Hunter x Hunter is an ongoing manga series by Yoshihiro Togashi, published by Shueisha since 1998. As of 2026, it has 38 volumes. The series is notorious for extended hiatuses — Togashi’s chronic back condition has led to long publication gaps, with a particularly memorable 4-year hiatus from 2018 to 2022. Despite this, Hunter x Hunter is consistently ranked among the greatest manga ever written for its tactical depth, moral complexity, and the Chimera Ant arc — widely considered the greatest single arc in manga history. The story follows 12-year-old Gon Freecss, whose father is a legendary Hunter (a licensed elite professional), on his quest to find him by becoming a Hunter himself.

Quick Answer See the arc breakdown below — read all volumes in publication order from Vol. 1 to the latest.

Use the sections below for the full reading order, volume list, and follow-up recommendations.

All 38 Hunter x Hunter Volumes in Order

Ongoing series — 38 volumes available. New chapters releasing (slowly) as of 2026.

  1. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 1: The Day of Departure
  2. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 2: A Struggle in the Mist
  3. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 3: Resolution
  4. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 4
  5. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 5
  6. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 6
  7. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 7
  8. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 8
  9. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 9
  10. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 10
  11. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 11: Next Stop: Meteor City--The Junkyard of the World
  12. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 12
  13. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 13
  14. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 14
  15. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 15
  16. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 16
  17. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 17
  18. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 18
  19. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 19
  20. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 20
  21. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 21
  22. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 22
  23. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 23
  24. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 24
  25. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 25
  26. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 26
  27. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 27
  28. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 28
  29. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 29
  30. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 30
  31. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 31
  32. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 32
  33. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 33
  34. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 34
  35. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 35: Ship of Fools
  36. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 36
  37. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 37
  38. Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 38

Hunter X Hunter Manga Reading Order

1. Hunter Exam Arc (Volumes 1–5)

Gon takes the Hunter Exam — a brutal multi-stage test with a massive failure rate — and meets his core companions: street-smart Killua (a boy from an assassin family), revenge-driven Kurapika, and aspiring doctor Leorio. The arc briskly establishes the world and the four protagonists. Hisoka — one of manga’s most charismatic antagonists — is introduced here.

2. Heavens Arena Arc (Volumes 6–9)

Gon and Killua train at the Heavens Arena fighting tower to learn Nen — a refined life energy that is the series’ power system. Nen is among the most detailed and logically consistent power systems in all of manga; understanding it is essential for everything that follows.

3. Yorknew City Arc (Volumes 8–13)

Kurapika hunts the Phantom Troupe — the thieves responsible for massacring his clan. The Yorknew City arc is a masterclass in tactical, multi-perspective storytelling. The Troupe are some of manga’s most compelling antagonists — genuinely threatening but with their own code and logic. Highly recommended arc.

4. Greed Island Arc (Volumes 13–18)

Gon and Killua enter Greed Island — an actual video game that physically teleports players into it — in order to find a clue about Gon’s father. The arc serves as a training exercise and is lighter in tone than what surrounds it, featuring inventive Nen abilities and a satisfying competition structure.

5. Chimera Ant Arc (Volumes 18–30)

The longest arc in Hunter x Hunter and considered by many critics to be the greatest single arc in manga. An insect species called Chimera Ants begins consuming humans and breeding a new hybrid species — including the fearsome Meruem, an ant born with transcendent intelligence and power. The arc examines humanity, hierarchy, and what it means to be alive through its antagonists’ perspectives. Philosophically dense, structurally brilliant, and emotionally devastating at its conclusion.

6. 13th Hunter Chairman Election Arc (Volumes 30–32)

After the Chimera Ant arc, the Hunter Association must elect a new chairman. This shorter arc delivers emotional closure for Gon and sets up the next major story.

7. Succession War / Voyage Arc (Volumes 33–38, Ongoing)

The princes of the Kakin Empire compete in a secret succession war aboard a massive ship. This arc features the most complex Nen mechanics in the series and a huge cast of new characters. Togashi returned from hiatus in 2022 and has been releasing new chapters; the arc is ongoing as of 2026.

Hunter X Hunter Spinoffs and Extras

These are optional companion works. The main series is self-contained.

Hunter x Hunter: The Last Mission (Film)

A non-canon animated film. Optional viewing for fans after reading the main series.

Should You Read Hunter X Hunter or Watch the Anime First?

There are two Hunter x Hunter anime adaptations: the 1999 original (covers Hunter Exam through Greed Island) and the 2011 remake by Madhouse. The 2011 anime is exceptional — it covers arcs through the 13th Chairman Election with nearly no filler and exceptional production quality. The Chimera Ant arc in particular is masterfully adapted with additional narrative framing. Many fans watch the 2011 anime first, then continue with the manga from Vol. 33 onward where the anime ended. Either approach works — both the manga and the 2011 anime are worth experiencing.

Where to Read Hunter X Hunter Manga

Manga Plus offers free access to the first and latest chapters. Viz Media subscription unlocks the full catalog. All 38 volumes are available physically from Viz Media. Note that new volumes release very infrequently — Togashi’s health affects the schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hunter X Hunter

What to Read After Hunter x Hunter