Yoshihiro Togashithe author of the manga Hunter X Hunter, in a letter that was made public by a Japanese program explained the recent changes in the manga. The artist noted that his manga had a definite increase in text, and the recent change was made for five main reasons, which you can find below.
- “The basic information that must be explained to readers is already quite extensive, including the introduction of several new Nen abilities, the details of the Succession Contest, and the background of each Prince.”
- “In terms of narrative structure, there are several unresolved conflicts that have to be addressed during the journey, and I knew from the beginning that if I also considered the individuals involved in the Succession Contest, it would become a complex challenge where the various intentions and connections of a huge number of characters are intertwined… Consequently, the basic information mentioned in the first part has increased even more.”
- “I wanted not only the Princes but also their staff to be more than just background characters, so I made extensive use of monologues to act as both narrative exposition and character development. As a result, the text became more complex and undisciplined.”
- “In this current arc, I’m also experimenting with the characters and how they feel about their missions… In the process of looking for more interesting story developments, the number of discarded words in my mind is several or even ten times greater than the total number of words in just one finished storyboard.”
- “As you can see from my previous responses, I am uncomfortable as an author. Not only am I unable to find the right balance, but deep down, part of me unapologetically thinks that word count is equivalent to an add-on service.”
Hunter X Hunter There’s definitely more text, but that’s intentional. The Succession Contest arc is incredibly complex, and Yoshihiro must convey a good portion of its secrets with exposition.
