Hunter x Hunter anime rights and licensing
The 2011 Hunter x Hunter anime is jointly copyrighted by VAP, NTV, Madhouse, and Shueisha, with VIZ Media handling North American home video and Crunchyroll streaming the original simulcast.
Published: 2026-08-19. Updated: 2026-08-19.
Short answer: The 2011 Hunter x Hunter anime is copyright to VAP, NTV, Madhouse, and Shueisha, with Yoshihiro Togashi credited as the original creator. Madhouse produced the 148-episode series. VIZ Media licensed the 2011 anime for North American Blu-ray and DVD release with an English dub, while Crunchyroll originally simulcast the series from 2011 to 2014.
Who owns the anime rights to Hunter x Hunter?
VIZ Media's copyright page lists the 2011 Hunter x Hunter animation copyright as 'POT (Yoshihiro Togashi) 1998-2011 VAP・NTV・Madhouse/Shueisha.' This explicitly names the four rights holders: VAP, Nippon Television (NTV), Madhouse, and Shueisha. Togashi retains author credit under the POT pen name.
Madhouse produced the 2011 series. Unlike a typical production committee model where rights are held under a project name, the Hunter x Hunter copyright is credited directly to the participating companies. This suggests a more explicit partnership structure, though the internal contract terms remain private.
Hunter x Hunter (2011) rights holders as credited in public sources.| Rights category | Publicly credited holder | Source |
|---|
| Anime adaptation copyright | VAP / NTV / Madhouse / Shueisha | VIZ Media copyrights page |
| Original manga | Yoshihiro Togashi / Shueisha | Weekly Shonen Jump |
| Animation production | Madhouse | Madhouse official page and VIZ |
| North American home video | VIZ Media | MyAnimeList news report |
| Original simulcast | Crunchyroll | Anime UK News report |
Who licenses Hunter x Hunter for streaming and home video?
VIZ Media announced at New York Comic Con that it had licensed the 2011 Hunter x Hunter anime for Blu-ray and DVD release in North America and would produce an English dub. The series spans 148 episodes, ending its Japanese broadcast in 2014. VIZ Media also publishes the English manga translation.
For streaming, Crunchyroll originally simulcast the series subtitled from 2011 to 2014. Anime UK News reported that Funimation UK and Ireland added the series in July 2020, including the English dub produced by Bang Zoom! Entertainment and VIZ Media. Netflix has also carried the series in some territories.
Why Hunter x Hunter's copyright line is unusually specific
Most anime hide committee members behind a 'Project' name. Hunter x Hunter names four specific companies in its copyright line: VAP, NTV, Madhouse, and Shueisha. VAP is a core Nippon Television group company that handles video and music distribution. NTV is the broadcaster. Shueisha is the manga publisher. Madhouse is the animation studio.
This direct naming does not mean the four split rights equally. It means they are the publicly credited rights holders for the adaptation. Sub-licensing to international distributors is handled by one or more of these companies acting together, likely through VAP or NTV for overseas sales.
Where public evidence stops
The copyright line names the rights holders but does not specify each party's share, approval authority, or revenue split. It also does not disclose the term or exclusivity of VIZ Media's home video license or of Crunchyroll's streaming arrangement.
Because the 2011 series is now complete and the manga remains on hiatus, new adaptation decisions depend on Togashi, Shueisha, and the rights holders. No public source confirms the terms under which a future anime continuation could be produced.
Ownership uncertainty note: VAP, NTV, Madhouse, and Shueisha are the credited rights holders, but their internal shares and licensing authority are not public. Current streaming availability should be verified against platform catalogs.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns the anime rights to Hunter x Hunter?
The 2011 anime is copyright to VAP, NTV, Madhouse, and Shueisha, with Yoshihiro Togashi credited as the original creator.
Who licensed Hunter x Hunter in North America?
VIZ Media licensed the 2011 series for North American Blu-ray and DVD release and produced an English dub.
Where did Hunter x Hunter (2011) originally stream?
Crunchyroll simulcast the series subtitled from 2011 to 2014. Funimation UK and Ireland later added it, and Netflix has carried it in some regions.
Which studio made Hunter x Hunter (2011)?
Madhouse produced the 148-episode 2011 series. Nippon Animation produced the earlier 1999 series.