Yoshihiro Togashi's Hunter x Hunter finally made its triumphant return to Weekly Shonen Jump at the end of June 2026, after a long hiatus, much to the delight of fans eager to catch up on the story.
In the latest Chapter 420, one particular scene has fans buzzing: Hisoka is seen playing a pachinko machine on a ship. This machine is almost identical to the infamous "Bog" devil pachinko from Nobuyuki Fukumoto's Gambling Apocalypse: Kaiji, leaving many wondering about its appearance. Even the official X (formerly Twitter) account for Fukumoto's ongoing series, 1-day Outing Manager, chimed in with a playful response.
For those familiar with the series, Gambling Apocalypse: Kaiji's "Bog" devil pachinko machine needs no introduction. Located in an underground casino, it boasts a jackpot of several hundred million yen, symbolizing a bottomless abyss that devours countless people's hard-earned money.
Casino owner Kazutaka Hyodo and the underground manager deliberately rigged the machine, using a tilted platform and wind interference to prevent the steel balls from ever reaching the final winning pocket. However, Kaiji Itou, with his cunning intellect, managed to overcome these obstacles and claim the massive prize.
And now, in Hunter x Hunter's latest Chapter 420, Hisoka makes a long-awaited appearance in a double-page spread, playing a pachinko machine that is... almost identical to the "Bog" devil pachinko from Gambling Apocalypse: Kaiji!
After the discussion erupted, the official X account for Nobuyuki Fukumoto's ongoing series, 1-day Outing Manager, posted a special message, stating that "it seems a certain man has made this pachinko machine a hot topic again recently..." They then used the opportunity to promote the related spin-off series, Ichijou's Journey to the Capital, which shares a connection with the machine. LOL.
Of course, Yoshihiro Togashi has previously mentioned his admiration for Nobuyuki Fukumoto's work, so this kind of homage and playful reference likely means Togashi considered and informed him. Even Fukumoto's own works have referenced Hunter x Hunter, specifically the "Accompany" ability from the Greed Island arc, and even included lines like "My En extends 15 meters."
It just goes to show the mutual respect and love these two manga masters have for each other's work, playfully referencing each other across their series.
But here's the bittersweet news: the official Hunter x Hunter announcement states that after Chapter 420, the series will go on hiatus until further notice. Since its return, Hunter x Hunter has released 10 chapters, so it looks like fans will have to wait a bit longer for its next comeback. Currently, Yoshihiro Togashi's official X account suggests he's made progress up to Chapter 427. Here's hoping Sensei Togashi stays healthy and can continue his work!
