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Episodes 35-36: Gon vs Hisoka

Recap: Nen mythology deepens, as Gon finally learns Hatsu and discovers that he is an Enhancer. He uses his knowledge of Nen and his new strength to land a hit on Hisoka, but Hisoka breaks him down and wins the fight 11-4. After returning the 44 badge to Hisoka, Gon leaves Heaven's Arena.

Okay, so the six different types of Nen Aura are hilariously goofy. I love the Water Divination, and I love Hisoka's description of personality types with innate alignments (and that he acknowledges they're BS). But man, those six "different" alignments just sound like Michael Scott's "four types of business: tourism, food service, railroads, and sales. And hospitals, slash manufacturing... and air travel. (

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwnERfIRVXY" data-time="&start=82) The mythology is super-cool and the effectiveness of it will obviously be determined by how well these auras are eventually executed, but "special" is literally one of the categories they presented. "Oh."

That said, it's already paying dividends. Wing uses uses this framework to explain exactly how Hisoka's doppelganger opponent overextended his Nen, thus rendering him unable to process Hisoka's Nen. Good stuff. It also proves to be the true end of the Hunter Exam, which appropriately feels way more fitting, if less ceremonial!

Props to the show for jumping right the fuck in with Hisoka and Gon. Hisoka is beautifully fluid in action - I'm not a fan of his super-effeminate appearance, but damned if he doesn't move with visual, physical grace, like a damn leopard. His obsession with Gon is gross and nearly explicitly sexual at this point - I'll admit I cracked the fuck up at "SCHWING!" - but damned if it's not fun to watch the duo actually interact. I like trash talking during fights, but not so much when they're in a public stage, which is why I had an issue with the previous Hisoka fight. However, Hisoka takes some time to explain his Bungee Gum technique to Gon, which is great. Also, telling Gon to look right and then smashing him with a rock - "Oops, I meant my right" - is probably Hisoka's first intentionally funny moment.

Gon continues to be a really great hero here. We already know of his purity and determination, but the relevant detail here is that Gon is able to pursue Hisoka monomaniacally, achieve his goal of punching Hisoka in the face, and then lose the fight... and then let go. Hisoka has dominated Gon's psyche for months, from the moment he first snatched Gon out of the air by his throat, but with his "debt" repaid, Gon declines to obsess over catching Hisoka in strength. Instead, he's able to move on. Obviously Hisoka will be back, as he'll be at the auction, and it will be Hisoka's fixation on Gon that brings them back into conflict, however much later it is.

Really good stuff overall.
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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