Hunter x Hunter has received a promising update on its long-awaited return from hiatus. Shueisha has officially listed Volume 39 for release on July 3, 2026 in Japan — the first new physical volume in one year and ten months — signaling that creator Yoshihiro Togashi is preparing to bring the manga back for its next batch of chapters.
Volume 39 Release Details
According to Comic Natalie, Hunter x Hunter Volume 39 will collect the most recent chapters of the series (Chapters 400 through 410), which constituted the manga's last return from hiatus. The volume will be the series' first physical release in nearly two years, following Volume 38 which released in September 2024.
The volume release is typically a strong indicator that new chapters are forthcoming. With Volume 39 going to print, it suggests that Shueisha is preparing for the next batch of chapters to follow shortly afterward.
Togashi Working Beyond Chapter 421
Yoshihiro Togashi has been steadily updating fans on his progress via social media over the past year, confirming that he has already begun work on Chapter 421 and beyond. This suggests that Chapters 411 through 420 are well underway and may be ready for release in the pages of Weekly Shonen Jump later this year. Industry observers speculate that if the current pace holds, the manga could return as early as August 2026 or heading into the Fall.
The manga's latest hiatus began in December 2024 after the release of Chapter 410, with Togashi citing ongoing health issues. Throughout 2025 and early 2026, the creator has periodically shared rough drafts and in-progress panels on social media, giving fans hope that the pace of production has accelerated compared to previous hiatus cycles.
The Succession Contest Arc Continues
The upcoming chapters will continue the Succession Contest Arc, one of the most complex storylines in the series' history. Set aboard the Black Whale, the arc follows the princes of the Kakin Empire as they battle for the throne using their unique Nen abilities, while Kurapika navigates the treacherous political landscape. The arc has introduced an enormous cast of new characters and abilities, building toward an eventual voyage to the mysterious Dark Continent — a narrative goal Togashi has been working toward for over a decade.
Community Reception
The Volume 39 announcement has generated significant excitement across the Hunter x Hunter fandom. On Reddit's r/HunterXHunter, fans expressed cautious optimism while speculating about the volume's cover art, which Togashi revealed he had completed coloring in late 2025. On X/Twitter, the hashtag #HxHVol39 trended briefly following the announcement, with many fans expressing hope that the release cadence indicates a more sustainable work pace for Togashi.
"Volume releases have historically been Togashi's strongest signal that new chapters are imminent. The fact that he's working on content beyond 421 — well past what Volume 39 will collect — suggests he's built a substantial buffer this time," noted one prominent community analyst on r/HunterXHunter.
As always, the community remains mindful of Togashi's health challenges. The creator has been open about his chronic back pain, which has necessitated the series' infamous hiatuses. The completion of Volume 39's colored cover and the steady stream of production updates have nonetheless given fans their most concrete reason for optimism in years.