Hunter X Hunter Recap: Everything to Remember Before the Manga's Return

Key Takeaways

Hunter X Hunter is set to return on October 7th, 2024, after a long hiatus due to the mangaka’s health issues.
Expect at least 10 chapters in this return, continuing the Succession Contest arc with intricate storytelling.
The Succession War on the Black Whale intensifies, with alliances shifting and the Phantom Troupe’s arrival adding to the chaos.

As a seasoned fan of the Hunter x Hunter universe, I find myself utterly captivated by this intricate and action-packed tale unfolding within the confines of the Black Whale. The Phantom Troupe’s arrival on the ship, driven by their relentless pursuit of Hisoka, adds an exhilarating layer of complexity to the already tumultuous Succession War.

Get ready for the long-awaited comeback of one of the dearest shōnen manga series, “Hunter X Hunter,” in Shōnen Jump not too far away! Masterfully crafted by Yoshihiro Togashi, this classic manga has taken breaks several times due to the creator’s persistent health concerns.

Over time, the declining health of the mangaka has significantly impacted “Hunter X Hunter,” causing irregular chapter releases that have left fans eagerly waiting for each new installment for years. This inconsistent publishing pattern has only served to heighten the fervor surrounding the series, as readers anxiously await any further updates without a guarantee of when the next chapter will arrive.

I’ve patiently waited, and let me tell you, it’s going to be all worth it! For gamers like myself who’ve stayed loyal to this series despite its prolonged hiatuses, the return is bound to be a rewarding experience.

When Will The Hunter X Hunter Manga Return?

The “Hunter x Hunter” manga is coming back for another installment on October 7th, 2024, marking exactly two years since the release of chapter 391, which took place in November 2022. Thus, eager fans should anticipate the publication of chapter 401 this very October 7th, with a new chapter appearing weekly (with exceptions if there are breaks within Shōnen Jump).

The exact number of chapters for the upcoming return isn’t set in stone yet, but fans can anticipate a minimum of ten chapters. This would mean they might read from chapter 401 up to 410. However, there’s a chance that it could exceed this and go up to 20 chapters. For now, fans should hold their expectations at the ten-chapter mark until further details are revealed.

After a good two years since our last adventure, it feels like the ideal moment to refresh my memories and bring everyone up to speed. Let’s dive back in!

Hunter X Hunter’s Epic Return: Which Chapters Will Release Next?

Hunter X Hunter Recap: Everything to Remember Before the Manga's Return

Manga realms often witness pauses, yet few titles have perfected the technique of intermittent releases like “Hunter X Hunter.” Yoshihiro Togashi’s masterpiece is as well-known for its gaps as it is for its intricate narratives. Its latest comeback in 2022 followed a long four-year hiatus, pushing even the most ardent supporters to their limits of patience. Remarkably, this wasn’t the longest pause in the series’ chronicles; that title belongs to an earlier phase in its publication history.

1) Togashi’s recent attempts to produce more chapters haven’t been missed – just look at the last batch before the break, which gave us ten solid chapters from 391 to 400, all part of the Succession Contest arc. This storyline, introduced in chapter 349, has grown significantly since then, spanning over fifty chapters, and it shows no signs of wrapping up soon. It’s a clear demonstration of Togashi’s grand creative scope and the richness of the universe he’s built.

Decoding the Succession Contest Arc

In the forthcoming installments of Hunter X Hunter, we’ll delve further into the Storyline of The Succession War, often referred to as “Keishō-sen-hen” in Japanese.

Fundamentally, the story unfolds on board the colossal Black Whale 1, a ship setting sail towards the legendary Dark Continent. This expedition, backed by the Kakin Empire and commanded by Beyond Netero, provides a backdrop for numerous interwoven narratives. The vessel doesn’t merely transport passengers; it functions as a floating battlefield where different groups engage in power struggles and survival games.

Essentially, the Succession War finds the princes of the Kakin Empire locked in combat over the throne, a struggle that plays out covertly as they sail towards unknown lands. This intricate setting enables Togashi to create a rich narrative filled with shifting alliances, deceit, and extraordinary powers that leaves readers breathless with anticipation. However, there are two critical aspects to bear in mind during this storyline:

Kurapika finds himself at the heart of this maelstrom. Now a member of the Zodiacs, he’s driven by his quest to recover the last of his clan’s Scarlet Eyes from the ruthless 4th Prince Tserriednich. This personal vendetta adds an emotional core to the political machinations, grounding the grand-scale conflict in a deeply personal struggle.
Meanwhile, the infamous Phantom Troupe, initially aboard for mere plunder, find their plans derailed as they hunt for Hisoka.

The Succession War Begins

The Voyage Preparations

The narrative commences as preparations unfold for an expedition to the enigmatic and treacherous continent known as the Dark Lands. This perilous journey is led by the noble family of Kakin, who are embroiled in a lethal power struggle to decide their future king. In a sacred ceremony, each prince receives a “seed vessel,” which later sprouts into a Guardian Spirit Creature that embodies their character.

Kurapika is determined to infiltrate the ranks of the princes’ bodyguards to avenge his clan. He learns that six of Kakin’s Princes are recruiting bodyguards on the Kakin government website. He decides to infiltrate the bodyguards to get closer to 4th Prince Tserriednich.
Kurapika recruits Basho, Biscuit, Hanzo, Izunavi, and Melody to apply for the bodyguard positions. He predicts the authors of the listings based on their details and chooses the listing he believes is from 9th Prince Halkenburg.

In the course of their conversation during the interview, Kurapika encounters Queen Oito, mother of Prince Woble the Fourteenth. She discloses the real circumstances behind the succession conflict and propositions a deal to Kurapika: a tenfold reward if he can assist her in approaching Tserriednich. Kurapika consents to this offer.

Here are the hunters Kurapika employed, as disclosed: Izunavi was hired by 6th Prince Tyson; Biscuit was hired by 13th Princess Marayam; Basho was hired by 7th Prince Luzurus; Melody was hired by 10th Prince Kacho; and Hanzo was hired by 12th Prince Momoze.

Heavens Arena: Battle to the Death

For context: before the voyage, Hisoka engages in a deadly battle with Chrollo. Though he wins and proves himself to be one of the strongest Nen users in the world, the battle takes a toll on both fighters, with Hisoka sustaining severe injuries. The fight also has significant consequences for the Phantom Troupe, as Chrollo’s defeat weakens their power and influence.

What Is The Black Whale?

On board the colossal vessel known as the Black Whale, a voyage commences towards the mysterious Dark Continent, carrying within it princes, their personal guards, and other traveling companions. The expedition lasts for numerous weeks, during which time the crew faces an array of difficulties such as tempests, equipment malfunctions, and unexpected run-ins with peculiar creatures.

The fun part, though, is when, as the voyage progresses, the princes’ Guardian Spirit Beasts begin to manifest. These powerful creatures possess unique abilities and can be dangerous to their hosts if not controlled. As the beasts take form, the princes soon realize the true nature of the succession war: it’s a free-kill match, and the last prince alive will take the throne. As expected, alliances are formed, betrayals occur, and the battle for the throne becomes a chess-game.

It becomes clear that the enigmatic Guardian Spirit Beasts possess the ability to affect the actions of the princes. These mystical entities have the power to command their hosts, shape their feelings, and guide their choices. This additional complexity does little to stabilize the already tense relations among the princes. The balance of power is fluid, and fear of mortality hangs heavily over all.

Long story short, here are the fates of each of the princes:

Prince Tserriednich: Emerges as a cunning and ruthless leader, using his Guardian Spirit Beast to manipulate others and eliminate his rivals.
Prince Halkenberg: Withdraws from the war, disillusioned by the violence and the cruelty he witnesses.
Prince Benjamin: Forms a powerful alliance with Prince Tubeppa, leveraging his military expertise and political connections.
Prince Luzurus: Remains neutral, focusing on his own survival and avoiding direct confrontation.
Prince Tyson: Betrays her allies and seeks to seize power for herself, using her Guardian Spirit Beast to control others.
Prince Marayam: Becomes a pawn in the game, manipulated by his mother and forced to fight for her survival.
Prince Momoze: Dies in a tragic accident, falling victim to the chaos and violence of the war.
Prince Fugetsu: Is protected by his sister, Kacho, who is fiercely loyal to him.
Prince Kacho: Dies in a heroic attempt to save her brother, sacrificing her own life.
Prince Woble: Is a young child, unaffected by the war but caught in the crossfire of his family’s struggles.
Prince Tubeppa: Forms a powerful alliance with Prince Benjamin, combining their strengths to challenge the other princes.
Prince Zhang Lei: Remains neutral, focusing on his own survival and avoiding direct confrontation.
Prince Camilla: Dies in a tragic accident, falling victim to the chaos and violence of the war.

After a long journey, the Black Whale arrives at the enigmatic Dark Continent. Now, those who survived the fierce struggle for power must confront the trials posed by this strange territory.

The Phantom Troupe’s Arrival & The Mafia Sub-Arc

As the princes engage in a game of advanced chess, the Phantom Troupe makes their entrance aboard the Black Whale, primarily to seek out Hisoka. After all, Chrollo is hardly one to concede or endure embarrassment by simply surrendering.

The Troupe quickly discovers that the Mafia, a powerful criminal organization, controls much of the Black Whale. The three main families, the Xi-Yu, Cha-R, and Heil-Ly, each control a different tier of the ship, exerting their influence over the passengers and crew.
To make the passengers’ conditions worse, a mysterious assassin is on the loose, killing passengers and sowing chaos. The Troupe suspects that the assassin may be connected to the Mafia or one of the princes, and Kurapika is determined to find out who they’re dealing with.

As the Succession War escalates, loyalties change and deceitful acts abound. Princes and their guards struggle to stay alive amidst the conflict, with the Black Whale serving as a battleground for numerous factions. The Phantom Troupe’s arrival adds another layer of complexity, hinting at their possible role in the ongoing war.

Hunting the Heil-Ly Part

In the underworld, Hinrigh, second-in-command of the Xi-Yi family, gets approval from his boss, Onior, to track down and eliminate the Heil-Ly Family and their head, Morena. Joining forces with allies Zakuro and Lynch, he meticulously searches the lower levels of the Black Whale. This operation results in transformed items and defeated members of the Heil-Ly Family, demonstrating innovative applications of Nen in both battle tactics and covert operations.

As the Phantom Troupe persistently hunts for Hisoka, they find scant success. Yet, Zakuro and Lynch somehow locate him, piquing his interest with their scheme. Intrigued, Hisoka consents to meet Hinrigh. Upon learning this, the Troupe decides to confront Heil-Ly directly while also keeping up their pursuit of Hisoka.

Origins of the Phantom Troupe

The arc ends with a flashback of Chrollo and the early days of the Phantom Troupe. The chapters show a young Chrollo Lucilfer stealing a cassette tape, leading to a chase involving future Troupe members like Franklin, Shalnark, and Uvogin. The kids decide to dub the show (called Clean-Up Rangers) into their local language, and make money by a public screening event.

Although the group maintained a cheerful ambiance earlier, things took a grim turn with Sarasa’s mysterious disappearance, one of their own. Their efforts to locate her culminated in heart-wrenching discovery – her body, dismembered, a moment that significantly altered the Troupe’s trajectory. This horrific incident sparked Chrollo to articulate his vision for the Phantom Troupe. He yearned for Meteor City to serve as a sanctuary for outlaws, while simultaneously fostering an image of dread in the broader society.

1. The flashback ends with a decisive instant demonstrating Chrollo’s leadership resolve. Despite Uvogin proposing that he should lead the gang, Uvogin instead advocates for Chrollo to remain in command, vowing his unwavering allegiance. This choice firmly establishes Chrollo as the leader and paves the way for the Phantom Troupe’s future as a powerful criminal entity.

Investigating the Heil-Ly Family’s trap in Room 3101 by the acting troupe, they uncover a strong possibility that the adversary’s headquarters lies on Deck 2 of the ship. Simultaneously, additional storylines unfold, such as Melody becoming entangled with the royal princes and her increasing worry for Fugetsu’s safety.

2024-08-28 22:34

Hunter X Hunter Recap: Everything to Remember Before the Manga’s Return