Last Updated on 17 July 2024 by Arman Deep Sharma
The manga series Kagurabachi has quickly risen to prominence, initially catching the public eye through memes and social media buzz.
However, beyond the initial online chatter, the series has demonstrated substantial staying power, becoming one of the standout new manga in Shonen Jump magazine.
Now, the anticipation is building as fans speculate about a possible anime adaptation.
Contents
Kagurabachi: A Brief Overview
Serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump since September 2023, Kagurabachi, created by Takeru Hokazono, has captivated readers with its unique blend of action and fantasy.
The story follows Chihiro Rokuhira, a young swordsmith on a quest for revenge against those who killed his father, all while wielding enchanted katanas.
Initially, fans drew comparisons between Kagurabachi and established giants like One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen, which helped the series gain a foothold in the competitive manga landscape.
Rapid Rise in Popularity
Despite being a relatively new series with fewer than 40 chapters released, Kagurabachi has made significant strides in popularity.
Its virality on social media didn’t just fade away; it translated into sustained readership and impressive sales.
Recently, Kagurabachi climbed into the Top 10 weekly manga rankings based on copies sold, securing the 6th spot on the Oricon charts.
Furthermore, the series won the best new series contest by Manga Plus, signaling its growing influence and widespread acclaim.
Adding to its credentials, Kagurabachi received a recommendation from Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of Naruto, further boosting its credibility and fanbase.
The First Hint of an Anime Adaptation
The prospect of an anime adaptation for Kagurabachi has been a hot topic among fans, and the first concrete hint emerged recently.
A social media user on X (formerly Twitter), known as AniTsumi, revealed that Shueisha, the manga’s publisher, has taken notable legal steps that suggest an anime could be on the horizon.
Specifically, Shueisha filed trademark documents for Kagurabachi in early 2024.
These documents include an “Intent to Use” clause in categories related to animation production and pre-recorded media containing animation content.
Trademark Filing: A Precursor to Adaptation?
This legal move mirrors strategies Shueisha has employed for other successful manga series before their anime adaptations were officially announced.
Titles like Oshi no Ko and Kaiju No.8 underwent similar trademark filings before their anime adaptations were confirmed.
The process also aligns with the timeline observed in other popular series such as SAKAMOTO DAYS and Dandadan, which saw their trademarks filed approximately a year after serialization began.
Both series are now set for TV anime releases in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
The Timeline for Anime Adaptation
Typically, an anime adaptation is considered when a manga series has accumulated over 100 chapters.
This benchmark provides production studios with sufficient material to develop at least a 12-episode first season.
However, with the anime industry becoming increasingly competitive, studios are more inclined to secure popular properties sooner, often before the 100-chapter mark is reached.
This trend suggests that exceptionally popular new series like Kagurabachi might see expedited adaptation processes.
What Trademark Filings Indicate
While trademark filings are a positive sign of potential adaptations, they don’t guarantee immediate action.
The transition from filing to official announcement and then to production can span several months to a few years.
For Kagurabachi fans, the trademark registration is certainly encouraging, indicating that Shueisha is positioning itself to potentially develop the series into an anime.
This proactive approach is intended to protect and expand the Kagurabachi brand across various media formats.
Fan Speculations and Future Prospects
As the anticipation builds, fans of Kagurabachi are already speculating about which animation studio might take on the project.
Will it be MAPPA, known for their stunning work on Jujutsu Kaisen? Or could A-1 Pictures, praised for their adaptation of Oshi no Ko, bring Chihiro Rokuhira’s story to life?
The choice of studio will significantly impact the anime’s style and reception, adding another layer of excitement to the ongoing speculation.
Final Words
Although no official announcement has been made regarding a Kagurabachi anime adaptation, the steps taken by Shueisha suggest that the series’ transition to the small screen might be more a question of ‘when’ than ‘if.’
For now, fans can continue to enjoy the manga and keep their fingers crossed for an anime adaptation in the near future.
With its growing popularity and the legal groundwork being laid, the future looks incredibly promising for Kagurabachi.
As we await more concrete news, the excitement and speculation surrounding this potential anime adaptation are sure to keep fans engaged and hopeful.
A writer with a passion for sharing insights on anime, manga, and manhwa.