Pass! × Fail? × Exam Over (合格！×失格？×試験終了, Gōkaku! × Shikkaku? × Shiken Shūryō) is the 29th episode of the original Hunter × Hunter anime. It first aired on May 27th, 2000.
Overview[]
Hanzo decides to forfeit his match against Gon. Gon stubbornly argues with Hanzo as he cannot accept the way he won and keeps on telling Hanzo to settle the match in another way, but Hanzo knocks Gon unconscious. Gon awakes and is accompanied by Satotz; both of them go to discuss various things about being a Hunter. Gon finally accepts his Hunter License and now is officially a Hunter. Satotz then proceeds to detail the results of the tournament, as Killua finds out that his opponent is his own brother, Illumi, disguised as Gittarackur.
Synopsis[]
Hanzo punches Gon
Hanzo concedes the match, sheathing his weapon, and decides to focus on winning his next round. However, Gon refuses to accept Hanzo’s decision, insisting that the match be resolved in a different way. As their argument escalates, Hanzo strikes Gon with a single punch, knocking him unconscious. Despite this, Gon is declared the winner of the match and becomes the next examinee to pass the Hunter Exam.
Chairman Netero confirms that, regardless of Gon’s refusal to accept the outcome, the result stands, Gon is now a Hunter, and nothing can change that. With the decision finalized, the unconscious Gon is escorted out of the room. Satotz assures Hanzo that he will look after Gon when he wakes. Killua then approaches Hanzo, questioning why he intentionally lost, pointing out that there were other ways to make Gon surrender without resorting to killing him. Noticing the other examinees sharing Killua’s sentiments, Hanzo explains that, despite torturing Gon, he never felt any hatred toward him and simply couldn’t bring himself to continue fighting, leading to his decision to forfeit. The next match begins between Hisoka and Bodoro. Hisoka taunts Bodoro, who, undeterred, charges directly at him.
Satotz presents Gon's Hunter License
Gon finally regains consciousness and finds Satotz sitting beside him. The two engage in conversation, and after offering some advice, Satotz extends his hand to congratulate Gon. However, Gon refuses to shake his hand, admitting that he didn’t want to win under those circumstances. Seeing Gon’s distress, Satotz tries to encourage him, but Gon, struggling with feelings of inadequacy, continues to dwell on how weak he feels and blames himself.
Understanding Gon’s state of mind, Satotz gently reminds him that, regardless of how he feels, he is now officially a Hunter, and nothing can change that. He further explains that Gon made it this far because of his own strength and determination. Satotz then elaborates on the significance of the Hunter License, telling Gon that he is free to do whatever he wishes with it, whether to keep, discard, or even sell it. However, he emphasizes the license's immense value and warns that once lost, another cannot be obtained, as passing the Hunter Exam is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Gon shake's Satotz hand
After hearing Satotz’s words, Gon reflects and admits that he needs to figure out what kind of Hunter he wants to become. Satotz offers him further encouragement, emphasizing the importance of friendship along the way. Curious, Gon asks what kind of work Satotz pursued after becoming a Hunter. Satotz reveals that his field involves the restoration and protection of ancient ruins. He also shares that a particular man inspired him to excel in his field and hopes to meet him one day to express his gratitude. Satotz then asks Gon if he is familiar with the Ruins of Lurka. Upon hearing this, Gon realizes that the person who inspired Satotz is none other than his father, Ging Freecss. With a smile, Satotz hands Gon his Hunter License. This time, Gon accepts it and warmly shakes Satotz’s hand. He then promises that he will make good use of his license, but only after he has repaid all his friends who helped him on his journey to becoming a Hunter.
Illumi reveals himself
It is revealed that Gon had been unconscious for an entire day, and the tournament is now officially over. Curious, Gon asks Satotz who failed the exam. For a brief moment, Gon’s heart races as he imagines a glimpse of Killua in his mind. After a short pause, Satotz recounts the matches. The fight between Hisoka and Bodoro was entirely one-sided, with Hisoka toying with his opponent. Despite Bodoro’s courage, he stood no chance. The match ended when Bodoro surrendered after Hisoka whispered something unsettling into his ear. In the following match, Pokkle immediately surrendered when Hanzo warned that he would use the same tactics on him that he had with Gon. Leorio, concerned for Bodoro's condition, pleaded with the committee to postpone their match to allow Bodoro time to recover from his injuries. Chairman Netero granted his request. Meanwhile, Killua, displaying arrogance, forfeited his match against Pokkle without even attempting to fight. However, his actions turned out to be a serious miscalculation. In the final match, Killua faced an opponent named Gittarackur. To Killua’s shock, Gittarackur removed the pins from his face, revealing his true identity, Illumi, Killua’s older brother. Killua immediately recognized him, realizing the danger of the situation he had fallen into.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Anime and Manga Differences[]
- In the 1999 anime adaptation, when Satotz tells Gon of the Ruins Hunter he admires and mentions the Lurka Ruins, Gon realizes he is talking about Ging at that moment. In the manga, however, Gon does not find this out until later when he shows Ging's Hunter License to Satotz, who then tells Gon that Ruins Hunter was Ging.
- In the 1999 anime adaptation, when Gon asks who failed, Satotz does not immediately tell him it was Killua, unlike in the manga. Instead, Satotz starts with recapping the matches from the beginning.
- The ordering of more tournament matches is changed in the 1999 anime adaptation:
- 1999: Kurapika vs. Hisoka → Gon vs. Hanzo → Hisoka vs. Bodoro → Hanzo vs. Pokkle → Leorio vs. Bodoro (Pre-Postponement) → Killua vs. Pokkle → Killua vs. Gittarackur → Leorio vs. Bodoro
- Manga: Gon vs. Hanzo → Kurapika vs. Hisoka → Hanzo vs. Pokkle → Hisoka vs. Bodoro → Killua vs. Pokkle → Leorio vs. Bodoro (Pre-Postponement) → Killua vs. Gittarackur → Leorio vs. Bodoro
- The 1999 anime adaptation adds the following:
- Killua internally threatening to kill Hanzo if he kills Gon, sharpening his fingernails into claws.
- Satotz is shown telling Hanzo that he will speak with Gon about his passing of the exam when he regains consciousness.
- Satotz telling Gon that none of the examiners expected him to make this far in the exam, but that he proved them wrong.
- Hisoka vs. Bodoro is extended. In the manga, only the end of the fight with Bodoro forfeiting after Hisoka whispers something to him is shown.
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