After four months filled with rumors and no real updates on "Hunter X Hunter," fans' worst fears for the hit manga series might be true: chapter 361 will never materialize. These rumors spread after creator Yoshihiro Togashi failed to report to publishers about the status of his work.

This is not the first time that "Hunter X Hunter" was put on hold. The manga series went on a two-year hiatus, from Mar. 2012 to May 2014, according to a report by Jobs & Hire. Togashi has taken a number of breaks since 2006 due to an undisclosed illness. As of June 2016, 350 chapters have been collected into 33 volumes by publisher Shueisha Inc.

 VineReport reports that Shueisha might force the fifty-year-old illustrator to surrender his rights to his own work so the manga and the anime series could resume without him. This means one thing: new writers would have to take over.

According to GamenGuide, two renowned manga creators are being considered for the post. The first candidate is "Young Jump 113th Grand Prix Award" recipient Sui Ishada, creator of the hit manga series "Tokyo Ghoul." The second is no less than Togashi's better half, "Sailor Moon" creator Naoko Takeuchi.

Some fans speculate that Ishada is fit to be Togashi's successor because of his experience with similar fantasy themes, such as his most prominent work, "Tokyo Ghoul." Some critics have opposite views, however; while Togashi's brainchild depicts a light-hearted tale, "Tokyo Ghoul" explores darker themes that could carry over to "Hunter X Hunter."

The other candidate for the post, Naoko Takeuchi, has stellar credentials as well, the most notable of which is bringing "Sailor Moon" to life. Her work is a critical and commercial success: aside from selling over 35 million copies worldwide, she was also rewarded the "Kodansha Manga Award" for the series.

Rumors are abuzz that chapter 361 of "Hunter X Hunter" might finally hit the stands by Feb. 2017. Neither Togashi nor the giant publishing company Shueisha has made a final announcement.