However, many people were surprised by this information, as they expected Kagurabachi to be adapted by studios like Mappa, Ufotable, or other studios more familiar to casual audiences. The choice of CygamesPictures is a good one, but it reveals a more interesting strategy than just selecting a studio.
Kagurabachi is one of the most promising works in the market today, both domestically and internationally. The manga has already reached 1.3 million copies in circulation with only five volumes released, a result surpassing Jujutsu Kaisen when it had the same number of volumes. Written and illustrated by Takeru Hokazono, it is one of the most recent viral phenomena of Weekly Shonen Jump, Japan’s largest manga magazine.
Thus, not only is Weekly Shonen Jump keeping an eye on the series, but so are many producers, scholars, and anime enthusiasts. It was natural to assume a major producer like AniPlex would take on the project, but instead, two companies seem to be collaborating to achieve a common goal: dominating the market.
CyberAgent, a Japanese digital advertising company, is already well-established in the gaming world through Cygames, globally known for the releases of Granblue Fantasy and Uma Musume Pretty Derby, two viral mobile game successes in Japan. Despite being only 13 years old, Cygames has successfully captivated Japan’s young audience.
In the anime world, CyberAgent is still in its infancy, participating as a minority stakeholder in production committees for several titles, including Oshi no Ko. Its crown jewel is CygamesPictures, a studio that works with both original CyberAgent IPs and manga adaptations.
CyberAgent also plans to transform its streaming platform, Abema TV, into a national and potentially international giant. Created in 2015, Abema TV is a partnership between CyberAgent and the traditional TV Asahi, a collaboration marked by a solid relationship and numerous joint contracts.
If the rumor is confirmed, as all indications suggest, the significant investment in Kagurabachi serves to expand CyberAgent’s horizons. The company has clear plans to become one of Japan’s leading corporations in the next decade, spanning various digital sectors. The choice of CygamesPictures, which has never worked on a Shonen Jump title, is logical, as it is the company’s studio best equipped to deliver a high-quality adaptation.
CyberAgent is not alone. Partnering with them is Shochiku, which is aiming to make a major comeback in the market. Founded in 1895, the company produced Japan’s first color film and countless hits over its more than 100-year history.
In the anime world, Shochiku has worked on films like Cardcaptor Sakura, Mobile Suit Gundam, Ghost in the Shell, Fullmetal Alchemist, and many others, significantly influencing Japanese cinema.
In January, Shochiku signed a contract with TBS Holding to further expand its market presence. Their goal is to achieve the same level of influence that companies like Toei Animation hold in the global market.
It is unclear why the two companies decided to adapt Kagurabachi, but it seems to be a joint effort to secure one of the most successful current works without an anime adaptation. As I have warned for months, the years 2025, 2026, and perhaps 2027 will see few new works with great potential. Kagurabachi is undoubtedly the title with the highest sales potential. With reduced competition, adapting Kagurabachi becomes a smart move to increase these companies’ recognition, both in Japan and globally.
Unlike other departments, Weekly Shonen Jump has a dedicated team for expanding its works into other media, including anime adaptations. Therefore, it is likely that both Weekly Shonen Jump and Shueisha will closely oversee Kagurabachi’s adaptation. This strategic decision aims to ensure that both the financial investment (which will also involve Shueisha) and the production aspects are top-notch. The main concern is to avoid issues like Chainsaw Man‘s delays or the production challenges faced by Jujutsu Kaisen’s second season.
A joint effort like this would allow for better production, resulting in fewer controversies, more episodes, and higher quality. Furthermore, CyberAgent’s infrastructure would enable future game adaptations, while Shochiku’s framework would facilitate film adaptations, further expanding the reach of the work across multiple media platforms. However, CyberAgent and Shochiku likely won’t have full creative freedom, making it uncertain whether the anime will be exclusive to Abema TV or how much influence TBS Holding will have on the adaptation.
If the rumor is true, we also don’t know if production has already started. Thus, the release date is unknown, with 2026 or 2027 being more likely. The anime is probably still in pre-production, as Cygames has several projects lined up for 2025. An October 2025 debut cannot be ruled out, but it remains unlikely. It is also too early to speculate on the production team. However, the growth strategy of CyberAgent and Shochiku likely means that Kagurabachi will receive a significant investment, increasing the chances of hiring skilled professionals and crafting a strong marketing strategy.
Success is not guaranteed, nor is high quality, but if the rumor is true (and remember, it is still a rumor, even though the source is reliable), the chances of the partnership between CyberAgent, Shochiku, Shueisha, CygamesPictures, and Weekly Shonen Jump resulting in a high-investment anime are high. In my opinion, Kagurabachi will be in good hands.
