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REVIEW: Hunter X Hunter DVD Box Set 2

I'm seriously curious about this series. I do like shonen shows, and it's hard to find ones that secretly hide a decent plot beneath the constant power levels and crazy attacks. I think this one might be what I'm looking for.

Hell, if you've never heard of it, this is not for you. Really, I think there's a degree of remembering this show/manga that goes hand-in-hand with enjoying it, but that's just my opinion.

I don't know if this is true. While I had at least heard of it prior to buying the manga, I didn't know a thing about the series until I started buying the graphic novels. I think it's an easy series to get into, since Togashi does a great job of creating a believable world. Although it's atypical for a shonen title, I think that's what makes it special.

Also, it's Kurapika, with two k's.

And I think the romanization is indeed with two "k"s, last I checked. I don't think I used a "c," though that's how we originally romanized it, and I've used a "c" in most of my fan-pieces, haha. Professionally, I think two "k"s is correct, though I must admit to not owning Viz's manga translation to check that. Then again, how often are romanizations actually followed? I'm pretty sure I've seen three "official" Death Note romanization lists, and probably about nine zillion for "Ribbons/Libonz/whatever," haha. Anyway, クラピカ　is the katakana, which is nicely "Kurapika," though sometimes they don't actually follow that. I'm trying to remember if I have anything romanized from the original Japanese art, but I can't say that I do (maybe a pencil board somewhere?). Ah, well. Fandom seems to not care whether the second is a "k" or a "c," and so long as we aren't writing essays, I don't know how much I do, either (well, okay, I'll probably always discuss spelling/etymology, but that's just because I'm an English teacher).

I'm seriously curious about this series. I do like shonen shows, and it's hard to find ones that secretly hide a decent plot beneath the constant power levels and crazy attacks. I think this one might be what I'm looking for.

Not just decent. Indecently good plot for a shounen series. In the beginning being a Hunter is either something of a personal, sentimental value to a suspiciously mainstream design of a shounen (Gon), or something cool and mysterious, but at best - taken for granted. Significant charm of the series lies in anchoring tightly the power upgrade with learning, experiencing, and using both the characters' natural talents (exeptional or not) and their limitations, as much as it never lacks in bringing pure enjoyment in the adventure and the challange. Atypical or chliched, I'd go that far by saying that Hunter x Hunter is how shounen series should be made interesting.

If I have counted right, one of my favourite moments of the Exam ark should be among the episodes in this DVD set - the "hidden exam". Masked under somewhat predictable and easy task of diving for "fortunes", the Hunter Organisation spoiler[simulated a combination of "near death experience" x "end of the world" situation, in which relying on your instincts and, eventually, on everybody's competence, requires figuring out that cooperation is needed.]

Aside from Hisoka, repetitively enshrined in the Internet for years and still a fave to many viewers, another fear installment comes out of the shadows, who would prove crucial for an advanced competitor as Killua. I think it is worth mentioning him, because this person gives the same vibe of ... spectacular insanity ... as Hisoka does, and picks up the race to that world in which the Hunter Organisation operates. Word of truth, the villains in HxH are no joking matter and to have them owned is a compliment for having brains and skills.

Agreed.

The Hidden Exam was anime filler, but excellent anime filler. One of my favorite short sequences is the "roommates" scene where the characters scramble to secure cabins in the floating hotel. Who gets lucky enough to room with Hisoka?

The Hunter candidates spoiler[need cooperation to survive in this mini-arc, and that contracts sharply with the next sequence where they must 'hunt' each other. ] The term 'HUNTER' is in full focus here.

And Killua is another favorite. His nice kid/ruthless assassin character was always interesting. But his family issues start coming into focus for the next story arc.

Omg, the hidden exam spoiler[ with the ship ] was a FILLER??? I only saw the anime so I had no idea...IMO that was one of the most atypical and exciting task in the whole exam. Now if only the Bleach fillers were like this then maybe I would've kept on watching.