It has been revealed that Katsuyuki Konishi will voice Shiba Togo, a veteran sorcerer who has a long-standing relationship with the Rokuhira family, Takeru Hokazono the protagonist Rokuhira Chikou, in the TV anime "Kagurabachi ," which is based on the manga by Ken Sotozono currently serialized in "Weekly Shonen Jump" (Shueisha). A character visual and character PV have also been released.
Konishi said, "I felt that Shiba is a character who seems carefree but has a strong core and inner strength. I consulted with the staff and tried not to overdo it in my acting, but rather to convey the confidence of a strong person. He does some weird things, though. I would be happy if I could be a breath of fresh air for the audience. And I hope that people can feel how much they love the Rokuhira father and son! It's a really difficult role (laughs), but it's a really fun role!!"
" Kagurabachi" is Sotozono's debut serialized work and has become a hot topic as a "next-generation flagship title" of "Weekly Shonen Jump." The daily lives of Rokuhira Chikou, a boy who aspires to be a swordsmith, and his father, Kunishige, a renowned swordsmith, are brutally cut apart by an attack by a mysterious sorcerer organization called Bishaku, and their gentle, warm everyday life is stolen away along with six cursed swords that possess immense power capable of determining the fate of the nation. Left behind in a world swirling with darkness, Rokuhira Chikou takes up the seventh cursed sword, Enten, left behind by his father, and walks a blood-stained path of revenge. The comics have sold over 4 million copies in total.
The anime will be directed by Tetsuya Takeuchi, who has worked as the action animation director for "Sword Art Online II" and as the storyboard artist, director, and animation director for battle scenes in "Heavenly Delusion," and produced by Cypic. Taihi Kimura will voice the main character, Chika Rokuhira. It will begin airing in April 2027.
◇Comment from Katsuyuki Konishi Konishi
--What was your impression of the character, and what did you keep in mind while playing the role?
I felt that Shiba is a character who seems carefree but has a strong core and inner strength. While consulting with the staff, I tried not to overdo it in my acting, and focused on conveying the confidence of a strong person. He does some weird things, though. I would be happy if he can be a breath of fresh air. And I hope you can feel how much I love the Rokuhira father and son! It's a really difficult role (laughs). It's a really fun role!!
-- How did you feel when you got the role, and what are your aspirations for the anime?
I read the first volume of "Kagurabachi" when it came out, and I always wanted to be in it if it ever got an anime adaptation. Now that dream has come true, I'm overwhelmed with emotion. I'm really looking forward to seeing what kind of anime it will be.
--First impression of the work
The characters and story are intense and cool! It really felt like I was watching a movie. And what impressed me the most when I read the original work was the beauty of the goldfish. I'm looking forward to seeing how that will be portrayed in the anime.
--Shiba Togo's greatest appeal
His elusive, almost intangible aura is incredibly cool. His way of expressing himself, or perhaps his way of life, acts as a buffer in this intense story, and I think he's an essential character in this revenge drama.
--If you had to describe the appeal of "Kagurabachi" in one word, what would it be?
Cinematic revenge sword fighting action
