If you’ve spent any time on Twitter—or X, whatever we're calling it now—you know that a single photo of a corner of a manga page can set the internet on fire. Especially when that page has a little "414" scribbled in the margin.
Honestly, being a Hunter x Hunter fan is basically a full-time job in managing expectations. We’ve been through the "Hiatus x Hiatus" jokes. We’ve seen the long years of silence. But right now, things feel... different. Better.
So, let's get into the big question: when does Hunter x Hunter come back?
The January 2026 Update: Where We Stand Right Now
Forget the rumors for a second. Let's look at what Yoshihiro Togashi actually did. On January 14, 2026, Togashi-sensei dropped a series of updates that sent the r/HunterXHunter subreddit into a total meltdown. He confirmed that the manuscript for Chapter 414 is complete.
This isn't just a random sketch.
It’s part of a steady stream of work he’s been doing since late 2025. Back in October, he mentioned he’d moved past the planning stages for Chapters 411 through 420. By December 2025, he had already finished the manuscripts for 411 and 412. Now, just two weeks into the new year, he’s already pushed through 413 and 414.
That pace is genuinely impressive for a man who has struggled with such debilitating back pain that he once couldn't sit in a chair for more than ten minutes.
The Numbers Game
If you're looking for a specific release date, Shonen Jump hasn't given us a "Day 1" yet. But we can read the tea leaves. Usually, when Togashi finishes a batch of 10 chapters, the magazine starts preparing for serialization.
- Chapter 410 was the last one we got (December 2024).
- Chapter 411 to 420 is the next logical batch.
- Togashi has already teased work going all the way up to Chapter 430.
Most people in the community are betting on a return in March or April 2026. Why? Because Shonen Jump needs lead time to market the return and slot it into the magazine. Plus, Togashi likes to have a "buffer"—a few finished chapters in the bank so he doesn't feel the crushing pressure of a weekly deadline while his health is still finicky.
Why the Succession Contest Arc is Taking Forever
I've talked to fans who are totally lost. "Wait, where is Gon?" "Who are all these princes?" Look, the Succession Contest is probably the most dense, complicated arc in manga history. It makes Game of Thrones look like a picture book.
We are currently stuck on the Black Whale No. 1, a giant ship heading toward the Dark Continent. There are 14 princes trying to kill each other, the Phantom Troupe is hunting Hisoka, and Kurapika is trying to keep Prince Woble alive while his eyes literally bleed from overusing Emperor Time.
It’s a lot.
The complexity is one reason why the chapters take so long to write. Togashi isn't just drawing fights; he’s writing a 4D chess match where every character has a different Nen ability that interacts with five other abilities. One small mistake in the logic and the whole arc falls apart.
Interestingly, some of the 2026 tweets featured Kurapika. Specifically, one image showed Kurapika... well, giving someone the middle finger. If that isn't a sign that the tension on the ship is about to boil over, I don't know what is.
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The Health Reality: Let's Be Real
We have to talk about Togashi's health because it dictates everything. For years, the narrative was that he was "lazy" or just wanted to play Dragon Quest. That’s garbage. The man has chronic spinal issues that are frankly terrifying.
In recent updates, though, he sounds... okay? He’s been posting more frequently. He’s even doing color illustrations again, which is usually the most physically demanding part of the process.
There was a theory floating around that he would finally hire an assistant to do the drawing while he just wrote the story. But Togashi is a perfectionist. He’s been using assistants for backgrounds and inking for a while, but he still insists on doing the core character work. It’s his "magnum opus," and he wants his hand on the pen.
Is a New Anime Coming?
This is the "Discovery" fodder everyone wants to know. With the manga coming back, will we get a continuation of the 2011 Madhouse anime?
Technically, there’s a "new" Hunter x Hunter project announced for 2026, but it’s not what you think. It’s a survival rogue-lite game called Nen x Survivor, set to release on February 17, 2026. They are releasing a "special animation video" for the game, which might feature new footage of Gon and Killua, but it’s not a new season.
The reality is that there isn't enough manga material yet for a full anime season. The 2011 anime ended at Chapter 339. We are only at Chapter 410. That's about 70 chapters of content. For a high-quality studio to pick it up, they usually want at least 100+ chapters so they don't run into the "filler" problem that killed the original Fullmetal Alchemist or Bleach runs.
Actionable Steps for the "Hatus" Survival
Don't just sit there refreshing Togashi's Twitter every ten minutes. It'll drive you crazy. If you want to be ready for when the new chapters actually drop, here’s what you should do:
- Re-read Chapters 390-410: Seriously. You have forgotten who the 4th Prince’s bodyguards are. You’ve forgotten the specific rules of the "Guardian Spirit Beasts." If you start reading now, you’ll actually understand what’s happening when Chapter 411 hits.
- Follow the "Yellow Envelope": On X, Togashi often posts pictures of yellow envelopes. These are the physical manuscripts being sent to the publisher. When you see a flurry of these, it means a release date is weeks away.
- Check Manga Plus: This is the official Shueisha app. When the series returns, they usually make the previous 10-20 chapters free for a limited time to catch everyone up.
- Manage your hype: We will likely get a batch of 10 chapters, and then another hiatus. That's the rhythm now. Accept it, and you'll enjoy the series a lot more.
The bottom line? Hunter x Hunter is coming back in 2026. The work is being done, the manuscripts are being finished, and the King is back at his desk. It’s just a matter of waiting for that official "Serialization Resumes" banner to drop.