LogFAQs > #900395422

Episodes 4 and 5

Recap: Phase 1 turns into an ultramarathon, followed by a dangerous march through a swamp. Hisoka is beset by some candidates and promptly slaughters them, along with delivering a massive - yet merciful - beating to Gon and Leorio.

The pacing really drops in Episode 4 here, but in a multiple-viewing session it's not bad.

Leorio, looking ridiculous running in a suit with a suitcase, finally drops pretense of looking cool and tells us his darkest secret: that he's still a teenager. No, but I really enjoy his motive-baring heart-to-heart with Kurapika. Already really respect that relationship.

In Episode 5, I gained some personal respect for them as individuals. When they see what happens, you might expect Leorio to be cowardly. Instead, Kurapika - who's been way too unflappable for my liking - suggests that they split and get the hell away from this guy who will clearly slaughter them. And it's Leorio who returns to fight a helpless battle because goddammit, it's the right thing to do. They're great foils and complements to one another.

Not too much to say on Gon and his white-haired friend yet, but enjoying them as a duo, too.

I came up with this vague theory before starting either episode and the evidence may have gotten stronger - is it possible that Hisoka is not trying to become a Hunter, and is instead working with the examiners? He is incredibly strong but for some reason didn't make it last year. He's the one who enlightens others about the fact that the examiner is a Hunter, and he exposes the Man-faced Ape, after all. After that he doesn't kill Leorio or Gon, apparently because he respects their strength - yet from his perspective, surely killing the competition must be good for him? Oh, and of course, he gets that call on his walkie-talkie after beating on Gon and Leorio.

In any case, Hisoka is excellent and has clearly been built up as a credible opponent. The uppercut that smashes Leorio is spectacularly drawn, and Gon really is helpless when Hisoka catches him. If Gon is to beat him in combat, I really hope they show what techniques Gon uses to improve.

My favorite visual element of these episodes - the freeze-panes where we learn the names of the bizarre creatures of the forest. They've got some excellent translated names, too - my favorites being the NOGGIN' LUGGIN' TORTOISE, CLAYMORE MUSHROOM, and of course FROG IN WAITING. The last one is especially great because it's accurate, yet so unhelpful to know its name.

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* Hilarious defeat for laptop kid.

* Using a skateboard is so fucking smart.

* Doctor dream. :(

* Why is Leorio the only one who took his shirt off? Maybe he was the only one dumb enough to dress in poor workout clothes?

* There's definitely a random extra with a bunch of plungers sticking out of his skin. ... Yeah.

* 'Didn't you land the first hit on him?' Kurapika a bro for pumping up Gon.
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yet all sailors of all sorts are more or less capricious and unreliable - they live in the varying outer weather, and they inhale its fickleness