Hunter x Hunter OVA deep dive review: A must-see special edition for fans

HUNTER X HUNTER OVA - In-depth review and comprehensive guide

■ Public Media

OVA

■ Original Media

comics

■ Release date

January 17, 2002

■Release and sales

Marvelous Entertainment Pony Canyon

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 8

■Original Story

Yoshihiro Togashi "HUNTER X HUNTER" (Serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump)

■ Director

Satoshi Saga

■ Production

Produced by: Hunter x Hunter OVA Production Committee, Yoshiaki Matsumoto, Hiroyuki Asada, Hiroshi Tsuji (Marvelous Entertainment), Yoshitaka Hoshino, Takahiro Ishikawa (Nippon Anime Planning), Yoko Furukawa, Atsushi Isoyama (Pony Canyon)
Production: Marvelous Entertainment, Nippon Animation, Pony Canyon Animation: Nippon Animation

■Works

©Yoshihiro Togashi/Shueisha, Nippon Animation

■ Story

They finally reunite in Yorkshin City, and Kurapika's smile returns. However, at the auction venue, the real auction items end up in the hands of the Troupe. Hisoka's tip-off that the corpse is fake will lead to further revenge...?

■Explanation

Although it is an anime adaptation of a manga, it also contains some original stories. Also, some of the depictions are restrained. This is the last Japanese anime to use film. It is the first OVA of a popular TV series.

■Cast

・Gon/Junko Takeuchi ・Leorio/Hozumi Goda ・Kurapika/Yuki Kaida ・Killua/Kanako Mitsuhashi ・Senritsu/TARAKO
・Hisoka / Takahashi Hiroki ・Chrollo / Nagano Zenichi ・Nobunaga / Matsuyama Takashi ・Feitan / Hibino Akari ・Shalnark / Takato Yasuhiro ・Pakunoda / Iseki Yoshiko ・Phinx / Matsumoto Yoshiro ・Machi / Namiki Noriko ・Franklin / Kaneko Yukinobu ・Neon / Maekawa Yuko ・Miluki / Ishizuka Ken ・Shizuku / Bungo Atsuko ・Kortopi / Tenjin Arumi ・Skwara / Mori Norihisa ・Eliza / Shimizu Mina ・Uvogin / Takemoto Eiji ・Driver / Tsuruoka Satoshi ・Illumi / Takano Rei and others

■ Main staff

Produced by: Haruki Nakayama, Toshikazu Motohashi, Katsuhiko Takemasa Original story by: Yoshihiro Togashi Planning by: Yoshiro Kataoka (Marvelous Entertainment), Michio Kato (Nippon Anime Kikaku), Yuji Tsukamoto (Pony Canyon)
・Production management / Shigeo Endo・Music / Toshihiko Sahashi・Director / Satoshi Saga・Producer / Shunichi Kozō・Series composition / Nobuaki Kishima・Character design / Takayuki Goto・Art director / Shigeru Morimoto・Director of photography / Seiichi Morishita・Sound recording director / Takuya Hiramitsu・Color design / Mari Miyashita・Screenplay / Nobuaki Kishima, Yoshiyuki Suga・Storyboard / Satoshi Saga, Norifumi Kiyozumi (Nekomataya), Hisato Shimoda, Tetsuro Aoki, Shigetaka Ikeda, Hiroshi Kaburagi,
・Directors: Satoshi Saga, Hisato Shimoda, Hiroshi Kaburagi, Shinya Hanai, Ryo Miyata ・Chief animation directors: Kyoji Asano, Kenichi Imaizumi, Tadashi Otohata, Masaru Koseki ・Backgrounds: Atelier Roku, TEAM'S ART, ANIMATION PAK, Studio Loft ・Color design: Haruko Noboru (Studio Robin), Kuniharu Okano (Artland), Tomoko Yamazaki (Artland)
・Filming: Studio Twinkle ・Sound Production: Audio-Visual System, Masakatsu Aida ・Sound Editing: Kohei Oishi ・Title: Akira Michikawa ・Sound Effects: Akihiko Matsuda (Fizz Sound)
・Positive editing: Shinichi Natori, Kazuho Nakano ・Recording studio: Studio T&T
・Negative editing: Hidetoshi Kamitono ・Developing lab: IMAGICA
・Video editing: Daisuke Miyazaki (IMAGICA)
・Opening animation: Tetsuro Aoki, Satoru Iriyoshi, Masayuki, Shinichiro Kajiura, Koichi Hashimoto, Hiroyuki Koizumi, Hideo Isa, Tatsuo Miura, Hideki Yamazaki ・Ending animation: Takayuki Goto ・Music cooperation: Marvelous Music Publishing ・Production cooperation (Gross Production) : Production IG, Artland, Rikuen Tai ・Production desk: Katsunori Kobayashi

■ Main Characters

Gon Freecss is the main character. He is from Whale Island and takes the Hunter Exam to find his father, Ging. His Nen ability is enhancement type. He hates to lose, is stubborn, and has a strong sense of curiosity. He values ​​promises.

Killua Zoldyck is a professional assassin who received special training from the Zoldyck family. He took the Hunter Exam to kill time, where he met Gon and began to take action. His Nen ability is transformation type.

Kurapika is a materialization type ability user, but when his eyes turn scarlet he becomes a trait type ability user. He is the sole survivor of the minority Tarta tribe, and he hated the Phantom Troupe so much that he became a Hunter.

Leorio is an emission type Nen user. He becomes a hunter to earn money to become a doctor.

・Hisoka was the number 4 of the Phantom Troupe. A mysterious magician.

■Subtitle

#63 / Spider x Corpse x Fake #64 / Friend x Disguise x Hellish Ears #65 / Pursuit x Escape x Running Spider #66 / Hostage x Insect x Transmitted Feelings #67 / Time Signal x Darkness x Released Chains #68 / Provocation x Division x Raised Fist #69 / Negotiation x Revenge x Disciplined Chains #70 / Feelings x Resignation x Torn Spider

■ Related works

・HUNTER×HUNTER
・HUNTER×HUNTER GREED ISLAND OVA
・HUNTER× HUNTER GREED ISLAND Final Chapter OVA

■ Theme songs and music

・OP
・PALE ALE
Lyrics: Kenichi Kurosawa Composition: Kenichi Kurosawa Arrangement: Daiji Okai, Yu Toyama, Kenichi Kurosawa
・Singer: Kenichi Kurosawa (Pony Canyon)
・ED
・Carry On
Lyrics: Kenichi Kurosawa; Composition: Kenichi Kurosawa; Arrangement: Daiji Okai, Yu Toyama, Kenichi Kurosawa; Singer: Kenichi Kurosawa (Pony Canyon)

■Detailed reviews and recommendations

Hunter x Hunter OVA is the first in a series of OVAs based on the popular manga by Yoshihiro Togashi, and tells the story of the York New City arc. This OVA was released in 2002 and is a series of eight episodes. Below, we will explain in detail the appeal, highlights, and recommended points of this work.

The appeal of the story

The Hunter x Hunter OVA faithfully reproduces the York New City arc of the original work, while adding the depth and tension that only an OVA can provide. In particular, Kurapika's revenge and confrontation with the Phantom Troupe have the power to draw viewers in. The story begins with Kurapika reuniting with his friends and regaining his smile, and then a new development begins with Hisoka's betrayal, providing a fresh perspective even for fans of the original work.

The OVA also includes some original stories that are not in the original work, adding new color to the story. For example, even those who are familiar with the original work will find new discoveries in the psychological battle between Kurapika and Hisoka, and the individual episodes of the Brigade members. Furthermore, some parts of the OVA are less detailed, which in turn stimulates the viewer's imagination and adds depth to the story.

Character Appeal

In the "HUNTER X HUNTER OVA," the personalities of the main characters stand out even more. The charms of each character are brought out to the fullest, including Gon's purity and strong will, Killua's calmness and friendship, Kurapika's desire for revenge and his feelings for his comrades, Leorio's friendship and passion for his dreams, and Hisoka's mysterious presence.

Kurapika's character especially shines in this OVA. The scenes where his desire for revenge and his feelings for his friends intersect deeply move the viewer's heart. Hisoka's presence is also overwhelming, and every one of his actions and words has a big impact on the story. The acting of the cast is also excellent, especially Junko Takeuchi as Gon, Yuki Kaida as Kurapika, and Hiroki Takahashi as Hisoka, who express the emotions of their characters realistically.

Production Details

"HUNTER X HUNTER OVA" is the last film-based work by Nippon Animation, and a lot of attention to detail was put into its production. Director Satoshi Saga and the rest of the staff faithfully reproduced the worldview of the original work while pursuing the visual beauty that is unique to OVA. In particular, you can feel that the staff from each department, such as character design, background art, photography, and sound, worked together to create the work.

The music is also an important element that enhances the appeal of this OVA. Toshihiko Sahashi's music effectively creates the tension and emotion of the story. The opening theme "PALE ALE" and the ending theme "Carry On" are combined with Kenichi Kurosawa's powerful singing voice to deeply resonate with the viewers' hearts.

Recommended points

"HUNTER X HUNTER OVA" is a work that can be recommended not only to fans of the original work, but to all anime fans. It is especially recommended for the following people:

• People who like the original York New City arc
• People who are interested in character psychological portrayals and human drama
• People who want to enjoy high quality animation and music
• People who want to experience the original story that only OVA can offer

This OVA brings out the best of the original work while adding new perspectives and depth. The story of Kurapika's revenge, the confrontation with the Phantom Troupe, and the friendship and growth of the comrades will leave viewers deeply moved and excited. The attention to detail of the production staff and the acting of the cast are also not to be missed. Be sure to watch this "HUNTER X HUNTER OVA" and experience its charm for yourself.

Comparison with related works

The Hunter X Hunter OVA has its own unique appeal, even when compared to other Hunter X Hunter anime works. In particular, compared to the TV series, the OVA has many scenes with deeper psychological depictions and tension, which leaves a strong impression on viewers. Also, compared to other OVA series such as Greed Island OVA and Greed Island Final Chapter OVA, the tension and drama of the York New City arc stands out.

"GREED ISLAND OVA" is an adventure story set in the world of the game, depicting friendship and growth. Meanwhile, "HUNTER X HUNTER OVA" has a more serious atmosphere, focusing on Kurapika's revenge and confrontation with the Phantom Troupe. "GREED ISLAND Final Chapter OVA" depicts the final chapter of the game, depicting the end of the adventure and a new beginning. By watching these works in order, you will be able to understand and enjoy the world of "HUNTER X HUNTER" more deeply.

How to watch and purchase information

"HUNTER X HUNTER OVA" can be purchased on DVD and Blu-ray. It is released by Marvelous Entertainment and Pony Canyon, and can be purchased from online shops and anime shops. It may also be available on some video distribution services, so please check the official website or the information of each distribution service.

This OVA brings out the best of the original work while adding new perspectives and depth. The story of Kurapika's revenge, the confrontation with the Phantom Troupe, and the friendship and growth of the comrades will leave viewers deeply moved and excited. The attention to detail of the production staff and the acting of the cast are also not to be missed. Be sure to watch this "HUNTER X HUNTER OVA" and experience its charm for yourself.