Kagurabachi Vol 1. Review: A Cut Above the Rest

Kagurabachi Vol. 1

Review

Rating

9

Good

Writer: Takeru Hokazono

Artist: Takeru Hokazono

Publisher: Viz Media

Release Date: February 2, 2024

Page Count: 215

Format: Manga

Putting the memes aside, Takeru Hokazono’s Kagurabachi is a fun ride that has everything people expect out of shonen manga while delivering some surprising twists to the genre. Don’t miss out on this series if you love fast-paced action and compelling characters.

Kagurabachi Vol. 1

Review

Writer: Takeru Hokazono

Artist: Takeru Hokazono

Publisher: Viz Media

Release Date: February 2, 2024

Page Count: 215

Format: Manga

Putting the memes aside, Takeru Hokazono’s Kagurabachi is a fun ride that has everything people expect out of shonen manga while delivering some surprising twists to the genre. Don’t miss out on this series if you love fast-paced action and compelling characters.

Rating

9

Good

Kagurabachi has been on my radar since its serialization began, but I kept putting off reading it. The memes about its meteoric rise simply could not be ignored. Before I knew it, nearly a year had passed and the series has greatly developed its story. With My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen now wrapped up, it has since felt like only One Piece and Akane-Banashi were the only ones left on my current reading list. That said, I thought it wouldn’t hurt to have at least one more reason to keep reading Jump.

Fortunately, with Kagurabachi being only just a handful of volumes long, I’ve managed to avoid spoilers up until this point. In today’s world, once a manga series goes beyond seven or eight volumes and gets massively popular, it becomes much harder to avoid stumbling into spoilers somehow online. Especially if the series gets an anime adaptation, it’s almost guaranteed. Considering the anime of Kagurabachi was just announced, I felt now was the best time to dive into the series. Keep on reading for my full review of the first volume! 

Overview of Kagurabachi

Chihiro Rokuhira is the son of a renowned blacksmith who forged six enchanted blades that helped end the Seitei War. After living in hiding, Chihiro‘s father is murdered by an organization of sorcerers who steal the legendary enchanted blades. However, there is a seventh blade called Enten which Chihiro uses to embark on a path of justice to avenge his father and reclaim what rightfully belongs to his family. 

Image: Viz Media

Review

One striking aspect of Kagurabachi is the fast-paced progression. Specifically, it’s "compressed paneling" style. Reading it, it often felt like what might have taken an entire chapter in manga from the late Heisei era is now conveyed in just a few pages. This pacing trims away unnecessary elements, focusing only on essential scenes that build the characters and story. While this may seem basic, it’s something the series improves upon significantly from Volume 2 onward, with more visually compelling panels and pages.

But the fast pacing doesn’t mean the storytelling feels rushed. Some scenes deliberately slow things down, creating a dynamic flow that keeps readers hooked. For example, battles against minor enemies are depicted with breathtaking speed, compressing the process of defeating them. In contrast, fights with stronger opponents alternate between fast-paced exchanges and deliberate, almost slow-motion tension, capturing the sensation of mastery. Ultimately, these battles conclude with a decisive blow, delivered in an instant, making for incredibly hyped moments.

Outside of battles, the exposition and character introductions are often condensed to non-essentials while flashbacks and the "father’s teachings" are emphasized with deliberate care. While I initially described the pacing as "fast," the real standout feature is the effective use of contrast between fast and slow moments. A manga that masters this balance is incredibly engaging, as demonstrated here. Creator Takeru Hokazono, despite being a newcomer, shows remarkable talent already with this series.

Image: Viz Media

Another highlight of the series is how it delivers climactic moments in quick succession. This approach focuses heavily on main plot progression over subplot development. By prioritizing action and climaxes, the manga maintains a relentless pace, making it hard to put down until you’re caught up with the latest volume. This structure minimizes filler or unnecessary interludes, allowing the story to leverage its flow between fast and slow moments. The emphasis on quintessential shonen elements—"heated moments" and "emotional payoffs"—takes precedence over exhaustive explanations or deep character backstories.

This unconventional structure compensates for the lack of buildup by creating a sense of anticipation through the timing of each scene. For readers like me, who tend to skim through buildup-heavy stories, this approach makes it feel as though the timing itself creates the buildup. The result is a sleek, engaging narrative.

Now, touching on the story. Although Kagurabachi explores themes of revenge, which could lean into darker territory, the protagonist's earnestness provides a refreshing counterbalance. The protagonist may seem like a dark hero at first glance, but his youthful idealism injects a sense of catharsis into the story. This isn’t just visual; it’s woven into the narrative. No matter how heavy the events—whether people die, arms are lost, or the father’s memento breaks—the protagonist’s goodness shines through, and someone always finds salvation through their actions.

Take the subplot involving Shal and her mother, for example. Recent trends might depict the mother as a flawed character, leading to a darker storyline. But Kagurabachi focuses instead on Shal’s internal struggles, allowing the protagonist to help resolve her pain. By portraying dark themes in a shonen-friendly way, the series crafts a unique tone. 

Image: Viz Media

Final Thoughts

For something I picked up out of curiosity, I ended up thoroughly enjoying Kagurabachi much more than I expected. It’s no wonder this series has garnered so much attention despite its short run so far. That said, I found the first volume (minus Chapters 1 and 2) and the very beginning of Volume 2 less compelling. This might be due to my dislike for overly repetitive humor or flat narratives, which reminded me of Soul Eater. However, the series becomes consistently enjoyable after that point. With so many standouts within the shonen manga space, Kagurabachi has all the makings for another hit that could take the world by storm once its anime adaptation finally drops.

Why You Should Read Kagurabachi

• The story does not waste time with filler, putting you right into the meat of the story.
• The action is fast-paced, making for an exciting read each chapter. 
• Chihiro is a surprisingly likable protagonist, despite his edgy appearance.