Kagurabachi is one of the most explosive new Jump manga of recent years. Takeru Hokazono launched the series in Weekly Shonen Jump in September 2023, following Chihiro Rokuhira, an 18-year-old who wields the sword Enten to avenge his father, the blacksmith Kunishige, and reclaim stolen swords from the criminal Hishaku organization.
By April 2026, the manga passed 4 million copies, and an anime by Cypic is scheduled for April 2027.
Quick Facts
- Author: Takeru Hokazono
- Publisher: Shueisha, Weekly Shonen Jump (since September 2023)
- Scale: Over 4 million copies by April 2026
- Awards: 10th Next Manga Award (2024, print category); nominated for the 70th Shogakukan and 49th Kodansha awards
- Adaptations: Cypic anime scheduled for April 2027, directed by Tetsuya Takeuchi, streaming worldwide on Crunchyroll
Story
Chihiro Rokuhira, 18, wields Enten, one of seven enchanted blades forged by his late father Kunishige, to avenge his father's murder and reclaim the swords stolen by the criminal Hishaku organization.
The series is described as dark fantasy action, with a clear revenge thread and a special sword system anchoring its fights.
Behind The Scenes
The debut chapter became the world's most viewed on Manga Plus in its first week and reached over 99 million views by April 2024. Famous creators such as Kōhei Horikoshi and Masashi Kishimoto publicly recommended it.
The manga won the 10th Next Manga Award in 2024, was nominated for the 70th Shogakukan and 49th Kodansha manga awards, and ranked seventh in AnimeJapan's 2024 "Most Wanted Anime Adaptation" poll.
Experience
Action and sword design
The system of seven enchanted blades gives the action a clear axis: each sword has its own role and ties to Chihiro's revenge storyline. This gives fights concrete stakes rather than being mere strings of confrontations.
Pacing and tone
The series has a dark tone and a direct revenge thread, unlike many cheerful Jump manga. The debut chapter drew strong attention through fast pacing and striking visuals, which helped the series spread on Manga Plus.
Influence
Kagurabachi ranked 22nd in Da Vinci's 2024 "Book of the Year", sixth in the 2025 Kono Manga ga Sugoi! male readers ranking, and appears on Circana BookScan and The New York Times manga charts in North America.
Strengths
- A breakout debut chapter with over 99 million views
- A clear enchanted sword system
- Recommended by many major creators
- A Cypic anime is scheduled
Weaknesses
- A dark revenge tone not for every reader
- The series is still short, so its depth remains to be developed
- Very high expectations after the debut chapter
What Critics Say
Kagurabachi won the 10th Next Manga Award (2024, print category), was nominated for the 70th Shogakukan and 49th Kodansha awards, ranked 22nd in Da Vinci's 2024 Book of the Year and sixth in the 2025 Kono Manga ga Sugoi! male readers ranking.
Commercially, the manga passed 4 million copies by April 2026; English volumes have been in Circana BookScan's top 20 adult graphic novels since November 2024 and on The New York Times manga list since December 2024.
Who Is It For
For readers who like dark action shonen, revenge and swordplay. Those wanting a long series with a guaranteed complete ending should consider that the series is still new.
OtaHub Score
Verdict
Kagurabachi is a promising manga with an impressive debut and a clear sword system, recognized by many awards and major creators. OtaHub scores it 8.7/10.
FAQ
Where is Kagurabachi published?
Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump, since September 2023.
When is the anime?
Scheduled for April 2027 by Cypic.
Who is the author?
Takeru Hokazono.