#everyone go watch hunter x hunter i recommend the 2011 version cuz it's better to watch first

[epicfranb]

THE SHIP ARC AT THE HUNTERS EXAM FROM 1999 HxH... this was more stressful than the entire chimera ant arc /hyperbole

More rambles under cut <3 (no heavy spoilers)

The trick tower arc really demonstrated Togashi's ability to CREATE CONFLICT, which is really important in a story, and i loved how even tho Tonpa was right there providing conflict for the generous price of free and being Fucking Annoying, the 4 MCs are all very different people with different personalities, goals and motivations, but most importantly different PRINCIPLES which was what created the more important conflicts.. cuz none of them are perfect people, they're gonna clash, they're gonna make stupid decisions, they're gonna disagree and they're gonna fight, and that's SO APPRECIATED bc in addition to adding stakes and tension, it also says a lot about the characters and makes the story fresh and interesting!!

it was SOOOO satisfying to see everyone work together, to see Kurapika's brain at work and how good of a leader he is, as well as how worried he was about Leorio and Gon's lives that he lost his literal will to live. Cuz even though they've known each other for only a few days, they've gone through so much together!!! And when Killua FEELS that Gon and Leorio are coming up, and he trusts his gut, WHICH ISN'T A THING HE DOES, IT'S A GON THING TO DO!!!!! And he tells Kurapika that Gon and Leorio are fine AND THERE'S LIFE AGAIN IN KURAPIKA'S EYES!!! And when he temporarily loses consciousness, Killua takes command cuz he's a smart cookie too, albeit more risky, and he DOES make a VERY risky decision, BUT IT ENDS UP WORKING AND JUST TJEJRSJIDDDARHDFKUSJDK :((( EVERYONE :(((((( I LOVE THIS ANIME

And then the moments between Pokkle and Ponzu (i had to look up their names lmao) that kinda show how they grew closer and makes the fact that they start dating later on so much more believable, they're so cute and how Pokkle is understandably anxious about everyone's lives depending on him, but Ponzu is there for him and it gives him strength aaaahhdhdjjdkkdknfndj :((((

Now something less relevant but i have to say it

Got a little carried away lol, but after all the fighting it was SO GODDAMN SATISFYING to see everyone care for each other and work together to avoid something as terrifying and uncontrollable as a NATURAL DISASTER and ofc it's something that a hunter must be prepared for AND THEY WERE!!!! BUNCHA KINGS AND QUEENS!!! (i really liked that sniper lady, i don't think she was in 2011, correct me if I'm wrong) and what surprises me most?? WAS THAT I ACTUALLY LIKE TONPA AFTER THIS ARC. No, ofc i still hate his guts. He's literally made to be hated by every living being. But in the ship arc, he started off being REALLY funny, and then was COOPERATIVE!!! Which is like, ofc he is, in the literal face of death, but after all of that, i appreciate him being there and pissing off the other characters and being a complete loser for the sake of creating conflict. I never look forward to seeing him again when i rewatch, but i appreciate his existence.