Review of Hunter x Hunter: The Last Mission

Hunter x Hunter is a series that often defies expectations. It is almost as if Togashi weaves magic into his writing to make it unpredictable and Madhouse uses their magic to create a richly animated version that shows just as much heart. This magic is what creates the renowned television series today. But does Hunter x Hunter: The Last Mission have this same magic? Well, let’s see – A plot that centers around revenge is not a new concept in Hunter x Hunter. Two of its main characters have had revenge as a motivation during at least one point in the original anime series. However,their revenge tales are interesting and even novel at times. Although the plot of The Last Mission is even reminiscent of Kurapika’s journey for vengeance, the execution of the three original character’s revenge is simple and predictable. It is so simple that it can even be described in one sentence. With no specific spoilers, the plot of The Last Mission is that everyone in Heaven’s Arena and Netero are taken hostage by four people; therefore, while the protagonists try to free the captives, they each encounter an enemy tailored for them to battle which they eventually defeat with some casualties, and that casualty is what causes Gon to fight against the final boss. Considering this setup, how do you suppose the final showdown will progress? Hint: if you have seen any other battle shounen movies such as Naruto, Bleach, or Inuyasha, just take one of their final battles and there you go, it’s almost exactly the same as The Last Mission’s.

Even with many characters making a return in The Last Mission, their presence is heavily muted because of the movie's attempt to develop its new characters. While trying to characterize new characters is important, the movie takes a typical route of giving them a brief, melancholy flashback and a protagonist that sympathizes with them in order to make their actions justifiable. This standard and lazy characterization creates little attachment and development to the characters, causing them to have a textbook feel and minimal depth. Even when returning characters were on-screen, their actions are warped in order to suit the plot’s need and there is little reminder that in the original television series, they actually have a personality and are properly characterized.

The art and animation of the movie is lackluster. Shading is often nonexistent, thus giving characters and backgrounds a flat look. The characters were also sloppy drawn with considerably less detail. Even the animation leaves much to be desired. Not much continuous and fluid motion is shown. While battles take place in interesting locations, the lack of fluid movement and the subpar art create battles with little impact or grandeur.

The Last Mission had the ingredients it needed in order to be compelling. However, Madhouse’s lack of fervor shows through the movie’s mediocre art and animation. And without Togashi as the writer, even the characters that the audience have become attached to cannot hold an uninspired plot and standard characters afloat.

Simply put, Hunter x Hunter: The Last Mission was not woven together with magic. Now whether magic is needed in order for you to enjoy the movie is up to you. But those who hope to be enticed by the magic that the television series was endowed with will be disappointed.