#something Has Just Awoken Inside Me...

Hey! I’ve absolutely been loving your posts and re-posts lately. I’ve been heavily getting back into HxH recently and the Killugon brain rot is real. I’d like to get your opinion on something though. I’ve been thinking a lot about the scene during the “Palm date arc” where Killua and Gon are working out at the gym and Killua asks Gon if he’s been on a date before. Obviously this is a pretty famous scene for a number of reasons, although personally I’ve always found it to be one of the most misunderstood scenes in the entire series, as I’ve yet to see anyone really share my thoughts for what I think Togashi was trying to do with it. It actually showcases his writing skills very well imo, and I think that (besides the very surface level comedy of the interaction) there’s 3 things this whole scene is trying to tell us:

1. Killua and Gon have two entirely different conceptions of dating and what it means, with Gon being either oblivious or innocent to any romantic or intimate meaning while Killua is very much the more mature one who understands those parts of dating. This is probably the most.

2. Killua is clearly upset and put off by the idea of Gon going on dates with anyone, and arguably very jealous when Gon tells him about past “dates”.

3. Killua has no desire to go on dates with people, and just wants to stay by Gon’s side “forever” when the subject of dating is brought up.

Now, I have much longer form explanations and evidence for all of these points I can give but I’d like to see your interpretation of my thoughts first, as again, I think this is both of one of the most misunderstood scenes in the whole series, and one of the most important for understanding Killua and Gon’s dynamic and how they feel about relationships

Hello! Thank you so much, it makes me happy to hear you're enjoying my posts. I've been internally cultivating my HxH brainrot for years and it feels good to finally be able to share more of it. I'm so glad you sent this to me so I can weigh in, I'd love to hear your additional thoughts as well!

This is an excellent analysis and you're spot on! I love that you're focusing on a small scene rather than the arc as a whole, because it makes it easier to pull apart each aspect of it and the intended meaning without having to leave things out. I think the larger context of this subplot does nothing but support what you're saying, too.

The thing that stands out to me with these panels is how much Togashi is emphasizing Killua's shock and stress over this. The huge metaphorical boulder, his expressions, he is clearly bothered. And sure, it is comedic because Killua is not understanding Gon here because of their different levels of awareness, but I don't think that takes away from what is being said. The scene could have been set up in a way that doesn't immediately conjure up the concept of jealousy on Killua's part, but Togashi makes it clear over and over again in this arc how panicked and upset Killua is at the thought of Gon going on a date (with someone who is unhinged, but while Killua is certainly concerned about that, he seems just as bothered by the thought of Gon going on a date specifically).

As the audience, I think we gather by Gon's line about Mito that he's not talking about real dates, and that the things they were teaching him were probably innocent (I sometimes see people taking this at surface level, but I really think Togashi is being tongue-in-cheek here and showing us that Gon's view of what dates are is innocent and lacks context). But of course Killua is in the middle of a gay crisis here and he doesn't catch on and misunderstands.

Then, so shortly after, we're into Killua stating he wanted to stay with Gon forever (ずっと). I didn't like how the English version of this line was phrased, seemed like it was being downplayed a bit and didn't contain the word "forever," so here it is in Japanese. I think it's incredibly telling how it goes immediately from thinking about Gon going on dates and denying that he has been on dates (because he was learning to kill and then with Gon) into this line, and especially with how downright pained Killua's expression is at the thought of having to leave Gon, as he promised himself. It's hard to come up with any other explanation for this scene, you know?

This is more my own interpretation than straight-up analysis, but I think this is maybe another straw in the pile of Killua thinking his feelings for Gon are one-sided as well, as he struggles with through all of CAA--in Killua's misunderstood/mistaken view here, Gon has been on multiple dates and has experience with romance and therefore he might be more "normal," while Killua feels like his whole world is Gon--and he doesn't seem interested in the thought of going on dates himself, all he comes back to is wanting to be with Gon. It might widen the chasm between them a little bit in Killua's eyes.

Anyway, all of this is basically just expounding on what you already said. I appreciate how you summed it up so clearly and succinctly! I agree that it's a great example of Togashi's writing, which is very rich, and often even small scenes like this have multiple meanings and intentions we can take from them if we look at them carefully. His eye for detail is incredible.

Like I said above, the full arc's context surrounding this scene only supports the conclusions you came to--there are more examples throughout of Killua's jealousy in this specifically romantic context, Gon's lack of full awareness on this topic, and Killua's devotion to Gon. It's so telling of Togashi's intentions that ultimately the Palm subplot concludes with Palm of all people emphasizing that Killua is the one Gon needs.

Shout out to the "i would kill for you" to "i would die for you" pipeline, gotta be one of my faves fr💯

Zayne and sylus next

gon, you are light ☀️

ARCANE LEAGUE OF LESBIANS: 2x08 - “Killing is a Cycle”

some shitty soukokus

re: Asagiri saying a lot of people working on bsd have asked him to write about Chuuya from Dazai's point of view yet Asagiri refuses because for all his intent and purposes the answer is "Dazai just doesn't like Chuuya"

Asagiri. Asagiri come sit with me. Asagiri do you realize how much this statement makes Dazai's internal monologue about Chuuya much more intriguing? He doesn't like Chuuya.

In Fifteen, his irritation comes from his perception of Chuuya as a shallow violent guy who's just looking for the biggest enemy (Arahabaki) to beat up. He doesn't like him. Turns out this perception was wrong. He still doesn't like him. Chuuya turns out to be someone who struggles with his humanity in perhaps a more relatable way than Dazai ever expected. And he doesn't like him. Seeing Chuuya and Rimbaud fight inspires Dazai to give a new go at life, and he conspires with everything he has to make Chuuya join the Port Mafia to be his underling. But he doesn't like him.

Then comes Storm Bringer, during which a guy comes along and wants to kill Dazai and take Chuuya away, and Dazai fights tooth and nail to prevent both from happening. He doesn't like him. Dazai vehemently denies the possibility of Chuuya being an artificial human. He doesn't like him. Dazai is uncomfortable for having to tell Chuuya their best course of action would get rid of the last remaining lead they have over his origins, to the point he starts planning for not doing it. And he doesn't like him.

Dazai has contributed to building up years of mutual trust between him and Chuuya. He doesn't like him. Chuuya is always executing Dazai's plans nearly perfectly. He doesn't like him. For a few minutes Dazai considered the possibility he would be drowning Chuuya for real and took the time to reminisce about their good times together. He doesn't like him. He was partnered with Chuuya for a maximum of 3 years, statistically probably a lot less, yet he insists on saying they've known each other for 7 years and still calls Chuuya partner once in a while. But he doesn't like him.

What could possibly be going on inside his head for all of the above to be true at the same time? He's admitted more than once to thinking about Chuuya night and day... but it was of ways to kill Chuuya, so it's fine, obviously, because it means he doesn't like him!!!

Asagiri. I understand your simple words of dismissal as a way to warn your readers you have no intention of pushing that particular thread further in your writing. But Asagiri. Do you not see the monster, this walking mass of contradictions, that you've created? What do you mean he "just doesn't like Chuuya"? Not Chuuya angst this ain't about him I'm holding Dazai up by the scruff and waving him around like a prop. What were his motivations then? Why does he do any of this? What unknown depth of character hides in those cracks, Asagiri?

It has been hard for me to talk about how what is going on with Israel and Palestine is affecting me personally, but I grew up in Gaza and most of my family still lives there. My father did not survive the bombings last week and I have not been able to contact my younger sister in days. I am try to being understanding that most people do not have personal connections to what is happening and therefore are justifying their silence, but is heartbreaking to see this misinformation being spread. What’s happening there is a genocide, not a war. It is not antisemitic to support Palestine, it’s not even antiemetic to criticise Israel. There is no grey area or neutrality regarding this, and it is so easy to find resources that will educate you on the subject. It is my people and my home being destroyed so I will never be silent about this, but I please urge everyone to get informed and start speaking up and finding ways they can help.

decolonizepalestine has tons of information on Palestine’s history/propaganda that has been spread throughout the years

UK citizens can email their MP asking for a ceasefire

US citizens can call/email their local government officials asking for a ceasefire

Jewish Voice for Peace also has many resources for ways for US citizens to get involved, including protests

Donate to Palestine Children’s Relief Fund

Donate to Medical Aid for Palestine

Donate to help get food and hygiene kits to Gaza

Certain words can change your brain forever and ever so you do have to be very careful about it.