Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have been introduced for the treatment of hepatitis C virus, and the sustained virological response rate after DAAs was reported to be over 95%. Because of the high sustained virological response rate, the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was expected to be reduced. However, an unexpected high risk of HCC recurrence after DAA treatment was reported, and thus the dispute about the association of DAA and HCC arose. The present article reviews the interplay between DAAs and HCC.