Hunter × Hunter chapter 36: Shadow and Light 2 — what is in it
Hunter Exam arc · 21 pages · 23 characters
Key facts in this chapter
Chapter title page displays Gon and Killua
Killua is questioned about his brother Examiner with sunglasses appears in the hall
Gon is speaking with a long-haired woman about family matters The woman references her mother and a person named Miruki Leorio is present and reacting strongly to the story The mother reportedly cried during the discussion The woman claims the mother called after much thought
Gon is wearing glasses during this exchange The conversation occurs inside a large enclosed structure The woman directly tells Gon he is meant to be a killer Gon denies strong interest in becoming a Hunter
Gon appears visibly concerned in the opening panel. Illumi delivers a lengthy psychological assessment. A childhood memory of a spiky-haired child is shown. Illumi claims the subject feels pleasure only from death.
Killua is visibly sweating and agitated. Illumi references their father in the conversation. Killua acknowledges an unspecified desire. Illumi presses Killua to state his true want.
Killua explicitly states a wish to be friends with Gon. Killua admits he is fed up with killing. The conversation occurs inside a building with visible architecture.
The long-haired character claims to have taught Killua about judging humans by kill potential. Killua is described as a natural born killer by the speaker. Gon is present in the same location as Killua during the conversation.
Leorio wears sunglasses and a dark suit during the scene Killua is seated on stairs while speaking Gon appears directly behind Leorio in the large panel The confrontation occurs indoors with decorative wall trim
The cover illustration shows Leorio in a dark suit and glasses riding atop a large, shaggy boar-like creature with its mouth open and tongue hanging out. The bold title HUNTER x HUNTER dominates the bottom with a red X between the Japanese characters ハンター, while No.5 appears in an orange circle. The kana logo sits at the top, and the author's name Yoshihiro Togashi is printed at the bottom along with four red circles containing Japanese characters.
Leorio
01
The contents page lists chapters from N°036 Shadow and Light 2 through N°044 Celestial Tournament with corresponding page numbers. The large HUNTER x HUNTER logo appears at the top with Japanese text. A note at the bottom left reads ED NOTE : THIS IS FOR MY SHISHI PERSON!! THAT IS ALL. The page number No.5 is shown in a circle at the bottom right.
02
Gon leans forward with a bright, open-mouthed smile, his spiky black hair framing his face as he looks downward. Directly below him, Killua's head appears upside-down, eyes wide and teeth clenched in a tense expression, his wild white hair fanning out. A bold banner reading "SHADOW AND LIGHT 2" cuts diagonally across the image, with a small rectangular label marked "N°036" attached to its left side.
GonKillua
03
In a spacious hall with ornate pillars and a tiled ceiling, a long-haired figure in a decorated uniform stands on the left while Killua walks away toward the right, his back turned. A close-up shows Killua's surprised face with wide eyes and sweat drops. Beside him, the long-haired figure speaks with a neutral expression. Below, an elderly bearded man looks upward, followed by a sharp profile of a man with a star-shaped mark on his cheek. The final panel reveals the examiner with sunglasses standing over a small, seated Killua as a speech bubble reads "THE BROTHER OF KILLUA ...?".
KilluaExaminer with sunglasseslong-haired figure
04
Gon stands with a serious expression and replies, "YOU COULD SAY IT LIKE THAT..." The long-haired woman in the patterned outfit asks, "MUM AND MIRUKI TOLD ME YOU'VE HIT THEM?" In a wider view, Leorio gestures emphatically while declaring, "OBVIOUSLY! A MOTHER THAT SUFFERS FROM THIS FROM HER OWN SON..." and "SUCH AN IRREDEEMABLE BOY..." Close-up panels show the woman's eyes as she states, "MUM WAS CRYING." Gon appears small beside large shadowy feet while the woman continues, "SUCCEEDING IN EDUCATING THAT WAY GIVES ME SUCH PLEASURE"... and notes, "SHE WAS CONFUSED." In the lower sequence of panels, the woman explains, "TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH, I ALSO WANTED AN ACCREDITATION FOR MY NEXT WORK," followed by, "SHE FEARED YOU'D LIKE TO BE A HUNTER," "IT'S AN UNEXPECTED MEETING," and, "BUT I'M WORRIED TO SEE HIM LEAVE RIGHT NOW"... concluding, "AFTER THINKING A LOT, SHE CALLED ME."
Gonlong-haired womanLeorio
05
A close-up of a dark swirling eye accompanies the line, "SO I CAN TALK TO YOU OPENLY." The woman continues, "THAT'S REASSURING." Gon, now wearing glasses, states, "I JUST WANTED TO TRY THE EXAM. I DON'T ESPECIALLY WANT TO BE A HUNTER." The woman's large eyes appear again as she declares, "YOU WON'T BECOME A HUNTER." In a wide establishing shot inside a large tent-like structure with wooden beams, Gon stands with his back to the viewer facing the long-haired woman, who replies, "BECAUSE YOUR VOCATION IS TO BE A KILLER."
Gonlong-haired woman
06
Gon stares forward with wide eyes and a tense expression, a small cross-shaped mark visible on his forehead. Beside him, Illumi appears in profile, his slicked-back hair curling at the ends as he gazes sideways with a calm, calculating look. In a flashback panel, a small child with spiky hair sits hunched on a bed surrounded by wrapped gifts, looking down. Speech bubbles read, 'He talked to me about his family, but that...' and 'That's really what he said?' Illumi continues speaking, his face half-shadowed: 'You're just a dark puppet, passionless.' He adds, 'He continued this way...' with another bubble stating 'More...over...' In the final panel, Illumi faces forward, his long hair flowing as he declares, 'You feed yourself with shadow, and the only pleasure you can feel comes from the death of people.' A second bubble finishes, 'Inside you, you have no passion, nor desire.'
GonIllumi
07
Illumi's large eyes fill a panel as he asks, 'What were you expecting in becoming a Hunter?' Killua appears drenched in sweat, his spiky hair wild and face tense. A small panel shows feet in distinctive shoes stepping on debris. Killua replies, 'It's not that I wanted to become a Hunter that lead me here.' Another bubble states, 'You're just as we taught you, father and I.' Illumi, now in ornate clothing, stands with arms at his sides and says, 'No, there isn't anything.' Killua looks up at him, responding, 'But there's something I'd like to have...' Illumi leans in, hand extended, demanding, 'So tell it to me!' Killua shouts, 'What would you want?' Illumi's back is shown as he answers, 'Pff!' and then, 'Yes, there's something!'
IllumiKillua
08
Killua stands in a narrow corridor and calls out, 'There is!' A voice answers from off-panel, 'There's nothing, is there?' Killua turns with a neutral expression and asks, 'Well?' In a large close-up, sweat beads on Killua's face as he thinks intensely, 'I want to become friends with Gon. I want...' The scene shifts to a spacious hall where Killua, now in a different outfit, stands with his back to the viewer. He continues, 'I want to have fun, like a normal kid. ...to become friends with Gon. I'm fed up with killing. I just want...' A man in a dark suit and round glasses watches him silently from the foreground while a smaller version of Killua looks on from the side.
Killualong-haired examineeman with glasses
09
A long-haired character with a calm expression states, 'You can't make people be your friends. That's impossible!' In smaller panels, the same speaker continues, 'You're always together, aren't you? This has nothing to do with being friends. You're amazed by Gon. The only judgement you're able to pass on a human is to know if you can kill him or not. Because that's what we taught you. Because you're a natural born killer. Because you'll ask yourself if you're able to kill him or not.' Killua is shown crouching with Gon nearby, looking shocked. A close-up reveals Killua's tense face. The long-haired character adds, 'One day, you'll want to kill him. If you stay close to him...' while standing with arms crossed.
Killualong-haired characterGon
10
Leorio stands tall in a formal suit and sunglasses, one hand on his hip as a large 'HOW ZAT' sound effect erupts beside him. Below, Killua sits on the stairs muttering that Leorio is just an idiot who understands nothing. Leorio, seen from behind, admits he knows he will not get involved but still feels the need to speak. In the wide lower panel Leorio leans forward and roars at the spiky-haired boy behind him, demanding to know why he gets along so well with Gon and warning him not to fall asleep. He urges the boy to attack Gon the way he usually does and pass the exam. Gon stares forward with wide eyes while the long-haired examinee watches from the side.
LeorioKilluaGonlong-haired examinee
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Killua reacts with surprise as the long-haired examinee insists that Gon already considers him a friend. The examinee adds that Gon surely feels the same way. In a sudden close-up the examinee raises a finger and calmly states that the only solution is to kill Gon. A row of reaction portraits follows: an elderly bearded man, a stern man with a cheek mark, a spiky-haired boy looking down, Killua with a startled expression, and Leorio glaring sideways.
Killualong-haired examineeGonelderly bearded manman with cheek markLeorio
12
The trial isn't finished. 'Please ...' a voice begs while another demands, 'Where is he?' Hisoka stands with pins embedded across his face and dark sunglasses, his spiky hair wild. 'Because they're always in the way,' a silhouette declares. 'Killers don't need friends,' another voice replies. The long-haired woman suddenly lashes out; motion lines explode as she strikes. 'SLAT' rings sharply. Hisoka reels back with a pained 'AAH.' A close-up captures a wide eye and tense jaw. 'SO?' the woman asks. In the resting room two examinees remain... next... Hisoka's face contorts violently, eyes bulging, mouth open in a grimace as more pins shift. 'AAH ...?' he gasps. 'AIE !' he cries while 'CRAC' and 'CRAC' echo from the impact.
Hisokalong-haired woman
13
Feet shift on the floor as the impact lands. Hisoka is hurled backward across the tiled room, body twisting. 'AAH.' and 'AAH.' escape his mouth while debris flies. 'THANKS.' the long-haired woman says calmly. A tight close-up shows wide, intense eyes staring forward. In the hallway a line of examinees waits: a man in a suit with sunglasses, a white-haired boy, a bald man with arms crossed, Hisoka adjusting his stance, another suited man, and a man with round glasses. Close-ups reveal the white-haired boy's downturned gaze, the bald man's stern glare, and Hisoka's focused eyes behind his sunglasses.
Hisokalong-haired womanwhite-haired boybald manman with round glassesman in suit with sunglasses
14
Hisoka stares forward with a cold expression, his thoughts racing. 'If I kill them here, I'll be disqualified and Killua will automatically pass,' he muses. 'Damn it! If only I didn't need this certificate for my next work...' He clenches his fist. 'And then I'll kill Gon! I'll start with passing the exam...' In another panel, Gon looks up with wide, anxious eyes. Hisoka continues, 'I know! Because if I kill Gon, the result will be the same. I was going to make a mistake.' A woman in the background responds, 'Yes.' An elderly man with a long beard firmly states, 'No special rule allows that. No.' Hisoka presses on, 'My title can't be taken back, can it? Doing it this way, even if I kill everyone here...'
Killua's eye is shown in extreme close-up. A small panel reveals Gon standing in the distance. Hisoka appears with spiky hair and sweat drops, looking tense. Hisoka leans in and says, 'Did you hear, Killua? You won't be able to save Gon. If you don't win against me...' Killua's large eyes fill a panel as he replies, 'No, you can't.' A dramatic full-body panel shows Killua on the ground looking up at Hisoka, who stands over him with long hair flowing. Hisoka declares, 'What matters is the if here and now, you can defeat me or not. The reason is simple: more than the friendship...'
HisokaKilluaGon
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Killua stands frozen, sweat beading on his face as a voice declares, "WITH MY STRENGTH, I CAN'T BEAT MY BROTHER." "YOU ALREADY HAVE THE ANSWER." The long-haired man extends an open hand toward him and continues, "I WAS THE ONE WHO GAVE YOU THAT ADVICE, DO YOU REMEMBER?" "IF YOU FEEL YOU CAN'T BEAT HIM, DON'T CONFRONT HIM." Close shots capture tense feet planted firmly and a wide, sweating eye. The long-haired man now towers over a prone figure on the ground, stating, "FROM THE MOMENT OUR BODIES TOUCH EACH OTHER, THE FIGHT WILL BEGIN." "IF YOU MOVE EVEN A TINY BIT, I'LL CONSIDER IT TO BE THE START OF THE FIGHT." "DON'T MOVE."
Killualong-haired man
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Killua's hair stands on end, his expression still tense. The long-haired man leans in close, saying, "YOUR PRECIOUS GON WILL DIE." "BUT... DON'T FORGET: IF YOU DON'T CONFRONT ME..." "THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY TO STOP ME. YOU UNDERSTAND?" A loud voice cuts in from off-panel: "WHATEVER HE DOES, WE'LL STOP HIM!! DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO!!" "GO ON, KILLUA! WHATEVER HAPPENS, WE WON'T LET ANYONE GET KILLED, NOT GON, NOT YOU!!" Sweat drips heavily as the long-haired man's hand reaches toward Killua's head.
Killualong-haired manunseen shouting examinee
18
Gon hangs limply in the air, held by the tall figure with long dark hair. "DAMN..." he mutters. "I LOST." The tall figure stands firm, one arm extended upward. In close-up, Gon's spiky hair is visible from behind. Killua stares with wide eyes, sweat visible on his face. Leorio, wearing sunglasses, glares angrily with mouth open. Below, a woman in an ornate dress taps the defeated Gon on the head with a fan. "I ONLY WANTED TO TEST YOU," she says. "HA HA HA! I LIED TO YOU, KILLUA, I HAVE NO INTENTION OF KILLING GON!" she continues. "NOW I HAVE WHAT I WANTED." Another girl in similar attire claps, saying "I'M DONE WITH THE FIGHTS." A third girl with a neutral expression adds, "AH! I FEEL BETTER!" Sound effects show "TAP TAP" and "CLAP".
GonKilluaLeoriolong-haired manwoman in ornate dressgirl with pigtailsgirl with neutral expression
19
The long-haired man leans in close to Gon, one hand resting on the boy's head. "YOU DON'T HAVE THE QUALIFICATIONS TO MAKE ANY FRIENDS," he says. "MORE SO, YOU DON'T NEED ANY." Gon sweats, looking up with a tense expression. The man continues, "BUT NOW, THAT'S THE CASE. IF SOMEDAY IT BECOMES NECESSARY FOR YOU TO PASS THIS EXAM, I'LL GUIDE YOU." Separate panels show the man stating, "YOU ONLY HAVE TO DO YOUR WORK CORRECTLY AND EVERYTHING WILL BE OK." and "YOU'LL CONTINUE LISTENING TO WHAT YOUR FATHER AND I TELL YOU." Narration boxes describe distant events: "LEORIO AND KURAPIKA TRIED THEIR HARDEST TO TALK TO HIM, BUT HE NEVER ANSWERED BACK. NEXT, HE CLOSED HIMSELF LIKE AN OYSTER. AND THEN, SUDDENLY..." The scene shifts to an empty hallway with motion lines suggesting sudden movement.
Gonlong-haired man
20
When the fight between Leorio and Bodoro had just begun, a figure burst into the arena. He entered with a wild, aggressive stance, his spiky hair flaring and mouth open in a shout as he was immediately grabbed and restrained by the larger fighter. The heavy double doors slammed shut behind him with a resounding CLANG. He was immediately disqualified by the jury. In the stands, Gon stares forward with wide eyes and a serious expression, a cross-shaped bandage visible on his forehead. Beside him, a dark-haired girl in a patterned outfit watches the stage intently. From behind, Gon looks down at the distant figures on the examination platform where the disqualification has just occurred.
Gonunidentified dark-haired girl
End of chapter21 pages
Discussion
The long-haired examinee raises a finger while speaking Killua shows a visible exclamation mark reaction Five distinct character portraits appear in a bottom strip The scene shifts to a darker background for the close-up
Hisoka has pins embedded in his head and wears sunglasses. A woman with long black hair is present during the confrontation. Sound effects indicate a physical strike and cracking.
Examinees are lined up in a hallway after the confrontation. Hisoka is thrown backward by the woman's attack. Several examinees wear formal suits.
Hisoka considers killing examinees but is concerned about disqualification. Killua would pass automatically if Hisoka is disqualified. Hisoka plans to start by passing the exam before targeting Gon. An elderly man states no special rule permits the action Hisoka considers. Hisoka questions if his title can be taken back.
Hisoka directly addresses Killua about saving Gon. Killua is challenged to defeat Hisoka to protect Gon. Killua rejects the possibility of winning. Hisoka stresses the immediate need to defeat him over any friendship.
Killua is visibly shaken by the conversation. The long-haired man claims to have given Killua advice in the past. The confrontation occurs in a confined indoor space. Physical contact is established as the trigger for combat.
Gon is mentioned by name as being in danger. The long-haired man claims only one method exists to stop him. Off-panel voices pledge to prevent any deaths. Killua remains the focus of the long-haired man's attention.
Gon admits defeat after being lifted off the ground. Leorio reacts with visible anger. Killua shows a surprised expression. The woman in the dress claims her actions were only a test.
The long-haired man physically touches Gon's head during the conversation. Gon shows visible tension and sweating. Leorio and Kurapika attempted to speak with someone who did not respond. The scene ends with a sudden shift to an empty corridor.
Leorio and Bodoro's match is interrupted by an intruder's entrance. The intruder is disqualified instantly upon entering the arena. Gon reacts with a serious, focused expression to the disqualification. The arena features heavy double doors and a raised jury platform.
What is said, page by page
long-haired figure says "THEN ..." with calm expression someone asks "THE BROTHER OF KILLUA ...?"
Gon states he could phrase it that way in response to prior question Long-haired woman reports that mother and Miruki mentioned being hit Leorio asserts that a mother suffers because of her own son Woman recalls her mother crying during the conversation Woman expresses pleasure at the method of education used Woman notes the mother was confused by the situation Woman admits she sought accreditation for her next job Woman reveals the mother's fear that he wants to be a Hunter Woman describes the meeting as unexpected Woman expresses worry about him leaving immediately
Unseen speaker states they can now talk openly Woman calls the situation reassuring Gon explains he only wanted to attempt the exam Gon clarifies he does not especially want to become a Hunter Woman asserts Gon will not become a Hunter Woman declares Gon's true vocation is to be a killer
Illumi recounts a conversation about family in a calm, probing tone Illumi labels the listener a passionless dark puppet Illumi describes ongoing manipulation with the word 'moreover' Illumi accuses the target of feeding on shadows and death for pleasure Illumi states the listener possesses neither passion nor desire
Illumi questions Killua's expectations about becoming a Hunter Killua denies wanting to be a Hunter as his true motivation Illumi claims Killua was taught by father and himself Illumi states there is nothing Killua wants Killua admits there is something he would like to have Illumi demands Killua reveal what he wants Killua asks what Illumi himself would want Illumi affirms there is indeed something
Killua shouts 'There is!' while looking back in the corridor. Unseen speaker questions 'There's nothing, is there?' Killua asks 'Well?' with a direct stare. Killua internally declares his desire to become friends with Gon. Killua expresses wanting normal fun and being tired of killing.
Long-haired character asserts 'You can't make people be your friends. That's impossible!' Long-haired character notes Killua is always with Gon and questions the friendship. Long-haired character explains the taught judgment of kill or not kill. Long-haired character calls Killua a natural born killer. Long-haired character warns that one day Killua will want to kill Gon.
Killua complains that Leorio is an idiot who understands nothing Leorio states he knows he will not get involved Leorio shouts that the boy and Gon are friends Leorio orders the boy to burst Gon and pass the exam Leorio warns the boy not to fall asleep
Long-haired examinee calls the situation obvious Killua reacts with surprise Long-haired examinee states that Gon already thinks of him as a friend Long-haired examinee declares he will have to kill Gon
Unseen speaker states the trial is not over Pleading voice says 'Please ...' Questioning voice asks 'Where is he?' Silhouetted figure explains killers do not need friends Woman asks 'SO?' after the strike Hisoka cries out 'AAH ...?' and 'AIE !'
Hisoka shouts 'AAH.' twice while flying back Long-haired woman says 'THANKS.' Small reaction bubble 'AH.' appears near Hisoka
Hisoka internally debates killing Gon and Killua to manipulate exam results. Hisoka resolves to pass the exam first before acting. Hisoka realizes killing Gon would achieve the same outcome. Elderly man rejects any special rule allowing disqualification. Hisoka questions whether his title can be revoked.
Hisoka asks if Killua heard him and warns he cannot save Gon. Hisoka challenges Killua to win against him. Killua refuses, saying 'No, you can't.' Hisoka emphasizes that only defeating him matters now. Hisoka states the reason is more than friendship.
Unseen speaker states Killua already knows he cannot defeat his brother. Long-haired man reminds Killua of past advice not to confront an unbeatable foe. Long-haired man warns that any movement will mark the fight's start.
Long-haired man threatens that Gon will die if Killua acts. Long-haired man states there is only one way to stop him. Unseen examinee shouts encouragement for Killua to act freely. Unseen examinee vows the group will protect both Gon and Killua.
Gon thinks "DAMN..." and "I LOST." in defeat Woman in dress explains she only wanted to test Gon and lied about killing him Girl with pigtails declares she is done with the fights Girl with neutral expression says she feels better
Long-haired man tells Gon he lacks qualifications to make friends and does not need any Long-haired man offers future guidance if needed to pass the exam Long-haired man instructs Gon to do his work correctly Long-haired man says Gon will continue listening to his father and himself
Narration box stating the fight between Leorio and Bodoro had just begun when someone entered Narration box declaring the intruder was immediately disqualified by the jury Large SFX 'CLANG' accompanying the slamming doors