Hunter x Hunter Makes a Comeback with New Manga Trailer

After an 18-month hiatus, Hunter x Hunter is set to make its long-awaited return. The series will resume serialization next week on June 28 in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #31. The last chapter (410) was released about a year and a half ago on December 9, 2024. Following leaks that hinted at its comeback, the magazine confirmed the news and released a promotional video to celebrate the series’ revival.

Hunter x Hunter, created by Yoshihiro Togashi, first debuted in 1998. It follows Gon Freecs, a young boy on a quest to find his estranged father while aspiring to become a Hunter—licensed professionals who serve as explorers and mercenaries. The manga is one of the best-selling of all time, with over 84 million copies in circulation, and is often hailed as one of the greatest battle shonen series.

Manga trailers are always a treat, and this one is no exception. It kicks off with a glimpse of Beyond Netero and the Black Whale ship making its way to the Dark Continent, before shifting focus to the Succession War, its participants, and Kurapika, who finds himself in the midst of the turmoil. Fans also get a good look at the Phantom Troupe and the unpredictable, yet beloved, Hisoka, culminating in the exciting announcement of the series’ return.

The manga has seen two anime adaptations. The first, directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi at Nippon Animation, aired from 1999 to 2001 and consisted of 62 episodes. The second adaptation, produced by Madhouse, ran from 2011 to 2014 for 148 episodes, covering the story up to chapter 339 and concluding on a satisfying emotional note.

While Togashi’s work on the series was relatively steady from 1998 to 2005, he has faced health challenges, including back issues and other undisclosed problems, leading to frequent breaks. This has earned the series the less-than-flattering nickname “Hiatus x Hiatus.” In recent years, it has returned to semi-regular serialization multiple times, releasing ten chapters in a row before going back on hiatus to allow the author to work at his own pace.

Currently, the series is in the midst of the “Succession Contest” arc, a complex battle royale featuring a multitude of characters that has been ongoing since chapter 340 in 2012 (or chapter 349 in 2014, if you consider the “Dark Continent Expedition” arc separately). While the series has been releasing chapters in batches, the lengthy gaps between releases—especially the multi-year break between chapters 390 and 391—can make it challenging to keep track of the storyline.

Fans are hopeful that this latest return will be worth the wait. Those who love Hunter x Hunter have long mastered Enhancement Nen and remain undeterred in their enthusiastic anticipation for the next chapter, no matter how long it takes.