When thinking of Yoshihiro Togashi, the first thing that probably comes to mind is the legendary manga creator hunched over his desk, constantly working on the next chapter of Hunter x Hunter, or maybe, more accurately, taking another one of his infamous hiatuses. But there’s more to Togashi than just his irregular work schedule, in fact, his married life is probably one of the most fascinating aspects of his life.
Yoshihiro Togashi is married to another iconic mangaka, Naoko Takeuchi, the creator of Sailor Moon manga. And Togashi’s relationship with Takeuchi may very well be the reason why he can never stop writing Hunter x Hunter, no matter how much his back hurts, or how many video game releases he wants to binge-play.
How Yoshihiro Togashi and Naoko Takeuchi Crossed Paths
The story of how Yoshihiro Togashi met Naoko Takeuchi isn’t a typical romantic story. In an interview with Hard Drive in 2023, when asked about his marriage, Togashi delivered one of the most nonchalant and hilarious explanations ever,
We were both workaholics when it came to making manga. We met at a workaholics anonymous meeting, actually.
Their shared obsession with their craft brought them together in a way that’s beyond perfection. Workaholics tend to understand each other in a way others might not. They push themselves past physical limits, and take on ridiculous deadlines, as witnessed in Togashi’s battle with intense back pain. But at least this obsession had a silver lining: it sparked a romance that’s become one of the most iconic in the manga world.
Even though Sailor Moon concluded its main story years ago, Takeuchi still remains a beloved figure in the manga world. Yoshihiro Togashi, on the other hand, is still very much in the middle of his journey — albeit with plenty of breaks.
When asked about the reasons for his hiatuses, Togashi has given a hilariously blunt answer: “A number of reasons, actually. Sometimes I have intense back pain, sometimes I want to play a new video game, and sometimes I just don’t feel like it.”
Yoshihiro Togashi’s Hilarious Take on His Work and Fame
When it comes to his personal work habits in particular, Togashi has never been one to hold back on humor. “People like my sh*t? Tight”, that’s his deadpan response when asked how he feels about his manga becoming a global sensation.
Fans appreciate him for his laid-back, no-nonsense attitude. Togashi himself appears to take everything in stride, despite the fact that his work on Hunter x Hunter can often be profound, philosophical, and full of immense psychological struggles. He nonchalantly jokes about taking hiatuses, binging video games, and occasionally throwing shade at his friends in the industry. When asked if he’s close with other creators, he hilariously remarked,
A few, yeah. Like Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of Naruto. I let him steal a bunch of ideas from me every now and then, nobody seems to bat an eye so it’s all good.
If anything, Togashi’s humor and humility only add to his charm. It’s clear that while he takes his work seriously, he doesn’t let the fame and success go to his head. He’s just a guy who likes making cool stories, playing video games, and spending time with his equally talented wife.
And let’s not forget, Hunter x Hunter is more than just a manga for Togashi; it’s become a part of his identity, a legacy he’s built over decades. Whether he’s writing to explore new creative topics, to entertain fans, or simply to keep up with the demands of his editors blowing up his phone, Togashi is still at it, because he’s wired that way.
Hunter x Hunter is currently available to read on Viz Media.
