Where do I even begin...
They managed to turn a decent arc (Hunter exam) into a magnificent introduction. I'd wholeheartedly rate HxH 1999's hunter exam as a 10/10 introduction. The main cast and side cast are so intriguing and well-developed, not to mention there is a whole load of anime-original interactions between the characters that bolsters the character relationships and their respective characterizations.
The anime-canon arc which lasted from episode 18-20 was by far the best anime-canon arc i've ever consumed. It developed most of all Kurapika, Leorio, Hanzo, and Pokkle and tested the cooperative ability of the hunter applicants. What makes this arc stand out the most is how it superbly develops Kurapika's character. For context, in this arc all the hunter applicants are stranded on this island full of abandoned ships and must survive this massive unforgiving storm. For this mission they elected Kurapika and Hanzo to be the leaders, however Kurapika became the most central leader de-facto. During the events, Leorio whilst retrieving canonballs for the battleship, was knocked unconscious by debris underwater.
Utilizing physics and mathematics, Kurapika calculated how the ship can achieve maximum buoyancy and thereby float. (One example of how being knowledgeable of the complex subjects is an integral part of being a hunter). Kurapika was originally meant to give the order to depart, however he couldn't, as he had learned that Leorio was still underwater and out of reach. Given all Kurapika knew, it would seem to him that Leorio was dead. This broke kurapikas heart and resolve and left him in this depressed and immensely stressed state, which goes to show how dearly he holds his relationships, especially the one with Leorio as he is the one that Kurapika had opened up to most of all people about intimate details regarding his past, the kurta clan etc.
However, as soon as Kurapika was informed by Killua that Leorio was alive and saved by Gon, he instantly regained his resolve and rapidly gave out orders that culminated in the hunter-applicants surviving. It truly was a heavily emotional arc and this is a model anime-canon arc.
The 2011 hunter exam is a decent adaptation but it lacks a laser-focus on the hunter attributes. A hunter is adept at treasure seeking, complex subjects, survival, cooperating and of course, hunting. The 1999 Exam manages to give each element of hunter its own proper focus whilst blending them with a ton of emotional and funny moments with stakes that make the characters grow closer to one another, all the while the series enlightens you with its excellent OST and unique pallet of colors, which results in a top-quality atmosphere and journey that restores the same magic as when you watched a shounen as a kid for the first time. Yes, it is THAT GOOD.
Furthermore, it executes the yorknew city arc with utter perfection. There is a constant dark atmosphere and tone paired up with it's visually striking palette that hovers over the entire arc. You are at all times reminded how serious the situation is as the anime makes no point of censoring the most brutal of death scenes, such as when Uvogin crushes the skull of some mafia goon, splattering blood all over the screen in the processs. Kurapikas character arc is extensively improved too as he gets a myriad of extra development, including a whole anime-original episode dedicated to his nen training and self-discovery. His inner-conflict is bolstered to another level as well as the extra moments where he is just sitting or standing attempting to process his cloudy, trauma-filled mind results in you becoming completely emotionally attached to his character-arc. Just take a look at the contrast, they perfectly illustrate and execute his inner-conflict between his deep desire to just be with his loved ones and his desire for revenge against the troupe, the latter desire of which is actively damaging his mental health, as you can see.
The final scene where Kurapika at last reunited with Leorio, Gon and Killua was such a tearjerker as it had such a tender and intimate atmosphere. To be honest, Leorio and Kurapikas chemistry exceeds being just platonic in this series as their bond becomes much closer. This is the primary reason why the aforementioned scene was a tearjerker, since Kurapikas and Leorios relationship take centre stage. Director Kazuhiro BRILLIANTLY wrote the interaction as like only two words were spoken between them, but the tender atmosphere PAIRED WITH ALSO ONE OF THE MOST TOUCHING OSTS "Wasurete Ita Fuukei" spoke a million words. After all that, you're just left speechless at how intelligent this director is and how he managed to immensely elevate Togashis original work. This excellently demonstrates too how vital Kurapikas attachments are to him. After the hell he experienced, he at last could just be with his loved ones. This is actually what brings fulfillment and happiness to Kurapikas life. Not revenge.
Before I did not understand why people shipped Leorio and Kurapika so much, but now I see why they do and to be honest, its probably the most emotionally engaging male pairing ive ever seen a classic anime push. Before you judge, literally just look up the moment on youtube and the entire comment section will be a waterfall of applause for their relationship and development.
Remember that this is just one outstanding example of HxH 1999's brilliant character relationships and that they likewise superbly handle Gon and Killuas dynamic as well as Gon's dynamic with Kurapika. The side-cast in the aforementioned hunter-exam grow much closer to one another and the main cast as well. Examples of which being Hanzo and Kurapika who majorly grow in respect to one another as they co-lead the mission to survive the water-spout at the abandoned ship in the filler arc.
The zoldyck arc hit so much harder emotionally too, especially Canary's segment, which was the magnum opus of the whole arc as the classic colors, OST, environment bolstered her emotional backstory and Gon's attempts of reaching out to her that much more. One example I'd like to highlight was when she was telling Gon about her past in which she could not befriend Killua, despite obviously wanting to. Throughout the whole flashback scene they had a hand-drawn image resembling a kids-picture of young Killua sitting on a tree and a young Canary standing in front of it, with Killua conversing with her and trying to offer her a gift he made. Reiko Kiuchi, the VA of Canary (1999) did such an EXCEPTIONAL job at conveying to us viewers the tenderness of the scene. All moments of that dialogue was so precious yet so tragic since she could not accept Killuas gift nor get close to him, which severely affected Killua as it was a major contributing factor leading to him eventually running away from home due to being starved of authentic human connection from not only his immediate family but also the people around him, which in turn explains why he became so attached to Gon since he was the first person who ever genuinely connected with him. Not to mention they played ONE OF THE MOST TOUCHING OSTS of all time "Hikari ga mienai", which imo is the BEST OST of the entire HxH franchise, which turned this into an ultimate masterpiece as the atmosphere and OST yet again spoke a million words. This moment was the peak of the Zoldyck arc and in my opinion a 10/10 emotional peak of the entire Hunter X Hunter series as well as one of the highest peaks in anime as it wholeheartedly moved my heart a ton experiencing it.All the emotionally heavy moments in the 1999 pierce the heart way sharper than the 2011-animes equivalents. I could go on and on about how masterfully the OST, atmosphere, voice acting and colors synthesize perfectly.
The Zoldycks are more menacing and you're truly reminded of who they really are. Highly intelligent expert assasins. Especially Zeno and Silva in the yorknew city arc as their battle with Chrollo truly leaves you on the edge of your seat more so than the 2011-fight since you can feel how LETHAL every single attack was due to the animation, dark environment and sound-effects. The overall dark atmosphere and tone heavily boosts the phantom troupe too who feel way more threatening and serious.
All in all, HxH 1999 is by far the best adventure-shounen and the best classic anime of all time. I so extremely strongly recommend everyone who has not yet seen this anime to please give it a try. You will 100% fall in love with the series.
