The Best Anime To Watch If You Like Hunter X Hunter

More and more people have come to realize that anime is a legitimate form of entertainment, and those same people have also realized that not all anime is intended for children. That being said, shonen is the most popular type of anime because it is geared towards young adults, but many of those series cover fairly mature subject matter. Hunter X Hunter debuted as a manga in 1998 and has had two anime adaptations so far, with the 2011 version covering more of the story.

Hunter X Hunter follows a young boy named Gon Freecss, who wishes to become a professional Hunter like his father. Gon makes several friends along the way, including Killua, the series’ secondary protagonist. Hunter X Hunter is surprisingly dark and features great action sequences which usually involve some kind of Nen ability. The series has a pretty sizable fanbase, and there are certainly other anime out there that Hunter X Hunter fans would likely enjoy.

Updated on November 16, 2024, by Mark Sammut: A nime like Hunter X Hunter do not come around often, and the manga’s production schedule means that an anime sequel will likely not happen for a few more years (if at all). As such, seasonal releases do not hold much value for HxH fans, unless they are willing to look beyond Gon’s journey. Fall 2024 has some anime that should be watched by HxH supporters.

Fall 2024 Anime That Hunter X Hunter Fans Might Enjoy

• 	Orb: On the Movements of the Earth	Dandadan	Is It Wrong To Try To Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon?
  Genres	Drama, Mystery, History	Animation, Comedy, Action, Adventure, Fantasy	Action, Fantasy
  Studio	Madhouse		J.C.Staff
  Based On	Manga		Light Novel
  Creator	Uoto		Fujino Ōmori
  Streaming Service(s)	Netflix		Hulu, HIDIVE

While the Hunter X Hunter manga continues to slowly produce new content, a new anime series is likely a long way off. Hopefully, a day will eventually arrive when Gon and Killua take center stage once again; in the meantime, fans might want to pass the time by checking out seasonal anime that could strike a comparable chord. While not containing too many anime similar to HxH, Fall 2024 has a few shows that warrant a recommendation (beyond Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Conflict).

• Orb: On the Movements of the Earth – Ok, this is a bit of a strange one. A historical drama revolving around investigating Earth’s place in the universe is a far cry from Hunter x Hunter‘s fantasy shonen epicness, and anyone specifically craving a cool power system or high-octane fights will need to look elsewhere. However, Orb works surprisingly well as a companion piece to HxH, and that is not just due to Madhouse giving the shows a similar look. Orb follows a myriad of characters who are willing to risk everything to decipher how the universe operates, an endeavor that could spell their death at the hands of the church.
• Dandadan – The biggest and arguably the best anime of Fall 2024, Dandadan is an absolute thrill ride. That said, it shares very little in common with HxH, besides the fact that both are based on manga that represent shonen stories at their peak. Still, the two anime tell gripping action-driven stories that do not neglect character development and are built upon a friendship between two incredibly likable protagonists. Momo and Ken’s dynamic is an absolute treat, with the two supporting each other through aliens, turbo grannies, and bullying.
• Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? 5 – This should stand for the full series, but DanMachi honestly took a while to fully hit its stride. While the first three seasons are enjoyable, they are not consistent enough to inspire an enthusiastic endorsement; fortunately, DanMachi turned a corner with season 4, producing a 2-cour run packed with fantastic fights, intensity, and a great core dynamic. Season 5 has not quite reached the same level as its predecessor, but it is building steam nicely, while also delivering a fascinating premise fueled by an extremely powerful and dangerous character.

24 Tokyo Ghoul

The Ghouls & Chimera Ants Are Very Similar

The ghouls in Tokyo Ghoul are carnivorous humanoids who feed on human flesh, and in this regard, they are similar to the Chimera Ants that appear in Hunter x Hunter. Every ghoul is capable of using a special predatory organ called a Kagune, and their bodies can withstand a great deal of damage.

Tokyo Ghoul is much more violent than HxH, and its story is more complex, but it is still a fun watch. Ken Kaneki was an ordinary human before gaining ghoul abilities, and in this sense, he is similar to Gon because they both had to learn to live in a world with new powers.

23 Blue Exorcist

The Main Characters Have Father Issues & Strive To Become Stronger

Blue Exorcist is set in a world with two dimensions. One is home to humans, while the other is a demon dimension ruled by Satan. The demons can enter the human world by possessing someone, and it is up to the Exorcists to get rid of them. The story focuses on Rin and Yukio Okumura, fraternal twins who are both the sons of Satan.

Rin inherited all of their father’s strength, but they were not evil because they were raised by a powerful exorcist. When his real father kills their adopted father, Rin trains to become an exorcist capable of defeating him. Rin and Gon may have very different relationships with their fathers, but they both train to become stronger.

22 Kaiju No. 8

Focus On Teamwork & Sacrifice

One of 2024’s biggest new adaptations, Kaiju No. 8 has a lot of positives that justify its hype and warrant a wholehearted recommendation, even for people who might be relatively tired of battle shonen. In a refreshing change of pace, the story features an adult protagonist in his early ’30s, although Kafka is still chasing a childhood dream that is a long shot by most reasonable measures. Kaiju No. 8 takes place in a world where humanity is regularly bombarded by massive monsters, who usually appear without warning and can cause widespread destruction. Consequently, Japan relies on a special Defense Force to try and keep these entities at bay, and Kafka wishes to join their ranks. Unfortunately, he has never been able to pass their entrance exam. Fortunately, he accidentally swallows a kaiju and gains access to new abilities, which he has to keep hidden to avoid being marked as a threat to humanity.

Boasting great action, lovable characters, and a fun premise (who doesn’t love big monsters ramping through cities?), Kaiju No. 8 is just a good time, which is all any anime really needs to be. Beyond that, the Defense Force’s role is not that far removed from Hunters, with both of them essentially acting as humanity’s contact point with the unknown and dangerous. While Kafka is certainly very powerful and undeniably the protagonist, the anime emphasizes the importance of teamwork and coordination, which is a fairly staple theme of Hunter X Hunter.

21 Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Another Anime That Shouldn’t Be Judged By Its Initial Episodes

Every “dark” anime tends to be described as a genre subversion, which is not always accurate. While defying some expectations for battle shonen, Hunter X Hunter contains plenty of the standard elements associated with the genre, even if it might not always present them in the most conventional ways. Puella Magi Madoka Magica mostly does the same for magical girls, telling a story that initially seems to regurgitate the genre’s tropes, before eventually revealing itself to be far more unsettling than the typical mahou shoujo series.

While hardly the first or last “dark” magical girl anime, Puella Magi Madoka Magica is arguably the best example of this type of show. The story explores the roles of magical girls, their “cute” mascots, and their villains, all the while touching upon mature themes like desperation and obsession. Despite its unique elements, Puella Magi Madoka Magica is still ultimately a great representative of the magical girl genre, similar to how Hunter X Hunter represents battle shonen at its best.

20 Hell’s Paradise

Similar To Hunter X Hunter’s Greed Island Arc

Hell’s Paradise debuted in April 2023, and it centers around Gabimaru, an elite teenage ninja assassin. He was taken from his parents when he was a child and was trained by Iwagakure’s village chief. He became known as Gabimaru The Hollow, because of his lack of emotions.

He is captured during a mission and sentenced to death, but he is offered a pardon by the Shogun. He must find the Elixir of Life and return with it, but he must also return with Yamada Asaemon Sagiri, a female monitor. Gabimaru and other convicts travel to an island in search of the elixir. This is reminiscent of HxH’s Greed Island location, and Hell’s Paradise is just as bloody.

19 Bleach

Both Share Unique Character Designs & Power Systems

There was a time when Bleach was part of the Big Three, which means that it is one of Shounen Jump’s most iconic series. Ichigo Kurosaki is the main character, and the series focuses on the conflict between the Soul Reapers, Hollows, and Quincy. Each race possesses its own spiritual abilities, and many of the characters have unique designs, just like Hunter x Hunter.

Bleach‘s power systems are just as complicated as HxH‘s Nen, which means that some of the battles get very interesting. Like HxH, Bleach has its funny moments, but it does not shy away from violence or mature themes. While the original series is very good, Thousand-Year Blood War represents Bleach at its best, delivering near non-stop action that puts to shame most other shonen anime.

18 Jujutsu Kaisen

Cursed Energy & Nen Are Quite Similar

In Jujutsu Kaisen, Itadori Yuji inadvertently becomes the host of Ryomen Sukuna, the Demon King. Luckily, Yuji is able to control the powerful demon to a degree, and he is taken to Tokyo Prefectural Jujutsu High, where he hones his skills so that he can exorcise the demon when the time comes.

Jujutsu Kaisen is a great mixture of adventure, and the demons are reminiscent of some of the monsters encountered in Hunter x Hunter. The action in Jujutsu Kaisen is driven by cursed tools, and characters who can use cursed energy and cursed techniques, which is similar to how Nen users manipulate their aura.

17 Made In Abyss

Both Are Stories About Adventure & Searching For A Parent

Made in Abyss looks like a lighthearted anime intended for children, but it covers some dark themes, just like Hunter x Hunter. Like HxH, several characters in Made In Abyss meet terrible fates. Riko is the main character, and he goes on an adventure filled with discovery and training, while also searching for an absentee parent, which is similar to Gon’s relationship with his father.

Riko and Reg are cave raiders who journey into the abyss, where they encounter relics and dangers, and they find themselves in situations that leave them depressed and on the verge of death. Made in Abyss has excellent drama, and it is beautifully animated.

16 Mob Psycho 100

Similar Abilities & Comedic Elements

Mob Psycho 100 centers around Shigeo Kageyama, who one day wakes up with powerful psychic abilities. Unlike others, Shigeo chooses to suppress his powers because they are too dangerous, and he trains in order to use them properly.

As one might suspect, Mob Psycho 100, contains a lot of interesting abilities, which is similar to the various Nen abilities seen in Hunter x Hunter. Like HxH, the series can be very funny at times, and although Shigeo’s story is not as detailed as Gon’s, his adventure is still worth watching.

15 The Promised Neverland

Dark Like Hunter X Hunter’s Chimera Ant Arc

The argument can be made that the Chimera Ant arc is HxH‘s best arc, which is interesting since it is extremely dark. The Promised Neverland is just as dark as this arc, as it follows a group of orphans who learn that their loving “mother” is actually raising them to be eaten by demons.

Emma is the central character, and she tries to lead her friends to safety once she learns the horrible truth. What makes The Promised Neverland so captivating is the fact that none of the orphans possess any sort of supernatural abilities that could potentially help them.

14 Katekyo Hitman Reborn

Both Have Dark & Comedic Tones

As the story progresses, HxH gets more serious. It has no problem delving into dark themes, but it still contains lighthearted and comedic moments. Katekyo Hitman Reborn also combines comedic and serious tones pretty well, which is why HxH fans would enjoy it.

Tsuna is the main protagonist, and he is an awkward young man who wishes to find his path in life. He meets a small hitman who offers to make him the new boss of the Vongolla crime family, and when he agrees, he goes on a challenging journey that sees him get more mature. Along the way, Tsuna fights enemies and battles to overcome his own insecurities.

13 Black Clover

Asta & Yuno Are Similar To Killua & Gon

Black Clover centers around Asta and Yuno, a pair of orphans who wish to become the Wizard King. Yuno is a prodigy when it comes to magic, and he possesses a great deal of power, whereas Asta was born without magic and focuses on physical strength instead. The two develop a friendly rivalry.

Asta and Yuno may not be Killua and Gon, but their relationship is similar in some ways. Mana is Black Clover‘s power system, and once a mage turns 15, they are able to acquire a grimoire that allows them to cast specific spells. This is somewhat similar to Nen and how many users get introduced to it after completing the Hunter Exam.

12 My Hero Academia

Tons Of Action & Similarities Between Izuku & Gon

My Hero Academia is set in a world where 80% of humanity possesses some type of power called a Quirk. Like Nen, Quirks are a unique type of power system, and many of the powers have some type of limitation or special conditions.

There is a great deal of action in MHA that Hunter x Hunter fans will enjoy, and there are plenty of heartwarming moments as well. MHA focuses on Izuku Midoriya, a young boy who was born without a Quirk, but he gains one after his idol makes him his successor. Izuku’s determination is reminiscent of Gon’s, so HxH fans will surely like him.

11 Demon Slayer

The Demons Are Similar To The Chimera Ants

After his father dies, Tanjiro becomes his family’s provider. One day while he is out, the demon king kills his family and transforms his sister Nezuko into a demon. She manages to retain her humanity, and Tanjiro vows to cure her and avenge his family. He does this by joining the Demon Slayer Corps.

Demon Slayer is filled with many interesting characters and contains plenty of action and comedy, but it can get quite emotional as well. These are characteristics that it shares with Hunter x Hunter, and the demons are reminiscent of the Chimera Ants, both in terms of complexity and viciousness.

10 No Game, No Life

Very Similar To The Greed Island Arc

No Game, No Life debuted back in 2014. Despite only having 12 episodes, it is easily one of the best Isekai anime of all time. The series follows the lives of Sora and Shiro, a pair of step-siblings who are renowned for being undefeated in an online video game.

One day, the siblings are challenged to a game of chess by a god from another reality. When they win, they are sent to a different world that revolves around games. Sora specializes in strategy and cold readings, while his sister specializes in logic and calculations. Those who liked Hunter x Hunter’s Greed Island Arc will likely enjoy this anime too.

9 Seven Deadly Sins

Both Have Large Casts & Tons Of Action

Seven Deadly Sins follows a group of seven individuals, all of whom are exceptionally strong. The series starts with the group scattered and wanted for treason, but the truth is eventually revealed, and their names are cleared. They then go on to fight powerful members of the Demon and Goddess Clans.

Like Hunter X Hunter, Seven Deadly Sins is an action-packed anime set in a large world. They both feature large casts with characters who leave lasting impressions. Both series also offer plenty of strategic action scenes.

8 Naruto

Kurapika & Sasuke Have Similar Traits & Backstories

Naruto was one of the most popular anime series for a decade, and it is the kind of series that new anime fans would enjoy. It follows an orphan boy who wishes to become Hokage, the leader of his village. He eventually achieves his dream, while also becoming a hero and one of the strongest ninjas in history.

Both Naruto and Hunter X Hunger have major characters who belong to clans that were wiped out, and both of these characters have special eyes with unique abilities. Naruto’s story also focuses on friendship, and every battle utilizes some type of ninjutsu, which is somewhat comparable to the Nen battles in Hunter X Hunter.

7 One Piece

Luffy Is Just As Likeable As Gon

Many consider One Piece to be the greatest shonen anime of all time, and it certainly lives up to the hype. It is a massive story that focuses on Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates. Over the course of two decades, fans of the series have met hundreds of unique characters, including several based on real historical figures.

Luffy aspires to become Pirate King, just like Gon wishes to become a great Hunter like his father, and they are both extremely likable protagonists. Hunter X Hunter may have Nen, but One Piece has Devil Fruits, which give a wide variety of powers.

6 Dr. Stone

The Main Characters Achieve Great Things While Exploring The World

Senku Ishigami may have an incredibly impractical hairstyle, but he is arguably one of the smartest characters in all anime, and he is the heart and soul of Dr. Stone. He and his friends were ordinary teenagers living in the modern day, but a strange phenomenon has petrified every human on Earth for thousands of years.

Senku eventually breaks out of the stone and uses his scientific mind to try and save the rest of humanity. Dr. Stone may not have as much action as Hunter X Hunter, but both series focus on characters who are trying to achieve great things while venturing through a relatively unknown world.

Both Series Have Very Well-Developed Characters

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhoodtakes viewers on an emotional roller coaster, and it is held in high regard because of its characters and writing. It follows Edward and Alphonse Elric, a pair of brothers who wish to get their bodies back, but their quest ultimately leads to a confrontation with a would-be God and his inhuman subordinates.

Alchemy must abide by the laws of equivalent exchange, so it is quite different from Nen, but the battles in FMA: Brotherhood are still exciting to watch. Both series have well-developed characters, so Hunter X Hunter fans should find it entertaining.