Spread a little thin this week because of conventions, so I don’t have time to cover the usual five-episode-chunk. Frankly, we had more plot in this one episode than that entire, interminable mini-arc with Knuckle, so it works out just as well…
Anyway, it’s episodes like this which make me wonder if we’re due for some PLUTO-style reinterpretation of this story arc in twenty years or so. That manga found more mature significance lying in some ASTRO BOY story from long ago, and I can’t help but feel like there’s plenty of deeper thematic material bubbling beneath the surface here. Granted, that feeling is largely the result of Togashi employing a number of intentionally mollifying conceits that let him get away with a lot of dark stuff in a show that’s labeled for young boys, but...
== TEASER ==
As several of you have observed, Gon and Killua are basically adult leads who are dressed as kids. That’s abundantly clear when they have that tearful scene about finally understanding weakness. I'm sorry, but even by fantasy standards, that's a thought that's simply beyond the ken of a 10-year-old. Likewise, the villains can commit any number of horrific atrocities without going too far because, at all times, they just look patently ridiculous. The scene where the King casually murders a whole family hits a little softer because he’s wearing this silly turtleshell bowler hat.
Still, there’s something about the… nature of the Chimera Ants. There’s this whole procession of how they’re born, fully-sentient, with distinct personalities that constantly clash on ideologies. Why is it that Colt has a sense of restraint and honor that the others don’t? Why do some swear allegiance to the King, while others remain loyal to the Queen? Would they be having these argument if they didn’t suddenly choose to give themselves names? And so on…
The short answer is that Togashi knows that conflict holds interest, and having the villains argue among themselves leads to more drama and complications. However, he probably didn’t want to bother with working out some involved reason for how they came together, so here you are. Whether he stumbled upon on them, or slyly wanted to hint at them, the questions are there…
…and they’re far more interesting than watching another training round with Knuckle.
Watch "The Strong X and X the Week” and decide for yourself, then read my comments about the previous episode.
About the Author
| Tom Pinchuk’s a writer and personality with a large number of comics, videos and features like this to his credit. Visit his website - - tompinchuk.com - - and follow his Twitter: @tompinchuk |
from Anime Vice Site Mashup http://ift.tt/1nOcq8P
No comments:
Post a Comment