Culture news Inspired by John Wick, Naruto and Marvel, this is the new hope of manga, a worthy heir to Demon Slayer?
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Overtaking Spy x Family and Boruto, Kagurabachi propels itself to the top of the Manga Plus rankings with an audience of more than 880,000 readers recorded since last October. Adored by a wide audience due to its captivating plot and striking artistic style, this new manga is experiencing dazzling success. But what is this manga? We tell you more in this article!
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Kagurabachi… What is this new manga?
Published since September 2023 in the Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine from publisher Shueisha, Kagurabachi is a manga illustrated and written by Takeru Hokazono. The mangaka immerses us in the history of Chihiro, a young apprentice blacksmith who wishes to follow in the footsteps of his father, a master craftsman with great fame. Although his father is a pile of muscle and a little eccentric by nature, Chihiro, for his part, has a much calmer and more composed temperament.
During the first pages of the first volume, we are immersed in the peaceful atmosphere that surrounds Chihiro and her mentor. Their daily life, punctuated by the hard work of the forge and serenity, offers a striking contrast with the storm that is about to sweep over their lives. An unfortunate event shatters the tranquility of their existence and propels the young hero into a whirlwind of vengeance and hatred. Chihiro, destitute and bruised, will transform to become a merciless being. Driven by a burning desire for justice and revenge, he will embark on a perilous path to lead his own quest.
Like John Wick or The Punisher, Chihiro has the same characteristics as these famous antagonist-like protagonists: great combat expertise, unwavering determination, a strict code of honor and above all a present tormented by the past. Its tragic story and psychological complexity attract and fascinate readers.
Kagurabachi… The new competitor to Demon Slayer?
In a universe where magic and swords are there, Kagurabachi really has something to make the iconic Demon Slayer blush. The fight scenes benefit from great dynamism and are not rough; everything is choreographed so that the moments of action are intense and particularly readable for readers.
Just like Tanjirō in Demon Slayer, Chihiro is a very endearing charismatic protagonist despite the fact that he is tortured. His exhilarating quest for revenge, guided by a deep love for his family, makes you want to know more about the journey he took on himself. There is nothing wrong with identifying with this character; which reinforces the attachment that we can feel for this character.
The author's immersive writing plunges us into the heart of Chihiro's emotions, making us feel her rage, her pain and her hope. The fights are described with striking precision, each movement, each blow, illustrating the determination and mastery of the young blacksmith. The plot is gripping and Hokazono's illustrations perfectly combine the detail of the environments and the expressiveness of the characters. Action, drama, fantasy, swords and magic… All the ingredients are present to create a masterpiece!