The wait for the next installment of Takeru Hokazono’s hit manga is almost over. Kagurabachi recently wrapped up its first major story arc and has now moved into an exciting new phase. With Chapter 116 on the horizon, readers are eager to see where the story goes next for Chihiro and the enchanted blades.
The manga has become one of Weekly Shonen Jump’s biggest success stories since it began in September 2023. Even without an anime adaptation yet, it has built a massive global following. The series officially ended its first part in February 2026 and started a new arc immediately after, meaning the story is continuing without any breaks.
When Is Kagurabachi Chapter 116 Coming Out
Kagurabachi Chapter 116 is scheduled for release on Sunday, March 22, 2026. The chapter will be available at the usual times across different regions. For international readers, this typically means a Saturday morning or afternoon release in the Americas, and a Sunday release in Japan and most of Asia.
Fans in the United States can access the new chapter on March 21 via MANGA Plus by Shueisha and Viz Media’s Shonen Jump platform. Readers in the United Kingdom and Europe will also get the chapter on March 21. For fans in India, the chapter drops on the evening of March 21. Readers in Australia and Japan will see the release on March 22.
The chapter will be free to read on official platforms like MANGA Plus and the Shonen Jump app. New chapters typically follow a weekly schedule, though occasional breaks do happen.
The Story So Far Part 2 Begins
Kagurabachi Chapter 113 kicked off the new story arc on February 22, 2026, right after the intense conclusion of the Sword Bearer Assassination arc. The series did not take any break between parts, which shows how much momentum the story has right now.
The first part of Kagurabachi was divided into three main arcs. The longest and most recent was the Sword Bearer Assassination arc, which put Chihiro through some serious challenges. By the end of part one, Chihiro showed Samura his true resolve and mission. At the same time, the Hishaku group launched a major attack on Kamunabi Headquarters in Tokyo.
The situation was intense. Hakuri and Uruha found themselves struggling against a new enemy, but reinforcements arrived just in time to help. The official description from the Kagurabachi website describes this moment as a ray of light piercing through the chaos of the battlefield. That setup leads directly into what is happening now in the manga.
Chihiro is taking important steps toward achieving his childhood dream and becoming more like his father, the legendary swordsmith Kunishige Rokuhira. The new arc is still fresh, and readers are watching closely to see how the characters recover and regroup after the major battle.
Where to Read Kagurabachi
For fans wanting to catch up or start reading, Kagurabachi is widely available in multiple languages. The official Kagurabachi website confirms that the manga is published in:
- Japanese by SHUEISHA
- English by VIZ Media LLC
- Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Thai, Korean, and Chinese by their respective publishers
Volume 10 of the manga was released in Japan on January 5, 2026. International releases vary by region. For example, readers in France can get Kagurabachi Volume 7 on February 27, 2026 from publisher Kana. In Spain, Volume 2 arrived in bookstores on January 8, 2026 from Planeta Cómic.
Digital readers can keep up weekly through MANGA Plus and the Shonen Jump app. These platforms offer the latest chapters for free and are the best way to stay current with the series.
Manga Sales and Popularity
Kagurabachi has become a sales powerhouse. As of October 2025, the manga had over 3 million copies in circulation worldwide, and those numbers have only gone up since then. This success is even more impressive because the series has not had an anime boost yet.
The series celebrated its second anniversary of serialization in 2025. To mark the occasion, Weekly Shonen Jump ran the first official popularity poll for the series. The poll was open to fans in Japan who mailed in postcards with entry coupons from the magazine or Volume 9 of the manga. The character list included 57 options, showing how many memorable characters Hokazono has created in a short time.
Anime Adaptation Rumors and What We Know
One of the biggest topics among Kagurabachi fans is the potential anime adaptation. Rumors have been circulating since 2024, but nothing official has been announced yet. However, several reports suggest an announcement could happen soon.
According to reporting from Tokyo Keizai and translated by ScreenRant, two companies are reportedly handling the anime production: Shochiku and CyberAgent. The report suggests that major studios like MAPPA and Wit Studio were not approached because they are already overworked. The production is instead going to companies that have more availability to focus on the project.
CyberAgent, the company behind Uma Musume: Pretty Derby, has listed four confidential anime projects in its investor materials for 2026 and beyond. While no titles were named, this has fueled speculation that Kagurabachi could be one of them. The animation studio connected to CyberAgent, Cygames Pictures, is rumored to be the studio working on the project.
The editor for Kagurabachi, Takuro Imamura, gave an interview with Manga Plus where he talked about the series’ future. He mentioned wanting to keep up the popularity of the manga, which fans have taken as another hint that an anime is in the works.
AnimeJapan 2026 is scheduled for March 28 and 29, 2026 at Tokyo Big Sight. Cygames Pictures confirmed they would share a major announcement during the event. Many fans believe this could finally be the official Kagurabachi anime reveal.
Creator Insights Takeru Hokazono and Kohei Horikoshi
A special interview on the official Kagurabachi website features Takeru Hokazono talking with Kohei Horikoshi, the creator of My Hero Academia. The interview gives great insight into how Hokazono developed the series.
Hokazono shared that the concept for Kagurabachi came around the end of 2022. He originally thought of going with a darker protagonist because Jump did not have many of that type at the time. He also decided from the start to set the story in a slightly strange version of Japan, like the kind you see in Hollywood movies.
During the process of creating storyboards set in this pseudo-Japan, Hokazono gradually added elements like the enchanted blades and spirit-energy abilities to the setting. He finished the first chapter around April or May 2023.
Horikoshi praised Kagurabachi for keeping the author’s personal sense of what is cool at the forefront. He pointed out a panel showing Chihiro standing on a table and slashing enemies from a bird’s-eye view. Horikoshi noted that scene was totally unnecessary for telling the story, but Hokazono made it a point to include it anyway. He really is someone with a strong sense of self, Horikoshi said.
Hokazono also revealed that he loves drawing hands after reading an interview where another author said hands best express a character’s emotions. Horikoshi specifically praised the way Hokazono draws Samura’s hands when he assumes the Iai White Purity style stance.
The two creators also talked about how Hokazono once visited Horikoshi’s workplace before Kagurabachi started serialization. Hokazono was shocked watching Horikoshi draw at an unbelievable speed. He ended up helping with a chapter featuring Twice, drawing several of the characters himself. That experience gave him a clear picture of what serializing a manga would be like.
What to Expect in Chapter 116
With Chapter 116 arriving soon, readers are looking for answers. The new arc is still in its early stages, so the story is likely building toward the next major conflict. The Hishaku remain a threat, and Chihiro still has enemies to face.
The official description for Volume 10 mentions Chihiro showing Samura his resolve and mission while the Hishaku attack Kamunabi Headquarters. Hakuri and Uruha struggle against a new enemy before reinforcements arrive. That sets up multiple story threads that need resolution.
Given how the series has progressed, Chapter 116 will probably continue exploring the aftermath of the recent battles while moving the plot forward. The manga has maintained a strong pace since the new arc started, so readers should expect more action and character development.
Also Read:
How to Stay Updated
Fans can follow the official Kagurabachi website at kagurabachi.jp for the latest news on volume releases and announcements. For anime news, keeping an eye on AnimeJapan 2026 updates at the end of March is a good idea.
The manga is available in multiple languages worldwide, so readers can choose their preferred format. Digital readers get chapters the same day as Japan, while physical volumes come out on different schedules depending on the region.
With Chapter 116 coming on March 22, 2026, Kagurabachi shows no signs of slowing down. The series has become a major player in Weekly Shonen Jump, and the potential anime announcement later this month could take it to even greater heights.
For more updates on manga, anime, and entertainment news, keep checking VvipTimes for the latest stories from around the world.
