Hunter x Hunter first came out as a manga in Japan in March 1998. The first collected Japanese volume was released on June 4, 1998, while the first anime adaptation began airing on October 16, 1999.
So, when did Hunter x Hunter come out? The direct answer depends on the version. The manga started in 1998, the first anime came out in 1999, the English manga release began in 2005, and the 2011 anime reboot came out in 2011.
On KunManga, readers can follow manga timelines, anime status guides, and watch order explainers before starting long-running series like Hunter x Hunter.
This guide explains when Hunter x Hunter came out, including the original manga release, the 1999 anime, the 2011 anime, the English release, movies, and why the timeline can be confusing.
Quick Answer: When Did Hunter x Hunter Come Out?
The quick answer to when did Hunter x Hunter come out is that the manga began in Japan in March 1998. The first anime adaptation came out in 1999, and the 2011 anime reboot came out in 2011.
| Version | Release Date | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Original manga serialization | March 1998 | Hunter x Hunter began in Weekly Shonen Jump |
| Japanese Volume 1 | June 4, 1998 | First collected manga volume in Japan |
| 1999 anime | October 16, 1999 | First TV anime adaptation |
| English Volume 1 | April 5, 2005 | VIZ’s English manga release began |
| 2011 anime | October 2, 2011 | Modern anime reboot from the beginning |
The simplest answer is this: Hunter x Hunter started as a manga in 1998 and became an anime in 1999, while the most popular modern anime version came out in 2011.
When Did the Hunter x Hunter Manga Come Out?
The Hunter x Hunter manga came out in Japan in March 1998. It was written and illustrated by Yoshihiro Togashi and serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump.
The first collected Japanese volume was released on June 4, 1998. This volume begins Gon Freecss’s journey to become a Hunter and find his father, Ging.
If someone asks when did Hunter x Hunter come out as the original work, the correct answer is 1998.
The manga is the source material for both anime adaptations and remains the main version of the story.
When Did Hunter x Hunter Volume 1 Come Out?
Hunter x Hunter Volume 1 came out in Japan on June 4, 1998. This collected the early chapters into book form after the manga began serialization.
Volume 1 introduces Gon, the Hunter Exam setup, and the adventure tone that defines the early part of the series.
This is an important date because manga serialization and volume release are not always the same thing.
So the manga began in March 1998, but the first Japanese volume came out in June 1998.
When Did the Hunter x Hunter 1999 Anime Come Out?
The first Hunter x Hunter anime came out on October 16, 1999. This version was produced by Nippon Animation and aired until March 31, 2001.
The 1999 anime has 62 TV episodes. It adapts the early part of the manga and has a darker, older visual style compared with the 2011 anime.
Many longtime fans still like the 1999 version because of its atmosphere, pacing, and tone.
However, new viewers often start with the 2011 anime because it adapts more of the manga.
When Did the Hunter x Hunter 2011 Anime Come Out?
The Hunter x Hunter 2011 anime came out on October 2, 2011. This version was produced by Madhouse and restarted the story from the beginning.
The 2011 anime is not a sequel to the 1999 anime. It is a reboot that retells Gon’s journey from the start and continues much further into the manga.
This version has 148 episodes and is the version most new anime fans mean when they talk about watching Hunter x Hunter today.
For the full episode breakdown, read how many episodes in Hunter x Hunter.
When Did Hunter x Hunter Come Out in English?
The English manga release of Hunter x Hunter began with Volume 1 on April 5, 2005. This version was released by VIZ Media.
That means English-language readers officially got the manga several years after its Japanese debut.
By the time the 2011 anime arrived, Hunter x Hunter had already built a strong manga and anime fanbase.
This is why the answer to when did Hunter x Hunter come out can change depending on whether someone means Japan, English manga, or anime.
What Came First: Hunter x Hunter Manga or Anime?
The Hunter x Hunter manga came first. The anime adaptations are based on Yoshihiro Togashi’s manga.
The manga began in 1998, then the first anime followed in 1999. The 2011 anime came much later as a new adaptation from the beginning.
This matters because the manga continues beyond the 2011 anime. The anime has a strong stopping point, but it does not cover the full manga story.
In simple terms, Hunter x Hunter began on the page before it became an anime.
Hunter x Hunter Release Timeline
Here is the basic release timeline for Hunter x Hunter:
- March 1998: Hunter x Hunter manga begins in Weekly Shonen Jump.
- June 4, 1998: Japanese Volume 1 is released.
- October 16, 1999: The first anime adaptation begins airing.
- April 5, 2005: English Volume 1 is released by VIZ Media.
- October 2, 2011: The 2011 anime reboot begins airing.
- 2013: Hunter x Hunter anime films are released.
- September 2014: The 2011 anime ends after 148 episodes.
This timeline shows why Hunter x Hunter has several different “start dates” depending on the format.
Why Hunter x Hunter Release Dates Can Be Confusing
The release dates can be confusing because Hunter x Hunter has multiple versions. There is the original manga, the 1999 anime, OVA material, the 2011 anime reboot, English manga releases, and anime films.
Some fans discovered the series through the 2011 anime, so they may think Hunter x Hunter started in 2011. That is not correct. The manga began much earlier in 1998.
Other fans remember the 1999 anime first, especially if they watched older anime before the Madhouse reboot became popular.
The safest answer to when did Hunter x Hunter come out is to explain both the manga and anime timelines.
Is Hunter x Hunter an Old Anime?
Hunter x Hunter is an older manga series because it began in 1998. The first anime also belongs to the late 1990s anime era.
However, many viewers think of Hunter x Hunter as a more modern anime because the 2011 version is the most widely watched adaptation today.
This creates a split identity. The source material is from the 1990s, but the most popular anime version feels closer to modern shonen anime.
That is one reason the series still feels fresh to new viewers.
When Did Hunter x Hunter Become Popular?
Hunter x Hunter gained popularity from its manga serialization and 1999 anime, but the 2011 anime helped introduce the series to a much larger global audience.
The 2011 version made the story easier for new viewers to follow because it started from the beginning and adapted many major arcs.
Arcs like Yorknew City, Greed Island, Chimera Ant, and the Election Arc helped the series build a strong reputation among anime fans.
Even though Hunter x Hunter started in 1998, many international viewers discovered it years later through streaming.
Is Hunter x Hunter Finished?
Hunter x Hunter is not fully finished as a manga. The 2011 anime has ended its current run, but the manga continues beyond where the anime stops.
The manga releases irregularly because the series has had long hiatuses over the years.
This is important for new fans because Hunter x Hunter has an anime ending, but not a fully completed manga ending.
For the current status, read is Hunter x Hunter finished.
Which Hunter x Hunter Version Should You Start With?
Most new viewers should start with Hunter x Hunter 2011. It begins from the start of the manga and adapts more story than the 1999 TV anime.
The 1999 anime is still worth watching later if you enjoy older animation, slower pacing, and a darker atmosphere.
If you prefer manga, start from Volume 1 and read from the beginning. This gives you the original version of Togashi’s story.
The cleanest beginner path is either the 2011 anime or the manga from Volume 1.
Does the 2011 Anime Replace the 1999 Anime?
For most new viewers, yes, the 2011 anime can replace the 1999 anime as the main starting point. It retells the story from the beginning and continues further.
However, the 1999 version is not worthless. It has its own mood and direction, and some fans prefer parts of its adaptation.
The 2011 anime is better if you want a complete, simple watch path. The 1999 anime is better as an alternate experience after you already know the story.
Both versions come from the same manga source.
Common Misunderstandings About Hunter x Hunter Release Dates
One common misunderstanding is saying Hunter x Hunter came out in 2011. That only refers to the modern anime reboot, not the original manga.
Another misunderstanding is saying the 1999 anime is the original version of the story. The manga came first in 1998.
A third misunderstanding is thinking the English release happened at the same time as the Japanese release. The English manga began later, in 2005.
The clean answer to when did Hunter x Hunter come out is: manga in 1998, first anime in 1999, English manga in 2005, and 2011 anime reboot in 2011.
Final Answer: When Did Hunter x Hunter Come Out?
The final answer to when did Hunter x Hunter come out is that the original manga began in Japan in March 1998.
The first collected Japanese volume came out on June 4, 1998. The first anime adaptation came out on October 16, 1999. The English manga release began on April 5, 2005, and the 2011 anime reboot began on October 2, 2011.
So if you mean the original series, Hunter x Hunter came out in 1998. If you mean the modern anime most fans watch today, it came out in 2011.
FAQs
When did Hunter x Hunter come out?
Hunter x Hunter first came out as a manga in Japan in March 1998.
When did Hunter x Hunter Volume 1 come out?
The first Japanese volume of Hunter x Hunter came out on June 4, 1998.
When did the Hunter x Hunter 1999 anime come out?
The first Hunter x Hunter anime began airing on October 16, 1999.
When did Hunter x Hunter 2011 come out?
The Hunter x Hunter 2011 anime began airing on October 2, 2011.
When did Hunter x Hunter come out in English?
The English manga release began with Volume 1 on April 5, 2005.
Which came first, Hunter x Hunter manga or anime?
The manga came first. It began in 1998, before the first anime aired in 1999.
Is Hunter x Hunter 2011 a sequel?
No, Hunter x Hunter 2011 is a reboot that starts from the beginning of the manga.
Conclusion
So, when did Hunter x Hunter come out? The manga started in 1998, the first anime came out in 1999, the English manga release began in 2005, and the 2011 anime reboot came out in 2011.
The reason fans give different answers is that Hunter x Hunter has several important release points across manga, anime, English publishing, and reboot adaptation history.
The easiest way to remember it is this: Hunter x Hunter began as a manga in 1998, but the version most anime fans watch today is the 2011 reboot.
