After what felt like an eternity, the wait is finally over. Hunter x Hunter creator Yoshihiro Togashi has officially announced that the series will release its first new manga volume in 22 months on July 3, 2026. For a fanbase that has been starved of content since the last volume dropped, this is nothing short of a miracle.
The announcement came through Anime News Network on June 1, 2026, and the internet immediately exploded. Hunter x Hunter has always been legendary for its unpredictable release schedule, but a gap of nearly two years between volumes is extreme even by Togashi’s standards. So what exactly are we getting, and why does this matter so much?
The Return We’ve Been Praying For
The new volume will collect the latest chapters from the manga’s ongoing Succession Contest arc, widely considered one of the most intricate and ambitious storylines in shonen manga history. This arc follows the intense power struggle aboard the Black Whale ship as the Kakin Empire’s royal family fights for control of the throne. The political scheming, the complex Nen abilities, and the sheer number of characters involved make it a masterpiece of narrative construction.
Key characters expected to feature prominently in this volume include Gon Freecss, whose journey has been the heart of Hunter x Hunter since its debut in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1998. Killua Zoldyck, Gon’s best friend and the series’ other beloved protagonist, continues to be a fan favorite. Other major players in the current arc include Beyond Netero, the son of the late Isaac Netero, who has been orchestrating the voyage to the Dark Continent, and Prince Tserriednich, whose terrifying potential as a Nen user has made him the most feared character in the entire series.
Why 22 Months? The Togashi Factor
Let’s be honest — Yoshihiro Togashi’s health issues have been well-documented over the years. The creator has been open about his chronic back problems, which have forced him to work from bed and take extended breaks. Shueisha, the publisher behind Weekly Shonen Jump, has shown remarkable patience with Togashi, understanding that Hunter x Hunter is too important to rush.
Unlike some manga artists who maintain brutal weekly schedules, Togashi has been given the freedom to work at his own pace. The result? Every chapter is meticulously crafted, with plotting and dialogue that put most other series to shame. The Succession Contest arc alone features more political intrigue than most entire manga series manage in their full run.
Chrollo Lucilfer, the enigmatic leader of the Phantom Troupe, has also been a subject of speculation. Fans are desperate to see how the Troupe fits into the larger narrative, especially with Kurapika’s vendetta still unresolved. And speaking of Kurapika, his role as Tserriednich’s guardian has added layers of moral complexity that only Togashi could pull off.
What to Expect in the New Volume
While exact chapter listings haven’t been confirmed, the volume is expected to cover significant developments in the Succession Contest. The power dynamics between the princes have been shifting constantly, and Togashi has been laying groundwork for explosive confrontations. The introduction of new Nen abilities, the deepening mystery surrounding the Dark Continent, and the ever-present threat of the Phantom Troupe all promise to make this volume essential reading.
One of the most exciting possibilities is that this volume could finally bring some of Hunter x Hunter’s scattered plot threads closer together. Gon and Killua’s story, the Phantom Troupe’s agenda, Kurapika’s mission, and the Succession Contest have all been running on parallel tracks. Togashi is known for his ability to weave these threads together in unexpected ways.
The manga’s original serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump made it one of the Big Three alongside Naruto and One Piece, and despite its irregular schedule, Hunter x Hunter maintains a devoted global fanbase that rivals any ongoing series. The fact that a single volume announcement can dominate anime and manga news cycles proves just how enduring Togashi’s creation truly is. Speaking of massive shonen returns, check out our coverage of One Piece Chapter 1184’s devastating revelations and the latest Jujutsu Kaisen Season 4 confirmation — 2026 is shaping up to be an incredible year for anime and manga fans.
Where to Buy
The new Hunter x Hunter volume will be available in Japan on July 3, 2026, published by Shueisha under the Jump Comics imprint. International releases through VIZ Media typically follow a few months later, though digital versions may arrive sooner through platforms like the Shonen Jump app and Manga Plus.
What Do You Think?
After waiting over a year and a half for a new Hunter x Hunter volume, are you as hyped as the rest of the fandom? Do you think Togashi can finally tie the Succession Contest arc together, or is this going to be another masterclass in making us wait even longer? And most importantly — what’s your theory on how Gon and Killua will eventually get pulled back into the main story? Drop your predictions in the comments below!
