What They Say:
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The Review:
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
With the trap sprung in the previous episode, we had some good material as it felt like things finally started mattering again. The push by Gon and the others with their plan brought Bomber and his two adherents together to get what they wanted and everything went pretty much to plan, at least as our trio of characters felt like it did. With some good quality animation and movement that didn’t involve the usual means of this arc with challenges, we got to see it work well in showing how Gon and Bomber in particular went at it, but we also got to see Bisky finally reveal her true self, which was certainly a surprise for many people – both in this series and those who read the manga the first time. But it was the kind of surprise that makes it feel like the dynamic for her could change a bit and bring something new to the character.
While Bomber thinks he can deal with Gon relatively easily, considering what he has dealt with before and thinking of Gon as a bit of kid even if he has survived here for awhile, Gon is obviously proving to be a bit of a challenge. Gon’s training has had him learning some creative tricks along the way from Bisky with how to use his aura and abilities and Gon is a fast and natural learner when it comes to this area. And because of how Bomber views him and in the end just wants to be done with the kid, he really does underestimate him, thinking that his potential is all to come in some future when he’s grown up. Seeing the trick that Gon employs is fantastic to see since it’s so unexpected and intense as it goes forward. Gon’s pride is often what drives him and someone like Bomber won’t allow him to give up.
While Bomber does think he has the upper hand, Gon comes up with some hugely creative moments that traps Bomber and just wears him down in a huge way. Not so much physically, though he does land some intense hits, but more so because of the psychological aspect of it and the way he just beats down on him in a significant way. But it’s good to see how Gon takes his hits along the way as well with some real damage taken, though there’s an obvious out to it all as well. The fight overall is pretty good and it has an intense enough end to it, though the follow-up doesn’t really grab me that much as they try and settle things and bring it to some form of conclusion with how Gon wants to deal with all sides. It’s a bit simplistic but it also fits with his nature to want to do right by everyone rather than just his own group.
In Summary:
With Gon having collected ninety-nine cards, they’re a step closer to bringing everything to a close as it’s only card #0 that’s left for them to go after. And that’s something that has to be acquired a bit more creatively as we see towards the end here. But the show as a whole is focused on the battle between Bomber and Gon and that really works well, even if it just takes up the first half of the episode for the most part. There’s a good intensity between the two and a lot at stake, though there’s the given that Gon’s damage will not be long term since that’s not what a show like this will do. But that doesn’t diminish the battle itself or showing the lengths that Gon will go through in order to achieve his goals and do things his way. The Greed Island arc is closer to the end now and I’ll definitely welcome it and moving on to something new, but it’s hitting some good things in episodes like this and the previosu one.
Grade: B+
Streamed By: Crunchyroll
Review Equipment:
Sony KDS-R70XBR2 70″ LCoS 1080P HDTV, Dell 10.1 Netbook via HDMI set to 1080p, Onkyo TX-SR605 Receiver and Panasonic SB-TP20S Multi-Channel Speaker System With 100-Watt Subwoofer.
