The hit Weekly Shonen Jump series Kagurabachi has officially closed the curtain on its first major story arc. After 112 chapters of intense battles, emotional losses, and stunning revelations, creator Takeru Hokazono has brought the first part of Chihiro Rokuhira’s journey to a close. The latest chapter, which dropped on February 10, 2026, shows the young swordsman finally returning to his roots—the forge—while setting the stage for a completely new direction for the series.
Fans who have been following the manga since its debut in September 2023 have witnessed Chihiro grow from a revenge-driven teenager into a more complex warrior. The conclusion of Part One does not just wrap up loose ends; it redefines what Kagurabachi is all about. With the Hishaku arc seemingly reaching its climax and Chihiro making a pivotal choice about his future, the series is now preparing to enter uncharted territory.
The Weight of 112 Chapters: A Journey of Blood and Steel
When Kagurabachi first launched, many readers were drawn to its stylish black-and-white artwork and the mysterious aura surrounding the enchanted blades. Over the course of 112 chapters, author Takeru Hokazono took the story far beyond a simple revenge tale. Chihiro started as a 15-year-old boy who watched his father, the legendary swordsmith Kunishige Rokuhira, get murdered by the Hishaku sorcerer group. Armed only with the enchanted sword Enten, he spent three years training before diving headfirst into the underworld of sorcerers and yakuza .
The series saw Chihiro battle terrifying enemies like Genichi Sojo, who wielded the enchanted blade Cloud Gouger. It introduced the dangerous black market auction known as the Rakuzaichi, where Chihiro teamed up with Hakuri Sazanami, a disowned clan member who became one of his most trusted allies . The story then escalated to the protection of the enchanted blade wielders, leading to the devastating events at the Kyoto Bloodshed Hotel, where a three-way battle between Chihiro, the Hishaku member Hiruhiko, and the traitorous wielder Seiichi Samura turned the location into a “sea of blood” .
Throughout these arcs, Chihiro lost his right arm in battle only to have it restored, gained new scars, and constantly questioned the path of violence he chose. Despite his cold exterior, he consistently protected innocents, showing that his father’s teachings about the responsibility of a swordsmith never left him .
Chapter 112: Chihiro’s Return to the Rokuhira Forge
The final chapter of Part One, Chapter 112, brings Chihiro full circle. After the chaos of the Kyoto Bloodshed Hotel and the confrontations with Samura and the Hishaku, the story slows down to show the protagonist in a setting fans have not seen since the early days: the Rokuhira forge. This is where Chihiro spent his childhood learning the craft of swordsmithing from his father, feeding the goldfish, and dreaming of one day forging his own blades .
The return to the forge is deeply symbolic. It represents Chihiro stepping away from the constant cycle of revenge and violence. Throughout the series, Chihiro admitted that he did not see himself as a hero or a good person, only someone following the path he chose . By going back to the place where his father shaped steel and taught him values, Chihiro is reconnecting with his original dream—to become a swordsmith like Kunishige.
According to character profiles, Chihiro always had a diligent and curious personality when it came to swordsmithing. He handled responsibilities at the forge effectively and reflected deeply on the moral weight of crafting weapons . Part One ending with his return suggests that the next phase of the story will explore this side of him more deeply.
What “A New Era Begins” Really Means for the Story
The announcement that a new era is beginning for Kagurabachi is not just promotional talk. Looking at how the plot has developed, several major shifts are likely coming.
First, the focus may move away from simply hunting down the remaining Hishaku members. While the Hishaku, particularly their leader Yura, have been the central antagonists, Chihiro’s encounter with Yura during the Rakuzaichi auction showed that revenge alone cannot fill the void left by his father’s death . Chihiro lost his composure completely when he saw Yura, proving he has never truly processed his grief. Part Two might deal with the aftermath of that emotional wound.
Second, the enchanted blades themselves remain a huge mystery. Kunishige forged six blades that helped end the Seitei War, plus the seventh blade Enten . With some wielders dead and others like Samura turning against the Kamunabi, the balance of power surrounding these weapons is completely unstable. The new era could involve Chihiro taking on a role similar to his father’s—perhaps reforging the blades, resealing them, or even creating new ones.
Third, Chihiro’s relationship with characters like Iori Samura, Seiichi’s daughter, and the Masumi ninja clan opens doors for new alliances and conflicts. After Samura’s betrayal, the Masumi chose to fight alongside Chihiro to protect Iori . These bonds will likely play a bigger role going forward.
The Growing Legacy of Kagurabachi in the Manga World
It is impossible to talk about Kagurabachi’s Part One finale without acknowledging how far the series has come. What started as an internet meme—with fans jokingly comparing it to legendary titles like Naruto and Bleach before the first chapter even dropped—has turned into a genuine success story .
The series won first prize at the Next Manga Award in 2024 and received nominations for both the Shogakukan Manga Award and the Kodansha Manga Award . As of October 2025, Kagurabachi surpassed 3 million copies in cumulative sales, including digital editions . Volume 9 even featured a book band comment from Kohei Horikoshi, the creator of My Hero Academia, who praised Hokazono’s composition skills, calling him a “genius” .
Horikoshi has been a mentor figure to Hokazono, even allowing him to visit his workplace before Kagurabachi’s serialization began. During that visit, Hokazono ended up helping with background characters in a My Hero Academia chapter featuring Twice . This mentorship and mutual respect between the two creators has been a heartening subplot in the manga industry.
Hokazono himself cited Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto as a major influence on his style, particularly in how he structures fights and develops characters . Fans have definitely noticed the thematic similarities, from the focus on inherited will to the complex villain motivations.
Fan Reactions to the Part One Finale
Social media has been buzzing since Chapter 112 dropped. On X (formerly Twitter), the hashtag #Kagurabachi trended globally as readers shared their thoughts on Chihiro’s return to the forge. Many expressed satisfaction with how Hokazono chose to end this chapter of the story.
One fan pointed out that Chihiro finally looks at peace for the first time in the entire series. The image of him standing in the forge, surrounded by tools and memories of his father, contrasts sharply with the blood-soaked panels from previous arcs. Another reader noted that this ending mirrors the beginning of the series, creating a complete narrative loop.
However, some fans are anxious about how long the break will be before Part Two begins. Weekly Shonen Jump has not yet announced an official return date, but given the sales success and popularity, it is highly unlikely the series will go on an extended hiatus. The official Kagurabachi website continues to promote the latest volumes and merchandise, indicating strong support from Shueisha .
There is also continued speculation about a potential anime adaptation. Given that the series has now surpassed 3 million copies sold and won major awards, industry insiders believe an announcement could come within the next year. Many fans want studio MAPPA, known for Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man, to handle the adaptation .
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What Readers Can Expect Next from Takeru Hokazono
With Part One complete, Takeru Hokazono has proven he can sustain a long-running narrative while maintaining high artistic quality. His attention to detail, especially in character hands and facial expressions, has drawn praise from peers like Horikoshi . The way he uses panel layouts to control pacing and surprise readers shows a maturity beyond his years.
The new era of Kagurabachi will likely explore themes of legacy and creation rather than just destruction and revenge. Chihiro’s character has evolved from a simple avenger to someone who carries the weight of his father’s name and the responsibility that comes with the enchanted blades. Whether he will actually start forging swords in Part Two remains to be seen, but the foundation has been laid.
The series also has plenty of unresolved threads. The true origins of the Hishaku, the full history of the Seitei War, and the secrets behind the Datenseki stones that power sorcery are all areas Hokazono can explore. With the world-building already rich and the character roster expanded, Part Two has the potential to be even bigger than the first.
For now, readers can catch up on all 112 chapters of Kagurabachi Part One through Manga Plus and Viz Media. The series is available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, and Vietnamese, reflecting its growing global audience . Volume 10 of the manga was released in Japan on January 5, 2026, and is gradually becoming available in other regions .
The journey of Chihiro Rokuhira is far from over. As he stands in his father’s forge at the end of Part One, it feels less like an ending and more like a new beginning—one where the young swordsmith might finally forge his own path, both literally and figuratively.
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