Kagurabachi hishaku! There’s something fascinating about a small yet powerful group of magic-wielding individuals who stand at the core of a grander conflict. Let’s dive right into the revelations surrounding their origins, members, and evolving role in the series.
Spoiler Alert: The following article delves into key plot points of Kagurabachi, including pivotal moments in later chapters. If you haven’t read up to the most recent volumes, please proceed with caution.
Who Are the hishaku in Kagurabachi?
In the world of Kagurabachi, “hishaku” (毘灼) refers to an underground collective of formidable sorcerers. As revealed around Volume 3, Chapter 59, they number exactly ten. Although their ranks are small, each member is uniquely gifted with potent forms of sorcery (often called “YOJUTSU (妖術)” in the manga). Their main claim to infamy is the murder of swordsmith Rokuhira Kunishige—the protagonist Chihiro’s father—and the theft of six out of seven precious “yoto (youtō, Enchanted Blades)”.
The Revelation in Volume 3, Chapter 59
- Deal With Zazura: In this chapter, it’s disclosed that hishaku and the enigmatic broker Zazura entered a pact involving the personal data of all ten hishaku members. This long-awaited revelation finally confirms the group’s exact size.
- Their True Intent: Though still shrouded in mystery, it appears that hishaku’s ultimate goal involves the complete activation of “true” mystical blades—most notably the legendary sword known as “Shinuchi (真打)”—for reasons not yet fully explained.
Key Members of hishaku
Below is a breakdown of the hishaku members mentioned thus far, with references to the chapters where they appear or are discussed
Leader: Yura (幽)
- First Notable Appearance: Volume 2, Chapter 30–31
- Traits: Unidentified age, black spots across his face, calm yet ruthless demeanor, and rumored to possess incredible physical prowess.
- Abilities: Officially unrevealed. However, Yura is shown overwhelming Chihiro in hand-to-hand combat, which suggests lethal skill even without fully deploying his sorcery. He is also linked to “plant-manipulation sorcery” (briefly seen, though not confirmed as his main power).
- Role: As hishaku’s top figure, Yura orchestrated the theft of the youtō swords and Kunishige’s murder. Hints in Chapter 31 imply that he needs the sword “Shinuchi” for his own usage, implying a hidden ambition that may tie into a broader conflict across the nation.
Hiruhiko (昼彦)
- First Notable Appearance: Volume 2, Chapter 52
- Age: 18
- Traits: Pastel-pink hair, naive concept of “friendship” equaling lethal combat.
- Sorcery: Not yet definitively named in earlier chapters, but rumored to involve manipulating paper (referred to as “blood crane” or “折り紙を操る術”).
- Personal Quirk: Obsessed with befriending anyone who has experienced killing, specifically Chihiro. This twisted outlook leads him to see “exchanging deadly blows” as a sign of camaraderie.
“Matsu no Ojisan” (松のおじさん)
- First Notable Appearance: Volume 2, Chapter 54
- Traits: A middle-aged man sporting a noticeable scar over one eye, and a three-strand braided ponytail.
- Sorcery: A powerful wood-manipulation technique—particularly growing massive pine trees (松) at rapid speed, both offensively and defensively.
- Past Crimes: Confirmed to have participated in the Rokuhira household assault (highlighted in Volume 1, Chapter 2), making him one of the most dangerous members from the start.
The Healer
- First Notable Appearance: Volume 2, Chapter 48
- Traits: Covered from the nose down, calm and “logical” in contrast to Hiruhiko’s impulsiveness.
- Sorcery: Healing or reattachment spells—he reconnects severed arms, including those of his comrades, implying advanced knowledge of flesh-manipulation or medical sorcery.
Two Unnamed Accomplices
- Mentioned in: Volume 1, Chapter 2 (Attack on Kunishige’s workshop).
- Characteristics: One appears to be a female sorcerer, another glimpsed only by armor-like footwear. Both remain unidentified in skill and background.
Remaining Four Unknown Members
- Although the group is confirmed to have ten total sorcerers, four remain completely offscreen or shadowy silhouettes. They could emerge as major threats in future story arcs—or face swift elimination given the manga’s intense, high-stakes nature.
The Hand Insignia: Two Flaming Crescents
One detail recurring in Kagurabachi is hishaku members bearing a twin-crescent flame insignia (Monsho, 紋章) on the back of their hands. Mentioned throughout the chapters, this marking grants them an array of teleportation or flame-based vanish tactics—enabling them to appear and disappear at will, and reinforcing their reputation for striking from the shadows.
Their Motives and Relationship with “Devils”
While Kagurabachi does not explicitly use the term “Devils,” the story does revolve around demonic or cursed blades known as “youtō.” Hishaku orchestrated various partnerships (such as the alliance with the weapon merchant Sōjō and the infiltration of black-market auctions like “Rakuzashi”) to further their goals. The ultimate “devilish” aspect may lie in how these sorcerers manipulate or unleash the darkest potential of each stolen youtō. In short, they are entangled with supernatural forces for reasons that remain partially revealed but undeniably sinister.
Do Any hishaku Members Die?
Up to the recent chapters, the series highlights hishaku’s resilience. Some members receive critical injuries (like severed arms) but are resurrected through advanced healing sorcery. Full-on death scenes have been minimal for the main group, suggesting the real confrontation—and possible fatalities—lie ahead in future arcs.
FINAL THOUGHT
I have to admit, every new revelation about hishaku makes me more intrigued. Their ruthless nature, the cryptic hand insignia, and the possibility that they’re steering an entire underworld of yakuza and sorcerers—these elements create a tension I can’t get enough of. I’m both excited and anxious to see how each member’s backstory unfolds and how their fate ties back to Chihiro’s burning desire for revenge.
In summary, Kagurabachi hishaku is a ten-member sorcery syndicate whose actions set the entire narrative in motion by assassinating Chihiro’s father and seizing the mystical swords. Whether it’s Yura’s elusive powers, Hiruhiko’s twisted definition of friendship, or the terrifying implications of the hand insignia, hishaku keeps fans on the edge of their seats. I, for one, can’t wait to see how each new chapter peels back more layers of this deeply complex group.
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