Best Arc
Lynx_7 said: RedRoseFring said: The ant society was just better at working together....to kill humans. That doesn't help the coexisting argument. When most people talk about "character development" here, they are usually referring to change, which is why I took that approach with you. I believe Yorknew was just as good with characterization, even without the added benefit of the CA arc's length. So I don't see that as an aspect that could put the CA arc over Yorknew. So in the end, Yorknew was much better in the plot aspect and just as good in characterization, hence my ranking. The ant society being better with less individual beings wasn't meant to reinforce the coexistance argument, though having a society like that doesn't necessarily rule out coexistance as long as they still developed empathy and learned to live alongside humans. That sort of balance wasn't what the story was aiming for, though, but the message conceived is also optmistic, which was what was being argued in the first place. That's the thing, though, I don't consider YN's plot better than CA's. YN was more about fast pacing, a cool noir-ish atmosphere, a strong cat and mouse script and a charismatic group of villains. CA on the other hand had more interesting setpieces, underlying themes, plot development and impact on the overall world, character analysis, bigger scale, presentation and equally compelling antagonists. I don't really consider it a better arc on basis of character development alone but rather because of the whole package. Meruem's character and growth, and to a minor extent Killua's, are just ingredients of a much meatier meal. They add a lot to it but wouldn't be as tasty just by themselves. It's a cliche to say this by now, but opinions. Yeah....learn to live alongside humans like humans have learned to live alongside cattle, for food. There is no other way that would turn out unless the ants reject their very nature. There were several messages, but none really impressed me (except for maybe one) as they are rampart throughout all of media. I agree that CA had more impact on the world, but considering that we get to see little of the world it was supposed to have an impact on (which is a failing of the overall series though, not a single arc) it hardly mattered. Interestingly enough, the CA had a bigger scale size-wise, but not character-wise. Basically all of the ants were contained in that one arc, and many were pushed to the sidelines as well. That gave the impression that only the King and RG mattered despite the dozens of ants. That is just a natural consequence of introducing an entire new species for a single arc. I didn't think the presentation was as good as Yorknew either until the very end. And I found the PT to be far more compelling antagonists as they had a history, better cohesion as a unit, and continued presence in the plot, not to mention they were active throughout. The King and RG remained pretty much uneventful until the actual invasion. Like you said, these are obviously all opinions, and it is good that you have provided your reasons for your choice. |
| "Let Justice Be Done!" My Theme Fight again, fight again for justice! |
| Chairman Election Yorknew Chimera Ant Hunter Exams Greed Island Heaven's Arena Zoldyck Family BUT THEY'RE ALL SO GOOD ! |
| Yorknew is the one I have the least problems with, but I'd still go with the Ants. Says a lot for me if a series can drop to that kind of pacing and still be engaging (most of the time, thought the Ikalgo bits were either too long or unnecessary) |
 |
| The funny thing is after HxH 1999 ended, I was told by my manga reading friends that it was a good thing they stopped animating the series by that point. Because the following arc is a fucked up one that has strange drawings and nonsensical plot. Now lo behold, CA being touted as ze best. |
| I dont like this version of hunter exam, because it has too much censorship jonnyhan said: The funny thing is after HxH 1999 ended, I was told by my manga reading friends that it was a good thing they stopped animating the series by that point. Because the following arc is a fucked up one that has strange drawings and nonsensical plot. Now lo behold, CA being touted as ze best. Are you being sarcastic?, Because the dark continent arc has an incredible start, and the drawing is excellent |
| Gintama: "The blade is not to cut down your enemies Nor is it to cut away your own weakness A sword isnt meant to protect your body A sword is meant for protecting your soul" |
| 2011 anime: CA 1999 anime: YS manga: Election = CA = YS |
cronosteso23 said: I dont like this version of hunter exam, because it has too much censorship jonnyhan said: The funny thing is after HxH 1999 ended, I was told by my manga reading friends that it was a good thing they stopped animating the series by that point. Because the following arc is a fucked up one that has strange drawings and nonsensical plot. Now lo behold, CA being touted as ze best. Are you being sarcastic?, Because the dark continent arc has an incredible start, and the drawing is excellent Might wanna read that again. |
| I voted for Yorknew overall, for many reasons already stated. Meruem and Komugi deserve to be mentioned though. the major reason I didn't vote for the CA arc was because of the slow pacing. yes, there were so many great moments in CA, but it is also the only arc in which I wanted to skip through episodes. favorite moment from Yorknew: when Hisoka learns that Chrollo is unable to use his nen. xD |
razamataz said: I voted for Yorknew overall, for many reasons already stated. Meruem and Komugi deserve to be mentioned though. the major reason I didn't vote for the CA arc was because of the slow pacing. yes, there were so many great moments in CA, but it is also the only arc in which I wanted to skip through episodes. favorite moment from Yorknew: when Hisoka learns that Chrollo is unable to use his nen. xD |
 |
| I think all of the arcs are fantastic in their own ways, each one feels like a completely different anime honestly. That's what's so great about Hunter x Hunter. |
| I'm like "Luuuuls i alreddy kno Yorknew Arc is going to be voted dabes" then I see Chimera Ant arc voted highest. Then I'm like:  Really? Every arc has their own strengths since it is HxH, but you gotta be kidding. I understand not picking Yorknew, and picking Hunter Exams instead, but the majority of you picked Chimera Ant??? One of you esplain to me dis pls. Bigger isn't better peoples. |
Cakedog said: One of you esplain to me dis pls. Bigger isn't better peoples. They didn't pick it for the length. Even I, who picked Yorknew, can see why they prefer Chimera. The incredible character development for multiple characters, including one that was born (Meruem) halfway during the arc, a random octopus character that was introduced near the end and even more, especially on our main heroes. |
Cakedog said: The whole arc is pretty much a fanservice to people who love deconstructed cliches. I'm with you, I greatly prefer Yorknew City. Plot, characters, cohesion, action and everything. By a significant margin as well. It's probably the best shonen anime arc of all time.I'm like "Luuuuls i alreddy kno Yorknew Arc is going to be voted dabes" then I see Chimera Ant arc voted highest. Then I'm like: Really? Every arc has their own strengths since it is HxH, but you gotta be kidding. I understand not picking Yorknew, and picking Hunter Exams instead, but the majority of you picked Chimera Ant??? One of you esplain to me dis pls. Bigger isn't better peoples. |
Kuralchemist99Sep 25, 2014 7:36 PM
 |
Cakedog said: I get it. We all found the development between Komugi and Meruem interesting in some way, cliche or not. Komugi is adorable, precious, you just wanna eat her up. I loved her too, she's byfar my favorite character. Let's just admit that Meruem x Komugi was the main highlight. That doesn't excuse the failure of the arc as a whole however. So we should judge an arc based on the last handful of episodes in them? Have those who favor the Chimera Ant arc completely forgotten the amount of pointless narration that happened? That was only ONE of the problems mind you. Some of the narration was good and added to what was going on, sure, but there are multiple episodes where narration takes up 1/3 of an episode, sometimes even 1/2 of them. It was ridiculous. Like someone mentioned earlier, it was literally the only arc some of us felt inclined to skip through a bit, myself included. It was like watching an arc from Dragon Ball Z but with less screaming and more nonstop chatter from the narrator. I'm still not getting over the fact that Meruem looks like Frieza and Cell had a baby. If you can't accept why it has the highest votes then you really don't get it. Narration wasn't pointless. Excuse you, I and many others enjoyed more than just the last few episodes of the arc. I loved their travels with Kite (up to his beheading), there were more characters developed than just Meruem & Komugi, the palace invasion was epic as hell (as were the fights with the Guards, mainly Youpi), there were a crazy amount of themes and symbolism, major fights were amazing, and yes, the conclusion was beautiful. Meruem was meant to look like Cell/Frieza. It's called an homage. |
Cakedog said: Meruem's development in general was the main highlight in my opinion. Like I said in an earlier post Meruem is the Frieza of HxH. Not just appearence wise, but in terms of overpoweredness in relation to the other characters. The arc was also strangely introduced. Gon and Killua get teleported from Greed Island to Kite, and he says something about Ants. And it's like all right this is the new arc. Togashi honestly could've introduced the arc better.I get it. We all found the development between Komugi and Meruem interesting in some way, cliche or not. Komugi is adorable, precious, you just wanna eat her up. I loved her too, she's byfar my favorite character. Let's just admit that Meruem x Komugi was the main highlight. That doesn't excuse the failure of the arc as a whole however. So we should judge an arc based on the last handful of episodes in them? Have those who favor the Chimera Ant arc completely forgotten the amount of pointless narration that happened? That was only ONE of the problems mind you. Some of the narration was good and added to what was going on, sure, but there are multiple episodes where narration takes up 1/3 of an episode, sometimes even 1/2 of them. It was ridiculous. Like someone mentioned earlier, it was literally the only arc some of us felt inclined to skip through a bit, myself included. It was like watching an arc from Dragon Ball Z but with less screaming and more nonstop chatter from the narrator. I'm still not getting over the fact that Meruem looks like Frieza and Cell had a baby. Edit: Apparently Meruem actually is an intentional homage to Akira Toriyama's Frieza and Cell. I didn't know that. I'm fine with it either way. |
Kuralchemist99Sep 25, 2014 9:24 PM
|
jreginald said: If you can't accept why it has the highest votes then you really don't get it. Narration wasn't pointless. Excuse you, I and many others enjoyed more than just the last few episodes of the arc. I loved their travels with Kite (up to his beheading), there were more characters developed than just Meruem & Komugi, the palace invasion was epic as hell (as were the fights with the Guards, mainly Youpi), there were a crazy amount of themes and symbolism, major fights were amazing, and yes, the conclusion was beautiful. Meruem was meant to look like Cell/Frieza. It's called an homage. Already edited my post. I'm assuming you put "an homage" instead of "a homage" because you saw it through the wikipedia like I did. The wiki has crap grammar and it's "a homage" by the way. Just an fyi. But who cares bout grimmerz. Anyway, "Epic as hell" Not sure if serious. Yeah, epic for like 50 seconds. Then we have to wait a few episodes of narration for the anime to explain that an invasion is happening. Then we wait over a dozen more episodes before we get to Netero v Meruem: which was the point of the invasion.  I read the post you linked and about halfway through I realized I was wasting my time. I don't think a book needs to be written to justify the pointless narration. When I say pointless, I'm not referring to ALL of the narration; not sure if you missed that. If all the narration was taken from the manga directly, it would be understandable for the manga. But we're dealing with animation here, not black and white comic pages where it would be tolerable. I love HxH but I'm not going to praise everything about it. Excuse you. Bottom line: Chimera Ant Arc: Worst Start, Worst Middle, Best End. |
removed-userSep 25, 2014 9:51 PM
| Yeah, we're not all going to agree about the narrations. Some people think they're masterful. Some people think they're pointless. Whatever. We all have opinions. Cakedog said: Edit: Apparently Meruem actually is an intentional homage to Akira Toriyama's Frieza and Cell. I didn't know that. I'm fine with it either way. Not surprising because Gon and Killua are based off Goten and Trunks (don't quote me, but I'm 99% sure Togashi would agree) |
MayukaSep 25, 2014 9:36 PM
| More like Goten and Trunks. In my opinion. |
|
Kuralchemist99 said: More like Goten and Trunks. In my opinion. Sorry, typo. I did mean Goten! xD |
| the entire series flows almost seamlessly. unfortunately I didn't even begin watching HxH until about a month ago, and consumed it all within a couple of weeks. so coming from my perspective, I viewed the series in four phases. pre-exam/exam/reuniting with Killua heaven's arena/yorknew greed island/joining Kite chimera ant/saving Gon and Aluka/replacing Netero and it was like choosing your favorite child...you can't really do that. again, the chimera ant arc was the only arc in which I felt like skipping some through some episodes. but Meruem/Komugi, saving Gon/Aluka, meeting the zodiacs, Leorio's punch, and Gon finally meeting Ging made up for it. I guess if I could change my vote, for the sake of this topic, I would vote for the election arc. basically, I don't really like this topic. why am I bothering with so much effort on it? because I love HxH. that's why. |
| For me, it's CA>YN>HE>GI>ELECTION>HA>ZF Kuralchemist99 said: Jaguer91 said: Because they like dark and edgy anime and overlook flaws because of it.I still don't understand why the Chimera Ants arc is so overrated, like WHY? Basically is about a giant ant who poops out ridiculous insectoid animals with higher power level than any other character. That just doesn't make sense, like why a stupid ant who was just born is already be stronger than any other character...? Logic not found. Kuralchemist99 said: The whole arc is pretty much a fanservice to people who love deconstructed cliches. You should really learn how to respect other people's opinions especially when you create a thread like this. Saying that you like YN and dislike CA is perfectly normal since it's your opinion. But trying to force your ideas upon people or creating a false motive for their love of the arc in attempt to ridicule them is disrespectful. Nobody here said that people like yorknew because it was a fanservice to those that like revenge driven quests or because they like dark and edgy characters since nobody is close minded enough to think that. We acknowldge that they have their reasons but so do those that prefer CA (most of which have been explained here but you chose to ignore them and make a false generalisation) Kuralchemist99 said: Opinions. I personally prefer the light heartedness earlier in the series. Makes me feel more upbeat. Yorknew City mangaged to combine dark storytelling, with upbeat themes which is why I think it is the best. So, if you prefer YN, then it's because you have a different opinion but when someone prefers CA, it's because he likes "dark and edgy anime and overlooks flaws"-implying Yorknew has no flaws- smh. Again, learn to respect opinions. |
razamataz said: I feel as though the transitions between certain arcs are good sometimes but not always.the entire series flows almost seamlessly. unfortunately I didn't even begin watching HxH until about a month ago, and consumed it all within a couple of weeks. so coming from my perspective, I viewed the series in four phases. pre-exam/exam/reuniting with Killua heaven's arena/yorknew greed island/joining Kite chimera ant/saving Gon and Aluka/replacing Netero and it was like choosing your favorite child...you can't really do that. again, the chimera ant arc was the only arc in which I felt like skipping some through some episodes. but Meruem/Komugi, saving Gon/Aluka, meeting the zodiacs, Leorio's punch, and Gon finally meeting Ging made up for it. I guess if I could change my vote, for the sake of this topic, I would vote for the election arc. basically, I don't really like this topic. why am I bothering with so much effort on it? because I love HxH. that's why. |
|
Cakedog said: SaSa-Zoldyck said: Both arcs got hardcore fans who are convinced that everybody should like what they like lol. Just take a look at the previous comments.Thats why I named both of them. Ah you caught me huh, the weird thing is that to me the funniest moment of the series was when Hisoka jizzed in his pants during his fight with Gon. Yet I forgot about the arc haha. Conflict breeds innovation. If humans accepted everything as they were, we'd still be living in caves smearing our feces on the walls. I'd honestly rather see debates on the anime and truly expressing our opinions of it, instead of "yolo swag peace and love i love dis shet is so good" all over like some Naruto forum. Wouldn't you agree? The thing is Yorknew VS CA has already been debated to death. There's not really much new ground to explore since people have said pretty much everything there is to say. It gets tiresome after a while. There are some indepth analyses that gives a lot of insight as to why people like CA as much as they do. As for the narration, I see it as a deliberate stylistic choice used to convey a desired atmosphere, tone and pacing. It gives weight to certain scenes, insight on the situation and gives off somewhat of a... "cinematic" feeling/flair? Cinematic is really not the appropriate word, but you get the idea. Like reading a good narration in a book, it enhances the experience imo. Wheter or not you appreciate this sort of narrative device in an audiovisual medium is really a matter of preference. I for one believe the invasion wouldn't have been as good as it was without it. |
| Man, I'd love to defend the narration and how I think it was necessary, how the slow pacing of the Invasion is absolutely nothing like DBZ's pacing as there is something happening every episode here, and so on and so forth. But, damn, I"m completely sick and tired of defending this arc at this point. Pretty sure I didn't help anything with this post, but in case anyone is actually wondering why I'm not bothering at this point this is my thought process. |
| "Yes, I have been deprived of emotion. But not completely. Whoever did it, botched the job." - Geralt of Rivia |
| I never once saw you do that. |
 |
tsudecimo said: I never once saw you do that. Pretty sure I have, though......but, well, if I haven't I'm not starting now. |
| "Yes, I have been deprived of emotion. But not completely. Whoever did it, botched the job." - Geralt of Rivia |
Mr7Beans said: 1) Chimera Ant 2) Yorknew City 3) Hunter Exam 4) Heavens Arena 5) Chairman Election 6) Zoldyck Family 7) Greed Island I approve, totally. |
| 1. Yorknew City. 2. Chimera Ant. 3. Greed Island. 4. Hunter Exam. 5. Heavens Arena. 6. Chairman Election. 7. Zoldyck Family. |
insan3soldiern said: Man, I'd love to defend the narration and how I think it was necessary, how the slow pacing of the Invasion is absolutely nothing like DBZ's pacing as there is something happening every episode here, and so on and so forth. Save your time and don't bother with trying to convince people to like the narration. They either like it or not. No matter how well its done for one, if the other person doesn't see it the same way, they won't like it. |
mayukachan said: insan3soldiern said: Man, I'd love to defend the narration and how I think it was necessary, how the slow pacing of the Invasion is absolutely nothing like DBZ's pacing as there is something happening every episode here, and so on and so forth. Save your time and don't bother with trying to convince people to like the narration. They either like it or not. No matter how well its done for one, if the other person doesn't see it the same way, they won't like it. Well, yeah, I agree. |
| "Yes, I have been deprived of emotion. But not completely. Whoever did it, botched the job." - Geralt of Rivia |
I don't get it. You pretty much answered yourself. You don't get it. |
| End Zionazism |
| Chimera Ant all the way baby |
| 1; Yorkshin 2; Hunter Exam / Chimera Ant 3; Heaven's Arena 4; Election 5; Greed Island All except Greed Island are really close though. Don't understand how the Zoldyck family thing can be called an arc, it was too short and had an obvious conclusion. If anything I'd consider it a part of the Hunter exam. Putting aside the recent "debate" I'm a little surprised to see CA have so many more votes over second place. It's the only arc I see people post so much hate for, but I guess it's more the "you either love or hate CA". Oh well while there were maybe 10 episodes I disliked, and only one time I despised the narration, I still think the other developments (including for supporting characters) were all worth it in the end. Not enough to be first place though .-. |
 |
| It was pretty close between Yorkshin and CA for me, but with how slow it took the latter to start up, I've got to give it to the Yorkshin. Kurapika's just such an entertaining protagonist, and the villains of that arc are just as if not more fun to watch. Edit: Might as well embellish some. Just read through the thread, and it amazes me that the narration debate is still going on. Kind of hilarious, actually. Rewatched the series recently and I must say, while the narration in the CAA didn't nearly bug me as much this time around, there were definitely some parts where it's like "All right, we get it". Granted, I really felt the weight when he mentions that it's been a mere three minutes since they entered the palace. It's clear that one of the themes is to show how time has slowed, and it actually did that really well. In that sense, I can see why it was necessary. However, I still think it would have been better without it had it just been inner monologue. If I'm playing a puzzle game, I want to solve the puzzle, not have some douche walk in and tell me the answers. Also, the first two acts of the CAA are pretty tough to get through. It still comes out of nowhere and while I found in my second rewatch I was able to appreciate him more, I just don't see the relationship with Kite and Gon. His transformation is foreshadowed well, that's fine, but there's never really a true definitive *non-flashback* point in which we can respect Kite as a character. He's cool, and some folks may confuse that for respect, but emotionally he's quite bland, to be honest. That said, third act is still incredible. The emotional depth, character development, pacing, and themes almost make up for the shortcomings, but Yorkshin is consistently better for me as a whole. Sucks too, as after talking with the folks who see things differently than me, I really tried to give the CAA another fair, objective shot. Didn't work. |
JordyJSSep 27, 2014 1:09 AM
| 1. CA 100/100 2. Yorkshin 98/100 3. Election/Hunter Exam 95/100 4. Heaven's Arena 85/100 5. Greed Island 70/100 |
| CA Yorknew Heavens Arena Election Exam GI Zoldyck |
 |
| Chimera ant arc. |
| Chimera Ant arc of course, for reasons already mentioned. But mainly Meruem x Komugi, plus character developments, plus fights, plus the theme. Then, Yorkshin by a small margin together with the Election arc. Followed by Greed Island and Hunter Exams>the rest. Haven't seen the 2011 version of Yorkshin though. But I remember watching that arc multiple times in '99 ver and never got tired of it. Not even once lol. I assumed both versions are on par? Suppose I've got to watch 2011 from the start. No choice. All animes I watch now was becoming shit in my eyes cuz of HxH, dunno if it's a good thing or not. :D GI, third :O |
Monochrome said: 1; Yorkshin 2; Hunter Exam / Chimera Ant 3; Heaven's Arena 4; Election 5; Greed Island All except Greed Island are really close though. Don't understand how the Zoldyck family thing can be called an arc, it was too short and had an obvious conclusion. If anything I'd consider it a part of the Hunter exam. Putting aside the recent "debate" I'm a little surprised to see CA have so many more votes over second place. It's the only arc I see people post so much hate for, but I guess it's more the "you either love or hate CA". Oh well while there were maybe 10 episodes I disliked, and only one time I despised the narration, I still think the other developments (including for supporting characters) were all worth it in the end. Not enough to be first place though .-. I think there's still a large portion of people that liked the Chimera Ant arc, but don't see it as the best or nearly as great as its biggest fans. They just get drowned out by the 2 extremes, hate or love. |
| "Let Justice Be Done!" My Theme Fight again, fight again for justice! |
| 1) Chimera Ant 2) Yorkshin 3) Greed Island 4) Hunter Exam 5) Election 6) Heaven's Arena 7) Zoldyk Family I loved all of them, though. Not a single bad arc in the entire series, and after CA and YN it's very close, except maybe the Zoldyk family arc, which was the weakest but still solid. I've written extensively about why I think Chimera Ant is incredible so I don't think I need to repeat myself here. Brilliant thematic exploration, abundant character development, intellectually sophisticated, internally consistent, a deconstruction feast, and emotionally resonant. It's close to perfect, and minor pacing issues and a few questionable developments here and there aren't enough to change that. It's mostly responsible for putting HxH into my top 3, so..yeah. In some ways, I think Yorkshin is less flawed than Chimera Ant (not that it had many flaws anyway) but is a bit less brilliant. In short, the good stuff in CA is more than enough to render its few, minor shortcomings irrelevant. Yorkshin is fantastic as well, a high-octane thriller with a gloriously anti-climactic ending and a compelling exploration of revenge as its main focus. Greed Island was a ton of fun, and it acts as a brilliant prelude to Chimera Ant, in terms of thematic and character work. Hunter Exam is what pulled me into HxH through its fun and enthusiastic atmosphere and creative psychological mind games, and gave me the barest idea of the greatness that was to come. |
| My anime blog Latest Post: The Zero Requiem (Analysis of the Ending of Code Geass) |
| The chimera ant arc would have been the best, but it was way too long. Some episodes were absolute masterpieces, interspersed between a few extremely mediocre ones. |
| For me, it's... Yorknew City 9/10 Hunter Exam & Zoldyck Family 8.5/10 Heaven's Arena 8/10 Election 7.5/10 Greed Island 7/10 Chimera Ant 7/10 I realize they're separate arcs but being so short, the Zoldyck Family sort of blended into the Hunter Exam for me which is why I ranked them together. I was going to put Chimera Ant arc over GI since it had a couple of really epic episodes but it's also the arc that made me stop watching weekly and just stack them. Basically I greatly preferred the early part of the series to the later. |
More topics from this board
Poll: » Hunter x Hunter (2011) Episode 18 Discussion ( 1 2 3 )Amagai - Feb 4, 2012 |
102 |
by Irfansap01
»»
Oct 12, 5:29 PM |
|
Poll: » Hunter x Hunter (2011) Episode 4 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 )fishergirl16 - Oct 22, 2011 |
174 |
by EMANZ3
»»
Oct 12, 2:50 PM |
|
Poll: » Hunter x Hunter (2011) Episode 16 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 )Kefkiroth - Jan 21, 2012 |
185 |
by Deebieweeniw
»»
Oct 10, 3:12 AM |
|
» Does “departure! -Opening Tokubetsu-hen-“ actually exist?ryanalexander - Oct 8 |
3 |
by Fusion8707
»»
Oct 9, 6:14 AM |
|
Poll: » Hunter x Hunter (2011) Episode 62 Discussion ( 1 2 3 )HybridMBL - Jan 12, 2013 |
139 |
by TheModerateSnack
»»
Oct 8, 7:07 AM |