#hnk chapter 98

[alakyuu]

"Goodbye"

[pemprika]

Hello, my goodness it's been a very long time since I've last read HNK. I thought it ended already until I saw your tags on the newest chapters. So I went to look it up and was in utter disbelief to find out the last time I'd read it was December 2020?! I'd missed out on everything from the hiatus to the return to its near end??? Well. Thank you for reminding me of the story! I wanted to ask what your thoughts were on the latest two chapters, and if you think the story is wrapping up in a way that stays true to its essence. Admittedly, I feel for Phos and I dislike when characters like them don't get some form of closure, a sort of peace they're allowed to have after dealing with such loss/tragedy/etc.

** hnk spoilers ch 98-99

omg!! i'm happy to hear you decided to pick it up again! it's been one emotional roller coaster since the series returned from its hiatus... and i think it might just wrap up within a volume's worth of chapters...(not ready™)

i assume you're talking about ch 98-99! the pacing of the last few chapters has been fast for me, so i feel like i still haven't properly digested everything.... but i still love it.

i don't have much to say about it honestly.. i think it pretty much ended up how i envisioned phos' ending would be like-- left isolated all alone on earth for all eternity, though, i didn't expect the subtle hopeful turn of events from the latest developments in ch 99. i loved the little rock conversing with phos-- their presence and simple perspective really helped phos put their troubles into a broader pov.

it doesn't make it hurt any less now that phos has finally realized all the mistakes they've made and the changes they can't reverse, but it feels like phos can at least accept their own flaws and consequences in this new lifetime of theirs. judging by how the direction of the recent chapter went, i do suspect that ichikawa has some sort of hopeful, introspective ending saved for phos. her past works always tended to be very open-ended, so i feel like she'll do the same for hnk, but i agree, it would be rlly nice to see her wrap up some bows on loose ends and give a proper, peaceful closure for phos.

[neolxzr]

oh also what are your thoughts on the recent hnk chapters I read them and they shattered my heart

I DONT EVEN KNOW ANYMORE you know at one point i was so upset by chapter 98 and 99 that i completely blocked it out of my memory and forgot about it for a while. that was funny. i was so upset when my friend reminded me what happened

but anyways hnk is such a beautiful piece of writing and it also makes me want to explode and crawl in a hole and die maybe. like i cant say that this sort of ending is completely unprecedented hnk is an odd series but like 99 and onward feel so strange and disconnected from everything else. i think thats mostly due to phos not even being phos anymore really and all of the other characters being out of the picture so it barely feels like the same series anymore. which im sure is like, the point, but still

i dont really know how it makes me feel. bad, mostly. i think its the kind of. lack of closure?? for phos? like when i think about hnk i think about phos and their relationships with like. shinsha and antarc and cairngorm and others but like none of phos' relationships really got any kind of proper closure. and it makes me feel miserable and awful. we all moved on but i stayed at ill find you a new job thats better and more fun. you know

[diafriend]

Here are the results of the HnK Enthusiasm Poll.

Only four people who voted on this poll are not currently reading the manga.

Much of the readerbase is unsure of how they feel about HnK’s direction right now.

Very few readers are content with how the supporting cast was treated. Nearly 40% are upset with how the characters’ arcs were resolved and nearly half are waiting to see if Ichikawa will justify it.

A majority of readers enjoyed chapters 98 and/or 99. It’s a bit surprising considering how few people seemed to like the rest of the gems vanishing with the Lunarians.

Only one person said they no longer enjoy HnK. What’s really surprising is over half of respondents said it’s their favorite manga.

[roserocksrapidly]

Just thinking about this :')

[king-paimon]

Houseki no Kuni Chapter 99 Thoughts: Chasing Unrealized Wishes

Hello everyone. I hope you are doing alright. These past few months have been strenuous in many parts of the world and I hope you are all doing alright and staying safe. 

To be honest, I didn’t expect to see the latest chapter of Houseki no Kuni so soon. I thought it wouldn’t be until December that we’d see another chapter, but this was an interesting surprise to see today.

I just finished reading the chapter and I’m going to be honest with you: I think I liked it more than I thought I would. It’s funny because not much happened in this chapter; it was mainly dialogue between Phos and the new rock lifeform. But the revelations that Phos made through this simple conversation was what really did it for me. I’ll try to elaborate on this a little more.

I must also say, after what happened in the last chapter, Ms. Ichikawa has once again did a good job subverting my expectations when it comes to her story telling. Whether it’s a good subversion or not... that’s up to you. For now, I’m currently leaning on it being “good.” I’ll also talk about this a little in this post. 

Anyways, this post will be much shorter than my long posts because despite me liking the chapter (for the most part, I didn’t have much to talk about here. Sorry that it won’t be as in-depth like I normally write them. This may change in time, so I’ll add more to this post some time later if I make new revelations. For now, I hope this is good enough.

As always, please feel free to share your thoughts. Here we go!

Phos: I will never be satisfied

There are many things I liked about this interaction, but the following pages are the ones I want to focus on. Here’s Phos, who’s offering the new rock all things they believed they needed to thrive in this new world. Limbs, so the new rock can move at their own convenience. Eyes and ears, so they see and hear the world around them.

But the rock didn’t need those things. The rock is content with what they had and didn’t have any desire for more. The rock knows what it is and is aware of it’s imperfections and limitations, but that doesn’t matter to it. They’re happy the way they are.

An exact opposite to Phos, and Phos realizes this. 

And it’s here that Phos makes these realizations: They never really realized what they really wanted and why. And because of that, Phos was never going to feel fulfilled, no matter what they gained or sacrificed. They were driven by their knowledge and their ever evolving desires, but they all came at great costs to them and everyone around them. They could have turned back at any point, but they didn’t. They kept pushing and pushing, even when it meant destroying themselves and everything they once knew. Yes, it was all orchestrated by Aechmea, but Phos still kept the momentum, even when they knew they were being used and manipulated. It didn’t matter to Phos because to them, they were making progress towards something they thought they wanted, even though that “something” never truly comes to fruition in the way Phos originally expects. 

So because they never really figured out what they wanted, Phos was never going to be satisfied with anything, no matter what they’d do. They always strived for more and even when they thought it was enough, it was never enough. One can even say that while some of Phos’s past actions had selfless intentions, they are also driven by lowkey, insatiate selfishness for an unmaterialized and intangible goal.  This endless pursuit costed everything, and now Phos has nothing left. Part of me thinks that’s what Phos also realized here.

Now, I can see how some fans may feel conflicted about this revelation. I haven’t seen the posts yet, but I can imagine some seeing this as Ms. Ichikawa backtracking the character development Phos had until that point and may even see the author somewhat condemning Phos in some way. For those of you who feel this way or don’t agree with what was said in the chapter or my post, please feel free to share. 

(And please let me know if I’m reaching; I was trying to think of the possible reasons why someone may not agree with what transpired in the chapter and I could be overthinking here)

Regardless of what fans may think of this chapter, this is a very bold admission for Phos to make. But I think this revelation needed to happen. Heck, this conversation as a whole needed to happen for Phos because they needed to hear this new point of view, especially from someone/something who was not directly part of the past events. Why? Because even after the dust had settled and the original source of Phos’s suffering is no longer there, I don’t think Phos would have ever realized they were in yet another never ending cycle of personal suffering.

Sometimes a complete outsider’s perspective is all one needs to get the big picture and helps one appreciate the little things that were once overlooked. And what a better option to get that perspective from than a specimen who is both similar and nothing like you. This interaction, even though it ends with Phos having a bittersweet mentality about everything, I think this interaction was lovely and helped with their character development in more ways than one. I’m sure it’ll care on to the next chapter. Speaking of next chapter...

Edit (I wanted to quickly add this after rereading the end of the chapter): I was thinking about Phos and the rock’s comments about the white dwarf star and I needed to double check my research on the lifespan of stars. A white dwarf is one of the final stages a star can go through when it depletes its fuel. If that dwarf is the original sun, that means it’s going to “die” and become a black star. I wonder if this little tidbit is intended to be foreshadowing for what will happen to the Earth and to add onto the many symbolisms of this story. Please let me know what you think!

The Story From Here On Out: What happens now?

It’s funny how a few predictions I and several others had made in the past have somewhat come true in this chapter, though clearly not in the way I’d expected:

Phos being the one left behind in some way

Phos finding new gems/ specimens and starting a new society

Phos taking over Adamant’s old position in more ways than one

Phos will have a bittersweet end to their story (Still to early to call but everything is leading to this direction)

After the last chapter, I didn’t think anything of these old predictions to happen because honestly, I wasn’t sure if Phos was even going to still exist after their prayer with how it all looked. I’m glad and sad that Phos still existed afterwards. But now the question is... what happens now?

Will Phos continue to find other rock or inorganic life forms to create a society with? Or will they let them just exist in their own way, just like their new rock companion? And will Phos just continue to exist without any reason or goal anymore? Who knows.

But I think now that the remaining human remnants are gone and Phos no longer has direct connections to them, Phos will now properly be able to decompress and reflect. This will not be like the times before where Phos was completely alone for thousands of years or buried alive or left in a coma. This time, Phos isn’t alone and is with a being who offers them a much needed fresh perspective. I mean, this simple conversation was able to help Phos in a unique way. Maybe future conversations with this rock and any other species Phos comes across will help them more. They might be able to find a new happiness where they are now.

(Also, isn’t it funny how this rock lifeform that barely knows Phos showed more care to Phos than most of the past characters that grew up with Phos? I’m not surprised)

Wow. This story really went in directions I didn’t think they’d go in. I reread the first chapters of the series and yeah, if I were to go back in time and reread the story from start to this, I wouldn’t have predicted most if not all the events that happened. (BTW: The blackout out pages in this chapter were a very cleaver call back to the first chapter. Someone else made a post about it and I thank you for making the connection)

But beyond the small predictions I just made, I don’t know where else the story can go from here. And I can’t help but think it won’t go on for much longer. With how everything is paced and the fact that the 100 chapter will be released next month, I honestly think this story is going to end there. I know many people believe that it’ll end on chapter 108 because that number is relevant in Buddhism and maybe they’re right. But I just wonder... what else could happen? Despite the many loose ends that have been mentioned by myself and many others, I don’t think they can be resolved now. Maybe Ms. Ichikawa has another plot twist up her sleeve somehow. I don’t know. I’m not going to think too hard about this right now.

But one thing’s for certain though; this crazy ride of a story is almost over and I’m still sticking to it to the very end because I need to see how it all ends. There are still many things I feel iffy about when it comes to some of Ms. Ichikawa’s decisions with this story, including characterization and pacing. But despite my criticisms, I still enjoy this story and even if the ending doesn’t meet my expectations, I know I won’t regret staying with it to the end. I know not everyone feels the same way, but to each their own.

Sorry that this post isn’t as insightful as my past posts. Maybe I’ll come up with a follow up post later after having more time to think about it. Anyways, thank you for reading and please feel free to share your thought! Stay safe!

[ranan-culus]

//Chapter 98 spoilers

I know that Phos had to pray to end this meaningless cycle of death and suffering, but I can’t help but think that this is... not how it should end.

Despite Phos having always had some sort of love inside of them, they felt completely devoid of any in their speech. Perhaps that is why they are enlightened, they let go of any relationships or grudges they held. 

But I can’t help but feel we truly lost Phos in the end

Though maybe it’s human nature to yearn for any sort of happy end

[mir-mape]

/hnk ch 98 spoilers (my thoughts on it, for anyone interested)

I know people seem to be very discontent with this chapter but, for some reason, I feel quite alright with it. It was predictable, Phos didn't get justice for themselves, and I understand where everyone complaining about this is coming from because I also think that.

And yet, ch 98 feels cathartic in a way. It feels like the natural conclusion to the story, though it's true that we still have some chapters left to go so we'll see. But for now, I think this is the only way left Phos could be able to find peace.

They tried attacking the people who hurt them already, and it didn't work. They didn't have any type of closure after that.

If they had decided to refuse to pray and get revenge, as quite a few fans wanted (I also wanted that at some point tbh), the story really couldn't finish. We wouldn't be achieving any closure. Because Phos would still be alone and drowning in their pain, and the rest would be eternally trapped there. The cycle would just be repeating itself. To be fair, during the hiatus, that's how I thought the manga would go: Phos taking the place of Kongo and the story repeating itself.

This way, even if it's extremely bittersweet, even if it's extremely unfair because Phos really didn't deserve all of that, is the only way the story could actually be over.

They're inmortal beings with eternally lasting mistakes. I don't even know if Phos really forgave them; that isn't exactly what I feel happened, even though that's what probably did happen. Personally, I think they're also tired of fighting and just want to get it over with— They've always been alone, so they may as well be alone and in peace.

[justmenoworries]

HnK Chapter 98 Spoilers

Hmmm, I’m not quite convinced this is it.

There was so much build-up, I’m not willing to believe the story ends on such an anti-climactic note.

I was just thinking about how a lot of hnk has been revolving around characters wanting something and then getting it, but in a very Monkey’s Paw sort of way.

Phos wanted to get stronger and they did, but they were literally and figuratively broken in the process.

Phos wanted to matter and now they do, but in a way that benefits everyone but them.

Cairngorm wanted to be their own person and they got to be that, at the cost of Ghost. They also lost their identity pretty quickly again in favor of becoming Aechmea’s Moon Princess.

Rutile wanted Padparadscha repaired and they were, but not by Rutile.

And now the Lunarians, the new Gems and the new Admirabilis all want Phos to pray.

And it looks like they will.

But I just wonder if Phos’ prayer will really be all the Lunarians imagined it to be - or if the Monkey’s Paw’s finger will curl again and we’re about to witness the most delicious instance of laser-guided karma in manga-history.

[aspirationatwork]

I really didn't think that Phos was going to pray, I thought that ending was too "easy" for Ichikawa to go for

Maybe she'll have one last twist for us.....

[megane-sama]

Thoughts on Houseki no Kuni chapter 98 (Spoilers)

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Okay so i actually loved this chapter, i may or may not have shed a couple tears but who's asking right. I personally was on the side of Phos taking revenge because honestly I'm a vindictive person and i like Phos not because i feel they did nothing wrong but because i feel even through all their actions i can understand why, even if Phos were not the protagonist but an antagonist, they're the kind I'd root for. But moving on.

The fact they started off with this is such an epic power move tbh, it shows they are completely aware of their godhood, aware of the power that lies in their scribbly little hands and aware of all the possibilities they could make happen with it. This points shows that whatever Phos does is their decision and their decision alone because at this point they are above any sort of manipulation and i have always thought regardless my personal convictions that I've always wanted Phos to have a choice.

This panel made me very emotional because it is nothing but the truth. Phos has always been fundamentally different and with that came an ever present sense of loneliness and also made them the prime subject for this entire thing, even if they had taken a different path i don't think this singular fact would've changed.

I won't lie i was a tad bit upset about this cause i really did want Phos to spit in all their faces but i read over it again and pondered, and then i realized there is no forgiveness here, at least how I interpreted it.

They're praying for them not with a sense of complete forgiving selflessness or a sense of duty and obligation but because they've all been miserable for so long, all of them have been miserable in some way for so long and they're so tired, so tired that neither forgiveness nor revenge mean anything anymore, nothing can ever fix this or remove what has already happened so its better for all of them like this.

At this point i had infact manufactured enough tears to fill up a decent sized kitchen mug, because this was what baby Phos had wanted through their transformations, to be understood, a sense of belonging and oneness but look at all it took to get here. The events of this chapter may not feel like much, to some it might even feel anticlimatic but by God is it cathartic as fuck.

I know this isn't the end even though it feels like it is so honestly i cant wait to see what else Ichikawa wants to do to us. Because we haven't seen what being Phos's version "prayed away" entails, maybe its something none of us expect, i mean we did just see a big explosion but that's just me thinking, also what does it mean for the species, what about any Lustrous that might be formed again?. Guess we wont know till the next chapter~

[reefshark]

i think something a lot of people are already forgetting is that the doctor specifically told Kongo/Phos to burn the bridge once he crosses it, and are already getting antsy about what happened in chapter 98. To me this feels like him crossing the bridge? we still have, I believe, another volume or so At Least left to hnk and I think this next volume will be Phos’ process of ‘burning the bridge’. Like, we still don’t even know if Phos’ praying is bringing the result that is wanted, we just saw a giant explosion of sorts. That could lead to anything. 

[four-eyed-floozy]

I always hear people compare this scene to the ventricosis line about death, which I also think is a parallel, but I also saw this one too.

[housekinokuniabridged]

HNK POST CHAPTER 98 THEORIES

I don't really use this account for posts, but I want to spitball about what maybe happen next. I'm pretty sure HNK is going to end on chapter 108, so we still have 10 chapters till we're done.

The final chapters are about everyone in the afterlife. This is the one that's least likely to happen. They did want to return to "nothingness" and that means there's literally nothing there waiting for them.

We go back in time to look at Earth's final days. Also unlikely, we know all we need from that era and I don't know what more can be said aside from "Human's were fucked up eh?". It's too thin to get 10 chapters out of.

The cycle continues. My personal favorite and the one I consider the most likely. Whether a new species disconnected from humanity arises, or Phos's saint powers weren't as all-reaching as they though (or as someone else put it, the oblivion they desired was actually the oblivion of the cycle of reincarnation), the cast returns in new forms to do this whole song-and-dance over again. It won't be entirely one-to-one, the Professor was nothing like Phos after all, the final 10-ish chapters would follow this slightly new cast around and end in a way that parallels the beginning of the manga. Maybe even on a more hopeful note, where the new Phos is allowed to have a happy life this time around.

[nacrelysis]

[98 spoilers]

ichikawa ma'am i kno where ur going w this chapter...but by god does it hurt. honestly im tired of phos chasing after revenge and ambition and perfection. not in the "boo hoo manga boring way," but in the "this is an exhausting loop and phos is getting nowhere with their grief beyond making themself feel worse and losing themself more." so. idk. will phos find peace? dunno. but maybe quiet acceptance is close enough. i think about the theseus ship paradox for them a lot - if all the components of a ship are replaced over time, is it still the same ship it once was? still dunno the answer for phos. i don't wanna say phos is being the bigger person here because that feels too simple. i wanna say this is putting the end to centuries of what is essentially generational trauma and self-destruction - it's not satisfying the way lashing out is, but there's that silent part of the heart that sighs in relief. the worst part of it all is that this hurts and this sucks and this is fucking infuriating to see aechmea win ...but despite everything, i get why it ends this way. that's the mark of a good story, i guess.

btw antarcphos shippers hows it feel to have the soundtrack of 98 be the sound of our hearts collectively shattering

[an-opossum]

New Chapter Vent

98 spoilers:

Lord if next chapter is all of them reincarnated living happily Im gonna be mad like you can’t spend 90+ chapters getting us invested in these characters ranging from the overarching plot to these small conflicts between them, pull a speedy “They are all happy and all their conflicts are magically resolved and they all get poofed with pretty much only a slap on the wrist” ending and then expect fans to be like “Oh alright sounds good” ghgdjflkas

I feel like Lapis was the true winner in this.