Note: The following review of Kagurabachi chapter 64 will contain spoilers. I suggest you read the chapter on MangaPlus or Viz before proceeding any further!!
In Kagurabachi Chapter 67, the stage was set for a collision of wills and a redefinition of personal mastery. While in Chapter 64 Chihiro had embarked on a journey to refine his swordsmanship, the latest installment shifted its focus to Hiruhiko’s parallel path of growth.
That was not the only key development in the chapter; we also witnessed the decision Iori ultimately made.
Hokazono once again employed his signature aura-farming artistry for Chihiro—which, by now, was no surprise. We had been treated to outstanding panels almost every chapter, a clear sign that the author was spoiling us with these peak moments.
With all that in mind, let us dive into the review and analysis of Kagurabachi Chapter 67.
The Duel: Hiruhiko vs. Sengoku Yojiro
Chapter 67 began with the riveting showdown in the Kyoto Bloodshed Hotel—picking up right where the previous chapter left off. Hiruhiko, donning the blood-soaked hairpin, engages Sengoku in a deadly dance.
Now, Sengoku Yojiro had been introduced as the formidable head of a safehouse in Kyoto and a master of the Reigen One-Sword style. He was alluded to as a veteran swordsman whose reputation had been built on both leadership and precision.
However, despite his formidable skills and the weight of his status, Hiruhiko managed to overcome him without any major difficulties. True, he did have his eureka moment during the fight- but that didn’t exactly count.
The way I saw it, this battle was more than just a physical contest—it was a statement. Hiruhiko’s victory, achieved without the crutch of sorcery, mirrored the astonishing speed at which Chihiro once mastered the Iai White Purity style merely by observing Samura.
Both characters, though coming from vastly different backgrounds, demonstrated an innate ability to learn and adapt on the fly.
On top of that, there was Hiruhiko’s declaration that he followed no master but only the discipline of “freedom.” Taken together, these elements made it clear that Hokazono was setting him on equal footing with Chihiro. So, eventually, when they came face to face at the end of the chapter, I couldn’t help but admire how crucial that duel would be narratively for these two characters.
Both of them had grown, improved, and had their worldviews questioned since they last met—perhaps Chihiro even more so than Hiruhiko. Yet, the groundwork laid for this fight spoke volumes about Hokazono’s storytelling, and I truly appreciated that.
Despite this impressive display, there remained a nagging issue: the narrative’s tendency to have enemies fall quickly, whether it was Sojo or major events like Rakuzaichi.
While Chihiro was usually the one overcoming adversaries, it was Hiruhiko who displayed immense growth here—following the shonen cliché—by defeating an opponent who could have played a slightly more important role. I feel that this is an area where Kagurabachi might yet tighten its pacing.
Iori’s Crucial Decision
Parallel to Hiruhiko’s duel, the chapter took a quieter but equally significant turn with Iori’s personal decision. Awakening under Chihiro’s vigilant guard at the Kyoto Bloodshed Hotel, Iori faced a crossroads.
And surprisingly, she chose to go back to school – agreeing to seal her memories away. For me, this translated to taking the easy way out.
Her choice to return to school is, on the surface, a surprising departure from the expected shonen narrative of taking the “thorny” path laden with sacrifice and strife. However, it underscores a thematic divide which was evident from the conversation Iori had with Chihiro.
Even if she wished to hold on to the memory of her father, she isn’t cut out for the harsh, unforgiving life that Chihiro and the others have been long immersed in. Iori revealed the decision she made after witnessing the horrific scene of Chihiro killing a lot of people.
Scum though they might be, the sight of watching someone being hacked down in cold blood is bound to shake you. So, it is understandable if that played into her decision somehow.
By choosing normalcy, Iori would effectively step away from the dark, violent reality which is being explored in the story right now. That makes me wonder if Hokazono is keeping the option of writing her out of the central conflict open.
Yet, I have a gut feeling that witnessing Chihiro’s willingness to put his life on the line for her might eventually sway her perspective—or perhaps disrupt plans to seal her memories as intended. Fair warning – My gut instincts have often turned out to be hilariously wrong.
In any case, I’m hoping that Iori’s arc turns out to be more complex than expected in the future chapters. As a character, she has a lot to offer to the story in my opinion. And she is a perfect foil to someone like Chihiro – so we might get to see some amazing character development, as our protagonist realizes what he has missed out on.
I believe we were about to see something of the sort – with Chihiro talking about himself – before we got cut off by the small fry who were here to capture Iori.
And it is easy to guess what followed. Peak panels of Chihiro aura-farming.
Perhaps the most memorable of all is the final panel of Chapter 67: Hiruhiko, emerging from the hotel elevator clutching Yojiro’s severed head, ready to face off against Chihiro.
This scene probably captures the essence of the battle that is yet to come quite well. So as Hokazono once again leaves us on a high, we are all left waiting for the memorable fight that we might witness in the next chapter.
However, my question remains. Hiruhiko has gone through some fantastic character development. If he indeed does face off against Chihiro, will we lose him soon? Or will he somehow prevail?