Kagura Bachi: The next Big Three giant?

If you're on Twitter, you can't have missed Kagura Bachi! Published in Weekly Shonen Jump #42, its release has been closely watched in France and around the world.

Publisher of world-renowned manga such as My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen, Jump announces its new nugget. And it's already causing a sensation, right from the release of its 1st chapter !

Some already see Kagura Bachi as a rival to One Piece or Black Clover. So, is this just a fleeting buzz or the manga to watch in 2024?

The meteoric rise of Kagura Bachi

On September 18, 2023 Weekly Shonen Jump #42 with a mysterious cover page. It's the big day for the release of the long-awaited manga, Kagura Bachi: Tasks of the Day. Its preliminary announcement, with the promotional visual published on September 10, had created an unprecedented buzz on the web.

We witnessed a craze rarely seen since the launch of One Piece manga or Jujutsu Kaisen, and Twitter was literally on fire.

As with every release, reactions from manga fans were divided. Some were too excited about Kagura Bachi, the next of the Big Three ", while others found it "too overrated".

A tsunami of memes!

Following this hype on Twitter, the memes inevitably followed. Between those who already saw it as the manga of the decade and YouTube videos with a racy title, it was fun! But other elements also contributed to its virality.

In particular, the mystery surrounding the author's real identity, Takeru Hokazono. But also the presence of an organization of wizards and the humorous comparisons with another manga character. For example, many see Shihiro, the main character, as similar to Zoro in One Piece. It's true that the scar on his face and the way he handles his katana are uncanny.

However, it's worth pointing out that Kagura Bachi has already overtaken leading mangas on Shueisha's MangaPLUS trend list. These include Black Clover and Spy X Family, which have dropped out of the top 10 in favor of Kagura Bachi.

A short-lived or long-lasting craze?

The introduction to a manga is crucial. It determines whether or not the reader will be hooked. Kagura Bachi 's first chapter succeeds in this challenge, introducing a universe rich in sorcery and charismatic characters.

However, virality also presents risks. How many mangakas have burned their wings thinking they had the next challenger to the Big Three? Sudden notoriety can create inordinate expectations, placing the work under constant criticism.

On the face of it, Kagura Bachi seems to have won over many readers, but he has yet to prove himself over time...

At the heart of the plot: magic, swords and revenge

Now, let's talk in more detail about theplot of manga. It blends action, battle and adventure fantastic at the heart of a Japan in the grip of political propaganda.

A legacy and a quest for revenge

Chihiroa young blacksmith, introduces himself to the reader as the central character of this saga. He is the son of Kunishige Rokuhiraconsidered to be the most accomplished blacksmith in the Japan. This heritage is both an honor and a heavy responsibility for the character.

But the brutalassassination of her father by the Hishaku organization has radically changed her life. Rather than continue the family tradition, young Chihiro embraces the path of thesword, guided by a desire for revenge.

His transformation fromapprentice blacksmith to avenger evokes themes ofhonor and justice. The title: Tasks of the Day is clear from theaction and combat scenes.

Magic and forging

But magic is more than just spells and incantations. It manifests itself in tangible form through theancient art of blacksmithing, instilled by his father. What particularly sets this art apart is the ability to carve a spell directly into the blade of a sword.

This magical element, far from being a mere narrative device, is deeply rooted in themanga's history. It opens up infinite combat possibilities and raises questions about the fusion of magic andweaponry. It adds richness and depth to a universe already rich in detail.

Expectations and future prospects

The main plot, centered on Chihiro 's quest for vengeance against the Hishaku, looks set for many twists and turns. In this adventure, the elements introduced, such as art forging and the policy suggest epic confrontations with unexpected alliances.

After such a promising first chapter, readers have high expectations. They're hoping forplot developments highlighting not only the adventure, but also the moral dilemmas and complexities of the characters.

The challenge for Kagurabachi will be to meet these expectations while constantly surprising its audience.

Takeru Hokazono: The mysterious mangaka behind Kagura Bachi

His past

Before bringing us Kagurabachi, Takeru Hokazono had already made his mark in the manga world with some notable works. In particular, he drew the one-shots Chain and Roku no Meiyaku. Although short, these stories reflect Takeru's narrative talent, blending deep plots with captivating drawings. Takeru's career has shown a constant evolution, both in terms of artistic technique and the themes he tackles.

An anonymous mangaka

In a society where digital identity is almost as important as real identitythe decision to maintain its anonymity raises many questions. Despite this resolution, the presence on Twitter of Takeru is marked by a bird caricatureintriguing and offbeat.

This approach, far from being a mere whim, seems to be a deliberate strategy to reinforce the mystery surrounding Kagurabachi. It creates a surge of curiosity which, combined with the quality of his work, only serves to increase thepublic's enthusiasm.