10 Things You Must Know Before Reading Hunter x Hunter Chapter 411

Image: Hunter × Hunter Volume 38 cover art by Yoshihiro Togashi / Shueisha

Hunter x Hunter Chapter 411 is finally returning after an 18-month hiatus. Yoshihiro Togashi will resume the Succession War arc with the release of Chapter 411 in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #31 on June 29, 2026, with official English translations dropping on June 28 via Viz Media and Manga Plus.

To truly enjoy the comeback, it’s important to refresh your memory on the current state of the story. The Succession War arc is one of the most complex and psychologically intense arcs in the series, filled with political intrigue, powerful Nen abilities, and high-stakes battles aboard the Black Whale. Here are the 10 most important things you need to know before reading Hunter x Hunter Chapter 411.

Why was Hunter x Hunter on Break? The History of the Hiatus Explained

To truly appreciate this comeback, we need to understand why the series goes on frequent, extended breaks. Yoshihiro Togashi suffers from severe, chronic lower back pain that has forced him to work while lying down for years. As a perfectionist who prefers to handle the main characters himself rather than rely heavily on assistants, Shueisha restructured his publishing schedule years ago.

Instead of the traditional weekly format, Togashi now works at his own pace to complete batches of chapters, which are then released together. The recent 18-month break gave him time to stockpile and ink a significant number of manuscripts, with the latest updates confirming completion well into the 420s and more chapters already in progress. This sets the stage for a much more stable release schedule moving forward.

That said, the Succession War arc is an incredibly dense and psychological masterpiece. With dozens of royal factions, complex Nen abilities, and shifting alliances aboard the Black Whale, jumping back in without a refresher can feel overwhelming. Here are the 10 most important things you need to know before reading Chapter 411.

10 Things You Must Know Before Hunter x Hunter Returns

Make sure you refresh your memory with these ten critical plot mechanics and character status updates before opening the new chapter.

1. The Main Setting: What is the Black Whale 1 Ship Layout?

Image Credit: Cover art by Yoshihiro Togashi / Shueisha

The entire story is currently trapped inside the Black Whale 1, a massive five-tier vessel sailing toward the uncharted Dark Continent. Tier 1 sits at the very top and houses the Kakin Royal Family along with elite guests. Tiers 2 through 5 contain over 200,000 ordinary citizens, soldiers, and criminal syndicates. Movement between tiers is heavily restricted, turning the ship into a claustrophobic pressure cooker.

2. The Kakin Royal Family Battle Royale Rules Explained

Kakin Royal Family. Image Credit: Yoshihiro Togashi / Shueisha

The core conflict is a brutal survival game involving the 14 Princes of the Kakin Empire. The last surviving prince will become the next King. Because royal law forbids the princes from directly killing each other, the battle is fought through bodyguards, hired Hunters, psychological warfare, and political manipulation.

3. How Do the Guardian Nen Beasts Work?

Before boarding the ship, every prince participated in a mysterious ritual that awakened a parasitic Guardian Nen Beast inside them. The princes cannot see or directly control their own beasts. These creatures act on the host’s subconscious desires and are strictly forbidden from directly attacking other princes or rival Guardian Beasts. This forces the royals to rely on human assassins and bodyguards.

4. Kurapika’s Mission: Protecting Prince Woble & Queen Oito

Kurapika standing by Neon Nostrade during his early bodyguard missions. (Credit: Studio Madhouse)

Kurapika is currently serving as the personal bodyguard for the youngest prince, baby Woble, and her mother, Queen Oito. While his public duty is to keep them alive, his hidden goal is to reach Tier 1 and confront Fourth Prince Tserriednich, who possesses the last remaining collection of Scarlet Eyes stolen from the Kurta Clan.

5. Inside Kurapika’s Tense Nen Training Classroom

To reduce nighttime assassinations, Kurapika opened a Nen training class in Tier 1 for bodyguards sent by rival princes. The classroom is filled with spies, undercover killers, and opposing factions. Chapter 410 ended with the tension at a boiling point, and many expect Chapter 411 to return to this high-stakes setting.

6. Prince Tserriednich’s Terrifying Parallel Future Ability

Fourth Prince Tserriednich on his throne, surrounded by his macabre collection of human remains. (Credit: Yoshihiro Togashi / Shueisha)

Fourth Prince Tserriednich is one of the most dangerous characters in the arc. A genius psychopath who rapidly mastered advanced Nen, his Guardian Beast grants him Parallel Future, the ability to see roughly 10 seconds into the future while in Zetsu. This makes him extremely difficult to catch off guard.

7. The Underworld Gang War: Phantom Troupe vs Hisoka Morrow

Hisoka's lethal message to the Spiders. (Credit: Yoshihiro Togashi/Shueisha)

While the royals scheme in Tier 1, a violent gang war is raging in the lower decks. The Phantom Troupe is hunting Hisoka Morrow, who is hiding somewhere on the ship. To navigate the lower tiers, the Spiders have formed alliances with major Kakin mafia families (Xi-Yu and Cha-R) while clashing with the chaotic Heil-Ly family led by Morena Prudo.

8. Chrollo Lucilfer’s Volatile and Ruthless Mental State

Following the deaths of Shalnark and Kortopi at Hisoka’s hands, Chrollo is in a dark, focused, and merciless state. He is determined to eliminate Hisoka even if it means tearing apart the lower decks of the ship.

9. Where Are Gon and Killua During the Succession War Arc?

Gon and Killua are completely absent from this arc. Togashi deliberately shifted focus away from the main duo for this portion of the story. Gon is living on Whale Island after losing his Nen ability, while Killua is traveling the world to protect his sibling, Alluka. This arc belongs to Kurapika, Leorio, and the Phantom Troupe.

10. The New Manga Batch Release Format and Togashi Updates

The 18-month wait was necessary to protect Togashi’s health. Hunter x Hunter has moved away from weekly releases into a batch format. Togashi has been transparent on his official X account, and the latest updates confirm he has completed manuscripts well into the 420s with more chapters in progress. This gives fans confidence in a much more stable release schedule starting with Chapter 411.

The Hunter x Hunter Anime Status: Will the Anime Return in 2026?

With the manga resuming, many fans are asking when the anime will return. The 2011 Madhouse adaptation ended at Episode 148 after adapting up to the Election arc. Because the Succession War arc is still ongoing and far from finished, a full new season is still likely a couple of years away.

However, the massive global popularity of Hunter x Hunter means studios are watching closely. Industry rumors suggest we could see a high-budget OVA or movie (possibly covering the legendary Chrollo vs Hisoka fight) as a test before committing to a full season.

The pieces are moving fast across every tier of the Black Whale. Keep an eye on Kurapika’s classroom, watch the lower decks for Hisoka, and get ready for one of the most intricate and thrilling arcs in modern manga to continue.

FAQs

What is the Hunter x Hunter Chapter 411 official release date? Chapter 411 releases in Japan on June 29, 2026, in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #31. Official English translations are expected on June 28, 2026, via Viz Media and Manga Plus.

When does Hunter x Hunter Manga Volume 39 release? Volume 39, which collects Chapters 401–410, releases in Japan on July 3, 2026.

What chapter does the Succession War arc start on in HxH? The Succession War arc officially begins at Chapter 349.