Look, let’s be real for a second. If you’ve spent any time in the anime community, you know that Hunter x Hunter is basically the "final boss" of shonen series. It’s the one everyone tells you to watch, yet it’s also the one that leaves you staring at a wall for three hours after the Chimera Ant arc ends. But there is a massive amount of confusion out there regarding the Hunter x Hunter remake, or more specifically, whether we’re ever going to get another one.
People talk about the 2011 version—produced by Madhouse—as "the remake," and while that’s technically true compared to the 1999 original, we’re now over a decade past its debut. The itch for something new is getting unbearable for some. Is it happening? Is it a myth? Honestly, the answer is complicated because Yoshihiro Togashi, the genius behind the series, has a back that’s basically held together by hopes and dreams at this point.
The 2011 Masterpiece vs. the 1999 Original
Whenever someone brings up a Hunter x Hunter remake, you have to clarify which timeline they’re living in. The 1999 version, handled by Nippon Animation, had this gritty, 90s cel-shaded aesthetic that felt like a fever dream. It was beautiful. But it ran out of manga material and had to stop. Then came 2011. Madhouse stepped in and gave us 148 episodes of pure, unadulterated adrenaline. They didn't just "remake" it; they redefined what a long-running shonen could look like.
The 2011 series is what most people mean when they talk about the "current" show. It covered everything from the Hunter Exam to the Election arc. It’s crisp. The pacing is mostly fantastic. But it left out the Succession Contest arc, which is currently melting brains in the manga. That’s where the "new remake" or "sequel" rumors start to swirl. Fans want to see the Dark Continent. They want to see Kurapika dealing with a boat full of murderous princes.
Why a New Hunter x Hunter Remake Isn't Just a "Press Play" Situation
You can't just wish an anime into existence. I mean, you can, but it usually ends up looking like the 2016 Berserk remake, and nobody wants that. The biggest hurdle for any future Hunter x Hunter remake or continuation is the source material. Togashi is notorious for his hiatuses. We call it "Hiatus x Hiatus" for a reason.
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The man suffers from severe chronic back pain. He has gone on record saying that for years, he couldn't even sit in a chair to draw and had to work while lying down. This isn't just "laziness" as some toxic corners of the internet suggest. It’s a physical limitation. Because the manga moves at a glacial pace, there isn't enough finished content to justify a full-blown new series without catching up to the manga in about twenty episodes.
The Math of Animation
Think about it. A standard anime episode covers about two to three manga chapters. If Togashi releases ten chapters every two years, a studio would burn through that content in a month of airtime. No studio wants to commit to a massive production only to hit a brick wall of "to be continued" six weeks in.
The Succession Contest Arc: The Elephant in the Room
Right now, the manga is deep into the Succession Contest. It’s dense. It’s basically Game of Thrones on a boat, but with Nen powers and way more dialogue. If a Hunter x Hunter remake or a "Season 2" were to happen, this is what they’d be adapting.
- Complexity: The sheer amount of text in recent chapters is staggering. Some pages look like a novel with a few sketches in the margins.
- Characters: We’re following dozens of new characters simultaneously.
- Tone: It’s much darker and more political than the early Hunter Exam days.
Basically, it's a nightmare to animate. You’d need a director who can balance heavy exposition with high-stakes tension. Madhouse did it with the Chimera Ant arc, but that took years of planning.
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What’s Actually Happening in 2026?
As of right now, there is no official confirmation of a brand-new Hunter x Hunter remake. However, Togashi has been more active on social media lately, sharing glimpses of his manuscript pages. This usually signals a batch of new chapters is on the horizon. When the manga moves, the industry wakes up.
There have been rumors of "spiritual successors" or high-budget OVAs (Original Video Animations) to cover specific fights, but nothing has been greenlit by Shueisha. The 2011 version remains the gold standard. It’s available on almost every major streaming platform, and it still holds up perfectly. If you’re waiting for a 2026 announcement, keep your expectations in check but keep your eyes on Togashi's Twitter (X) account. That’s where the real news breaks first.
Misconceptions About Studio Changes
People love to speculate about MAPPA or ufotable taking over a potential Hunter x Hunter remake. It's a fun game. MAPPA seems to be collecting every major shonen like Infinity Stones (Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, Vinland Saga). But let’s be honest: Madhouse set the bar.
A studio change isn't always a good thing. Sometimes a new studio tries to "fix" what wasn't broken, and you lose the soul of the series. The 2011 version had a specific vibrance that transitioned into absolute horror during the Chimera Ant arc. Replicating that balance is hard. Honestly, I'd rather wait another five years for a quality production than get a rushed "remake" that ruins the legacy.
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The Verdict on the "Remake" Hype
If you are looking for a Hunter x Hunter remake because you haven't seen the 2011 version, stop reading and go watch it. It's essentially the definitive version of the story so far. If you've already seen it and are waiting for "the next thing," you are effectively waiting for Togashi's health to improve enough to finish the current arc.
That’s the reality. It’s not about studio politics or licensing issues. It’s about a man and his pen.
Actionable Steps for Fans
Instead of refreshing news sites every ten minutes, here is how you can actually engage with the series right now:
- Read the Manga from Chapter 339: This is exactly where the 2011 anime ends. It covers the transition to the Dark Continent expedition.
- Follow Togashi’s Official Account: He often posts progress updates (even if it's just a corner of a page). It’s the only 100% reliable source.
- Watch the 1999 Version: If you’ve only seen the 2011 show, the 1999 version offers a completely different atmosphere, especially during the Yorknew City arc. The hand-drawn backgrounds are stunning.
- Support the Official Releases: Buying the volumes or streaming on licensed platforms is the only way to show Shueisha that the demand for a continuation or a new project is still massive.
The world of Hunter x Hunter is vast, and the "remake" we all want is likely still a few years away from being viable. But given the quality of what we've received in the past, it'll probably be worth the wait. Just don't hold your breath for a "Winter 2026" release date quite yet.