Kagurabachi, the Weekly Shonen Jump breakout hit, is reportedly getting an anime adaptation. According to Toyo Keizai, CyberAgent and Shochiku will handle the production, with CygamesPictures taking on the animation.
And before anyone asks, no, we don’t have a release date yet, but honestly? The announcement alone is a big enough deal. Let’s get into why this matters, though.
For context, Kagurabachi started serialization in Shone Jump back in September 2023, which, for a lot of manga fans, feels like yesterday.
Yet, in just over a year, the manga has managed to sell more than 1 million copies across its four volumes. First hints of its anime adaptation started appearing in July 2024.
Kagurabachi is centered around a young swordsman (Chihiro Rokuhira) driven by revenge in a dark, fantasy world. Chihiro, the son of a master swordsmith, finds his peaceful life shattered when his father is killed.
Determined to uncover the truth behind his father’s death, Chihiro starts his bloody journey.
As we previously talked about, Kagurabachi has drawn comparisons to major hits like Jujutsu Kaisen and even One Piece. The blend of high-octane action, and compelling characters seems to resonate deeply with fans both in Japan and overseas.
The timing of this adaptation is critical
The industry has been clamoring for the next big Shonen Jump hit. With juggernauts like Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen dominating the scene, recent attempts at replicating that level of success (Dandadan) have struggled to reach the same cultural heights.
Kagurabachi is the strongest contender to take the throne in a post-Demon Slayer and One Piece era, particularly given its appeal to international audiences.
CyberAgent and Shochiku winning the production bid is noteworthy. Both companies are relative newcomers in the world of high-stakes anime production.
CyberAgent has been previously involved in the production of several anime series, often serving as a producer or co-producer. Notable works include Oshi no Ko and Zombieland Saga.
Shochiku, traditionally more involved in film distribution, is now also trying to make its way to anime industry.
Kagurabachi is the strongest contender to take the throne in a post-Demon Slayer and One Piece era, particularly given its appeal to international audiences. With CygamesPictures incharge of the animation, we could see a very unique adaptation of this manga.
Why CyberAgent and Shochiku Were Chosen (Why no Mappa?)
This joint venture raises eyebrows, especially considering the competition. Major players like Toho and Sony have typically dominated Jump anime adaptations. According to Toyo Keizai’s insiders, CyberAgent and Shochiku likely stood out due to their creative pitch during the bidding process.
It’s rumored that the production committee emphasized diversification in anime studio choices, moving away from overburdened powerhouses like MAPPA (Jujutsu Kaisen) and CloverWorks (The Elusive Samurai).
Furthermore, as revealed by the Toyo Keizai, CyberAgent’s ABEMA streaming service plays a pivotal role in this equation. With a growing user base, particularly for anime content, CyberAgent is positioning itself as a key player in global streaming.
Meanwhile, Shochiku’s distribution infrastructure, including ownership of multiple theaters, provides a strong foundation for theatrical releases, hinting at possible Kagurabachi movies down the line.
CygamesPictures generally focuses on the production side of the anime and not the animation side of the things. They are know for anime Princess Connect! Re: Dive (2020) and The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls U149 (2023) anime series.
Their new anime project Apocalypse Hotel is set to release in 2025 and The Summer Hikaru Die is set to release in 2025 as well.
