Summary

• Kagurabachi's creator, Hokazono, draws inspiration from Western movies like John Wick and Kill Bill when writing new chapters of the manga.
• In addition to western media, other manga, like Naruto, have also played a significant role in inspiring Hokazono to become a mangaka.
• Hokazono's cinematic approach, influenced by Hollywood and Batman, sets Kagurabachi apart in Shonen Jump.

Shonen Jump's latest hit series, Kagurabachi, has many surprising inspirations that have made the manga what it is. It has seen incredible success in the 9 months that it's been serializing, and the release of the second volume indicates that the sky is the limit for the ongoing series.

With the mass amount of attention the manga is receiving, many fans are obviously curious about the creator and how Kagurabachi came to be.

In an interview with Asahi, Takeru Hokazono disclosed that Kagurabachi is heavily influenced by Western movies such as John Wick, Kill Bill, and a variety of Marvel movies. He also stated that Naruto inspired him to become a professional mangaka.

Kagurabachi Is A Cinematic Manga

Original series created by Takeru Hokazono

Stories like Kagurabachi, where the main character is revenge-driven, are shockingly rare in Shonen Jump magazine, as the norm is a likable and bubbly lead. Hokazono's fascination for revenge stories must have originated from the movies he likes, as Kill Bill and John Wick revolve around a character hunting down people who kill their loved ones. However, Hokazono found a balance by making Chihiro a bit more charming by being kind to the innocent and ruthless to evil people.

The story isn't the only thing he borrowed from Western movies. Hokazono seems to have a soft spot for Hollywood's exaggerated version of Japan, and this, together with his love for the video game Ghost Of Tsukishima, led him to use a mix of the traditional and modern settings of Japan in the story. Furthermore, the series seems to borrow a bit from Batman, although he hasn't explicitly stated this himself. Chihiro's method of emerging from the shadows and ambushing enemies, and chapter #19's title, "Knight Of Darkness".

Kagurabachi chapter #31's cover is a recreation of a John Wick poster.

Takeru Hokazono isn't the only mangaka who loves Western films and shows. Tatsuki Fujimoto's Chainsaw Man is heavily inspired by movies like Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Reservoir Dogs, while Yuto Suzuki was inspired by John Wick and The Equalizer. Referencing cinematic masterpieces seems to have worked brilliantly for the three, as their series are known for their excellent composition and action sequences. Kagurabachi's approach to manga-making is yet another reason that it stands, and it seems that Shonen Jump's future is made a little brighter thanks to Takeru Hokazono's hit series.

Source: Asahi, @AniNewsAndFacts.