Every Hunter X Hunter Arc, Ranked (2025)

Including the manga, Hunter x Hunter currently has nine arcs, with seven of them having received an anime adaptation. Each arc is radically different from the ones that precede and follow it, but the common denominator in all of them happens to be Gon and Killua's journey as newly initiated Hunters. That said, the most recent manga arcs haven't been adapted yet, and these storylines don't involve either Gon or Killua.

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Given the uniqueness of these arcs, however, it becomes a matter of subjectivity to categorize them according to a random set of guidelines. That said, considering the narrative in terms of plot, character growth, fight scenes, and overall emotional impact provides a satisfactory lens through which to ascertain the quality of the various storylines. Further, the manga-only arcs have also been ranked according to the same factors.

Updated on February 2, 2024, by Ajay Aravind: Hunter x Hunter is presently on one of the longest hiatuses in anime history, and fans can't wait for the next arc to be adapted. However, this beloved story by mangaka Yoshihiro Togashi remains as popular as ever. As the last two narrative arcs are still in manga form, we've revamped this list with some more information about the best arcs in Hunter x Hunter.

9 The 13th Hunter Chairman Election Arc Doesn't Take The Story Forward

Episodes 137-148

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This is the last anime arc before Hunter x Hunter took a break from the manga. The Ant King Meruem has successfully caused the death of Chairman Netero following an utterly incandescent battle scene that literally shakes the Earth. As a result, the Hunter Association holds an election to replace the old man. There are several candidates, and the results of the election are completely unpredictable.

Ging Freecss makes his first formal appearance and meets his son, Gon, whom he has inexplicably avoided for most of the child's life. This storyline also incorporates Alluka Zoldyck and her inscrutable but immensely powerful "wish-granting" abilities. All things considered, the 13th Hunter Chairman Election arc is simply not as detailed nor as tightly knit as the others, explaining why it ranks the lowest on this list.

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Episode Number

Episode Name

137

Debate × Among × Zodiacs

138

Request × And × Wish

139

Alluka × And × Something

140

Join Battle × And × Open Battle

141

Magician × And × Butler

142

Needles × And × Debt

143

Sin × And × Claw

144

Approval × And × Coalition

145

Defeat × And × Reunion

146

Chairman × And × Release

147

Salvation × And × Future

148

Past × And × Future

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8 The Zodyck Family Arc Is Exclusive To The Anime Canon

Episodes 22-26

The Zoldyck Family arc is exclusive to the anime. It kicks off with Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika traveling to Killua's family home deep within the Kukuroo mountain. This arc reveals the inner details of the Zoldyck household, especially the borderline-abusive manner in which they treat any child who steps out of line. Thankfully for Killua, he has a warm relationship with his father, Silva, although his interactions with his mother leave a lot to be desired.

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Things become considerably dicey when the Zoldyck chief butler, Gotoh, requires the gang to pass an allegedly "simple" coin toss game, but Gon apparently doesn't fall for his tricks. Gon and Killua then separate from their friends upon reaching the airport. The two boys subsequently make their way to Heaven's Arena, hoping to further polish their powers (and make some cash).

Episode Number

Episode Name

22

A × Dangerous × Watchdog

23

The × Guard's × Duty

24

The × Zoldyck × Family

25

Can't See × If × You're Blind

26

Then × And × After

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7 The Dark Continent Expedition Arc Sets The Stage For A New World

Chapters 340-348

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Like the 13th Chairman Election arc, the Dark Continent Expedition arc is very short, spanning a mere nine chapters, which haven't yet received an anime adaptation. Although minimal, the plot helps the story progress further without losing an ounce of its trademark charm. More importantly, the Dark Continent Expedition arc helps set the groundwork for all the future progression in the story, making it narratively essential.

With Gon out of action, the narrative focuses a lot more on other characters, including Pariston Hill, Leorio, Kurapika, Ging, and the Phantom Troupe. The Kakin Empire sponsors an excursion into the Dark Continent, a region far bigger and more dangerous than the entire world of Hunter x Hunter. Netero's son, Beyond, is a major player in the Dark Continent Expedition arc.

Episode Number

Episode Name

TBA

TBA

6 The Succession Contest Arc Has Been On Hiatus For Over A Year

Chapters 349-TBA

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The Succession Contest arc is the ongoing arc in the Hunter x Hunter series, with 52 chapters published as of December 2022. King Nasubi Hui Guo Rou, the infamous ruler of the Kakin Empire, initiates a competition between his 14 children. He expects one of them to take the throne, but only after murdering their own siblings and half-siblings, thereby sparking a massive blood war.

Kurapika is a crucial presence in this arc, where he proves to be a worthwhile ally to Queen Oito. Kurapika mainly accepts the job because he wants to meet Prince Tserriednich, who allegedly has the last surviving pair of Kurta eyes in his possession. Biscuit Krueger and Hanzo also play major roles in the Succession Contest arc, demonstrating Togashi's desire to keep the story away from Gon and Killua. On a positive note, the Succession Contest arc doesn't seem to have an end in sight.

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Episode Number

Episode Name

TBA

TBA

5 The Heaven's Arena Arc Establishes The Concept Of Nen

Episodes 27-36

This is the first Hunter x Hunter arc to be set entirely inside an urban sprawl — the titular arena is a theoretically unfeasible building consisting of 251 floors. While Gon and Killua have a fun time taking down the weaker opponents in Heaven's Arena, they are struck speechless (and motionless) when they come face to face with Hisoka's extremely threatening Nen.

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The Heaven's Arena arc is quite brilliant, but its central focus is the man who eventually becomes the boys' teacher: Wing. He explains the very basics of Nen, as well as the different subtypes involved. Gon possesses an Enhancement type, while Killua's happens to be Transmutation. The conclusion of this arc revolves around the fated battle between Hisoka and Gon, which ends with the hero making good on his face-punching promise. While the Heavens Arena arc is unquestionably brilliant, it pales in comparison to the later HxH arcs.

Episode Number

Episode Name

27

Arrival × At × The Arena

28

Nen × And × Nen

29

Awakening × And × Potential

30

Fierce × And × Ferocious

31

Destiny × And × Tenacity

32

A × Surprising × Win

33

An × Empty × Threat

34

Power × To × Avenge

35

The × True × Pass

36

A Big Debt × And × A Small Kick

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4 The Hunter Exam Arc Frames The Rest Of The Series

Episodes 1-21

2:49

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The first arc of Hunter x Hunter introduces all the main characters in a rather efficient manner. Gon meets Leorio and Kurapika on the ship taking them to the exam, which encounters a massive storm in the middle of the journey. The real exam is a lot more difficult, largely due to the sheer number of seemingly unrelated problems given to the aspiring Hunters.

The introduction of Hisoka makes this arc all that more enjoyable, especially since he promises that there will be a serious showdown between him and Gon. Killua also goes through a painful experience when he learns that Illumi is one of the competitors. The competitions are incredibly fascinating to watch, especially since multiple combat factors are taken into account. Killua is the only competitor to fail the 287th Hunter Exam, but he makes up for it by being the sole victor of the 288th.

Episode Number

Episode Name

1

Departure × And × Friends

2

Test × Of × Tests

3

Rivals × For × Survival

4

Hope × And × Ambition

5

Hisoka × Is × Sneaky

6

An × Unexpected × Task

7

Showdown × On × The Airship

8

Decision × By × Majority?

9

Beware × Of × Prisoners

10

Trick × To × The Trick

11

Trouble × With × The Gamble

12

Last Test × Of × Resolve!

13

Letter × From × Gon

14

Hit × The × Target

15

Explosion × Of × Deception

16

Defeat × And × Disgrace

17

Trap × In The × Hole

18

Big × Time × Interview

19

Can't Win × But × Can't Lose

20

Baffling Turn × Of × Events

21

Some × Brother × Trouble

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3 The Yorknew City Arc Highlights The Pitfalls Of Vengeance

Episodes 37-58

The Yorknew City arc is Kurapika's time to shine. It describes his suffering after the Phantom Troupe coldly murdered the Kurta Clan in order to steal and sell their precious Scarlet Eyes on the black market. Kurapika captures one of the Troupe's members, Uvogin, after a long and rather perilous fight. At the same time, the Ten Dons hire Zeno and Silva Zoldyck, two of the world's best assassins, to kill Chrollo Lucilfer, the so-called head of the Spider.

The Yorknew City arc reaches fever pitch when Kurapika successfully "kidnaps" the villain from under his minions' noses and orders the Troupe to release Gon and Killua in exchange for Chrollo's life. Despite sparing his hated nemesis, Kurapika decides to take Chrollo's Nen away, forcing the latter to abandon his beloved crew. That said, this is not the last that fans have seen of Chrollo.

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Episode Number

Episode Name

37

Ging × And × Gon

38

Reply × From × Dad

39

Wish × And × Promise

40

Nen × Users × Unite?

41

Gathering × Of × Heroes

42

Defend × And × Attack

43

A × Shocking × Tragedy

44

Buildup × To A × Fierce Battle

45

Restraint × And × Vow

46

Chasing × And × Waiting

47

Condition × And × Condition

48

Very × Sharp × Eye

49

Pursuit × And × Analysis

50

Ally × And × Sword

51

A × Brutal × Battlefield

52

Assault × And × Impact

53

Fake × And × Psyche

54

Fortunes × Aren't × Right?

55

Allies × And × Lies

56

Beloved × And × Beleaguered

57

Initiative × And × Law

58

Time × To × Retreat

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2 The Greed Island Arc Introduces The Fabulous Biscuit Krueger

Episodes 59-75

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The Greed Island arc is one of the most exciting ones in the HxH anime. It involves Gon and Killua's adventures on Greed Island, a game invented by Ging and his friends. The intrepid pair experiences some difficulty at the beginning, as they have to fight advanced combatants, but the introduction of the fabulous Biscuit Krueger pretty much flips the game on its head. Gon and Killua get a mentor who can take them to the next level, and she works them pretty hard.

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It's still not easy for Gon and Killua since a few members of the Phantom Troupe also appear in Greed Island. They hope to find a Nen exorcist capable of dispelling Kurapika's Judgment Chain on Chrollo's heart but to no avail. The highlight of the Greed Island arc is the dodgeball match, where the unlikely combination of Gon, Killua, and Hisoka manages to defeat Razor.

Episode Number

Episode Name

59

Bid × And × Haste

60

End × And × Beginning

61

Invitation × And × Friend

62

Reality? × And × Raw

63

A × Hard × Master?

64

Strengthen × And × Threaten

65

Evil Fist × And × Rock-Paper-Scissors

66

Strategy × And × Scheme

67

15 × 15

68

Pirates × And × Guesses

69

A × Heated × Showdown

70

Guts × And × Courage

71

Bargain × And × Deal

72

Chase × And × Chance

73

Insanity × And × Sanity

74

Victor × And × Loser

75

Ging's Friends × And × True Friends

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1 The Chimera Ant Arc Nearly Upsets Hunter X Hunter's World Order

Episodes 76-136

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Hunter x Hunter's Chimera Ant arc nearly upsets the world order when the overwhelmingly powerful Ant-hybrids begin crawling out of their nest and wreaking havoc on society. Gon is horrified to see that his new mentor, Kite, has been gruesomely decapitated by Neferpitou and vows revenge against them. When the Ant King awakens, however, the Hunter Association Chairman has no choice but to enter the fray himself.

Even though the old man literally blows both of them up with his heart-nuke, Meruem barely survives the explosion with Youpi and Pouf's help. That said, the ultimate victory belongs to Netero, as the Ant King fails to recognize the radioactive poison coursing through his veins. Gon travels to Neferpitou, challenging them to a deathmatch, and mutates into an adult version of himself by sacrificing his life energy. Overall, the Chimera Ant arc is widely recognized as Hunter x Hunter's best.

Episode Number

Episode Name

76

Reunion × And × Understanding

77

Unease × And × Sighting

78

Very × Rapid × Reproduction

79

No × Good × NGL

80

Evil × And × Terrible

81

The × Fight × Begins

82

Kite × And × Slots

83

Inspiration × To × Evolve

84

A × Fated × Awakening

85

Light × And × Darkness

86

Promise × And × Reunion

87

Duel × And × Escape

88

Rock-Paper-Scissors × And × Weakness

89

Compassion × And × Strength

90

Slow × And × Cursed

91

The Strong × And × The Weak

92

One Wish × And × Two Promises

93

Date × With × Palm

94

Friend × And × Journey

95

Grudge × And × Dread

96

A × Lawless × Home

97

Carnage × And × Devastation

98

Infiltration × And × Selection

99

Combination × And × Evolution

100

Tracking × And × Pursuit

101

Ikalgo × And × Lightning

102

Power × And × Games

103

Check × And × Mate

104

Doubt × And × Hesitation

105

Resolve × And × Awakening

106

Knov × And × Morel

107

Return × And × Retire

108

Gungi × Of × Komugi

109

Taking Stock × And × Taking Action

110

Confusion × And × Expectation

111

Charge × And × Invade

112

Monster × And × Monster

113

An × Indebted × Insect

114

Divide × And × Conquer

115

Duty × And × Question

116

Revenge × And × Recovery

117

Insult × And × Payback

118

A × False × Rage

119

Strong × Or × Weak

120

Fake × And × Real

121

Defeat × And × Dignity

122

Pose × And × Name

123

Centipede × And × Memory

124

Breakdown × And × Awakening

125

Great Power × And × Ultimate Power

126

Zero × And × Rose

127

Hostility × And × Determination

128

Unparalleled Joy × And × Unconditional Love

129

Formidable Enemy × And × Clear Objective

130

Magic × To × Destroy

131

Anger × And × Light

132

Flash × And × Start

133

Deadline × To × Live

134

The Word × Is × You

135

This Person × And × This Moment

136

Homecoming × And × Real Name

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Every Hunter X Hunter Arc, Ranked (5)

Hunter x Hunter

TV-14

Animation

Action

Adventure

Gon Freecss aspires to become a Hunter, an exceptional being capable of greatness. With his friends and his potential, he seeks out his father, who left him when he was younger.

Release Date
April 17, 2016

Creator
Yoshihiro Togashi
Main Genre
Animation
Every Hunter X Hunter Arc, Ranked (2025)
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