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There’s a hot new manga taking the scene by storm… KAGURABACHI!
Kagurabachi is a slick, ultra-violent tale of vengeance that fuses jaw-dropping Japanese manga aesthetics with the bonkers cinematic flair of classic Western action flicks. The man behind this delirious genre mashup? 25-year-old prodigy Takeru Hokazono is a certified film fanatic who idolizes everything from Tarantino’s hyper-stylized bloodbaths to the sleek, bone-crunching choreography of the John Wick franchise.
In an interview with Asahi Digital (translated and shared by @soukatsu_), Hokazono stated:
Kagurabachi was probably more influenced by films like John Wick, which I watched after creating Enten. I watch mostly Western movies and my favorite directors are Quentin Tarantino, David Fincher, and Christopher Nolan. I think my use of slow-mo and frame division to emphasize speed is probably Tarantinoโs influence.
No wonder Kagurabachi’s editor is out here raving that Hokazono just “gets” what makes something effortlessly cool in a way very few creators do.
Kagurabachi Manga: Samurai MeetโฆPet Goldfish?
With only 31 chapters released so far, the manga has amassed a fanbase. We’re talking modern Tokyo settings co-existing with sword-slashing swordsmanship straight out of a samurai epic. This manga is style personified.
Oh, and the protagonist’s power? It somehow ties intoโฆhis pet goldfish’s bond with his dad. Don’t worry, it makes perfect sense in context if you down enough sake beforehand. So maybe give it a read, and let us know how it was in the comments.
From Hokage Dreams to the Billion-Dollar Boyhood
Despite drawing from Western inspirations, Hokazono is unmistakably a mangaka at heart. He grew up devouring era-defining shonen juggernauts like Naruto, even winning a major award at the age of 19 for channeling that quintessential energy.
These days, you’re just as likely to catch him professing his undying love for the deliciously self-aware spectacle of something like the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Somewhere, Kevin Feige has already fired up a Kagurabachi pitch meeting.
Quote from the interview:
Iโve always loved Marvel hero movies because theyโre cool and exciting. Those first impressions have always left a strong impression on me. Iโve been exposed to Marvel and NARUTO and some other works for so long, it feels like Iโve been completely absorbed-Iโve never thought about what exactly makes them good. Itโs like theyโre in my blood and have become a part of who I am.
Is This The Next Big Thing?
Older manga masters like Kohei Horikoshi (creator of My Hero Academia) recommend Kagurabachi. Horikoshi in one of his tweets said:
The way the composition is done is like watching a movie, leaving me amazed every week. This is a person who truly understands what the definition of cool is.
There’s a palpable buzz that this is the birth of Japan’s next generational talent.
Also Read: Hokazono Pulled Another John Wick Reference in Kagurabachi Chapter 65
Sources: VIZ Media, Official X account of Kohei Horikoshi, and @soukatsu
Rajat, once an aspiring computer science engineer, transitioned into stand-up comedy, blending creativity with problem-solving. A huge anime and manga enthusiast, he also explores 3D design in Blender. Passionate about merging humor, design, and storytelling, Rajat is always ready to collaborate and create something unique.
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