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how to watch hunter x hunter in order

You can watch Hunter x Hunter in order pretty simply once you decide two things:

  1. whether you care about the 1999 version or just the 2011 reboot, and
  2. whether you want to include the two non‑canon movies.

Below is a friendly, SEO‑tuned guide that keeps to the how to watch hunter x hunter in order focus while also touching “latest news”, “forum discussion”, and “trending topic” angles.

How to Watch Hunter x Hunter in Order

Hunter x Hunter has two main anime versions (1999 and 2011), plus OVAs and two movies, which makes the how to watch hunter x hunter in order question super common in anime forums and watch‑order debates.

Most fans today start with the 2011 series because it has modern animation and covers more of the manga, but some still recommend watching at least the 1999 Phantom Troupe material first for its darker tone.

Best Simple Watch Order (2011 Only)

If you just want the clean, modern experience, follow this 2011‑only watch order.

  1. Hunter x Hunter (2011) episodes 1–26 – Hunter Exam arc.
  1. Episodes 27–38 – Heavens Arena arc.
  1. Episodes 39–58 – Yorknew City / Phantom Troupe arc.
  1. Episodes 59–75 – Greed Island arc.
  1. Episodes 76–136 – Chimera Ant arc.
  1. Episodes 137–148 – 13th Hunter Chairman Election arc.

Movies (optional, non‑canon but fun):

  • Hunter x Hunter: Phantom Rouge – Slot it after episode 58 if you want it roughly where most guides place it in the timeline.
  • Hunter x Hunter: The Last Mission – Commonly watched during or after early Chimera Ant (around episodes 76–110) or simply after you finish the series.

Key points:

  • The 2011 anime adapts the story straight through to the Election arc in chronological order, so there’s no tricky jumping around.
  • Both movies are side stories that do not affect canon, so you can watch them whenever you like or skip them entirely.

1999 + 2011 “Completionist” Watch Order

If you want to see everything animated for Hunter x Hunter (1999 series, OVAs, and 2011 reboot) in a way many watch‑order guides and long YouTube breakdowns recommend, this is the fuller route.

Step 1: Hunter x Hunter (1999) + OVAs

1999 TV series and OVAs cover from Hunter Exam through Greed Island Final.

  1. Hunter x Hunter (1999) episodes 1–31 – Hunter Exam arc.
  1. Episodes 32–36 – Zoldyck Family arc.
  1. Episodes 37–44 – Heavens Arena arc.
  1. Episodes 45–62 – Yorknew City / Phantom Troupe arc.
  1. Hunter x Hunter: Spider OVA episodes 1–8 – Continuation of Phantom Troupe storyline.
  1. Hunter x Hunter: Greed Island OVA episodes 1–8.
  1. Hunter x Hunter: Greed Island Final OVA episodes 1–14.

Many “right order” videos suggest finishing this 1999+OVA run first so you experience its atmosphere and soundtrack before moving into the crisper 2011 adaptation.

Step 2: Hunter x Hunter (2011) + Movies

After that, you can watch the 2011 series for a smoother, more complete run that continues past Greed Island.

A popular completionist order:

  1. Hunter x Hunter (2011) episodes 1–61 – Through Yorknew and early Greed Island.
  1. Movie – Hunter x Hunter: Phantom Rouge.
  1. Episodes 62–110 – Finish Greed Island and get well into Chimera Ant.
  1. Movie – Hunter x Hunter: The Last Mission.
  1. Episodes 111–148 – Finish Chimera Ant and then the Election arc.

This overlaps stories you already saw in 1999, but many fans enjoy comparing the two interpretations of key arcs and characters.

2011 vs 1999 at a Glance

[1][7] [9][5][1] [3][7] [9][1] [10][1] [5][1] [1] [9][1] [3][7] [5][9][1]
Aspect 1999 + OVAs 2011 series
Story coverage From Hunter Exam through Greed Island Final, stopping before Chimera Ant. From Hunter Exam through Election arc (end of current anime story).
Tone Often described as darker and moodier, especially in Yorknew/Phantom Troupe material. More consistent shounen pacing, brighter look, but still brutal during Chimera Ant.
Visual style Late‑90s/early‑2000s aesthetic and color palette. Modern HD art and animation from 2011–2014.
Where it stops vs manga Stops well before later arcs like Dark Continent. Stops after Election; manga continues with Dark Continent and Succession Contest.
Good for new viewers? Great if you love older anime style or are curious about alternate takes. Most guides recommend this as the primary “how to watch Hunter x Hunter in order” path.

Forum & Trending Talk (Spoiler‑Light)

Because Hunter x Hunter has been on hiatus multiple times and the anime ends before the manga’s latest arcs, there is constant forum discussion and “will it ever finish?” speculation.

Recent “latest news” and think‑pieces point out that the manga has inched forward but no new anime season has been announced, so most watch‑order guides still treat episode 148 as the logical stopping point.

On Reddit and other boards, the usual viewpoints look like this:

  • Start with 2011 only if you want the least confusion and the best pacing.
  • Add the 1999 version later if you fall in love with the series and want more of the Phantom Troupe in a different style.
  • Movies are “nice to have, not must‑watch” since they don’t change the core plot.

What to Do After Finishing the Anime

Once you hit episode 148, the story continues only in the manga for now.

  • To continue right after the anime, most guides say to start the manga around chapter 339, where the Dark Continent Expedition arc begins.
  • With no confirmed new season as of mid‑2020s, many fans read ahead while hoping for a future adaptation when production is feasible and the manga has more stable output.

TL;DR:
For most people asking how to watch Hunter x Hunter in order , the clean route is: 2011 episodes 1–148, with Phantom Rouge and The Last Mission as optional side movies.

Meta description (SEO):
Looking for how to watch Hunter x Hunter in order? This guide covers the best 2011‑only order, the full 1999 + OVA path, movie placement, and what to do after episode 148.

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