Anime DVD Review: Hunter X Hunter Vol. 4

When it comes to exciting-adrenaline infused anime, the Hunter X Hunter series ranks in the top 50 Anime series of all time. That may sound like a small number to an outsider, but in Japan Anime series are as abundant as TV series in the United States. The style of art isn’t as glossy as modern Anime shows. However, after a few episodes you’ll realize that the story is much like the lead character Gon, and will quickly win your admiration and respect.

Hunter X Hunter Vol. 3 concluded with Gon and Killua’s return to Whale Island. When Killua left his family to follow Gon, everyone wondered if Killua could ever really put aside the Zoldyck family upbringing, a life of assassination. At the end of Volume 3, Killua learned a kinder-gentler approach to life through Aunt Mito’s love and home cooking. Volume 4 begins with Killua and Gon confronting Aunt Mito as to the history of Gon’s father. When Aunt Mito reveals a black box left by Gon’s father, the famous Hunter Ging Freecss, it sparks Gon on the final mission of the TV Anime series.

Volume 4 concludes the TV series, which unfortunately ended after 62 episodes. In the last 16 episodes, Kurapika joins the mafia as a hit man in order to get closer to the Phantom Troupe, the gang responsible for the death of her kin and theft of their scarlet eyes. When the Phantom Troupe steals a prized collection from an underground mafia auction, Kurapika uses her job as a means of enacting revenge on the Phantom Troupe, aka the Spiders. Even though Kurapika learned her Nen abilities, a form of internal power like ki, at the same time as Gon and Killua, Kurapika has already become a master. Whereas most of the world is unable to fight the Phantom Troupe, Kurapika’s vengeance lust has helped her to achieve Nen mastery that rivals the Spiders. He has made a spiritual contract that merges a powerful chain to his heart. This chain can only be used against those that killed her kin or he will pay the ultimate price of his life.

The last 16 episodes take on a much darker tone that will shock anyone who has just watched for first few episodes of Hunter X Hunter series. Throughout the earlier episodes we stood in awe at the threat of Hisoka, a card-carrying psychopath. Well, the Phantom Troupe is comprised of 13 members, each of which is just as vile and malicious as Hisoka.

Gon’s hunt for his father actually takes a backseat to the story of Kurapika. It isn’t until Gon attempts to raise money to retrieve a valuable clue, as to the whereabouts of his father, that Gon’s story and Kurapika’s story really collides. In Volume 3, you wished there was less Kurapika because his story just seemed to be thrown in as filler. By Volume 4, you’ll realize how important those episodes were, as you start wishing for more Kurapika episodes than Gon episodes.

Unfortunately, the group doesn’t unite until the end, and the series feels unfulfilled. Luckily, the series did continue in 3 subsequent OVA collections. There has been no word yet as to Viz Media bringing those series to the U.S. But, we can all expect that if the sales of the first four volumes is successful, Viz will definitely work towards making the acquisition. The three OVA collections are comprised of another 30 episodes. Although they don’t complete the Manga series, they do collect another 8 volumes of the Hunter X Hunter series. These OVA releases were completed in 2004. Volumes 19 through 26 never made it to an animated release.

Hunter X Hunter will win your heart with each heart-pounding moment. The story takes you an emotional rollercoaster that will have you glued to your screen. Looking back on the 62 episode series in its entirety, I can easily say that there were no filler episodes. Even the more relaxed episodes do their part in contributing to the overall plot and character development. This series is highly recommended to any lover of Anime, or just to anyone who likes a great story.