Hunter x Hunter 1999 vs 2011: Which One is Better?

Hunter x Hunter received an anime adaptation in 1999 and another in 2011, which is unusual for a manga series. The 2011 anime covered longer story arcs, and the better animation quality really helped bring Nen and the action scenes to life.

Both series did a good job of staying true to the original material. Characters in Hunter x Hunter have fascinating personalities and distinctive looks, and the 2011 season did a superb job of modernizing those looks. But what are the differences between the 1999 and the 2011 series, and which one is better?

It’s true that some characters appeared better in the original anime while others appeared more or less the same, yet some fans favor the character designs from 1999. However, a lot of fans would concur that the 2011 version gave a lot of characters a much-needed makeover.

The two series’ main distinction is that the 1999 version concludes during the Yorknew City arc and moves more slowly than the 2011 version. Additionally, the 2011 series has a greater pace and appears to be more true to the manga, distinguishing it as the superior series.

Even though the 1999 version appears to be a popular favorite, especially among those who grew up in the 1990s, the 2011 version is still superior. The quality of the 1999 version has not been diminished by the fact that it is still a really enjoyable series to watch. Let’s examine the main distinctions between the 1999 and 2011 iterations of Hunter x Hunter in this aspect.

What Are The Differences Between Hunter x Hunter 1999 And 2011?

Many people overlook that the first Hunter x Hunter anime adaptation was released in 1999. Because it was one of the more recent and alluring shonen anime at the time, this was a series that 90s fans got quite absorbed in.

However, due to delays in the manga, the series didn’t survive very long and had to be discontinued. Only in 2011 did the whole series get a revamp so that the plot could be continued.

You are now aware that there are indeed two versions of Hunter x Hunter; Hunter x Hunter 1999 And Hunter x Hunter 2011. In the following sections, we will analyze in detail how different they are in terms of pace, animation, and storyline

Pacing

The 1999 version of Hunter x Hunter appears to move at a slower pace since the director was probably worried about how slowly the manga’s chapters were issued. As a result, the series moved somewhat slowly, taking 31 episodes to complete the Hunter Exam.

Hunter x Hunter 2011 appears to be more rapid, in contrast. It only required 26 episodes to consolidate the Hunter Exam and Zoldyck Family arcs. Additionally, the show was able to concentrate on all of the other arcs that required attention in terms of the plots and character development they featured.

Obviously, the Chimera Ant arc takes up 61 episodes because of how crucial it is to the overall plot of the anime, but that doesn’t change the fact that it is well-paced and progresses more quickly than the 1999 version.

Animation

The first Hunter x Hunter anime has more dated animation because it was first broadcast in 1999. Even when you consider that it was launched at the tail end of the 1990s, the graphics were subpar.

Despite the fact that extended shonen anime may not have the best animation and graphics due to the staff’s workload, the 1999 Hunter x Hunter doesn’t stand out among 90s anime. However, the narrative is what draws you to Hunter x Hunter rather than the animation.

As a result of being able to make use of improved animation technology, the 2011 version of Hunter x Hunter has the better animation and graphics of the two series. However, the 2011 version’s visuals don’t seem to be as striking as those of the other shonen anime from the early 2010s.

The filmmaker might have been aiming for a more traditional appeal that was more in line with the retro and nostalgic vibes of the 1999 anime, which could explain it.

Storyline

The 1999 anime adaptation was to prolong the arcs so that they would have enough material from the manga, therefore it had filler episodes. The Yorknew City/Phantom Troupe arc of the series was however interrupted because the manga wasn’t completely finished at that point.

But because the series was able to so expertly depict the darker and more mafia-styled environment, it was better able to convey the Yorknew City storyline.

The Phantom Troupe arc was completed in its entirety in the 2011 edition, which then moved on to the Greed Island, Chimera Ant, and Election arcs. The show had a satisfying conclusion when Gon and Killua split up after the Election arc, and it wasn’t abruptly canceled in the middle of a story arc.

In contrast to the 1999 version, which had a slower pace and some extra information not found in the manga, it also had a plot that was able to virtually completely replicate the events of the manga.

Character designs

Characters like Leorio, Machi, Mito, Neon, and a few more have superior designs in the 1999 version. However, the rest is improved with the 2011 adaptation. Some character designs that were much superior include Killua (who doesn’t appear nearly as cute and instead looks overly adult in comparison to Gon in the 1999 design). Additionally, in succeeding sequences, his skin tone, which is intended to be pale, keeps shifting to darker tones), Chrollo, and Hisoka.

Related: Gon Freecss Anime Embroidery Bag

Music

Some individuals criticized the music from 2011 while others praised it. The themes and OSTs are perfectly chosen and appropriate and the beginning and conclusion are deficient. However, it’s somehow true that 1999 has stronger beginnings and endings

Main Characters’ Pasts

Although the past of Leorio is discussed in original and moving moments in both versions of the anime, the 1999 version goes further and provides further context. Leorio is deceived into a position during the Hunter exam that exposes him to a harmful plant’s hallucinogenic substance.

This causes spectators to witness his struggle with scenes that reflect his prior trauma, such as the illness-related death of a childhood buddy that he holds himself responsible for. These sequences give the situation additional tragic context and the complete range of Leorio’s emotions, which are evidently complicated by his obvious struggle with guilt.

These moments help create an organic segue into Leorio telling Kurapika the truth about his reasons for becoming a Hunter, which deepens their relationship when his friends rescue him and help him come to his senses.

When Kurapika comes into contact with the same plant, she is forced to relive the horrifying events surrounding the Kurta clan massacre. He practically becomes paralyzed by dread as a result.

These challenging sequences illustrate the severity of these tragedies in the lives of Kurapika and Leorio as they go on while simultaneously tugging at viewers’ heartstrings.

Side Character Interactions

Viewers get to discover more about some of the supporting characters in the 1999 remake because additional arcs were incorporated during the Hunter exam. The Hunter exam features a vast array of characters, making it challenging for spectators to connect with anyone save the core four.

The inclusion of what some may view as filler segments, however, gives viewers the chance to spend more time with the supporting cast and witness both hilarious and poignant exchanges. This might even encourage viewers to have a deeper appreciation for personalities they hadn’t previously considered.

As a result, starting with the 2011 series rather than the initial release should be preferable. In this manner, you would be able to distinguish the little variations between the two versions, particularly when it comes to the Phantom Troupe arc, which appears to be darker in the 1999 version. The only issue is that the Phantom Troupe arc is abruptly interrupted in the 1999 version just after Zeno and Silva fight Chrollo.

FAQs About Hunter x Hunter 1999 and Hunter x Hunter 2011

Which Between 1999 And 2011 Is The Better Hunter x Hunter Series?

Besides the factors discussed above, there is not much between the 1999 and 2011 adaptations of Hunter x Hunter. The plot isn’t even all that different; rather, the 1999 version’s length is a result of the manga’s sluggish development.

In that sense, it doesn’t really matter which is superior because they are both excellent. To get a better sense of the newer series’ themes, you might prefer to watch the 2011 version rather than the 1999 release because it is newer and more fast-paced. Even though the Chimera Ant arc is very lengthy, the entire series is paced effectively enough for you to become invested in the plot and the characters.

Should You Watch Hunter x Hunter 1999?

While the 1999 version performed better in the first arc (the Hunter exam arc), the 2011 version performed better in the following arcs (Heavens Arena, etc.). Both versions have their strengths. It’s also important to note that there wasn’t much manga material available for the 1999 adaptation.

Related: 15 FAQs About Hunter x Hunter

How Many Episodes is Hunter x Hunter 1999?

Fuji Television aired 62 programs in total from October 16, 1999 and March 31, 2001. Additionally, Animax, a satellite television network, has broadcast the series.

How Many Episodes is Hunter x Hunter 2011?

There are 148 episodes in the Hunter × Hunter anime series from 2011. Hunter x Hunter’s 148 episodes are divided into six different story arcs.

How Many Filler Episodes are there in Hunter x Hunter?

Out of the 62 episodes of Hunter x Hunter 1999, there are 10 episodes considered as fillers/canon(4-6, 11-12, 26-27, 32-34) while 5 are fillers. Whereas out of the 148 episodes of Hunter x Hunter 2011, 2 are reported as filler episodes.

Filler Episodes Hunter x Hunter 2011

• Episode 13 (“Letter x From x Gon”)
• Episode 26 (“Then x And x After”)

Filler Episodes Hunter x Hunter 1999

• Episode 2 (“Encounter x Intimidation x Departure”)
• Episode 7 (“Trauma x Limit x Sweet Trap”)
• Episode 18 (“Treasure x Memory x Hotel Room”)
• Episode 19 (“Separation x Diary x Water Inflow”)
• Episode 20 (“Giant Wave x Cannon x Huge Rush“)