Anime · in order
Hunter x Hunter Watch Order
Start with the 2011 anime — it adapts Yoshihiro Togashi's manga more fully and further than the 1999 version. The two films are non-canon side stories.
Hunter x Hunter Watch Order — complete list
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Why this order?
Hunter × Hunter has been adapted into anime twice, so "watch order" really means "which version to watch." Our default watch order recommends the 2011 series as your single entry point. It restarts the story from the very beginning, follows Yoshihiro Togashi's manga closely, and runs 148 episodes covering the Hunter Exam, Heavens Arena, Yorknew City, Greed Island, and the entire Chimera Ant and 13th Hunter Chairman Election arcs. For a newcomer it is the most complete and best-paced way to experience Gon's journey.
The choice between adaptations is the key gotcha. The 1999 anime is a respected, moodier production with a distinct visual style and score. Its 62-episode TV series stops partway through the Yorknew City / Phantom Troupe arc, and a set of OVAs (episodes 63–92) then finished Yorknew City and adapted the entire Greed Island arc. Even with the OVAs, the whole 1999 project ends just before the Chimera Ant arc, so it never reaches the material many fans consider the high point. That is why we point first-timers to 2011: you get the whole story in one continuous run without switching adaptations partway through.
The two theatrical films, Phantom Rouge (2013) and The Last Mission (2013), are original side stories that are not part of the manga's canon. They are produced alongside the 2011 anime and assume you already know the characters, so treat them as optional extras to watch after the series rather than steps in the main story. Nothing in them is required to understand the show.
If you enjoy Hunter × Hunter, Togashi's earlier hit YuYu Hakusho shares his sensibility, and shounen fans often pair it with Naruto or One Piece for similarly sprawling adventures.
Timeline 1999–2013
Every entry plotted by release year — see the gaps, clusters and revivals at a glance.
Where to play it today
Affiliate links (Bookshop.org for books, store links for games/films) slot in here.
Frequently asked questions
What order should I watch Hunter × Hunter in?
Watch the 2011 anime from episode 1 — it tells the whole story in one run. The two 2013 films are optional non-canon side stories best saved for after the series.
How many seasons and episodes are there?
The 2011 anime runs 148 episodes, commonly grouped by arc (Hunter Exam, Heavens Arena, Yorknew City, Greed Island, Chimera Ant, and the Election arc). The 1999 anime has 62 TV episodes plus OVAs (episodes 63–92).
Should I watch the 1999 or 2011 version?
For newcomers, watch 2011. It adapts more of the manga, including the entire Chimera Ant arc. The 1999 version is more limited: its 62-episode TV run ends partway through Yorknew City, and the OVAs continue through the end of Greed Island, so the whole 1999 project stops just before Chimera Ant. It does have its own distinct, moodier style.
Are the Hunter × Hunter movies canon?
No. Phantom Rouge and The Last Mission are original side stories not based on Togashi's manga. They are fun extras but not part of the main story.
Do I need to watch both anime adaptations?
No. They cover overlapping material, so pick one. The 2011 series is the recommended single watch; the 1999 version is for fans who want the older adaptation's take.
Where does the 2011 anime end compared to the manga?
It ends after the 13th Hunter Chairman Election arc. The manga continues past that point but has been on frequent hiatus, so no further arcs are animated yet.
Last updated · Sources: en.wikipedia.org, Wikidata
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