By now you may have realized that I have some pretty defined views on what constitutes a villain and because of that this week was a bit more challenging than I first expected.
- How did you find HxH?
- Favorite main character
- Favorite supporting character
- Favorite Chimera ant
- Least favorite character
- Favorite Zoldyck Member
- Favorite Villain
- Favorite Nen type
- Favorite Nen ability
- Favorite episode
- Favorite scene
- Favorite opening animation
- Do you ship anyone
- Saddest scene
- Favorite non-nen ability
- Favorite ark
- Least favorite ark
- Favorite type of Hunter
- Favorite character outfit
- Funniest scene
- Who would you cosplay as
- Friendliest character
- Least friendly character
- Best main character family member
- Favorite character backstory
- Worse main character family member
- Manga or Anime
- Most relatable character
- What got you hooked on the show
- Why do you love HxH
Favorite Villain
Hunter x Hunter is a show that sympathetically shows us one group of crazed murderers while vilifying another group of crazed murderers for no real obvious reasons. I love it very very much. It does make it a little tricky to single out one particular crazed murderer as a villain without being a little hypocritical on some level though. Thankfully, we have Feitan!
Fetan is uniquely qualified for this week’s post as a true villain among scoundrels. One of the recurring tricks Hunter x Hunter pulls on its audience, is to slowly make every single antagonist somewhat affable. Most bad guys have unselfish motivations and/or some type of Freudian excuses that makes their behavior understandable if not excusable. The very few that do not fall into that category (and also many who do) are often still likable. Funny, intelligent and insightful, they’re the types of people that make you say: we could be great friends if they weren’t violent lunatics….
Yet, it seems that no effort at all was made to make Feitan’s character in any way sympathetic. He’s glum and dour most of the time. He doesn’t contribute to conversations and has no interest in sharing his opinions. Of all the Spiders, he’s the least affected by the loss of a comrade, despite being their de facto leader when Chrollo is out of commission. He has shown no attachment to Meteor City and simply destroyed the ants there for fun. He’s even used as the Phantom Troupe’s torturer and genuinely enjoys it. One of the only characters to truly take pleasure in inflicting pain on others. When you truly think about it, it’s hard to find any redeeming quality to this guy.
Of course, since this show refuses to do anything as expected, Feitan’s design is, for lack of a better word, cute. He’s tiny and a little scruffy. His glares and angry expression give you the impression of a tiny kitten trying to pass as a tiger. And the very rare times we get to see him actually happy, he is downright adorable.
His Nen ability is interesting but sadly underdeveloped (underexplained), but as it is proportional to the damage he suffers in combat, it is always a game changer. I personally like that ace in the whole aspect which would make a fight more difficult to predict if he ever got into a confrontation with a more important character.
So let’s all raise a glass to a pure uncomplicatedly evil villain in a show full of complex anti villains. He rocks!
The secret to a long life is don’t drink, don’t smoke, and don’t overeat. The secret to a happy life is a whole different story!
Suggested drink: Parasol
- Every time Feitan speaks backwards – have a drink
- Every time we see Feitan’s mouth – have some water
- Every time Feitan teams up with Phinks – have a drink
- Every time we see Feitan’s umbrella (not a euphemism) – take a drink
- Every time Feitan is obvious going through some tranquil fury – be scared
- Every time Feitan “interrogates” someone – take a drink
- Every time Feitan fights dirty – take a drink
- Every time Feitan compliments someone – down the bottle
He’s tiny and adorable yet scary. That’s the ideal form humans should aim for.
His ability does sound really cool! Too bad it’s not that fleshed out.
You know, tiny is more often than not scary
Feitan ain’t a stickler for rules or general guidelines. In fact, he breaks them all like they’re his enemies.