martial arts master humanity has. This allows Netero to take initiative in a fight for presumably the first time in many decades, as he no longer has to hold back or hesitate for the sake of his opponent. Thus, both get to revel in the glorious combat.
Their power dynamic in this episode has a layer of complexity beyond mere aura and Nen mastery. Netero holds a power over Meruem in that he possesses the one thing Meruem yearns for but can never attain on his own: the knowledge of his name. Netero uses this to incite the battle and essentially manipulate Meruem into becoming complicit in his plan to exterminate him.
The combat itself is so unique and intellectual. It's a synthesis of wonderfully choreographed physical exchanges, and artfully conveyed concepts. The physical combat is built upon afterimages and playing with perception of time. The gungi and "threading the needle" analogies are illustrated beautifully and are expertly interpolated between flurries of blows. The contrast of the deep purple of Meruem's aura against the brilliant yellow of Netero's is just a spectacle to behold on screen. Finally, after literally giving up an arm and a leg with each exchange, Netero unleashes his Zero Hand. It's a perfect encapsulation of his character and a beautiful ultimate sacrifice. Through this attack, Netero expels all of his gratitude and positivity.
In the wake of Zero Hand, an interesting role reversal happens with the pair. Meruem develops a naive hope for the future in the creation of a utopian ant society where humans could "coexist" with them, while Netero embraces the darkness of humanity that Meruem forgets to account for. In the end, the crumpled husk of Netero that essentially embodies the very worst of humanity becomes the first thing to strike fear in Meruem's heart. This entire final sequence is bone-chilling perfection. The stark visual changes to Netero and the presence he exudes, the fear in Meruem's eyes, and the scope of the destruction caused by "miniature rose" are brilliantly dark and extremely effective artistic choices.
Sound design, score, direction, and voice acting were just perfection to me as well. While Gon and Hisoka's fight earlier on might hold the most potent impact and flashiest choreography, nothing holds a candle to the magnitude of this conflict. The sheer scope of this episode, with all the buildup and layers of subtext, makes it one of my favorites in all of anime. It's thematically rich, and an absolute spectacle for the senses.
I want to start off by saying that the staging of the battle is flawless. Netero effectively creates a massive tomb for the both of them while simultaneously setting up a crack in this barren stone landscape for the "miniature rose" to blossom from. At the end of the last episode Netero's heart gesture foreshadows the outcome of the match, subtly alluding to the trap he'd laid for Meruem.
Meruem's love of games, inspired by his initial quest for ultimate mastery of all things, is a prominent aspect of his approach to this battle. Komugi's influence permeates the king's philosophy here. He thoughtfully considers Netero's every move, breaking down his combat rhythm and uncovering the tiniest of unconscious biases in his attack and defense strategies. It also manifests in Meruem's new motivation to utilize his ultimate power to "protect the weak who deserve to live." Finally, it inspires Meruem's newfound ability to express genuine admiration. Meruem is constantly professing his respect for Netero as a warrior throughout the fight, trying to convince him that he doesn't need to die.
Netero's Nen ability stems from his ultimate respect and love for martial arts. Through his obsession with the activity for his entire life, he established the condition for using 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva as a literal expression of gratitude to martial arts for making him the person he is. This obsession toes the line between sublime love and utter insanity, which dawns on Meruem in the midst of the duel.
Both Netero and Meruem find themselves in a state of bliss and rapturous joy during their clash. Meruem is easily the strongest living thing we've seen in the HxH universe, and is a head and shoulders above Netero in terms of raw power despite Netero's being the most competent Nen and martial arts master humanity has. This allows Netero to take initiative in a fight for presumably the first time in many decades, as he no longer has to hold back or hesitate for the sake of his opponent. Thus, both get to revel in the glorious combat.
Their power dynamic in this episode has a layer of complexity beyond mere aura and Nen mastery. Netero holds a power over Meruem in that he possesses the one thing Meruem yearns for but can never attain on his own: the knowledge of his name. Netero uses this to incite the battle and essentially manipulate Meruem into becoming complicit in his plan to exterminate him.
The combat itself is so unique and intellectual. It's a synthesis of wonderfully choreographed physical exchanges, and artfully conveyed concepts. The physical combat is built upon afterimages and playing with perception of time. The gungi and "threading the needle" analogies are illustrated beautifully and are expertly interpolated between flurries of blows. The contrast of the deep purple of Meruem's aura against the brilliant yellow of Netero's is just a spectacle to behold on screen. Finally, after literally giving up an arm and a leg with each exchange, Netero unleashes his Zero Hand. It's a perfect encapsulation of his character and a beautiful ultimate sacrifice. Through this attack, Netero expels all of his gratitude and positivity.
In the wake of Zero Hand, an interesting role reversal happens with the pair. Meruem develops a naive hope for the future in the creation of a utopian ant society where humans could "coexist" with them, while Netero embraces the darkness of humanity that Meruem forgets to account for. In the end, the crumpled husk of Netero that essentially embodies the very worst of humanity becomes the first thing to strike fear in Meruem's heart. This entire final sequence is bone-chilling perfection. The stark visual changes to Netero and the presence he exudes, the fear in Meruem's eyes, and the scope of the destruction caused by "miniature rose" are brilliantly dark and extremely effective artistic choices.
Sound design, score, direction, and voice acting were just perfection to me as well. While Gon and Hisoka's fight earlier on might hold the most potent impact and flashiest choreography, nothing holds a candle to the magnitude of this conflict. The sheer scope of this episode, with all the buildup and layers of subtext, makes it one of my favorites in all of anime. It's thematically rich, and an absolute spectacle for the senses.
So Fricking Epic
hama-bouz27 May 2019
NO WORDS
shobhapoojari27 March 2021
Animation at its best..!!
sumukhar-196602 August 2021
This episode is an animated masterpiece. I mean 20 minutes of top tier animation having an amazing showdown between the two strongest characters of the show was just too epic. This will always be one of my most favourite fight sequences in Anime. Just wow..!!
The madman and the king
svetlioserafimov24 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
If "the right amount of madness" is required to become a hunter, then the chairman has gone way past it. The episode is a beautiful display of power, pride, fear and malice. The art is beautiful, every frame captures the vast emotions of the old man as he turns from a shining symbol of piece into a small withered man, seemingly consumed with madness. Yet it is the latter that the king fears, as the chairman laughs in the face of their carefully planned death.
Iconic
Piotr_Klos12 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The amount of character development and drama that has led up to this fight was astounding. Moreover, the self reflection of Meruem and Netero during their battle was more intellectually intriguing than any anime fight I have witnessed. Let's not forget that the music, art, and story writing were top notch. HunterxHunter is one of the rare animes that will take emotion and intellect, and amplify them to their maximum potential, and this episode, along with a few others (notably Gon's rage), demonstrate just that. I love how ironic it is that Meruem's humanity, instilled onto him by Komugi, was the reason that humanity was saved. On top of that, you could justify that Netero's inhumanity was the cause of Meruem's death. It leaves one in self reflection about defining antagonist versus protagonist. Truly a work of art.
Unbelievable!
Albi729716 August 2021
Best Episode in the history of anime
mobilerafi14 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I know I kinda over rating the episode by saying the best... But I really feel the same still...
'It was the the first time the king had felt fear..." probably a line with most significance.
from the very moment of his birth the king was fearsome. He was so sure that nobody stands above him... He is the most superior being and have every right to dominate others... That very same King feeling fear for the first time.
and the reason was just a Human!
and the reason was just a Human!
Epic and Philosophical
cemiguem19 May 2022
This fight shows us everything that makes this series great, it shines for the opposing ideas that Netero and Meruem represent. The episode is a journey of excellent animation, direction and music that ends in another sample of human potential and mutual respect.
GOOSEBUMPSSS
ksmes2 June 2022
one word : EPIC
deepalikgade27 May 2021
BEST FIGHT IN HISTORY
ignaciorossel28 March 2022
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