Hunter x Hunter Chapter 38 Discussion

I think the Hunter Exam is such a good arc, and maybe the most underrated in the series. I hear a lot of people that say the first arc is childish and a bit boring, which I totally don't agree with.



The best thing about the arc is getting to know all the characters, and we learn some things about them that will continue to be explored later on. There certainly are some dark aspects of our main characters already at this point.



The second best thing is just all the fun and imaginative tests that they have to take in the exam. They never win on strength alone, instead they actually have to think and come up with solutions. And up until the end, we're never sure who's going to succeed. And to have Killua lose and immediately set up the next arc is a great and exciting transition.



Oh, and to compare this to Togashi's other works. At the time, I think only Yu Yu Hakusho's Chapter Black arc is superior to this one. But you can't really compare these two arcs, one being an introduction arc and the other pretty far into the manga. That said, the Hunter Exam arc is a lot better than Yu Yu Hakusho's introduction. Overall, Hunter x Hunter just feels so much more thought out, with a story and world already established in chapter 1.



I also love how this chapter feels so 90's, with the explanation of cyberspace, cell phones and fax machines.

Lol all this "surfing" is kind of showing this manga's age. Anyways, I was about to say this arc is done, but apparently the exams aren't finished quite yet?



EDIT: According to the replies this arc is done... it's one of the best introductory shonen arcs I've seen. Loved it, and it clearly set up a lot of future plot points.

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                        And thus concludes the Hunter Exam arc, which provided to be a really fun arc & going through this was a really nostalgic experience. Admittedly, the series was a bit slow in the beginning but it picked up quickly. In the anime, I always thought it took until Trick Tower for me to get fully absorbed into the series (though I really enjoyed some of the earlier episodes, episode five in particular [the one where Hisoka fights Gon & Leorio if I'm messing up the episode number]) but here, I think I'd argue it happened around the second phase of the second phase, the sushi challenge. Though, it was really the only "new" thing I was reading, so that probably influences my opinion.



I'm still torn about what my favorite phase of the Hunter Exam as I love both Trick Tower & Zevil Island.



Trick Tower always reminded of Yu Yu Hakusho's Four Beasts arc (Togashi's involvement is surely a main component to why). Structurally speaking, they were both extremely simple & was essentially just a series of one-on-one fights between our protagonists & the antagonists (the similarities stop there, though Hiei & Killua's bout are definitely in the same vein). Personally, I've always been a fan of this set-up as it designed to give each character their moment in the spotlight & boy did it succeed. Each match here also brought something different. Gon's brought simple but effective trickery, ending with a simple but effective solution by Gon. Leorio's gambling brought a [the best usage] of mind games. Kurapika's brought a lot of character insight, built up intrigue for his story arc & provided the first "Oh shit" moment for me. & Killua's . . . well that was just badass. Also, the conclusion to this phase with using the weapons to break down the wall, might just be the most clever resolution in this arc.



Zevil Island isn't a slouch either. I just love the entire concept of it & Togashi definitely took advantage with it. Particularly the Gon/Hisoka portions, which are still my favorite part of this entire arc.



I also really love the fifth phase, though I don't know if that's a popular opinion or not. I'm sure some people found the conclusion anti-climatic but personally, it was far more engaging than if it just play out normally. Hanzo vs. Gon was the best we were going to get out of this concept & starting off with finding out that Killua was disqualified for killing before seeing why really hooked me in (& took me off guard, when I first saw this the thought never even crossed my mind that one of the main five wouldn't pass). & the Killua/Illumi "match" was fantastic, Kil's development here instantly solidified him as my second favorite character when I first saw this. I may have even preferred Killua to Kurapika at that point, I don't really remember.



So yeah, really good introductory arc. Kinda rambled there but I couldn't help it. As for the chapter itself, it was okay.

Arc 1 done - it was perfectly fine with the odd exceptional chapter. All the main characters are established, and I could some them up in a few characteristics which is a good thing. I like Gon, Killua and Leorio the most and Hisoka has had a strong villain set up. The actual exam is OTT but its shonen, OTT is to be expected. Good art which is always a plus. I'd give the arc a 7/10. 

The hunter exam is not end!!!

HUNTER EXAM ARC



First arc completed!!



i really liked it and i realized the anime is heavily censored, a great first arc.