Yoshihiro Togashi, the creator of Hunter x Hunter, shared a health update on X on August 12, 2024, that worried fans. He mentioned that his back had been troubling him again, signaling the return of his chronic back pain, a condition that has affected him for years.
Togashi had returned to working on the manga in May 2024 after a long hiatus, regularly updating fans with manuscript pages on X. However, his recent health issues might force him to take another break after completing his latest manuscript.
Fans showed immense support and sent well wishes for Togashi’s recovery. However, some in the online community renewed calls for a solution to the series’ frequent hiatuses. Many suggested that Togashi should delegate the illustration work to another artist, allowing him to focus on writing and preserving the manga’s progression while prioritizing his health.
Some fans even proposed that Togashi could ask his wife to draw the manga. However, others criticized this idea, attributing Togashi’s reluctance to hand over the illustrations to his pride and stubbornness. They argued that Hunter x Hunter is deeply personal to Togashi, and his commitment to the series reflects his passion and love for his work, not just an obligation to produce content.
Togashi Reveals Hunter x Hunter’s Possible Endings Amid Ongoing Hiatus, Manga’s Future Uncertain
Togashi’s dedication was seen as part of his artistic nature, with some noting that his wife, Naoko Takeuchi, has occasionally helped with illustrations. Togashi had previously revealed the ending of Hunter x Hunter to guests on TV Asahi’s variety show Iwakura and Yoshizumi, in case he was unable to complete the manga.
He shared three potential endings—A, B, and C—each offering different levels of satisfaction for fans.
Hunter x Hunter went on its latest hiatus after chapter 400 was published. At that time, the editorial department stated that the release date for Chapter 401 would be decided after consulting with Togashi. The manga will continue in a non-weekly format going forward.
Hunter x Hunter has been serialized in Shueisha’s shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump since March 1998, though it has frequently gone on extended hiatuses since 2006. The series was adapted into a 62-episode anime produced by Nippon Animation, and directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi, which aired on Fuji Television from October 1999 to March 2001.
Additionally, three original video animations (OVAs) totaling 30 episodes were produced by Nippon Animation and released in Japan from 2002 to 2004.
