You're probably looking for Hunter x Hunter seasons on Netflix or Crunchyroll and realizing things don't quite line up. It's a mess. Honestly, the way this show is categorized depends entirely on who you ask and what platform you're using. If you look at the 2011 reboot—which is the version most people mean when they talk about this series—there aren't actually "seasons" in the traditional sense. It ran as a continuous weekly broadcast in Japan from 2011 to 2014.
That hasn't stopped streaming services from chopping it up into arbitrary chunks.
Basically, if you see Hunter x Hunter seasons listed as 1 through 6, you’re looking at a Western distribution layout. The creators, Madhouse, didn't make it that way. They made arcs. These story arcs vary wildly in length, tone, and stakes, which is why the "season" labels often feel so clunky and forced. You might jump from a lighthearted tournament in one episode to a literal genocide in the next arc, all while the "season" number stays the same on your screen.
The Arcs vs. Seasons Problem
To understand the 148 episodes, you have to look at the narrative structure Yoshihiro Togashi actually wrote. The first chunk, usually called Season 1, covers the Hunter Exam arc. This is where Gon, Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio meet. It’s 26 episodes of classic shonen tropes but with a dark undercurrent that hints at the insanity to come.
Then things get weird.
Streaming platforms often lump the Heavens Arena arc in here. That's where we learn about Nen. If you don't understand Nen, you don't understand the show. It’s not just "magic energy." It’s a complex, mathematical system of personal aura that involves strict vows and limitations. This is where the writing shifts from "kid goes on adventure" to "high-stakes tactical warfare."
The Phantom Troupe and Greed Island
By the time you hit what Netflix calls Season 3 or 4, you’re in the Yorknew City arc. This is peak Hunter x Hunter. It’s a gritty, urban crime thriller. Kurapika takes center stage, seeking revenge against the Phantom Troupe, a gang of S-class criminals. It’s violent. It’s moody. It feels nothing like the first ten episodes.
Then comes Greed Island.
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Gon and Killua enter a video game that physically exists in the real world. Many fans find this part a bit slower because of the card-collecting mechanics, but it’s essential for Gon’s growth. It’s also where we see the training reach a point of no return. You can’t go back to being a "normal" kid after surviving Genthru.
Why the Chimera Ant Arc Ruins the Season Structure
If you’re tracking Hunter x Hunter seasons, the Chimera Ant arc is the behemoth. It spans 61 episodes. That is nearly half the entire series. Most streaming services are forced to split this into two or three different "seasons" because a single 60-episode season looks insane on a user interface.
But splitting it is a mistake.
The Chimera Ant arc is a singular, slow-burn tragedy. It introduces Meruem, a villain who undergoes more character development in 40 episodes than most protagonists get in 400. It’s heavy. It’s philosophical. It’s also the reason many people stop watching midway through—the narrator starts talking a lot. During the Palace Invasion, time slows down so much that ten episodes cover about three minutes of real-time action.
It’s polarizing, but it’s why the show is a masterpiece.
You’ve got the 13th Hunter Chairman Election arc immediately following it. This is basically the epilogue for the 2011 series. It ties up the immediate loose ends regarding Gon’s father, Ging, and the fallout of the war with the ants. It’s short, punchy, and ends on a high note that makes the 148-episode journey feel complete, even though the manga is technically still going.
The 1999 Version and the OVA Confusion
Before the 2011 version we all love, there was the 1889 version by Nippon Animation. Some "purists" will tell you this is the only way to watch. They aren't entirely wrong, but they aren't entirely right either. The 1999 version has a much darker, grittier aesthetic. It feels like an 90s noir film.
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However, it only covers up to the end of the Yorknew arc in its original TV run.
To see Greed Island in the old style, you have to track down three separate sets of OVAs (Original Video Animations). These aren't officially categorized as "seasons" either. If you’re a newcomer, stay away from this until you’ve finished the 2011 series. The 1999 version is a vibe, but the 2011 version is the full story as Togashi intended it, minus the filler and with much better pacing for the modern viewer.
Where is Season 7?
This is the question that haunts the fandom. Will there be more Hunter x Hunter seasons?
The short answer: Not anytime soon.
The long answer: The manga is currently in the "Succession Contest" arc, which takes place on a giant ship heading toward the Dark Continent. It is incredibly dense. There are dozens of new characters, complex political maneuvering, and a lot of text. Like, a lot of text. Because Togashi has dealt with severe back pain for years, the manga goes on hiatus for months or years at a time.
There simply isn't enough finished material to animate a full new season without hitting a massive cliffhanger or filling it with junk filler. Madhouse hasn't announced a return, and frankly, until the current manga arc finishes, they shouldn't.
How to Watch It Without Getting Lost
If you want to watch this show and actually understand the progression, stop looking at the season numbers on your app. Look at the arc names. Here is the definitive roadmap for the 2011 series:
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- Episodes 1–26: The Hunter Exam (The "getting to know you" phase).
- Episodes 27–38: Heavens Arena (The "power system" phase).
- Episodes 39–58: Yorknew City (The "revenge thriller" phase).
- Episodes 59–75: Greed Island (The "training game" phase).
- Episodes 76–136: Chimera Ant (The "existential crisis" phase).
- Episodes 137–148: Election Arc (The "wrapping things up" phase).
Every platform breaks these differently. Hulu might say there are only 79 episodes. Netflix might have 4 seasons or 6 depending on your country. Crunchyroll usually has the whole thing but might label it as "Season 1" with 148 episodes. Just follow the episode numbers. If you reach 148, you’re done.
Actionable Steps for the Hunter x Hunter Fan
Don't let the numbering scare you off. If you're ready to dive in, here is how you should handle the "season" confusion:
Check your platform's total episode count first. If it doesn't have 148 episodes, you are missing the end of the story. You will need to switch services once you hit the wall.
Pay attention to the transition between episode 75 and 76. This is where the tone shifts permanently. If you like the show up to this point, you'll love what's next, but be prepared for the pacing to slow down significantly.
Watch the "Last Mission" or "Phantom Rouge" movies only after you’ve finished the Yorknew arc. They aren't canon, but they’re fun side stories. They don't fit into the seasonal structure, so think of them as high-budget filler.
Follow the manga updates if you finish the anime and need more. Start at Chapter 339. Be warned: the art style changes, and the level of detail in the writing becomes much more demanding. It’s not a light read.
Ignore the "Season 7" clickbait trailers on YouTube. They are all fake. When the show actually returns, it will be major news across every reputable anime site. Until then, the 148-episode journey is a complete, satisfying experience that stands on its own.