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Hunter x Hunter Watch Order in the correct order

How to watch Hunter x Hunter in order, including the 1999 series, 2011 remake, and OVAs

Last updated: July 12 2026

Written by: ChronoChris

Hunter x Hunter is a masterpiece of the shonen genre, following young Gon Freecss as he becomes a Hunter to find his legendary father. With two anime adaptations and a complex, layered story, here's how to experience it in the best possible order.

Created by Yoshihiro Togashi, Hunter x Hunter follows Gon Freecss, a boy who discovers his absent father is a world-renowned Hunter — an elite individual licensed to pursue rare treasures, exotic creatures, and dangerous criminals. Gon sets out to become a Hunter himself and find his father. The series is praised for its intricate power system (Nen), morally complex characters, and story arcs that genuinely subvert shonen expectations. There are two anime adaptations: the original 1999 series and the 2011 remake by Madhouse, which most fans consider the definitive version.

🕐 Release Order

In release order, you encounter the original 1999 adaptation first, followed by its OVAs, and then the 2011 remake, which covers all the same arcs plus additional ones the original never reached.

  1. Hunter x Hunter (1999) — Episodes 1–62
  2. Hunter x Hunter: OVA (2002) — Episodes 1–8
  3. Hunter x Hunter: OVA 2 — Greed Island (2003) — Episodes 1–8
  4. Hunter x Hunter: OVA 3 — Greed Island Final (2004) — Episodes 1–14
  5. Hunter x Hunter (2011) — Episodes 1–148
  6. Hunter x Hunter: Phantom Rouge (film, 2013)
  7. Hunter x Hunter: The Last Mission (film, 2013)

Most viewers today start directly with the 2011 remake, which is considered superior in animation, pacing, and scope — and it covers everything the original did plus the critically acclaimed Chimera Ant and 13th Chairman Election arcs.

📖 Story Chronology

The story of Hunter x Hunter is told in linear fashion. The 2011 remake is the complete, recommended version and covers the full story in chronological order.

  1. Hunter x Hunter (2011) Episodes 1–148 — the full story in order
  2. Hunter x Hunter: Phantom Rouge (2013) — side story
  3. Hunter x Hunter: The Last Mission (2013) — side story

Which Order Should You Choose?

Skip the 1999 series entirely and watch the 2011 remake — it is the definitive Hunter x Hunter experience with significantly better animation and complete story coverage. The 2011 version covers all 148 episodes of adapted manga content, ending with the Chimera Ant arc and the 13th Chairman Election arc. The two films are entertaining side stories but are non-canon; watch them after completing the 2011 series if you want more. Manga readers will know the story extends beyond the anime, but the 2011 anime is the best place to start.

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