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カグラバチ [Kagurabachi] #8

カグラバチ 8 [Kagurabachi 8]

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京都殺戮ホテルに潜伏した一行。父・座村との記憶に関する決断を迫られるイヲリ、彼女を守るため牙を研ぐチヒロ。深き静寂の中、毘灼の追っ手・昼彦が姿を現す。殺戮者の襲来により血の海と化したホテル。狂乱を潜り抜け、無垢なる少女はついに目覚める──。

192 pages, Paperback

First published July 4, 2025

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About the author

Takeru Hokazono

16 books148 followers
Takeru Hokazono (外薗健; Hokazono Takeru) is a Japanese mangaka.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
Profile Image for Sana⁷.
428 reviews211 followers
July 15, 2026
Kagurabachi's Volume 8 is a pretty important volume, considering all the big revelations and flashbacks, so it pains me to say that I didn't enjoy reading it as much as all the previous volumes. To explain what kind of problems I had with this volume I have to include spoilers, which I usually don't do, so please forgive me this time.

We're in a Bloodshed Hotel in Kyoto where our team of heroes is trying to protect the teenage girl Iori from the bad guys sent by the Hishaku. The focus is put mostly on Iori's character, we are given her backstory, and with that we're getting a whole bunch of long-time needed information about the Seitei War. For a reader like me who was looking forward to this info, this volume felt like a golden goose. Just for all the revelations and flashbacks (and Chihiro being the coolest), I would give this volume my usual rating, but there were some things that made my reading experience less enjoyable, unfortunately.

It's not that I'm dissatisfied. Life has been peaceful and good. But all along, I've had this vague sense of loneliness. [Iori]

I like Iori's character. She went through a lot as a child and when she got her memories locked in, a peaceful life of a teenager got suddenly disturbed by strangers who want to either protect her or harm her. She found out about her father and faced quite an impossible choice: either come back to her old, peaceful life with no memories or keep the memories, but spend the rest of her life with a huge target on her back. I liked how kind and selfless she is and I think her mental strength is incredibly impressive.

Here comes the "but":

it's the moment she "awakened" as Samura's daughter.

Look. I get that it was obvious that she knew the swordsmanship, knowing who her father is, but her being exceptional with the sword on a whim without any real fighting experience took me out. If she started to regain her skills bit by bit, considering how tightly locked her memories were, I would have been fine with. But her sudden "awakening" wasn't a pleasant experience for me, I'm sorry. I do like her character though.

"Who's disciple are you?"
"Why do I have to be someone's disciple? I'm a student of freedom."


I understand that we needed to show Hirohiko as a big threat, considering that he was about to face Chihiro again in a battle, but him defeating the hotel's manager, the experienced sword fighter who everybody feared, was baffling. I get that he had a tough childhood and had to rely on his instincts to survive and that he uses his instincts in a battle, but he was NOT trained in a sword fight. Let him win, okay, but make him struggle, at least a little!

"So long as the sword master lives, that calamity known as the malediction will occur again in the near future. In this country."
"What?"
"Seiichi Samura. You have a job to do. For the future."


Samura's goal is known already, and now we also know the dark past that is the reason why he chose the other side. But my problem now is why did he felt the need to kill Uruha and, well, every other enchanted blade user, if all he actually needs to do is to kill one of them to get rid of them all? Is it because he's so well guarded? Does he even know where he is? If he wants to punish all the sinners, he cannot ignore the sword master. So what's the plan? This makes me really confused.

Also, why did Yura talk about prophecy? That's not a prophecy at all. I mean, wasn't it obvious that the bloodshed would happen in the future anyway, as long as the Shinuchi blade exists? They might kill the sword master, but the moment Yura wields it, and if not Yura, then somebody else, the bloodshed will happen anyway. The only way to prevent this thing from happening is to destroy the Shinuchi. But is it even possible?

Anyways, Chihiro has been cool as always. With every volume I am more and more in love with him. I like how he gave Iori a chance to choose her own fate - a chance to go back to her normal teenage life, without violence and bloodshed - a life that he never had an opportunity to choose for himself. And the moment he trusted Ro with Iori's safety? He wouldn't do that previously, believing that he needed to handle everything alone. I am so happy to see this growth.

I am jumping to the next volume as we speak! I hope that the Iori situation will resolve this time and that we will fly to the rescue of the other sword wielders. Will we meet the infamous sword master this time, maybe? Who knows? ☺️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for ami.
177 reviews
May 30, 2026
SAMURA AND IORI YOU MEAN SO MUCH TO ME 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Profile Image for Vinicius.
957 reviews48 followers
August 14, 2026
Kagurabachi vol.8 é uma edição que, além de contar com excelentes cenas de ação e avançar um pouco no tempo atual da trama, ele aborda também o passado desse mundo, se propondo a desenvolver ainda mais a questão envolvendo as lâminas enfeitiçadas acabando com a guerra, bem como a realidade sobre o espadachim supremo.

Assim, essa edição consegue trazer a tona algumas revelações que fazem o leitor refletir acerca de revisionismo história e/ou até mesmo pensar a respeito do ponto de vista que as narrativas são criadas, pois, os espadachins são realmente herois ou assassinos?

Além disso, essa discussão permeia também questões sobre moralidade e ética, tendo em vista que ao salvarem uma população da guerra, outra teve de ser dizimada, e os sobreviventes que contaram a história.

Ademais, a história que se passa no presente, é diretamente afetada pelos flashbacks envolvendo Seiichi e Iori, que são o foco desse volume e somam tanto nos momentos de ação quanto em momentos mais dramáticos que desenvolvem a lore.

Por fim, ao que diz respeito sobre o Chihiro, embora ele não tenha tanto destaque, os momentos em que ele aparece são bem emblemáticos, trabalhando sua evolução com a espada e a tentativa de utilizar novas técnicas.
Profile Image for Kelli.
2,819 reviews41 followers
August 28, 2026
if you’re sleeping on this series cause you think it’s just another shonen about kids running around with super-powered swords, you’re missing out—because it’s all THAT and so much MORE~
Profile Image for Tay.
226 reviews46 followers
September 27, 2026
*hides face in hands*

This is exactly what annoys me about the manga series. One moment (more than one, if I’m being honest) it’s so boring and cliché-filled and tropey that I just want it to end. The next, it is enjoyable like this volume was! So now, I’m eating crows. 🐦‍⬛ wuuuuuut???? Oh my goodness. I did not know there was an emoji for crows. Did anyone know? Okay, back to the review.

Yes, I can admit when I’ve been wrong. I literally went and cancelled my two preorders for volumes 9 and 10 and to be fair, I won’t reorder, but I’ll see how I feel and buy one at a time when they release. Back to what I was saying.

This volume did start out with the same issues I hated, which made me think I was going to get the same song and dance. You establish the hotel manager as one that was meant to be adequately feared because he has this Reigen Sword style that he trains all the employees in and has been able to maintain order from criminals in this world, yet he let him get taken out, not even in a page, but a single panel. Hell, offscreen. Come again?!

It was so anticlimactic and you think that’s making me think your villain is so badass, it’s making me think the opposite. Which is that everyone outside of the MC is so weak that when the MC and the villain fights, and the MC wins. It’s not because it was a particularly difficult or even earned victory. It’s because this is the first real battle the villain had. It’s weak and I hate it. Write better! This manga definitely suffers from character development. I can’t even say sufficient, because you have to have something first before I can comment on whether or not it’s sufficient. It suffers so hard. Characters just appear, show how cool they are by being laconic, or have resting emo face and … that’s it.

The second half picked up quite significantly and I finally got what I’ve been begging for these several (what, all of 7 prior to this?) volumes. Some bloody character background!!!! And you know what, it did exactly what I knew it would. It actually endeared me to Iori. Also, hell yeah! Let’s get a girl in here to do some sword work. I know we have the ninja, and the strongest wielder, I think she has a bone sword or something. The woman for the Kumanabi. Forgot her name, but yeah. Her. I know we have them, but they’re already sidelined, and I hope, only hope, that Iori won’t be sidelined in the next volume. Fingers crossed. I liked seeing her next to Chihiro against the useless antagonists. Seriously, this manga really had a problem with throwing lots of henchmen at the wall (sometimes literally) just to have some hand-cutting, finger-flying scenes. It doesn’t hit, please stop. One truly terrifying or intimidating villain is better than a million foot soldiers that get quickly disposed. Please.

Also, before anyone comments that it is just fast paced- I’ve read several fast paced mangas. Hell, “Hell’s Paradise” was into 13 volumes and I still cared more about those characters and was more invested in the story than what is happening in this one. That also had its own problems, but was genuinely enjoyable from volume 1.

Anyway, the last few pages when everyone yelled their enchanted blade names and we saw Samura descending with his wings was absolutely phenomenal!!! Maybe I will check out the next volume to see if it continues the upward trajectory into this character backstory and development, or goes right back to what it knows.

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for coming to my TAYtalk.
Profile Image for kthedestroyer .
440 reviews2 followers
July 20, 2025
There will be SPOILERS in this review!

Well, this is certainly not as good as the previous volume but it’s still okay. I like that series is finally trying to give the characters some more depth because it’s working… most of the time.

What I enjoy the most about this volume is definitely Iori’s backstory. I love how it gives Samura layers that this man needed. He is probably the most compelling character in the story currently. I hated him in the previous volume because he killed the other swordbearer but now I just can’t hate him. I mean, it’s not like he’s doing anything out of his own malicious intent. He is doing what he feels it’s right and also… dude was given the choice between helping that stupid organization and dying so this is not much of choice either way.

I also really like Iori, especially when she was child and kept calling her dad a loser. But like, it’s really convenient that as soon as the seal broke she became a master with the sword. I don’t know, I just don’t buy that the change would be so big.

I also like the blond dude whose name I forgot. He is just insane and thus a really enjoyable character overall. I love how his fighting style is just slashing around really fast.

But the biggest problem I have with this volume is the pacing. For some reason everything just feels really slow and like it’s not getting anywhere. Sure, the backstory is great but everything else is just so stretched out and I don’t like it. And oh, the inclusion of Iori’s classmate was totally unnecessary because he does nothing for me.

I’m going to give this 3 stars. I was thinking about 4 stars but then again, I don’t feel like the story was enjoyable overall outside of the backstory.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Evan Frederick.
36 reviews
June 10, 2026
Best volume so far in this arc. Hiruhiko vs Chihiro really made me want to keep reading. Seeing Hiruhiko’s talent and Chihiro trying to learn Iai White Purity Style was so fascinating to read.

One gripe I do have though is that they made Hiruhiko and Iori start using white purity too, I did not like that. I didn’t like that because it made me feel like what Chihiro’s doing doesn’t fit him, I feel as though he needs something of his own. But because so many people are using the style, it feels unremarkable now. It makes his “training” arc not feel as personal anymore and I hope he eventually finds his own unique sword-play.

My favorite part of the volume was Iori’s memories of being with her Dad. Seeing her deal with all that pain just so her Dad doesn’t potentially leave her really hit me in the heart. That is one strong little girl.

I understand Samura more now and his motivations, especially after the Hisuhaku pulled up on him. The Malediction possibly happening again would make me extremely anxious too, especially since some of the sword bearers are already dead. I do not blame him at all for feeling the way he does, but at the same time, I feel like this could be manipulation by the Hisuhaku. Maybe it isn’t, and they really are afraid of the next malediction, but it works so well in their favor for him to kill the sword bearers that it seems too fitting. I really want to see where that goes.

The action will never slow down with this series lol, I love it. I loved that the volume ended with Samura pulling up with his daughter there. I can’t wait to read the next chapter. Onto the next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Online Eccentric Librarian.
3,505 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
June 23, 2026
More reviews at the Online Eccentric Librarian http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

Volume 8 is an interesting mixture of character development and action as we get to know much more about Samura and his daughter Iori.

Story: Chihiro has promised to protect Iori and is keeping his word. But the seal on her memories is breaking and she is beginning to understand that her quiet life as a high schooler was a lie. Now that the Hishaku know of her existence, Chihiro will have to make a final stand at the Bloodshed Hotel.

This is a bit slower than previous volumes because we get a lot of backstory as Iori's memories return. Most of the action scenes center around a storming of the hotel in which Iori and her protectors are hiding. Of course, the action includes Hiruhiko to keep Chihiro very occupied. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.


6 reviews
May 17, 2026
Kyoto bloodshed hotel is one of the most masterfully written arcs in all shonen manga. The foil of chihiro and Samura. With the contrast of hirohiko as a backdrop. WHICH ALL COMES TO A HEAD IN A THREE WAY CLASH??? THE INTERWEAVING OF FIGHTS AND CONCEPTS IS SO PERFECT!!

BUT THE ENTEN BREAKS SWORDS IS WHEN CHIHIRO CAN EMPATHIZE AND SEE THE WORLD THROUGH HIS OWN EYES. Which metaphorically is refuting their argument. TO CONSTANTLY QUESTION AND REFINE HIS VIEW OF THE WORLD AND SHARE IT WITH EVERYONE ELSE IS SO BEAUTIFUL. HE WILL SHOW YOU HOW TO LIVE WITH HOPE. And the ENDING??? Oh how you've only grown as a mangaka my beautiful goat hokazono.

I could talk ab this arc all day but I'm so happy a manga like this exists and is this popular.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Dani Wladdimiro.
1,262 reviews6 followers
January 24, 2026
Pensé que iba a ir por una historia muy cliché y, si bien tiene elementos bastante tradicionales; la madre fallecida, el padre que huye de sus demonios, me sorprendió gratamente que la hija fuese una guerrera. Ese pequeño giro fue suficiente para descolocarme y darle un matiz distinto a lo que esperaba. Siento que este manga tiene todas las fichas para convertirse en un gran anime. Con la música adecuada, una buena dirección y una puesta en escena cuidada, podría ser una verdadera locura.
Profile Image for Joan Pault.
58 reviews
August 24, 2026
Kagurabachi Vol. 8 was another great addition to the series! The story keeps getting more intense, with exciting battles, great character development, and some really impressive artwork. I love how each volume continues to expand the world while keeping me hooked and wanting to know what happens next. The action scenes are especially well done and easy to follow. As a manga collector and Kagurabachi fan, I’m really happy to add Volume 8 to my collection. Definitely looking forward to Volume 9!
Profile Image for Finn Ince.
140 reviews
September 4, 2026
This volume was alright but I’m still really struggling to care about anything that is going on. Although I would be lying if I said that the ending of this volume doesn’t make me look forward to the next volume. I do see potential in this series I just want it to reach that potential soon cuz I’m just really sick of trying to pick up these volumes and actually care about what is going on.
Profile Image for Jack Tucker.
39 reviews
September 1, 2026
Wow hey this is getting really good!! It’s finally starting to give backstory and build the world in ways it’s been seemingly promising that it would since the start! I’m starting to really really enjoy reading it!


…and now I have to wait until November 3rd for the next volume ☹️
476 reviews2 followers
October 10, 2026
As the story continues, it really starts to find its footing. This volume particularly shows a lot of the background of the history of the swordsmen and it does a deep dive into Samura. The art is great, the character work as well. Loved it.
Profile Image for Bekah Stegner.
Author 1 book15 followers
July 8, 2025
ABSOLUTE PEAK!!!! My favorite volume so far HANDS DOWN 😭 and we got Iori on the cover!!!?!!??!!! AAAH
Profile Image for max.
51 reviews1 follower
February 19, 2026
IORIIIIIIIII and hiruhiko’s sword technique is actually insane
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews