As we know, Hunter X Hunter was once regarded as one of the top titles in the Japanese manga market. Its quality has been evaluated as not inferior to other top manga series such as One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach.
The series began its serialization in 1998 and has gone through numerous hiatuses since then. The last time readers were able to follow this work was around 2014, and since then, it has been over two years without any signs of the author wanting to resume the series.
The reason for this prolonged hiatus has been attributed to the health issues of Yoshihiro Togashi, the series’ creator, who has been undergoing treatment for severe back pain. Despite announcing plans to return to work after a brief break, the ongoing pain has left many fans frustrated and feeling that Togashi might be “lazy” in his creative process, attributing it solely to his health conditions.
Many comments from the audience have been shared, expressing that Togashi has developed a habit of taking frequent breaks, which may not be solely due to health issues but could also stem from a lack of motivation.
Recently, after reading some audience comments regarding his creative state, Yoshihiro Togashi has expressed that he feels very distressed when he sees fans think this way about him.
Currently, Togashi is struggling with his daily back pain, making it difficult for him to continue the Hunter X Hunter series. However, what weighs on him even more is the disappointment from dedicated fans who are waiting for his return, which makes him feel even more pressure regarding his condition.
It’s also important to note that fans are not entirely to blame for Togashi’s situation, as there have been numerous occasions in the past where he has taken breaks for various reasons such as feeling pressured, feeling fatigued, or suffering from conditions that hinder his ability to create.
Statistics showing that the author of Hunter X Hunter thinks more than he creates (red represents hiatus weeks, blue represents creative weeks)
Additionally, the duration of the Hunter X Hunter series has been incredibly inconsistent, with periods of inactivity lasting several months, and even years, causing fans to ponder the reason behind Togashi’s ongoing struggle to create. This situation has undeniably caused significant harm to Togashi during his hospital treatments.
Currently, Togashi’s health condition still shows no signs of improvement, and many dedicated fans of Hunter X Hunter are beginning to realize that this manga will likely be on an indefinite hiatus for a long time to come.
