When Did Hunter x Hunter Come Out? 11 Unmissable Dates for New Fans

Hunter x Hunter (2011) has 148 episodes (the 1999 TV anime has 62), and did borutos voice actor play mechi in hunter x hunter is yes in the English dub, because Boruto’s English voice actor is also credited as Menchi (often misspelled “Mechi”).

At ComicK, our team maps the key release dates across the 1998 manga debut, the 1999 anime era, the OVA bridge, and the 2011 reboot so new fans can stop guessing and follow a correct timeline with confidence. Next, you’ll get 11 unmissable dates that explain exactly when each version came out, what changed, and how the dub credit question fits into the bigger release history.

When Did Hunter x Hunter Come Out?

New fans do not need an encyclopedia. You need a timeline that answers three questions quickly: when the story started, when each major animated version launched, and why “release date” sometimes means manga, TV broadcast, OVA home video, or theatrical film. Here are the 11 dates that matter most, with the context that makes them useful.

1. March 3, 1998: Hunter x Hunter begins serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump. This is the true starting line for canon.
2. June 4, 1998: The first collected manga volume releases in Japan. This is when the series becomes “buyable” outside magazine readers.
3. October 16, 1999: The first TV anime (1999) premieres. This launches the earliest anime fanbase.
4. March 31, 2001: The 1999 TV anime ends at 62 episodes, leaving later material for follow-up releases.
5. January 17, 2002: The first OVA continuation begins releasing on home video, extending the 1999 continuity.
6. February 19, 2003: The Greed Island OVA era begins, a major “bridge” for fans of the 1999 version.
7. March 3, 2004: The G.I. Final OVA era begins, continuing that bridge through later story content.
8. October 2, 2011: The modern reboot (2011) premieres, restarting from Episode 1 with a new studio approach.
9. January 12, 2013: The Phantom Rouge film hits theaters, the first major Hunter x Hunter movie event.
10. December 27, 2013: The Last Mission film releases, the second theatrical entry.
11. September 23 to 24, 2014: The 2011 anime ends at Episode 148, the main endpoint most viewers reach first.

If you keep only one principle in mind: “1999 TV ends in 2001, OVAs carry that continuity, 2011 restarts and runs to 2014.” Everything else falls into place.

March 3, 1998: the manga debut that defines what is canon

When people ask, “When did Hunter x Hunter come out?” the most defensible answer is the manga’s serialization start, because that is where the canon story begins. On March 3, 1998, Yoshihiro Togashi launched Hunter x Hunter in Weekly Shonen Jump under Shueisha, and the series immediately stood out for how it mixed classic adventure energy with rule-driven strategy. If you have heard fans praise “Nen complexity” or “mind games,” that reputation is rooted in how Togashi writes systems, not how any particular anime adapts them.

This date matters for new fans because it frames everything that follows:

• Every anime version is an adaptation choice. Differences in pacing, tone, and censorship flow from what the studio chooses to emphasize or soften for broadcast.
• Hiatus history is a manga issue first. Publication gaps, returns, and volume releases start with the manga schedule, then ripple into whether anime can continue.
• Watch order becomes clearer when you treat the manga as the master timeline and anime as alternative “routes” through it.

Another practical reason this matters: many online guides blur the line between the 1999 anime, the OVAs, and the 2011 reboot, then call it all “Hunter x Hunter.” Anchoring to the 1998 manga start forces precision. It also helps you understand why the 2011 anime restarts the story instead of “Season 2” continuing from the 1999 ending. The 2011 production philosophy was to adapt the manga from the beginning with more consistency and broader coverage.

October 16, 1999 to March 31, 2001: The first anime era and why it still matters

The first Hunter x Hunter TV anime premiered on October 16, 1999, and ended on March 31, 2001, totaling 62 episodes. This “1999 era” is still relevant because it shaped early fan expectations of tone: many viewers remember it as slower, moodier, and more grounded in atmosphere. Even if you start with 2011, the 1999 version remains a popular “second watch” for fans who want a different emotional texture.

Here is why those dates matter beyond trivia:

A different pacing philosophy

Late 1990s TV anime often leaned into longer pauses, more lingering shots, and a heavier sense of tension between action beats. That can make early arcs feel more dramatic or more patient, depending on your taste.

Broadcast constraints and adaptation choices

Older broadcast standards often influenced how violence and intensity were framed. This is not about “censorship” alone, but about how graphic moments are staged and what the camera chooses to linger on. Those choices can change how you perceive characters and stakes.

Why the 62-episode endpoint confuses modern viewers

Many new fans see “62 episodes” and assume the 1999 version is incomplete or “wrong.” The truth is simpler: the TV run ends, then later story material moves into the OVA format, which is packaged separately on many databases and platforms.

If you are new, the 1999 dates should function as a signpost, not an instruction. They tell you there is an older adaptation with a distinct vibe, and that it ends before the story is fully explored in animated form unless you continue into OVAs.

January 2002 to August 2004: The OVA bridge that breaks “season counting”

After the 1999 TV run ended, the story did not simply vanish. It continued through OVA releases, which is why “How many seasons does Hunter x Hunter have?” becomes a trap question. OVAs are not conventional seasons. They are home-video series released in volumes, often with separate listings and different episode groupings. For Hunter x Hunter, three major OVA phases matter to new fans trying to understand the release timeline:

OVA phase 1: January 17 to April 17, 2002

This is the first OVA continuation of the 1999 continuity. It is best understood as “what came next after the TV broadcast,” not a new TV season. If you only watch the 1999 TV run, you stop early. The OVA exists to push beyond that stopping point.

OVA phase 2: February 19 to May 21, 2003 (Greed Island)

Greed Island is one of the arcs people frequently mention when explaining why Hunter x Hunter feels like a genre blender. This OVA phase is a key release milestone for fans of the 1999 route.

OVA phase 3: March 3 to August 18, 2004 (G.I. Final)

This phase continues the Greed Island adaptation in OVA form and is often treated as the final leg of the 1999 continuity’s “animated expansion.”

Why should new fans care? Because OVAs are the reason you will see conflicting totals and “missing seasons” issues. One platform lists only the 1999 TV series. Another lists Greed Island as a separate show. A third lumps OVAs into an episode total without labeling the format. If you understand the 2002 to 2004 OVA bridge, you can navigate those listings without assuming anything is “deleted.”

October 2, 2011 to September 2014: the reboot that became the default answer

The modern Hunter x Hunter anime premiered on October 2, 2011 and ended in late September 2014, reaching 148 episodes. For most viewers today, this is the primary entry point, and it is why you will often hear fans treat “Hunter x Hunter” and “Hunter x Hunter (2011)” as the same thing in casual conversation.

This period matters for three practical reasons:

The reboot is a full restart, not a continuation

Instead of continuing the 1999 story, the 2011 series begins again from the opening premise. For a new fan, that is good news: you can start at Episode 1 without needing to know anything about OVAs.

The 148-episode run is one coherent watch experience

Even though streaming services split the show into “seasons,” the 2011 adaptation is best treated as one long run with arc boundaries. If you are ever unsure whether a platform has everything, your check is simple: confirm it reaches Episode 148.

The ending feels like a stopping point

The 2011 series ends at a place that many viewers experience as emotionally complete, even though the manga continues beyond it. That is why the ending generates two common searches: “Is Hunter x Hunter finished?” and “Where do I continue in the manga?”

If you want a clean mental model: 2011 is the “watch first” version because it is consistent, widely available, and it does not require you to stitch together TV plus OVA listings. It is also the version most likely to be discussed in modern streaming, dub, and episode-count questions.

January 12, 2013 and December 27, 2013: The two films and how to treat them

Hunter x Hunter has two major theatrical films tied to the 2011 era: Phantom Rouge released on January 12, 2013, and The Last Mission released on December 27, 2013. New fans often ask whether they are canon, whether they fit between specific arcs, and whether they matter for watch order. The shortest correct answer is: treat both movies as optional side content, not required core narrative.

Here is the practical way to think about them:

They are not replacements for missing “seasons”

Some fans look for “Season 7” or “new episodes,” then stumble onto the movies and assume they fill the gap after Episode 148. They do not. They are standalone stories designed as theatrical events.

Where they fit without spoiling your experience

If you want to watch them, do it after you have a decent grasp of the main cast and core power system. That usually means at least after the series has established its major dynamics. Many fans watch them after finishing the 2011 series to avoid any timeline anxiety.

Why they exist in the release timeline

The films are best understood as part of a broader 2011-era media strategy: keep the franchise visible, provide new content while TV is running, and give fans a cinema-grade special. They also create “release date” clutter because some databases list them prominently, making it look like they are essential chapters of the story.

If your goal is a clean watch order, do not let the movies complicate it. Finish the 2011 run first, then decide if you want additional content. That approach keeps your story continuity intact and prevents you from treating theatrical side stories as core arc progression.

The modern status timeline: why “finished” is different for anime and manga

Release dates are not only about premieres. For Hunter x Hunter, they also explain why the anime has not continued past the 2011 endpoint: the manga’s publication schedule has long periods of hiatus, and the story beyond the anime becomes increasingly dense and arc-heavy. New fans should understand this because it affects expectations. You might finish 148 episodes and assume the next season is “overdue.” In reality, the manga timeline is the limiting factor.

A few modern milestones help contextualize the current status:

The return that reset expectations

In late 2022, the manga resumed after a long hiatus, and that return created a wave of renewed interest. Fans often interpret any return as a signal that an anime continuation is imminent. Historically, that is not how it works. Anime production decisions depend on stable long-term manga output and strategic timing, not a single batch of chapters.

Recent volume and chapter signals

Recent collected volumes and later chapters demonstrate that the story is still alive, but also that the publication rhythm remains irregular. That irregularity is why it is risky to make confident claims about a “Season 7 release date” without official announcements.

What this means for new fans

If you want a satisfying, complete anime experience, treat the 2011 series as the main course. If you want the story beyond the anime, plan to read the manga and expect a slower, more political, strategy-forward tone. That shift is not a flaw, but it changes what “continuation” feels like. Many fans love the later arcs precisely because they demand close attention and reward re-reading.

In other words: the franchise is not “over,” but its release history teaches you to separate “anime finished airing” from “story finished existing.”

Did borutos voice actor play mechi in hunter x hunter? How dub credits connect to release history

Yes, in the English dub, the answer to did borutos voice actor play mechi in hunter x hunter is yes, with one important correction: the character is spelled Menchi, and “Mechi” is a common misspelling. The reason this question belongs in a release-date article is simple: voice-credit confusion often comes from mixing different releases and different language tracks.

Here is what new fans should understand:

Language track changes the answer

When people say “Boruto’s voice actor,” they might mean the Japanese voice actor or the English dub actor. Menchi’s Japanese voice and Boruto’s Japanese voice are different actors. The “same voice” overlap fans recognize is specifically an English dub connection.

Dub rollout is its own timeline

Even if a show premiered in Japan in 2011, the English dub’s mainstream exposure can happen later through home video, streaming, or TV blocks. That lag creates the perfect conditions for late discovery: a viewer watches Boruto in English, then later watches early Hunter x Hunter episodes in English, then recognizes a voice and searches the internet.

Credit names can be inconsistent across databases

Voice actors sometimes appear under different professional names across years, roles, or databases. That is not a conspiracy, but it is enough to create conflicting search results, especially for smaller roles like Menchi.

If you want to verify the claim responsibly, do it the same way ComicK editors do: confirm you are comparing English dub to English dub, search Menchi by her correct spelling, then cross-check at least two reputable cast listings or official release credits. That method prevents the most common error, which is comparing Japanese audio casting to English dub casting and concluding the overlap is “fake.”

The simplest watch order that respects the release timeline (and avoids platform “season” traps)

Release history is only useful if it helps you watch the show without wasting time. Here is the simplest approach that avoids almost every platform trap:

Step 1: Choose your entry point

For nearly everyone, the best starting point is Hunter x Hunter (2011). It is self-contained, widely labeled, and runs cleanly to Episode 148.

Step 2: Ignore “seasons” and follow episode numbers

Many services slice the series into 4, 5, 6, or even 7 “seasons.” Those are menu decisions. Your real goal is simple: Episode 1 through Episode 148.

Step 3: Decide sub or dub early

If you care about voice actor continuity, decide whether you are watching subbed Japanese audio or the English dub. Some platforms split them into separate listings, and coverage can differ. A quick check is to open an early episode and confirm the audio track options.

Step 4: Treat 1999 and OVAs as optional deep cuts

If you love the series and want an alternate interpretation, explore the 1999 anime and OVAs later. Do not treat them as required prerequisites. Their release format is exactly what creates “missing season” confusion.

Step 5: Add movies only if you want extras

Watch Phantom Rouge and The Last Mission as optional add-ons, not as steps in the main arc progression.

That is the watch order that aligns with the real release timeline and the reality of modern streaming labels. It is also the path most ComicK readers prefer because it trades completeness obsession for finishing the story you actually started.

FAQ

1) When did Hunter x Hunter come out originally?

The manga began serialization on March 3, 1998.

2) How many episodes are in Hunter x Hunter (2011)?

148 episodes.

3) How many episodes are in the 1999 Hunter x Hunter anime?

62 TV episodes, plus separate OVAs released later.

4) When did the 2011 Hunter x Hunter anime premiere?

October 2, 2011.

5) When did the 2011 anime end?

Late September 2014, ending at Episode 148.

6) Are the OVAs part of the 1999 anime timeline?

Yes, they continue the 1999 continuity but are released as separate OVA series.

7) Are the Hunter x Hunter movies canon?

Most fans treat them as optional side stories, not required canon progression.

8) Do I need to watch 1999 before 2011?

No. The 2011 series restarts from Episode 1 and is the simplest entry point.

9) did borutos voice actor play mechi in hunter x hunter?

Yes in the English dub, and the character’s correct name is Menchi.

10) Why do streaming sites show different season counts?

They package story arcs into “seasons” differently. Episode numbers are more reliable than season labels.

Hunter x Hunter’s release history looks complicated because it spans manga serialization, two TV eras, OVAs, and films, but the practical truth is simple: start with the 2011 anime’s 148-episode run, then explore older releases only if you want more.

And if your curiosity began with did borutos voice actor play mechi in Hunter x Hunter, remember the key qualifier that resolves most arguments: the overlap is an English dub credit question, so you must compare the same language track and the correct character spelling, Menchi.

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