Shonen Jump’s New Fantasy Isn’t Its Greatest (But I Can’t Stop Reading It)

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Jun Harukawa’s “Kaedegami” is currently holding its ground, and I don’t intend to stop reading it. Since its remarkable debut in “Weekly Shonen Jump” in June 2025, “Kaedegami” has released seven chapters, placing it as the 15th most popular series on MangaPlus, following other newer series such as “Ichi the Witch”, “Centurion”, and “Drama Queen”. In contrast, within the “WSJ” table of contents, it consistently ranks higher than other new serializations like “Ping-Pong Peril!” and “Ekkiden Bros”, according to Jajanken, a reliable gauge of a manga’s popularity.

When you look beyond the surface, it’s clear that Kaedegami is merely okay: an achievement worth noting in a place where the elite are as discerning as its audience. However, this doesn’t typically hold my interest. Yet, I find myself continuing to follow Kaedegami for these reasons.

Kaedegami Feels Made for Success

From my perspective as an avid manga fan, Kaedegami seems to be skillfully blending elements from Demon Slayer and Dororo in a captivating narrative. It boasts a historical backdrop, a heartwarming camaraderie between the two principal characters, and a shared objective of healing – all proven crowd-pleasers.

At its core, Kaedegami is meticulously crafted: the artwork is breathtakingly beautiful, the dialogue crisp and concise, and the villains intriguing to follow. What truly matters in a story, after all, is the thrill it provides, and Kaedegami delivers on that promise.

The community has raved about its straightforward plotline and enticing introduction, with its opening chapter being hailed as one of the strongest debuts among contemporary manga releases. In essence, Kaedegami appears to be a promising addition to the genre, and I can’t wait to see where it takes us next!

Kaedegami’s realm teems with entities known as Shenguai, and the main character, Kou, is a fosterling brought up by the war god of Shenguai, Chiyou. It seems that the “past shrouded in tragedy” mentioned in MangaPlus’s synopsis becomes apparent here. In his initial conflict, Kou was ridiculed by an adversarial Shenguai who insinuated that Chiyou was merely preparing him to inhabit her own body. Later on, it is disclosed that Chiyou had lost her entire physical form, and she often selects humans as containers for herself.

if Kou dies, so will Chiyou. Having vanquished the initial formidable foe and regaining Chiyou’s visage during the process, Kou and Chiyou then commence a journey to retrieve the remainder of her body. Along the way, they encounter challenges posed by Shenguai, appreciate the landscapes, and share moments of joy together.

Kaedegami Still Isn’t Perfect

In my perspective, the resemblance between “Kaedegami” and both “Dororo” and “Demon Slayer” is undeniable yet intriguing. It’s a double-edged sword, having its merits as well as drawbacks. They all share the distinction of being anime adaptations that surpass their manga counterparts significantly. If “Kaedegami” ever makes the leap to animation, it might face the same fate. Nonetheless, I say let each story find its own path. For me, “Kaedegami” doesn’t need to be a groundbreaking, genre-defining narrative to be enjoyable; it simply needs to be entertaining.

Although Kaedegami is currently holding its own, it’s still teetering precariously near the risky edge, and its most recent installment showed a decline in its Table of Contents ranking. To put it simply, Kaedegami faces two significant challenges that I find particularly notable.

In a simpler and more natural way of expression, the text could be rephrased as follows:

The main aspect that sets shows like Demon Slayer or Dororo apart from Kaedegami is the depth of their central relationships. For instance, the bonds between Tanjiro and Nezuko in Demon Slayer, and Dororo and Hyakkimaru in Dororo, are more developed compared to Chiyou and Kou in Kaedegami. Although the series is still in its early stages, Kou’s relationship with Chiyou seems less substantial, and despite his charming personality, he lacks the depth expected of a main protagonist. Yes, Chiyou has taken Kou under her wing, and yes, Kou feels deeply grateful to her. However, their bond doesn’t resonate as strongly as the sibling dynamic in Demon Slayer, nor does it have the clear sociopolitical context found in Dororo. Their relationship could benefit from more development and a richer context, but Kaedegami’s fast-paced narrative struggles to deliver that depth.

The second aspect I’d like to discuss is the fight scenes. Harukawa’s portrayal of combat in the manga leaves much to be desired. For the first time, we’ve finally seen a full-blown battle in recent chapters, but unfortunately, it falls short in several areas – clarity, panel organization, and overall understanding are all lacking. While the actual events within these battles can be intriguing, and the evolving dynamics between the main characters are enjoyable to observe, the confusing fights only add to the disappointment.

The Big Reason I’m Still Sticking With Kaedegami

If the series “Kaedegami” were to be discontinued, I suspect it might be due to its problematic pacing leading to muddled storytelling and perplexing battles. During my research for this article, I noticed that many readers of the manga share similar concerns about these elements. However, I believe it’s more probable that it will somehow continue and ultimately produce an anime. Oddly enough, this possibility is almost unsettling to me.

As an observer, I find that Kaedegami masterfully infuses its female protagonist with a striking, Demon Slayer-esque allure. Despite the chaotic nature of its battles, they’re artfully choreographed for maximum visual impact. The environmental design and attention to detail are nothing short of breathtaking, promising an even more stunning presentation in adaptation. Essentially, Kaedegami offers a captivating blend of sensuality, pulse-pounding action, and visually striking settings – the perfect ingredients for an aesthetic feast. At its heart, it’s a cinematic experience that leaves a lasting impression.

As a die-hard fan, I must confess that Kaedegami has given me an unexpected concern – a nagging fear that the immense success of Demon Slayer might have established a new norm in manga storytelling. You see, it seems that some mangas are relying on the promise of an impressive anime adaptation to captivate audiences with stunning visuals, potentially overshadowing the importance of strong narrative and writing. In simpler terms, it’s like they’re banking on style over substance.

Now, I enjoyed reading Demon Slayer and Kaedegami, but neither truly stood out as exceptional works in the realm of manga. That’s partly why the extraordinary anime adaptation of Demon Slayer came as such a pleasant surprise when it first emerged.

Although some might argue that Kaedegami has its flaws, I personally hope otherwise. While there is room for improvement in the fight choreography by taking fan feedback into account, I believe that this manga has a strong foundation and plenty of potential to develop its own unique narrative. As an ardent Naruto fan, I can attest to the fact that problematic storytelling can often be overlooked, especially when it’s evident that efforts are being made to improve. In recent chapters, there have even been signs of tightening up. I am genuinely excited to see where Kaedegami is headed and what it will become as a story.

It’s so entertaining that I’m more than happy to dedicate as much time as needed to finish it. To put it simply, even if it’s not among the best Shonen Jump series, Kaedegami is still a delight to read and deserves your attention. Despite having difficulty relating to its plot, I find myself continuing to read because I’m hopeful. On one side, I continue reading with the hope that it will disprove my concerns about relying more on future style than current content. On the other hand, I keep reading because I want Kaedegami to prove me wrong and show me its substance now.

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2025-08-09 18:11