The MCU’s critically acclaimed action espionage thriller inspired one of the biggest recent hits in Shonen Jump‘s history. Takeru Hokazono, the author and illustrator of Kagurabachi, revealed his big-screen influence for the Shonen Jump action series at Anime NYC 2025, taking place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

At the Kagurabachi Panel at Anime NYC, held on Saturday, August 23, Hokazono revealed Captain America: The Winter Soldier was a significant influence on his work. The 2014 Captain America sequel reintroduced Bucky Barnes as a brainwashed assassin being used for political gain. However, Captain America’s mission to save his former friend unravels a far grander conspiracy within the United States. The Winter Soldier was the first MCU movie directed by Anthony J. Russo and Joseph Vincent Russo, who would go on to direct Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame. The Russo Brothers are currently filming Avengers: Doomsday, which is set to be released on Dec. 18, 2026.

How Marvel’s The Winter Soldier Inspired Kagurabachi’s Iconic Villain

Captain America: The Winter Soldier had a strong influence on the design of Genichi Sojo, the first serious antagonist in Kagurabachi. Sojo, an arms dealer in Japan’s criminal underworld, has the same messy, goth-like look to him as Bucky in his Winter Soldier outfit — in particular, the black makeup around the eyes.

Previously, Hono discussed the surprising influences on his hit Shonen Jump manga — many of which have been drawn from American pop culture. “I’ve always loved Marvel superhero movies,” Hokazono said in May 2024. “They’re cool and exciting. That initial impression has always been strong. The things like Marvel and Naruto that I’ve been exposed to since childhood, I’ve been so engrossed in watching them that I’ve never really thought about what’s good about them. They’re already part of me. But Kagurabachi is probably influenced by movies like John Wick that I watched after Enten. I mainly watch Western movies, and directors like Quentin Tarantino, David Fincher, and Christopher Nolan. I think the pacing of the panels is influenced by Tarantino.” He also cited the PlayStation game Ghost of Tsushima as a major influence on Kagurabachi‘s depiction of a feudal-like Japan in modern times.

When Hokazono was asked if there was a moment in Kagurabachi that had him nervous about how fans would react to it, he said the fight between Chihiro Rokuhira and Sojo, because the battles between the Enten and Youtous are meant to be larger-than-life, making them intimidating to produce. Despite the tall order, Hokazono also said his favorite moment in Kagurabachi so far is the Chihiro vs. Sojo fight, as well as the Chihiro and Hakuri Sazanami vs. Kyora fight.

New and previous chapters of Kagurabachi can be read digitally on the Viz Media and Manga Plus apps. The series initially gained fame as an online joke due to its lead’s deadpan expressions, causing ironic fans to crown Kagurabachi the “Morbius of Manga.” However, as Kagurabachi progressed, online reaction transitioned from ironic love to sincere appreciation for the new action series. Kagurabachi is now seen as one of Shonen Jump‘s strongest heavy-hitters, dubbed by the magazine as one of the “New Power Generation.” An anime adaptation of Kagurabachi has yet to be announced, but it’s one of the most requested anime adaptations by Shonen Jump readers today.