Chairman × Interview × Written Exam (会長×面接×ペーパーテスト, Kaichō × Mensetsu × Pēpā Tesuto) is the 26th episode of the original Hunter × Hunter anime. It first aired on May 6th, 2000.
Overview[]
Chairman Netero interviews the nine remaining examinees (Gon, Kurapika, Leorio, Hisoka, Hanzo, Pokkle, Gittarackur, Bodoro, and Killua) for the final phase. He asks each examinee whom they are most interested in fighting and whom they would least like to face out of the nine. He then unveils a bracket system for the upcoming tournament.
Synopsis[]
Killua and Gon celebrate
Gon and Killua bask in the exhilaration of their advancement to the next phase, engaging in a discussion about their experiences during the previous phases of the exams.. Killua expresses admiration for Gon’s acquisition of Hisoka's badge, prompting Gon to reveal that Hisoka had simply handed it to him while intentionally withholding the intricate details of their encounter. Intrigued, Killua contemplates the motivations behind Hisoka's actions. Moments later, Kurapika joins their conversation and announces that the Chairman will conduct interviews with all candidates who have successfully passed the last exam.
Netero, Lippo, Satotz, Menchi, and Buhara join the examinees. Netero extends his congratulations to all who have successfully passed the last exam, emphasizing that six of the examinees are rookies, a remarkable rarity that highlights the abundance of talented fighters progressing to the next stage. He then announces that the final phase of the Hunter Exam will occur at the Hunter Association Hotel and is slated to commence in three days.
Examinees discussing the final phase exam
The examinees participating in the final phase are Gon, Killua, Leorio, Kurapika, Hisoka, Gittarackur, Hanzo, Pokkle, and Bodoro. They gather in a single location to deliberate on Chairman Netero's strategy for the upcoming phase. Hanzo suggests that they refrain from further speculation and seek the counsel of someone with experience at this stage of the exam. Pokkle, at a loss for insight, confesses that he has not advanced this far, having faltered during his fourth attempt. The rookies then turn to Bodoro, only to be astonished when he reveals that he failed last year and was unable to advance beyond the first phase of the exam. Nonetheless, Bodoro speculates on what the next event might entail based on the nature of their previous exams. With an air of suspense, he proposes that the final test will be a written exam. The examinees, captivated by Bodoro's reasoning, consider the possibility that he might be correct and hurriedly prepare for what they anticipate will be the final test.
Gon and Kurapika thanking each other
In a corridor, Kurapika joins Gon, eager to learn about the events on Zevil Island from his perspective. Gon recounts his experience in detail, narrating everything from the moment he steals Hisoka's badge to the instant he receives a punch from him. As he shares his story, tears brim in his eyes, reflecting his feelings of inadequacy, and his voice takes on a somber tone as he admits that he has relied on the support of others to reach this point. Kurapika listens attentively, expressing profound gratitude to Gon, asserting that without his help, neither he nor Leorio would have made it this far. Gon, uplifted by Kurapika's words, reciprocates the gratitude, and the two solidify their resolve with a heartfelt promise to stand by each other as they endeavor to pass the Hunter Exam.
Final Phase Tournament Chart
Netero and the other examiners gather around a table to discuss the examinees and preparations for the final phase. Meanwhile, Leorio, Hanzo, and Pokkle study diligently in the library, where Pokkle grows increasingly frustrated with Leorio for crafting a cheat sheet for the anticipated written exam. In contrast, Hanzo expresses his intention to visit the proctoring room, speculating that copies of the answers may be available there. Shortly thereafter, an announcement declares that each examinee will be called to enter a room where Netero awaits, in accordance with the numbers on their badges. Hisoka is the first candidate summoned; he enters the room, and the chairman inquires about his motivations for seeking a Hunter License, followed by questions regarding which examinees he would prefer to fight and which he would rather avoid. After Hisoka answers all of Netero’s inquiries, he exits the room.
Next, Pokkle is called in to respond to the same set of questions. Outside, Hanzo and Leorio eavesdrop, discovering that this is merely an interview rather than the final exam. Subsequently, Bodoro is summoned, followed by Gitarackur, Gon, Hanzo, Kurapika, Leorio, and finally, Killua. As each examinee articulates their answers to the same questions, Netero compiles the necessary information to finalize the preparations for the ultimate test.
Later, Kurapika and Leorio observe Gon and Killua enjoying themselves as they play with Gon’s fishing pole. Meanwhile, Netero prepares for the final exam as the examiners conclude that the culminating phase will take the form of a tournament. Upon arriving at their destination, the chairman reveals a chart displaying each applicant's corresponding badge number, indicating how they will compete against one another in the tournament. As the examinees study the chart’s diagram, they swiftly grasp the implication that only one among them will ultimately emerge victorious from this test.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Killua Zoldyck
- Gon Freecss
- Kurapika
- Hisoka Morow
- Gittarackur
- Bodoro
- Hanzo
- Pokkle
- Leorio Paradinight
- Maamen
- Isaac Netero
- Lippo
- Satotz
- Menchi
- Buhara
- Tonpa (Flashback)
- Amori (Flashback)
- Imori (Flashback)
- Umori (Flashback)
Anime and Manga Differences[]
- In the 1999 anime adaptation, Killua is initially caught lying during his interview with Netero, claiming that he finds Hisoka the most intriguing and that he least wants to fight Pokkle before honestly answering Gon to both questions. In the manga, Killua does not attempt to lie, answering Gon as who he finds most intriguing, but Pokkle still as who he wants to fight the least.
- The 1999 anime adaptation cuts the following:
- The 1999 anime adaptation adds the following:
- Following the Fourth Phase, Gon and Killua briefly discuss how they obtained their badges when they reunite.
- The examinees who passed the Fourth Phase are called to a congratulatory meeting by Netero.
- The remaining examinees gather to discuss what the Final Phase could be:
- Pokkle reveals that he previously took the 284th Hunter Exam three years ago but failed during the Fourth Phase.
- Bodoro shares that he took 286th Hunter Exam the previous year but failed the First Phase.
- Bodoro reflects on the purpose of each of the prior phases and suggests that the Final Phase must be a written test, though he admits he has no real idea once the others rush out of the room to prepare.
- Panicking at Bodoro's suggestion that the Final Phase will be a written test, Leorio, Hanzo, and Pokkle rush to the airship's library to study. Leorio attempts to make cheat sheets, while Hanzo considers sneaking into the proctor's room to look at a copy of the test.
- When it is announced that the examinees will each be called to the conference room, the trio attempts to eavesdrop on Hisoka's interview with Netero, thinking Hisoka was taking the Final Phase.
- After Netero's interviews conclude, Gon shows Killua how he trained to snatch Hisoka's badge with his fishing rod, only for Killua to try it himself and successfully hit a flying bird with the rod on his first try.
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