⚡ Quick Answer
For almost every viewer, the correct watch order is simple: Hunter x Hunter (2011), all 148 episodes, in order. This single series adapts the manga from the very beginning through the Chimera Ant and Election arcs, has almost no filler, and is the version every major streaming service carries. The original 1999 anime, its OVAs, and the two 2013 movies are all optional side content you can explore afterward — none of them are required to understand the story.
📋 Table of Contents
Hunter x Hunter has a reputation for being confusing to get into, mostly because it has two separate anime adaptations, a handful of OVAs, and two movies scattered across 25+ years.
The good news: once you know which version to pick, the actual watch order is one of the most straightforward in shonen anime.
Here’s exactly where to start, where everything else fits, and what you can safely skip.
Complete Watch Order Table
| # | Title | Year | Type | Required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hunter x Hunter (2011) | 2011–2014 | TV series, 148 episodes | ✅ Yes — start here |
| — | ↳ Hunter x Hunter: Phantom Rouge | 2013 | Movie | Optional, after Ep. 75 |
| — | ↳ Hunter x Hunter: The Last Mission | 2013 | Movie | Optional, after Ep. 148 |
| 2 | Hunter x Hunter (1999) | 1999–2001 | TV series, 62 episodes | Optional alternate version |
| 3 | Greed Island OVA | 2002 | OVA | Optional, continues 1999 |
| 4 | Greed Island Final OVA | 2003 | OVA | Optional, continues 1999 |
| 5 | Hunter x Hunter: G.I. Final / Phantom Troupe OVA | 2004 | OVA | Optional, continues 1999 |
✅ The Simple Version
Watch Hunter x Hunter (2011), episodes 1–148, straight through. That’s the entire requirement. Everything else on this list is a bonus for when you want more.
Hunter x Hunter (2011): Arc-by-Arc Breakdown
The 2011 series, produced by Madhouse, restarts the story from the very beginning rather than continuing from where the 1999 version left off. It’s organized into six story arcs, each functioning like its own self-contained season:
| Arc | Episodes (2011) | Manga Chapters |
|---|---|---|
| Hunter Exam | 1–21 | 1–38 |
| Heavens Arena | 27–36 | 44–63 |
| Yorknew City | 39–58 | 79–185 |
| Greed Island | 59–75 | (side material) |
| Chimera Ant | 76–136 | 186–318 |
| Election (13th Chairman) | 137–148 | 319–339 |
The Chimera Ant Arc, spanning episode 76 through 136, is the longest of the six and is widely regarded as one of the best arcs in anime history — it was never animated in the 1999 version because the manga simply hadn’t reached that point in the story yet.
Where Do the Movies Fit?
Both 2013 movies are non-canon side stories, meaning they don’t affect the main plot and were never written by series creator Yoshihiro Togashi.
You don’t strictly need to watch either one, but if you want to, here’s exactly where they fit:
- Phantom Rouge — set after the Yorknew City Arc, so watch it after Episode 75 if you want it placed correctly in the timeline.
- The Last Mission — set after the full 2011 series concludes, so it should be watched only after Episode 148.
Most viewers simply finish all 148 episodes first and watch both movies afterward as bonus content, which avoids any pacing disruption.
Should You Watch the 1999 Version Too?
The 1999 anime, produced by Nippon Animation, was the first adaptation and covers the same opening arcs as the 2011 series — Hunter Exam, Heavens Arena, and Yorknew City — before continuing into the Greed Island arc via three follow-up OVAs released between 2002 and 2004.
It stops there, never reaching the Chimera Ant or Election arcs, because the manga hadn’t caught up to that material yet.
🤔 Is It Worth Watching?
Only as a “second viewing” experience. The 1999 version has a darker, more atmospheric tone that some longtime fans prefer for the early arcs, and a small handful of unique character moments. But it’s also slower, has more filler than the 2011 version, and ultimately tells a less complete story since it stops at Greed Island. There’s no real need to watch it before the 2011 series — treat it as something to explore afterward if you fall in love with the franchise.
Is There Any Filler to Skip?
Hunter x Hunter (2011) has almost no filler — just two recap episodes that summarize previous events rather than adding new content, and these are commonly skipped without losing anything.
The 1999 version has noticeably more filler material by comparison, with around five episodes that depart from the manga, though many longtime fans consider them entertaining rather than disposable.
👉 Bottom Line
If you’re watching the 2011 series, you can watch straight through without worrying about filler at all — there’s essentially nothing to skip.
The Manga Is Finally Back in 2026
If you finish all 148 episodes and want to keep going, you’re in luck: after nearly two years without a new chapter, creator Yoshihiro Togashi’s Hunter x Hunter manga is officially resuming serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump, with Chapter 411 confirmed for release in the same week as this article.
The story will pick back up in the Succession War arc, which continues directly from where the 2011 anime’s final episode leaves off.
📰 What’s Confirmed Right Now
- Chapter 410 was the last released, back in December 2024, before the hiatus began.
- Togashi has confirmed chapters 411 through 420 are complete and publication-ready, with chapters up to 430 in advanced stages of inking as of April 2026.
- Volume 39, titled “Negotiation,” is scheduled for release in Japan on July 3, 2026.
- Shueisha has confirmed the manga will not return to a strict weekly schedule, instead publishing new chapters in batches as Togashi completes them, due to his ongoing chronic health issues.
No new anime season has been announced to adapt this material yet, but the manga’s return alone is the biggest Hunter x Hunter news in years.
Where to Watch Hunter x Hunter
- Hunter x Hunter (2011), all 148 episodes — Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu
- Phantom Rouge & The Last Mission — available to rent or buy on Crunchyroll, Vudu, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube, and Apple TV
- Hunter x Hunter (1999) & its OVAs — not currently available on any major Western streaming service; your best option is a physical Blu-ray/DVD release
Want to dig deeper into the franchise while you wait for new manga chapters? Check out our related Hunter x Hunter and anime coverage:
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- 12 Best Free Anime Sites in 2026
FAQs
What is the best order to watch Hunter x Hunter?
Watch Hunter x Hunter (2011), episodes 1 through 148, in order. This single series tells the complete story from the beginning through the Election Arc and is the version recommended for nearly all viewers.
Is Hunter x Hunter (2011) a sequel to the 1999 version?
No. The 2011 series is a full reboot that restarts the story from chapter one, rather than continuing from where the 1999 anime and its OVAs left off. You don’t need to watch the 1999 version first.
Do I need to watch the Hunter x Hunter movies?
No. Both Phantom Rouge and The Last Mission are non-canon side stories not written by series creator Yoshihiro Togashi. They’re worth watching as bonus content after finishing the main series, but skipping them loses you nothing important.
Why does the 1999 version stop earlier than the 2011 version?
Because of when each was made. By the time the 1999 anime and its OVAs caught up to the manga in 2004, the story hadn’t yet reached the Chimera Ant or Election arcs — those chapters weren’t published until years later, so only the 2011 reboot was able to adapt them.
Is the Hunter x Hunter manga still ongoing in 2026?
Yes. After a nearly two-year hiatus due to creator Yoshihiro Togashi’s chronic health issues, the manga is officially resuming in Weekly Shonen Jump, with Chapter 411 confirmed for release and Volume 39 scheduled for July 3, 2026 in Japan.
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