Kagurabachi, Vol. 1: A familiar Tale carried by Striking Art

Whenever I delve into a new manga and find myself really enjoying it, there’s always a tiny fear lurking in the back of my mind. What if it blows up and becomes the next Boku no Hero Academia? I’ve always had a tendency to be a bit of a manga gatekeeper. Once something explodes into popularity, my interest tends to fade. That thought definitely crossed my mind when I started Kagurabachi by Takeru Hokazono.

Our story follows Chihiro, a swordsmith apprentice learning under his father, a legendary forger infamous for creating a blade so powerful it ended the war. Kunishige’s weapon naturally attracts the wrong sorts of people. When Chihiro’s home is attacked, the enemies make one fatal mistake: they forget to kill Chihiro.

At its core, this is a revenge story. There’s nothing groundbreaking or new about it, but the art truly elevates what would otherwise be a familiar story. The style felt familiar, almost like a homecoming. The art redeemed this story for me and ensured I kept turning pages eagerly.

The characterisation was another highlight. I appreciated the balance of humour and seriousness, which made them feel more real. That said, at times it leaned a little too heavily on comedic relief from the supporting cast, making Chihiro himself feel almost too stoic in contrast.

A fast read with a strong sense of momentum, the pacing makes it feel like this could have been a five-volume series, but that never took away from the enjoyment. If anything, it just made me more curious to see where the story goes next.

Do you like the revenge trope in manga or graphic novels? What’s your favourite example of it being used well?