The Hunter x Hunter 2011 anime has many arcs (six to be exact), in this article I’ll be personally ranking the best arcs in Hunter x Hunter anime. It is one of the most well-known anime and manga for casual and hardcore fans. Some others being Naruto and Demon Slayer.
Brief on Hunter x Hunter
Hunter x Hunter is a well-known manga and anime created by Yoshihiro Togashi. The manga has been serialized since 1998, but has gone on many hiatuses throughout the years.
There are actually two ‘versions’ of the anime. One released in 1999 and one in 2011. They are the same story, but the 1999 version ended early due to there not being enough manga content at the time. The 2011 anime restarts the story instead of continuing to ‘more accurately’ follow the source content.
Synopsis
Gon Freecss is a young boy living on Whale Island. He learns from “Hunter” Kite, that his father, whom he was told was dead, is still alive somewhere as a top “Hunter,” risking his life to seek unknown items, such as hidden treasures, curiosa, unfamiliar living creatures, etc. Gon decides to become a professional Hunter and leaves the island.
To become a Hunter, he must pass the Hunter Examination, where he meets and befriends three other applicants: Kurapika, Leorio and Killua. Can Gon pass this formidable hurdle, the Hunter Examination, to become “the Best Hunter in the World” and eventually meet his father?
Synopsis from Madhouse
Hunter x Hunter Anime Trailer
Ranking the Best Hunter x Hunter Arcs
6. Greed Island Arc
Episodes 59 – 75
Quick Recap: Gon and Killua get to play the Greed Island game thanks to a billionaire. They get trained by Bisky, a master of Nen.
I wasn’t a big fan of this arc. As a video game enjoyer myself, the game didn’t feel like a ‘video game’, if that makes sense. This could be due to the source material being written many years ago. Video games have evolved fast throughout the years.
My favorite thing coming from this arc was the introduction to Bisky and the dodgeball game. This is probably everyone’s favorite scene from this arc. Togashi made something very simple like dodgeball become intense and interesting with the use of Nen.
5. 13th Hunter Chairman Election Arc
Episodes 137 – 148
Quick Recap: Netero the Hunter Chairman passes away. A new chairman is required, so there is an election being held. Gon’s father, Ging, is leading the election. Alongside this story is Killua trying to revive Gon, as he has massive injuries from the Chimera Ant arc, using Alluka’s powers.
From my memory I think this was the on screen introduction of the Zodiacs. This arc also had a lot of screen time for Ging and Leorio.
I think the other story with Killua and Alluka was more interesting. However, the rules and conditions that were required for Alluka’s powers were complicated, from what I remember. I don’t remember them specifically, but I remember there were a lot. I also liked getting to know more about the Zoldyck family.
For anime only watchers, we do get a teaser of sort with the dark continent being mentioned. Maybe later on Madhouse will adapt the next manga arcs.
4. Heaven’s Arena Arc
Episodes 27 – 36
Quick Recap: Gon and Killua learn about nen from Master Wing. They learn their nen type and move their way up Heavens Arena.
Learning about Nen alongside Gon and Killua was as difficult for me as it was for them. However all the fight scenes were hype. Gon and Killua getting stronger and understanding their untapped potential was cool to see.
3. Yorknew City Arc
Episodes 37 – 58
Quick Recap: Gon, Killua, Kurapika and Leorio reunite in Yorknew City for the largest auction in the world. They try to make money to buy Greed Island, a video game that could help Gon locate his father. The group also gets familiar with the Phantom Troupe.
The introduction to the Phantom Troupe is one of the best things in the anime. They are a bunch of cool villains. Probably one of the best villain groups in anime.
2. Hunter Exam Arc
Episodes 1 – 26
Quick Recap: Gon leaves home to follow his father’s footsteps and he takes the Hunter Exam. He makes new friends Killua, Leorio and Kurapika. At the end of the exam they go their separate ways.
The introduction to the entire story. I loved getting to know the main characters, their strengths and weaknesses, and their potential. I think this Hunter Exam was a perfect way to introduce an audience to a battle shonen.
The start of the friendship between Gon and Killua was cute to see as well. Seeing the group ‘save’ Killua introduced the audience to the Zoldyck family. Even if they’ve only known each other for a couple days they went above and beyond to save Killua.
The most memorable scene for me is when Killua killed that prisoner.
1. Chimera Ant Arc
Episodes 76 – 136
Quick Recap: After leaving Greed Island, Gon, Killua and Kite are hired to investigate an insect leg. It washed up on a beach.
They find out it belongs to a Chimera Ant Queen. The population is wiped and they spawn hundreds of Chimera Ant offspring. The group arrives to stop them.
Some people may say that the Chimera Ant Arc is way too long. I do agree that this arc is way too long. In the latter part of the arc, a couple of minutes in the anime world spans a couple of episodes which is wild. However the story and the fight scenes make up for it twofold.
Seeing Killua’s Godspeed and Gon’s adult form for the first time was so memorable. Also the team killing all the Chimera Ants that made them suffer was so rewarding. They trained a bunch to be able to kill them.
