10 Best Episodes of ‘Hunter x Hunter’

There is a reason fans still talk about the 2011 adaptation of ‘Hunter x Hunter’ years after it ended. The series builds its arcs with careful world building and clear rules for Nen so when turning points arrive they land with real weight. That approach produced individual episodes that stand on their own as complete dramatic units while also moving the larger story forward in decisive ways.

This list focuses on the 2011 TV anime and spans the Hunter Exam, Yorknew City, Greed Island, Chimera Ant, and Election arcs. Each pick highlights concrete plot turns, tactics, and Nen mechanics that matter for the characters and the world of ‘Hunter x Hunter’ so you can jump back in with context or follow the story in order without getting lost.

Anger × And × Light

Episode 131 centers on Gon confronting Neferpitou after Komugi is injured during the palace assault. The episode details how Gon sets a condition for Pitou to heal Komugi then return to fight him and explains why Pitou agrees based on loyalty to the King. It also shows how Gon’s rage interacts with Nen conditions he imposes on himself which lets him exchange his potential for immediate power.

The fight shows the practical effects of that trade on aura output, speed, and raw striking force and it lays out the consequences for Gon’s body and Nen pathways. Kite’s fate anchors the stakes and Killua’s arrival records the aftermath so later medical and Nen recovery steps in the Election arc have a clear starting point.

Zero × And × Rose

Episode 126 follows Chairman Netero’s battle with Meruem from open field engagement to the final contingency. The episode walks through Netero’s Hatsu with the Bodhisattva and how the Zero Hand functions as an all out expenditure of aura. It also documents the King’s learning curve as he reads patterns mid fight and adjusts his approach with overwhelming durability.

The conclusion introduces the Poor Mans Rose and describes the weapon’s design and delayed poisoning which becomes important for every Royal Guard decision that follows. The aftermath creates a clock for the arc and explains why Pouf and Youpi change priorities while the King seeks a final reunion.

This Person × And × This Moment

Episode 135 brings Meruem back to Komugi after the effects of the Rose take hold. The episode focuses on their final Gungi session and shows how Meruem’s memory fragments surface through play rather than exposition. It also traces how the poison symptoms progress which explains the limited time both characters have together.

The room layout and lack of interruptions matter because the Royal Guards are already depleted and cannot intervene further. The episode closes the strategic thread of the palace battle by confirming the fate of the King and Komugi and it prepares the handoff to postwar resolution for Chimera Ant survivors and human agencies.

Past × And × Future

Episode 148 concludes the 2011 series with Gon meeting Ging at the World Tree after the Election arc resolves. The episode explains how Gon reaches the summit using practical climbing gear and Nen assistance and it frames Ging’s advice around exploration rules and the nature of undiscovered territory on the Dark Continent.

Parallel scenes show where other core characters are heading which helps place team splits after the election results and the Alluka resolution. The final conversation clarifies Gons goal going forward and why the story’s open threads remain available for later journeys without leaving immediate obligations unfinished.

Condition × And × Condition

Episode 47 in the Yorknew City arc details Kurapika’s battle with Uvogin and explains the Binding Vows that power his Chain Jail and Judgment Chain. The episode shows the conditions Kurapika places on his Nen which include usage limits tied to the Phantom Troupe and why those limits produce a dramatic boost in effectiveness when the target matches.

The fight’s outcome changes the Phantom Troupe’s tactics, forces Chrollo to reassess the chain user threat, and triggers a pursuit that structures the rest of the arc. Kurapika’s recovery steps and chain usage cooldowns are logged so later confrontations follow a consistent rule set rather than one off exceptions.

Ging × And × Gon

Episode 75 closes Greed Island and explains how card mechanics translate into real world movement. Gon and Killua clear the game and use specific cards to travel which demonstrates the difference between Accompany and the targeted card choice that leads to Kite rather than directly to Ging.

The episode also catalogs the rewards the boys keep including important spell cards that affect resource gathering and scouting after they leave the island. This transition sets the entry point for the Chimera Ant arc and shows how Greed Island training in emission and enhancement carries into their next battles.

Bargain × And × Deal

Episode 71 covers the Greed Island dodgeball match against Razor which is presented as a detailed Nen physics lesson. It breaks down how emission and enhancement combine to control impact, why Hisoka’s Bungee Gum changes ball trajectories, and how Gons Jajanken variant can be adapted to a team play.

The match outcome grants a key card while also mapping alliances that matter for the rest of the game. It records damage taken and aura expenditure so the recovery window and later training scenes make sense and it clarifies Razor’s connection to Ging which adds context to the island’s design.

Breakdown × And × Awakening

Episode 124 occurs inside the palace as teams split to manage Komugi’s treatment and the Guards. The episode tracks Pitou’s emergency nen surgery, Morel’s smoke containment, and Knuckle’s APR counter as it accumulates interest on Youpi. It also documents how Pouf divides attention between the King and Komugi which weakens coordination among the Guards.

Gon’s state is logged as unstable after the negotiation with Pitou which sets the conditions for his later transformation. The episode binds multiple time sensitive objectives so every movement choice affects two fronts and it explains why Killua prioritizes extraction routes while Palm and Ikalgo handle information flow.

Pose × And × Name

Episode 122 focuses on shifting matchups as the assault team tests Youpi’s evolving forms. The episode shows how Knuckle marks Youpi with APR to force a debt threshold while Shoot uses mobility and cover to buy time for the counter to mature. It explains Youpi’s adaptation as he discovers new shapes and discovers how to manage rage without losing control.

Killua’s intervention with Godspeed is signposted by observations about electricity tolerance training which gives his burst movement a clear baseline and a limited duration. The episode ends with resources and timers updated so the following encounters have defined stakes and measurable progress toward neutralizing a Royal Guard.

Confusion × And × Expectation

Episode 110 captures the pre invasion reconnaissance and the first contact with Pitou’s En inside the palace. Knov’s attempt to place portals is documented step by step which shows how En density and fear effects can disrupt even experienced Hunters. His withdrawal explains why the team adjusts entry points and why Morel and Novu share responsibilities for portal maintenance and smoke cover.

The episode also logs the positions of the Royal Guards relative to the King and Komugi which sets the board for the multi front battle that follows. By mapping routes, contingencies, and signal plans it provides a clear operational picture that the later episodes execute in synchronized phases.

Share your own picks in the comments and tell us which episodes of ‘Hunter x Hunter’ you would add to the list.