Hunter x Hunter: Togashi Officially Teases Return of Fan-favorite Character After 14 Years

Yoshihiro Togashi has fans excited once more, and this time it’s because of Killua, who is easily one of the most beloved characters in the entire Hunter x Hunter manga. Togashi has shared brand new artwork of Killua tied to Chapter 429, which is still in the works.

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— 冨樫義博 (@Un4v5s8bgsVk9Xp) August 27, 2026

This comes right as the manga is finally back on a steady schedule after years of on-and-off hiatuses. Killua hasn’t had a real, full appearance since Chapter 338, which was released on March 5, 2012. So seeing fresh art of him drop now has fans convinced he’s about to step back into the spotlight. Here is everything you need to know, from his involvement in the story and the potential release date of Chapter 429.

Killua’s Long Absence Since Chapter 338

The last time we really saw Killua doing anything meaningful was back in Chapter 338, where he said goodbye to Gon so he could go protect Alluka/Nanika full-time. Although he briefly appeared in a panel in Chapter 414, it wasn’t a proper, physical return to the story. Since Chapter 338, the manga has mostly followed Kurapika, who’s stuck dealing with the messy Succession Contest and the dangerous Phantom Troupe, all while the Black Whale sails toward the Dark Continent.

Killua has basically been missing in action this entire time. However, that is most probably about to change. Kurapika is stretched way too thin right now, juggling royal drama, assassins, and unfinished business with Hisoka and the Phantom Troupe. Hisoka was also teased to have a chapter focused around him, but it seems like that would be the end of this arc.

Given how much stronger Killua could have gotten while protecting Alluka alone, his showing up now could shake up the fight against the Phantom Troupe in a big way, especially if his path crosses with Hisoka again.

Of course, none of this is confirmed. Yoshihiro Togashi hasn’t said Killua is definitely appearing in Chapter 429, so this is still just fans connecting the dots based on the timing of the artwork.

Hunter x Hunter Chapter 429: Possible Release Timeline

As of August 28, 2026, the most recent released chapter is 418, meaning Togashi is working several chapters ahead of what’s currently out. He even finished the manuscript of Hunter x Hunter Chapter 426 just a few days ago.  That’s a great sign, since it shows he’s staying consistent instead of disappearing for another long break.

Chapter 419 is set to drop soon, and if the story keeps releasing on a mostly weekly basis, we could realistically see Chapter 429 sometime around late 2026. To be specific, if the manga does continue on a weekly basis, we can expect the chapter to drop in November 2026.

That said, this is Togashi who we’re talking about, so nothing is guaranteed. Togashi has dealt with health issues for years, and the manga has paused plenty of times before; hence, we cannot be 100% sure that it won’t face any breaks anymore.

Even then, the fact that he’s already this far ahead and sharing character art along the way is a good sign that he’s currently healthy and working at a good pace right now. If this pace holds, fans could get actual confirmation on Killua’s return sooner rather than later.

What do you think will be the role of Killua in the upcoming chapter? Let us know your theories in the comments.

Hunter x Hunter is available to read on Manga Plus by Shueisha.