Hunter x Hunter's Multimedia Resurgence: Iconic Villains Star in New MV with Sakurazaka46

The ever-popular Hunter x Hunter franchise is once again capturing headlines, not solely for its manga, which has resumed publication after a long hiatus, but through an exciting new multimedia initiative. Fans are buzzing over a recently unveiled JUMP music video that dramatically features the series' iconic and enigmatic antagonists, Chrollo Lucilfer and Hisoka Morow. This visual spectacle is a high-profile collaboration with Sakurazaka46, one of Japan's most successful contemporary idol groups, underscoring a strategic push to invigorate the series' presence across various entertainment platforms.

Quick summary

• A new JUMP music video for Hunter x Hunter prominently features popular antagonists Chrollo Lucilfer and Hisoka Morow.
• The music video is part of a major cross-promotional collaboration with the highly successful Japanese idol group Sakurazaka46.
• The Hunter x Hunter manga has seen a significant return from a four-year hiatus, with Volume 38 released in September 2024 and Chapter 401 in October 2024.
• The franchise has expanded its gaming portfolio with two new titles, HUNTER x HUNTER: NEN IMPACT (July 2025) and HUNTERxHUNTER NENxSURVIVOR (February 2026), further diversifying fan engagement.

Why it matters

This latest multimedia endeavor holds significant implications for the enduring legacy and commercial vitality of Hunter x Hunter. For a franchise known for its compelling narrative but also its creator Yoshihiro Togashi's notoriously irregular publication schedule, initiatives like this music video collaboration are crucial. They serve to maintain fan engagement and cultural relevance during periods of manga inactivity, ensuring the series remains top-of-mind. The involvement of a major idol group like Sakurazaka46 not only broadens the series' appeal to new demographics, particularly younger audiences who might be introduced to the franchise through music, but also highlights its substantial brand power. Moreover, the simultaneous release of new manga content and multiple video games signals a concerted effort to capitalize on the series' global popularity, providing diverse avenues for fans to interact with the universe of Gon, Killua, and their adversaries. This strategy helps solidify Hunter x Hunter's position as a robust multimedia property in the competitive entertainment landscape.

Background

The journey of Hunter x Hunter began with its serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1998, quickly establishing itself as a critically acclaimed and fan-favorite manga. Over its extensive run, the series, created by Yoshihiro Togashi, has achieved remarkable success, boasting over 84 million copies in circulation worldwide, including digital editions. However, its history is also marked by frequent and often lengthy hiatuses, testing the patience of its dedicated fanbase.

The most recent significant pause saw the manga enter a four-year hiatus before making a highly anticipated return in October 2022. Following this comeback, the publication schedule shifted in December 2022, moving away from a traditional weekly format to a more flexible, irregular release schedule. Despite this change, new content continues to emerge, with Volume 38 hitting shelves in Japan on September 4, 2024, closely followed by the release of Chapter 401 in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine on October 7 of the same year. The anime adaptation, globally streamed by Crunchyroll, has also played a pivotal role in expanding the series' reach and cultivating its international following.

In parallel, the broader entertainment ecosystem has seen significant growth for the franchise. The world of Hunter x Hunter expanded into gaming with the launch of HUNTER x HUNTER: NEN IMPACT on July 17, 2025, and another title, HUNTERxHUNTER NENxSURVIVOR, which followed on February 17, 2026. The new music video collaboration further intertwines with the rising prominence of Sakurazaka46, an idol group formerly known as Keyakizaka46. This group has ascended to become one of Japan's most successful acts in recent years, achieving milestones like expansive dome tours, numerous overseas performances, and a colossal two-day 5th anniversary concert at Japan National Stadium in 2026, which attracted an estimated 140,000 attendees. An Asian tour is also reportedly in the pipeline for 2027, highlighting their formidable reach and influence.

Qnews24h insight

The orchestrated multimedia push for Hunter x Hunter, encompassing new manga releases, video games, and a high-profile music video collaboration, represents a sophisticated strategic maneuver to sustain and amplify a beloved franchise. Rather than relying solely on the notoriously unpredictable manga serialization, the decision to diversify engagement points through prominent character features in a JUMP MV alongside a top-tier idol group like Sakurazaka46 demonstrates a clear understanding of modern fan culture and market dynamics. This approach mitigates the risks associated with an irregular manga schedule by providing consistent, high-quality content across different media. It allows the franchise to not only retain its fervent existing fanbase but also actively cultivate new audiences through varied entry points, particularly leveraging the cross-fandom appeal of popular music. This reflects a broader trend in Japanese entertainment where established intellectual properties are increasingly adopting holistic strategies, merging traditional and contemporary media forms to ensure their long-term commercial viability and cultural impact in a rapidly evolving global market.

Hunter x Hunter's Expanding Universe: Beyond the Manga Panels

The appearance of Chrollo and Hisoka, two characters whose rivalry and complex motivations are central to some of Hunter x Hunter's most intense arcs, in a new music video is a significant nod to the series' deep character appeal. These villains are not merely antagonists; they are fan favorites, embodying the morally ambiguous and thrilling elements that define Yoshihiro Togashi's storytelling. Featuring them in such a prominent visual project demonstrates an understanding of what resonates most with the series' dedicated followers. It's a strategic move to tap into the emotional investment fans have in these complex relationships, amplifying the impact of the musical collaboration.

Sakurazaka46: A Strategic Collaboration

The choice of Sakurazaka46 for this collaboration is particularly astute. As a leading force in the Japanese idol scene, their involvement brings a massive, diverse fanbase that might not traditionally be deeply immersed in anime or manga. Their track record of sold-out concerts, including a massive event at Japan National Stadium, and plans for international expansion highlight their immense popularity. This partnership creates a powerful cross-promotional synergy: Hunter x Hunter gains exposure to Sakurazaka46's audience, while the idol group benefits from association with a globally recognized and respected manga/anime property. This fusion of pop culture elements is increasingly common and effective in today's interconnected media landscape, offering a fresh way for franchises to stay vibrant and relevant.

Gaming the Hunter x Hunter World

The introduction of two new games, HUNTER x HUNTER: NEN IMPACT and HUNTERxHUNTER NENxSURVIVOR, within a year of each other, further solidifies the franchise's commitment to multimedia expansion. These titles, launched in 2025 and 2026, provide immersive, interactive experiences that delve deeper into the series' rich world and complex power system, Nen. For fans, these games offer a new dimension of engagement, allowing them to experience the world of Hunters in a hands-on manner. For the franchise, they represent significant revenue streams and additional platforms for storytelling, independent of the manga's publication rhythm. This expansion into the lucrative gaming market is a clear indicator of the brand's long-term vision and its ambition to be a multifaceted entertainment powerhouse.

Maintaining Momentum Amidst Hiatuses

The journey of Hunter x Hunter has always been characterized by its brilliant narrative ambition tempered by the creator's health-related hiatuses. The strategy now appears to be one of sustained engagement through various media, ensuring that even when the manga is on pause, the franchise remains active and continues to deliver new content. This multi-pronged approach — combining irregular manga releases with high-profile music collaborations and new gaming experiences — creates a dynamic ecosystem that keeps the series alive and thriving. It reassures fans that while patience is sometimes required for new manga chapters, the world of Hunter x Hunter is continually expanding and evolving.

Sources

• Anime Corner - Chrollo and Hisoka Appear in New Hunter x Hunter JUMP MV, Collaboration with Sakurazaka46
• SHONEN JUMP YouTube Channel

FAQ

• What is the new Hunter x Hunter JUMP MV?
  The new JUMP MV (Music Video) for Hunter x Hunter is a special collaboration featuring the popular Japanese idol group Sakurazaka46. It notably highlights iconic characters Chrollo Lucilfer and Hisoka Morow from the series.
• Who are Sakurazaka46 and why are they collaborating with Hunter x Hunter?
  Sakurazaka46, formerly known as Keyakizaka46, is a highly successful Japanese idol group with a massive fanbase. Their collaboration with Hunter x Hunter aims to create cross-promotional synergy, exposing the anime/manga to their music audience and vice versa, leveraging both brands' popularity.
• What is the current status of the Hunter x Hunter manga?
  The Hunter x Hunter manga returned from a four-year hiatus in October 2022 and moved to an irregular release schedule in December 2022. Volume 38 was released on September 4, 2024, and Chapter 401 followed in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine on October 7, 2024.
• Are there any new Hunter x Hunter games?
  Yes, two new games have been released: HUNTER x HUNTER: NEN IMPACT launched on July 17, 2025, and HUNTERxHUNTER NENxSURVIVOR launched on February 17, 2026.