In an age where Japanese manga has become more accessible to international audiences than ever, thanks to platforms like Manga Plus bridging the gap, new shounen manga have a greater opportunity to captivate a global audience and—if they’re lucky—secure an anime adaptation.
However, in a vast sea of hopeful newcomers, one particular manga has emerged as an absolute sensation, utterly surpassing all expectations right from its very first chapter – Kagurabachi.
There have been rumors flying around that Studio MAPPA is considering turning Kagurabachi into an anime. A beautifully made trailer that circulated online seemed to confirm this, but here’s the catch: these rumors are not official; they’re just fans getting excited.
However, given Kagurabachi’s growing popularity and the excitement it’s generated, it’s very likely that it will get an anime adaptation. Even though we’re currently dealing with rumors and speculation, this article will explore what we do know about the possible Kagurabachi anime and what might be in store for this exciting story.
Why Kagurabachi is Better-Off Delaying Its Anime Adaptation:
If you recall that Gintama episode where Gin-san shared how animes usually catch up to their mangas, you’ll understand why it might be wise for Kagurabachi not to rush into an anime adaptation.https://youtu.be/a4S9NuI6NKo?si=OuDv4bZj0U6S5Zfz
- We’ve seen a similar situation play out in the case of Boruto. The creators announced an anime adaptation while the manga was still quite new, and this decision backfired because it resulted in an excess of filler episodes while they waited for more manga material.
We know that fillers can sometimes make a decent anime turn into something quite unpleasant. If Kagurabachi were to receive an anime adaptation without enough manga content to support it, there’s a real risk that it might lose its unique appeal. That’s why, unfortunately, all the buzz surrounding a Kagurabachi anime, including that trailer, is not genuine. Our research confirms that, as of now, no studio is prioritizing the series for adaptation.
But don’t lose hope just yet. Even though it might not happen immediately, Kagurabachi stands a very good chance of eventually becoming an anime. You can almost count on it!
So when can we expect a Kagurabachi anime?
- As of now, Kagurabachi manga consists of just five chapters and is being updated weekly. Even if an animation studio were eager to bring it to life, they’d have to exercise patience until there’s enough material to animate.
- At the earliest, if the manga maintains its current pace, we might hope for a 12-episode season 1 to materialize by 2024. Yet, for a proper, full-length 24-episode season, the manga would need until at least 2025, given its current progress.
Considering the manga’s ever-growing popularity, it’s reasonable to assume that numerous studios would want to eagerly jump on the Kagurabachi bandwagon. So, a 12-episode season 1 by 2024 is within the realm of possibility, but as with all things in the world of anime, nothing is certain.
Is Kagurabachi worth the hype?
Let’s explore whether Kagurabachi lives up to all the excitement.
- The story goes like this: “Young Chihiro spends his days training under his famous swordsmith father, with dreams of becoming a renowned sword-maker himself. They share a mix of goofy and serious moments, thinking these days will never end. However, tragedy strikes suddenly, staining their lives with blood. Now, Chihiro and his blade are consumed by the thirst for revenge, leading to epic sword battles.”
My initial interest in Kagurabachi piqued when the author mentioned that Chihiro’s character drew inspiration from Zoro in One Piece. And let me tell you, they weren’t exaggerating.
The first chapter left me somewhat intrigued but not entirely satisfied. It seemed like a blend of elements from several successful shounen series currently airing, such as Demon Slayer, Chainsaw Man, and more.
- However, things have taken a turn for the better starting from the second chapter. The series combines dry humor with all the essential shounen tropes. The author deserves praise for crafting characters like Char, who bring depth to Chihiro’s character and prevent him from becoming just another brooding shounen hero.
- Is Kagurabachi a groundbreaking masterpiece, pushing the boundaries of storytelling? Not exactly. But in simple terms, it’s a thrilling read, especially if you’re a fan of the strong, silent, and determined heroes in shounen – imagine a younger Zoro, only this time he’s fueled by a burning desire for vengeance.
For those interested, Kagurabachi is available for free on the Manga Plus app, accessible on both Android and iOS. The series updates every Monday at 12 AM JST, so be sure to keep an eye out!
And speaking of excellent shounen anime, our recent seventh edition of the weekly newsletter highlighted some of the most underrated shounen series. If that piques your interest, be sure to check it out!
Conclusion:
While Kagurabachi’s anime adaptation is an exciting prospect, it’s crucial to remember the pitfalls of jumping into an anime without enough source material, as seen with Boruto. As of now, there’s no official confirmation, and the manga needs more chapters for a full-length season. Nonetheless, given its rising popularity, we can expect an anime adaptation eventually, so patience is the name of the game as we await the green light for Kagurabachi’s animated journey.
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