'Hunter x Hunter' chapter 361 release date, news: Series may be halted indefinitely over writer's health problems

Shueisha

After approximately 20 months, "Hunter x Hunter" saw a brand-new chapter with the launch of chapter 360 back in April. However, as reported by iTech Post, chapter 361 has yet to be released and it has been confirmed that the manga series may be on indefinite hiatus due to the recurring health issues of writer Yoshihiro Togashi. 

According to the report, Togashi has been suffering from recurring back pains for the past few years and because of this progress on the "Hunter x Hunter" manga series has seen recurring delays and setbacks. Togashi has explained that the pain he suffers is making it difficult to fully work on the series.

Yibada reports that the series may be coming back by February 2017 but this is only based on the patterns of releases of the previous chapters. It is undetermined at this point whether Togashi has been able to get better or if his health continues to decline and his physical condition will determine when he can work and when chapter 361 will release.

The series is known as one of the most popular manga series in the market and its anime adaptation is equally popular but fans worry that the series may never reach its final conclusion due to Togashi's health concerns. Given how long it has taken for chapter 361 to release many have assumed that this means chapter 360 will be the end for the series, ending "Hunter x Hunter" on an unresolved cliffhanger.

However, the report has pointed out that the manga's publisher, Shueisha, may be hiring new writers and artists to take over for Togashi. This may particularly happen when his health makes it too difficult for him to continue any further. If this indeed happens Togashi may still be on board but simply as an advisor to direct how the story will progress.

The publishers and Togashi have yet to make any official comment or announcement regarding the release of "Hunter x Hunter" chapter 361.