With Many Major Brands Concluding Their Serialization This Year in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump, Kagurabachi Could Become the Next Flagship Series for the Upcoming Generation, Provided That This Magazine Can Maintain Its Current Momentum.
Shonen Jump is currently undergoing a significant transitional phase as this summer sees the conclusion of several series, and the fall season will mark the end of another series. For example, Kohei Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia recently concluded its serialization, while Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen is set to finish by the end of this month. These two titles have been pivotal in sustaining the magazine during their serialization periods.
The endings of Jujutsu Kaisen and My Hero Academia will be major losses for the magazine, as they are among the few series that have maintained a presence alongside long-running titles like Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece. These two mangas have graced the magazine for a considerable time, so their departures will create a vacuum that Shonen Jump will need to fill with a new promising title.
While there are still ongoing series that may continue to keep the “fire burning” within the magazine, it is essential to attract readers’ attention with new works like these two titles. So, could Kagurabachi potentially step up?
What is Kagurabachi?
Created by Takeru Hokazono and debuting in September 2023, Kagurabachi recently celebrated its one-year anniversary in the pages of Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump. The story revolves around the main character Chihiro Rokuhira, the son of the famed swordsmith Kunishige Rokuhira.
During a war in the past, Kunishige forged a series of powerful swords known as the Enchanted Blades. Each sword possesses unique powers and characteristics. One fateful night, Kunishige is murdered, and his swords are stolen.
In the following years, Chihiro dedicates himself to mastering the use of the Enchanted Blade, Enten, with the goal of avenging his father and eliminating those responsible for his death. Chihiro’s journey leads him down a dangerous path, requiring him to seek help from various allies to confront the increasingly perilous foes he encounters in his story. This manga is quite distinct compared to many other works currently in the magazine.
Why is Kagurabachi a Unique Phenomenon?
Kagurabachi stands out as a remarkably different series compared to any recent titles released by Shonen Jump. Its first chapter quickly gained popularity, becoming one of the most talked-about mangas in the community before its official serialization in the magazine.
Fundamentally, this is a rare occurrence with any new series that Shueisha has put forth. Only the promotional images have managed to elevate the work to a new level, surprising avid manga readers who did not expect it to achieve such success.
Upon its official release, the manga experienced significant success. The first chapter received immense acclaim, making it one of the standout debuts in recent years, winning several awards and selling out its volumes in Japan.
Could Kagurabachi Become the Next Hit for Shonen Jump?
The question of whether Kagurabachi can become the next hit for Shonen Jump has already received some answers. In its debut year, the series has shown that it has the potential to become popular among manga enthusiasts. The challenge will be whether it can continue to capture the audience’s attention more than the established titles.
This will be something that could not be confirmed until Kagurabachi has been published for at least a few years. The cases of My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen are similar; both series have consistently performed well in the weeks following their releases.
When Kagurabachi gets an anime adaptation, it will undoubtedly be introduced to a wider audience, which will determine if it can lead the charge for the next big hit in the manga world.
