Latest Kagurabachi chapter shows Hokaxono might be going down Akutami's path

The latest chapter of Kagurabachi has sparked intense debate across the manga community, not only for its gripping developments but also for what it reveals about author Takeru Hokazono’s current state. Kagurabachi Chapter 95 dropped this week on Viz, and while it delivered some of the series’ strongest emotional and philosophical writing to date, fans couldn’t ignore the rough, unfinished art that filled several panels.

It’s clear that Hokazono, like Jujutsu Kaisen creator Gege Akutami before him, is starting to bear the weight of Weekly Shonen Jump’s unforgiving schedule, and readers are growing increasingly concerned. When readers first opened the new chapter, it was immediately obvious that Hokazono’s normally polished art had taken a hit.

Many panels appeared sketch-like, missing details or line refinements, and the heavy shading that usually defines Kagurabachi’s dark tone was notably lighter in spots. But instead of frustration, most fans expressed sympathy.

Moreover, the comparison to Gege Akutami is almost unavoidable. Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen chapters have gone through similar phases, rushed lines, half-finished backgrounds, and visible exhaustion in the storytelling rhythm. In both cases, readers can sense that these creators are being stretched thin.

Weekly serialization, combined with color spreads, anniversary events, and collaborations, has taken a toll on even the most talented mangaka. Hokazono, who also produced new cover illustrations and multiple promo pieces this month, seems to be trapped in the same endless grind that once drove Akutami to take health breaks.

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The latest chapter of Kagurabachi thrives despite its exhaustion

Yet, even through the sketchiness, Kagurabachi Chapter 95 remains one of the most engaging installments in recent memory. The story opens with Hassin explaining the deep history of sorcery families like the Sazanami clan, revealing how their control of forbidden arts before the Sea Thai War still influences modern conflicts.

This exposition-heavy segment grounds the manga’s worldbuilding in political realism, echoing how Jujutsu Kaisen explored the corruption of jujutsu society. Hokazono’s ability to intertwine moral questions about control and freedom shows why his series has been hailed as one of Jump’s most sophisticated dark fantasies.

But where the chapter truly shines is in its philosophical clash between Hassin and Ashiki over the Shinushi, an enchanted blade carrying a malediction from the war. Hassin argues that humanity’s only path forward lies in controlling sorcery through centralized authority, while Ashiki fears repeating the past’s mistakes. Their debate mirrors the kind of thematic weight seen in Akutami’s writing, where the burden of power and consequence always looms.

Ironically, the very roughness of the art almost amplifies this tension. The fragmented, unfinished strokes around Azami’s scenes, particularly during his confrontation with Yura, evoke chaos and instability. Fans online even noted that the “sketchy look suits Azami’s craziness,” turning what should have been a production weakness into an aesthetic advantage. It’s as if Hokazono’s exhaustion seeped into the panels, transforming fatigue into raw emotion.

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Fans rally behind Hokazono

The reaction from fans has been overwhelmingly compassionate. Others drew parallels to Jujutsu Kaisen’s arc, arguing that when an artist’s exhaustion becomes part of the story’s tone, it can create an unsettling, authentic beauty.

Still, the concern is undeniable. Hokazono has reportedly been handling multiple responsibilities beyond his weekly chapters, color pages, card game collaborations, and anniversary promotions with no major break since early serialization. Many fans pointed out that even mangaka veterans like Eiichiro Oda and Akutami have taken rest periods after showing similar signs of strain.

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A chapter that mirrors its creator

Thematically, Chapter 95 couldn’t have come at a more symbolic time. Much like its exhausted creator, the narrative itself revolves around the weight of responsibility and the cost of maintaining control.

Kaisen’s shocking revelation as the Kabonabi’s secret leader mirrors Hokazono’s own struggle to “control” the narrative despite creative exhaustion. Meanwhile, Azami’s manic determination and Yura’s descent into obsession mirror the destructive passion that fuels many real-world artists.

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Final thoughts

The latest chapter of Kagurabachi is messy, frantic beauty only underscores how much pressure he’s under, and how vital it is for Shueisha to protect one of their most promising young talents before exhaustion turns brilliance into tragedy.

Until then, Kagurabachi continues to deliver both stunning storytelling and an unintentional glimpse into the harsh reality behind the pages, a work of art born from both genius and fatigue.