One of Shōnen Jump’s most impressive new series is finally getting the anime adaptation it deserves, but it might be dead before it even comes to the screen.
Kagurabachi looks like the best shōnen to lead the latest generation, but there’s one factor standing in between it and glory: its animation studio. Kagurabachi wasn’t able to get a major studio, and that might be an issue.
One of Webtoon’s best series, The Beginning After the End, wasn’t able to secure a major studio and paid for it heavily. Will the same thing happen to Kagurabachi?
Shōnen Jump Is the Home of Shōnen
When it comes to shōnen series, there really is no comparison: Shōnen Jump is king, full stop. It’s the home of some of the most influential series of all time, including One Piece, Dragon Ball, and Naruto.
Shōnen Jump was the king of the old generation, and that hasn’t stopped. It’s also the home of Demon Slayer, arguably the most popular shōnen series of the most current generation of the genre. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle became the highest-grossing Japanese film of all time in 2025, proving that the genre is only getting bigger and bigger.
Bleach, Slam Dunk, and Kochikame are three more notable series that became popular in a massive way through Shōnen Jump. Out of every new series on the platform, however, none are quite as spectacular as Kagurabachi.
Kagurabachi Is the New Hotness
Kagurabachi isn’t just up next: it’s the best in shōnen right now. It’s an amazingly simple manga series that has taken the world by storm, and it looks like it’s only going to get better from here.
The series stars Chihiro Rokuhira, the son of an incredible swordsmith. Criminal sorcerers known as the Hishaku murder his father and steal six of his most powerful swords. Using the seventh sword and the only Enchanted Blade that wasn’t stolen by his father’s murderers, Chihiro sets out on a path of revenge, dedicating his life to avenging his father’s death.
The Next Big Three: Shonen Jump’s New-Gen Hits Are the Future of Anime
Shonen Jump has historically had a pattern of three major releases commonly headlining its lineup, with the new generation being no exception.
Most shōnen series overcomplicate themselves, and that’s an area where Kagurabachi excels. It’s wonderfully straightforward and never gets in its own way, showcasing gorgeous panels, amazing fights, and a brutally bleak mood.
Kagurabachi Couldn’t Get a Major Animation Studio
When it comes to major shōnen series, there are only a handful of animation studios that come to mind. MAPPA, Wit Studio, ufotable, and a few more are almost always the names behind the biggest names in shōnen anime.
For better or worse, Kagurabachi didn’t get any of these studios to bring its manga to life. It’s not the worst decision for the producers behind Kagurabachi, as most of the biggest animation studios in Japan are incredibly overworked and might not be able to adapt Kagurabachi for several years.
The producers behind Kagurabachi wanted to bring the series to an animation studio that wasn’t overworked, and the rumor is that CygamesPictures will be bringing the series to life.
Will It Get a Horrific Adaptation like The Beginning After the End?
CygamesPictures isn’t one of the biggest names in anime, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. They don’t have the same workload as a lot of other studios, and that’s a good thing when it comes to adapting Kagurabachi in a reasonable amount of time.
CygamesPictures has also recently animated the well-received The Summer Hikaru Died, a dark, supernatural thrill ride. It’s a good sign for the studio, and if they are the ones to adapt Kagurabachi, the franchise might be in good hands.
The Beginning After the End is a cautionary tale, however, and a big reason why a smaller studio might be a risky decision. It’s one of the worst anime adaptations of all time, which hurts even more when the amazing source material is taken into consideration.
Studio A-Cat, the animation studio behind The Beginning After the End, butchered the animation, making it seem like a PowerPoint presentation instead of an anime. Hopefully, Kagurabachi doesn’t get the same treatment.
If Kagurabachi Gets a Good Animation, It Might Lead This Generation
It’s no hyperbole to say that Kagurabachi truly has what it takes to lead this generation’s shōnen anime. It’s an amazing series that just works. It’s not over the top, the manga panels are clean, and the main character is the perfect protagonist to root for.
While it feels like the older generation of shōnen will never end (looking at you, One Piece and Dragon Ball), the most recent generation basically has. Demon Slayer, Solo Leveling, and Jujutsu Kaisen, have all finished the manga and manhwa series, and it won’t be long until their respective anime series are over as well.
My Hero Academia was often touted as one of the “New Big Three” alongside Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen, and it finally ended in 2025. It was a spectacular series that left quite an impression, and now that it’s gone, it’s time for another series to take over.
If Kagurabachi gets the animation it deserves, there’s no doubt that it will lead this generation’s shōnen anime. It might break the internet when it finally comes out in late 2026 or early 2027, letting the world know that shonen is truly better than ever.
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- Created by
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Takeru Hokazono
- Character(s)
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Chihiro Rokuhira, Kunishige Rokuhira, Togo Shiba, Gaku Ichimonji, Ayame (Kagurabachi), Hikobe (Kagurabachi), Hifumi (Kagurabachi), Shinnosuke (Kagurabachi)
Kagurabachi is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Takeru Hokazono. It began serialization in Weekly Shōnen Jump in September 2023. The story follows Chihiro Rokuhira, an 18-year-old aspiring swordsmith whose father, Kunishige Rokuhira, was a renowned blacksmith known for forging six enchanted blades instrumental in ending the Seitei War. After his father’s murder by a criminal gang of sorcerers called the Hishaku, who also stole the enchanted blades, Chihiro embarks on a path of vengeance to reclaim them. Armed with his father’s last enchanted blade, Enten, Chihiro confronts various adversaries, including the Hishaku and other antagonistic groups.
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- Created by
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Takashi Isono, Kazuhiko Torishima
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Shonen Jump is one of Japan’s most successful manga anthology franchises, published by Shueisha. Launched in 1968, it is the source of some of the most beloved and popular anime and manga series, such as One Piece, Dragon Ball, and Naruto. The franchise has extended into multiple adaptations across various media, including anime, films, video games, and merchandise.