Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 8: The Island

Hunter × Hunter [ハンター×ハンター] #8

by Yoshihiro Togashi

Hunters are a special breed, dedicated to tracking down treasures, magical beasts, and even other people. But such pursuits require a license, and less than one in a hundred thousand can pass the grueling qualification exam. Those who do pass gain access to restricted areas, amazing stores of information, and the right to call themselves Hunters.

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Comics, Graphic Novels, Adventure, Action, Shonen

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 9, 2000

About the author

Yoshihiro Togashi (冨樫義博) is a manga artist. Credited in Chinese translations as Fu Jian Yi Bo.

He began drawing manga at an early age; while he attended college, the publisher Shueisha recognized his talent. Togashi has authored numerous manga series in different genres during the past three decades. He is perhaps best known for writing and illustrating the YuYu Hakusho and Hunter × Hunter series, both of which have been published in the popular Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine. Togashi is married to Naoko Takeuchi, the author of Sailor Moon.

Reviews

[Noah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man, I love Yoshihiro Togashi. There's always some cool, weird shit going on in his manga. if I had a top ten manga list, both Yu Yu Hakusho and Hunter X Hunter would be sitting on there pretty comfortably. My favorite thing he does is when he draws a character super detailed randomly in order to shift the tone dramatically, but I also like it because it reminds me of those gross close-up shots that they do in Spongebob! Anyway, as I've been re-reading this series, I've been having a bit of a issue about whether or not I should label them under my LGBT+ bookshelf, because doing so would be purely interpretive on my end. I mean, I’ve always been under the impression that the two main characters, Killua and Gon, were both each other’s first love. Not that it really matters (and this series definitely isn’t interested in romance), but for me, reading it under this lens is what elevated the material and helped it stand out from all the other manga I used to read when I was younger. Even reading it the first time around, it just felt like that's what the author was going for. It flowed so naturally and seemed so obvious to me! And this was way before I’d learned the magic of putting the words “queer” and “subtext” together. Of course, if I seem somewhat reticent, it's because this seems to be a bit of a hot-topic debate among fans of this series (going back decades probably), and I’m not really interested in ruffling any feathers, so I’ll just say this; it’s really not that deep and I don’t really mind either way how someone wants to read into it. Again, Killua does call Gon “his light” at one point, so that’s certainly… a little something, something. Oh, I know! I'll only shelf the gayest (as judged by me!) volumes under LGBT+ as I go along! You're looking at a guy who's got it all figured out.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though this is my least favorite volume so far -because there weren't any fights- nevertheless, I can't give it less than 5 stars! It's one of the best manga and anime ever made. I LOVE IT. We've been introduced to the Greed Island game which is one of my favorite arc and also to Ryodan. I hope the manga would offer more information about them. Which means we've seen Feitan aka my third favorite character. He's evil, one of the strongest members, I think he should be ranked number 3 in strength. Excluding Hisoka, of course.

[Adri · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 Stars

Chain-wielding Kurapika is my aesthetic.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute to see how Gon felt about his Aunt Mito and finally getting hints about his father.
Killua's brother I don't like. Creepy basement dude...
I loved getting back to Kurapika. His character is one that has always interested me the most so far. So mysterious! We also get a bit of Leorio. Reunion is in the works! I have also been introduced to the most terrifying vacuum ever in this volume...
Once again, lots of fun. Not super exciting though, bet it is more a set-up for the new arc I think.

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taking away a star because of "Aunt Mito is my real mom!". She is not your mother Gon, play the damn tape.

However I loved the Phantom Troupe introduction. So excited for the Yorknew arc to properly start.

Also Togashi's random chapter breaks about his trip to Egypt?! He's so funny. I'm convinced Basho finding the mummified right arm from an Egypersian tomb and Phinks' and Bonolenov's character designs are a direct reference to this.

[Arley Guzmán · Rating 5 out of 5]

Los personajes , habilidades y términos me pueden afirmar que una gran era se aproxima.

[Tomasz · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are sooo back!!!

[Melanie Rodriguez Sosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75

Gon y Killua se dirigen a Isla Ballena con la esperanza de encontrar alguna pista de Ging; por otro lado, tendremos en paralelo el punto de vista de Kurapika y el Gen’ei Ryodan. Si bien todos tendrán objetivos distintos, los personajes compartirán un mismo destino: la subasta de Yorkshin.
Que bonito es regresar a HunterxHunter, en especial con este arco porque fue uno de mis favoritos en el anime.

El volumen es introductorio por el mismo motivo de que se esta empezando un conflicto nuevo: la subasta de Yorkshin. Gon y Killua van con el propósito de conseguir Greed Island, videojuego exclusivo para Hunters y única pista que tienen para encontrar a Ging. Porque si, lo único que quiere Gon es encontrar a su padre, el egoísta, y aunque Ging no es de mi agrado, gracias a su ausencia tenemos este manga. Me fastidia bastante que no tenga interés por saber quién era su madre, lo entiendo, pero me da colera.

Kurapika está yendo a la subasta para recuperar los ojos escarlatas de su clan y para esto deberá trabajar con un coleccionista de objetos que desee comprar esos ojos. Disfruto mucho seguir el punto de vista de Kurapika porque me atrae que su objetivo sea la venganza, siento que todo es más emocionante y triste.

El objetivo del Gen’ei Ryodan es el de robar todo lo que hay en la subasta, sin importarles a quienes tengan que matar. Me gusta el hecho de no recordar mucho de estos personajes o los motivos que los mueven, es emocionante porque se siente como experimentar todo por primera vez.

La creatividad de Togashi nunca tiene límites. Me encanta los poderes que le da a los nuevos personajes, en especial al de la Hunter de música (su pasado es muy interesante).

La verdad es que no veo ya el momento de continuar con los siguientes volúmenes, amo este manga.

[Iza Brekilien · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want that vacuum cleaner ! (never thought I'd write something like this)

[shirley ♡]

Finally met Chrollo… can’t wait to see what type of villain he will be!

[Gabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Milluki: “Dad, let’s make a deal. I’ll kill 15 people, so loan me 15 billion.”

A genius

[Saya Connor]

why chrollo so ugly?

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this novel, you get to enjoy properly meeting Gon's mother (if not biological, mother in all other ways) as Gon and Kil go back to Gon's home to see her. At the same time, you also get a small hint as to Gon's father, one that sends Gon and Kil off on a quest to get hold of a rare (and really expensive) "Joystation" game in order to get just one step closer.

We also have finally come to the auction that has been hinted at for a few volumes; Gon, Kil and Leorio have met up, and are still attempting to earn enough for the game, and Kurapika is one of many bodyguarding some highly-sought-after fortune teller.

Curious to see how the rest of the auction is going to go... this one started off with a bang to say the least.

Notes on chapters below for reference:


Chapter 64.
Gon’s aunt reminds me a lot of Chichi from DBZ, but in the best way XD Super bossy but also clearly loves her nephew and wants to take care of him c:
--
Awww… they’re having a mushy friend moment <3 They’re both each other’s first friend around the same age (...or just in general, on Kil’s behalf)
--
I think Aunt Mito just overheard Gon saying that he doesn’t need to know about his mother, because his “real” mother is her, and he doesn’t need anyone else. That is the best thing to overhear.
--
Mito is going to tell Gon about Ging! :o


Chapter 65.
Mito doesn’t know who Gon’s mother is? :o I wonder if this is something that’ll be revealed later on, or if it will forever be a mystery… I love that she called him an unfit father and took over as Gon’s primary carer though :P
--
He opened the box with Nen! And inside is… another box XD
--
Cliffhangerrrrr… they’re playing the tape left by Ging to Gon.

Chapter 66.
That seems like a challenge to me! He basically has to hunt down his father, because apparently his father is a selfish egomaniac who doesn’t want to be a father, and would likely be a terrible one, so would bolt at the first sign of Gon coming. Wowie.
--
...It’s a memory card for a gaming console called the Joystation? Is that this world’s version of a Playstation?

Chapter 67.
Kurapika!
--
Knew it. He’s taking the contract to work for the flesh collector, likely as a way to be able to get closer to the Spiders.
--
Trap/challenge! Looks like the “buyer” doesn’t trust anyone unless they can defeat his small army and/or escape from it. So all the potential workers have been attacked - with intent to kill.

Chapter 68.
”He’s the one”? Who’s the one? Kurapika?
--
Nope. Apparently one of them was actually an “infiltrator” - an employee of the guy. And he was testing them.
--
There’s a second one? And he caught someone else so quickly? o.O
--
...180-minute love slave? This is very uncomfortable ._. At least she’s only using it to get information?

Chapter 69.
Greed Island? Never heard of it. Is it a play on some other game (like Joystation for Playstation)?
--
The game costs 5.8 BILLION? O.O That’s a lottttt
--
That’s Kil’s brother right? He might have a copy?
--
Someone might be auctioning off MULTIPLE copies of this game at the Yorknew auction? That’s impressive, considering how much they were initially, and how rare they are NOW.
--
So that’s why he wanted the memory card...

Chapter 70.
Waittttt…. The game was created in such a way that the discs were infused with Nen, and if someone starts the game they’re sucked into the game itself? And the console stays on only so long as the player remains alive? And no one has come back? All of whom hunters, including pros? Whattttttttt? This is insane.
--
Well. Their buying and reselling scheme didn’t go exactly to plan, and now they’re going their separate ways to see who can make more money before the auction starts, so that they can afford the game XD
--
Four people were hired to replace one person who effed up? How good was that one person, that you need four to replace them?
--
Well, the boss looks kinda creepy. But also not what I expected.

Chapter 71.
Leorio is so frugal, but it looks like he managed to get them a good deal, so well done!
--
Uh ohhhhhh…. I think those are the Spiders. And 13 of ‘em too.
--
They’re going to steal EVERYTHING from the auctions? HOW.


Chapter 72.
Whoa. I figured that Kil’s brother wouldn’t be able to get anything from the copied memory stick, but I didn’t expect him to take it so personally that he decides to go out and try and get a copy of the game for himself o.O
--
….That dainty looking girl is one of the spiders? Did NOT see that coming o.O
--
Anddd Neon is throwing a tantrum XD

Chapter 73.
Well that was quick. Looks like the Spiders are starting off with w bang. And just like that, everyone in the room is dead. Good thing Kurapika was meant to be guarding the outside of the building!

[Ken Yuen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Yorknew arc begins. Every character has a weird power

[Corey Thibodeaux · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a transitional volume, effectively setting up the Yorknew City arc while planting the seeds for the Greed Island arc down the line. Let's dive in.

- Gon and Killua have the best relationship. There's just innocent joy and no wishy-washy feelings. I loved how Killua was all about meeting Aunt Mito. Several heartwarming scenes here.

- We get more background on Gon's father, Ging, which isn't much. He is a major d*ck and cares only about exploring the world as a hunter. Despite all this, he gives Gon a chance to find him with three mysterious items. Acquiring a rare video game called Greed Island is Gon and Killua's new mission. Off to Yorknew City.

- It's been a while since we've seen good ol' Kurapika. He has cool finger chains, now! The Yorknew City arc focuses a lot on him and his connection to the Phantom Troupe - this is all leading to somewhere. It becomes quite obvious as to why Kurapika has joined this bodyguard outfit.

- Oh yeah, Leorio's back, too! Wait, didn't we not like him? Well, he got the boys a cool beetle phone at a discount. And he apparently knows Nen, too. Not worthless.

- The menacing Phantom Troupe has assembled, too. Great teamwork in that last scene - bullet fingers and a frigging Nen vacuum cleaner to deal with the mess. Can't wait for more PT carnage.

[yel ᰔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 of 5 stars

-----

The Yorknew Arc starts now! Phantom Troupe is here and we now get to see the chain-wielding Kurapika and his coolness!!

[Rolando Marono · Rating 4 out of 5]

La trama aquí relatada sienta las bases para el siguiente arco. Todos los personajes, como habían prometido en el volumen 5, se reúnen en el mismo sitio. Aunque ahora con motivaciones, bandos, e intenciones diferentes. Esto hace que el volumen sea muy dinámico en su narración porque se están contando varias cosas al mismo tiempo.
Por un lado tenemos la interesante historia de Kurapika, tratando de reunir información de los asesinos que aniquilaron a su familia. Kurapika se pone a trabajar como agente en cubierto y eso le añade tensión a la historia. Del otro lado tenemos a Gon, Killua y Leorio buscando dinero para poder ganar la subasta del videojuego que el papá de Gon le dejó como pista.
¿Cuándo se cruzarán los caminos de nuestros protagonistas? Espero que pronto, mientras tanto nos mostraron a los que posiblemente asesinaron a la tribu de Kurapika y parecen personas con Nens muy interesantes. Y por si extrañaban a nuestro extrañísimo pero siempre querido, Hisoka, también aparece aquí en un papel muy de soporte pero de todos modos lo hace interesante.
Kurapika nos muestra un poco de sus habilidades de nen pero no nos dice cómo las obtuvo o de quién las aprendió. Hasta ahora, de los 3 protagonistas que vimos que usan el nen, el de Kurapika fue mi favorito. Aunque en los primeros volúmenes parecía ser menos fuerte que Gon y Killua, por primera vez los pude ver al mismo nivel a todos.
Me entusiasma este arco bastante y seguiré leyendo el resto de la triste historia de la tribu Kurta.

[MajesticalLion · Rating 4 out of 5]

See. I know from being on the internet that the next arc is called Greed Island, and yet the very first thing that happens in Yorknew City is Gon and Killua going on a search for Greed Island. So it's almost like Yorknew City is just Greed Island part 1. Very interesting that Greed Island is a video game and not a literal island. Also Chrollo was finally introduced. I knew that's a fan favorite character. Good volume.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gon and Killua are on a request to become GAMERS, Kurapika wants a job, and a big auction of expensive stuff is coming up! Feels like we're finally getting serious with a true antagonist (instead of whatever Hisoka is at any given moment, more like an enemy then a BBEG), and now that everyone knows a bit of nen we can get some cool abilities on display!

[Jere. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ☆

Me perdí un poco pero bueno.

[Mr. Cody · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to give this series another chance. Glad I did. They wrapped up a rathe lackluster arc and it’s back on with the intrigue and gratuitous cartoon violence. Yippee!

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.0)

[afton · Rating 4 out of 5]

very much a setup volume but very enjoyable nonetheless

[Annabelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[ana rafa · Rating 5 out of 5]

simplesmente killua e gon vítimas de toin da braiscompany

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Sophia Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

KURAPIKA DONT GO DOWN THIS PATH UGH. so glad we are getting to the trope. one of my fav villian groups and love my silly little evils. LEORIO IS BACK MY GOAT. YORK NEW CITY IS UNDERWAY 🤭🤭

[ashlyn ☽ · Rating 4 out of 5]

~ 4.5 stars

i love the phantom troupe

[Tesutamento · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fazla aksiyonun olmadığı, yeni maceranın temellerinin atıldığı bir bir sayıydı. Gon Ging hakkında daha çok şey öğreniyor ve kendisine bırakılan gizemli kutuyu keşfediyor. Greed Island adındaki çok nadir bir oyun babasına ulaşmasındaki bir sonraki adım gibi. Kurapika Yorknew City'deki işine başlıyor. Mafyaların düzenlediği devasa müzayede Phantom Troupe'un da ilgisi çekiyor. Bu korkulan hırsızları ilk kez bir arada görüyoruz. Onların öncülüğünde müzayede başlıyor.

Gon ve Killua'nın arkadaşlığının iyice pekiştiği bu hikaye çoğunlukla dünyayı kurma ve tanıtmakla geçiyor.

[:¨·.·¨: `·. izzy ★°*ﾟ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5