Hunter x Hunter (2011) Episode 124 Discussion

judals said:
and people say the Narrator is useless.... his line made me cringe... in a good way. Damn.

Minagatachi said:
Great episode. Glad to see Palm is back, and she's got a power up! Makes things good for the Hunters. Not useless, just excessive at times. He was good in this episode. I enjoy episodes like this when the narrator doesn't unnecessarily narrate.

katsu044 said:


take it were at the half point now or just over it for this arc?.

MrAM said:
This episode...

Killua crying was incredibly hard to watch. The look of absolute sorrow on his face, his tears, the cracks in his voice...it was heartbreaking, especially since he's my favorite character. Suffice to say I was glad with how this episode ended.

But wow...there was some really fascinating stuff here! The best material had to do with Killua, of course. This moment had been built up over the CA arc, and in many ways it is just as important as Gon's development. Gon and Killua's relationship has been a focal point the whole series, but it's especially crucial in this arc, because for the first time its being put to the test. Killua has always been used to having Gon as his guiding light, and even made it his personal mission to always look out for Gon.

The dynamic between them has been fundamentally changed now, ever since Gon saw Kit's current state back in episode 95. Gon, in many ways, has ceased being Killua's light, even if the latter still desperately wants it to be so. But in his hatred of the Chimera Ants and quest for vengeance, Gon has fundamentally become a different person. His cheerful, genial, and kind-hearted characteristics are what attracted Killua to him in the first place. Killua was forced to grow up from a young age; he never had a chance to be a normal child with normal friends who had fun like any other kid in the world. He finally found that with Gon: a chance to be a child again. Gon's innocence and purity became the center of his world.

That's why Gon's change is so devastating to Killua. The innocence, the purity, the fun of Gon's personality is fading away before his eyes. Killua, throughout this arc, has repeatedly risked his life over and over for Gon's sake, always put Gon first, and what does he get in return? Nothing. Gon doesn't notice him anymore, doesn't actually BE his friend. Killua is on his way again to being alone, and there's nothing he could do about it.

That's the primary reason that Killua is so pained, and why he completely broke down in this episode: he thinks there's nothing he can do. Killua's always been about control, to the point of obsession. As an assassin, he overthinks and analyzes every situation, no matter how trivial. This aspect of his character became abundantly clear in Yorknew, and continued into Greed Island, and became most prominent in Chimera Ant. Killua's rational, pragmatic approach to every thing he did has always been one of his biggest flaws, and it cost him a lot in earlier arcs and in this one as well. If he can't be sure he has complete certainty about how a situation will unfold and that he has the ability to control the sequence of events, he begins to worry, to back out. It was why earlier in the series he never attacked an opponent stronger than him.

Now he's in a similar situation with Gon; he sees what's happening, and he feels utterly helpless to prevent it. Being Killua, he tried to put on a brave face, to pretend everything was alright, that all the variables were under control. Here's the thing though: Killua really is helpless. He was the first one to stray from the plan, ironically, when the invasion began; for all his planning, Killua simply can't anticipate everything. He may be a professional assassin, but he's still only 13-years-old.

It's especially saddening because it calls back what Gon told Killua back in the Yorknew arc, when they were trying to escape from Nobunaga: that it was Gon's job to do idiotic things, and it was Killua's job to stop him. That exact situation is playing out now, in a far more dire matter than either boy could have foreseen. Gon is indeed acting like an idiot, and Killua managed to halt him a bit back when he almost attacked Komugi...but that's it. Neither can help one another much at this point.

That's why I appreciated the ending of the episode so much, though. By indirectly bringing Palm back, Killua just proved himself that he CAN do something. He isn't as useless as he thinks he is, and that's what Palm tells him. The fact that he told Palm that he thinks that she's the only one who can help Gon indicates just how far his opinion of himself has fallen. It's extremely sad, really.

Also, note that it was Killua's crying that brought Palm back. His blatant display of humanity is what returned it to Palm. Not the most original twist in the story, but very fitting here.

About Palm...her new outfit looked pretty awesome actually. Her attacks as Black Widow were nice to watch. I really liked how Togashi used Palm to basically demonstrate the position of every Chimera Ant. What we saw here was a Palm with her memories, but not the sentimental emotions attached to them. Basically, an extreme of her usual self. Her desire to kill Killua is simply a radical representation of the jealousy she felt towards him when she was still human. Her inexplicable desire to see Gon is for the same reason. As an Ant with past human memories but no humanity to accompany them, Palm was a monster who used aggressive and violent means to reach her goals.

And again we see the ever-present theme of humanity and how it relates to the Ants. The Narrator states that the experiments the Ants carried out revealed that Ants who had memories of their past lives had greater mental fortitude, and that these memories could aid in their growth or deterrence. Deterrence happens, apparently, when memories led to emotional reactions. The brilliance of all that is that it describes with utter precision what has been happening to the Chimera Ants. Yes, memories can indeed aid in the growth and deterrence of soldiers, because they humanize the soldiers. They become capable of using Nen abilities, of acting like normal, thinking humans, but with it they allow their emotions and desires to dictate their actions, thereby fracturing the unified and orderly structure of the Ants.

Togashi continues to be subtle with the positions his characters use. Killua's blocking formation with his arms was the same one he used when fighting against the Bomber's partner back in Greed Island. I though that was a nice touch.

SaSa-Zoldyck said:
Just watched the episode review of a youtuber **cough* forneverworld*cough cough** and some of the things he said made me raise my eyebrows. Than I come here and read MrAM post and what a difference, I have a feeling that the wrong people are reviewing this amazing series lol.

SetsukoHara said:
If you want good YT review of HxH, you should probably check uberhikari channel.

MrAM said:
This episode...

Killua crying was incredibly hard to watch. The look of absolute sorrow on his face, his tears, the cracks in his voice...it was heartbreaking, especially since he's my favorite character. Suffice to say I was glad with how this episode ended.

But wow...there was some really fascinating stuff here! The best material had to do with Killua, of course. This moment had been built up over the CA arc, and in many ways it is just as important as Gon's development. Gon and Killua's relationship has been a focal point the whole series, but it's especially crucial in this arc, because for the first time its being put to the test. Killua has always been used to having Gon as his guiding light, and even made it his personal mission to always look out for Gon.

The dynamic between them has been fundamentally changed now, ever since Gon saw Kit's current state back in episode 95. Gon, in many ways, has ceased being Killua's light, even if the latter still desperately wants it to be so. But in his hatred of the Chimera Ants and quest for vengeance, Gon has fundamentally become a different person. His cheerful, genial, and kind-hearted characteristics are what attracted Killua to him in the first place. Killua was forced to grow up from a young age; he never had a chance to be a normal child with normal friends who had fun like any other kid in the world. He finally found that with Gon: a chance to be a child again. Gon's innocence and purity became the center of his world.

That's why Gon's change is so devastating to Killua. The innocence, the purity, the fun of Gon's personality is fading away before his eyes. Killua, throughout this arc, has repeatedly risked his life over and over for Gon's sake, always put Gon first, and what does he get in return? Nothing. Gon doesn't notice him anymore, doesn't actually BE his friend. Killua is on his way again to being alone, and there's nothing he could do about it.

That's the primary reason that Killua is so pained, and why he completely broke down in this episode: he thinks there's nothing he can do. Killua's always been about control, to the point of obsession. As an assassin, he overthinks and analyzes every situation, no matter how trivial. This aspect of his character became abundantly clear in Yorknew, and continued into Greed Island, and became most prominent in Chimera Ant. Killua's rational, pragmatic approach to every thing he did has always been one of his biggest flaws, and it cost him a lot in earlier arcs and in this one as well. If he can't be sure he has complete certainty about how a situation will unfold and that he has the ability to control the sequence of events, he begins to worry, to back out. It was why earlier in the series he never attacked an opponent stronger than him.

Now he's in a similar situation with Gon; he sees what's happening, and he feels utterly helpless to prevent it. Being Killua, he tried to put on a brave face, to pretend everything was alright, that all the variables were under control. Here's the thing though: Killua really is helpless. He was the first one to stray from the plan, ironically, when the invasion began; for all his planning, Killua simply can't anticipate everything. He may be a professional assassin, but he's still only 13-years-old.

It's especially saddening because it calls back what Gon told Killua back in the Yorknew arc, when they were trying to escape from Nobunaga: that it was Gon's job to do idiotic things, and it was Killua's job to stop him. That exact situation is playing out now, in a far more dire matter than either boy could have foreseen. Gon is indeed acting like an idiot, and Killua managed to halt him a bit back when he almost attacked Komugi...but that's it. Neither can help one another much at this point.

That's why I appreciated the ending of the episode so much, though. By indirectly bringing Palm back, Killua just proved himself that he CAN do something. He isn't as useless as he thinks he is, and that's what Palm tells him. The fact that he told Palm that he thinks that she's the only one who can help Gon indicates just how far his opinion of himself has fallen. It's extremely sad, really.

Also, note that it was Killua's crying that brought Palm back. His blatant display of humanity is what returned it to Palm. Not the most original twist in the story, but very fitting here.

About Palm...her new outfit looked pretty awesome actually. Her attacks as Black Widow were nice to watch. I really liked how Togashi used Palm to basically demonstrate the position of every Chimera Ant. What we saw here was a Palm with her memories, but not the sentimental emotions attached to them. Basically, an extreme of her usual self. Her desire to kill Killua is simply a radical representation of the jealousy she felt towards him when she was still human. Her inexplicable desire to see Gon is for the same reason. As an Ant with past human memories but no humanity to accompany them, Palm was a monster who used aggressive and violent means to reach her goals.

And again we see the ever-present theme of humanity and how it relates to the Ants. The Narrator states that the experiments the Ants carried out revealed that Ants who had memories of their past lives had greater mental fortitude, and that these memories could aid in their growth or deterrence. Deterrence happens, apparently, when memories led to emotional reactions. The brilliance of all that is that it describes with utter precision what has been happening to the Chimera Ants. Yes, memories can indeed aid in the growth and deterrence of soldiers, because they humanize the soldiers. They become capable of using Nen abilities, of acting like normal, thinking humans, but with it they allow their emotions and desires to dictate their actions, thereby fracturing the unified and orderly structure of the Ants.

Togashi continues to be subtle with the positions his characters use. Killua's blocking formation with his arms was the same one he used when fighting against the Bomber's partner back in Greed Island. I though that was a nice touch.

Cheesekao said:

According to one of the staff, the arc will end at episode 135 and they'll animate the election arc after that.

Person in question:
https://twitter.com/mountful

I don't know when that tweet was but there's one on April 4 that pretty much confirms it. Google translate sort of works, so yeah.

Well I changed my statement somewhat and by the way, I actually did explain why I thought Hunter x Hunter was so fantastic in my second paragraph. So not like I said it without some words to back it up.

iLostreason said:
i didnt say he's not interesting, because he is.Its just that i personally hate him for being who he is (right now).He respects King so much, yet he doesnt follow his orders.He says he wants to protect him? bs, he just cant stand that others are changing.He doesnt even try to understand why its happening.He just wants to ''protect'' King, while actually King doesnt need any help from him.Gotta say that hes an intriguing character tho, and im looking forward to see what will happen next.I just hope that King will beat something into him...if its not too late ._.

Eutass said:
Killua got afraid of Palm and surrendered and decided to buy some time. I am actually confused what just happened to him after that. Was he seriously crying or just buying some time?

Amazing Pouf!

GuusWayne said:
Gon isn't a true friend, sure he can do stupid things but there is a limit to that shit. He's also a hypocrite and his rage is unjustified.

SetsukoHara said:

If you want good YT review of HxH, you should probably check uberhikari channel.

GalekC said:
You should watch Uber Hikari's review, if that's gonna happen tonight.

diivil said:


Killua Sums up pretty well why Gon's rage is indeed justified in the episode.

http://img.batoto.net/comics/2011/08/07/h/read4e3e5db04d080/HunterxHunter_294_05.png

You should pay more attention.

GuusWayne said:
I've been reading the manga before you even knew about it so don't tell me to pay attention. That's just you blindly accepting the fact, Killua only stated the obvious. He didn't say anything we didn't already know, are you unable to think for yourself? Gon's rage isn't justified, he barely knew Kite in the first place + the nature of their job should have them accept the notion that they or a friend could lose their lives at any moment and don't come with the he's just a kid bullshit argument, I'm just gonna laugh at you.

GuusWayne said:
Lame comeback is lame.

GuusWayne said:
Lame comeback is lame.

GuusWayne said:
You're both lame. He didn't even say why it was justifiable because it's not, he knows I'm right and he's butthurt.

soundscape said:
@MrAM

Awesome post... I was expecting for that, great job. You should start a blog or sth....

Especially this....

"And again we see the ever-present theme of humanity and how it relates to the Ants. The Narrator states that the experiments the Ants carried out revealed that Ants who had memories of their past lives had greater mental fortitude, and that these memories could aid in their growth or deterrence. Deterrence happens, apparently, when memories led to emotional reactions. The brilliance of all that is that it describes with utter precision what has been happening to the Chimera Ants. Yes, memories can indeed aid in the growth and deterrence of soldiers, because they humanize the soldiers. They become capable of using Nen abilities, of acting like normal, thinking humans, but with it they allow their emotions and desires to dictate their actions, thereby fracturing the unified and orderly structure of the Ants."

MrAM said:
This episode...

Killua crying was incredibly hard to watch. The look of absolute sorrow on his face, his tears, the cracks in his voice...it was heartbreaking, especially since he's my favorite character. Suffice to say I was glad with how this episode ended.

But wow...there was some really fascinating stuff here! The best material had to do with Killua, of course. This moment had been built up over the CA arc, and in many ways it is just as important as Gon's development. Gon and Killua's relationship has been a focal point the whole series, but it's especially crucial in this arc, because for the first time its being put to the test. Killua has always been used to having Gon as his guiding light, and even made it his personal mission to always look out for Gon.

The dynamic between them has been fundamentally changed now, ever since Gon saw Kit's current state back in episode 95. Gon, in many ways, has ceased being Killua's light, even if the latter still desperately wants it to be so. But in his hatred of the Chimera Ants and quest for vengeance, Gon has fundamentally become a different person. His cheerful, genial, and kind-hearted characteristics are what attracted Killua to him in the first place. Killua was forced to grow up from a young age; he never had a chance to be a normal child with normal friends who had fun like any other kid in the world. He finally found that with Gon: a chance to be a child again. Gon's innocence and purity became the center of his world.

That's why Gon's change is so devastating to Killua. The innocence, the purity, the fun of Gon's personality is fading away before his eyes. Killua, throughout this arc, has repeatedly risked his life over and over for Gon's sake, always put Gon first, and what does he get in return? Nothing. Gon doesn't notice him anymore, doesn't actually BE his friend. Killua is on his way again to being alone, and there's nothing he could do about it.

TonyTonyStark said:
Mediocre animation for the fight, but they captured the emotion quite perfectly.

MCAL said:
Except Diivil gives you actual psychical evidence why it is justifiable and you just pretend it doesn't exist. And also proceed to make random assumptions too.

judals said:
Do they really re-do BD versions or is that some wishful thinking?

GuusWayne said:
The only so-called evidence was a stupid link to a manga page for what was this weeks episode. Repeating the same bullshit and stating the obvious while thinking it was enough, unlike people like you, I question beyond what is simply stated, I also tend to look down on people like you for your lack of debating skills and low reading comprehension. I don't feel like reading any reply so don't bother.

diivil said:


What obvious thing did I state(I want an answer)? And how come you still don't understand it if it so obvious?? You have been reading the manga wayyyy before me after all. You look down on me for my debating skills, I thank you for your ignorance and inability to understand something that is so obviously stated. Because it seems to me that you either don't like this invasion or are just too simple minded to understand the simple and obviously laid out point/goal of the invasion that togashi is telling. I am willing to bet it probably both.

insan3Spectre said:
Btw, has Palm been in the ED with her new look all this time? I just noticed it last episode. I watch the OP and ED literally every episode, how did I not notice this?

GuusWayne said:
I just skimmed through your shitty post and I can't tell whether you're 5 or you have mental problems. Either way I now feel bad for the smart people and geniuses who have lived. It couldn't be easy being surrounded by people like you.