Meruem: Hunter x Hunter's Lesson in Power

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  • čas přidán 28. 11. 2019
  • Twitter: / aleczandxr
    Twitch: / aleczandxr
    MyAnimeList: myanimelist.net/profile/Alecza...
    Patreon: / aleczandxr
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    In case you'd like to make a donation into my tip jar: www.paypal.me/aleczandxr
    --
    Music used:
    Song 1: Impatience (Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger)
    Song 2: New Mutation (Hunter x Hunter 2011)
    Song 3: Find Your Way (Final Fantasy VIII)
    Song 4: Prison Island (Xenoblade Chronicles)
    Song 5: Kingdom of Predators (Hunter x Hunter 2011)
    Song 6: On The Fallen Arm (Xenoblade Chronicles)
    Song 7: Fonsa Myma (Night) (Xenoblade Chronicles 2)
    Song 8: Hyori Ittai (Lamento) (Hunter x Hunter 2011)
    Shonen Ronin's channel: / @weebrevolution
    Article 1 (Appreciating An Aesthetic: The Aura of Shounen): elevenxheaven.wordpress.com/2...
    Article 2 (Shonen Trope Talk: Power and Strength Absolute): uzerfriendly.com/shonen-trope-...
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Komentáře • 1,3K

  • @Aleczandxr
    @Aleczandxr  Před 4 lety +694

    SPOILER WARNING: Please note that the video contains visuals from Yu Yu Hakusho, Gintama, My Hero Academia, Death Note and Persona 5. I don’t think that any of these sequences spoil anything beyond generic fight stuff, but someone has told me that they were able to correctly guess the entire ending of Persona 5 using just the clip I included (that clip is indeed from the ending, I just thought it was vague enough to include). I don’t know how that’s possible but hey, I suppose it is! So for full disclosure, you’re at risk of that happening to you and if you don’t want to take that risk, don’t watch from 2:00-2:40. Sorry for not mentioning that in the spoiler warning, but like I said, I just never really thought it was a spoiler. Still, I respect those who disagree, so here is your warning!
    Also, since I created this video months and months ago, the Patreon information here is outdated, so please ignore it. The correct Patreon information will be in one of the next couple of videos I release. Also, please note that I don’t take requests from comments, only from Patreon! Thanks.
    A list of sources for this video:
    Shonen Ronin's channel: czcams.com/channels/JZ7iekOTVsfzrnvAsN5hPw.html
    Article 1 (Appreciating An Aesthetic: The Aura of Shounen): elevenxheaven.wordpress.com/2019/08/23/appreciating-an-aesthetic-the-aura-of-shounen-updated-adapted-vers/
    Article 2 (Shonen Trope Talk: Power and Strength Absolute): uzerfriendly.com/shonen-trope-talk-power-and-strength-absolute/

    • @sakeriyasaleh4820
      @sakeriyasaleh4820 Před 4 lety +1

      Kl

    • @rushpatriot2866
      @rushpatriot2866 Před 4 lety +11

      Make more video like these your a great youtuber,very philosophical and intelligent and talk about hunterxhunter. Which is very rare

    • @TheDoomsday28
      @TheDoomsday28 Před 4 lety +8

      are you gonna tackle vinland saga? i enjoy your takes on series and im curious if you get anything unique from it

    • @Aleczandxr
      @Aleczandxr  Před 4 lety +16

      @Doomsday 2028 Nope.

    • @cabal4171
      @cabal4171 Před 4 lety +27

      Aleczandxr: There's potential spoilers for the ending of Persona 5 in this time-code.
      Me: Goes to that time-code to try and figure out the ending of a game I've never played or know anything about

  • @SamTheGumMan117
    @SamTheGumMan117 Před 4 lety +2269

    A Bug's life: Meruem

  • @thewarriorlegend5186
    @thewarriorlegend5186 Před 4 lety +1633

    Damn, you know this guy got good grades on his research papers

  • @rokuburuu
    @rokuburuu Před 4 lety +2246

    Meruem knows we live in a society

  • @aesthetic_cup6586
    @aesthetic_cup6586 Před 4 lety +1686

    Netero: "I must make this fast before my heart is swayed"
    I never caught on the metaphorical and literal sense of this line.
    Metaphorical being he doesn't want to have a change of heart and agreeing with meruem and literally not want to stop his heart to detonate the bomb.

  • @Sakaki98
    @Sakaki98 Před 4 lety +2968

    Aleczandxr: “Hisoka desperately strives to get his nut”
    Me, a man of culture: This... THIS is what I come here for!

    • @chuwyjoe8808
      @chuwyjoe8808 Před 4 lety +166

      Hisoka is looking at the bigger picture here.

    • @RangerJosey
      @RangerJosey Před 4 lety +92

      Hisoka would hunt down whoever came up with NNN and slay him.

    • @revolvingworld2676
      @revolvingworld2676 Před 4 lety +62

      While I dont agree with his actions, I respect this mans goals.

    • @themanwholaugh2805
      @themanwholaugh2805 Před 4 lety +21

      Hisoka has enter the chat.....

    • @transforgoku
      @transforgoku Před 4 lety +27

      Hisoka the perfect hedonist

  • @quicksilver446
    @quicksilver446 Před 4 lety +812

    Meruem's characterization and progression is just perfection in my eyes, it hits me how impressive Togashi's talent really is every time I think about Hunter x Hunter. Even his initial ambitions and personality are perfectly established. Due to Meruem's inital belief that power is the only true measure of strength, Togashi seems to have gone out of his way to give him a similar design sense to that of Frieza and Cell from Dragon Ball (a series so focused on "power" being important that it even charts it out). This gave me an impression that Togashi had an expert understanding both writing in general and wirting within his own field. Yet another thing to appreciate about this genius of a man.
    Another thing to appreiciate is how well made this video is yet again. Beautifully edited and scripted, nice work Alec!

  • @Link-ji7kx
    @Link-ji7kx Před 4 lety +561

    I’m a grown ass man and I cry like a baby every time he plays that last game with snot girl.

  • @grandarkfang_1482
    @grandarkfang_1482 Před 4 lety +388

    Every time I see Meruem and Komugi's last scene together, I can't help but tear up.

  • @ilovecody7514
    @ilovecody7514 Před 4 lety +1427

    Hunter X Hunter is just a modern classic for this decade in my eyes. No debate.

    • @MrHayada
      @MrHayada Před 4 lety +147

      Can't argue with that. Anime ended years ago and people still eat it like crack candy.
      Also, Manga readers are getting abused and they don't mind it. You wont find many Manga so good that you don't mind waiting years to read it.

    • @ilovecody7514
      @ilovecody7514 Před 4 lety +49

      @@MrHayada Yup, and the latest arc is a real treat too.

    • @livetochange974
      @livetochange974 Před 4 lety +10

      Tbh fmab villains were done better than meureum, a great example would be king Bradley and here's why he's better than meureum so read carefully
      Look at his face right before he stabs the guy in training when he was being trained to be the perfect king. Bradley had his own wrath, his own fury at the system he was brought up in. Seeing his dead peers right before being experimented upon against his will may have been the tipping point.
      I believe Bradly was only able to survive because his own hatred overwhelmed Fathers wrath and the anger of all the wrathful souls in the philosophers stone.
      Bradley is the only one of the Homunculi who 'owns' his own sin. A wrathful life, from start to end.
      Bradley doesn't embody wrath as the act of violence, he embodies wrath as the emotion. He seems the most human of them all because wrath, in its worst forms, comes from the most normal of people. So instead of appearing as a slobbering monster or explosive maniac, he appears as an otherwise ordinary man - a man who, however quietly, hates, and hates, and hates.
      For some further reference try reading some books of Nietzsche, especially Thus spoke Zarathustra. His thoughts on the overhuman are present in wraths character often. He does not care about the humans he creates his own path
      Bradley is the most human. Wrath, anger, and violence. It is when we are at our most basic. Most men, don't learn from the past, don't face the darkness behind the masks we create for ourselves. Bradley isn't most men, he was laid down an extraordinary path, and was set to follow it. He follows his role, but doesn't follow it to a fault like his brothers and sisters. While Lust, Envy, Pride, and Father look down on humans. This is mostly due to them being artificial beings. Father may not be entirely human, but only gave birth to this world through human blood. But he decided to deny his origins and follow his path of godhood, even if it isn't what he really wants. Wrath being the most human, is why Bradley has a very quiet contemplative sense of wrath, it's a rather interesting side to him. He has a begrudging respect for humanity, a very small sum of humanity. Because the vast majority of humanity, is largely made up of fools.
      And I also loved how he wasn't a selfish villain who cared about no one like meureum who only cares about 1 person and every else is noting to him, trully loved his wife, in the end he says that there is no need to say final words to her, because she knows how much he loves her.
      The rage he shows wheen greed puts her in danger is very different from other wrath scenes, much more personall.
      Another thing I found interesting was i find the ultimate eye so fitting for rage, have you never experienced pure wrath? how it BLOCKS your attention from everything else? i wouldn't say rage "blinds" people, more that it just makes them see things in a focus, almost tunnel like vision, and i loved the manifestation of such situation in Wrath's power, not much in a way of character analysis i know but just another stroke of genius i found when examining him.
      It's also fitting because wrath is something that is built up. Once it is unleashed it is extremely dangerous. Someone who is wrathful knows the exact spot/way to do the most damage
      Bradley is the PERFECT representation of wrath. There is nothing scarier in a fight or an argument than a person who stays absolutely calm, collected, and measured. That Bradley is so chill all the time despite the fact he is the literal embodiment of absolute anger/rage/wrath/ire just makes him even more of a threatening presence.
      The military saying of: "the quietest man in the room is always the most dangerous" is multiplied by a factor of ten when applied to Bradley, only once in the series is his rage unmasked, the rest of the time he remains in full control of his power and abilities, causing everyone to underestimate him constantly only to be cut apart by him with ease.
      Bradley in my opinion was one of the best examples of a sin, alongside Greed and Envy. Lust and Gluttony were probably the weakest representations.
      I always liked that aspect about King Bradley, his predisposed nature conflating with his false persona of being a loving husband and father, his conviction of being self-reliant makes him a compelling character and one of my favourites. Also I think the reason why he was never a true personification of Wrath is because he wasn't a pure homunculi like the rest of the Deadly Sins, but a human turned into one and furthermore I think he does genuinely care for his wife, if I'm remembering this correctly during his death scene he mention he does, but I could be wrong. I bloody love Fullmetal Alchemist.
      Sorry if you had to read all that about me worshipping Bradley but all I said is the truth and that's just a portion of why Bradley is such a well written villain and possibly the best one in history, I hope your point of view as changed after reading all that since it took me about 13 min to come up with all this

    • @MaxPower-cm6ie
      @MaxPower-cm6ie Před 4 lety +102

      @@livetochange974 not a single word was read

    • @livetochange974
      @livetochange974 Před 4 lety +3

      @@MaxPower-cm6ie obviously since your thick brain can't comprehend paragraphs....

  • @eliack95
    @eliack95 Před 4 lety +355

    I'll take this as Alecz's official endorsement for Meruem 2020

    • @paulbracamonte2334
      @paulbracamonte2334 Před 4 lety +11

      He died we'd have to go with the next ant up POUF 2020

    • @ded4lyfe1
      @ded4lyfe1 Před 4 lety +12

      @@paulbracamonte2334 no, I'd give it to Neferpitou. Sexiest president ever!

    • @dddmemaybe
      @dddmemaybe Před 3 lety +4

      @@paulbracamonte2334 Pouf is like omega uber bag guy though. I'd put my vote in for Leorio every day. He'd be the man to take down biggoo fahrmuh

    • @enevy3165
      @enevy3165 Před 3 lety +4

      @@paulbracamonte2334 Naw I think Kurapika would be a pretty chill prez/leader tho

    • @luciussakura5031
      @luciussakura5031 Před rokem

      Honestly would have done better than certain people in power.

  • @lazarlemajic4926
    @lazarlemajic4926 Před 4 lety +515

    The reason why he is my personal favorite character in all of fiction is that we expirienced his whole life and growth, found his meaning in this world and realised that his duty is to protect his own species and do everything that is needed to be done just so his species could live, in other words, he really is a real life meaning of true king, using that power that he has to protect his weaker people

  • @Mr30Louzi
    @Mr30Louzi Před 4 lety +608

    Me: There is no way to make me cry with two words!!
    Togashi: Oyasuminasei, Meruem
    Me: *Dies crying

  • @TemperanceL2
    @TemperanceL2 Před 4 lety +215

    Damn it man, you really had to put in a scene from their last moments together, I still can't watch that without tearing up damn it
    Outside of that though, obviously cool video as usual, on one of the most interesting antagonist there is.

    • @rhiannn3416
      @rhiannn3416 Před 4 lety +1

      Definitely one of the reasons I love hunter hunter so much. Everyone has an objective, it's not just a static story, it feels real. For example leorio and kurapika going off on their own separate ways to achieve their own goals. Nearly every character has a background of some sort. Everyone feels real, and you really can't hate any of the characters.

  • @HxH2011DRA
    @HxH2011DRA Před 4 lety +792

    The central concept in Meruem's arc is that of responsibility, which of course is contrasted with Gon's childishness & recklessness. This is even reflected in there very names to an extent, although less so for gon for obvious reasons.
    Responsibility requires care in the place of blundering, overwhelming force. Responsibility requires competence & effectiveness; it presupposes empathy & the inherent value of others. Meruem has been and always will be my favorite character of all time, alongside Ceasar from the Planet of the Apes reboot trilogy. He embodies everything I could admire in others, & everything I could strive for as a being.

    • @UmbraHand
      @UmbraHand Před 4 lety +5

      The Hunter x Hunter 2011 Dickriding Association I agree it's you, but Lain and Shinji still top my list but the thematic is close

    • @pablomagno4679
      @pablomagno4679 Před 4 lety +2

      I always thought your name was "HxH dickWRITING association" kkk

    • @HxH2011DRA
      @HxH2011DRA Před 4 lety +24

      @@filipferencak2717 Always

    • @etienneement
      @etienneement Před 4 lety +25

      So true. But then there's also this very specific ending of Meruem. I think it's clear that the anonymity, the intimacy of this sequence is what gives it its perfection in the eyes of Meruem. What I mean is that, on one side Meruem struggles with concepts of power, responsibility, potential, leadership... but then he finds bliss through the 'false', childish struggle of a game. And through the sole knowledge of its own name.

    • @HxH2011DRA
      @HxH2011DRA Před 4 lety

      @@etienneement it's just as (real) Diego said

  • @hisoka9068
    @hisoka9068 Před 4 lety +715

    Whoever is jealous of Togashi’s genius raise your hand 🙋🏻‍♂️

    • @majidoujaa5592
      @majidoujaa5592 Před 4 lety +32

      I wish i was there to see how he crafted such a character

    • @MrHayada
      @MrHayada Před 4 lety +47

      @@majidoujaa5592 He was playing DQ in his boxers while eating cup noodles. Sure u wanna see that?

    • @Oznerock
      @Oznerock Před 4 lety +10

      @@MrHayada I do, actually. DQ is pretty good, and cup noddles are... fine I guess.

    • @livetochange974
      @livetochange974 Před 4 lety +2

      Fmab author is also a genius, sadly I don't know her name lol, she could make a good wife for togashi and they can collab to make a better story than hxh or fmab

    • @majidoujaa5592
      @majidoujaa5592 Před 4 lety +25

      @@livetochange974 togashi's wife made sailor moon

  • @bishopofeternity48
    @bishopofeternity48 Před 4 lety +438

    In another words a perfect ruler is a philosopher king.

    • @akoda8887
      @akoda8887 Před 4 lety +63

      Yup, seems like Plato was right all along

    • @03e-210a
      @03e-210a Před 4 lety

      k

    • @HxH2011DRA
      @HxH2011DRA Před 4 lety +5

      👌

    • @cabal4171
      @cabal4171 Před 4 lety +38

      Idealistically not realistically, which is why he dies at the hands of Netero (technically speaking)

    • @bishopofeternity48
      @bishopofeternity48 Před 4 lety +62

      @@cabal4171 While true, he was making Netero falter. Made him waver in his duty with just a meeting and a few words. That speaks volumes.

  • @FrffyVsBoredom
    @FrffyVsBoredom Před 4 lety +129

    Beautiful. Meruem remains one of my favourite characters in fiction & his growth throughout the Chimera Ant arc is truly special. Great work!

  • @demonman905
    @demonman905 Před 3 lety +33

    "And Hisoka constantly strives to get his nut."
    Hisoka is a squirrel confirmed

  • @noelhann5262
    @noelhann5262 Před 4 lety +36

    “The light that illuminates all” isn’t only talking about Meruem being a beacon of hope, but a light shined into the human condition, illuminating all. The best, and worst of humanity all come to light in, or because of, Meruem.

  • @sivanlevi3867
    @sivanlevi3867 Před 4 lety +27

    Komugi taught Meruem many things, but one thing I've grasped from another video is that the king learns about vulnerability. Komugi gets wounded in battle and Meruem becomes a hollow, empty shell, like a piece of him was removed. He relied on Pitou to heal her, in that learns how to keep people close if he needs them for something important. Meruem becomes emotional. He can also represent the wrath of nature on humanity in which the worst of humanity's crimes against nature are often negative in impact and the consequences nature gives us are immense. His death is also kind of heartbreaking, for even if he's a character not considered to be honorable, he matured so much by that point I can still sympathize with him. Komugi also dies with him, showing a kind of care and love, going beyond playing their games. Long live the king. Long live the Meruem that never was.

  • @brunocesarm.m9632
    @brunocesarm.m9632 Před 4 lety +78

    I see Meruem, I click.

  • @geryldpina7091
    @geryldpina7091 Před 4 lety +38

    Once again, you’ve done my favorite HxH character justice. Meruem was well on his way toward being an ideal leader. Thanks for another truly insightful analysis

    • @Aleczandxr
      @Aleczandxr  Před 4 lety +6

      Thanks very much for watching, glad it was valuable again!

  • @smilingowl4773
    @smilingowl4773 Před 4 lety +35

    You see, this essays constantly remind me of the reason why Togashi takes his time to develop the HxH story. He really wants to create an entertaining yet realistic story, not just with the main characters but with whole world he created.

    • @xKateshi
      @xKateshi Před 3 lety +7

      I don't care how long it takes,I just hope that I'll be able to know the whole story before I die. To be honest I prefer high quality story made slowly rather than the opposite

    • @benefitlumberjacks9964
      @benefitlumberjacks9964 Před 3 lety +5

      Then try to read Succession arc. That arc is particularly a goddamn essay.

  • @BlytzNetwork
    @BlytzNetwork Před 4 lety +50

    You've done it now Alec. Now we need a full vocal cover of Hyori Ittai from you.

  • @HarveyMeadowlark
    @HarveyMeadowlark Před 4 lety +17

    Man! Your comedic timing on “hisoka constantly strives to get his nut” I had to stop the video until I was done laughing lol. I was so engrossed with your words I didn’t see that “coming” at all haha

  • @reubenfromow4854
    @reubenfromow4854 Před 4 lety +131

    In another anime, he would be the main character.

  • @macromondo8026
    @macromondo8026 Před 4 lety +9

    IF i may add: One of the GREATEST aspects of Meruem is how flexible his perspectives are, near the end of the arc before he retained his memories he was willing to do anything in order to become whole again, but the more he used his powers the more he realized how fleeting his life had become because of the Poor Man's Rose poisonous effect, and once he remembered everything...his perspective shifted into finding Komugi, he realized he had no more time left to acomplish his vision of a fair world, and his perspective shifted from that of a king, to that of a human seeking meaning and more importantly: closure to his final moments, with the one person that helped his ideology grow up so much to that point, this flexibility shows Meruem is not an all perfect god-like mary-sue without a single shed of interests, but rather an incredibly deep character that has an ego that allows him to seek out some inner peace and solace, to become a little selfish after everything he could have done to continue with his mission was well out of his reach, he could no longer save the world, so he choose to save his last moments with the girl he loved, if that isn't humanity then idk what the hell it is other than utter beauty.

  • @mr.nobody6392
    @mr.nobody6392 Před 4 lety +155

    25 min Video Essay by *Aleczandxr* is it Christmas already?

    • @Rectiifyy
      @Rectiifyy Před 4 lety

      Hxh video as well

    • @mr.nobody6392
      @mr.nobody6392 Před 4 lety

      @@Rectiifyy that count for NEW YEAR to, I guess..

  • @WhitePerson-
    @WhitePerson- Před 4 lety +11

    18:10 Meruem was so happy that she found why she was born because he never did.
    He was also in wonders like a child if he can ever reach that point of life. He was happy that if someone could say these words that it was possible for him too.
    The author is a beast.

  • @ariskaraihan3965
    @ariskaraihan3965 Před 4 lety +23

    meruem's great capacity and will to learn more and to open his eyes to understand humanity along with his monstrous power is just insane. he can be a saving grace for all living beings. yet he still has so much to develop, he's still a little too far for being "the perfect leader" though absolutely he has the most potential out of anyone in hxh to be exactly that.
    when i first saw that episode where meruem died, i cried a lot, like i bawled my eyes out, for 3 hours, and i still thought about it for a few days after. i just can't see how unfair that world is.

    • @kaichen3830
      @kaichen3830 Před 3 lety

      Its insane that Gon's peak potential is literally equal to before post rose Meruem. Wonder how powerful he can get? Like Freeza level?

  • @hankjones7054
    @hankjones7054 Před 4 lety +17

    I love the moment that he revels in his physical strength, exclaiming that it is the ultimate form of power above all others. Then a minute later he's saving Komugi from that bird attack. Feeling the need to protect the weak. His character growth is so gradual and realistic.

    • @yeehaw7362
      @yeehaw7362 Před 2 lety +4

      I also love how it was meruem’s own power that sent the bird flying to komugi.

  • @jannelmaiquez2438
    @jannelmaiquez2438 Před 4 lety +20

    I admire Meruem so much, his character development was such an amazing thing to see. I'm not going to lie the Chimera ant arc at the beginning was slow in my taste, but when Pitou was born everything changed, I freaking love this arc and HxH as a whole!

  • @marlom7882
    @marlom7882 Před 4 lety +71

    Imagine the original plan of the chimera and queen and there being multiple beings like meruem and the royal guards

    • @livetochange974
      @livetochange974 Před 4 lety +16

      @Dino Nuggets don't compare trash dbz childish writing anime to this masterpiece anime please

    • @livetochange974
      @livetochange974 Před 4 lety +5

      @Gio 1 imagine if they are a good written character unlike goku

    • @ghosthand9109
      @ghosthand9109 Před 4 lety +4

      Nuke everyone

    • @hartmut30plus
      @hartmut30plus Před 4 lety +4

      @@livetochange974 What are you so mad at Dragon Ball about?

    • @livetochange974
      @livetochange974 Před 4 lety +2

      @@hartmut30plus because it's a trash generic super overrated show and is being compared to hxh? Is this a joke, if it is its nowhere near funny

  • @Symora
    @Symora Před 4 lety +59

    This was beautifully made, from the OST choices to the scenes you used. I've always seen Meruem as a prophet over a villain... such an amazing character. Thank you for taking your time to make this

    • @Aleczandxr
      @Aleczandxr  Před 4 lety +13

      Thanks very much for watching and enjoying! :)

    • @Lexpionage
      @Lexpionage Před 4 lety +4

      i always thought of meruems character arc as him being the most human character in this arc, but i like this prophet take as well

    • @Symora
      @Symora Před 4 lety +4

      Lexpionage of course, his humanity contrasting with Gon's is one of the most fascinating parts about Chimera Ant

    • @HxH2011DRA
      @HxH2011DRA Před 4 lety +2

      Big facts

  • @KawaiiBootyBoy9000
    @KawaiiBootyBoy9000 Před 4 lety +45

    Omg I was just talking about meruem and this just got uploaded. The universe is giving me a sign to tell everyone to watch Hunter x Hunter :O

  • @AkiyaA2
    @AkiyaA2 Před 4 lety +81

    Talk about timing, just finished the Chimera ant arc today as well as the rest of the show, 5 days ago I decided I'd give Hunter x Hunter a shot cause I was bored, and damn did the show live up to the hype and exceed it 100000 fold. Loved the entirety of it but the Chimera Ant arc in particular was breathtaking, nothing short of brilliance, it has easily sealed its place as one of my all time favourite arcs alongside the Shogun Assassination arc from Gintama, incidentally they both ended with alot of tears being shed, and never did I expect upon first meeting Meruem that those tears would be falling for him... that was one of the most masterful developments of a character I've ever bared witness to, not to mention the character development that everyone else went through. Without a doubt Meruem has become one of my favourite antagonists, great video!!

    • @MaxPower-cm6ie
      @MaxPower-cm6ie Před 4 lety +2

      Goat tbh ngl

    • @justinokraski3796
      @justinokraski3796 Před 4 lety +5

      I started watching it because I wanted to see Tsuyu. It wasn't until I'd gone through about 20 episodes that I realized she's from a different anime.

  • @solitary2
    @solitary2 Před 4 lety +5

    One of the things I love most about your videos is how you incorporate light humor so effortlessly in a fashion where it now comes across as an identifiable trait you have. From singing “Hiyori Ittai” and stating how Hisoka is just tryna get a nut off 😂👏🏿

  • @belafeldbusch3397
    @belafeldbusch3397 Před 4 lety +17

    One of the most complex and best written characters in all of Fiction

  • @ace6897
    @ace6897 Před 3 lety +11

    "Hisoka constantly strives to get his nut"
    That caught me so off guard lmao

  • @MrHayada
    @MrHayada Před 4 lety +6

    The way Togashi introduced Meruem, and the settings he had in place for deconstructing him, will remain one of the best masterful things I've ever experienced. I just love how I keep on learning new things about this character!

  • @tsunamininja
    @tsunamininja Před 4 lety +67

    I would love to see a side story where Meruem "won" and started to shape the world into a perfect place :d

  • @Rustypoo
    @Rustypoo Před 4 lety +24

    I wanna know how many times you had to say the line about hisoka’s ambitions without laughing 😂I died

  • @JoshuaHenelyThornhill
    @JoshuaHenelyThornhill Před 4 lety +27

    The depth of one such as Meruem is, let us face it, extremely rare throughout the history of the medium that is manga. Such is the display of writing that Togashi showcase in this arc. And because of that fans like you and others are able to continue to "peel off the layers of the onion" that is this masterpiece. Thank you so much for this video Alex!

  • @kennethshaw2619
    @kennethshaw2619 Před 4 lety +9

    Another FANTASTIC analysis of Hunter × Hunter!
    I personally had no prior knowledge of what the show was like when I started watching it a few years ago (other than it's a shonen). I thought it was great up until the Chimera Ant Arc.
    My first thoughts were "What the hell is going on here, did they just jump the shark?" But little did I know that I was about to witness the best story ever told. And to this day, I still feel that Meruem is the best character ever made in all of fiction.

  • @gingermenace8056
    @gingermenace8056 Před 4 lety +16

    *Aleczander beautifully describes the duties each character achieves with their power. Perfectly encapsulating the beauty of HxH characterization*
    Also Aleczander: “Hisoka just wants to get his rocks off.”

  • @LordBaktor
    @LordBaktor Před 4 lety +10

    My favorite stories tend to be by authors who try to keep themselves distanced from the story and let the characters act how they logically would, given the rules of that particular world. I feel Hunter X Hunter excels in that for the most part.

  • @aaronrowell6943
    @aaronrowell6943 Před 2 lety +5

    After finally finishing this bad boy, I can say it's fascinating despite the cutting condemnation of humanity it has with the Rose scene, it ends with Meruem and komogie in love and dying together and the scene with the little girl ant returning home and the village showing mercy to the lobster man despite the pain and suffering the ants caused. It's very powerful

  • @morgandfreeman4488
    @morgandfreeman4488 Před 4 lety +4

    Meruem is truly a beautiful character that potrays what humanity can be and should be, we have the ability to do anything but that doesn't justify if we should.
    Btw this video is criminally underrated.

  • @lucasguzzi9329
    @lucasguzzi9329 Před 4 lety +8

    This reminds me of the parallels between gon and meruem, and how they have opposite arcs, while meruem learns to use power properly, gon just wastes it because of his hatred

  • @Joyboy0101
    @Joyboy0101 Před 4 lety +2

    I cried a bit. As always, you provide a great analysis of my favourite anime, keep it up man!

  • @eonstar
    @eonstar Před 4 lety +3

    I just want to say that I really really really love your videos. You help me understand the intricacies of HxH and make it even more special than it was my first times watching and reading. Not only that, but your videos allow me to still keep in touch with the show despite these painful hiatuses.

  • @caiopatric
    @caiopatric Před 4 lety +42

    18:59 WHEEEZE

  • @Leinad97
    @Leinad97 Před 4 lety +12

    What really gets me everytime is that if Meruem was given more life to live, he had the potential to grow so much, even into an Iroh kind of character. He had the most potential to be human out of everyone in the show. Hes easily one of if not my favorite character in fiction all time.

  • @WillCorvinus
    @WillCorvinus Před 4 lety +3

    When you videos come out, I remember how crazy good and enjoyable they are. Thank you.

  • @wayward4657
    @wayward4657 Před 4 lety +8

    This is why Meruem is my favorite villain in anime

  • @raythemankit
    @raythemankit Před 4 lety +5

    Everytime you make a video it makes me realizes more and more how much of an amazing series hunter hunter is the animators and togashi really made one of best shonen ever.

  • @kvaezar8013
    @kvaezar8013 Před 4 lety +4

    I love everything about Meruem and your video perfectly sums it up. I never cried so hard except in his final moment. Oyasuminasai, Meruem.

  • @artsparkeast
    @artsparkeast Před 4 lety +4

    Ive always agreed with your beautiful essays, but never have you been more relatable than being unable to say "Hyori Ittai" without singing it

  • @niwona_
    @niwona_ Před 4 lety +5

    That final scene was the first time I ugly cried during a shounen

  • @Nakama4Forever
    @Nakama4Forever Před 4 lety +4

    You the man! Always appreciate Hunter x Hunter videos.

  • @gabrielsanchesprado9915
    @gabrielsanchesprado9915 Před 4 lety +5

    What a beautiful anime and video, this channel is one of the best things I found on the internet

  • @sadtotorotototoro9640
    @sadtotorotototoro9640 Před 3 lety +2

    Well, this wasthe first video of yours i've ever seen and i have to say; That was fucking amazing. Great work dude, keep it up!

  • @jaelee4244
    @jaelee4244 Před 4 lety +12

    If you were standing right next to Meruem, he would feel both so distant and close. So much depth and substance as a character.

  • @sahilpandya3165
    @sahilpandya3165 Před 4 lety +8

    Meruem must be one of the very few or only one to overcome most cognitive biases and see the world as it is. Saying that, Togashi must have done this to make a character like this.

  • @christianjessarriola6324

    Glad to see your vids back up again

  • @thaqfiffarih2349
    @thaqfiffarih2349 Před rokem

    Keep making an insightful video like this
    It is both educational and entertaining

  • @mikeice38
    @mikeice38 Před 4 lety +62

    Another masterpiece. I ultimately agree with Netero decision to pierce his heart and use of the Rose. Humanity is chaos live in Avatar no matter how ambitious Meruem dreams are is Utopia / Empire is destined to fail. Humanity is the perfect vehicle for chaos and if the ant king Taps into his Humanity and The Duality of Chaos in control. As a seasoned professional Netero can't take the time to wait for the aunt came to figure things out

    • @edwardshalash2607
      @edwardshalash2607 Před 4 lety

      I disagree ... Lack of humanity is the perfect vehicle for chaos or rather chaos itself

    • @mikeice38
      @mikeice38 Před 4 lety +16

      @@edwardshalash2607 I will have to disagree chaos will happen whether it's in a perfect Society or flawed one. Chaos is neither good or bad it's just the energy of change

  • @Oznerock
    @Oznerock Před 4 lety +4

    Alec and HxH... always a good day to see more of this wondrous combo.

  • @RedShadowAMV
    @RedShadowAMV Před 3 lety

    i've watched a lot of your videos lately, bit this is by far the best one

  • @Yordyc16
    @Yordyc16 Před 4 lety +1

    I just discovered this channel, and with one single video, you earned my subscription. Love your work, keep it going!

  • @bromleywalker9221
    @bromleywalker9221 Před 4 lety +6

    This show captured me when the narrator said "we're no different from the ants."

  • @muskie2543
    @muskie2543 Před 4 lety +4

    Legendary video, I think you might have gotten deeper into the heart of hxh than you ever have before. Thank you, once again

  • @josephapsey9965
    @josephapsey9965 Před 4 lety +2

    Brilliant video as always keep up the good work

  • @slayer6225
    @slayer6225 Před 2 lety +4

    Rewatching this brilliant analysis after your GOATED antagonist ranking stream. Mereum really deserves #1 position.

  • @claireclapp6939
    @claireclapp6939 Před 2 lety +5

    I think that we could all learn a few things from Meruem.

    • @slevinchannel7589
      @slevinchannel7589 Před 2 lety +1

      Meruem is a terrible Leader as in 'Leader' though.
      His first Action of being alive was so strategically bad that How-to-beat-CZcamsrs
      would get a Heart-Attack, seeing how he didnt even sacrificed the Queen for Anything
      but just decided 'Nah, lets have her Die. We dont need more Soldiers.'
      Not Learning Nen was maybe his Worst Decision and people try to excuse it,
      but they fail making good Excuses.
      But what i find is most jarring re-watching the CA-Arc is just the sheer
      Amount of his Minions that just 'walked-off' cause 'why not; nothing holds me here.'
      You cant explain this away with 'oh, this colony has human-emotions'!
      Its totally terrible that almost the Whole Colony just became Dessatours in one way or another!
      It was BIG LUCK that Pouf had the Power to make more Minions,
      or Meruem would have literally led an Army of 3 or 4 Ants only.

  • @seeker4it
    @seeker4it Před 4 lety +3

    Well thanks to this awesome video made by you, I realized Meruem has some relatable qualities and ideals that I hold myself!

  • @obscure_genesis
    @obscure_genesis Před 3 lety +2

    23:40 The way you concluded this video was amazing.

  • @isaiascanete6651
    @isaiascanete6651 Před 4 lety +3

    A video about my favorite character in fiction from one of my favorite youtubers? this is a blessing
    Also, is imposible to say Hiori Ittai (however you spell it) without starting to sing hahaha

  • @8bitmagic
    @8bitmagic Před 4 lety +11

    Absolutely empathized with Meruem because for me it was self-evident that a being of his magnitude would come to his conclusions about power, compassion, and humanity. Once he started to talk to Netero I was so torn, I didn't want to see either lose or die. It made the ensuing battle more tense than any other shounen battle I've seen. It was such an emotional journey that I can't say is rivaled for me personally. It made me elated to see Meruem brought back because I wanted to see more of him and I thought it was over. I have shown the show to friends and nobody seems to get this about Meruem. "Still too ant-like, was still going to still consume some humans." They struggled to empathize with him and move past viewing him as a shounen antagonist to be defeated. One friend sees some of this in retrospect, but it saddens me the initial emotional impact was lost because they weren't open to the story. I don't think that they saw he was on the correct path and that he was smart and philosophical enough to get there. I wanted Meruem to be king by the end of the arc, which aided to how hard the final moments with Komugi hit me. I cried for the entire duration of that episode. It was so beautiful seeing him being content and absolutely happy with his little corner of life, when he had all the potential.

  • @majidoujaa5592
    @majidoujaa5592 Před 4 lety +5

    I love this character so much i never get enough of analysing him

  • @ValforDragoon
    @ValforDragoon Před 4 lety +1

    Aleczandxr, thank you so much for these videos. I really appreciate your insightful willingness to tear into the meatier, philosophical bits of HxH. I revisit your HxH series fairly often, and each time I feel like I come away with a new, stronger appreciation for Togashi’s work, as well as this incredible series.
    Keep up the incredible work my friend.

    • @Aleczandxr
      @Aleczandxr  Před 4 lety +2

      You’re very welcome, and I’m glad you find them so valuable. I hope I can keep it up, though with this COPPA stuff it’s kinda out of my hands.

    • @ValforDragoon
      @ValforDragoon Před 4 lety

      Yeah :/ I hope everything works out ok in the end. What are the best ways to show support to you or voice our opposition to COPPA in these coming times?

  • @daisyaustin6723
    @daisyaustin6723 Před 3 lety +2

    I JUST REALIZED THIS MAN MAKES HIS OWN SUBTITLES
    IM SITTING THERE 4TH PERIOD MATH CLASS BORED ASF, WE'RE ALLOWED COMPUTERS BUT NO HEADPHONES
    IM GOING THROUGH ALL THESE VIDEOS AND THEY ONLY HAVE AUTO SUBTITLES WHICH MAKE NO SENSE
    AND THEN, THE HOLY LIGHT, OUT OF THE DARKNESS: ALECZANDXR.
    THE WORLD NEEDS MORE HEROES LIKE THIS

  • @MrPomegranX
    @MrPomegranX Před 4 lety +16

    Jusy rewatched this arc yesterday. So goddamn good

  • @blasterixx1
    @blasterixx1 Před 4 lety +4

    Wonderful essay as always! Meruem is my 3rd favorite character of all time, the 2nd beeing L from Death Note and 1st beeing Guts from Berserk, Meruem was without a doubt the main character in the Chimera Arc, his potential was infinite, i would have loved to see him live and continue his journey into becoming the king of the world, He was the perfect king, but alas.. No king rules forever.

    • @Aleczandxr
      @Aleczandxr  Před 4 lety +1

      Thanks!

    • @gizel4376
      @gizel4376 Před 4 lety

      i was reading and i was like : what? 3rd? ah, ok, yeah, L and Guts, same for me i guess, but L first and Guts 3rd

  • @majinsole8554
    @majinsole8554 Před 4 lety +2

    Finished watching the 2011 anime fairly recently and started watching a few vids afterwards. Found yours and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed them and am happy to see a more recent upload! Looking to pick up Dark Continent soon. Keep up the great work!
    ~_~

  • @tacioob2337
    @tacioob2337 Před 4 lety +1

    What can i say, everytime you post something i see things in a diferent tottally unexpected way, you honestly make me feel like a blind baby when it comes to understanding stuff, great job bro 👏👏👏👏👏

  • @brunohirschmann
    @brunohirschmann Před 4 lety +39

    It's funny how Meruem's plans for humanity sound just like our plans for other animals (our food)

    • @beastvicious8672
      @beastvicious8672 Před 4 lety +4

      It's not the same. Meruem wants to let people live who are of higher quality and morale.

    • @MrHayada
      @MrHayada Před 4 lety +10

      @@beastvicious8672 My cat is a high quality bitch with no morale. We are doing it wrong.

  • @buggyyuji851
    @buggyyuji851 Před 3 lety +3

    Great videos on one my favorite villain of all time

    • @slevinchannel7589
      @slevinchannel7589 Před 2 lety

      Meruem is a terrible Leader as in 'Leader' though.
      His first Action of being alive was so strategically bad that How-to-beat-CZcamsrs
      would get a Heart-Attack, seeing how he didnt even sacrificed the Queen for Anything
      but just decided 'Nah, lets have her Die. We dont need more Soldiers.'
      Not Learning Nen was maybe his Worst Decision and people try to excuse it,
      but they fail making good Excuses.

  • @TheZoan007
    @TheZoan007 Před 4 lety +2

    One of the best character analysis I´ve seen on youtube. Congratulations

  • @pumeluh
    @pumeluh Před 2 lety +1

    thank you for the wonderful video. i've just finished the season and i gotta say Meruem is my favorite character of all time, from the character design to development, from his first appearance to his last!

    • @Aleczandxr
      @Aleczandxr  Před 2 lety +1

      My pleasure, thanks for checking it out.

  • @abdrachid1129
    @abdrachid1129 Před 4 lety +49

    Aleczandxr: i wont make a video about the seven deadly sins
    Escanor: who decide that!
    And about Boku no hero a video about mirio togata will be worth it

    • @Aleczandxr
      @Aleczandxr  Před 4 lety +26

      Uhh well sorry to be a buzzkill I’m definitely not doing 7DS and probably not doing Mirio no matter what Escanor says, lol. Sorry!

    • @abdrachid1129
      @abdrachid1129 Před 4 lety +2

      @@Aleczandxr but why :o

    • @desty4030
      @desty4030 Před 4 lety +3

      @@abdrachid1129 Maybe 'cause they're bad animes? Who knows what his reasons are

    • @abdrachid1129
      @abdrachid1129 Před 4 lety +2

      @@desty4030 that's why I asked 🙃

    • @Aleczandxr
      @Aleczandxr  Před 4 lety +19

      I don’t like 7DS and I don’t have anything much to say about Mirio right now.

  • @asherauditoire4850
    @asherauditoire4850 Před 3 lety +3

    I really thought for a second that Alecz would say something normal for Hisoka at 19:00

  • @gabrielsanchesprado9915
    @gabrielsanchesprado9915 Před 4 lety +1

    I am rewatching it for the 3ird time, what a perfect video, it stills givee me chills at some parts

  • @YourBoiKwams
    @YourBoiKwams Před 3 lety +1

    The last few of chimera ant episodes and Meruems character growth during that time was nothing short of amazing. A real masterpiece of an arc. To the point where he starts to sway everyone, when he almost kneeled to Palm.. and his last game with Komugi. All of it was a masterpiece, I damn near cried, the OST almost pushed me over the edge as well. So beautiful. Thanks for this video man.

  • @younggooni14
    @younggooni14 Před 4 lety +4

    I saw Meruem and I immediately clicked.. I'm ready to cry again

  • @thereisonlydespair6361
    @thereisonlydespair6361 Před 4 lety +3

    17:10 can't blame you that song pretty fire. Do do do do do do do do do do do do dooooo

  • @blueminose4329
    @blueminose4329 Před 4 lety

    Much love for your content that borns thoughts in my mind and for you for having courage to bring it to us. Thank You.

  • @daviddeharo39
    @daviddeharo39 Před 3 lety +1

    So glad to see so.mamy people understanding this concept. And thank you for deconstructing it. You are using the CZcams power to change this world to the better with philosophy. Please continue. Subscribed!!!

  • @Keviqeri
    @Keviqeri Před 4 lety +5

    That's why I love hxh, because it seems soo realistic to me and portrays the emotional structure of humans and their ideals which reflects the world we live in today. Togashi is truly a master as what he does. #morehxhchapsinearly2020