Hunter x Hunter Watch Order (2026): 2011 vs 1999 & Filler List
Hunter x Hunter has two anime, three OVA series, two films, and a manga that keeps pausing, so the Hunter x Hunter watch order confuses almost every newcomer. The short version: watch the 2011 anime. Its 148 episodes adapt Gon's story faithfully from the Hunter Exam through the Election arc, with only two skippable filler episodes. The older 1999 anime and its OVAs stop partway, at the Greed Island arc, and were never finished. This guide lays out the full 2011 episode order arc by arc, flags the exact filler, compares 2011 versus 1999, points you to where the series streams in 2026, and shows where the manga picks up after the anime, including the chapters Yoshihiro Togashi released in mid-2026 before going back on hiatus.
Hunter x Hunter watch order at a glance
There is really only one recommended path, plus a couple of optional detours. Pick your goal from the table below and follow that row. The rest of this guide explains each choice in detail.
| Your goal | Watch this | Length |
|---|---|---|
| First time, want the best version | 2011 anime (Madhouse) | 148 episodes |
| Skip everything non-essential | 2011 anime, minus episodes 13 and 26 | 146 episodes |
| Curious about the older adaptation | 1999 anime + OVAs | 62 TV + 30 OVA |
| Caught up and want more story | Manga from chapter 340 | ongoing |
Binge-watching and eyeing a Gon or Killua shelf while you go? Akibato ships anime figures from Japan worldwide, so you can browse the in-stock figure collection as you work through the arcs.
The 2011 anime: all 148 episodes by arc
The 2011 series, produced by Madhouse, aired on Nippon TV from October 2, 2011 to September 24, 2014. It runs in six arcs and follows the manga closely. Watch them in this order, which is simply episode 1 through episode 148.
| Arc | Episodes | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Hunter Exam | 1–26 | Gon sets out to become a Hunter and meets Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio. |
| Heavens Arena | 27–38 | Gon and Killua train in Nen at a fighting tower. |
| Yorknew City (Phantom Troupe) | 39–58 | Kurapika hunts the thieves who wiped out his clan. |
| Greed Island | 59–75 | Gon and Killua enter a deadly video-game world to find Gon's father. |
| Chimera Ant | 76–136 | The series' darkest arc, and the reason many fans call it a masterpiece. |
| Election (13th Hunter Chairman) | 137–148 | The fallout after Chimera Ant and the vote for a new Hunter Association chairman. |
How long is the 2011 anime?
At roughly 23 minutes per episode, 148 episodes is about 57 hours of viewing. There are no recap movies you need to watch between arcs, and the story flows straight through, so you can treat it as one continuous binge.
Filler episodes you can skip in Hunter x Hunter
The 2011 anime is one of the most faithful shonen adaptations ever made: only two of its 148 episodes are pure anime-original filler, a filler rate near one percent. Everything else advances the canon story.
- Episode 13 — a reflective side story right after the Hunter Exam material.
- Episode 26 — a slow-paced interlude before the Heavens Arena arc begins.
Neither episode changes the plot, so skip them if you want a lean run. This is a far cleaner situation than long-runners like Naruto, whose filler list is much longer, or One Piece.
2011 vs 1999: which Hunter x Hunter should you watch?
This is the question that trips up most beginners. There are two full TV adaptations, made twelve years apart, and they do not cover the same amount of story.
| 2011 (Madhouse) | 1999 (Nippon Animation) | |
|---|---|---|
| Episodes | 148 | 62 TV + 30 OVA |
| Story covered | Through the Election arc (manga ch. 339) | Only up to Greed Island; never finished |
| Filler | 2 episodes | More, plus pacing and tone changes |
| Availability in 2026 | Streaming (see below) | Harder to find legally |
The verdict: watch the 2011 version. It tells the complete adapted story, it is easy to stream, and it stays close to the manga. The 1999 anime has a darker, moodier atmosphere that some longtime fans prefer, but it stops less than halfway through the story, so it is a detour, not a starting point.
What the 1999 anime and OVAs actually cover
The original adaptation was produced by Nippon Animation and aired on Fuji Television from October 1999 to March 2001, running 62 TV episodes. Three OVA series continued it afterward:
- Hunter x Hunter OVA — 8 episodes (2002), continuing the Yorknew City story.
- Hunter x Hunter: Greed Island — 8 episodes (2003).
- Hunter x Hunter: G.I. Final — 14 episodes (2004).
Together the 1999 TV run and its OVAs adapt the manga only through the Greed Island arc and stop before the Chimera Ant storyline. Because it was never completed, the 1999 line leaves the biggest arcs untold. That is the practical reason the 2011 remake is the default recommendation today.
Where do the two Hunter x Hunter films fit?
There are two theatrical films, Phantom Rouge (2013) and The Last Mission (2013), both tied to the 2011 anime cast. They are original stand-alone stories rather than adaptations of the manga, so they are entirely optional. If you enjoy the characters, watch them after you have finished the main series; skipping them costs you nothing in the core plot.
Where to watch Hunter x Hunter in 2026
The 2011 anime is easy to stream in the United States as of September 2026, with all 148 episodes available on multiple services. Availability shifts over time and by region, so confirm on JustWatch before you start.
| Platform (US) | Notes |
|---|---|
| Netflix | All 148 episodes, subbed and dubbed |
| Hulu | All 148 episodes |
| Tubi | Free, ad-supported |
One important change: Hunter x Hunter left Crunchyroll's US catalog on March 25, 2026, so it is no longer streaming there. Fans in other regions should check local listings, since rights differ by country.
After the anime: where to start the Hunter x Hunter manga
The 2011 anime stops at the end of the Election arc, which corresponds to manga chapter 339. To continue the story exactly where episode 148 leaves off, start reading from chapter 340, the opening of the Dark Continent Expedition and the Succession War arc aboard the Black Whale, which shifts focus toward Kurapika and the Zodiacs.
The manga stands at 39 volumes as of July 2026. After nearly two years of silence, Yoshihiro Togashi released chapters 411 through 420 between June 29 and September 7, 2026, then paused serialization again. Because of Togashi's ongoing health issues, the series no longer runs on a standard weekly schedule, and no new anime adaptation of these later arcs has been announced. For now, the manga is the only way to read past the 2011 anime.
Hunter x Hunter watch order FAQ
Do I need to watch the 1999 anime first?
No. The 2011 anime retells the same story from the beginning and goes much further, so you can start there with no prior viewing.
Should I skip the filler in Hunter x Hunter?
Only episodes 13 and 26 are pure filler, and both are harmless. Skip them for a leaner run or watch them for extra character moments; nothing important is lost either way.
Is Hunter x Hunter finished?
The anime is not; it ended in 2014 at the Election arc. The manga is ongoing but frequently on hiatus, most recently returning briefly in mid-2026.
Where does the 2011 anime stop in the manga?
At the end of the Election arc, manga chapter 339. Readers continue from chapter 340.
Is Hunter x Hunter on Crunchyroll?
Not in the US anymore. It was removed from Crunchyroll on March 25, 2026, and is now on Netflix, Hulu, and Tubi instead.
How many episodes does Hunter x Hunter have?
The 2011 anime has 148 episodes. The 1999 anime has 62 TV episodes plus 30 OVA episodes.
The short version
- Watch the 2011 anime: 148 episodes, episodes 1 through 148 in order.
- The only pure filler is episodes 13 and 26 — optional to skip.
- Choose 2011 over 1999, which stops unfinished at the Greed Island arc.
- Stream it on Netflix, Hulu, or Tubi in the US; it left Crunchyroll in March 2026.
- After the anime, continue the manga from chapter 340.
If finishing the binge leaves you wanting Gon, Killua, Hisoka, or a Phantom Troupe piece on the shelf, Akibato ships anime figures and Ichiban Kuji prizes from Japan worldwide — browse the figure collection here. Prefer a debate over what to watch next? Our Tokyo Ghoul watch order covers a series where skipping a season actually is up for argument.