Review of Hunter x Hunter: The Last Mission
It's hard to measure up this movie to the main series. Overall, I would recommend this movie if you're looking for more HxH content, but wouldn't mind that it's not something that can top the final arcs of the main series. It's not bad from an "anime movie/spinoff" stand point and better than the other movie, but just okay from a "Hunter x Hunter" stand point. Story (7/10): Where this falls within the timeline can be a little confusing since its not entirely clear when this takes place. It looks like it takes place between the Greed Island arc & Chimera Ant arc, but the 2story arcs as so back-to-back that it's hard to fit this story in.
But when it comes to the actual storyline of this movie, it's a pretty straight forward revenge story. The concept of "On" is a bit odd, but I guess you can see it as a combination of Ten (from the covenant) & Zetsu (from grudge) [to make bloodlust] with Hatsu (as the dark energy)?
With they way that the plot was handled, I would give it a 7, but on a HxH scale I would give it more of a 6.5.
Art (9/10): Huge upgrades in animation quality compared to the 1st movie and on par from the quality in the series. It would have been nice if there was fighting through out the whole movie and not just he 2nd half, but the last fight was visually great.
Sound (7/10): Maybe its because I'm used to hearing some music or distinct sfx always playing in the anime, but the moments without it was not unwelcomed. And between the sub and the dub, the sub is better because the lines in the dub can come off as a bit rushed to match the lip-sync.
Character (7/10): Their pretty on par with how they act at this point of the timeline. The new antagonists', their motivation, and their backstory was a good amount of angst without making it a complete sob-story, but still fitting level dark would you would expect from HxH.
Enjoyment (9/10): The timing of when you watch this makes a difference. After a couple years and rewatching the series a few times, I'm a bit more forgiving than someone that saw this when it 1st came out. However it's debatable on whether or not the movie should be watched before or after it, because the early reveal of Netero's special ability... I don't know.
So this movie has that similar feeling of nostalgia of times before the high tension & feels of the Chimera Ant arc. I was surprised how the fights involving On had awaken some feels that I've tucked away since the final match-ups in the Chimera Ant Arc. And for that, I applaud this movie for at least measuring up to my expectations.
If I had to boil down my thoughts on this movie. It's harmless, nicely made, and I would say that I would watch this again.