Masashi Kishimoto has always been a beacon of hope to many aspiring mangakas with many of those who stand big having once followed his footsteps. My Hero Academia’s recent ending wasn’t something fans had been ready for but were slowly acknowledging the conclusion regardless of whether it was good or bad. While that fact was being absorbed, Jujutsu Kaisen confirmed that its ending wasn’t far away either. In fact, in only five chapters, the series that had taken over the world would come to an end.
While it may have taken the world by storm, another factor that took a big hit is Weekly Shonen Jump. Some of its biggest titles are ending one by one and the viewership that had been carrying it for so long could quickly crumble with only One Piece fans capable of holding it still. However, it may not be alone in doing so.
The Rise of Kagurabachi
Kagurabachi by Hokazono Takeru is an underrated gem that is gradually growing in fame, albeit exponentially. Mangakas far and wide have acknowledged just how captivating the series is and even fans have found themselves glued to the story. It has been only a year since the series was first published and the widespread popularity it has gained is unlike any other.
It was breaking records and gaining fame like no other series had ever done. Its achievements made it become a household name to many anime and manga fans, so much so that the demand for an anime is still an ongoing dream. Having been only a year old, Kagurabachi managed to achieve the Next Manga Awards 2024 (via X), something that isn’t so easy to come by.
It easily paints the picture of just how much potential the series truly has. While some of the best mangas come to an end, Takeru’s work could replace them, helping keep Weekly Shonen Jump afloat while some of its biggest titles take a step back.
Masashi Kishimoto Inspired Kagurabachi
During an interview with Asashi, Hokazono Takeru talked about how there were many mediums by which he was inspired to take up a career in the manga industry. While many factors culminated in finally helping him succeed, one mangaka was his biggest inspiration thus far. He admitted that he was “Too heavily influenced by Naruto.”
Kagurabachi needs to save Shonen!
— Zoro (@realzoro_o) August 28, 2024
It does have the potential to be the next jjk 🙌🏻🙌🏻
— JD (@Jathin_Rishi) August 28, 2024Next Jujutsu Kaisen 🔥
— Avi🍁 (@avitrends) August 28, 2024I mean, winning an award within a year of serialization? That's insane feat
— misskikid (@misskikidior) August 28, 2024A new era of shonen is born
— Hollow🇸🇪🇳🇴 (@HollowVoid360) August 28, 2024I’ve always loved Naruto and have always had vague notions like ‘Manga is amazing’ and ‘I’d like to become a mangaka.’
Moreover, he talked about finding inspiration in Masashi Kishimoto and how a picture was painted for him about manga being heavily action-oriented. While Kishimoto himself tried his hand with a sequel series to help Naruto’s legacy keep on going, Boruto’s constant attempts getting missed feel like a bitter pill to swallow.
As a result, it might not be too harsh of an idea to let a series that was so influenced by one of the big three to replace the gaping hole left by so many newly ending mangas. Even in the streak of rising new-gen anime and manga, most of them have ended with the blink of an eye. Kagurabachi’s journey is only just beginning and each award is a testament of exactly that.
Naruto and Kagurabachi are available to read on Viz Media.
