KAGURABACHI is officially getting an anime adaptation in April 2027, with studio Cypic in charge of the animation production. The news were previously reported by Toyo Keizai in December 2024, while the official confirmation arrived today. It will be produced by CyberAgent and Shochiku, with Taihi Kimura cast as the main character Chihiro Rokuhira.
Studio Cypic was recently launched as a rebranding of Cygames Pictures, which was the studio behind some big titles. Some of their works include the recent The Summer Hikaru Died and Umamusume: Cinderella Gray.
The KAGURABACHI anime announcement comes following a week of mysterious teasers that appeared worldwide, featuring motifs from the series such as a black goldfish and encoded strings. The staff includes:
- Director: Tetsuya Takeuchi
- Character Design: Keigo Sasaki
- Production: Cypic
You can watch the trailer below (English & Japanese versions).
A Kagurabachi World Tour is planned starting Summer 2026, featuring early screenings of the first 20 minutes of Episode 1, culminating in Japan with a full Episode 1 premiere before broadcast
Toyo Keizai had also reported that CyberAgent and Shochiku were chosen to lead the Kagurabachi anime project despite being a relatively less dominant pair compared to other major companies due to the following reasons:
- Creative Vision: Their pitch and visuals impressed Shueisha’s editorial team and the manga’s author.
- Risk Management: The anime industry prefers spreading projects across different studios to avoid overloading the most popular ones like MAPPA or WIT Studio.
- Global Strategy: CyberAgent’s growing international IP plans likely aligned with Shueisha’s goals for overseas expansion.
You can see the teaser visual for the anime below.
Kagurabachi is written and drawn by Takeru Hokazono, and it has been serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump since September 2023. Ten volumes have been released so far, with Volume 11 set to release in Japan on May 1, 2026. It has already surpassed 4 million copies. The manga won the Next Manga Award 2024 in the Print Category. VIZ Media licensed the manga in English.
Comments from the staff and author:
Takeru Hokazono (Original Author)
“You know the Rock Lee vs. Gaara fight in Naruto? The manga version
is great of course, but isn’t the anime’s version just incredibly cool? Well,
the very person who brought that scene to life is our director! Woo!
The staff is full of amazing people who really know the manga inside and
out. I can’t wait to see how the animation turns out! Definitely a must-watch!”
Tetsuya Takeuchi (Director)
“Who would’ve thought that I’d be directing a popular Shonen Jump anime after working as a key
animator on Naruto back when I was just a newbie… you really never know what life has in store.
When you think of Kagurabachi, you think of swords! And more swords! Plus cool characters and
intense drama!
I’ll work hard to capture all those elements and aim to make a show that both long-time fans of the
manga and first-time viewers alike can enjoy!
There’s a lot of pressure!”
Keigo Sasaki (Character Designer)
“Hokazono-sensei’s art style is really cool, and I couldn’t wait to see his drawings come to life! I
jumped into the design process with nothing but that feeling in mind, but it’s been an uphill battle.
It’s hard… but when I manage to draw something well, it makes me that much happier! The staff and I
are working hard every day, and I feel so lucky to be able to participate in this project.
I’ll do my absolute best so that everyone can enjoy the anime.”
Taihi Kimura (Voice of Chihiro Rokuhira)
“I’m Taihi Kimura, and I’ll be voicing Chihiro Rokuhira!
I’m truly grateful for this opportunity to voice the protagonist of Kagurabachi—
an incredible series loved by fans all over the world.
A katana is forged and refined through the art of “tanren,” gaining its ultimate
strength through the repeated folding of steel.
Chihiro is a quiet young man, but deep in his heart he carries a conviction as unyielding as a sword.
I’m going to give this role my absolute all and pour my heart and soul into it so that Chihiro’s
unwavering resolve truly resonates with everyone.
Thank you for your support!”
Hokazono also made a special illustration for the anime announcement:
The story follows the young Chihiro, who was trained by his father to become a swordsmith. After his father is murderer, Chihiro sets on a path of revenge to avenge him with yakuza and sorcerers standing against him. The official synopsis:
Flames of resolve, kindled by hatred.
Chihiro Rokuhira is a boy who aspires to become a swordsmith, and took daily training under his
father Kunishige, a renowned swordsmith. Their days, once filled with laughter, are brutally torn apart
by an attack from the mysterious sorcerer organization, the Hishaku.
What is stolen from them are the six Enchanted Blades—swords of immense power capable of
shaping the fate of the nation—and the gentle, warm life they once shared.
From that day on, everything changed. In a world engulfed in darkness, Chihiro takes up Enten, the
seventh Enchanted Blade left behind by his father, and sets out on a blood-soaked path of revenge.
Source: Press Release, KAGURABACHI Official Website, JUMP PRESS
©Takeru Hokazono/SHUEISHA
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