I might be a bit biased in my opinion, because I absolutely ADORE this manga, but it's DEFINITELY WORTH READING, especially if you're looking for a story with a more slow-burning pacing and world-building, but masterfully-written plot, realistically written and interesting characters with great designs, GORGEOUS ART that evolves with each new chapter, MOVIE-LIKE fighting choreography, BEAUTIFUL panelling and composition and NO ROMANCE, ZERO FANSERVICE AND ABSOLUTELY NO SEXUALISATION, ESPECIALLY OF IT'S FEMALE CAST!!
The story is about Rokuhira Chihiro, an 18-year old man who wanted to follow in his famous father's path to become a swordsmith until tragedy struck - a ruthless yakuza organisation comprised of sorcerers, known as the Hishaku, murdered his father and stole the mystical Enchanted Blades, forged and imbued with sorcery that helped end the Seitei war years prior to the beginning of the series. Chihiro's goal now is to exact revenge on his father's murderers and reclaim his stolen legacy.
Some of the themes explored in the manga are legacy, revenge, grief, generational trauma, the burden of responsibility and using your power, good vs. evil, morality and personal identity, war and war crimes (genocide), creating and using weapons of mass destruction, the cost of violence, abuse (mostly abuse by family), anti-colonialism and propaganda (through the Japan-Shokoku war), political commentary on the glorification of national heroes (through the sword bearers), exploring the multiple ways to interpret historical figures, their motives and their beliefs, etc.
CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS: Violence, blood and gore, depiction of organised crime, torture, dismemberment, depiction of child abuse, human experimentation, depiction of child abduction, human trafficking, blackmail, child neglect, child abandonment, sibling abuse, depiction of suicide, attempted suicide, implied grooming, bullying and harassment, mention of attempted assault, depiction of and references to war and war crimes (genocide), depiction of corruption and government cover-ups, mild misogyny, depiction of psychological trauma and mental illnesses
Sorry for the wall of text lol, but TL;DR: it's a great manga that, although it might seem a bit generic in the beginning, finds it footing really quickly and slowly turns into a literal masterpiece. I would recommend you to try reading at least until chapter 19 or chapter 44 (aka the first two arcs) and if it still isn't enough to hook you into it, then it might not be the manga for you.
Thank thank thank you for the detailed rec (and i distinctly remember you recommending it in a forum before). Unfortunately for my pockets in between the time I've posted this and the time you've replied, I've already pre-ordered the grimoire edition. But I can die in peace now
*box set (i realize grimoire is for witch hat atelier)
Can someone who's read Kagurabachi tell me, in monkey terms, how it goes and if it's worth the read? I've seen an anime teaser for 2027 and it looks amazing