Kagurabachi

Kagurabachi starts with an introduction of Chihiro Rokuhira, a young boy who aspires to become a swordsmith and diligently trained under the guidance of his father, Kunishige, a renowned skilled swordsmith. His father is very serious while working, but when he is not working, he is silly and playful, in contrast to his reserved son. Chihiro thought the peaceful days with his father last forever, but tragedy strikes.

From Kagurabachi , Episode 1. (The scene of Chihiro training with his father.)

Set in an alternate Japan, where society revolves around the katana. Individuals are allowed to wield swords for self-defense, yet criminal activities thrive amidst this blade-centric culture. It’s not just about sword-fighting; there are also supernatural elements in this world such as demonic swords and sorcery.

What captivates me about this manga are its gripping intensity and masterful composition. The battle scenes are breathtaking, vividly portraying the energy with each swing of the katana and the splashes of blood that follow. The strategic use of the color black adds a profound intensity to the story. So far, I also like the pacing of the story.

In this manga, it appears that various organizations play a significant role. There seems to have an evil and powerful organization with several subordinate factions. There is a group of allies which seems to belong to a mysterious organization. However, at least initially, the main character doesn’t seem to join to this ally organization, so there seems to be at least three groups interacting each other. That adds interest to the story.

I admire the complexity of the important characters in this manga, each showcasing their own unique traits and intricacies. Chihiro, characterized by his politeness and introspection, defies the conventional mold of a battle-action protagonist. Though, he doesn’t talk as much as other characters, the readers can see his inner thoughts. Chihiro is very serious and he doesn’t smile much, but often, his inner thoughts are funny.

Shiba, a friend of Chihiro’s father, injects a sense of lightness into the narrative. Shiba is funny, and there are some indications that he is quite strong. But there seems to be lots of unknown aspects about Shiba, and I can’t wait to get to know him more.

Even the antagonist, the first-boss-looking-guy, initially portrayed as a ruthless psychopath, gradually reveals layers of depth, showcasing unexpected facets of humanity such as his profound admiration for the swordmaster, though maybe in a misunderstanding way. Through skillful storytelling, these revelations highlight the intricate character development.

Overall, Kagurabachi excels in its execution of thrilling battle sequences and promises an engaging plot. So far, I don’t even know what Kagurabachi is and I can’t wait to find out.

Kagurabachi (カグラバチ) by Takeru Hokazono