Will the Hunterxhunter Anime Continue After 148
Hunter x Hunter has received widespread attention both in Japan as well as internationally. It has solidified its place as one of the most popular Shonen series, despite the longest hiatus any fandom has ever seen.
Hunter x Hunter came out 24 years ago; it has been 4 long years since the last manga release, and 8 years since the latest anime. The exciting "Succession Contest" arc had just barely begun when the series went on an indefinite break.
The unusually long hiatus has really tested our loyalty, but we finally have a reward in sight for having waited this long!
On 24th May, 2022, creator Yoshihiro Togashi confirmed on Twitter that Hunter x Hunter will continue. He revealed that new material for the manga is in progress, and that he has 4 more chapters to go.
This news has broken the internet, and what's more, we've been getting new updates every day! Here is everything you need to know about Hunter x Hunter return.
1. What do we know about the Hunter x Hunter return?
I. Twitter Updates
Togashi tweeted an image of his draft from the upcoming issue. It had the number 6 at the bottom, and his caption in Japanese read that he had 4 more chapters left for now.
This could mean that the writer-illustrator has 10 chapters in mind, and that he is in the process of writing chapters 391 to 400. The last manga chapter was chapter 390.
On 25th and 26th May, Togashi tweeted 2 out-of-context pictures – one was of a tree, and the other was an obscure image from his storyboard. Way to build up the hype!
On 27th, 28th, and 29th May, he tweeted images of chapter 8, 9, and 10 respectively.
II. How do we know the Twitter handle is Togashi's?
Since the posts were made from an unofficial anonymous handle, fans were skeptical about the news in the beginning. After all, we've been duped before – Hunter x Hunter return hoaxes have been aplenty during its hiatus.
However, we know that the handle posting is Togashi himself, because the creator of One Punch Man, Murata Yusuke, confirmed it. Murata has since followed the handle.
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.
Hunter x Hunter is returning and is confirmed. It's happening, guys!
2. Was the Hunter x Hunter series canceled?
The series had never been canceled. But due to the never-ending hiatus, some fans believed that Hunter x Hunter would never return.
I. Manga
Hunter x Hunter, created by Yoshihiro Togashi, is one of the most popular and well-known series in the world, and despite its long breaks, it remains a classic to this day.
The first chapter 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.
The most recent hiatus began after October 2018, and since then, we have not seen even a single chapter release.
The current manga chapters have been composed into 36 tankobon volumes in Japan by Shueisha, and while there were rumors about a new installment, there was no concrete information.
This led fans to believe that the series had been canceled and would never finish its legendary run.
Boy, am I glad that we never gave up hope.
II. Anime
The Hunter x Hunter anime started airing from 2011 to 2014, and with a total of 148 episodes, it covered the manga up to chapter 339. After that, however, the anime went into a prolonged hiatus.
As a relief for the fans, Toonami began airing the English dubbed version from April 2016, which came to an end after the 6th season.
Now we are left wondering whether the series is canceled or there is still hope for a 7th season?
With the voice actors from the anime responding to Togashi's tweets, there is a possibility that the anime returns and we get a final installment. We'll just have to wait and see.
3. Why was Hunter x Hunter on a hiatus?
Hunter x Hunter has had 12 hiatuses since 2006. The main reason is because of Togashi's deteriorating health.
Fans are aware of the mangaka's chronic back issue, which hinders his everyday work and life. With the pandemic, the series took its longest and most recent break.
I. Anime
After a successful run of 148 episodes, the anime ended in 2014 and went into an indefinite hiatus. The real reason why the anime was on hiatus is due to the utter lack of material.
After the Hunter x Hunter's creator, Togashi Yoshihiro, had to discontinue working on the series for a while, there have been no new chapters since 2018, and the anime has almost caught up to the manga.
Now, one of the redeeming factors of Hunter x Hunter is that it isn't packed with fillers like other major Shonen series. Each and every episode builds up to something that is essential to the plot.
While the studios can certainly continue animating the series by diverging from the manga and adding in non-cannon material, it will only result in a half-baked attempt on their side at holding the fans' attention.
Most of us instead would like to see Togashi focusing on improving his health, and slowly wrap up the manga in the way he wants best. The animation can come after that.
II. Manga
The last Hunter x Hunter chapter 390th was released in October 2018.
The extremely long hiatus has been nerve-wracking for the fans of the series. While most of us understand the circumstances surrounding the author, there are still quite a few who have no idea how a series like this could take these many breaks.
Togashi's medical condition called Lumbago severely impacts the joints and muscles in the lower back. He had been experiencing this since the days of Yu Yu Hakusho and the pain seemingly got worse as he wrote Hunter x Hunter.
The last report on his health dates back to mid-December 2019. But with his daily tweets, I'm guessing he has taken some steps to alleviate the pain.
4. What did fans do to help?
While fans knew they couldn't directly influence the creator and Madhouse studios, they definitely did their best to pressure them to do something.
Hundreds of fans signed a petition on Change.org to urge the creators and producers to release more Hunter x Hunter content.
But more than anything else, the thing that kept Hunter x Hunter alive and in the picture is the fans' continuing support and love.
5. When will Hunter x Hunter return?
Despite the new tweets about the manga by Togashi, there has been no official news about the release date of the series.
I. Anime
The Hunter x Hunter anime concluded its run with episode 148 in 2014. The latest episode covers up to Chapter 339, while the manga itself is only at chapter 390 right now.
While most of us can't wait for the rest to be adapted, quite frankly, with only 52 chapters ahead of the anime, there's no chance that the studio will continue animating the series. At least not until more chapters are out.
After the Succession Contest arc is completed, Madhouse studio might pick it up so that the audience can have a proper anime season while maintaining its quality.
At this moment, the main factor is not the popularity of the series (c'mon, let's be real, that will never dwindle), but the amount of source material available.
On the other hand, even if the series is animated, chances are, many won't like it.
While the current Succession Contest arc is extremely interesting and follows Kurapika trying to approach the last owner of his clan's eyes, the two main characters of the series, Gon and Killua, are nowhere in sight.
There is still no information if and when the anime series will come back.
II. Manga
Unlike the anime, we know for sure that the manga will return. But we can only guess at the release date.
The series has 36 volumes with around 10 chapters each. Volume 37 will likely be published soon with chapters 381-390. The new chapters will be in volume 38.
This means we'll have to wait until volume 37 is published to read the new chapters in volume format.
But the new Hunter x Hunter chapters will be available on the internet in a couple of months, most likely in the winter. Imagine receiving chapter 391 as a Christmas gift!
6. The Future of Hunter x Hunter
After the last chapter 390 titled "Clash," released in October 2018, there were no new chapters and we were all in near-depression. The series has missed the several issues of Weekly Shonen Jump.
An interview with Togashi went live in a book released by Shonen Jump, where he said that it was about time he thought about wrapping up the series.
Hunter x Hunter: The Last Mission - Official Theatrical Trailer
He assured the fans that despite the long breaks, he's still working every day, 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.
This proves that there is no one more than Togashi himself who wants to put a satisfying conclusion to his life's work.
Fans can rest assured that the future of our favorite Shonen looks pretty bright for now. No one knows how many more chapters we can expect, but just the fact that, despite the circumstances, we are getting more content, is a great sign.
7. Conclusion
With all this history of wait and pain, the new tweets about the creator's progress has fans even more emotional.
The current manga arc, called the "Succession Contest," is still not even halfway done and has ways to go. I'm hoping the new chapters give us the conclusion we deserve.
All in all, Hunter x Hunter is definitely returning, and nothing can stop it.
Watch Hunter x Hunter on:
8. 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.
Originally Written By Epic Dope
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