In this article, we will talk a little about one of the most popular, controversial, and talented mangakas of all time: Yoshihiro Togashi [冨樫義博]. Famous worldwide for works like Yu Yu Hakusho (幽遊白書) and Hunter x Hunter (ハンターハンター).
His biography is also filled with controversies involving very long hiatuses (especially the one of 1), Dragon Quest, and back pain. But one thing cannot be denied: Togashi is one of the greatest geniuses of creativity and manga in general.
Starting with a curiosity, Togashi is married to the author of Sailor Moon, Naoko Takeuchi. Below, we will see more about the author.
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Togashi is a dog too
It may sound like a joke, but for those who already know the author, or at least some of his works, they know that Togashi often appears in the mangas with a “dog face”.
These canine appearances are usually seen in the author’s notes present in the mangas (usually before the chapters) and in some scenes within the original stories as well.
His great comedic and creative ability seems to have inspired him to portray himself as a dog instead of creating a caricature of himself. Furthermore, some fans associate the dog with his “lazy” figure, although this is just a joke about the fact that the mangaka does not have many regular publications.
We can see Yoshihiro Togashi in his canine version both in the mangas of Hunter x Hunter (mainly in the Celestial Tower arc) and in the animated versions from 2011 and 1999.
Level E and the interest in Aliens
In addition to the extremely acclaimed and popular Hunter x Hunter and Yu Yu Hakusho, Togashi is the creator of Level E (レベルE), a manga focused on comedy and science fiction. In this manga, Togashi shows his interest in Ufology and begins to delve into themes more related to science fiction, spaceships, extraterrestrials, horror, nonsense, and comedy.
Although less known, Level E received an anime adaptation in 2011, which shows some popularity. It is a manga that I also recommend, especially for those who want to see references to Dragon Quest (RPG in general), aliens, psychology, Power Rangers, and bizarre things.
Controversy: Health and Work
Togashi is constantly called lazy by many people; however, this reputation may not be very fair, considering the health problems that the mangaka has to face and the pressure he suffers from the publishers since the days of Yu Yu Hakusho.
The author suffers from back problems that have recently incapacitated him even more. Besides the physical issues, it is known to the public that Togashi often faces pressure from editors to prolong works that are already scheduled to end.
During the time of Yu Yu Hakusho, for example, he wanted to conclude the story in the dark tournament arc, but due to the excellent sales (almost 50 million copies sold!), he was forced to continue the story with the Sensui and Makai arcs.
In Hunter x Hunter (still ongoing), there are rumors that the author would have liked to finish the series in the election arc, but had to continue due to new pressure from Jump.
Togashi and Dragon Quest
One of the most talked-about curiosities involving Yoshihiro Togashi is the fact that the mangaka is a big fan of the Dragon Quest (ドラクエ) game franchise.
Many claim that the author puts Hunter x Hunter on hiatus to play Dragon Quest. Others say that this is due to Togashi’s desire to complete games 100%, which would make the task take longer.
In the end, the truth is that none of this information is completely confirmed. There are many rumors and gossip when we talk about this genius. The few public appearances make the mystery even more intriguing.
Despite all this, we must recognize that a mangaka must suffer a lot with many back problems, and this must hinder the work. To conclude, below we can see a rare appearance of Togashi in a video!
Hunter x Hunter – One of the great pillars
One of the biggest frustrations reported by fans is the fact that the Hunter x Hunter manga continues without an ending and always suffers from constant breaks. Additionally, many criticize the author for not opting for assistance from another illustrator in his works, given that in some chapters there is a sudden drop in quality regarding the artwork.
For those who do not know, Hunter x Hunter is the story of a child named Gon who participates in a deadly exam to become a Hunter and thus gain privileges in order to find his father.
Despite this premise, the story develops in an unimaginable and uncommon way in Shonens. It is undoubtedly a masterpiece that is a must-read for everyone.
List of Mangas Published by Yoshihiro Togashi
- Sensēha Toshishita!! (1986)
- Jura no Miduki (1987)
- Ōkami Nante Kowakunai!! (1989)
- Buttobi Straight (1987)
- Tonda Birthday Present (1987)
- Occult Tanteidan (1988–1989)
- Horror Angel (1988)
- Ōkami Nante Kowakunai!! (1989)
- Ten de Shōwaru Cupid (1989–1990)
- Yu Yu Hakusho (1990–1994)
- Level E (1995–1997)
- Hunter × Hunter (1998)
- Akuten Wars (2017)
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