When I started watching Hunter X Hunter, I started at the York New arc and I'm so thankful that I did.
Personally, the rest of the series arcs are very hit or miss for me, if I had started at the beginning, I very much doubt I would have made it through before dropping. It is a slow start, and I feel takes some time to find it's feet. I had no issues or felt any loss from starting at the arc I did, some of the finer details I picked up later as I went through the rest of the series (beginning and later arcs).
Most people will agree that the best arcs are either the York Shin, or the Chimera Ant Arc.
Perhaps start with whichever you feel is more to your tastes.
For me it's York Shin hands down, I'm not sure the Chimera Arc is for me at all as I can't get past the cartoony designs of those ants and the training episodes. I'm hanging around for the character development, so I will wait for the King to show up at least.
The Chimera ant arc starts at episode 76 of the 2011 series only.
York Shin on the other hand makes HXH one of my top favourite series, even though the rest of the arcs are ok to even unbearable at times (not a Greed Island fan).
It's been a while since I've seen the 2011 version of the York Shin arc, but I watched the 1999 version afterwards. 100 X better. While 2011 was good when I watched it, the atmosphere and mood of the 1999 version just made it for me. You won't find any childish notions from that adaption. I'm not telling you to strictly watch the 1999 version though, it depends on your own tastes.
2011 is fast paced, exciting, colourful, cleaner. The episodes end on hooks that will make you want to watch more.
1999 is slower paced, darker, grittier, more emotive and full of atmosphere.
The York Shin arc starts at episode 45 of the 1999 version (and continues into the first OVA), or episode 39 of the 2011.
That said, it may be a different arc than those two that will eventually interest you, or maybe no part of HXH will take your liking. I do find all of the arcs to be very contrasting, so I wouldn't give up yet.
Think about whatever gave you the desire to try in the first place, a particular character you like the look of, the storyline of an arc, the themes... start from whatever caught your eye.
(And if you like it, of course go back and follow up on the rest too! :) ) |