As for the series I’m not going to blog:
– Let me get back to Bakuman when Mirai Nikki airs. It really seems to be better paced than last season, but I’m not entirely convinced yet.
– Squid Girl is funny, but much of the same.
– C3’s second episode indeed was better than the first, and the artistic direction at least was interesting. But the acting and direction still are terrible. Even during the “good” parts.
– Majikoi has no confidence in its own direction. If you’ve got an original concept, go for it. Don’t half-heartedly insert fanservice, harems and a horny dog in the second episode.
– Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon’s source material is way too big to fit in 26 episodes, and the second episode didn’t really seem in a hurry to get to the good parts.
As for Hunter X Hunter, here’s my issue: the animated version of the Yorkshin arc was perfect. What can this new version hope to add to it, and how long does it take to find this out? The guy behind the series composition has a rather questionable resume, so I’m really not convinced that he can really do justice to that arc. I’m not worried about dumbing down the gore or violence, but rather that the subject material and dialogue are dumbed down.
But ah well, it’s not like the first season was flawless. Its slow pacing in its first half worked at times (the running exam for example), but at others it took a bit too long (like with Killua’s home). If this show can solve these pacing issues, it’ll definitely be interesting to see where it’ll go. The animation is also quite good so far: the characters move quite a bit around, and interestingly there is none of the usual CG that Madhouse likes to overuse.
And yeah: I’m not going to pass up what pretty much is the cream of the crop in terms of shounen series. This show is miles above the likes of Naruto, Bleach, Fairy Tail and all of the other cliched shows that have loud-mouthed brats fight in over the top fights that take on for bloody ever, nor does it have cheesy romance. It’s full of creativity and imagination and what also makes it unique: every major arc is significantly different from the other. There is not one moment like the other. Now THAT takes some real skill. In the end, this is just too good to pass up, even though I’ve already watched this story.
This episode also was no disappointment and what I’m especially glad to see: it wasn’t dumbed down. Instead of just brainlessly fighting, the creators still required the characters to think, and they did. Kurapica in particular seems very intelligent, and he is definitely the best portrayed so far. Leorio’s voice actor is a bit of a mis-cast, but it probably won’t be hard to get used to him. Gon’s voice actress though… that really was a bad decision. She lacks experience, and yells too much.
Rating: * (Good)]]>
Hunter X Hunter – 02
“… yells to much.”
That right there is one of the problem I have had with this episode. The bgm was too loud and was at times incredibly obnoxious. It forces a gaiety, energetic feeling that a scene doesn’t need. Its way over the top.
The direction sucks too, its one of those example where they just adapt the material by using every panel of the manga to push the story forward without the subtle touch the original anime series used. Following the manga faithfully is good and all, but they should at least use the medium to expand or enhance the story.
Anyway, I’m glad that was over, we could go and meet the rest of the cast on the next episode.
Yeah, Gon’s voice is really bad… Leorio I can see working out eventually (once the voice actor decides how he wants to do his voice).
But… They are making everything a bit more kid-friendly. These are nitpicks of course but…
Yeah, I don’t mind the kid-friendliness as long as they keep the intelligence (and Hisoka still comes across as a psycho). I actually prefer the new version’s lighter, adventure feel than the over-the-top solemness of the previous version. I think it will heighten the contrast with the later, darker arcs where Gon has to face up to harsher realities. I also like the fast pace.
I am the opposite of you I think Gon and Leorio’s Seiyuu perfectly fit the roles while Kurapica sounds a bit too feminine.
That being said Kurapica’s seiyuu was a bit better in this episode for me.
I’ve never seen the original anime except in passing, and I think I might have read one or two of the manga chapters, but with both I couldn’t get into it – even with the creator having been Togashi.
With these first two episodes though, I am enjoying this series more than when I tried to before. There’s just something about it that’s keeping me more entertained. By what everyone else has said, maybe I just like things faster and more innocent/kid-friendly? Whatever the case, I will be watching this.
Why? Whyy all the dislike on this show? I just don’t understand…
Perhaps it does have the makings of standard shonen fare, and the soundtrack does remind of pirates and One Piece for some inexplicable reason,but I really found the past 2 episodes of HunterxHunter to be a lot of FUN. I used to watch the first series back when I was a kid, but I just had to stop watching it at some point because it felt too heavy for me (yeah, I guess I was too stupid back then, so sue me).To be honest, parts of the original made me feel kind of crummy.
After every episode, I just kept thinking how I wish I could’ve shown this to my younger self. I would’ve probably enjoyed it more had it been like this back then. I mean, I just could’nt stop smiling for some darn reason at certain scenes. Take note that this is coming from someone who just fast-forwards through most shonen (although we have yet to get to the battle scenes). So the fact that I’m not just trying to endure the episodes means a lot [to me].
On a totally ireelevant note,why is it I still have issues with Kurapika’s gender? In Yu Yu Hakusho, I totally got that Kurama was this girly-looking(and sounding) yet butt-kicking dood, but when it comes to Kurapika I…just don’t know.Even when they showed him half-naked (I think) in the original HunterxHunter, I was STILL in denial. That was the first “gender confusion” moment I got in anime.EVER.
…Hey, I just realized. I’m probably mature enough to appreciate the first HunterxHunter. Should probably get around to watching it one of these days…
Man, you hit the nail on the head about Naruto, Bleach and other Shounen series. This is MILES above than that other garbage. After, the disaster of Ao no Exorcist this is quite refreshing. This and One Piece(New Era arc which is awesome) is the only Shounen series I’m watching this season.
Woah super fast paced! We’re at the Hunter Exam site next episode. This is where the fun starts! I thought Kurapica’s seiyuu sounded much like Kaida Yuki though. Gon and Leorio’s VA is decent , but, yeah, Gon’s seiyuu was pretty much like on coke all the time.
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Judging by the comments, I’m guessing Gon’s seiyuu still has a very, very long way to go…
I guess people wanted to have and see great expectations from her (and her voice) since her mother is a famous seiyuu after all (the voice of Luna from Sailor Moon come to mind)…
BTW, her mother voiced Mito in the first episode…I see what you did there Madhouse…