'Hunter x Hunter' chapter 361 release date news: Next chapter won't be out until 2018?

In July, it was announced that "Hunter x Hunter," the long-running manga that is written and illustrated by Yoshihiro Togashi, is going on a long-term hiatus. Now, reports indicate that the manga will not return for at least two more years.

While the producers of "Hunter x Hunter" reportedly hired new writers to work on the next chapters of the manga, their output was not satisfactory. This could mean that instead of hiring other writers and illustrators to pick up the slack, Shueisha could instead just wait for Togashi to get back to work on the manga.

In July, it was confirmed that the manga, which had just come out of a previous long-term hiatus, was going on another indefinite break to give Togashi, who was suffering from back pain, time to recuperate. While no date for the resumption of the manga has been officially announced, fans have assumed that it will do so when Togashi has healed.

Nonetheless, last month, it was reported that there is a possibility that "Hunter x Hunter" could return with a new team of writers replacing Togashi. It should be noted that Shueisha was reportedly looking into bringing in a group of new writers in hopes of matching Togashi's usual workload on the manga. The alleged move seemed to put the manga's overall tone at risk but would have ensured that fans won't have to wait too long for "Hunter x Hunter" chapter 361.

Shueisha, which has been publishing the manga series since 1998, said in a statement to Rocket News 24 that Togashi's physical condition was the reason for the manga's long-term breaks in publication.

"The last time the series was put on hold, it was because of Togashi-sensei's lower back pain, and once again, his condition has gotten worse, necessitating a break again," the company said. "At this time, it is not certain when we will be able to resume the series."