While often not appreciated enough for their efforts, it is a fact that the anime industry would not be the giant of entertainment it is today without the studios behind fans’ most beloved shows. It is thanks to the teams working hard behind the scenes that each season audiences can enjoy new entries of their favorite series or, in this case, an entirely new franchise.
With the upcoming release of what promises to be another addition to the list of the best Shonen in history, it seems appropriate to learn more about the studio working on this project: CyPic Inc. This great company is currently adapting one of the most successful manga of the last decade, and based on their previous works, fans will want to keep an eye on what they have prepared for 2027.
What is CyPic Inc.?
Although not as popular as some of the best and most famous studios in the anime industry, CyPic Inc. has established itself over the years as a top contender thanks to its fluid animation and engaging storytelling. Founded by the mobile gaming giant, Cygames Inc., this subsidiary was founded in 2015 as a way for the parent company to adapt its properties into an anime format, a decision that would prove extremely successful in the near future. Since then, the studio has worked hard to bring some of the most popular mobile games in Japan to life.
It is no secret to anime fans that the industry is plagued with issues that can greatly harm the health of its workers, with the animators being the main victims of this epidemic. With the massive boom this medium has had overseas during the last couple of decades, the workload for big studios, which have accustomed audiences to constant releases, has become almost unbearable. CyPic Inc. has gained quite a positive reputation among audiences due to its significantly superior work-life balance. While this means the shows under their supervision take longer, it also gives the animators better working conditions.
Over the years, CyPic has managed to attract millions of fans thanks to its high-quality animation, a result of its unlimited-budget policy. Several of the shows produced by this company have become major successes during their time on air, enchanting followers of the IPs adapted onto the small screen and allowing new fans to discover the vast and fantastical world these shows take place in. Despite most of their works revolving around the world of mobile gaming, there has been a shift in recent years, as the company has placed its interest in popular and emerging manga.
What Projects is CyPic Known For?
Since its origins, CyPic Inc. has stood out among other anime studios thanks to its adaptations of massively popular mobile games. Their most popular classics include the 2023 IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls U149, as well as most of the Umamusume: Pretty Derby franchise, games that were already extremely successful with anime fans due to their unique aesthetics and gameplay. These shows perfectly captured theessence of these popular franchises, making them a great treat for the fanbase, who greatly appreciated the efforts.
In July 2025, the company would dive fully into the world of manga adaptations by bringing to life one of the best psychological horror stories of modern times: The Summer Hikaru Died. This intriguing and unsettling story about a young boy whose best friend was one day replaced by an unknown entity was greatly received by both audiences and critics alike. The studio was able to translate the unnerving feeling that manga readers had while unraveling the mystery behind Hikaru’s possession, albeit with an unexpected anime-only ending that was highly divisive.
On April 27, 2026, CyPic surprised audiences worldwide once again by announcing their next venture into the world of manga adaptations. A large portion of their audience expected a new mobile-game-inspired series to follow after the experimental period of The Summer Hikaru Died. Yet, the company caught them by surprise by revealing that they would be partnering with Shueisha and the Shonen Jump Magazine to animate the beloved Kagurabachi series into an anime. This project is set for release in April 2027, although a set date has yet to be announced.
What is Kagurabachi?
Released back in 2023, a time during which many of Shonen Jump’s best-selling modern manga were nearing their close, Kagurabachi is an action-packed, dark fantasy manga that took the world by storm. The story follows a young swordsman named Chihiro Rokuhira, who embarks on a bloody vengeance quest after the death of his father, a famed swordsmith, at the hands of a criminal organization. Unlike many other Shonen Jump titles, this series differentiates itself by its violent content, with the protagonist not following the same set of morals as most other protagonists.
Chihiro does not waste time on unnecessary battles, preferring to end opponents as quickly as possible instead of dragging a fight for several chapters. The series is also known for seamlessly incorporating supernatural elements, with the protagonist not only wielding and looking for stolen cursed weapons but also a complex and impressive power system that has been well received by readers. The series is still ongoing and has become one of the most read modern manga worldwide, filling the space left by My Hero Academia after its recent ending.
Why is Kagurabachi so Popular?
When the Kagurabachi manga was first announced, audiences were quick to notice how much more violent and gritty this series promised to be when compared to other popular titles. While the Shonen Jump Magazine is no stranger to graphic content and dark storytelling, Takeru Hokazono’s work was several degrees more explicit than its peers. This caused the series to gain popularity as a meme, with fans ironically claiming it would become one of the best Shonen ever created, spreading news about its release faster than normal.
When the series was first published, audiences realized that Kagurabachi was far more than just a hyped-up meme. It was a genuinely enjoyable manga, with an endearing cast and a story that left readers wanting more. It quickly became one of the most dominant titles in Japan, as well as overseas, where many fans have called it one of the best modern action manga. The announcement of CyPic’s anime adaptation was met with overwhelming excitement, even though there were several concerns about this particular studio being in charge of production.
Kagurabachi’s Adaptation Will Likely Be CyPic’s Biggest Challenge
Despite CyPic’s opinion among anime fans leaning more towards the positive, there is no denying that the announcement of the Kagurabachi anime adaptation caused many divided opinions. Though a large portion of the fandom decided to support the company and wait until the final product is released to level their criticisms, several others were understandably worried. Although examples are limited, there have been more than one occasion in which smaller studios did not deliver on the promises made when adapting highly popular franchises.
One of the biggest examples is the infamous Pupa, an anime so bad that it ended up becoming a beloved cult classic. This series was produced by Studio Deen, which at the time of release, in 2014, was significantly smaller than it is today. Studio NEXUS also had a similar case recently, with the rushed release of The Eminence in Shadow season 2. The first entry in this hilarious satire anime was widely regarded as a truly enjoyable time with virtually no flaws, which cannot be said of its immediate continuation.
It is understandable for some fans to find the idea of a studio without the reputation and achievements of the industry’s giants to be in charge of such an anticipated adaptation. Fortunately, the official trailer for this upcoming series has proven that the team is putting the appropriate amount of care and attention to detail needed for this show to triumph. Still, since this will likely be the show that will bring either extremely positive or negative opinions to CyPic, it is likely that the company will do its best to create an adaptation fans will enjoy.
CyPic’s Previous Works Point to Them Being the Right Choice
Despite the concerns voiced by audiences coming from a valid fear of disappointment, a look back at the anime released by CyPic in the past is more than enough to reassure those who are still restless. Being a subsidiary of an already prolific mobile games company, the studio has a much more informed idea of what audiences want, both in terms of animation and loyalty to the source material. Their previous works with franchises like Umamusume: Pretty Derby prove they can turn canon material into a new medium without any issues.
The Summer Hikaru Died is an example of them taking a much riskier approach, particularly with the finale, which completely deviated from the ongoing manga. Regardless of this, there was not as much outrage at this decision as with other shows that took a similar decision, as the anime did end appropriately, respecting the character traits and atmosphere of the original story. Overall, while there is no guarantee of how good the Kagurabachi anime will be, there are many pieces of evidence that can be helpful in calming fans’ worries down.