It's been a bit of a wait, but Togashi Sensei's got another volume of Hunter x Hunter out at last for your reading pleasure, and this is a fun one! Following closely on the heels of the previous volume, we learn more of Kakin's ominous plans to explore the fabled Dark Continent, as well as the truth behind their shocking new figurehead! Dark plots are made and secrets come to light even as passengers board a huge ship in search of a new world. Hunters, get ready—the hunt is on!

The nation of Kakin takes the world by surprise when its king, Hui Guo Rou, announced his endorsement of an expedition to the forbidden Dark Continent. Which is just plain crazy! The Dark Continent is the landmass that surrounds the "sea" (actually a massive lake called Mobius) whose islands have made up all continents of the "known world" since time immemorial. What little mankind has discovered about this forbidden outer world is that it's replete with unimaginable resources AND populated by horrors only the most powerful hunters dare face. We get a few...detailed samples of the not-quite-survivors brought back from previously failed expeditions.

Since the insanely dangerous flora and fauna have made colonization of the Dark Continent strictly taboo, even the V5 (the U.N. of the HxH world) aren't sure how to handle Kakin's new venture. Yet the Hunter Association's even more rattled! They've lost their leader, Netero. And the powerful group of hunters at the center of the group, the Zodiacs, have lost two of their most powerful members, Pariston and Ging. But now they have an even bigger issue—the man that Kakin has chosen to head the expedition is none other than Netero's estranged son, Beyond!

Beyond's brazen manipulation of the group, combined with a final "request" from the late Netero, force the Hunter Association to send its best along for the ride. Cheadle and the rest of the Zodiacs are going...and she's planning to bring a certain well-suited pre-med hunter as her right hand!

Adding more chaos to the mix, Pariston and Ging want in on the action, but for totally different reasons. The interplay between them is one of the most interesting parts of the book. We get a look at how messed up Pariston's mind truly is (as if we didn't know), and we get to see Ging in action! His great power has been alluded to for much of the series, but rarely seen. Spoiler: He's really strong! 

Elsewhere, Kurapika also finds his own stake in this journey when he learns of the last holder of the Crimson Eyes, the eyes his clan was killed for. It's the fourth Prince of Kakin, Tserriednich, who will also be traveling onboard the expedition. The Zodiacs are willing to lend Kurapika a measure of support in exchange for the use of his help getting a read on possible spies within the Association. With Beyond's scheming and the circles of power orbiting the Kakin, they will all need each others' support very soon...

There's not a lot of action in this volume, but tons of lore and a LOT of plot advancement. Which, given how long it's been, is a pretty sweet deal. There are even a few quick bits of action peppered to keep things interesting too. And the art is amazing. It's detailed to the point of insanity at times. There's one spread of the massive monsters of the Dark Continent that will absolutely floor you. Togashi Sensei shows off some of his best art yet. 

The Dark Continent is shaping up to be another intense arc in one of Weekly Shonen Jump's most fascinating series. 

Hunter x Hunter Vol. 33 by Yoshihiro Togashi is available here.

by Chris Turner