Kagurabachi, one of the most anticipated recent Weekly Shonen Jump adaptations, will stream worldwide through Crunchyroll when the television anime premieres in April 2027.
The global distribution announcement was accompanied by another major update for the production. Katsuyuki Konishi has officially joined the Japanese voice cast as Togo Shiba, a powerful veteran sorcerer and longtime friend of protagonist Chihiro Rokuhira’s family.
A dedicated character visual and trailer were released for Shiba, showing the relaxed personality, effortless confidence and hidden strength that make him one of the manga’s most important early characters.
The anime is being produced by Cypic, the animation studio previously known as CygamesPictures, with Tetsuya Takeuchi directing and Keigo Sasaki adapting Takeru Hokazono’s character designs for animation.
Kagurabachi Premieres in April 2027
The Kagurabachi television anime will begin airing in Japan in April 2027 as part of the spring anime season.
Crunchyroll will simulcast the series internationally alongside the Japanese broadcast, making new episodes available to viewers across most of the world.
- Premiere window: April 2027
- Format: Television anime
- International streaming: Crunchyroll
- Crunchyroll territories: Worldwide except Japan, China and Korea
- Director: Tetsuya Takeuchi
- Character designer: Keigo Sasaki
- Animation production: Cypic
- Production committee leaders: Shochiku and CyberAgent
A specific April premiere date, Japanese broadcaster and episode count have not yet been announced.
Crunchyroll has also not revealed its subtitle schedule, dubbed languages or whether any dubbed version will launch simultaneously with the Japanese episodes.
Crunchyroll Secures the Global Simulcast
The streaming agreement confirms that Kagurabachi will receive broad international distribution from the beginning of its television run.
Crunchyroll will carry the anime throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, Oceania and other supported regions outside the excluded Asian territories.
The announcement is especially significant because Kagurabachi developed a considerable international audience shortly after its manga debut. Official translations made Chihiro’s story available to readers outside Japan while online discussion helped the series become recognizable before its first collected volume was released.
The April 2027 simulcast will give international viewers an opportunity to follow the adaptation alongside Japanese audiences rather than waiting for a later regional release.
Katsuyuki Konishi Voices Togo Shiba
Katsuyuki Konishi will voice Togo Shiba, the veteran sorcerer who becomes one of Chihiro’s closest allies after the murder of his father.
Konishi explained that he had wanted to participate in a Kagurabachi anime since reading the manga’s first volume. He described Shiba as a man who appears carefree but possesses genuine strength, strong convictions and deep affection for both Chihiro and Kunishige Rokuhira.
His performance is intended to avoid making Shiba sound unnecessarily dramatic. Instead, Konishi focused on the natural confidence of someone whose power is so well established that he rarely needs to prove himself through words.
Shiba’s occasional eccentric behavior also gives the story moments of relief without weakening his credibility as an experienced sorcerer.
The Shiba Trailer Shows His Effortless Confidence
The newly released character trailer introduces Shiba through his interactions with Chihiro and his calm response to dangerous situations.
Unlike Chihiro, whose anger and grief are immediately visible in his pursuit of the Hishaku, Shiba often hides his emotions behind an easygoing attitude.
That relaxed behavior should not be mistaken for carelessness. Shiba is an exceptionally capable sorcerer who previously belonged to the Kamunabi, the government organization responsible for handling supernatural threats and protecting national security.
His knowledge of sorcery, the Enchanted Blades and the criminal underworld makes him an essential guide during the beginning of Chihiro’s revenge campaign.
Who Is Togo Shiba?
Togo Shiba was a trusted friend of Kunishige Rokuhira, the legendary swordsmith responsible for creating the Enchanted Blades.
After Kunishige’s death, Shiba supports Chihiro as he searches for the people responsible for the attack and attempts to recover the stolen swords.
Shiba understands the political and supernatural importance of the blades better than most people. He knows that allowing them to remain in criminal hands could place countless lives in danger.
He also recognizes that Chihiro’s pursuit is driven by personal hatred. Part of Shiba’s role is helping the young swordsman survive a path that could easily consume him.
Although his complete abilities have not yet been demonstrated in the anime’s promotional campaign, the manga establishes him as a sorcerer whose true strength is difficult to measure.
Taihi Kimura Leads the Cast as Chihiro Rokuhira
Taihi Kimura voices protagonist Chihiro Rokuhira.
Kimura received the Best New Actor Award at the 2025 Seiyu Awards and will now lead one of Weekly Shonen Jump’s most closely watched new adaptations.
Chihiro is a quiet young swordsman who once dreamed of following his father and becoming a swordsmith.
His peaceful life ends when the Hishaku attacks their home, murders Kunishige and steals six Enchanted Blades capable of changing the balance of power across Japan.
Chihiro survives with Enten, the seventh blade created by his father, and begins hunting the sorcerers responsible.
The role requires Kimura to portray a protagonist who speaks with restraint but carries enormous anger beneath his controlled exterior.
Tomokazu Seki Voices Kunishige Rokuhira
Tomokazu Seki voices Kunishige Rokuhira, Chihiro’s father and the creator of the seven Enchanted Blades.
Kunishige is remembered throughout the world as a brilliant swordsmith whose weapons played a decisive role in ending the Seitei War.
At home, however, he is an affectionate and unconventional father who teaches Chihiro that a swordsmith must accept responsibility for every life affected by a weapon.
His murder becomes the event that begins the entire story. The lessons he taught Chihiro continue influencing how the protagonist uses Enten, even as revenge pushes him toward increasingly violent confrontations.
Confirmed Japanese Voice Cast
- Taihi Kimura as Chihiro Rokuhira
- Tomokazu Seki as Kunishige Rokuhira
- Katsuyuki Konishi as Togo Shiba
The performers for Char Kyonagi, Hinao, Sojo, Hakuri Sazanami and other major characters have not yet been officially announced.
What Is Kagurabachi About?
Kagurabachi follows Chihiro Rokuhira, the son of renowned swordsmith Kunishige Rokuhira.
Chihiro spends his childhood training under his father and learning the discipline required to create swords. Their daily life is warm and peaceful despite Kunishige’s unusual personality and the seriousness of his former work.
That life is destroyed when the Hishaku, a mysterious organization of sorcerers, attacks their hidden home.
The group kills Kunishige and steals six Enchanted Blades, supernatural weapons whose powers are capable of influencing the future of the entire nation.
Chihiro is left with Enten, the final blade forged by his father.
Years later, he works alongside Shiba to investigate criminal sorcerers, locate the stolen blades and eliminate the people involved in Kunishige’s murder.
The Enchanted Blades Are at the Center of the Story
The seven Enchanted Blades were created by Kunishige using a rare supernatural material called Datenseki.
Each sword possesses abilities far beyond those of an ordinary weapon. Their wielders can summon powerful phenomena capable of destroying groups of enemies and altering entire battlefields.
The blades were originally used by selected warriors during the Seitei War, helping Japan bring the conflict to an end.
After the war, Kunishige recovered six of the weapons and concealed them to prevent their powers from being exploited.
Their theft gives criminal organizations access to weapons associated with national-level destruction, transforming Chihiro’s personal revenge into a much larger struggle.
Enten Connects Chihiro to His Father
Enten is the seventh and final Enchanted Blade created by Kunishige.
Its abilities are represented through three goldfish associated with different techniques. The blade gives Chihiro extraordinary offensive and defensive options while preserving the visual imagery connected to his childhood with Kunishige.
The goldfish are not simply decorative. They transform Chihiro’s memories of his father into supernatural power, making every use of Enten emotionally connected to the life that was stolen from him.
Katsuyuki Konishi specifically praised the manga’s depiction of the goldfish and expressed interest in seeing how the anime will bring them to life.
Cypic Produces the Animation
Cypic is handling animation production.
The studio is part of the CyberAgent group and previously operated under the name CygamesPictures. Its recent productions include visually ambitious projects such as The Summer Hikaru Died and Umamusume: Cinderella Gray.
Kagurabachi requires detailed sword choreography, supernatural effects and a strong cinematic atmosphere capable of preserving the visual impact of Hokazono’s manga.
The official production description emphasizes Cypic’s commitment to high-quality animation, while the early trailers focus on controlled character movement, intense lighting and the contrast between black ink-like effects and the colors associated with Enten.
Tetsuya Takeuchi Directs the Anime
Tetsuya Takeuchi will direct Kagurabachi.
Takeuchi has previously worked on action animation for productions including Sword Art Online II and contributed battle storyboards, episode direction and animation direction to Heavenly Delusion.
His experience is particularly relevant because Kagurabachi’s identity depends heavily on sword fights that communicate personality and strategy through movement.
The battles are not only exchanges of supernatural attacks. Chihiro frequently studies an enemy’s ability, identifies its limitations and uses the environment to create an opening.
Keigo Sasaki Designs the Characters
Keigo Sasaki serves as character designer.
Sasaki is known for his work on anime including Blue Exorcist and The Seven Deadly Sins.
His role involves adapting Hokazono’s sharp silhouettes, dark clothing and expressive facial designs into models that can remain consistent during demanding action sequences.
Chihiro’s restrained expressions are particularly important. Small changes in his eyes or posture must communicate the anger he rarely expresses through extended dialogue.
Main Production Staff
- Original manga: Takeru Hokazono
- Director: Tetsuya Takeuchi
- Character design: Keigo Sasaki
- Animation production: Cypic
- Production committee leaders: Shochiku and CyberAgent
Series composition, scriptwriting, music, art direction, photography, sound direction and theme-song performers have not yet been officially revealed.
The Kagurabachi Anime World Tour Begins Before the Premiere
Fans will not need to wait until April 2027 for the first public screenings of the anime.
The Kagurabachi Anime World Tour will present the opening 20 minutes of Episode 1 at several international conventions during 2026.
- Anime Expo, Los Angeles: July 3, 2026
- Japan Expo, Paris: July 9, 2026
- AnimagiC, Mannheim: August 1, 2026
- Otakon, Washington, DC: August 2, 2026
- Anime NYC, New York: August 22, 2026
Selected screenings will also include appearances by members of the cast, anime production team and manga editorial staff.
The events are previews rather than the beginning of the regular broadcast. The television anime will still officially premiere in April 2027.
The Manga Has Surpassed Four Million Copies
Takeru Hokazono began serializing Kagurabachi in Weekly Shonen Jump in September 2023.
The manga has surpassed four million copies in circulation, reflecting rapid growth for a series that has not yet reached its fourth anniversary.
Its popularity developed through a combination of revenge-driven storytelling, distinctive sword abilities, cinematic panel composition and an expanding cast of morally complicated allies and enemies.
The series received the top prize in the print manga category of the 2024 Next Manga Awards and has been officially published in English through VIZ Media and MANGA Plus.
Kagurabachi Became an International Phenomenon Early
Kagurabachi attracted unusual attention before its first chapter was officially published.
Early promotional images of Chihiro holding his sword inspired a large number of memes and exaggerated claims about the manga’s future success.
What began as ironic online enthusiasm gradually transformed into genuine support as readers discovered the quality of Hokazono’s action scenes, characters and long-term mysteries.
The anime now arrives with an established international audience and expectations considerably higher than those surrounding most new adaptations.
What Remains Unknown About the Anime?
The exact April 2027 premiere date has not been announced.
The Japanese television network, episode count and release schedule remain unknown.
Crunchyroll has not yet announced which dubbed languages will be produced or when those versions will become available.
Most of the supporting voice cast has not been revealed, and the production has not confirmed the opening or ending theme songs.
The number of manga chapters or story arcs included in the first season also remains unannounced.
Final Thoughts
Kagurabachi will premiere as a television anime in April 2027, with Crunchyroll streaming the series worldwide alongside its Japanese broadcast outside Japan, China and Korea.
Katsuyuki Konishi has joined the Japanese cast as Togo Shiba, a veteran sorcerer, former Kamunabi member and trusted friend of the Rokuhira family.
He joins Taihi Kimura as Chihiro Rokuhira and Tomokazu Seki as Chihiro’s father, Kunishige.
Tetsuya Takeuchi directs the adaptation at Cypic, with Keigo Sasaki handling character designs and Shochiku and CyberAgent leading the production committee.
The first 20 minutes of Episode 1 will receive advance screenings during the Kagurabachi Anime World Tour beginning at Anime Expo on July 3, 2026.
With a global simulcast secured, an experienced action director and a studio promising uncompromising visual quality, Kagurabachi is preparing to transform Chihiro Rokuhira’s blood-soaked search for the stolen Enchanted Blades into one of the most closely watched anime premieres of 2027.
