I tire of reading the same ideas of shonen being predictable – it’s why I read so much fantasy, josei, and shojo. Are they also predictable? Yes, but I found a series that has sparked my love and grabbed my attention.

Kagurabachi is the read I’ve been praying for.

As a young boy, Chihiro trains every day under his father to become a swordsmith. Although different in temperament, the two spend peaceful days laughing and working together. But one day, tragedy strikes… Now Chihiro burns with hatred and sets out to exact revenge. Following clues left behind by a ruthless yakuza organization, Chihiro confronts the Hishaku, a deadly group of sorcerers that may be behind his father’s murder!
-summary from Kinokuniya-

We all know if you kill an entire family, you gotta kill the kids left behind, because they will come back for you. This is a story of revenge, vindication, taking back what’s yours, a little comedy, and my personal favorite, found family.

I personally have no clue how to read fight scenes, but I have been taking more than five seconds to really appreciate the detail that goes into being able to really understand the swordsmanship. Hokazono initially had a one-shot, Enten, that blossomed into this series, and I fully intend to get into that as well.

Chihiro Rokuhira starts off on his rampage, then we meet Char, and while Chihiro initially seems disinterested, she has information that helps him, and eventually gets adopted into their group. Theirs is a relationship built on trust and trauma.

Each of the seven swords forged by Chihiro’s father weilds a special power, but Chihiro’s has been my favorite thus far between the two volumes because of the sentimental connection he has with it. We see the flashbacks he has fondly remembering his father, and it really makes you remember that he is just a kid. But that’s how shonen go, trauma happens to a child, the child either crashes out or builds a power and makes his own way.

Volume two goes into Char’s family and the horrible things she has been through as a little girl because of her power. Despite Chihiro’s condition, he makes it plain he will save her as a rogue agent. There’s more conversation about each of the swords and why those in power want them, but it is particularly intriguing how people see Chihiro’s father and their understanding of why he created the swords. Chihiro is not hearing none of that noise, and wants to collect them and put them where they need to be.

Like I said before, I’ve really been slowing down how I read these scenes and take in the art, so I must say, I do enjoy the art style. The eye-catching line work, the shadows, the negative space, and the backgrounds that meet the overall tone of the story really put you in the headspace of Chihiro. Even as I write this, when I think of the flashbacks, it feels lighter, more breathable with the hint of underlying sadness. But the main story you see and feel the weight of each situation. Really taking this in with each read going forward can really change the reading experience for me.

I will definitely be continuing this series on my own or double up on volume reviews like this one. It has even been marked as “the next Berserk” by CBR! A fitting title.

As of now, this is an ongoing series with 9 volumes out as of today. I highly recommend this manga and hope to see it become an anime one day.

Did you read this far? Sojo is the man of the hour ❤