If you want to watch Hunter x Hunter without getting tangled in old adaptations, recap episodes, movies, OVAs, and non-canon side stories, this guide breaks down the best watch order from start to finish. We’ll cover the recommended viewing order, the 1999 vs 2011 question, which episodes you can skip, where the movies and OVAs fit, and where to check legal streaming options.
Hunter x Hunter follows Gon Freecss, a cheerful kid with alarming survival instincts, as he becomes a Hunter and searches for his father. Then the series keeps changing shape: exam survival story, tournament arc, crime thriller, game-world adventure, and one of shonen’s most brutal war arcs. Normal Tuesday for Yoshihiro Togashi.
Hunter x Hunter Watch Order: Quick Answer
- Hunter x Hunter (2011) — Episodes 1–58
- Hunter x Hunter: Phantom Rouge — Optional, non-canon movie after the Yorknew City arc
- Hunter x Hunter (2011) — Episodes 59–75
- Hunter x Hunter: The Last Mission — Optional, non-canon movie after Greed Island
- Hunter x Hunter (2011) — Episodes 76–148
If you only want the main story, watch the 2011 anime and skip episodes 13 and 26, which are recap episodes. The two movies are optional and non-canon. The 1999 anime and its OVAs are worth watching later if you want a moodier alternate version of the early story, but they are not required before the 2011 version.
Hunter x Hunter Basics
Hunter x Hunter is based on Yoshihiro Togashi’s manga, which began in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1998. The story follows Gon, Killua, Kurapika, Leorio, and a growing cast of Hunters, criminals, assassins, monsters, and people who probably need several years of therapy.
The anime has two major versions. The 1999 TV anime by Nippon Animation ran for 62 episodes, then continued through OVA releases that adapted the Yorknew City continuation and Greed Island material. The 2011 reboot by Madhouse ran for 148 episodes from 2011 to 2014 and adapts the story farther, through the Chairman Election arc. For new viewers, the 2011 version is the cleanest starting point because it is complete as a single run and reaches much farther into the manga.
The Best Hunter x Hunter Watch Order
- Hunter x Hunter (2011) Episodes 1–21 — Hunter Exam arc
Watch. This introduces Gon, Killua, Kurapika, Leorio, Hisoka, and the basic Hunter world. Skip episode 13 if you do not need a recap. - Hunter x Hunter (2011) Episodes 22–26 — Zoldyck Family arc
Watch episodes 22–25. Episode 26 is another recap, so skip it unless you paused for a long time. - Hunter x Hunter (2011) Episodes 27–36 — Heavens Arena arc
Watch. This is where Nen becomes the series’ real power system. Do not skip it. - Hunter x Hunter (2011) Episodes 37–58 — Yorknew City arc
Watch. This is Kurapika’s major arc and one of the franchise’s strongest crime-thriller stretches. - Hunter x Hunter: Phantom Rouge — Optional / non-canon movie
Best watched after episode 58 if you want it. It uses Kurapika and Phantom Troupe material, but it does not affect the main anime story. - Hunter x Hunter (2011) Episodes 59–75 — Greed Island arc
Watch. This arc changes the format again and sets up the transition into the anime’s largest arc. - Hunter x Hunter: The Last Mission — Optional / non-canon movie
Best watched after episode 75. It is a side story connected to Hunter Association lore, not required canon. - Hunter x Hunter (2011) Episodes 76–136 — Chimera Ant arc
Watch. Long, heavy, and essential. This is the arc people argue about for decades. Usually a sign it did something right. - Hunter x Hunter (2011) Episodes 137–148 — Chairman Election arc
Watch. This is the final animated arc so far and the cleanest ending point for the 2011 anime.
Hunter x Hunter Release Order
- Hunter x Hunter — 1999 TV anime, 62 episodes
- Hunter x Hunter: Original Video Animation — 2002, 8 episodes
- Hunter x Hunter: Greed Island — 2003, 8 episodes
- Hunter x Hunter: Greed Island Final — 2004, 14 episodes
- Hunter x Hunter — 2011 reboot, 148 episodes
- Hunter x Hunter: Phantom Rouge — 2013 movie
- Hunter x Hunter: The Last Mission — 2013 movie
Release order is interesting for completionists, but it is not the best first-watch route. If you start with the 1999 anime, you still need the OVAs to reach Greed Island, and then you would need to switch to 2011 or the manga for later material. For most new viewers, start with 2011.
Hunter x Hunter Chronological Order
The 2011 chronological order is basically the same as the recommended order: Hunter Exam, Zoldyck Family, Heavens Arena, Yorknew City, Greed Island, Chimera Ant, and Chairman Election. The movies are side stories. If you include them, place Phantom Rouge after Yorknew City and The Last Mission after Greed Island, but do not treat either movie as required canon.
Should You Watch Hunter x Hunter 1999 or 2011 First?
Start with Hunter x Hunter (2011) if this is your first time. It has modern pacing, cleaner availability, consistent production, and adapts farther than the 1999 version. It also gives you a complete anime experience without forcing you to jump between the TV series and multiple OVA releases.
The 1999 anime is still worth watching later. It has a darker atmosphere, more early-character texture, and a distinct late-90s adventure tone. Some fans prefer its version of the Hunter Exam and Yorknew City material. The tradeoff is simple: it stops much earlier, and the full route requires the 2002–2004 OVAs. Treat 1999 as an alternate adaptation after 2011, not homework before 2011.
Is Hunter x Hunter Filler Heavy?
Hunter x Hunter (2011) has extremely low filler. Out of 148 episodes, the main skippable episodes are 13 and 26, both recap episodes. That gives the 2011 anime roughly a 1% filler rate, which is absurdly lean for a long shonen adaptation. Someone showed restraint. Rare.
Most episodes are manga canon, and even slower sections usually build character, rules, or arc structure. Be careful with “this episode feels slow, can I skip it?” instincts, especially during Chimera Ant. The pacing is deliberate, and skipping random episodes will make later payoffs weaker.
Hunter x Hunter Filler List: Episodes You Can Skip
| Episodes | Arc / Title | Type | Skip or Watch? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–12 | Hunter Exam opening stretch | Canon | Watch | Main cast introduction and exam setup. |
| 13 | Letter × From × Gon | Recap / Filler | Skip | Recaps the early exam material. |
| 14–25 | Hunter Exam ending and Zoldyck Family arc | Canon | Watch | Important character and family material. |
| 26 | Then × And × After | Recap / Filler | Skip | Another recap before Heavens Arena. |
| 27–58 | Heavens Arena and Yorknew City | Canon | Watch | Nen foundation and Kurapika’s main revenge arc. |
| 59–75 | Greed Island | Canon | Watch | Required bridge into the next major arc. |
| 76–136 | Chimera Ant | Canon | Watch | Long but essential. Do not skip based on pacing alone. |
| 137–148 | Chairman Election | Canon | Watch | Final animated arc and clean stopping point. |
Which Hunter x Hunter Filler Episodes Are Worth Watching?
For the 2011 anime, there is no must-watch filler. Episodes 13 and 26 are recaps, so they are only useful if you took a break and want a quick refresher. Otherwise, skip them and keep moving.
- Episode 13 — Optional recap: Fine if you want a quick summary of the early Hunter Exam episodes.
- Episode 26 — Optional recap: Useful only if you need a reset before the next training-heavy section.
- The movies — Optional side stories: Watch for more time with the cast, not for canon plot progression.
Where Do the Hunter x Hunter Movies, OVAs, and Specials Fit?
| Title | Type | Best Placement | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunter x Hunter: Phantom Rouge | Movie | After 2011 episode 58 | No | Non-canon side story with Kurapika and Phantom Troupe elements. |
| Hunter x Hunter: The Last Mission | Movie | After 2011 episode 75 | No | Non-canon Hunter Association side story. Watch before Chimera Ant if included. |
| Hunter x Hunter 2002 OVA | OVA sequel to 1999 anime | After 1999 episode 62 | Only for 1999 route | Continues Yorknew City for the old adaptation. |
| Greed Island and Greed Island Final | OVA sequels to 1999 anime | After the 2002 OVA | Only for 1999 route | Adapts Greed Island before the 2011 reboot existed. |
Where Can You Stream Hunter x Hunter?
Streaming availability changes by country and rotates more often than anyone wants. For current legal options, use JPBound’s updated guide: where to watch Hunter x Hunter online. If you are browsing more anime availability guides, start from the Where To Watch database.
This guide intentionally does not include a platform table because catalogs vary by region and date. Check the live streaming guide before subscribing to anything. Saves money. Occasionally saves rage.
Hunter x Hunter FAQ
Should I watch Hunter x Hunter 1999 before 2011?
No. New viewers should usually start with the 2011 anime. Watch the 1999 version later if you want a different take on the early arcs.
Is Hunter x Hunter 2011 a remake or sequel?
It is a reboot/remake, not a sequel. It starts from the beginning of the story and adapts farther than the 1999 anime.
Can I skip Hunter x Hunter episodes 13 and 26?
Yes. Both are recap episodes. They are safe to skip if you are watching continuously.
Are the Hunter x Hunter movies canon?
No. Phantom Rouge and The Last Mission are anime-original side stories. Watch them if you want extra material, but do not worry about them for the main plot.
Does Hunter x Hunter 2011 finish the manga?
No. The 2011 anime stops after the Chairman Election arc. The manga continues beyond that, though publication has had long hiatuses.
Recap
The best Hunter x Hunter watch order is simple: start with the 2011 anime, skip recap episodes 13 and 26, place Phantom Rouge after Yorknew City if you want the first movie, place The Last Mission after Greed Island if you want the second movie, then finish through episode 148. The 1999 anime is a great alternate version for later, but it is not required for the main route.
