Hunter x Hunter Pilot

This stand-alone OVA of Hunter x Hunter, which is the prologue of the 1999 television series, offers a little insight into Gon's childhood and why he decides to become a Hunter. This OVA is a slight shift from the starting of the Hunter x Hunter series, where Gon, Kurapika and Leorio are on their way to become successful Hunters. While on their journey to give the Hunter Examination which is notorious for its low ratio success rate, the three characters are attacked by a giant octopus-type monster. This episode shows us the little fight that happens before the great adventure of the trio in the ... world of Hunter x Hunter begins. There's also a scene at the start of the episode where little Gon is saved by Kite as he's being attacked by a wild foxbear. Although it only lasts for a while, it was good to relive the moment that plays a pivotal role in the future Hunter x Hunter series.

This episode came on 1998, before the production of the Hunter x Hunter TV show began so there's little I'll complain about the artwork which is below par, but watchable. The same applies for the background music, insert tunes and voice acting in this show. Although you won't miss out on anything important if you miss this OVA, but if you're planning on starting either the 1999 or 2011 TV series then this Pilot OVA is a good little watch.

I'm gonna say this first off: don't even try to watch this unless you're a big fan of the series, whether it's the 1999 version, the 2011 version, or the manga.

Why? Well, it's more of a 'fan's treasure' if you ask me.

To begin with, the story is the same as the first episode the other two anime (I assume-- at this point, I have only see 2011, though I am planning on watching 1999 soon) but it takes it on in a different way, especially when compared to 2011. The story itself includes more daring escapades compared to 2011, along with more bravery ... and jarring events.

The art, while grainy (it was another time when this was made) is well done and animated pretty smoothly.

The sound was decent, with the voice actors doing a good job and the background music very fitting.

The character, however, is what makes this a fan's gold mine. We see aspects of these characters we haven't seen before, whether it be Gon's selfishness that reminds others of his father, or perhaps Mito's annoyed love as Gon leaves just like Ging did, or even Leorio's rude comments and new badassery: this OVA covers a lot of things that 2011 didn't touch, making the characters more real, flawed, and deep, even just in half an hour.

Overall, because of the characters especially (and also because I just love HxH) I enjoyed this a lot.

I would recommend this if you: are a Hunter x Hunter fan, like 'collectibles' or vintage things

I would NOT recommend this if you: do not like Hunter x Hunter, can't stand grainy or 'old-timey' animation

Have a great day everyone!

This is Hunter x Hunter, so it can't really go wrong. I like to think this is an alternative reality version of HxH, and since reportedly Togashi did some voice role in this pilot, I would have to think the actual PLOT of this is on some level approved and cleared by Togashi, which as a HXH fan makes this piece an EXTREMELY interesting work.

Togashi has, many times, claimed he would like to go back and re-edit some of the older HxH work, and this is sort of even an early example of where that might possibly be true.

Another real factor that ... gives this some historical merit is almost as a time capsule into what Masashi Kishimoto was seeing upon the eve of Naruto. For those unaware, Kishimoto has several times stated HxH is the major inspiration for Naruto, other than Ninku (and in his youth, Akira).

Now, let's bring up Ninku for a moment. The voice actress for Gon is, most famously, Ash from Pokemon. However, she is also known as none other than Fusuke from Ninku! That fact along brings this little piece of history ever closer to relevance, as not only do Naruto and Gon (99) share the same actress, but Fusuke and Gon (98) share the same one (and Ash). This is that "missing link" if you willing between the Ninku>HxH>Naruto franchises, and that makes it fairly important for only a 25 minute pilot. Most pilots wouldn't have such provenance.

Nippon animation did a masterpiece of a job on HxH 99, and it is, arguably, my single favorite shonen anime. However, this is a what if into Pierrot had touched HxH instead, and I'm not confident Pierrot would have RUINED IT, but I'm also not confident that HxH wouldn't have ended up like Naruto with 150 episodes of filler to fill the gap during Togashi's hiatuses. So in a way, everything worked out exactly as it should have, and in another reality, things would have gone horribly wrong.