Hunter x Hunter Brings Back Gon & Killua After 10+ Years

The wait is finally over. On July 20, 2026, Hunter x Hunter brought back protagonists Gon Freecss and Killua Zoldyck to the manga's main story after more than a decade away—a return that has longtime fans celebrating across social media and sent Weekly Shonen Jump issue 33 flying off shelves in Japan.

For a series that built its reputation on the unbreakable bond between a determined Hunter-in-training and his assassin-turned-best-friend, their absence has been one of the manga's most talked-about aspects. Now that they're back, both returning readers and newcomers considering Hunter X Hunter have reason to pay attention.

Why Gon and Killua Were Gone So Long

Gon and Killua were last together at the end of the 13th Hunter Chairman Election Arc, when the two parted ways after Gon finally met his father. The manga then shifted focus dramatically with the Succession Contest Arc, centering on Kurapika and an intricate political battle aboard the Black Whale ship bound for the Dark Continent.

This narrative choice wasn't unusual for creator Yoshihiro Togashi, whose complex storytelling often explores multiple character perspectives. What was unusual was the sheer length of time—over ten real-world years—that fans waited to see the original duo return to the spotlight.

The extended absence was compounded by Hunter x Hunter's well-documented hiatus pattern. Togashi has dealt with ongoing health issues that have resulted in frequent breaks, making the manga's publication schedule unpredictable. The combination of narrative focus on other characters and publishing gaps meant that even dedicated readers went years between seeing Gon and Killua in action.

What This Means for the Story

The return of Gon and Killua signals a potential shift in Hunter x Hunter's current arc. The Succession Contest has been dense, politically intricate, and focused on a largely new cast of characters—a departure from the adventure-driven arcs that defined the series' early volumes.

How Togashi integrates the original protagonists back into a story that has grown so complex in their absence will be fascinating to watch. Will they join Kurapika on the Black Whale? Will their storyline run parallel to the succession war? The possibilities have sparked intense speculation among the fanbase.

For readers who found the Succession Contest Arc challenging to follow or who've been waiting for the series to return to its roots, this development offers a potential entry point back into the manga.

Why New Readers Should Care

If you've never read Hunter x Hunter, this announcement might seem like insider baseball. But the return of these characters actually highlights what makes the series worth your time in the first place.

Gon and Killua's friendship is the emotional core that grounds Hunter x Hunter's increasingly complex power systems and political machinations. Gon's earnest determination balanced against Killua's pragmatic cunning creates a dynamic that elevates every arc they appear in together—from the Hunter Exam to Greed Island to the Chimera Ant arc.

The fact that Togashi was willing to spend years focusing on other characters demonstrates the series' ambitious scope. Hunter x Hunter isn't afraid to let its protagonists step back when the story demands it, trusting that the world and supporting cast are strong enough to carry the narrative. That confidence pays off in a manga that feels genuinely unpredictable.

With Gon and Killua back, it's an opportune moment to start the series or catch up if you've fallen behind. The Hunter X Hunter volumes in our catalog offer everything from the iconic Hunter Exam through the Chairman Election—the foundation you'll need to appreciate why this return matters so much to the community.

What Happens Next

Togashi's health and the manga's publication schedule remain question marks. Hunter x Hunter has returned from hiatus before, only to go on break again. But for now, the series is actively publishing, and two of shonen manga's most beloved characters are back in the story.

Whether you're a longtime fan who's been waiting for this moment or a curious newcomer wondering what all the fuss is about, there's never been a better time to have Hunter x Hunter on your radar—or on your shelf.