With the highly anticipated Kagurabachi anime adaptation gearing up for its global rollout, voice actor Taihi Kimura has been touring convention stages worldwide to share insights into portraying the vengeful protagonist, Chihiro Rokuhira. During recent stops on the world tour, fans were treated to an exclusive twenty-minute preview of the series.
Reflecting on the unique atmosphere of the franchise, Kimura spoke about the distinct blend of traditional Japanese swordsmithing and gritty modern action. “In their world, Japan is a katana society, and there is a ‘cool Japan’ inside of it,” Kimura noted, highlighting the mysterious and striking aesthetic of the setting.
Finding Chihiro’s Voice
Balancing the heavy emotional trauma and quiet composure of an eighteen-year-old warrior presented a fascinating challenge for the lead voice actor. Kimura emphasized the importance of keeping Chihiro grounded in his youth despite the profound tragedies he has endured.
Chihiro’s not so talkative, but he looks older and is so strong. He has the peculiar experience of losing his father right in front of his eyes... I valued that he was still an eighteen-year-old boy.
Taihi Kimura, Voice of Chihiro
The narrative weight stems heavily from the formative years before tragedy struck. Recording the earlier, peaceful scenes where a fifteen-year-old Chihiro lived alongside his father provided essential emotional context that echoes throughout the entire vengeance-driven journey.
A Coming-of-Age Story
While the promotional material highlights relentless sword fights and supernatural katana blades, Kimura stresses that the core appeal lies in character growth. Rather than acting as a cold instrument of death, Chihiro retains his humanity and navigates a complex emotional landscape.
As the April 2027 premiere window approaches, international fans can look forward to streaming the series worldwide outside of select Asian territories via Crunchyroll.
