Hunter x Hunter Returns With Weekly Shonen Jump and a New 39th Volume Cover
Hunter x Hunter is finally back on shelves and in serialization, and the return has fans paying close attention to every new detail. After a long stretch of uncertainty, Yoshihiro Togashi’s series has resumed publication in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump, and now the manga is set to release its 39th volume soon—bringing with it a brand-new cover reveal. As always, the artwork isn’t just a showcase; it’s also a signal flare for what’s coming next.
Hunter x Hunter Volume 39 Cover Spotlight: Hisoka Mirrors Chrollo
On June 27, 2026, a new Hunter x Hunter cover featuring Hisoka was revealed, setting up a striking visual parallel between him and Chrollo Lucilfer. The implication is clear: the franchise is slowly building toward what fans consider the biggest shonen-style showdown, with Hisoka vs Chrollo returning in Round 2. This time, the stakes are framed as far harsher—someone is likely going to stay dead.
To understand why this cover matters, it helps to look back at the series’ origins. On March 16, 1998, Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #11 introduced a new story by Yoshihiro Togashi, who at the time was already known for creating Yu Yu Hakusho. That debut story became Hunter x Hunter, and while some doubted Togashi could top his earlier hit, the new project ended up becoming his most popular work. Even now, the manga remains ongoing—but never without obstacles.
Since 2006, Togashi’s health has posed a major challenge for steady serialization, leading to frequent breaks. Despite that, Hunter x Hunter has continued. In recent years, the manga returned on October 7, 2024 with chapter 401, then went on hiatus again on December 9, 2024 with chapter 410. Those comebacks made it obvious that Volume 39 would eventually arrive, but the timing wasn’t known until recently.
Now the wait is over: Volume 39 is officially scheduled for release in Japan on July 3, 2026, and with it comes a new cover. This latest illustration features Hisoka Morrow, a well-known fan-favorite antagonist. It’s also his first cover appearance in nearly a decade—the previous one was on June 26, 2017 in Volume 34.
Artistically, the new cover leans into a more realistic style that Togashi sometimes uses for volume art. Hisoka is drawn with his hand covering part of his face, while the number “39” appears on that hand. The composition has already made the image popular with readers, but the design choice isn’t random—it’s tied directly into the setup for a major fight.
With Hunter x Hunter back and Volume 39 arriving, the manga has also reached another milestone with a new record, reflecting how strongly fans continue to follow the series despite its interruptions.
Round 2 Setup: The Hisoka vs Chrollo Death Flag is Getting Louder
Fans are excited for the series’ return whether you’re tracking new manga entries—back on June 28, 2026 in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #31—or waiting for the new volume itself on July 3, 2026. Togashi has a habit of turning every new development into a setup for another escalating battle, and the new Hisoka cover is presented as more than a beautiful display. It’s framed as a quiet blueprint for the next major shonen confrontation.
Chrollo Lucilfer: “We Battle to the Death.”
— Chrollo and Hisoka before their battle in Hunter x Hunter chapter 351
As many readers already know, Hisoka and Chrollo have history. Hisoka originally tried to join the Phantom Troupe with the goal of fighting Chrollo directly, but that plan didn’t play out the way he hoped. Kurapika sealed Chrollo’s Nen, preventing the fight from happening as intended. Eventually, through the work of exorcist Abengane, Chrollo’s Nen returned.
Then, in Hunter x Hunter Chapter 351—published as part of Weekly Shonen Jump Double Issue #21-22 on April 25, 2016—the long-awaited confrontation finally began. That fight stretched across 7 chapters, running through Chapter 357. In the end, Chrollo won. Hisoka was declared dead.
However, Hisoka didn’t stay down. He used post-mortem Nen to revive himself, then immediately went on to kill Shalnark and Kortopi. With more bloodshed and both the Spiders and Hisoka currently on the Black Whale, the narrative is now positioned for another eruption of violence.
The key visual detail in the Volume 39 cover is that Hisoka is now directly mirroring Chrollo’s pose from Hunter x Hunter Volume 11. In the new art, Hisoka covers his face with his right hand, while Chrollo does the same with his left—an echo meant to reinforce that this conflict is returning in a second act.
That mirroring isn’t the only clue. In Hunter x Hunter chapter 406, published in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #50 in November 2024, Chrollo explained that he intends to acquire the national treasures of Kakin to power up his Nen ability, Skill Hunter. With that boost, he believes he can kill Hisoka once and for all—while also preventing Hisoka from reviving again.
Based on what’s available right now, the battle appears likely to unfold on the Black Whale. Still, because the first round already took place during the Succession Contest arc, there’s also room for Togashi to delay Round 2—possibly pushing it toward the Dark Continent, or at least until the ship reaches the refueling island.
“Re-create the missing flesh!! Left hand!! A rubber prosthesis!! Cover with texture surprise: Flimsy Lies!! Same with the right leg!! Seems fine!! All healed!!”— Hisoka in Hunter x Hunter chapter 357
What makes this confrontation feel even bigger is the long buildup required to reach it. Both Chrollo and Hisoka are treated as legendary antagonists, and the series positions their next clash as a fight at a completely new tier—built on upgrades and escalation far beyond their first encounter.
How Round 2 Could End: One of the Villains Has to Die
In the first round of the Hisoka vs Chrollo battle, Hisoka died. Yet he was brought back using Bungee Gum. That revival was a major plot twist, but the article’s framing is that Togashi likely won’t repeat the same trick more than once. If the two fight again “to the death,” the next casualty is expected to be a true one.
Hisoka is described as stronger than ever thanks to his re-awakening and post-mortem Nen. At the same time, Chrollo is set to get stronger by leveling up Skill Hunter, and there’s a suggestion he may also acquire additional techniques.
“Even if I should die… It’s the very idea that will instill fear of the Spider that I designed!! — Chrollo Lucilfer
When Round 2 begins and ends, at least one of the two is expected to die. Because Hisoka lost the first round, the “death flags” are described as especially heavy for Chrollo—yet Chrollo is also aware that his death is on the table.
If only one villain has to be taken out, the most likely outcome is that it would be Chrollo. But the piece also leaves open the possibility that both villains could die. Chrollo’s stated end goal is to eliminate Hisoka, and the narrative logic presented here is that he will do everything in his power to accomplish that—even if it means both sides perish. Chrollo also believes the Spider entity can continue without him, meaning his personal survival isn’t the priority. Only killing Hisoka matters.
Where to Read Hunter x Hunter
Hunter x Hunter is available for weekly reads with new chapters by Yoshihiro Togashi via Manga Plus and Viz Media.
