Hello everyone! This is Saori from Otaku Republic!

This time, I’m introducing a manga that recently won a major manga award in Japan! The winner of the physical manga division’s first place is none other than that popular Shonen Jump manga! Let me introduce it to you again!

【Kagurabachi】Winner of the Next Manga Award 2024! Celebrating its First Anniversary, Its Rising Popularity Both in Japan and Abroad Shows No Sign of Slowing! Don’t Miss the Hot Manga “Kagurabachi”!

Congrats on winning the Next Manga Award 2024 First Place!
Kagurabachi, currently serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump, is set to soar even higher in the latter half of 2024!

So, what happened in Japan is...... this manga won an award that spotlights new manga expected to become big hits. This award is given to newly serialized works that are gaining attention and popularity. Kagurabachi, currently running in Shonen Jump, was selected for first place! Congratulations!

By the way, many past winners of the Next Manga Award’s first place have been adapted into anime within a year or two! Previous winners include “Medalist” (2022), “Oshi no Ko” (2021), “Undead Unluck” (2020), and “The Apothecary Diaries” (2019)! There's also a web manga division, with past winners like “Kaiju No. 8” (2021), “The Dangers in My Heart” (2020), and “SPY×FAMILY” (2019)!

Interestingly, the top winner in the physical manga division is Kagurabachi, and in the web manga division, it’s a manga called “Futsuu no Keionbu.” Both of these manga have protagonists named Chihiro!! Plus, both are serialized under the Jump umbrella, and the creators of both series drew a special illustration featuring both Chihiros! It’s both cute and cool!!

So, what is Kagurabachi about again?
It’s the story of Chihiro, who has lost his family, home, and future, seeking revenge as he attempts to recover the six cursed swords his father left behind......!

To give a quick summary, the story is set in a world similar to Japan, but in an alternate universe. In this world, there are mystical swords known as “youken,” and Chihiro’s father was a master craftsman who created these swords.

Chihiro and his father lived peacefully, but one day, three sorcerers killed his father and stole the six powerful swords he had crafted. His father had wished for these swords to be used to protect the weak, but that wish was trampled on. Chihiro lost everything—his family, home, peace, and future—and fell into despair.

Then, 38 months later...... Chihiro, now older and stronger, begins his quest to retrieve all the cursed swords. His targets are the three sorcerers who stole them. Kagurabachi is the story of Chihiro’s revenge......!

Kagurabachi's story has a serious tone and keeps you on the edge of your seat, but the battle scenes and cover art are also beautifully captivating! The use of color is just amazing, and the color illustrations have a mystical, almost painting-like quality to them that really draws you in......!

Kagurabachi currently has three volumes out, and since an average anime season requires around 5-6 volumes, the anime adaptation might be a little further down the road. But it will definitely!!! get an anime adaptation! Be sure to keep an eye on Kagurabachi, which is sure to continue gaining attention well into 2025 and beyond!