Review of Hunter x Hunter
One of those gems which are really HARD to find, that is Hunter x Hunter by Yoshihiro Togashi. The starting point is that of a typical shounen: a boy who wants to meets his father who, instead of taking care of his son, went to a never-ending adventure. But how the story was executed compensated for that clichè. I'm pretty sure that everyone who didn't watch the 1999 series and still hasn't got baited by this shounen type synopsis like me, immagined how this anime would be very wrong. There's much more to it. Unpredictability and development are some of the greatest point of hxh.The fights are always strategy based, so even when a character is very weak, he can still win the battle, even just a part of it (what I mean here is completing the objective but not defeating completely the opponent) . And even when just talking (about the plans or deducing their opponents' move or power), you can feel its intensity which keeps you interested and pushes you to watch another episode. It's also very hard to anticipate how the story would go, it always goes on the other way, near or opposite of what you were thinking. The 'adventure' and 'bright' theme you thought you'll see here, is not here. Surely, there will be some of those but not the amount you were expecting. The contrast between the dark and bright tone of every arc is enjoyable.
The only flaw I think there is is the incomplete conclusions of some arc. People are left wondering where this x character go, what is -insert name here- doing or what happened to this one.
Madhouse, as we know, always does a great job. Good animations, excellent fighting scenes and in some scenes there are only pictures which highlights the emotion of that particular character be it joy, pleasure or rage, I think it's very fitting and likable. Hisoka and Togari's fight is my favourite. It was very fluid, Hisoka's graceful dodges and moves were well-animated.
The thing that got particularly criticized is the color palette. Many think that the darker tone of the original is lost. The art which made numerous fans' spines shiver. I think it's just their nostalgia though that they tend to miss what they loved. Personally, I think the colors are just right and the darker color palette are still there or will be there when it's time to use it.
Character designs are fine. Some were changed or were added some details. Others' design really make their persona more interesting, enigmatic or cooler.
Departure! is one of those openings you're gonna hate in the first 5 episodes then will grow on you and in the end it'll be one of your favourites. At least that's the case for me. The only ending I don't like is the first one though I don't particularly hate it because all endings are well made. Ending 2 (Hunting for your Dream) and 5 (Hyori Ittai) are very pleasant to hear
The use of classical music for soundtracks is excellent. They will make you have goosebumps. I honestly don't know how to describe it.
The voice actors/actresses are magnificent, in particular Hisoka's and Killua's. Namikawa Daisuke and Ise Mariya really do an outstanding voice acting on their characters, even with different moods and/or changes of personality.
Knowing it's a shounen, I predicted that this anime would have a vast group of characters; more useless ones with 1 or 2 adjectives needed to describe him/her, less screen time for each person, and people wouldn't really care if they appear or not. I was mistaken. They're interesting, each has their own story and persona. No one is THAT stupid, if serious, anyone in this series can think of their own strategy, complicated or not.
Character developments. It's just amazing how the author can write these, especially Killua's and Meruem's. The transition of a literally killing machine into an exceptional and loyal friend: It is just fantastic.
-1 point because it is unfinished, I'm here like many people wanting it to continue. Though what I really wish for is a conclusion without loose threads.
Everything I've mentioned above is the reason it is 10/10. The 1 point I added, is something you can only understand if you had watched this anime (of course, this only applies to those who loved Hunter x Hunter). Those are the reason why the enjoyment is without a doubt 11/10 ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°). The only anime I think is par with hxh is FMAB. I definitely recommend Hunter x Hunter to everyone because it surely is a Masterpiece.