Hunter x Hunter’s recurrent long hiatuses have really tested our loyalty, but boy, am I glad we waited. As Yoshihiro Togashi has returned again with Chapter 401!
This has its fans buzzing with excitement shooting through the seven heavens as it implies that Togashi is slowly getting better and is able to work on his greatest creation once again.
The HunterxHunter franchise has such an amazing plot and deep characters that it has influenced many manga’s and anime around the globe throughout history.
1. What do we know about the Hunter x Hunter Manga return?
Hunter x Hunter manga creator Yoshihiro Togashi recently announced his return through his Twitter account.
I. Twitter Updates
Togashi made the first tweet of this year, 2023, surprising and invigorating fans with hope as he has returned with Chapter 401.
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II. How do we know the Twitter handle is Togashi’s?
Togashi became trending in 2022 on Twitter after releasing drafts of his sketches, implying that he was in the process of writing chapters 391 to 400.
He broke records on Twitter and set a milestone after being the most followed mangaka gaining almost 2.2 million followers in just three days.That’s the influence this man has on the manga and anime community.
Currently, he has almost 3 million followers, snatching the title of the most followed mangaka artist.
Initially, fans were skeptical about the Twitter handle as it was anonymous, and since Hunter x Hunters’ return was much anticipated and there had been multiple hoaxes surfing around.
However, it was confirmed that it was Togashi himself because the creator of One Punch Man, Murata Yusuke, confirmed it and allowed him.
Additionally, numerous mangakas and acquaintances of Togashi have responded to his tweets.
The anime voice actors for Gon and Killua – Megumi Han and Mariya Ise, put up crying pictures of their characters on the same day after the tweets were out.
2. Did the HunterxHunter Manga come to an end?
The manga had never ended officially, but some fans believed that Hunter x Hunter would never return due to the frequent never-ending hiatuses.
Hunter x Hunter, created by Yoshihiro Togashi, is one of the most popular and influential creations, remaining a classic to this day.
The first chapter of the manga was published in March 1998 in the 14th Shonen Jump issue of that year, continuing for 280 chapters, after which it was on hiatus till its re-serialization in August 2011.
One of his most prolonged hiatus, four months, began after chapter 390th was released in October 2018, interrupting The “Succession Contest Arc” until his surprise on Twitter in 2022.
After his record-breaking comeback, he went into hiatus again after releasing ten chapters, leaving fans eager for chapter 401 and its continuation.
Fans are buzzing with excitement about the new tweet announcing the completion of chapter 401 now.
3. Why was Hunter x Hunter Manga on a hiatus?
Hunter x Hunter has had about 12 hiatuses since 2006. These frequent and long hiatuses have left some fans unpleased and dejected.
While most of us understand the circumstances surrounding the author, quite a few still have no idea how a series like this could take these many breaks.
Togashi sufferers from a medical condition known as “Lumbago,” which severely impacts the joints and muscles in the lower back.
He had been experiencing this debilitating backache since the days of Yu Yu Hakusho (which he helmed in his days), and the pain seemingly got worse as he wrote Hunter x Hunter.
It’s such an excruciating type of pain that he is bedridden and can’t even sit for 10 minutes.
In order to celebrate the 35th anniversary of his manga career, an art exhibition titled “Puzzle” was held in Japan starting on October 28, 2022.
Togashi also shared a letter updating fans about his condition and why he couldn’t draw the manga faster.
A Twitter user translated the letter:
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He then added this sketch Below:
4. When will Hunter x Hunter Manga return?
Unlike the anime, we know for sure that the manga will return. With his recent tweet, we know that Chapter 401 and onwards will be getting released soon.
But we can only guess at the release dates as the editorial staff of Shueisha’s monthly shonen jump magazine are working on a new release pattern for Togashi. Health can’t support him in releasing chapters weekly.
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5. The Future of Hunter x Hunter
An interview with Togashi went live in a book released by Shonen Jump, where he said it was about time he thought about wrapping up the series.
He assured the fans that he’s still working every day despite the long breaks and will definitely finish the Hunter x Hunter series.
The interview took a grim tone when Togashi said that he wasn’t sure which would end first — his manga or his life.
This wasn’t the first time Togashi addressed the future of Hunter x Hunter.
In June 2020, he did an interview to honor Jump’s 50th anniversary and said there are still a lot of things he wants to add to the manga.
The Hunter x Hunter creator even went as far as saying that if he is unable to continue the series due to unfortunate circumstances, his wife Naoko Takeuchi, the author of Sailor Moon, will finish it in his stead.
Despite the hurdles and boundaries caused by his health condition, Togashi wants to finish the manga no matter how long it takes.
Some fans have suggested that he should let someone else draw for him under his guidelines or just end the manga as it’s so painful for him, but he urges never to give up and continue.
This proves that there is no one more than Togashi himself who wants to put a satisfying conclusion to his life’s work.
6. Conclusion
With this recurrent history of wait and pain, the new tweets about the creator’s progress has fans emotional about Togashi’s unwavering determination to complete the manga.
The manga’s latest arc, called the “Succession Contest,” arc highlights Kurapika, one of Gon’s travel companions who is on a quest to reclaim his clan’s eyes.
Readers are on the hook to learn why Kurapika and the fifth Kakin prince, Tubeppa Hui Guo Rou, were seen working together in the most recent chapter even though the fourth Kakin, who is thought to be the owner of the eyes Kurapika, plans to restore.
All in all, Hunter x Hunter is definitely returning, and nothing can stop it.
7. About Hunter x Hunter
Hunter x Hunter is a Shonen anime adapted from manga of the same name.
The story follows the adventures of a young boy, Gon, discovering that his dead father wasn’t dead but was a legendary Hunter. Instead of feeling dejected, Gon decides to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a great Hunter himself.
The job of a Hunter isn’t an easy one, and Gon needs to pass an exam to become an official hunter. He makes friends on this journey, and they all must help each other overcome any obstacles.
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