Licensing Shift: Hunter x Hunter (2011) Leaves Crunchyroll in Multiple Regions
Posted by
maomao
In a sudden move that has left many fans in the middle of their Chimera Ant arc rewatches, the critically acclaimed 2011 adaptation of **Hunter x Hunter **has been removed from the Crunchyroll catalog in several major territories as of March 25, 2026. The removal comes as a surprise to many, as no official "leaving soon" notice was prominently displayed on the platform’s home page prior to the expiration of the streaming license.
Affected Regions
Based on user reports and catalog updates following the March 24th maintenance, the series is currently unavailable in the following regions:
- North America: United States and Canada.
- Europe: Most major territories including the United Kingdom and Ireland.
- Latin America: Brazil and Mexico (reports of "Error 6" and empty watchlists).
Note: As of today, the series appears to remain available in Australia and select parts of Southeast Asia, where different licensing agreements (such as those with Muse Communication) are currently in effect.
Why the Departure?
While Crunchyroll has not issued a formal statement, industry experts point to Viz Media, the primary master licensor for Hunter x Hunter in North America. Licensing agreements for "legacy" hits often operate on fixed-term contracts. With the recent global launch of the mobile game Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Survivor and new manga chapters on the horizon, it is speculated that the streaming rights are being renegotiated or consolidated.
The "Togashi Effect"
This removal coincides with a bittersweet week for the fandom. While the anime exits a major platform, creator Yoshihiro Togashi recently teased completion of more manga chapters, and the series remains a top trending topic ahead of AnimeJapan 2026 this weekend.
