Summary
Hunter X Hunter author Yoshihiro Togashi revealed the inspiration behind Meruem and Komugi’s iconic final moments in a recent interview. This scene is inspired by the manga about the Hiroshima bombing, Quiet Evening Town, Land of Cherry Blossoms, and features white speech bubbles on a black background. Togashi also drew inspiration from other emotional manga moments, such as the endings of Ashita no Joe and Raoh in Fist of the North Star, to create the emotional impact of Meruem’s death.
Yoshihiro TogashiThe author of Hunter X Hunter, detailed the inspiration behind the depiction of Meruem’s final moments. A tearful scene, marking the end of the Chimera Ant arc, where a severely injured Meruem is comforted by Komugi, the young Gungi master and friend of the dying king. This particular chapter is iconic due to its exclusive use of white speech bubbles on a black background.
This new information comes from Japanese podcasts Iwakura and Yoshizumi’s Show. Yumiko Seki, a former member of the Japanese pop group Sakurazaka46, explained on the show that she sent Togashi a list of questions about his manga. She decided to read his handwritten answers on the podcast for other Hunter x Hunter fans to enjoy, which were then graciously translated into English by Togashi’s Troupe on X.
The interview is a wonderful and informative look behind the creative process of one of the most famous mangakas ever. Togashi’s insight into Meruem and Komugi’s final moments is especially valuable, as the author explains why he depicted that scene in such a memorable style.
Related
The author of Hunter x Hunter revealed the ending of the series in the event of his death
Yoshihiro Togashi has revealed the ending for Hunter X Hunter fans to consider canon in case he dies before completing the series.
Hunter x Hunter’s most tearful scene was inspired by a comic about the Hiroshima bombing
Meruem’s final moments were inspired by Town of Evening Calm, Country of Cherry Blossoms
In his handwritten reply to the former musician, Togashi said: Meruem and Komugi’s famous final moments in chapter #318 were inspired by a scene in Quiet Evening Town, Land of Cherry Blossoms, a famous manga series about a family affected by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. While creating storyboards for the show, he recalled a scene with only a white background and dialogue. Despite misremembering the context in which this happened, it inspired the now iconic Hunter x Hunter chapter, which features black panels interspersed with white speech bubbles, in which Meruem has Final conversation with Komugi.
While Togashi mentioned that the idea came during the storyboarding process, using Quiet Evening Town, Cherry Blossom Country as inspiration was appropriate for the ending of the Chimera Ant arc. Meruem’s death was caused by Netero, president of the Hunter Association, when he detonated a weapon of mass destruction known as the Poor Man’s Rose during their fight. It’s the cosmic equivalent of an atomic bomb, its detonation delivering a lethal dose of poison instead of radiation, and it takes a brutal weapon like this to take down one of America’s top villains. Hunter x Hunter.
Meruem’s death also takes notes from Ashita no Joe and Fist of the North Star
Togashi also briefly talks about Komugi’s iconic two-page spread comforting Meruem as he passes by, especially the cross-hatching style of shading used in his drawing. He mentioned that this technique is used to emphasize emotional moments in manga, with notable examples including the ending of Ashita no Joe, where Joe is “spent” after giving it his all. in the boxing ring, or Fist of the North Star, when Raoh died after his final confrontation with Kenshiro. Claiming that he always wanted to try this style for himself, the conclusion of one of the most memorable parts of Hunter x Hunter was the perfect opportunity to use it.
Overall, the Chimera Ant arc stands out not only for its incredible battles but also for the many emotional and dramatic moments the characters go through. Witnessing Meruem and Komugi’s final moments gave everyone chills Hunter x hunter fans, and it’s great to know, so many years later, what inspired the series’ most tearful scene.
READ ON MANGA PLUS