Summary
- Melody, an underrated character in Hunter x Hunter, deserves more screen time due to her intriguing backstory and abilities.
- Melody's cursed history and quest to destroy the Sonata of Darkness were overlooked, adding depth to the anime's storyline.
- Fans hope for the return of the Hunter x Hunter anime to explore characters like Melody further and witness new storylines unfold.
I rewatch Hunter x Hunter regularly, as the series is so good that it never loses its appeal. However, there is one character that I think needed way more screen time. After Death Note, Hunter x Hunter was the second anime I watched. Back in 2020, I remember being blown away by arcs such as Greed Island, Yorknew City, and Chimera Ant, all of which are all well-known among the anime community.
Furthermore, similar to a few of my other favorite series like One Piece, Hunter x Hunter is exceptionally well-rounded. The overall theme of the anime is colorful, goofy, and family-friendly. However, it contains some unexpectedly dark themes, like Kite’s death and Killua’s struggles with past family abuse.
While manga chapters continue to be released, fans of the Hunter x Hunter anime, including me, have waited expectantly for the series' return. Since March 2006, Yoshihiro Togashi, series author, and illustrator, has taken extended hiatuses due to his severe back pain, which forced him to receive surgery in 2014. Nevertheless, Togashi has persevered and continues to release manga chapters for his current arc, Succession War. However, there is still no news surrounding the 2011 anime adaptation’s return.
The final episode of the 13th Hunter Chairman Election arc was released on September 24th, 2014, which concluded the 2011 anime adaptation. While news surrounding the anime’s return was yet to be announced, Madhouse Inc. has maintained the rights to the series, which gives me and other anime fans hope. Not only do I want the 2011 series to return because I think it is one of the best Shōnen anime of all time, but there is one character in particular that I think was snubbed some series screen time, and I would love to see her return: Melody, who first appeared in the YorkNew City arc.
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Melody: Music Hunter, Masterful Musician, and One of Hunter x Hunter’s Most Underrated Characters
Despite Her Abilities and Intriguing Backstory, Melody Remains Underappreciated in Hunter x Hunter
Melody’s character flew under the radar for me when I first watched Hunter x Hunter. Not only did I disregard her backstory, but I also didn’t understand her role in the series during YorkNew City. While her mission as a Nostrade bodyguard was mentioned, it seemed to be swept over by Kurapika’s exposition, which made Melody’s almost entirely forgettable. However, after rewatching YorkNew City multiple times, I’ve come to realize that her story deserved a much better presentation.
As fans of Hunter x Hunter know, Kurapika joins the Nostrade Family’s team of bodyguards in order to locate a pair of his clan’s Scarlet Eyes, which are scheduled to be sold at the world’s largest auction in YorkNew City. Meanwhile, the Phantom Troupe, a group of thieves who had slaughtered Kurapika’s clan, also gather in Yorknew City and plan to rob the auction of its most valuable items. During his time as a Nostrade bodyguard, he meets Melody, a Music Hunter who has also joined the Nostrade’s security team with an ulterior motive.
Melody's goal is to find and destroy the “Sonata of Darkness,” a musical piece supposedly composed by the Devil himself. Melody was present when her friend, currently unnamed, decided to play a short excerpt. Upon hearing it, Melody’s friend died of severe mutilation. While Melody survived, her appearance changed drastically, and her skin was gravely damaged.
However, the Sonata granted her one super-human ability: extraordinary hearing. With this ability, she is able to track targets, eavesdrop from long distances, hear a person’s heartbeat and determine their emotional state, differentiate footsteps, and ascertain the skills of others based on the sounds they make.
Melody’s Curse Didn’t Get the Attention It Deserved, Even From Kurapika
Melody’s Backstory was Wrongfully Condensed to a Singular Scene and Then Shoved Under the Rug
As a musician, I may be a bit biased toward musical characters, but I think Melody’s backstory was completely brushed over. Her abilities, grounded personality, and overall goal as a character are fascinating. Furthermore, aside from the isolated event of Melody’s tragic history, the Sonata of Darkness was mentioned once and shoved under the rug. In fact, it seems that this darkly intriguing item wasn’t only ignored by fans, but by Kurapika himself, whose single-minded obsession for revenge makes him more akin to the Phantom Troupe than he would ever admit.
In YorkNew City, Melody shares her story about being cursed in appearance. Surprisingly, Kurapika almost immediately discredits her story, questioning the existence of such a sonata that would curse a listener just by hearing a short excerpt. In response, Melody lifts her sleeve, exposing the condition of her skin to Kurapika, which visibly shocks him.
While fans are left wondering exactly what he saw, Kurapika’s reaction proves the Sonata of Darkness is more dangerous than some may have realized. Now, Melody seeks to find the piece and destroy it so that no one else is harmed by the composition’s curse.
Melody, Her Story, and the Future of Hunter x Hunter
The Possibilities for Melody and the Rest of the Hunter x Hunter Cast are Endless
I truly wish that Melody’s role in the Hunter x Hunter 2011 anime adaptation was expanded before the series ended. My bias towards musical characters may be showing, but I believe even non-musical HxH fans can agree that Melody, her story, and her goal as a Hunter are worthy of much more than they were given.
Furthermore, as a first-time watcher, I was convinced that Kurapika and Melody’s relationship would have blossomed into something more. Although Hunter x Hunter is far removed from the romance genre, characters such as Meruem and Komugi prove that Togashi is brilliant at not only crafting action-based plotlines but poignantly romantic ones as well.
As Togashi continues to surprise manga fans with brand-new Hunter x Hunter chapters, the 2011 anime adaptation fandom can only hope that the series will return in the near future. While the 13th Chairman Election arc provided a cohesive ending to the series, it remains a bit divisive among the community. Many fans were upset that Gon and Killua split paths at the end of the series, with little indication of a reunion.
On the other hand, while other fans like me don’t mind the series ending as is, I believe other characters, such as Melody, deserve a deeper dive into their story. I hope to see her story fleshed out if the anime series returns. An arc or subplot covering Melody’s mission to return to her original form by completing her goal of destroying the Sonata of Darkness and exploring a new relationship with Kurapika would be a fantastic addition to the already legendary series: Hunter x Hunter.
Hunter x Hunter (2011)
In Hunter x Hunter, young Gon Freecss discovers his long-lost father is a legendary Hunter, an elite class of adventurer with the license to go anywhere or do almost anything. Determined to find him, Gon sets out to pass the Hunter Examination, a life-threatening challenge that draws hundreds of hopefuls seeking fortune, fame, and adventure. Along the way, Gon becomes friends with other candidates, including the vengeful Kurapika, the ambitious Leorio, and the enigmatic Killua. Together, they face a world filled with bizarre creatures, sinister criminals, and unpredictable adventures.
