Hunter X Hunter watch order: How to watch the anime and movies

Anime fans understand that following the correct Hunter X Hunter watch order is very important because the movies add a special touch to what is already a special series. In fact, Hunter X Hunter is arguably one of the finest anime series out there, with several amazing characters and arcs, which is why most fans are always looking for a lot more content to enjoy.

In this regard, the two movies that came out in the mid-2010s were a nice complement to the overall story, but people have often found it confusing as to what the correct Hunter X Hunter watch order is.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the Hunter X Hunter series.

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The Hunter X Hunter watch order for the anime and the movies

1. The 2011 anime adaptation

The 2011 anime adaptation is a masterpiece (Image via Madhouse).

The 2011 anime offers the right way to begin with the series and is the first item in the Hunter X Hunter watch order. It’s the easiest path for a lot of people, and it will offer the viewer a deeper understanding of who the characters are, their motivations, the world around them, and so on, thereby making the movies a lot more enjoyable.

Gon Freecs is a happy-go-lucky boy who wants to become a Hunter, just like his father, and meet him after he left many years ago. As he decides to take the Hunter Exam, he meets other candidates, Kurapika, Leorio, and Killua, who would become his friends during this adventure. As they embark on their journey, a number of other enemies and adversities await them.

The beauty of Hunter X Hunter is that author Yoshiro Togashi took a lot of classic tropes from shonen manga and anime and gave them several twists and subversion that has turned this series into a masterpiece. Hunter X Hunter initially seems like the most cliché shonen series of all time, but it slowly turns into something a lot more complex and exciting.

In the Hunter X Hunter watch order, the anime is the best way to begin (Image via Madhouse).

In the Hunter X Hunter watch order, the anime is the best starting point as it will give the first-time viewer the motivation to watch the rest of the content that is out there accompanying the series.

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2. Hunter X Hunter: Phantom Rouge

Phantom Rouge deals a bit more with the character of Kurapika (Image via Madhouse).

Kurapika’s entire motivation to become a Hunter was to be strong enough to defeat the Phantom Troupe, a powerful group of terrorists that massacred his loved ones, the Kurta Clan, and who are one of the main antagonists of the series. During the events of the Phantom Rouge film, Kurapika’s scarlet eyes, so coveted in the entire world, are stolen, and Gon and Killua decide to aid him in this quest.

While this movie is not canon, it does add depth to Kurapika’s past and his motivations, which is something that a lot of fans enjoy. Plus, Kurapika doesn’t show up much in the anime after Yorknew, so this is perfect for people who want more content from this character.

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3. The Last Mission

The final item in the Hunter X Hunter watch order is arguably one of the most interesting components of the entire franchise. While The Last Mission isn’t canon, much like Phantom Rouge, it does explore a bit of the history of the Hunter Association and everything it entails.

The film reveals the backstory about a group called Shadow, which was the black-ops of the Hunter Association, that was eventually sidelined, much to their dismay. They were moving and wanted to take down every single Hunter out there as a form of revenge. It is a very simple plot that explores the worldbuilding of the series, which is often much appreciated by new fans and first-time viewers of the series.

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Hunter X Hunter is one of the finest manga and anime series out there, with a lot of interesting characters, themes, arcs, and worldbuilding. Any chance to watch the anime and the movies should be relished as it is an experience that should be enjoyed at least once.