Hunter X Hunter creator Yoshihiro Togashi has responded to the ongoing controversies about the Succession Contest arc. Fans have noticed that the amount of dialogue and descriptions in have tremendously increased, uncharacteristic of the action-oriented manga.
Togashi sensei’s magnum opus resumed with the release of Chapter #391 in October 2022 after a four-year hiatus. Yet, concerns about the mangaka’s health lingered as the chapters increasingly featured dialogues rather than illustrations. Rumors suggested that he was purposely trying not to strain himself with drawings but these were debunked.
Yoshihiro Togashi stated that the increase in texts in Hunter x Hunter has resulted from five different factors rather than his health issues. Given that he is in the development of a new arc, the author had to create several backstories and reveal more information about the new abilities.
Yoshihiro Togashi Responds To The Increased Usage Of Dialogues In Hunter X Hunter
Former member of the Japanese pop group Sakurazaka46, Yumiko Seki is an avid Hunter x Hunter fan. She often writes letters to Yoshihiro Togashi to get his responses to popular fan queries. During the Japanese Iwakura and Yoshizumi’s Show podcast, Seki read the answers provided by the mangaka, which have subsequently been translated by Hunterpedia.
According to Yoshihiro Togashi, the basic information that has to be explained to the readers in the Succession arc has been extensive. “The introduction of several Nen abilities, the details of the Succession Contest, and the background of each Prince” have overall contributed to the increase in dialogues and text bubbles in Hunter x Hunter.
Information about characters cannot be conveyed through images as readers need to form their own judgments based on their behavior and speech skills. Moreover, Togashi mentioned that there are “several unresolved conflicts that have to be addressed during the voyage.” The mangaka increased the overall number of characters to create a complex, intertwining plot, which needs to be elaborated in detail, mentioning each of their intentions and motivations.
Along with monologues, the Hunter x Hunter creator affirmed that monologues have been increased for better narrative description and character development. Yoshihiro Togashi sensei knew that it was going to be a challenge to describe even the side characters such as the Princes’ personnel. Even though the “text has become more intricate and unruly,” Togashi is fixated on the task ahead of him, and once the character and Nen details have been absorbed by the reader, they can see more fighting action unfold.
Yoshihiro Togashi Is “Bugged” About His Need To Add More Descriptive Words
Yoshihiro Togashi is responsible for some of the most iconic characters such as Meruem, Hisoka Morrow, Killua Zoldick, and Chrollo Lucilfer. Each character was developed and described vividly in Hunter x Hunter arcs. For example, Chrollo tends to steal and hoard precious objects because of his childhood trauma of living in poverty and surviving in constant fear of others.
In the responses to Yumiko Seki, the Hunter x Hunter mangaka also revealed that he has been ‘bugged’ by his need to incorporate more and more words. He keeps searching for interesting story developments when he starts describing his characters, resulting in a massive creative outflow.
“When characters interact with each other, there are several personalities and circumstances to consider. In this current arc, I’m also experimenting with characters and how they feel about their missions (whether they’re proactive, passive, or negative whether they’re hiding secrets).
In the process of looking for more interesting story developments, the number of words discarded in my mind is several or even ten times more than the word count in just one finished storyboard. This has become a routine part of my process, and as a result, I’m in a negative cycle where the number of words used in the finished storyboard feels small in comparison.”
Hunter x Hunter fans don’t need to worry about Yoshihiro Togashi’s health. Having already devised multiple endings, the legendary writer just needs to build the story till its final saga.
Also Read: Yoshihiro Togashi Has More than 3 Endings Already Prepared for Hunter x Hunter
