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NEWS: Hunter x Hunter Manga Resumes After Almost 4 Years on October 24

Togashi literally ended YYH the way he did because he simply got tired of drawing it (& even apologized for his "selfishness"), and after YYH's end Togashi has pretty much been allowed to do literally whatever he wanted & is treated like a king for it by Shueisha (the second half of Level E's chapters all got color opening pages, despite only coming out once per month, and of course HxH's numerous hiatuses), so I guess one could say that Shueisha did indeed "learn"... I guess.

You do know that Japanese authors use a lot of self-deprecation and "I am sorry for my selfishness" should not be taken on face value, don't you? It's the same apology Gege Akutami or more recently Ruri Dragon's author have said after talking about their health problems.

He wrote in his own dōjinshi Yoshirin de Pon! that he stopped the production on YuYu Hakusho out of selfishness. The author had originally wanted to end the manga in December 1993, at the climax of the Sensui arc. (...) Togashi was under a great deal of personal stress at certain points of the series' run, particularly during its final six months of publication. He claimed that, beginning with the Dark Tournament arc, inconsistent sleep resulting from overwork was causing him health problems. He noted himself as being very ill while working on the color pages for Yusuke's match with Chu.There were also many instances where he would create nearly entire manuscripts by himself, such as Yusuke's meeting with Raizen and the battle between Kurama and Karasu. The editors of the publication tried to make Togashi reconsider cancelling Yu Yu Hakusho, though he justified his decision by stating that it would simply be replaced by another popular series. Togashi was relieved at the conclusion of the manga

There are references to every quote. Surely "personal stress", "very ill" and "health problems" do not sound like "I am bored" to me.

cookiemanstah wrote:

granted, you as the reader are not entitled to anything from the author, but isn't it fair to be upset by being held by the balls with hiatuses like this? Speaking for NANA for example, which went onto a hiatus in 2009 after a cliffhanger. The author is well off since but has just shrugged for the most part.

Counter argument: I consider that the reason HXH it's so good it's because Togashi has a lot of time to properly think the plot.

As such, without the hiatus HXH wouldn't exist to begin with.

Besides Togashi has a decent enough excuse, other writers *cough*kazue*cough* apparently just got bored of the thing and some level of "upset" may be understandable.

I mean Its great that its coming back, but is it something to be extremly thrilled about? We all know that after these 10 chapters, Hxh will most likely go on another extended hiatus (3-4 years) before it returns again.

What togashi needs to do is give his work to a competent illustrator that knows his art style and have him dictate the way the story goes from his sick bed or what ever, but have an assistant manage the illustrations so things can be completed at a more decent pace.

I have heard that he has hired more staff to help him so maybe he is thinking along these lines which maybe why its returning to a weekly publised magazine, maybe this is happening for the long haul, not just for those 10 chapters. Will see I guess.

Mr. Toto wrote:

For an adult, seeing a creator like Togashi to return to his craft despite weathering through excruciating pain is inspirational.

I agree with the rest of your post, but watching an artist destroy themselves for their art is anything but inspirational. I wish him the best, but would almost prefer him not finish the series and try to regain his health than to end up dying at his desk. The "tortured artist"(both mentally and physically) is a horrid, toxic stereotype that needs to go.

Mr. Toto wrote:

For an adult, seeing a creator like Togashi to return to his craft despite weathering through excruciating pain is inspirational.

I agree with the rest of your post, but watching an artist destroy themselves for their art is anything but inspirational. I wish him the best, but would almost prefer him not finish the series and try to regain his health than to end up dying at his desk. The "tortured artist"(both mentally and physically) is a horrid, toxic stereotype that needs to go.

So he's still continuing with what is basically glorified DLC at this point? Because if we're being honest, spoiler[ this series should have ended when Gon found Ging. That's the literal premise of the story, and we have made it there already. I know Togashi came up with some cheap excuse for why he wants to continue but honestly he should have just written these newer arcs first all the while having Killua & plot device sibling take a longer time to fix Gon, and while that is happening Hisoka battles Chrollo, as well as other shit or something.] there's no main big enough reason to continue reading HxH if you aren't already a fan of Togashi's "uniqueness".

Exactly. I hate how people romanticize that trope, as if he doesn't have a family that sees him struggling. As if greedy corporate executives do use people like him to pressure others into killing themselves to make them profit. So short-sighted.

Hunter x Hunter was always the coming-of-age story of its four protagonists, as well as about the world of "Hunters" -- which is really just a proxy for one's "profession." The first pages in the manga make that clear.

spoiler[Gon finding Ging was never the final goal, but you might think that's the case if your memories of the 1999 anime series colored your outlook on the series. It's a plot device to set Gon forth to become a Hunter, and a test. But Gon's dreams are more important and Togashi is currently giving him time to come into his own.]

"Glorified DLC"? Silly..

How is it silly when that's exactly what it is lol. Hunter X Hunter, as per it's literal described premise, is about the main character and protagonist Gon, who goes on an adventure far and wide as a hunter to look for his father Ging. The first pages literally make this clear more than the rest of what you said, the back of the fricken book makes it even more clear to anyone who would pick it up possibly interested in reading it lol. The cover of volume 1 and chapter 1 have Gon on it, not Gon & Co.

spoiler[ I never said Gon finding Ging was the final goal, I said it's the MAIN goal. I've never even seen the 1999 version, just the 2011 one that ironically ends where it's logically supposed to because Madhouse aren't stupid enough to milk this cash cow like what Togashi is trying to do. Gon's dream was to find his dad, his dad was the one to encourage him to dream bigger and dream more, and yet despite this we won't be seeing Gon for a long-ass time thanks to the current arc and Togashi's hiatuses. I'm only trying to restructure it because that's what should happen.]

It's like if Naruto became Hokage and saved the world 3/4s of the series and the focus now shifts to Sasuke and his travels.... in the main manga

Glad you asked, my friend!

I want to preface by saying I've literally had 17 years to think about the series. I was a fan translator during the Chimera Ant arc and much of the content on the wiki was written by me back in the day. This is not a flex -- I simply want you to understand my frame of reference when speaking about the series.

While I'm sure that these are familiar to you, the initial quotes lines in the very first chapter are as follows:
"Strange beasts and monsters... secret treasure hoards, undiscovered wealth... evil enclaves, uncharted frontiers... 'The Mysterious Unknown': there's magic in such words for those captivated by its spell. They are called 'Hunters.'"

^Doesn't this sound a lot like the current saga in the manga?

In the first chapter, Gon's goals and intent are plainly stated: the boy wishes to find his father in order to understand why his profession was more important than raising his son. Most of the series is Gon learning about Hunters and their world, while having a final test to find his dad (as Kite puts it).

Finding his dad was never the end -- the point of Hunter x Hunter is HUNTING FOR YOUR DREAM

Hence Killua's path. And Kurapika's. Ironically enough, the chronically behind Leorio had the clearest sense of direction from the beginning.

Gon will likely return, hence his appearances in the current saga. Togashi is giving the boy time to grow -- physically and mentally. He's in the midst of understanding what he wants to do in life. Gon might not necessarily be an Archaeologist, Nonprofit Founder, and Game Developer like his father. So what does he want to do?

The four boys are the main characters of Hunter x Hunter -- not just Gon.

Mr. Toto wrote:

Glad you asked, my friend! I want to preface by saying I've literally had 17 years to think about the series. I was a fan translator during the Chimera Ant arc and much of the content on the wiki was written by me back in the day. This is not a flex -- I simply want you to understand my frame of reference when speaking about the series. While I'm sure that these are familiar to you, the initial quotes lines in the very first chapter are as follows: "Strange beasts and monsters... secret treasure hoards, undiscovered wealth... evil enclaves, uncharted frontiers... 'The Mysterious Unknown': there's magic in such words for those captivated by its spell. They are called 'Hunters.'" ^Doesn't this sound a lot like the current saga in the manga?

First and only time I'll be humoring Watsonian lines of reasoning like this, and just say... No? So far the current saga has put more effort into making itself about it's in-universe politics than anything else you described, such as all that Succession DLC crap happening with Kurapika. The only things associated with what was said there is the stuff the Chimera Ant Arc ironically hyped up. But a bigger problem is... you could use this opening line for literally every arc so far so long as stretch it and squeeze it to fit.

But a bigger problem is... you could use this opening line for literally every arc so far so long as stretch it and squeeze it to fit.

Mr. Toto wrote:

In the first chapter, Gon's goals and intent are plainly stated: the boy wishes to find his father in order to understand why his profession was more important than raising his son. Most of the series is Gon learning about Hunters and their world, while having a final test to find his dad (as Kite puts it). Finding his dad was never the end -- the point of Hunter x Hunter is HUNTING FOR YOUR DREAM Hence Killua's path. And Kurapika's. Ironically enough, the chronically behind Leorio had the clearest sense of direction from the beginning.

And here go again with this weak kind of reasoning where the MC trying to achieve X is so that they can do Y and/or Z, and show why it's weak here's some examples.

- Naruto's goal is to become Hokage, because to him the point of being Hokage IS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND RESPECTED BY THE VILLAGE THAT HATES HIM AND EVERY CHARACTER IN THE SERIES WANTS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED FOR WHO THEY ARE

- Luffy's goal is to become Pirate King, because it's one step closer to achieve HIS TRUE DREAMS, ONE OF WHICH IS THE MAN WITH MOST FREEDOM (FUN FACT; DID YOU KNOW PIRATES DESIRE FREEDOM??) AND THE OTHER IS A MYSTERY

- Itadori Yuji's goal is to consume all of Sukuna's fingers, because it gets him closer to achieving HIS TRUE GOAL THAT MANY SORCERERS CAN UNDERSTAND

Etcetera etc. My point is that regardless for WHY the MC has the goal that they have, what was initially described is still their main goal. They can have a thousand reasons for why and won't it matter a damn thing because the premise set their goal in stone. And like I said, I never said that looking for Ging was the end goal, it's the main goal. In the Pokemon Anime, Ash has technically achieved his main goal, it's just the creators are never going to officially come out about it because it makes them a shit load of money. Togashi is no different here, if anything he's just more subtle and deceptive about it.

Mr. Toto wrote:

Gon will likely return, hence his appearances in the current saga. Togashi is giving the boy time to grow -- physically and mentally. He's in the midst of understanding what he wants to do in life. Gon might not necessarily be an Archaeologist, Nonprofit Founder, and Game Developer like his father. So what does he want to do? The four boys are the main characters of Hunter x Hunter -- not just Gon.

Big fricking deal lol. Again, this no different than if Naruto is out of the spotlight for a while, as we follow Sasuke or Sakura or someone else for a bit, and then come back to Naruto once he figures out how he wants to peacefully be ninja president.

Gon is the main character of the series not the others, just like Yusuke was the MC of YYH and just like Prince Baka is the MC of Level E. Just like how Naruto is the MC of NARUTO despite Sasuke having just as much screentime and importance. Just like how Luffy is the main character despite Zoro and Nami having just as much screentime and importance. Just like how Deku is the main character despite Bakugo having had the same amount of screentime.

Togashi isn't exempt from any of this shit just cause decided to make his bigger works follow the 4-man squad trope.