Kagurabachi manga might have become popular because of memes and social media, but the series has now proven to be one of the best new manga series in Shonen Jump magazine and is ready to take on the anime world.
It has been less than a year since Kagurabachi started its serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in September 2023 and barely has 40ish chapters released. However, rumors and talks of its anime adaptation are already flooding social media.
In case you’re not aware, Kagurabachi is a manga series written and drawn by Takeru Hokazono. It tells the story of Chihiro Rokuhira, a young swordsmith seeking revenge for his father’s death while wielding magical katanas. The series initially went viral on social media when fans started comparing it to other established franchises like One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen.
But the popularity didn’t fade away after its initial surge of fans from all the memes that promoted the series. This means there was substance in the story which kept fans coming back to read more.
Now, Kagurabachi has recently entered the Top 10 weekly manga based on copies sold (ranked 6th) in the Oricon charts. The series also won the best new series contest by Manga Plus recently. So the series’ popularity is growing rapidly. Kagurabachi was also recommended by Naruto’s creator.
First Hint of Kagurabachi Anime
The first hint that Kagurabachi might be getting an anime adaptation has recently surfaced. According to a social media user on X (formerly Twitter) known as AniTsumi, Shueisha, the publisher of Kagurabachi, has taken some interesting legal steps.
Reportedly, Shueisha has filed trademark documents for Kagurabachi in early 2024. These documents indicate an “Intent to Use” in categories such as “Animation Production” and “Pre-recorded media and video files containing animation content.”
This move is similar to what Shueisha has done in the past with other popular manga series like Oshi no Ko and Kaiju No.8 before their anime adaptations were officially announced.
It’s worth noting that other successful manga series like SAKAMOTO DAYS and Dandadan went through a similar process. These titles had their trademarks filed in late 2021, approximately one year after they started serializing. As a result, SAKAMOTO DAYS is set to air its TV anime in January 2025, while Dandadan’s TV anime is scheduled for release in October 2024.
Usually, an anime adaptation is announced for a series when it surpasses 100 manga chapters. This gives the production studio enough material to make at least a 12-episode first season.
However, with the increasing competition in the anime industry and the need to secure popular properties early, we’re seeing this timeline shrink for exceptionally popular new series.
Although a Kagurabachi anime adaptation has not been officially confirmed, the trademark registration is a positive sign. It suggests that Shueisha is preparing for the possibility of an anime adaptation in the future. This proactive approach allows them to protect the brand across various media formats.
It’s important to remember that while trademark filings are a good indicator, they don’t guarantee an immediate anime adaptation. The process from trademark filing to anime announcement and then to actual production can take anywhere from several months to a couple of years.
For Kagurabachi fans, this news is certainly exciting. It suggests that if the manga continues its current trajectory of popularity, we might see Chihiro Rokuhira and his magical katanas animated on our screens sooner rather than later. However, until an official announcement is made, it’s best to temper expectations and continue supporting the manga.
As we wait for more news, fans can continue to enjoy the manga and speculate about which animation studio might bring Kagurabachi to life. Will it be MAPPA, known for their work on Jujutsu Kaisen? Or perhaps A-1 Pictures, who did an amazing job with Oshi no Ko? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure – the future looks bright for Kagurabachi.
