Kagurabachi

Kagurabachi is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Takeru Hokazono, serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump since September 19, 2023. The story follows Chihiro Rokuhira, the son of legendary swordsmith Kunishige Rokuhira, who forged seven mythical Enchanted Blades that ended a devastating war. After a group of sorcerers called the Hishaku murders his father and steals six of the blades, Chihiro wields the seventh blade, Enten, to seek vengeance and retrieve his father's legacy. Enten manifests as golden goldfish that fight alongside him, symbolizing his childhood bond with his father. The series blends sword combat with sorcery in a neo-Japanese world featuring 1920s-inspired settings, futuristic cityscapes, and flip phones, setting it apart from traditional period pieces.

Hokazono, a rookie mangaka, emerged from Shueisha's NEXTWAVE initiative, which recruits creators nominated for the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize to develop potential flagship series. The first volume sold out across Japan upon release, prompting quick reprints and spawning the hashtag #Bachiflex. By April 2026, circulation exceeded 4 million copies. The series won the Next Manga Award in 2024 in the Print category and was nominated for an Eisner Award in 2025 for Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia. It ranked 7th on AnimeJapan's Most Wanted Anime Adaptation poll in 2024 and placed 6th for male readers in Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2025.

Reviews have been highly positive. GONKBONK rated Volume 1 a 9/10, praising it as a fun ride with surprising twists. Critics highlight Hokazono's gritty, beautifully paneled action sequences and willingness to include visceral combat. The first battle against the Korogumi sets expectations for swordplay, magic, and snappy one-liners. The series has been recommended by prominent creators like Kōhei Horikoshi and Masashi Kishimoto, and actor Michael B. Jordan featured it on his Instagram story. A preview of a New York Times article in October 2025 described it as one of the most talked-about manga series. An anime adaptation produced by studio Cypic and directed by Tetsuya Takeuchi is set to premiere in April 2027, with Muse Communication licensing it for Southeast Asia and South Asia. [edit]