Hunter x Hunter (2011) is an anime adaptation of Yoshihiro Togashi’s popular manga, produced by Madhouse and directed by Hiroshi Kōjina. The series began airing on October 2, 2011, and reimagined the story from the very start, following Gon Freecss, a boy determined to become a Hunter like his missing father, Ging. Hunters are elite individuals skilled in locating rare treasures, exploring uncharted territories, and even tracking down dangerous criminals. Along the way, Gon befriends Killua, Leorio, and Kurapika, and together they embark on adventures filled with intense battles, heartfelt moments, and moral dilemmas.
One of the strongest points of Hunter x Hunter (2011) is its faithful adaptation of the manga. The anime contains almost no filler content, making it a rare gem among long-running shonen series. Every episode contributes meaningfully to the overarching story, so you won’t need to worry about skipping large arcs. That said, there are a couple of anime-original scenes or recap episodes, but these are minimal and do not interrupt the main narrative flow.
Skip only Episode 13 and Episode 26 — that’s the entire filler list for this 148-episode series. Bigger news: after years of on-and-off hiatus, the source manga actively resumed in June 2026, with creator Yoshihiro Togashi confirming he’s now working chapters ahead, the strongest sign of momentum the franchise has had in years.
What is Filler and Canon in Anime?
Canon Episode (Watch) : In anime, canon episodes are those that follow the original storyline from the manga or light novel — they are directly adapted from the source material and are essential to the main plot.
Filler Episode (Skip) : These episodes are anime-original content that does not appear in the manga. These episodes are often created to give the manga time to progress ahead of the anime, and while some fillers offer fun side stories or extra character moments, others can feel disconnected from the main narrative. Knowing which episodes are canon and which are filler helps viewers decide whether to watch everything or skip directly to the core storyline.
Hunter x Hunter (2011) Stats
- Total Episodes: 148
- First Air Date: October 2, 2011
- Last Air Date: September 24, 2014
- Filler Episodes: 13, 26 (This Anime has only 2 Fillers, the series is largely considered to be canon and closely follows the manga).
| Entry | Status |
|---|---|
| 2011 Anime | Ended 2014 at Episode 148, no new episodes since |
| Manga | Resumed June 2026, ongoing Succession Contest Arc |
| Nen x Survivor (game) | Released Feb 17, 2026, new original anime footage |
| New TV Anime | Not confirmed, unlikely soon |
Filler Episode Guide
Where the Story Picks Up: The Manga’s 2026 Comeback
The anime’s final episode, “Past × And × Future,” covers events that predate the manga’s ongoing Succession Contest Arc — a storyline that first began back in 2012 and has continued only sporadically since, defined by Togashi’s well-documented, health-related hiatuses. For much of the past several years, new chapters arrived rarely and unpredictably.
That changed meaningfully in 2026. After a roughly two-year gap, Hunter x Hunter resumed serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in late June 2026, with Volume 39 (“Negotiation”) releasing in Japan on July 3, 2026. What’s different this time is the pace and confidence behind the return: Togashi has posted regular updates on social media confirming he’s completed inking well beyond the currently published chapters.
As of mid-2026, he’d finished work up through roughly Chapter 432 while Chapter 411 onward was still being released to readers, giving the manga its largest completed backlog in years. Current reporting suggests this batch will run roughly ten chapters before another expected pause, consistent with Togashi’s established pattern, but the sheer size of the prepared backlog is being read as a genuinely positive sign for the manga’s stability going forward.
What About New Animation?
Fans hoping for a new TV series shouldn’t get too excited just yet — nothing has been officially confirmed. What has arrived is a mobile game, Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Survivor, a rogue-lite survival title released globally on February 17, 2026, which included a genuinely new opening movie featuring original animation — the first new Hunter x Hunter animation in roughly twelve years. It reunites players with Gon and the rest of the cast visually, though it’s explicitly tied to the game rather than a continuation of the anime story.
Realistically, most industry observers agree a full new TV series would require the manga to build a much larger buffer of completed material first, given how the previous anime’s production paced against Togashi’s health-driven publishing schedule.
Should You Rewatch Before Diving Into New Chapters?
Given how long it’s been since Episode 148 aired, and how far the manga has moved past where the anime stopped, a refresher on the late Chimera Ant arc and the opening of the Succession Contest Arc is worth considering if you’re planning to jump into the newly resumed chapters.
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Watcher’s Tips
Hunter x Hunter (2011) is celebrated for being almost entirely canon, with virtually no filler episodes to worry about. This makes it an ideal watch for fans who want a streamlined, faithful adaptation of Yoshihiro Togashi’s manga. Since every episode contributes to the main story or character development, skipping any would mean missing key details or emotional moments. In short—relax, hit play, and enjoy the journey without the usual filler-skipping strategy needed for other long-running anime.
Read About Hunter X Hunter (1999) Filler Guide in Depth
Conclusion
Hunter x Hunter (2011) is a near-perfect example of a faithful manga adaptation. With only two recap-style filler episodes out of 148, it allows fans to enjoy the story exactly as Yoshihiro Togashi intended. This makes it one of the easiest anime to watch without constantly checking a filler guide. For newcomers, the lack of unnecessary arcs means the pacing stays tight, and the world-building remains consistent. If you’re looking for an anime that combines deep storytelling, memorable characters, and minimal filler interruptions, Hunter × Hunter is an excellent choice.
Are you planning to jump into the newly resumed manga chapters, or waiting to see if a new anime season eventually materializes? Let us know in the comments.
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