Hunter x Hunter Watch Order & Filler List: Ultimate Guide
Hunter x Hunter (HxH), created by the legendary Yoshihiro Togashi, is widely celebrated as one of the greatest shonen anime of all time. Known for its complex power system (Nen), subversion of traditional anime tropes, and incredibly dark story arcs, it is a masterpiece that every anime fan must experience.
However, getting started with the series can be surprisingly confusing for new viewers. The franchise has two entirely different anime adaptations (the classic 1999 series and the modern 2011 reboot), two theatrical movies, and a handful of filler episodes. Fans constantly flood forums asking: “Should I watch the 1999 or 2011 version?” and “Are the Hunter x Hunter movies canon?”
To help you pass the Hunter Exam and begin your journey, we have created the most comprehensive episode guide available. We will provide the definitive Hunter x Hunter chronological watch order, settle the 1999 vs. 2011 debate once and for all, and give you a master list of which filler episodes you can skip. Before you set out to find Ging Freecss, check out our about us page, or explore more anime watch orders on our site.
- Watch on Crunchyroll (Full 2011 Series)
- Watch on Hulu (Full 2011 Series – US Only)
- Watch on Netflix (Available in select international regions)
The 1999 vs. 2011 Debate: Which Should You Watch?
Before looking at the watch order, you must choose your starting point. The 1999 adaptation by Nippon Animation is beloved for its dark, cel-shaded aesthetic and slower pacing. However, because the manga went on a massive hiatus, the 1999 anime ends abruptly at the Greed Island arc.
We highly recommend watching the 2011 Reboot by Studio Madhouse. The 2011 version is not a sequel; it starts from the very beginning of the manga, features incredible modern animation, has zero filler pacing issues, and covers two massive, critically acclaimed story arcs that the 1999 version never reached (the Chimera Ant Arc and the Election Arc).
*Pro Tip: Watch Episode 1 of the 1999 series, and then switch to the 2011 series. The 1999 premiere introduces a crucial character named Kite much better than the 2011 premiere does.
The Complete Hunter x Hunter Chronological Watch Order (2011 Series)
If you are watching the definitive 2011 Madhouse adaptation, the timeline is very straightforward. The only complication comes from deciding where to place the two theatrical movies. Here is the ultimate chronological viewing path:
- Hunter x Hunter (2011) – Watch Episodes 1–58
- Movie 1: Phantom Rouge (Released: January 12, 2013) – Watch after the Yorknew City Arc.
- Hunter x Hunter (2011) – Watch Episodes 59–75
- Movie 2: The Last Mission (Released: December 27, 2013) – Watch after the Greed Island Arc.
- Hunter x Hunter (2011) – Watch Episodes 76–148
Franchise Canon vs. Filler Breakdown
One of the greatest strengths of the 2011 Hunter x Hunter adaptation is its pacing. Studio Madhouse expertly adapted Togashi’s manga without needing to invent long, tedious filler arcs to buy time. Out of 148 episodes, there are only two recap episodes in the entire run.
| Series Version | Total Episodes | Manga Canon | Filler / Recaps | Filler Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunter x Hunter (1999) | 62 (+ 30 OVAs) | 87 | 5 | ~5% |
| Hunter x Hunter (2011) | 148 | 146 | 2 | ~1% |
Detailed Canon and Filler Episode Guide (2011 Version)
Use the expandable accordions below to read a spoiler-free summary of each major story arc, complete with our official verdict on which specific recap episodes you can skip to save time.
1. Hunter Exam Arc (Episodes 1–21)
- Status: 100% Canon (Episode 13 is a Recap)
- Summary: Twelve-year-old Gon Freecss leaves his home on Whale Island to take the grueling and deadly Hunter Exam. He hopes that by becoming a licensed Hunter, he will finally understand why his father abandoned him to pursue the profession. Along the way, he befriends Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio.
- Verdict: MUST WATCH (Skip Episode 13, which is simply a recap of the first phase of the exam).
2. Zoldyck Family & Heavens Arena Arcs (Episodes 22–36)
- Status: 100% Canon (Episode 26 is a Recap)
- Summary: Following the exam, Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio travel to the perilous Kukuroo Mountain to rescue Killua from his family of deadly assassins. Afterward, Gon and Killua travel to Heavens Arena to train and earn money, where they are introduced to the true power system of the series: Nen.
- Verdict: MUST WATCH (Skip Episode 26, which is a recap letter written from Gon to his Aunt Mito).
3. Yorknew City Arc (Episodes 37–58)
- Status: 100% Canon
- Summary: The four friends reunite in the bustling metropolis of Yorknew City for the world’s largest underground mafia auction. The tone of the series shifts drastically into a dark crime thriller as Kurapika seeks lethal revenge against the Phantom Troupe, a group of A-class bounties who massacred his clan.
- Verdict: MUST WATCH (Widely considered one of the greatest arcs in shonen history).
- Movie Placement: Watch the Phantom Rouge movie after completing this arc, as it heavily features Kurapika and the Phantom Troupe.
4. Greed Island Arc (Episodes 59–75)
- Status: 100% Canon
- Summary: Gon and Killua enter “Greed Island,” a deadly, real-world video game created by Gon’s father. They must master advanced Nen techniques under the tutelage of Biscuit Krueger while competing against ruthless players who murder for trading cards.
- Verdict: MUST WATCH
- Movie Placement: Watch The Last Mission movie after completing this arc.
5. Chimera Ant Arc (Episodes 76–136)
- Status: 100% Canon
- Summary: A terrifying, invasive species known as Chimera Ants begins eating humans and evolving at a terrifying rate. When the Ant King Meruem is born, the top Hunters in the world must launch a desperate, suicidal infiltration mission to prevent the extinction of the human race.
- Verdict: MUST WATCH (This massive, 60-episode arc is the crown jewel of the 2011 reboot. It features unparalleled character development and psychological depth).
6. 13th Hunter Chairman Election Arc (Episodes 137–148)
- Status: 100% Canon
- Summary: In the aftermath of the devastating Chimera Ant extermination mission, the Hunter Association is left without a leader. A high-stakes political election is called, bringing Gon’s father, Ging, out of hiding. Meanwhile, Killua risks his life to save his mysterious younger sibling, Alluka.
- Verdict: MUST WATCH (The satisfying, emotional conclusion to the anime series).
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Hunter x Hunter movies canon?
No, the movies are non-canon. Phantom Rouge and The Last Mission were produced by Studio Madhouse to capitalize on the popularity of the 2011 anime. While Phantom Rouge features a flashback detailing Kurapika’s past that was drafted by creator Yoshihiro Togashi, the main events of both films take place in alternate timelines and have no bearing on the main story.
Is the Hunter x Hunter anime over?
The 2011 anime concludes at Episode 148, which perfectly wraps up Gon’s personal journey. However, the manga continues past this point into the “Dark Continent Expedition” and “Succession Contest” arcs. Because of the author’s health issues, the manga goes on frequent hiatuses, so there is currently not enough source material to justify animating a new season.
Why did the 1999 version have 30 OVAs?
When the 1999 TV anime caught up to the manga at the end of the Yorknew City arc, the television broadcast was cancelled. As Togashi slowly released more chapters, the animation studio released direct-to-video OVAs (Original Video Animations) to cover the Greed Island arc in batches. The 2011 version integrates all of this seamlessly into a single TV run.