He is the most famous "missing" man in manga. If you’ve spent any time in anime circles, you’ve heard the jokes about the Dragon Quest addiction or the endless "Hiatus x Hiatus" memes. But the reality of Yoshihiro Togashi, the brilliant author of Hunter x Hunter, is actually a lot more intense—and honestly, a bit more heartbreaking—than the internet would have you believe.
Right now, as we move through early 2026, the conversation around Togashi is shifting from "will he ever finish?" to "how is he even doing this?"
He isn't just a guy who takes long breaks. He is a creator who has fundamentally broken his body to deliver a story that he refuses to let anyone else draw. Most people think he’s just chilling on a pile of YuYu Hakusho money. They're wrong. He’s often literally on his back, unable to sit in a chair, trying to figure out how to ink a single panel without ending up in the hospital.
The Author of Hunter x Hunter and the Reality of Chronic Pain
Let's get the facts straight about the health situation. For years, the "laziness" narrative dominated. People pointed to his love for video games as the reason for the gaps in serialization.
That narrative is dead.
Togashi has been incredibly candid lately, especially on his X (formerly Twitter) account. He’s described periods where he couldn't even wipe himself after using the bathroom without taking a shower because he couldn't get into the right physical position. He spent two years unable to sit in a chair. Think about that for a second. You can’t sit down to eat, let alone draw a weekly manga for Weekly Shōnen Jump.
When he does work, he often has to do it lying down. He’s experimented with different setups, including using a vertical easel while in a hammock-like position. It’s a grueling way to live, let alone produce world-class art.
Why the Hiatuses Keep Happening
The author of Hunter x Hunter is essentially a victim of his own early success. Back in the early 90s, when he was writing YuYu Hakusho, the grind was relentless. He’s mentioned in author notes that the stress and the physical toll of that era essentially shattered his health. By the time he started Hunter x Hunter in 1998, he was already carrying those injuries.
He stayed in the "weekly" system as long as he could. But eventually, the body just says no.
The current status of the manga is a testament to his stubbornness. Most authors in his position would have handed the pen to an assistant years ago. He refuses. While he does use assistants for backgrounds and screentones—standard industry practice—he insists on inking the characters himself. He feels that if he doesn't draw them, it isn't his manga. It’s a level of artistic integrity that is both admirable and, frankly, a little bit terrifying for his fans' longevity.
The Power Couple: Togashi and Naoko Takeuchi
Here is a detail that always trips people up. Togashi is married to Naoko Takeuchi.
Yes, the creator of Sailor Moon.
They are the ultimate power couple of the manga world. They married in 1999, and their relationship is actually a huge part of how Togashi manages to keep going. There’s a long-standing rumor—and it’s more than a rumor at this point—that Togashi has already taught his wife the ending of Hunter x Hunter. The idea is that if his health ever completely fails, she could potentially oversee the completion of the series.
Honestly, their marriage story is kind of hilarious. In some of her own short comics, Takeuchi has poked fun at his messy habits and his intense focus on work. They have two children, and despite the "hiatus" reputation, they are one of the most stable and respected families in the industry.
Takeuchi reportedly helped him through the darkest periods of his back pain. Imagine being a teenager in that house. Your dad created YuYu Hakusho and Hunter x Hunter, and your mom created Sailor Moon. The "my parents can draw better than yours" flex would be astronomical.
What's Happening Right Now in 2026?
If you check the latest updates from January 2026, there’s actually a lot of reason for optimism. Togashi has been remarkably active on social media lately.
He recently confirmed that he has moved past the planning stages for chapters 411 through 420. On January 14th, 2026, he even shared an image showing that the manuscript for chapter 414 is basically done. For a guy who used to go three years without saying a word, this is a "breakneck" pace.
The Current Workflow
- Chapter 411: Completely finished and ready for the next batch.
- Chapters 412–420: In various stages of inking and dialogue adjustment.
- The 50-Chapter Plan: He mentioned back in late 2024 that he had a roadmap for the next 50 chapters (up to 460).
We are currently deep in the "Succession War" arc. It’s arguably the most complex thing he’s ever written. There are dozens of characters, multiple sub-plots, and a level of psychological warfare that makes the "Chimera Ant" arc look straightforward. This complexity is part of why it takes him so long. He isn't just drawing; he's architecturalizing a massive narrative puzzle where every Nen ability has to be perfectly balanced.
Why He Won't Let Go of the Pen
You've probably wondered why he doesn't just switch to a monthly schedule or move to a different magazine.
Actually, he sort of did. Shōnen Jump officially changed the series' status a while back, moving it away from "weekly serialization" to a more flexible format. This was a massive move by Shueisha. It shows just how much leverage the author of Hunter x Hunter has. He is one of the few people on the planet who can tell the biggest manga publisher in the world, "I'll give it to you when I'm ready," and they just have to say, "Okay, thank you."
It’s because when a new volume of Hunter x Hunter drops, it sells millions. The "Togashi effect" is real. He’s earned this level of freedom through decades of being a top-tier hitmaker.
The Future of the Dark Continent
Is there an end in sight?
Togashi has hinted that he has several more arcs planned after the current boat trip is over. Specifically, he’s mentioned wanting to reach the actual "Dark Continent." Given the current pace of about 10 chapters every year or two, we might be looking at another decade of the story.
Is that frustrating? Sure.
But looking at his January 2026 updates, he seems to be in a better headspace than he was during the 2019-2022 "Great Hiatus." He’s communicating with fans. He’s celebrating small wins, like finishing a color cover or a specific character inking.
How to Support the Work
If you want to see the end of this story, the best thing you can do is support the official releases. Don't just read the leaks. Buying the tankōbon volumes (Volume 38 just hit English shelves recently, and Volume 39 is on the horizon) is what keeps the editors patient.
Also, maybe stop with the "he's just playing Dragon Quest" jokes. The man is clearly struggling to stand up long enough to draw a face. Let’s give him some credit for not just retiring to a private island and leaving us on a cliffhanger forever.
What to Watch for Next
Keep a close eye on the official @Un4v5s8bgsVk9Xp account on X. That’s where the real news breaks. If the January trend continues, we are likely looking at a new batch of chapters hitting Weekly Shōnen Jump (or the digital Jump+ platform) by the end of March or early April 2026.
The best way to stay updated is to follow the community trackers that log his page-by-page progress. It’s a slow burn, but for a story this good, most of us are willing to wait. Just make sure you've re-read the Succession War chapters lately; you're going to need to remember who Prince Tserriednich is and why he’s terrifying before the new stuff drops.
