Chapter 1: Mission
Kunishige Rokuhira is a world-famous swordsmith known for crafting unique katanas using a special method. His son, Chihiro, trains under him, hoping to one day carry on his legacy. Despite their bond, the two couldn’t be more different—Kunishige is quirky and lighthearted, often chatting with the goldfish he keeps for luck, while Chihiro is all business. Kunishige’s eccentricity extends to his friendships, like with Shiba, a former soldier who credits Kunishige’s swords with ending a war and calls him a “hero.” Chihiro, however, seems unimpressed, brushing off the praise as something he’s heard countless times before.
Kunishige sees himself as “complicit” in every death caused by his katanas. He knows that if his swords ever “fall into the hands of evil,” innocent lives will be lost. That’s why he’s determined to ensure his blades are “wielded only by those committed to vanquishing evil and protecting the weak.” Kagurabachi jumps forward nearly three years. A Yakuza gang, backed by a sorcerer, is executing members of a resistance movement trying to reclaim their city. One defiant survivor mocks the power of sorcerers—until he’s attacked by one with treelike abilities. The sorcerer spares the loudmouth but teleports away without finishing him off.
Chihiro seeks vengeance in style
Shiba and Chihiro meet on a train. Chihiro looks noticeably older, with a scar on his head that makes him “stand out,” as Shiba warns. Chihiro brushes it off, saying the scar reminds him of “that day” and fuels his “fresh hatred.” Shiba, though, is worried he’s burning himself out. They head to the Yakuza’s hideout, and the bloodbath begins. The art style in this scene is mesmerizing—the shifts in detail, dynamic angles, clever use of white space, and the placement and size of the panels come together to create something stunning.
First chapters have a tough job. They need to hook the audience right away while walking the fine line between showing enough of the world to draw you in and leaving things hidden to keep you curious. Take Kunishige’s fate, for example—what exactly happened to him that put Chihiro on this path? We know he’s dead, but how? Will we see it, and when? Who are the Hishaku, and why are they called “monsters”? I’m intrigued. I want to understand the power system, the rules that shape this world. I’m always on the lookout for a new manga to dive into, and so far, Kagurabachi ticks a lot of boxes for me—humor, action, interesting characters, an engaging story, and breathtaking art. It’s still early, but I have hope.
Chapter 2: Heaps
Shiba unties the victim, and he and Chihiro question the Yakuza boss about the Hishaku. They learn the group first appeared four years ago and is known for “small-scale witchcraft.” But before the boss can say much more, branches erupt violently through his body, causing his head and torso to explode. Shiba quickly casts a spell to protect himself and the victim, saving them both again.
The gruesome scene pulls Shiba back to a day three years ago—the day Kunishige was killed by three sorcerers. Shiba had placed a protective barrier around the Rokuhira Workshop, but when the alarm drew him there in a panic, it was too late. He arrived to find Chihiro clutching his father’s lifeless body. The sorcerers not only took Kunishige’s life but also stole the six enchanted swords he had recovered after the war. These katanas were more than just weapons; they symbolized the bond between Chihiro and his father. Now, like Kunishige, they’re gone.
The first stolen katana emerges
Understandably, a heartbroken and enraged Chihiro vows to “cut them all down.” The Katana he wields is the seventh and final blade his father forged. Shiba mentions earlier that Chihiro is only halfway to mastering its technique. While in Tokyo, Shiba picks up on a lead—there’s been a sighting of an enchanted Katana.
In Chapter 2, Kagurabachi continues to raise the stakes. So far, there are three sorcerers and six swords Chihiro has to contend with. It’s likely each sorcerer already has a sword, leaving three unclaimed. Right now, Chihiro might be in over his head. His experience in combat is limited, and he doesn’t fully understand the magical potential of the Hishaku. He’s fighting blind, and that could cost him dearly.
Chapter 3: Witness
We are introduced to the character Hinao, she explains the Japanese system of katanas. It’s legal to possess them for “self-defense.” but they’re not enough. Apparently, this is where sorcerers like the Hishaku come in. They provide additional protection mainly for criminal leaders like the Yakuza. Three years prior, Shiba entered her shop to inform her of Kunishige’s death. Suddenly, a little girl named Char provides information regarding one of the of the enchanted blades.
While she’s asleep in the backroom, Hinao reveals that the young girl needs a sorcerer because she being chased. This person possess one of the enchanted katanas. Chihiro and Shiba don’t believe the girl’s story. They think she may be making things up. When she wakes up, Shiba begins questioning her. She’s an orphan and he considers taking her to an orphanage. Shiba heads outside for a smoke, while, Chihiro and Char eat Tempura. Chihiro asks her to describe the “strong sword,” she saw. Char remembers almost nothing about it other than it had “clouds emanating from it.”
Behind them arrives a customer that quickly causes a disruption. He stabs a waiter in the neck with chopsticks. He assumes Chihiro is Char’s bodyguard. The mystery man creates a bomb in thin air and blows Chihiro outside. Chihiro assume that this sorcerer is a follower of whomever has his fathers katana. Chihiro grabs his sword and prepares to fight.
Chapter 4: Sorcery and the Enchanted Blade
This early in any series we’re just getting to know the ins and outs of the world. In Kagurabachi Chapter 4, Sorcery and the Enchanted Blade, we learn about the power system. Shiba explains to Char that anyone can learn to be a sorcerer (with effort). Spirit energy powers sorcery and exists within every human. Enchanted blades amplify the spirit energy within a person so much so that the body cannot contain it. When the excess spirit energy is released it can take the shape of anything. In Chihiro’s case that form is goldfish. As Shiba puts it, the goldfish is a “mass of energy far greater than what a sorcerer can muster alone.”
The power of spirit energy
The sorcerer, Norisaku Madoka comments that Chihiro “doesn’t just create objects from spirit energy,” but he uses “spirit energy,” directly. This is apparently a unique skill that is embed within the enchanted blades. Norisaku tells Chihiro that he’s encountered an enchanted blade in the past but never fought against one. Norisaku detects Char nearby and cruelly mocks her mother’s “tragic death” that occurred protecting her. Norisaku turns his attention toward Chihiro, knocking him back with an explosion. Motivated to protect Char, Chihiro states that “he won’t allow the sorcerer to harm Char.”
Chihiro attacks Norisaku with his Black technique. However, Norisaku evades the attack and then releases a number of explosives dolls to try to kill Chihiro. However, Chihiro is just too skilled for the sorcerer, and deflects his explosive ability. After defeating the sorcerer, Chihiro ask him the location of the enchanted blade, Cloud Gouger. I waiting to see depth this power system can produce. So far, the magic system is simple but I fully expect that it will be given greater depth. Char’s tragic backstory hints at the series will have some dark elements to it. Both Char and Chihiro have lost parents to the sorcerers. This should bring them closer.
Chapter 5: A Good Meal
Hinao hands Char her spare jacket, but it’s still unclear why sorcerers are after her. Char’s stomach growls, so Chihiro heads off to grab her something to eat, only to find she’s stowed away in the back of his car. Frustrated, he calls Hinao, questioning why she wasn’t keeping a closer eye on Char. Hinao fires back that Char’s safer with him anyway. On the drive, Chihiro presses Char for answers—why are the sorcerers chasing her, and what do they want? Char’s silence is telling; she clearly knows but refuses to talk, fear written all over her face.
Meanwhile, Shiba has taken it upon himself to extract information from Norisaku Madoka. Bound and stripped of his sorcery with a talisman, Norisaku sits defenseless as Shiba questions him about the enchanted blades. Norisaku stonewalls him, prompting Shiba to escalate. With a brutal stomp on Norisaku’s foot, Shiba cracks the ground beneath them. Even through the pain, Norisaku warns Shiba that sharing anything will doom them both.
Back in town, Chihiro and Char make a detour to Babylonia for a sandwich. Char still isn’t satisfied, so they swing by Tanda’s for ice cream and Bloom for a float.
Chihiro faces his toughest challenge yet.
Elsewhere in the city, a man hangs from the ceiling, begging to be killed, while a heavily tattooed man lounges in a bathtub, commenting on the Daruma’s losses. He questions why Chihiro would even have an enchanted blade, dismissing the situation with a casual “go big or go home” and a chilling declaration that it’s time to “open the child’s cage.” This tattooed figure is Genichi Sojo, a weapons dealer who holds the Cloud Gouger enchanted sword. As Shiba informs Chihiro of these developments, Genichi unleashes a vortex that transforms into a grotesque cluster of writhing human forms.
So far, this series hasn’t delivered action with much depth, but that’s to be expected. The first volume of a series has a lot to establish beyond cool fight scenes. That said, Kagurabachi has done a solid job balancing story setup, introducing the main characters and their motivations, and giving us a glimpse into the power system. For a Shonen series, action is always going to be at the core, and how engaging, fun, and well-matched the battles are will make or break it. I’m optimistic this first big fight will be amazing.
Chapter 6: Peace
Ambushers close in from all directions, trapping Chihiro and Char in their car at the heart of town. One of them steps forward, taunting Chihiro with the details of how they were tracked down. Sojo, it turns out, has placed a hefty bounty on Char and the enchanted blade now in Chihiro’s possession. The offer was broadcast on a specific website, drawing attention from every sorcerer looking to make a name for themselves. Hinao caught wind of this and pieced the situation together fast. She tried to warn Chihiro, but it seems the ambushers got to them first.
Chihiro and Char barely escape, now fleeing through the chaotic streets with a crowd of pursuers hot on their trail. Whenever Chihiro fights back, the attackers crumble into a muddy form, leading Chihiro to suspect someone in the group can manipulate earth or dirt, crafting it into human shapes.
One of the attackers, an old war veteran, brags about their experience in the long-past Seitei War. They’ve seen the destructive power of all six enchanted blades firsthand, but something feels off. This blade’s strength doesn’t match the legendary intensity they remember. They chalk it up to Chihiro—the current wielder still has a long way to go.
Chihiro loses time
As Chihiro finds himself cornered, grappling with the clones and desperate to pinpoint the real puppeteer, his eyes lock onto a figure in the crowd. The sight jolts a memory—a bittersweet flashback to a quiet meal with his late father, where he’d expressed simple gratitude for the food. But that memory twists into something darker: the weight of his father’s lifeless body in his lap and Kunishige laying him to rest.
Snapping back to the present, Chihiro gasps for air and asks the time. “Four seconds,” comes the reply, a cruel confirmation from the man now standing before him. The stranger explains his ability—psychological induction. He manipulates brain waves, tracking down Chihiro and Char by intercepting their signals. Worse, he can force people to relive their deepest traumas, twisting memories into weapons.
Chihiro stumbles, knees shaking as he reaches for the sword lying just out of grasp. The man watches, unbothered, as he hoists Char higher by the hoodie of her jacket. His voice is calm but cutting. Char, he reveals, is the last survivor of Kyonagi. One of the others suggests eating her, but the man holding Char quickly shuts it down. There’s no immortality to be gained from consuming Kyonagi blood—just baseless rumors that led to the massacre of Char’s entire family.
The words hang in the air like poison, but Chihiro’s hand keeps crawling toward the hilt.
Sojo wants Char’s special healing ability
The sorcerer, curious about Char’s abilities, grabbed her right leg and pressed down hard enough to draw blood. To their shock, the wound sealed itself completely within seconds. The sight left them stunned, raising even more questions about what Sojo wanted from Char and the true purpose behind their interest in her.
While they were moving Char, the sorcerer claimed the enchanted blade and prepared to strike Chihiro down. But in a sudden twist, Chihiro acted. Armed with a shorter sword, he darted forward and struck with precision, decapitating the man in a single blow. He later explained that reliving his past traumas had sharpened his awareness, giving him clarity in the chaos.
Chihiro didn’t stop there. He swiftly took down the remaining sorcerers until only Char was left. She had been held tightly by the last man—now lifeless—her hoodie still bunched in his grip. Catching her just in time, Chihiro cradled Char and demanded to know why the sorcerers had been after her. Reluctantly, Char admitted it was because of her unique ability to heal. She confessed she’d been afraid to share this with Chihiro’s group, worried they might exploit her. But today, she had decided to trust him.
After everything, Char’s hunger broke the tension. Chihiro handed her some food, quietly acknowledging the struggles she’d faced. For the first time, a sense of trust began to grow between them.
Chapter 6 informs us of a few things, first, there’s a reward for Char and Chihiro’s enchanted blade. Char is a Kyonagi, and she’s the only survivor. They have special abilities, and were hunted to near extinction. The newest villain has the ability to “manipulate brain waves,” and managed to force Chihiro to experience traumatic experiences. Finally, a new big bad, Genichi Sojo was mentioned again. While Chihiro was able to escape the assailants he was still tested and was lucky to escape. Char’s life continues to get sadder. Hopefully, she and Chihiro can comfort each other.
Chapter 7: Smoke Signal
While escorting Char after their run-in with two sorcerers sent by Sojo, Chihiro stepped into an intersection and froze. More sorcerers—coming from the front, left, and right. His body moved on instinct, slipping into a combat stance, ready to defend and escape. But just as he prepared to fight, a man appeared out of nowhere, cutting through two of the attackers with nothing but skill and dexterity. No sorcery. Even when his hand was slashed, he didn’t flinch—a detail one of the remaining attackers clearly noticed.
The badge on the man’s jacket, marking him as at least a colonel, was enough to send the last attacker retreating. It was only then Chihiro realized the guy’s casual outfit had been hiding something big. Recognition clicked. “Azami?” he said, breaking into a grin. They hadn’t seen each other in ages. After exchanging greetings, Chihiro asked if Azami’s hand was okay. That’s when Azami finally reacted—screaming dramatically from the pain. Char, still piecing it all together, asked who this guy was. Chihiro explained that Azami was with Kamunabi, a government-run organization leagues above the usual sorcerers tied to Yakuza or corporate deals.
A Legendary blade is up for auction
While Chihiro carried Char on his back, the three of them arrived at Café Haru Haru. Hinao asked if Azami had come to take Char into custody, but Azami clarified that while he wanted to, Kamunabi’s mission had remained the same since the war: “to eliminate any threats to the nation.” Before he could go on, Shiba cut in, relieved that he’d left the organization. Char, excited by the news that she could stay with Chihiro, fidgeted happily with her jacket.
Azami then mentioned that Kamunabi’s higher-ups wanted to meet Shiba. They were curious about Sojo’s interest in Char and Chihiro and wanted to understand Shiba’s intentions. Not all the leaders were aware of Chihiro or the seventh enchanted blade—only a trusted few had helped Kunishige hide them. Azami admitted that the enchanted blades were dangerous and considered confiscating them, but the situation kept him from informing Kamunabi.
Shiba defended his decision to train Chihiro, pointing out how far he had come in just three years, both physically and mentally, even if he was still inexperienced. Azami silently agreed, impressed by Chihiro’s progress. Finally, Azami explained why he had come: to share news about an upcoming event. A month from now, the underworld’s key players would gather for the annual black market auction, the “Rakuzaichi.” This year’s highlight? One of Kunishige Rokuhira’s legendary enchanted blades, the “Shinuchi,” was set to be sold, with Genichi Sojo listed as the seller.
Elsewhere, Genichi Sojo reported to two members of the Hishaku, assuring them that everything was proceeding as planned.
Back at Café Haru Haru, Azami laid it all out. Even though the Kamunabi blacklisted Sojo over a decade ago, he’d managed to keep his grip on the criminal underworld. Azami didn’t sugarcoat it—Sojo was cunning, powerful, and way beyond anything Chihiro could handle right now. He explained that his team had quietly removed the bounty Sojo had placed on Chihiro, but that didn’t mean the fight was over. Chihiro had made some progress in combat, sure, but he was still leagues away from Sojo’s level. Azami made it clear: handling the auction was a job for them, not him. Chihiro agreed, though his tone betrayed some lingering doubt.
Before leaving, Azami shifted gears, bringing up Hishaku and their moves since Rokuhira’s murder. Their recent activities had been bold—too bold to ignore. Azami was certain they were gearing up to use the enchanted blades for something massive, something that could ripple across the nation. With the auction only a month away, he stressed the urgency of getting everything in place. The stakes were rising fast, and they had no room for error.
Chapter 8: Norisaku Madoka: I Will Change
Chihiro sat lost in thought, replaying his recent conversation with Azami about steering clear of Genichi Sojo. His focus broke when Char stirred beside him, murmuring about food in a dream. The two of them were tucked away in the closed back room of Café Haru Haru, where Hinao quietly scrubbed a countertop.
Not long ago, Chihiro had crossed paths with Norisaku Madoka, infamous as the “Daruma user” for his explosive doll-based attacks. During an interrogation, Shiba had urged Norisaku to walk away from his destructive path and start over. The words struck a nerve, dredging up memories of Norisaku’s sister scolding him for the disgrace he brought on their family, a clan once notorious as the “bomb monster family.” Shiba seemed convinced that there was still hope for him to change, and for a moment, Norisaku believed it too. He resolved to abandon sorcery, even calling his sister to apologize and plan a visit to make amends with their mother.
But when Norisaku got into his car, relief quickly turned to horror. His sister’s lifeless body slumped in the passenger seat, and Genichi Sojo lounged in the back. Sojo coldly declared that every death, including their mother’s, was the price of Norisaku’s failures. Paralyzed with guilt and rage, Norisaku grasped his Daruma, ready to end it all. Sojo stepped out, leaving with a pointed remark: “If you’d chosen life, you should have committed to it.” Moments later, the car exploded in a fiery burst of light. Whether Norisaku meant to take Sojo down with him was anyone’s guess.
Genichi Sojo met with the younger brother of someone Chihiro had recently fought and defeated. The brother had a unique ability to use psychological induction to cause mental trauma and track people by reading their brainwaves. He asked Sojo to kill Chihiro, offering up information as leverage. Instead, Sojo turned on him. The brother tried to manipulate Sojo by dredging up a painful memory, but Sojo brushed off the attack, made a cold remark about the interesting sorcery, and beheaded him without hesitation.
Later, Sojo arrived at Café Haru Haru, where Hinao greeted him warmly. Just as he was preparing to strike, Chihiro appeared and stopped him in his tracks. Chihiro quickly noticed Sojo’s weapon, a blade called Cloud Gouger. Their clash shook the café, waking Char, who spotted Sojo mid-battle. Alarmed, Hinao hurried to protect Char, guiding them to safety.
Sojo activated Cloud Gouger and blasted Chihiro through a wall using Mei. Somehow, Chihiro walked away completely unscathed, like he had absorbed the attack. Intrigued by the sword, Chihiro asked if it had been stained with the blood of evildoers. Sojo’s lack of interest in the question made Chihiro suspect he had no right to wield Cloud Gouger. The tension between them grew as both prepared to clash.