Hunter x Hunter Anime (1999 + 2011 versions) and Manga Differences + Opinion - Hunter Exam Arc (Part 2)

  HUNTER EXAM ARC PART 2 (FIRST & SECOND PHASES)

1999 anime episodes 6-10

2011 anime episodes 3-6

Manga chapters 5-12

Zaban City

Nothing much to note here since the gist of it is the same where the trio follow the kiriko guy to the restaurant to reach the first exam. I guess the funny thing is that the 2011 version decided to have the son be the navigator to guide them to the site, whereas in the manga and the 1999 version, it seems to be the husband kiriko instead. One thing that both anime decided to add in was Gon thanking and shaking the hand of the kiriko guy before leaving for the exam, which I think is a pretty nice addition. On the other hand, one thing both anime decided to omit was Gon and Leorio actually getting to eat the steak meal that was the password to get to the exam site LOL. I find it funny that in the 2011 version, Gon actually asks where is his steak, and Kurapika tells him that it was just a password, when really, in the manga, Gon actually got to eat his steak! Anyway, not important but I thought it was cute loll. Oh, and for some reason, I'm not sure why the 1999 version decided that the kiriko should be the one to hand out their hunter applicant number badges to them before leaving since it makes much more sense to get it when they're actually there, but yeah, they get their numbers at the "exam hall" later in the manga and 2011 version.

First Phase

Meeting the Other Hunter Applicants

This will probably be where the 1999 anime adds a lot of stuff to the story, of which I have to say, some are nice and good, and some are rather questionable. Anyway, in regards to the trio meeting the other applicants, most of it is the same, with the 1999 version probably diverging the most in terms of changing up when things happened to add other stuff. However, I enjoyed the different interpretations of how the guy who bumped into Hisoka lost a part of his body. In the manga, it doesn't show any indication of what Hisoka's powers could be in regards to the guy's arms "disappearing" but they looked to be sliced off quite cleanly, so I just assume he used his playing cards to do that. Whereas in the 2011 version, the guy's arms are shown to fade into flower petals, which is pretty interesting but also kinda misleads you into thinking Hisoka has an interesting power, when really, it's something basic that he uses in an interesting way sometimes I guess haha. Anyway, apparently the flower petals and stuff was due to censorship? Regardless, I guess it goes along with the "magician" persona of his. In the 1999 anime, Hisoka kinda disappears half of the guy's body into the wall which was just..weird imo lol. So yes, in this case, I'd say simple is best and I loved the manga version the most. Hisoka wouldn't bother to play around with illusions and stuff for people he doesn't like, he'd just cut them off like fodder.

Following Satotz through the Tunnel

I'm not sure why the 1999 anime made Nicolas approach Tonpa talking to Gon and them, but it was rather weird when you think about it, because considering Nicolas' personality, I highly doubt he would talk to anyone "beneath" him and divulge information to them like that. But otherwise, the 2011 anime followed the manga closely and probably really just changed the part where instead of Kurapika and Leorio both pouring out the "bad drinks", Leorio actually spits it out. I actually think the funny blank face Leorio has pouring out the drink as he stares at Tonpa is funnier haha but they're both great. I'm so disappointed that I never realised the 1999 anime cut out the laxative juice part though! It's hilarious, I love that part, especially when Killua asks for more loll. I feel like they did it to hide how shady Tonpa is but seriouslyyyy, his whole character oozes shadiness already lol. Sigh. Anyway, this isn't really important, but in the 2011 anime, Tonpa tells the trio about Bodoro instead of Cherry when he's talking about people who have previously taken the Hunter Exam. The 1999 anime follows the manga and talks about Cherry. but decides that they should talk about it whilst they're running loll, how exhausting is that?! Anyway,  I love the part when everyone finds out that Leorio is actually still in his teens LOL. It plays out differently in the manga and the 2011 anime with Killua calling him an old man, whereas in the 1999 anime, Killua asks how old he is, but I find it saddening the 2011 anime cut out Leorio saying he doesn't want to be friends anymore with Gon because even he was shocked that Leorio was in his teens hahahaha.

Although I'm not a fan of the 1999 anime original idea with the tunnel of illusions making Leorio and Kurapika hallucinate about their worst memories etc, I did think it was interestingly done in terms of simply showing Leorio's story. In the manga, Leorio only talks about not being able to save a dead friend, basically like the 2011 anime, but it isn't shown how old this friend was (the 2011 anime shows it being Leorio's childhood, whereas the 1999 anime shows Leorio and his friend as adults/teenagers). However, for the 1999 anime, I didn't like how they all got so easily tricked by Tonpa, mainly because the idea of Leorio giving up so easily and wanting to rely on some random sap to give him the energy to run again irked me since he's not that mentally weak and naive imo. I did enjoy Killua finding them though, I think it nicely showed how interested Killua was in Gon and the idea of friends, and how he doesn't really care about the exam at all as long as it's interesting. Overall though, I like the manga most and 2011 anime second most because, as usual, since the 2011 anime cut Kite out, Gon couldn't answer Killua's question about why he wanted to become a hunter properly. It's true that Gon knows nothing about Ging other than the fact he left Gon to become a Hunter, but he's heard many many stories about Ging from Kite. And because Kite really admires Ging, these stories are obviously abundant and very interesting, especially since he has put Ging on a pedestal as one of the top Hunters in the world since he's capable of becoming a Triple Star Hunter but just can't be bothered applying. Just as Gon learns to admire Ging, he also admires Kite for being close to Ging, knowing him and being acknowledged by him, and I think that's really important to Gon's motivation, and that's why I definitely love the manga for this part the most haha. Otherwise, I'm not too much of a fan of Killua acting much more like a kid in the 2011 anime? Due to Killua's non-existent childhood, he doesn't really know what being a kid is really like until he meets and bonds with Gon, so I actually find it awkward that he's a similar kid to Gon but just darker, like, he is a kid but also not a kid and I think the 1999 version captures that better? I definitely prefer the vibe the manga and 1999 version Killua give off because he's interested in Gon as a kid that's the same age as him, but at the same time, he doesn't understand why Gon is the type of person he is.

Milsy Wetlands aka Swindlers' Swamp

Other than the 2011 anime not bothering to show Hisoka throwing the card to kill the man faced monkey as well, it basically follows the manga panel by panel~ As for the 1999 anime, I guess they wanted to spice things a bit up by making the applicants try to think about how to solve this situation of "who is the fake examiner" but really, I think just having Hisoka outright kill the fake is better, because honestly, Hisoka doesn't have that kind of patience to deal with stuff like this if it can be solved so easily haha. Although I guess it kinda shows his lack of tolerance towards wasting time for stuff like that too.

It's kinda funny how even though the 2011 anime follows the manga rather closely for most stuff, it also leaves out some nice extra stuff too. In the manga, Killua doesn't just say to move to the front because of Hisoka's "smell", he explains that Hisoka is just like him, so he can tell that Hisoka is itching to kill people amidst the fog. In this case, the 1999 anime follows the manga better, it also shows Hisoka's killing intent quite nicely too imo, you can tell how bored he is, and how Killua is right haha. Honestly, the 2011 anime is rather disappointing for this instance. because this is where it's supposed to establish how utterly bored Hisoka is and how much he loves to kill, and really, just how thirsty he is for blood since he's practically addicted to killing, yet they kinda decide to portray this fight in the swamp as more of a self-defence for Hisoka, like really, those self-righteous dumbasses want to stop Hisoka here so he can't become a Hunter? Seriously? I honestly doubt these people would do that even if they don't think they can find the examiner anymore. Like, I'm sure everyone knows how dangerous Hisoka is, there is no way anyone would want to pick a fight with him after what he did in the exam hall, so for me, that part was just silly. The only reason people would fight against Hisoka is because they know that running away is useless. 

Anyway, the 1999 anime on the other hand follows the manga well by showing Hisoka indiscriminately kill the people around him, and injuring Leorio with one of his cards. I also much prefer how it is in the manga and 1999 anime where he uses one card to slice vital points rather than in the 2011 anime where he kinda just slices everyone in a circle, which just didn't have the same impact imo. Also, in the manga and 1999 anime, Gon goes back to Leorio and Kurapika because he hears Leorio scream from the pain of his injury, and Killua thinks he's stupid for doing that. Whereas in the 2011 anime, Gon just goes back because he's worried, and Killua doesn't even realise he's gone, which is quite uncharacteristic of Killua considering the assassin he is lol. Something interesting to note is that the third person left with Leorio and Kurapika against Hisoka is different in the 1999 anime (it becomes Pokkle), and in the 2011 anime, they just didn't even bother having a third guy lol. It's not really important but I thought it was nice to note lol. Something important imo that the 2011 anime didn't bother to add Hisoka saying was when Leorio and Kurapika dashed in different directions, in the manga and 1999 anime, Hisoka says he willgive them ten seconds to run since it was a smart move, which I think really highlights how powerful Hisoka is compared to them, and how much of a game it all is to him. 

However, when it comes to the moment Gon hits Hisoka's face with his fishing rod, the 2011 anime follows the manga in that it happens when Hisoka comes up behind Leorio, just as when he's in for the kill, whereas in the 1999 anime, they kinda make Leorio's imminent death a bit more dramatic with Hisoka clutching his neck etc. Not sure why the 2011 anime decided to prolong the futile attempt of Gon trying to hit Hisoka afterwards though, because Hisoka in the manga and the 1999 anime tells him happily that he passes and just goes along his merry way carrying Leorio. I found it rather unnecessary imo because Hisoka is pretty crazy, but he would never hurt his toys so much (he was getting high squeezing Gon's neck and nearly didn't realise he was about to break him), especially when he just became interested in them. And really, the impact of Gon only being able to land that one hit and then fall to his knees once Hisoka was gone was much heavier and I think him swinging his rod around after in the 2011 version kinda lessened the impact of how hard it was to even think about hitting Hisoka. In addition, when Gon and Kurapika are finding their way back to the examiner, the 2011 anime only shows that Gon could find it because Leorio's cologne scent is unique, but in the manga and the 1999 anime, Hisoka also left a bunch of dead animal corpses. Maybe the 2011 anime wanted to make Gon seem more capable, but I would have preferred them to follow the manga to show how interested Hisoka was in them and their growth so he probably left those "just in case" Gon didn't have such wild instincts or he just killed them because they attacked him like Gon said lol.

Second Phase

Time for my favouritee exam! I love this part because of Menchi~ It is also the part that made me dislike the 2011 anime Hunter Exam part lol. In the 2011 anime, the applicants laugh at the idea of Gourmet Hunters when Menchi and Buhara introduce themselves, but in the manga and 1999 anime, they just lament over the fact that they have to cook. Imo, laughing at your examiner's job, especially when they're a Hunter is so rude loll. No idea why they needed to do that. Anyway, the 2011 anime also doesn't clarify that actually the applicants are supposed to cook Buhara's chosen dish, and then they'll have the chance to cook Menchi's chosen dish, instead, it just skips to the idea that all they need to do is cook the pork in a way that satisfies them both. Anyway, I'm also not sure why they decided to make it that apples falling on the Great Stamp (the pig) was what made Gon realise that was its' weak point, when in the manga/1999 anime, Gon hit it and understood himself. I actually think the 2011 anime wanted to laugh at this exam part as they made the applicants do, because they really shortened it and made it boring for no reason. They also didn't have Satotz explain that even though the catching the pig part seemed easy, it still relied on the applicants having the accuracy and bravery to hit it right at that moment and spot to capture it. It's also saddening to not be able to really see how since the pig part was Buhara's test, you don't really see how lax of a guy he is even though he's supposed to be a Gourmet Hunter that has eaten lots of good food lol. He literally just ate 70 pigs and let them pass hahaha. The 2011 anime didn't even mention how Menchi is actually a Single Star Hunter at the young age of 21, making her extremely capable and a Hunter that has made lasting contributions to the field.

Anyway, Menchi's chosen dish of sushi was the awesome part that the 2011 anime cut out. Maybe it's not as serious as the usual stuff is, but I really loved how carefree it felt, and it really showed how unreasonable of a person Menchi could be, whereas seriously, in the 2011 anime, even if I'm not a gourmet I would be annoyed that these people would think they can just pass by roasting a pig lol. Anyway, Menchi wants them to make sushi but most people don't know what it is, so for me, the best part for this was how Hanzo knows what sushi is, but no one else does, and I just find it hilarious how Hanzo wants to hide the fact that he knows so he can pass by himself, but because he laughs at Leorio and everyone, and then blurts it out later, they all know he knows what it is loll. I absolutely loved the weird concoctions everyone made for what they perceived "sushi" to be, and it was hilarious how Gon felt down when Menchi said his creation was no better than Leorio's haha, and then I loved how Kurapika seriously analysed Menchi's hints but still got it wrong despite being so proud hahaha. Just seeing a whole wiggling fish wrapped in some rice, and Menchi throwing the whole plate away is just so memorable and funny, I love it, and am so sad the 2011 anime didn't have it.

Otherwise, aside from the rare moss delicacy, Todo actually jumping down the valley and trying to get a spider eagle egg and the applicants having to actually boil the egg, the 1999 anime is pretty much the same as the manga with minor additions and differences. It's nice that the 2011 anime at least retained the boiled egg part, but I don't think it was necessary to change the idea that they needed an updraft to get back up from the valley, although I guess it feels riskier, but at the same time, as long as you have the guts to jump at the same time as Gon says, there's not much of a challenge in the end lol. Minor nitpick but what I would have preferred the 2011 and 1999 anime have followed would be that instead of Gon offering the spider eagle egg for Todo to try and change his mind about Gourmet Hunters, in the manga, Todo actually asks Gon if he can try it. It shows his willingness to change his preconceived impression of Gourmet Hunters and I liked that he was actually a pretty sensible guy. Overall, I'd say manga is best, and then 1999 anime, just because the sushi part is hilarious and should not have been cut out.

Andd I'm done! I'd say that in terms of the anime this time around, both versions had parts I liked and disliked, so as a whole, I'd say the manga was the best way to experience it lol. However, if I had to pick, I'd definitely pick the 1999 anime just because it definitely builds a better and more similar impression of Hisoka and Killua (my favourite characters) to their manga version, and it definitely implies and directly states how similar Hisoka and Killua actually are. In this case, I found it really interesting how when it came to the sushi part, Killua and Hisoka made the same type of dish in the 1999 version (since it doesn't show Hisoka's impression of sushi in the manga), and I actually quite liked how they did that. Gon talking about Kite also really builds him up better as a character too because he actually has a proper driving force compared to how shallow he feels in the 2011 version imo.