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Hunter x Hunter (2011) Arc Review: Greed Island Arc
Arc Episodes: 17 of 148 (59-75)
Original Author: Yoshihiro Togashi
Characters
Returning characters = Gon Freecs, Killua Zoldyck, Hisoka Morrow, some members of the Phantom Troupe, and flashes of Ging
Mr. Battera = The man that acquires Greed Island at the Yorknew auction and employs Nen users to beat the game and bring back a card to use in the real world
Tsezgerra = One of the head hired players that Mr. Battera hired, that comes to be a great aid to our heroes
Biscuit Krueger = Nen master of 40 years that is Wing’s mentor. She teaches Gon and Killua advanced Nen techinques and aids them in the game
Razor = Another Nen master that is guarding one of the most restricted cards in the Greed Island game, and an old friend of Ging Freecs.
Genthru = A member of a party aiming to collect all the cards and complete the game, but turns out to be a traitor called “The Bomber” who’s selfishly aiming to complete the game no matter the cost.
Plot
Despite bidding high at the Yorknew auction, Gon and Killua lose to Mr. Battera for Greed Island and approach Tsezgerra to enter as hired help to win the game.
After his refusal, they train and impress him days later and are allowed to join, along with other impressive Nen users.
Greed Island begins and users are teleported into a world dictated by spell cards and the quest to clear the game - by collecting the 100 restricted cards.
Struggling in this new environment, Gon and Killua eventually listen to Biscuit (Bisky) who has been watching their movements. She trains their Nen and becomes their master.
Phantom Troupe members make a brief appearance and even find that the game is at an actual location - which Razor intercepts them and destroys their boat.
Genthru reveals himself as “The Bomber” and holds the alliance members hostage to collect the remaining restricted cards.
Killua leaves Greed Island, takes part in the next Hunter Exam, knocks all the participants unconscious at the beginning, gets his pro Hunter license, and comes back.
Hisoka is also in the game, and Bisky, Gon and Killua find him and they eventually come into contact with Razor in the race to monopolize the remaining difficult restricted cards.
They win a lethal game of dodgeball and win “Patch of Shore” - causing Genthru to hunt them and Tsezgerra’s group down.
With no choice but to fight, Gon, Killua and Bisky plan for days and then fight and win against the Bomber’s team. Using the cards from them, they have won the game.
They choose 3 cards to take with them to the real world, part ways, and Gon and Killua head for the codename called “Nigg” - to find Ging in the real world.
The Praise
Greed Island is contains the videogame elements that make it different from anything before it, while also staying true to the core of the plot and characters. Gon and Killua continue to train, becoming stronger with new Nen techniques, while also deepening their friendship. What’s impressive in this arc, however, is how they’ve become specialized. It was discovered that they were different Nen types in the Heavens Arena arc but it’s nothing like what’s learned in this arc - like Gon’s new “Rock-Paper-Scissors” move or Killua’s lightning aura - so this new display feels right and exciting at the same time. Nen’s complexity has gone up with the new techniques, and with it, the powerful and interesting fights that it creates! Gon, Hisoka, and Killua versus Razor and Gon versus Genthru were two powerhouse installments in the history of this anime. And Gon’s arm getting blown off in that fight?! Creative insanity at its best. Definitely one of the most underrated fights of the series.
After the Phantom Troupe arc, Greed Island does a good job of mixing the training, happy-go-lucky attitude, and the seriousness of antagonists/villains in a way that seems to be one of the most complete arcs. The environment of Greed Island seems like the Hunter Exam with all Nen users too. It makes the arc even more serious when the Phantom Troupe and Razor confirm that Greed Island is in the real world. Death is the ultimate sealing factor, and choosing a place that is remote enough to make into a game and lock players in, Greed Island fits its name with how the players steal, lie, and kill in order to climb their way to the top and escape with riches.
The Critique
I’ve only seen this arc once, but I can say that while it was mostly enjoyable, it was pretty dense. Even if I’m a fan of the causal death in this series to get a point across, it did not approach Phantom Troupe levels but still felt weaker to me. While Genthru is a decent villain, there’s something off when compared to other antagonists that we’ve seen so far and his henchmen are easily forgotten, along with the reason that the Phantom Troupe visited Greed Island in the first place. But that might just make him a good villain. Using cards and spells is a big departure from the previous 3 arcs as well, so this may be hit or miss with some. Lastly, Nen expands in principle by 2-5 points per arc and keeping up is fine in the moment but grasping the power system is definitely not as easy as it may seem so be aware and rely on the anime’s explanations. Along with the magical cards and their special abilities, it can be difficult to keep up.
The Verdict
Greed Island is the acronym that I never saw coming and is basically the Hunter Exam arc with Nen. You get some great character moments, development, friendship, and amazing action that will be unforgettable along with some forgettable side characters that you will never see again on the remote island of magic cards. Gon and Killua gain some powerful permanent and temporary allies that make this arc a sight to see and go against some of the most dangerous Nen users to date. And luckily, the animation studio included “Greed Island” tutorials at the end of each episode to promote understanding of the game. If all online game anime were like this, I’d definitely give more of them a watch. ~D
Rating: 9 gold nuggets out of 10