Yoshihiro Togashi, the renowned creator of the popular manga Hunter X Hunter, recently opened up during an extensive interview about his unique storytelling approaches that resonate with fans. The interview took place on the Iwakura and Yoshizumi Show on TV Asahi.
Hunter X Hunter’s Temporal Leap from the Start of the Story
Togashi emphasized that he had a specific plan for the initial part of the story, focusing on the Hunter Exam. However, this concept underwent changes after discussions with his editor. Initially, Togashi wanted the main character, Gon, to take the Hunter Exam. Later, the story would feature a temporal leap, allowing a more mature Gon to tackle the challenges he faced once again.
However, Togashi’s insights reflect a significant impact on the publishing houses within the manga industry. After receiving feedback from his editor, he altered his initial ideas to allow Gon to overcome his own challenges. Notably, the character Killua, Gon’s best friend, remained true to the original concept.
Togashi’s storytelling is not the only instance within the manga industry. A notable example is Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of Naruto, who initially struggled with the Chuunin Exam arc but was encouraged by his editors to pursue it further.
This highlights the crucial role that editors play in shaping the direction of manga series, often leading to significant successes.
Temporal Leap and Its Impact on the Storyline
A temporal leap is a common narrative technique in anime and manga, used to depict significant character developments over time. The manga One Piece is a prime example that has effectively implemented this technique over the years.
Similarly, with a skilled pen like Togashi’s, he found a way to successfully incorporate this concept into Hunter X Hunter. However, the temporal leap appears quite early in the narrative, coinciding with Gon’s initial failures, which may seem like a unique yet unconventional approach given the established narrative patterns that fans have witnessed.
Editor Feedback as a Guiding Force
Although the idea of a temporal leap can be intriguing, the final version of Hunter X Hunter allows readers to follow Gon’s journey and the character development throughout the story.
It’s evident that the editor’s feedback to the creator played an incredibly important role in the case of Hunter X Hunter. Particularly in terms of its appeal and success as a series. Nevertheless, many fans remain captivated by the storyline Togashi created, questioning how it might have developed had it been executed as initially envisioned.
