Kagurabachi author credits popular manga as his biggest inspiration

Kagurabachi author has revealed how one of the biggest shonen manga ever inspired his popular manga.

Kagurabachi is one of the newer manga of Shueisha, and it’s already making a name for itself. The manga’s author, Takeru Hokazono, recently sat down for an interview with Asahi Shimbun, where he explained what inspired him the most and the other influences behind its popular work.

The author shared that what inspired him to become a mangaka was another beloved shonen manga. He credits Naruto as the reason why he pursued a career in the manga industry. 

Naruto is a world-famous manga, written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto. It’s also one of the most well-known anime shows in the world, becoming synonymous with the genre itself. Having debuted in 1999, it won the hearts of fans for 18 years before Naruto Shippuden concluded in 2017.

Just like Naruto ruled the shonen genre, Kagurabachi is also making climbing the ranks. The manga was an instantaneous hit upon first release in 2023. It won a spot in the top three manga on Manga Plus, leaving behind big franchises like Jujutsu Kaisen, My Hero Academia, and Black Clover.

Speaking about the popularity Kagurabachi is getting, Hokazono shared, “I was scared at first. Suddenly so many people were watching it that I was even afraid to make one episode every week. However, I’m glad that more people now actually like me.”

Hokazono also revealed that he is a fan of the John Wick movies. His love for high-octane action films can be seen in the well-choreographed fights in Kagurabachi. He’s also a fan of foreign movies and named Quentin Tarantino, Christopher Nolan, and David Fincher to be his favorite directors.

He also revealed his process and how he motivates himself, saying, “When I draw, I keep in mind that I want to be able to draw pictures that aren’t in my drawer. When I draw, I want to be able to draw pictures that make me feel amazing.”

The author’s work is getting praise from readers worldwide and many are hoping for an anime adaptation of the manga. The title is resolutely holding its place as one of the most-read manga on Manga Plus. It’s his third manga, the first two being one-shots titled ‘Farewell!! Cherry Boy!’ and ‘Roku no Pact’.

One thing noticeable about Hokazono’s work, along with the brilliant art, is the theme of revenge. His one-shots had revenge at its core and Kagurabachi also is a revenge story. It revolves around Chihiro whose swordsmith father was killed by a bunch of people looking for a special sword. After his father’s death, Chihiro took the sword as his own and vowed to avenge his father.

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