Understanding the narrative timeline of Hunter X Hunter: The Last Mission requires looking closely at how the 2013 theatrical feature fits around Yoshihiro Togashi’s established manga arcs. The film centers on an explosive siege of Heavens Arena driven by "On"—a dark, grudge-fueled counterpart to Nen—and forces Chairman Isaac Netero to confront a buried secret from his past. Because anime films often exist in a gray area of continuity, mapping out the precise sequence of events helps clear up confusion about where this story sits in the broader franchise.
In terms of chronological placement, the events of the movie take place after the Greed Island arc and right at the threshold of the Chimera Ant arc. Gon and Killua pause their expedition with Kite to travel to Heavens Arena and support Zushi, who is participating in the Battle Olympia tournament. While the film itself is generally considered non-canon because Togashi didn't author the script directly, its internal timeline references specific character growth and abilities established up to that point in the Madhouse adaptation.
Decades Prior: The Fall of Shadow
The narrative roots of the film trace back decades before Gon ever picked up a fishing rod. Isaac Netero led a covert black-ops squad for the Hunter Association known as "Shadow". This unit operated in the shadows to handle dirty jobs that the public association couldn't touch.
However, members of Shadow began utilizing "On", a volatile power born from intense hatred, malice, and a desire for vengeance rather than life energy. Fearing the destructive nature of this power, Netero dismantled the squad and suppressed their existence, leading to a government crackdown on the surviving members and their descendants. These survivors were rounded up and imprisoned, planting the seeds for a decades-long grudge against the Hunter Association.
The Siege of Heavens Arena
Fast-forward to the present day. Four cloaked operatives—survivors and loyalists of Shadow—storm a high-security prison tower to break out their comrades. Their ultimate target is Chairman Netero, who is visiting Heavens Arena to oversee the Battle Olympia tournament.
- The Infiltration: The cloaked figures systematically disable the arena. Rengoku confronts Netero directly, stabbing herself to invoke a specialized curse that seals and immobilizes Netero's Nen. Simultaneously, Shura hijacks the facility's security systems, locking down the building, while Gaki replaces Zushi's initial opponent in the tournament brackets.
- The Separation of the Group: Gon and Killua are temporarily knocked out of the upper levels but quickly fight their way back up from the lower floors. Meanwhile, Kurapika—who happens to be working as a bodyguard for Neon Nostrade—navigates the facility toward the control room, and Leorio gets ambushed and tossed into the building's drainage system.
Climax and Confrontation
As the heroes navigate the compromised skyscraper, the true scale of the threat becomes clear. The ringleader of the assault is revealed to be a resurrected version of Jed, the former leader of Shadow who was once close to Netero. Jed's objective is to force the Hunter Association to publicly release the "Black Report," a classified document detailing the suppression and crimes committed against Shadow's descendants.
The conflict boils down to a series of grueling individual matches:
- Gon and Killua vs. Gaki: The duo confronts Gaki on the upper stairwells, ultimately defeating him. Due to a fatal covenant bound to his On abilities, Gaki self-destructs upon losing.
- Kurapika vs. Shura: Kurapika fights Shura in the control room with backup from Leorio (who escapes the sewers with an assist from Hisoka). Before Shura is defeated, he infects Kurapika with Jed's blood, introducing the corrupting influence of On into his system.
- Gon vs. Jed: Leaving Leorio behind to treat Kurapika, Gon and Killua push toward the roof. When Killua is endangered by Jed's blood, Gon pushes him out of the way and takes the infection himself. To level the playing field, Gon taps into both his standard Nen and the raw properties of On.
Gon purifies the On corruption within his own body and neutralizes Jed's power. Defeated and freed from his centuries-old hatred, Jed's body crumbles to dust as he speaks his final words to Netero. With the threat neutralized, the lockdown lifts, Zushi and Biscuit finish off the remaining foot soldiers in the arena, and the Battle Olympia tournament finally proceeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hunter X Hunter: The Last Mission canon?
No, the movie is generally considered non-canon. It features original plot elements like "On" energy that never appear in Yoshihiro Togashi’s original manga serialization.
Where does the movie fit into the watch order?
Chronologically, it sits right between the end of Greed Island and the beginning of the Chimera Ant arc. It can be watched anytime after completing the Greed Island episodes.
What is "On" energy in the film?
On is presented as the dark mirror to Nen. While Nen draws on an individual's life force and mental balance, On is fueled entirely by intense hatred, grudges, and a desire for vengeance.
Who is Jed?
Jed was the original leader of Shadow, a classified black-ops squad run by Netero decades prior. After Netero dissolved the group due to their use of dangerous On energy, Jed sought revenge against the Hunter Association.
