The Unfinished Odyssey of Hunter x Hunter
For decades, Hunter x Hunter has stood as an extraordinary pillar of shonen storytelling, with a legacy marked by breathtaking arcs, complex villains, and an ever-evolving world. Yet, as every dedicated fan knows, the series’ hiatuses have become almost as legendary as Gon Freecss’ journey itself. Chronic health issues have continually delayed manga creator Yoshihiro Togashi, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the anime and manga’s future. But the real bombshell for fans came when Togashi himself opened up about the possibility of an abrupt, truly final ending.
Togashi’s Untold Ending: Revealing the Future of Gon
During a candid interview, Togashi divulged that he has prepared not just one, but four different endings for Hunter x Hunter. While three remain potential futures for the manga, it’s the secret fourth ending—reserved only in case the creator cannot finish the series—that stirs the fandom. In this unvarnished vision, time has moved on. Gon Freecss, once the indefatigable boy hunter, is now a grandfather. Yet, family discord shadows his legacy: his granddaughter, Gin (sometimes rendered as Jin), resents the Hunter’s path, seeing in Gon’s absence a reflection of the legendary search that once defined his own life. Noko, now the matriarch, endured long years of waiting, recapturing the cycle of longing that once fueled Gon’s original quest. Gon himself becomes an echo of his father Ging, underscoring the bittersweet nature of Hunter heritage—a cycle of dreams and distance far from traditional closure.
Where the Manga Truly Stands: The World Beyond the Known
The most recent story arcs in Hunter x Hunter barely scratch the surface of its vast universe. As the saga steps onto the Dark Continent, it’s strikingly clear that the first 170 episodes of the anime and even the sprawling manga chapters are just a prologue. Every new discovery, character, and lore element hints at an even larger, richer tapestry—one that likely won’t receive definitive answers soon. Even as rumors and teasers ignite hopes for a return, no official release looms on the horizon.
The Spectrum of Possible Endings: From Fan Favorites to Creator’s Choice
A rare insight into Togashi’s creative thinking comes with his talk of three additional endings. According to the mangaka:
- Ending A would gratify the majority of long-time fans—a conclusion likely tied to the satisfying resolutions anime aficionados cherish.
- Ending B would strike a more divisive note, pleasing about half the fanbase, perhaps with ambiguous or unexpected developments.
- Ending C, Togashi’s own favorite, stands as the most daring. In his own words, it’s an ending the fanbase would ‘almost universally hate,’ prompting endless speculation. Perhaps it’s a subversive twist on shonen tropes or an abrupt turn into the unknown, leaving more questions than answers.
The mere existence of these alternate endings showcases the unpredictable genius of Togashi—someone unafraid to challenge conventions, whether by departing mid-arc or toying with audience expectations for closure and catharsis.
If Hunter x Hunter Had Ended Earlier…
Many fans have suggested that Gon’s emotional reunion with Ging might have functioned as a powerful series finale, echoing the cyclical nature of the hunter’s journey. But for Togashi, the world of Hunters was always meant to be much vaster, teeming with threats, mysteries, and personal struggles still waiting to unfold. The uncertainty is part of what makes Hunter x Hunter resonate; every arc not only builds on prior mythology but also redefines genre storytelling for anime and manga at large.
Togashi’s Legacy and the Open-Ended Adventure
Whether or not any form of ending eventually graces the pages of Weekly Shonen Jump, the legacy of Hunter x Hunter persists. Its influence is palpable in spiritual successors and contemporary series seeking to capture a fraction of its depth and unpredictability. Yet, no matter how many new titles rise, the haunting specter of how Hunter x Hunter could close—be it through one of Togashi’s planned endings, an unfinished tale, or something audiences never saw coming—will remain one of modern anime’s greatest ‘what ifs.’
