The tally for the , “Kagurabachi” Page Popularity Poll
which invited votes from around the world, has been completed.
Take a good look at the page that was voted No. 1 by “Kagurabachi” readers around the world.
総合・日本・海外全順位一覧Overall / Japan / Overseas Complete List of Rankings
第1位1st Place
Chapter 37 : Equal
The page voted No. 1 worldwide features Chihiro drawing his sword, finally reclaiming Enten, in the Rakuzaichi Arc! Chihiro, filled with the resolve entrusted to him by Hakuri, challenges Kyora, who controls Rakuzaichi. This page is the final scene of Chapter 37 and marks the start of the Rakuzaichi Arc climax, and it received 4,663 votes from around the world! The striking impact of Chihiro’s left hand reaching toward the viewer, along with the gleaming Enten blade and the graceful, flowing tails of the gold fish “Nishiki” in the background are highlights not to be missed.
Taking the No. 2 spot in the world rankings is Samura, who descends in response to the drawing of the Enchanted Blade! The jet-black wings that blackout the sky evoke a sense of awe and divinity, fully conveying Samura’s overwhelming strength. Another point worth noting is the pair of Iori and Chihiro, who are sitting in the foreground and looking up at Samura. Standing tall and dignified, with only her eyelashes betraying her expression, one can sense Iori’s resolve to face her father. And in the foreground, Chihiro’s hands are just about to draw his sword and convey the tension and fighting spirit of someone about to enter battle!
In 3rd place is Shiba vs. Soya! As always, the laid-back but dependable Shiba calmly rushed to Hinao’s aid when she was in danger. Facing him is a figure sobbing uncontrollably, emotions laid bare. Soya shows no mercy to anyone who tries to take his younger brother away from him. The encounter between these two, who embody the contrasting forces of stillness and motion, plays out in the midst of a battle where the battlefield itself changes in an instant. From the delicacy of Shiba’s fingertips as he casts his magic, to the intensity of Soya’s movements as he loses his balance, and even the sense of weightlessness both characters seem to have, the more you look for subtle details the more you’ll enjoy this page.
In 4th place is the desperate battle between Uruha & Natsuki vs. Yura & Hokuto in the Assault on Kamunabi Headquarters Arc! It was like a Mexican standoff with swords! A kill or be killed battle between masters, where death could come in the blink of an eye! The two-page spread capturing that split second received an overwhelming response! This page captures the unfolding drama at the Kamunabi Headquarters involving a string of events featuring the arrival of the leader of the Hishaku, the return of a former enchanted blade wielder, the entry of a new master swordsman, and an attack by an unknown assassin. This all culminates in a life-or-death battle where the victor is utterly unpredictable!
The final page cracking the top five in the global rankings features Chihiro cutting down the money-hungry undead at the Kyoto Slaughter Hotel to protect Iori! The battle is depicted from Iori’s perspective through the fisheye-like lens of the peephole, creating a sense of tension and making “Kagurabachi” readers feel as if they’re right there in the thick of it! The final panel, rendered in slightly darker tones, conveys the horror of the battlefield and Chihiro’s intense resolve.
Episode 37, where Chihiro draws his sword, Enten, takes the No. 1 spot with voters in Japan! The recapture of the stolen Enten. Hakuri’s feelings with the decision to part ways with his father for the sake of justice, and Chihiro’s reaction to that. The stage was set for the dramatic climax of the Rakuzaichi Arc. This intense scene left a lasting impression on the readers’ hearts as the signal for the decisive battle to begin!
The page featuring Shiba vs. Soya from Episode 24, which took 3rd in the overall rankings, takes 2nd in Japan! Shiba and Soya also placed 4th and 9th, respectively, in the first Character Popularity Poll held earlier. Votes flooded in for the scene where the two older characters, who are senior to Chihiro and Hakuri, go head-to-head!
Samura, who descends upon the Kyoto Slaughter Hotel, and Chihiro and Iori, who stand against him, made the top three with voters in Japan! From the moment he appeared, Samura demonstrated superior combat abilities. The sight of him descending, clad in wings—offering a glimpse of his overwhelming power—stirred the hearts of readers. Noteworthy also are the expressions on the faces of the enchanted blade wielders as they utter the names of their swords leading up to this scene, as well as the different ways they grip their swords.
Fourth in voting in Japan was Uruha, who made his big comeback in the Assault on Kamunabi Headquarters Arc! Despite coming in 8th in the overall rankings, he made the top 4 in Japan! Both Uruha’s reassuring presence as he rescued Hakuri from certain doom with a lightning-fast slash, and Hakuri’s expression revealing his relief and gratitude touched reader’s hearts.
Ranked No. 5 in Japan is the epic clash of four fierce warriors in Episode 93!! Even though this page was featured in Volume 10 of the comic, which had only just been released recently at the time of the poll, it still gained great support! This is a memorable spread where the killing intent of the fierce warriors and the tension of their deadly battle, which fills the entire image, explode from the page.
One of the top vote-getters outside Japan was Samura with black wings, who also took second place in the overall rankings, and his challengers, Chihiro and Iori! This iconic scene, depicting the resolve of Chihiro and Iori, which is reflected in their profiles and the objects in their hands, and in which Samura is depicted descending from the sky with a determination he reveals to no one. This scene gained overwhelming support with over 1,600 votes. They took the No. 1 spot in spectacular fashion in the overseas voting!
Coming in 2nd in international voting, 4th overall and 5th in Japan voting, is Uruha & Natsuki vs. Yura & Hokuto! This two-page spread capturing a moment from a deadly battle, with every detail filled with a murderous aura, captivated the world! Thanks to the enthusiastic support of readers around the world, the overall ranking results did spectacularly well.
The scene that made it into the top three in the international vote was Chihiro’s blood-soaked sword fight at the Kyoto Slaughter Hotel in Episode 67! It depicts Chihiro’s battle from Iori’s perspective, through the fisheye lens of a hotel door peephole, creating a stunning composition in which the hands wielding the sword and the spatter of blood seem to leap right off the page. From 1st place to 3rd, the pages feature one stunning composition after another.
Taking 4th is the memory of Samura depicted in Episode 86, a deadly battle during a war long past between the Sword Master, who had become a living calamity, and the wielders of the enchanted blades! Uruha stands with a drawn Kumeyuri in hand. Ibuki Misaka, the wielder of Kuregumo, stands wrapped in lightning, gazing intently at his enemy. Two enchanted blade wielders face off against the Sword Master. And there, hands of Samura, assuming a lightning-fast iaido stance, prepares to face the calamity. Even without showing faces, this page conveys the extreme tension of a fierce battle that once took place.
This page revealing the true name of the once-sealed hero, “Sword Master” Akemura Soga, ranked fifth in international voting. A former “hero” who purges those who do not submit to his ideals. Seated high above, gazing down at his adversaries with dark eyes, his figure vividly illustrates the immense power of the darkness Chihiro must now confront. Be sure to take a close look at the subtle gestures and depictions, such as the right hand, as beautiful as white porcelain, and the black droplets flowing down the Shinuchi - and whether that is Genryoku or blood.
