Hunter X Hunterhas always been known for its complex story and philosophical examination of the real world, giving it a reputation as a very nuanced manga. However, the latest arc is pushing limits and while it has turned many off due to how incredibly dense and complex it is to follow, it is a very rewarding read for those who give it a chance and put a little effort into keeping up with what is happening.
The Dialogue Makes The Succession War That More Brilliant
The Word Count Is Always High But It Works
One of the biggest criticisms of the arc that has turned into memes isthe amount of dialogue within panels, with the infamous Rihan panel being just one of them. The series has always excelled at dialogue, withMeruem and Komugi’s Gungi matchesbeing some of the best. However, the Succession War arc kicked it up a notch with the word count being more than 10,000 at times, and while this isn’t typical, it enhances the story by magnitude.
The dialogue and amount of speech bubbles are necessaryto give an insight into the thought process of the characterswho are in such a high-intensity war, and a look into their strategies and tactics makes the arc feel that much more exciting, as a single miscalculation could be the end. Furthermore, the inner monologs make the characters feel alive and not two-dimensional, and as Togashi confirmed, this is the reasonwhy the Succession War has so much dialogue.
In the context of the series, it makes sense to have detailed dialogue. This is an arc that has some of the highest-ranking soldiers, politicians, royalty, Hunters, and more, packed into a single boat. Everyone is brilliant, and even Queen Oito’s maid shows such a high level of intelligence that Kurapika trusts her judgment. While the amount of dialogue is intimidating,it is a great tool to characterize the new characters andmakes the Succession War feel much more serious and intense.
The Multiple Storylines Are All Just As Interesting
A Complex Web Of Unfolding Threads
However, the biggest reason for the complexity of the arc isthe sheer number of plotlines happening at the same time. This is Togashi’s most ambitious endeavor yet, and while there is concern as to how it will all come together, recent chapters have shown that the series is in safe hands. Furthermore, the mysteries keep increasing and make everything unpredictable, making the incoming plot twists more shocking.
The Phantom Troupe’s involvement in the war, King Nasubi’s plan with the 14 coffins, Morena and the Mafia’s participation, the Justice Department’s motives,Beyond Netero’s elaborate schemes, Hisoka’s whereabouts, Tsseriednich’s training, Fugetsu’s curse, and many other threads all come together in this arc. It will be interesting to see how these elements are connected, making it a compelling reason to give this arc a chance. It can be challenging to keep track of everything at times, as the series frequently shifts between different scenarios, so readers should always go back to previous chapters to stay engaged and remember the ongoing events.
The Antagonists All Have Incredible Potential
More Amazing Villains Are In The Works
On the boat that harbors more than two hundred thousand people, the antagonists all solidify themselves as having the potential to be some of the best seen in the manga. New characters like Tsseriednich, Benjamin, Morena, Beyond Netero, and King Nasubi are already interesting characters in the 60 chapters since the start, and returning characters like Pariston, Hisoka, and Chrollo continue to become more interesting and frightening. It seems our hero Kurapika has his work cut out for him dealing with so much evil around him, but that sense of danger is what makes this story so appealing.
The Succession War becomes more chaotic as antagonists, protagonists, and everyone in between clash with each other, which adds to its appeal. The villains don’t simply battle the heroes; they also confront one another. Highly anticipated encounters include Hisoka versus Chrollo, Benjamin versus Tsseriednich, the Phantom Troupe against Morena, and the Hei-ly facing Xi-yu, among others.
Kurapika Is An Extremely Compelling Protagonist
The Last Kurta Is The Star Of The Show
The survivor of the Kurta genocide and one of the members of the main cast, Kurapika already showed how interesting and perfect he is for the role of the main character in the Yorknew Arc. However, he is even better in the Succession War arc and his characterization is incredible. Not only is his superior intellect on display every time, but the way he is integral in the war by causing stalemates and teaching Nen to other guards makes him one of the most important players, even if he is just a guard for the lowest-ranking Prince.
Furthermore, his moment with Prince Woble and how he chose to protect her even if she wasn’t the Prince he wanted to be assigned to is one of his best moments by far and showshow kind Kurapika is despite his tragic past. While fans saw him in action momentarily when he used his Emperor Time, there is more to come from Kurapika as the arc becomes more intense, and signs are pointing to him becoming more important as he continues to impress and shake up other Princes.
The Succession War Arc is something new and fresh in the battle shonen genre and forHunter X Huntertoo. Its complexity and nuance make it a contender to be even greater than the beloved Chimera Ant arc, and while there are some barriers to get over, it is the arc that keeps on giving for those who take the plunge and give it a chance.
Hunter X Hunter
Hunter × Hunteris a Japanese manga and anime franchise created by Yoshihiro Togashi. The story follows Gon Freecss, a boy who discovers his father is a legendary Hunter, and embarks on a journey to become one himself. Along the way, he encounters friends and foes in a world filled with martial arts, adventure, and paranormal elements. The franchise spans manga, multiple anime adaptations, films, OVAs, and video games.
