Hunter x Hunter: 1999 or 2011, Which Version Should You Watch?
In short: Watch the 2011 version. Madhouse's 148 episodes adapt the manga from the start through the Election arc, including the Chimera Ant arc that the 1999 version never reached. The 1999 version (62 episodes plus 30 OVA episodes) is worth a look later for its moodier atmosphere, especially in the early arcs, but it isn't the place to start.
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Nippon Animation's 1999 anime ran while Yoshihiro Togashi's manga was still young, so it ended at the Yorknew City arc after 62 episodes, then continued in OVA episodes through Greed Island. In 2011, Madhouse started again from the beginning with a new adaptation that went much further.
Why 2011 is the one to watch
- It goes further. The Chimera Ant arc, the series' most acclaimed, and the Election arc are only in the 2011 version.
- It's faster. It moves through the early arcs briskly and has almost no filler.
- It looks better. Brighter and sharper, with fights that build the tactical Nen power system clearly.
What the 1999 version does better
Its early arcs are darker and moodier, with a jazzier score and more time for characters in the Hunter Exam and Yorknew City. Some fans prefer its Yorknew arc in particular. It's a good rewatch once you love the story, not a replacement.
Arcs in the 2011 series
- Hunter Exam (episodes 1 to 21)
- Zoldyck Family (22 to 26)
- Heavens Arena (27 to 36)
- Yorknew City (37 to 58)
- Greed Island (59 to 75)
- Chimera Ant (76 to 136)
- Election (137 to 148)
After the anime
The 2011 series ends cleanly at a natural stopping point. The manga continues with the Dark Continent Expedition and Succession War arcs, released slowly because of Togashi's back problems, in batches since 2022.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the 2011 Hunter x Hunter end in the manga? At the end of the Election arc, around chapter 339. To continue, start the manga from the Dark Continent Expedition arc.
Is the Hunter x Hunter manga finished? No. Yoshihiro Togashi's health has caused long hiatuses, but he has released new chapters in batches since 2022.
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