The Kagurabachi anime adaptation is by far one of the most anticipated releases of 2027. Despite this series quickly becoming a meme among fans due to its edgy atmosphere and cliché protagonist, it managed to overcome this stereotype, thanks to a truly engaging story, an outstandingly well-written cast, and an innovative power system.
As a franchise, Kagurabachi has already earned a spot among the best modern shonen series, contending with shows that have been beloved for decades. Many fans believe that once its anime adaptation is released, this amazing story could become an icon in the industry. If that’s the case, could Kagurabachi become the new-gen series that will finally dethrone the beloved Big Three?
What is Kagurabachi?
A New-Gen Series With Potential To Become a Legend
Set in a world full of magic and danger, Kagurabachi follows a boy by the name of Chihiro Rokuhira, son of a legendary blacksmith capable of creating powerful magic weapons. He saw his life crumble around him when a mysterious criminal organization sent a group of mercenaries to kill his dad and steal his best creations. Filled with nothing but a burning desire to bring justice to those who took his father away, the protagonist embarks on a thrilling adventure to take the heads of this syndicate and find the one behind the attack.
The series managed to quickly enchant fans with its serious and somber atmosphere, which expertly subverts fans' expectations of lighthearted and comedic shonen. Chihiro himself is also an excellent addition to the series, as he is the living embodiment of a competent and stoic protagonist, much different from the energetic and inexperienced heroes fans have grown accustomed to. These traits culminate in a series that breaks many paradigms about the genre, making it easy for fans to feel engaged and entertained.
What are the Big Three?
Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece Completely Changed the Industry
Despite being an industry with such a long and storied history, anime was not always the massively popular medium worldwide that it is today. Before the 2000s, this now ubiquitous form of entertainment was almost exclusively enjoyed in its home country of Japan, with only a handful of series managing to find an audience in other nations. It was not until the mid-2000s that anime began gaining notoriety among international crowds, and three shows in particular were responsible for this accomplishment: One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach.
These series were not only praised for their incredible story and characters, but also for how entertaining each and every new episode released was. Besides legendary franchises such as Dragon Ball and Sailor Moon, considered by many as true masterpieces of the last couple of decades, these three anime dominated the industry for several years. Their impact was such that they are still relevant to this day, even decades after they were officially released.
Could Kagurabachi Surpass the Big Three?
Anime Is Much More Popular Than During the 2000s
Although the impact left on the industry by the Big Three is incredibly significant, as they still hold great influence on new shows, there is no denying that the era hindered what they could have become. Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece were giants of entertainment during the 2000s, but outside of Japan their influence was still much less than it could have been. Evidence of this is the fact that it was only a decade or so ago that these amazing series saw the peak of their popularity among Western fans, years after their initial debut.
In this sense, Kagurabachi holds a much greater advantage, as its anime adaptation will be released during the pinnacle of the anime industry’s reach in the Western world. Chihiro’s adventure could not have been released during a more prosperous time for the medium, as anime has gone from a niche hobby to a pivotal part of modern pop culture. The fact that the series has already proven to know how to win over audiences worldwide, seeing as the manga is one of the most popular ongoing series, means the anime has everything it needs to become a worldwide phenomenon.
Kagurabachi’s anime may have a much larger initial audience and reach than any of the Big Three had during the 2000s era. The fact that the show will become easily available to international viewers via Crunchyroll, one of the largest streaming platforms famous for having some of the best anime of all time in its catalog, only increases the chances of Kagurabachi becoming one of anime history’s biggest phenomena.
Kagurabachi Will Sadly Never Surpass the Big Three’s Popularity
While it is highly likely that the Kagurabachi anime adaptation will indeed surpass the Big Three in terms of initial reach and success outside of Japan, the chances of this series ever reaching their level of cultural impact are not significant. Chihiro’s quest to avenge his father is by no means bad, and the fact that it managed to become an instant classic among fans speaks volumes of its quality. Still, it is because of how recent the story is that fans have not had the time to properly embrace it.
All members of the Big Three have had decades to not only cement themselves as pillars of the anime industry, but to enchant generations of fans, who cannot seem to get enough of these franchises. A great example of this is the One Piece franchise, which is still ongoing and does not seem ready to stop anytime soon. Luffy is more than one of anime’s most iconic characters; he is the face of a multimedia sensation that will not stop growing until the pirate reaches the titular treasure.
Naruto and Bleach, while not as popular as they once were, have managed to remain relevant among fans with sequels, revivals, and spin-offs that remind audiences why they love their stories so much. Kagurabachi is a series with the potential to become a legend of the anime industry, but it woefully cannot compete with the decades of influence the Big Three have had over fans.
