Hunter X Hunter Episode 126 Early Access

I don't think to say that Netero despised Meruem is quite accurate. We've seen multiple times since the two first met that Netero can see Meruem's capacity for kindness and empathy and before the fight started he even stated that he has to carry out his mission quickly because he is afraid that his heart might be swayed if he listens to Meruem. I think the reason Netero comes off as a bit more hostile in this episode is that he feels mocked by the insurmountable disparity in power between the two and by Meruem's somewhat aloof demeanor and the perceived lack of respect from what is basically a new-born towards his senior Netero.

Sal Inger

I really do think these last few episodes are a testament to how skilled Togashi is at developing a character so much in such a short time. Netero was introduced to us as a cheerful, albeit slightly senile, old man, but in the matter of a few episodes his true nature; his motivations, inner-conflict, flaws, and strengths were all on display. I believe Netero is a reflection of humanity, displaying our many flaws and strengths. I truly think that he also saw this in humanity, recognising its infinite potential, often, for evil. But Netero, as chairman of the hunter association, clearly valued our potential for growth, something reflected in his own backstory. For him to resort to using a nuclear weapon doesn’t entirely contradict this in my opinion, though I definitely agree with the other user that it fundamentally goes against his almost fanatical belief system. Perhaps him saying he’ll see Meruem in hell suggests he views himself of committing sin. There is so much more to unpack but I hope I was able to best express some of my feelings on this.

Will

Meruem's admiration has been repayed. As monster ants become human-like, humans stray further towards monstrosity. We had glimpses of this through Ikalgo, Meleoron and Palm (ever since she first appeared), but now... Netero went past some limit, was there a cost to it? A being born to rule and at it's prime from the get go. All previous evolution culminated here - how does the concept of 'limit' sounds to his mind? Derrick mentioned lust for power. Wasn't the Zero attack a demonstration of greed even after discovering 100-type G.B.? The old man always sought more challenges, clinging to the possibility of finding his match. It must have been lonesome, although he points in the end to the fact that he's not alone. There must be something more to it I can't quite grasp just yet. As I listen to more of your final thoughts, I might get further on this path. And so, I deeply declare ► thanks Zen! Thanks Togashi! You've changed my life.

I'll never get tired of how quietly sad the ending narration about the bomb is. All of Netero's training, lust for power and his ultimate attack, amounted to enough to, let's say, "heavily lacerate" Meruem. Meanwhile the bomb, just by sight-judging it, did like, 25x that damage? More? And the narration clarifies that it is actually rather small, cost effective and able to be mass produced rather simply. No wonder Netero told the King his name. Using that monstrosity must have felt like a loss in more ways than one.

Derrick C. Shields

I believe the exact words in the dub are "You know nothing of the bottomless malice within the human heart."Same with the manga, I believe. The dub clearly took a lot of lines direct from the manga translation.

Derrick C. Shields

One of the greatest fights in all of anime

Interestingly the way that the line "you know nothing of humanity's infinite potential for evolution" was written the word evolution could also have been substituted for malice, and in this case both words would be appropriate. In the anime Netero explicitly says evolution but IIRC in the dub he actually says malice. And I would certainly describe putting a massive bomb as a dead man's switch in your body as malice. For now just a neat fact but there's more to be said about this moment a little bit later.

Stealth Potato

I'm sure sure tons of people know about this, so I may not be the first to mention it, and surely wont be the last. But it's worth noting that with Netero's line about humanity's potential for evolution, in the manga the kanji used can be read as both "evolution" and/or "malice." Aside from the general thematic relevance, its pretty on the nose that he proceeds to unleash a nuclear bomb, a pinnacle of human invention and advancement, but also the most destructive, horrifying weapon in history, created by humans after centuries of warfare as a way to annihilate each other.