Episode 135 of Hunter X Hunter (2011), the conclusion of the Chimera Ant arc, perfectly captures the secrets behind the anime’s success. Yoshihiro Togashi’s manga series contains some of the best arcs in Shonen history, including the Hunter Exam arc, Yorknew City arc, and the often-underrated arc, Greed Island. While each storyline is packed with action sequences, heartfelt moments, and hilarious banter, one stands out above the rest.

After successfully completing the virtual-reality game, Greed Island, Gon and Killua are transported to a campfire in the middle of an eerie wood. They meet Kite, an old friend and former student of Gon’s father, Ging. The two young hunters decide to join Kite on a mission to uncover the secrets of a mysterious new species.

Kite and his crew plan to study the Chimera Ants, a Class-1, incredibly dangerous insect. Hunter X Hunter’s 6th arc, The Chimera Ant arc, is undoubtedly one of the best plotlines in anime history. However, Episode 135 explains why the series is still so beloved over a decade later.

Hunter x Hunter’s Unparalleled Storyline: The Chimera Ant Arc

The Chimera Ant arc includes some of Hunter X Hunter’s most iconic episodes

The Chimera Ant arc’s episodes are among the most pivotal in the series. In Episode 131, the audience is enlightened to the dark reality of Gon’s true capabilities as he learns of Kite’s death. In addition, Netero and Meruem’s epic fight sequence concludes with a twist in Episode 126, as the former activates a suicide attack known as Poor Man’s Rose. However, the most heart-wrenching episode of HxH’s 6th arc is its conclusion. After Meruem learns of the poisonous effect of Netero’s attack, he seeks his final resting place in the most unexpected of places.

At the beginning of the arc’s final episode, Mereum begs Palm to reveal where they are hiding Komugi. When she refuses, he kneels to her. This act of desperation brings her to tears, displaying the tremendous character arc that Meruem has completed. From assuming his role as god of a new world run by the Chimera Ant to bowing to one of his lowly subjects, begging to die alongside a human, the King’s fall to humanity is nothing short of overwhelming.

The Unanticipated Poignancy of HxH’s 135th Episode

Mereum and Komugi’s touching love story is the heart of the Chimera Ant Arc.

In their final moments, Mereum and Komugi play Gungi alone in Diego’s underground bunker, built for slaves. However, Meruem admits that Komugi has been exposed to the contagious poison that flows through his body, but she is not shaken. Instead, Komugi wholeheartedly accepts her fate, “I believe I was born so I could be here today.” Mereum responds in turn, “This is why I was born, for this moment.” As the episode and the Chimera Ant arc come to a close, the audience witnesses the final moments of the King and his Gungi partner in a tearfully stunning scene.

“Komugi, are you there?” – Meruem

“Yes, I sure am. I’m not going anywhere.” – Komugi

Meruem and Komugi repeatedly reassure one another of their presence as they drift off into an eternal slumber. The Chimera Ant King, who was once the most powerful being in the world, died in a dark, underground bunker in the arms of a human. While the animated series is full of beautifully orchestrated storylines, Episode 135 of Hunter X Hunter is arguably one of the most emotionally significant, showcasing the anime and manga’s capacity to depict powerful emotions and poignant characters, which made the series so successful.