It’s been 15 years since King of the Hill wrapped up its run on FOX, and fans have long speculated about the fates of their favorite characters. Now, the series is gearing up for a new installment, complete with the potential for a surprising family reunion and fresh character developments that longtime viewers won’t want to miss.
Fans have spent years speculating about what became of the residents of Arlen, Texas, after the show’s finale. A familiar face from Season 6 may be making a comeback, and his return is sure to excite viewers who have long wondered what happened after his unexpected departure.
According to Screen Rant, fans may see the return of Junichiro (voiced by the late David Carradine). Hank Hill’s (Mike Judge) half-brother was introduced in a Season 6 episode titled “Returning Japanese.”
The siblings quickly bonded. However, the character was rarely seen after that episode.
The only time Junichiro returned to Arlen was during Season 11 for the episode “Lucky’s Wedding Suit.” He watched Luane (Brittany Murphy) and Lucky (Tom Petty) get married.
King of the Hill showrunners Saladin K. Patterson and creator Greg Daniels recently addressed the characters’ potential return and what that would mean for the family. Patterson admitted that “given the opportunity,” fans may see Junichiro in the future.
He said, “I don’t want to give any spoilers away. But that’s a character that is also dear to all of us. And so, given the opportunity, meaning if enough fans show support and we’re able to do the episodes we want to do going forward, there’s a big chance you may see him again.”
Patterson concluded, “Obviously, if we get to go to Comic-Con Tokyo, if anyone from 20th or Hulu is listening, then there’d be another reason to bring that character back, right?”
King of the Hill debuts on Hulu beginning Aug. 4.