Hunter x Hunter Volume 38: Release Date, Chapters and Story Explained

After a long wait, Hunter x Hunter Volume 38 brings Yoshihiro Togashi’s celebrated manga back to English-language bookshelves with another tense installment of the Succession Contest Arc.

The volume returns to the conflict aboard the Black Whale, where the Phantom Troupe, Hisoka and the ship’s competing mafia families are moving toward a dangerous confrontation. It also explores the Phantom Troupe’s past, giving readers important insight into how the infamous group was formed.

This spoiler-light guide covers the US release date, included chapters, story focus, reading order and English paperback details for Hunter x Hunter Vol. 38.

Hunter x Hunter Volume 38 at a Glance

These English-edition specifications are listed by VIZ Media, the official North American publisher.

When Did Hunter x Hunter Volume 38 Release in the USA?

The English edition of Hunter x Hunter Volume 38 was released in the United States on January 6, 2026.

The Japanese edition originally arrived on September 4, 2024. The English paperback was published later by VIZ Media for readers and collectors in the United States.

Fans searching for the official English version should check that the book displays:

• VIZ Media as the publisher
• Shonen Jump as the imprint
• ISBN-13: 978-1-9747-5859-3
• English-language interior text
• A total length of 208 pages

These details help distinguish the official US edition from imported Japanese copies.

What Chapters Are Included in Hunter x Hunter Volume 38?

Hunter x Hunter Vol. 38 collects Chapters 391 through 400.

The chapters included are:

1. Chapter 391: Clash: Part 2
2. Chapter 392: Information
3. Chapter 393: Plea
4. Chapter 394: Hypothesis
5. Chapter 395: Founding: Part 1
6. Chapter 396: Founding: Part 2
7. Chapter 397: Founding: Part 3
8. Chapter 398: Search
9. Chapter 399: Eviction
10. Chapter 400: Concealment

The volume combines ongoing events aboard the Black Whale with a revealing look at the Phantom Troupe’s childhood and formation.

What Is Hunter x Hunter Volume 38 About?

Volume 38 continues the complex power struggle unfolding aboard the Black Whale.

The Phantom Troupe is searching for Hisoka while becoming increasingly involved in the conflict between the ship’s mafia families. Multiple groups are gathering information, testing loyalties and attempting to predict their enemies’ next moves.

At the same time, the story moves into a flashback exploring the Phantom Troupe’s early years in Meteor City. Readers see younger versions of several familiar members before they became the feared criminals known throughout the Hunter x Hunter world.

Without revealing the volume’s major developments, its story focuses on:

• The Phantom Troupe’s pursuit of Hisoka
• The conflict involving the Xi-Yu, Cha-R and Heil-Ly families
• The continuing danger aboard the Black Whale
• Morena Prudo and the Heil-Ly family’s activities
• New and evolving Nen abilities
• The Phantom Troupe’s childhood in Meteor City
• Events that influenced the group’s formation

This balance of present-day suspense and character history makes Volume 38 especially significant for readers interested in the Phantom Troupe.

Why Is the Phantom Troupe’s Origin Important?

The Phantom Troupe has played a major role in Hunter x Hunter since the Yorknew City Arc, but much of its early history remained unexplained.

Volume 38 provides additional context for the group’s beginnings in Meteor City. Rather than presenting the Troupe only as a dangerous criminal organization, the flashback shows the relationships, experiences and shared environment that connected its founding members.

The story does not excuse their later actions. Instead, it gives readers a clearer understanding of how their identities and loyalty to one another developed.

Longtime fans will recognize younger versions of characters such as:

• Chrollo Lucilfer
• Machi
• Uvogin
• Pakunoda
• Franklin
• Feitan
• Phinks
• Shalnark
• Nobunaga

These chapters add emotional weight to the Troupe’s present-day search for Hisoka.

Does Gon Appear in Hunter x Hunter Vol. 38?

Gon is featured prominently on the cover, but he is not the central character in the volume’s main storyline.

Volume 38 remains focused on events connected to the Black Whale, the Phantom Troupe, the mafia families and the wider Succession Contest Arc. Readers waiting for Gon to return to the center of the narrative should understand that this volume continues the current ensemble-driven story.

Is Killua in Volume 38?

Killua does not play a central role in the collected chapters. Like Gon, he remains outside the main Black Whale storyline covered in Volume 38.

The volume primarily follows characters involved in the voyage, particularly the Phantom Troupe and members of the rival mafia organizations.

Do You Need to Read Hunter x Hunter Volume 37 First?

Yes. Readers should finish Hunter x Hunter Volume 37 before beginning Volume 38.

Volume 38 directly continues an already complicated storyline containing multiple factions, characters and Nen abilities. Starting with Volume 38 may make it difficult to understand the relationships between the Phantom Troupe, Hisoka and the mafia families.

For the most complete experience, read the Succession Contest Arc in order rather than treating Volume 38 as a standalone book.

Recommended immediate reading order

1. Hunter x Hunter Volume 36
2. Hunter x Hunter Volume 37
3. Hunter x Hunter Volume 38

Readers returning after a long break may also benefit from reviewing the major factions aboard the Black Whale before starting the new volume.

Is Hunter x Hunter Volume 38 Beginner-Friendly?

Volume 38 is not the best entry point for someone completely new to Hunter x Hunter.

The story assumes that readers already understand:

• Who the Phantom Troupe and Hisoka are
• The basic principles of Nen
• The structure of the Black Whale
• The mafia families operating aboard the ship
• The ongoing Succession Contest
• Events from the Yorknew City Arc

New readers should begin with Volume 1. Anime viewers who want to continue beyond the 2011 anime should start earlier in the manga’s post-anime material rather than jumping directly to Volume 38.

Is Hunter x Hunter Volume 38 Worth Buying?

Volume 38 is particularly worthwhile for readers who enjoy the strategic and character-driven side of Hunter x Hunter.

It may be a strong addition to your collection if you:

• Want to continue the Succession Contest Arc
• Are interested in the Phantom Troupe’s origins
• Prefer physical manga over digital chapters
• Collect the official VIZ Media editions
• Enjoy complex Nen abilities and tactical conflicts
• Want Chapters 391–400 in one paperback volume

Readers looking mainly for Gon and Killua’s adventures should know that they are not the focus. However, fans of Chrollo, the Phantom Troupe, Hisoka and the darker side of the series will find this volume especially relevant.

Paperback or Digital: Which Edition Should You Choose?

The story content is fundamentally the same, so the choice depends on how you prefer to read and collect manga.

Choose the paperback if you:

• Collect physical Hunter x Hunter volumes
• Want the book displayed with Volumes 1–37
• Prefer reading printed manga
• Want a physical copy featuring the Volume 38 cover
• Plan to reread or share the volume

Choose digital if you:

• Want immediate access
• Prefer reading on a phone or tablet
• Have limited shelf space
• Regularly use a digital manga library

For collectors, the official English paperback is likely to be the more appealing option because it continues the numbered VIZ Media collection.

Where Can You Buy Hunter x Hunter Volume 38 in the USA?

US readers can order the official English paperback of Hunter x Hunter Volume 38 from GunplaBox.

Check Hunter x Hunter Graphic Novel Volume 38 availability and view the current price, pickup options and shipping information.

GunplaBox ships in-stock items the next business day, and US orders over $99 qualify for free shipping according to the store’s current shipping information. Availability can change, so check the product page for the latest stock status.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Hunter x Hunter Volume 38 US release date?

The official English edition of Hunter x Hunter Volume 38 was released in the United States on January 6, 2026 by VIZ Media.

How many chapters are in Hunter x Hunter Volume 38?

Volume 38 contains 10 chapters, collecting Chapters 391 through 400.

How many pages are in the English edition?

The VIZ Media English edition contains 208 pages.

What arc is Hunter x Hunter Volume 38 part of?

Volume 38 is part of the Succession Contest Arc, which takes place primarily aboard the Black Whale.

Is Volume 38 about the Phantom Troupe?

The Phantom Troupe plays a major role. The book covers its conflict with the mafia families and includes a flashback about the group’s origins in Meteor City.

Is Hisoka in Hunter x Hunter Volume 38?

Hisoka is central to the conflict because the Phantom Troupe is searching for him. Revealing exactly how and when he appears would enter spoiler territory.

Is Hunter x Hunter Volume 38 available in English?

Yes. The official English paperback and digital editions were released by VIZ Media on January 6, 2026.

What is the ISBN for Hunter x Hunter Vol. 38?

The ISBN-13 for the official VIZ Media English edition is 978-1-9747-5859-3.

Can I read Volume 38 without reading Volume 37?

It is possible, but not recommended. Volume 38 directly continues the Black Whale storyline and assumes familiarity with the characters and factions introduced earlier.

Final Takeaway

Hunter x Hunter Volume 38 collects Chapters 391–400 and continues the Succession Contest Arc through the Phantom Troupe’s search for Hisoka, the mafia conflict aboard the Black Whale and a revealing look at the Troupe’s origins.

With its combination of strategic Nen conflicts, criminal power struggles and long-awaited character history, it is an important volume for existing Hunter x Hunter readers—especially Phantom Troupe fans.

Order Hunter x Hunter Volume 38 from GunplaBox while it is available.