Akame ga Kill!

{{Short description|Japanese manga series by Takahiro and Tetsuya Tashiro}}

{{Infobox animanga/Header

| image = Akame ga Kill volume 1 cover.jpg

| caption = First {{Transliteration|ja|tankōbon}} volume cover featuring Akame

| ja_kanji = アカメが斬る!

| ja_romaji = Akame ga Kiru!

| genre = Action, dark fantasy

}}

{{Infobox animanga/Print

| type = manga

| author = Takahiro

| illustrator = Tetsuya Tashiro

| publisher = Square Enix

| publisher_en = {{English manga publisher|NA=Yen Press}}

| demographic = {{Transliteration|ja|Shōnen}}

| imprint = GC Joker

| magazine = Monthly Gangan Joker

| first = March 20, 2010

| last = December 22, 2016

| volumes = 15

| volume_list = List of Akame ga Kill! chapters

}}

{{Infobox animanga/Print

| type = manga

| title = Akame ga Kill! Zero

| author = Takahiro

| illustrator = Kei Toru

| publisher = Square Enix

| publisher_en = {{English manga publisher|NA =Yen Press}}

| demographic = {{Transliteration|ja|Seinen}}

| imprint =

| magazine = Monthly Big Gangan

| first = October 25, 2013

| last = January 25, 2019

| volumes = 10

| volume_list = List of Akame ga Kill! chapters#Akame ga Kill! Zero

}}

{{Infobox animanga/Video

| type = TV series

| director = Tomoki Kobayashi

| producer = Square Enix

| writer = Makoto Uezu

| music = Taku Iwasaki

| studio = {{ubl|White Fox|C-Station (AkaKill! Theater)}}

| licensee = {{English anime licensee

|AUS = Hanabee

|NA = Sentai Filmworks

|UK = Anime Limited

|SA/SEA|Medialink

}}

| network = Tokyo MX, MBS, BS11, AT-X

| network_en = {{English anime network|NA= Anime Network|US= Adult Swim (Toonami)}}

| first = July 7, 2014

| last = December 15, 2014

| episodes = 24

| episode_list = List of Akame ga Kill! episodes

}}

{{Infobox animanga/Print

| type = manga

| title = Hinowa ga Crush!

| author = Takahiro

| illustrator = Strelka

| publisher = Square Enix

| publisher_en = {{English manga publisher|NA =Yen Press}}

| demographic = {{Transliteration|ja|Seinen}}

| imprint =

| magazine = Monthly Big Gangan

| first = June 24, 2017

| last = June 24, 2022

| volumes = 8

| volume_list = List of Akame ga Kill! chapters#Hinowa ga Crush!

}}

{{nihongo|Akame ga Kill!|アカメが斬る!|Akame ga Kiru!|lead=yes}}{{efn|In Japanese, {{nihongo|kiru|斬る}} is a verb that means "to kill (a human) using a sword". Therefore, the title of the manga can be translated as "Akame Kills (by Slashing)!"}} is a Japanese manga series written by Takahiro and illustrated by Tetsuya Tashiro. It was serialized in Square Enix's Monthly Gangan Joker from March 2010 to December 2016, with its chapters collected in 15 {{Transliteration|ja|tankōbon}} volumes. The story focuses on Tatsumi, a young villager who travels to the Capital to raise money for his home only to discover strong corruption in the area. The assassin group known as Night Raid recruits the young man to help them in their fight against the corrupt Empire.

A 24-episode anime television series adaptation, animated by White Fox, was broadcast from July to December 2014. A prequel manga series, titled Akame ga Kill! Zero, illustrated by Kei Toru, was serialized in Square Enix's Monthly Big Gangan from October 2013 to January 2019, with its chapters collected in ten {{Transliteration|ja|tankōbon}} volumes. A spin-off manga series, titled Hinowa ga Crush!, illustrated by Strelka, was serialized in Monthly Big Gangan from June 2017 to June 2022, with its chapters collected in eight {{Transliteration|ja|tankōbon}} volumes. In North America, the three manga series were licensed by Yen Press. The anime series was licensed by Sentai Filmworks.

By September 2020, the overall manga series had over 4.1 million copies in circulation.

Plot

{{see also|List of Akame ga Kill! characters{{!}}List of Akame ga Kill! characters}}

Tatsumi is a young warrior who travels to the Capital with his childhood friends, Ieyasu and Sayo, seeking funds to aid his impoverished village. After bandits attack their group, Tatsumi is separated from his companions. Upon reaching the Capital, he fails to enlist in the military and is deceived out of his money. A noble family offers him shelter, but he soon discovers their cruel intentions when the assassination group Night Raid intervenes, revealing that his hosts had already tortured and murdered his friends. Joining Night Raid, Tatsumi fights alongside its members: the skilled swordswoman Akame, the beast-like brawler Leone, the sharpshooter Mine, the scissor-wielding Sheele, the string manipulator Lubbock, the armored warrior Bulat, and their leader Najenda, a former imperial general. The group serves the revolutionary army, which seeks to overthrow Prime Minister Honest, who exploits the young emperor's authority while the nation crumbles under corruption and suffering.

Night Raid wields {{Nihongo|Teigu|帝具||anime: Imperial Arms}}, legendary weapons forged centuries ago from rare materials and the remains of mythical creatures known as {{Nihongo|Danger Beasts|危険種|kikenshu}}. The Teigu's power is immense, with a fatal outcome inevitable when two users clash. Despite their successes, Night Raid suffers losses—Sheele falls to the capital enforcer Seryu, and Bulat perishes against the imperial general Esdeath and her elite squad. Tatsumi inherits Bulat's Teigu, Incursio, while Esdeath replaces her fallen subordinates with the Jaegers, a team of Teigu-wielding warriors that includes Akame's sister, Kurome. As the revolution intensifies, Honest forms the brutal Wild Hunt, led by his son Syura, whose atrocities provoke both Night Raid and the Jaegers. After Syura's death at Lubbock's hands, Esdeath forces Honest to disband Wild Hunt. Tatsumi, captured and sentenced to execution, is rescued by Night Raid, though Lubbock dies in the attempt. During the escape, Tatsumi's Teigu undergoes a dangerous transformation, awakening the dormant Danger Beast within Incursio. A doctor warns that further use will eventually consume him.

With the revolution reaching its climax, Night Raid eliminates Honest's remaining allies while Akame confronts the empire's strongest generals. Wave intervenes in Akame and Kurome's duel, destroying Kurome's Teigu and allowing them to escape together. Meanwhile, Esdeath mobilizes the imperial forces against the revolutionaries. Desperate, Honest manipulates the emperor into wielding his family's Teigu, which he rigs to go berserk. Tatsumi, in his final transformation, defeats the emperor's weapon with Wave's aid but succumbs to Incursio's curse. Begging Akame to kill him before he loses control, she instead severs the Danger Beast's soul, sparing his life. Esdeath, defeated, takes her own life, lamenting her unrequited feelings for Tatsumi.

Leone, mortally wounded, fuses with her Teigu's remnants to capture Honest before dying. The tyrant is later executed, and the emperor accepts responsibility for his inaction. With the war over, Najenda leads the nation's reconstruction. Tatsumi, permanently transformed, retreats to an island with Mine, who bears their child. Kurome and Wave start anew, though both carry scars from their battles. Akame departs to seek a cure for the lingering effects of her cursed blade, reflecting on her comrades and the hope that they may one day reunite.

Conception

In 2007, Takahiro was asked to do a manga for Square Enix magazine. He originally came up with the idea of an "all-female band of assassins, and the protagonist is a boy who is captured by them and has to work for them". After his editor approved the idea, he waited on serialization until his visual novel studio, {{ill|Minato Soft|ja|みなとそふと}}, had stabilized and released two other titles; during which he developed the characters, story and world. In August 2009, following the release of Majikoi ~ Oh! Samurai Girls, Takahiro looked for an artist for the serialization, and recruited Tetsuya Tashiro to do the illustrations. He liked Tashiro's ability to draw fast paced action scenes and that he can draw cute girls.{{Ref|Chapter|Vol. 1 postscript}} In developing a chapter, Takahiro would write the script first and then have Tashiro determine the panel layout. Takahiro would occasionally get feedback on plot ideas from Tashiro and his editor.{{Ref|Chapter|Vol. 2 postscript}}

Media

=Manga=

{{main|List of Akame ga Kill! chapters{{!}}List of Akame ga Kill! chapters}}

Written by Takahiro and illustrated by Tetsuya Tashiro, Akame ga Kill! was serialized in Square Enix's Shōnen manga magazine Gangan Joker from March 20, 2010{{cite web|script-title=ja:ガンガンJOKER 2010年4月号|url=https://www.neowing.co.jp/product/NEOBK-1187847|website=Neowing|access-date=May 18, 2022|language=ja|archive-date=January 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115182829/https://www.neowing.co.jp/product/NEOBK-1187847|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.jp.square-enix.com/magazine/joker/special/comment/201003.html|script-title=ja:JOKER執筆陣コメント - スペシャル - ガンガンJOKER -SQUARE ENIX|website=Square Enix|language=ja|access-date=February 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502084824/http://www.jp.square-enix.com/magazine/joker/special/comment/201003.html|archive-date=May 2, 2016|url-status=dead }} to December 22, 2016.{{cite web|last=Sherman|first=Jennifer|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2016-10-29/akame-ga-kill-manga-ends-on-december-22/.108051|title=Akame ga Kill Manga Ends on December 22|date=October 29, 2016|website=Anime News Network|access-date=October 29, 2016|archive-date=October 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029161203/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2016-10-29/akame-ga-kill-manga-ends-on-december-22/.108051|url-status=live}} Its chapters were collected in fifteen {{Transliteration|ja|tankōbon}} volumes, released from August 21, 2010{{cite web|url=http://www.jp.square-enix.com/magazine/top/introduction/detail/9784757529809.html|script-title=ja:アカメが斬る! 1巻|publisher=Square Enix|language=ja|access-date=February 2, 2014|archive-date=July 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723051347/http://www.jp.square-enix.com/magazine/top/introduction/detail/9784757529809.html|url-status=live}} to February 22, 2017.{{cite web|last=Pineda|first=Rafael Antonio|title=Akame ga Kill! Manga Ends in 15th Volume|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-08-22/akame-ga-kill-manga-ends-in-15th-volume/.105628|website=Anime News Network|access-date=February 24, 2020|date=August 22, 2016|archive-date=May 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520074244/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-08-22/akame-ga-kill-manga-ends-in-15th-volume/.105628|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.jp.square-enix.com/magazine/top/introduction/detail/9784757552494.html|script-title=ja:アカメが斬る！ 15巻（完）|publisher=Square Enix|access-date=February 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223043616/http://www.jp.square-enix.com/magazine/top/introduction/detail/9784757552494.html|archive-date=February 23, 2017|language=ja}} On August 25, 2017, it was announced that volume 1.5 of the manga, previously included with anime's home video release, would be published as a standalone volume.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-08-28/akame-ga-kill-manga-volume-1.5-gets-separate-release-on-december-25/.120651|title=Akame ga Kill Manga's Volume 1.5 Gets Separate Release on December 25|last=Ressler|first=Karen|date=August 28, 2017|website=Anime News Network|access-date=July 16, 2018|archive-date=July 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716194724/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-08-28/akame-ga-kill-manga-volume-1.5-gets-separate-release-on-december-25/.120651|url-status=live}} The manga was licensed by Yen Press in June 2014 and the volumes were released from January 20, 2015 to July 24, 2018.{{cite web|author=Steph|url=http://www.yenpress.com/2014/06/new-license-announcements-2/|title=New License Announcements|publisher=Yen Press|date=June 13, 2014|access-date=June 13, 2014|archive-date=September 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925074158/http://www.yenpress.com/2014/06/new-license-announcements-2/|url-status=live}}{{cite book|title=Akame ga Kill!, Vol. 1|isbn=978-0-316-25946-0|author=Takahiro|date=January 20, 2015|publisher=Yen Press }}

A prequel titled {{nihongo|Akame ga Kill! Zero|アカメが斬る！零|Akame ga Kiru! Rei}}, written by Takahiro and illustrated by Kei Toru, was serialized in Monthly Big Gangan from October 25, 2013{{cite web|last=Sherman|first=Jennifer|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-07-21/akame-ga-kill-manga-to-get-prequel-in-october|title=Akame ga Kill! Manga to Get Prequel in October|website=Anime News Network|date=July 21, 2013|access-date=January 20, 2014|archive-date=January 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116225713/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-07-21/akame-ga-kill-manga-to-get-prequel-in-october|url-status=live}} to January 25, 2019.{{cite web|script-title=ja:オノ・ナツメ新連載「BADON」舞台は首都、ワケあり男4人が踏み出す再起の道|url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/317331|website=Natalie|publisher=Natasha, Inc.|access-date=May 18, 2022|language=ja|date=January 25, 2019|archive-date=May 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220509084357/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/317331|url-status=live}} The story focuses on Akame's past during the days she worked as an assassin for the Empire. Its chapters were collected in ten {{Transliteration|ja|tankōbon}} volumes, released from June 21, 2014{{cite web|script-title=ja:アカメが斬る！零 1|url=https://magazine.jp.square-enix.com/top/comics/detail/9784757543393/|publisher=Square Enix|access-date=October 10, 2022|language=ja|archive-date=October 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010094324/https://magazine.jp.square-enix.com/top/comics/detail/9784757543393/|url-status=live}} to April 25, 2019.{{cite web|script-title=ja:アカメが斬る！零 10（完）|url=https://magazine.jp.square-enix.com/top/comics/detail/9784757561045/|publisher=Square Enix|access-date=October 10, 2022|language=ja|archive-date=October 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010094322/https://magazine.jp.square-enix.com/top/comics/detail/9784757561045/|url-status=live}} It was licensed by Yen Press in September 2015{{cite web|last=Ressler|first=Karen|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-09-10/yen-press-licenses-akame-ga-kill-zero-manga/.92775|title=Yen Press Licenses Akame Ga Kill! Zero Manga|date=September 10, 2015|website=Anime News Network|access-date=September 11, 2015|archive-date=September 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912003128/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-09-10/yen-press-licenses-akame-ga-kill-zero-manga/.92775|url-status=live}} and the volumes were released from March 22, 2016 to October 29, 2019.

Takahiro released a spin-off manga, titled {{Nihongo|Hinowa ga Crush!|ヒノワが征く！|Hinowa ga Yuku!}}, with art by Strelka in Monthly Big Gangan from June 24, 2017{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-02-22/akame-ga-kill-s-takahiro-launches-new-hinowa-ga-yuku-manga-on-june-24/.112582|title=Akame ga KILL!'s Takahiro Launches New Hinowa ga Yuku! Manga on June 24|last=Pineda|first=Rafael Antonio|date=February 22, 2017|website=Anime News Network|access-date=July 16, 2018|archive-date=August 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808085323/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-02-22/akame-ga-kill-s-takahiro-launches-new-hinowa-ga-yuku-manga-on-june-24/.112582|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-05-24/akame-ga-kill-takahiro-teases-new-hinowa-ga-yuku-manga-story/.116527|title=Akame ga KILL's Takahiro Teases New Hinowa ga Yuku! Manga's Story|last=Sherman|first=Jennifer|date=May 24, 2017|website=Anime News Network|access-date=July 16, 2018|archive-date=August 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220803202422/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-05-24/akame-ga-kill-takahiro-teases-new-hinowa-ga-yuku-manga-story/.116527|url-status=live}} to June 24, 2022.{{cite web|last=Hodgkins|first=Crystalyn|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-06-25/hinowa-ga-crush-manga-ends-serialization-takahiro-launches-new-work-with-kei-toru/.187049|title=Hinowa ga CRUSH! Manga Ends Serialization, Takahiro Launches New Work With Kei Toru|date=June 25, 2022|website=Anime News Network|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626011549/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-06-25/hinowa-ga-crush-manga-ends-serialization-takahiro-launches-new-work-with-kei-toru/.187049|url-status=live}} The story and characters are completely unrelated to Akame ga Kill!, with the only shared element being the inclusion of Akame as a side character. Its chapters were collected in eight {{Transliteration|ja|tankōbon}} volumes, released from December 25, 2017{{cite web|script-title=ja:ヒノワが征く！ 1|url=https://magazine.jp.square-enix.com/top/comics/detail/9784757555655/|publisher=Square Enix|access-date=October 10, 2022|language=ja|archive-date=October 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010094320/https://magazine.jp.square-enix.com/top/comics/detail/9784757555655/|url-status=live}} to August 25, 2022.{{cite web|script-title=ja:ヒノワが征く！ 8（完）|url=https://magazine.jp.square-enix.com/top/comics/detail/9784757580930/|publisher=Square Enix|access-date=October 10, 2022|language=ja|archive-date=October 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010094336/https://magazine.jp.square-enix.com/top/comics/detail/9784757580930/|url-status=live}} Yen Press has licensed the manga and released the chapters simultaneously as they were released in Japan.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-06-23/yen-press-licenses-akame-ga-kill-author-hinowa-ga-crush-manga/.117902|title=Yen Press Licenses Akame ga KILL Author's Hinowa ga CRUSH! Manga|last=Sherman|first=Jennifer|date=June 23, 2017|website=Anime News Network|access-date=July 16, 2018|archive-date=June 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626012212/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-06-23/yen-press-licenses-akame-ga-kill-author-hinowa-ga-crush-manga/.117902|url-status=live}}

=Anime=

{{main|List of Akame ga Kill! episodes{{!}}List of Akame ga Kill! episodes}}

An anime television series adaptation of the manga was announced in January 2014.{{cite web|last=Loveridge|first=Lynzee|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-01-20/akame-ga-kill-dark-action-fantasy-manga-gets-tv-anime|title=Akame ga Kill! Dark Action Fantasy Manga Gets TV Anime|website=Anime News Network|date=January 20, 2014|access-date=January 20, 2014|archive-date=January 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140121211132/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-01-20/akame-ga-kill-dark-action-fantasy-manga-gets-tv-anime|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Beveridge|first=Chris|url=http://www.fandompost.com/2014/01/20/akame-ga-kill-manga-getting-anime-adaptation/|title='Akame ga KILL!' Manga Getting Anime Adaptation|website=The Fandom Post|date=January 20, 2014|access-date=January 20, 2020|archive-date=January 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125124035/https://www.fandompost.com/2014/01/20/akame-ga-kill-manga-getting-anime-adaptation/|url-status=live}} The teaser site of the series was opened on January 21, 2014.{{cite web|last=Beveridge|first=Chris|url=http://www.fandompost.com/2014/01/21/akame-ga-kill-anime-teaser-site-opens/|title='Akame ga KILL!' Anime Teaser Site Opens|website=The Fandom Post|date=January 21, 2014|access-date=January 21, 2020|archive-date=June 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629101410/https://www.fandompost.com/2014/01/21/akame-ga-kill-anime-teaser-site-opens/|url-status=live}} The series was directed by Tomoki Kobayashi and written by Makoto Uezu.{{cite web|last=Green|first=Scott|url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2014/01/20/akame-ga-kill-anime-confirmed|title="Akame ga KILL!" Anime Confirmed|publisher=Crunchyroll|date=January 20, 2014|access-date=January 20, 2020|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111012513/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2014/01/20/akame-ga-kill-anime-confirmed|url-status=dead}} Takahiro also supervised the scenario. Taku Iwasaki composed the series' music. The series was broadcast on Tokyo MX, MBS and BS11 from July 7 to December 15, 2014.{{cite web|script-title=ja:アカメが斬る!|url=http://mediaarts-db.jp/an/anime_series/18431|publisher=Agency for Cultural Affairs|access-date=March 23, 2016|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011005603/http://mediaarts-db.jp/an/anime_series/18431|archive-date=October 11, 2016|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last=Loveridge|first=Lynzee|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-05-20/akame-ga-kill-tv-anime-supporting-cast-staff-unveiled|title=Akame ga Kill! TV Anime's Supporting Cast, Staff Unveiled|website=Anime News Network|date=May 20, 2014|access-date=May 21, 2014|archive-date=April 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403101118/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-05-20/akame-ga-kill-tv-anime-supporting-cast-staff-unveiled|url-status=live}} The opening theme song for episodes 1–14 is "Skyreach" performed by Sora Amamiya, while the ending theme is {{nihongo|"Konna Sekai, Shiritakunakatta."|こんな世界、知りたくなかった。}} by Miku Sawai; for the proceeding episodes, the opening theme is "Liar Mask" by Rika Mayama and the ending theme is "Tsuki Akari" by Amamiya.{{cite web|last=Green|first=Scott|url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2014/09/28-1/video-akame-ga-kill-second-season-commercial|title=VIDEO: "Akame ga Kill!" Second Season Commercial|publisher=Crunchyroll|date=September 29, 2014|access-date=November 17, 2014|archive-date=September 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923230903/http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2014/09/28-1/video-akame-ga-kill-second-season-commercial|url-status=dead}} A series of one minute short episodes, titled {{Nihongo|AkaKill! Theater|アカ斬る! 劇場|AkaKill! Gekijō}}, animated by C-Station, were also released online in 2014.{{cite web|last=Cardine|first=Kyle|title=Akame ga Kill! TV Anime's 2nd Flash Animation Short Streamed|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-09-08/akame-ga-kill-tv-anime-2nd-flash-animation-short-streamed/.78522|website=Anime News Network|access-date=October 22, 2023|date=September 8, 2014|archive-date=October 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013053033/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-09-08/akame-ga-kill-tv-anime-2nd-flash-animation-short-streamed/.78522|url-status=live}}

The anime was licensed by Sentai Filmworks in 2014.{{cite web|last=Ressler|first=Karen|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-07-04/sentai-filmworks-licenses-chaika-the-coffin-princess-7-summer-anime-titles/.76300|title=Sentai Filmworks Licenses Chaika The Coffin Princess, 7 Summer Anime Titles|website=Anime News Network|date=July 4, 2014|access-date=November 7, 2020|archive-date=October 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221015180707/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-07-04/sentai-filmworks-licenses-chaika-the-coffin-princess-7-summer-anime-titles/.76300|url-status=live}} Akame ga Kill! was broadcast in the United States on Adult Swim's Toonami programming block from August 9, 2015, to February 21, 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-05-30/adult-swim-toonami-to-run-akame-ga-kill-michiko-and-hatchin/.88740|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=Adult Swim's Toonami to Run Akame ga Kill, Michiko & Hatchin|website=Anime News Network|date=May 30, 2015|access-date=July 2, 2015|archive-date=June 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626104344/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-05-30/adult-swim-toonami-to-run-akame-ga-kill-michiko-and-hatchin/.88740|url-status=live}} The series' premiere was one of the most watched programs in the block's history, with over 1.8 million viewers.{{cite web|title=Akame Ga Kill! Becomes Most Watches Series Premiere in Toonami History|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2015-08-13/akame-ga-kill-becomes-most-watches-series-premiere-in-toonami-history/.91645|website=Anime News Network|access-date=31 January 2015|date=13 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150813232309/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2015-08-13/akame-ga-kill-becomes-most-watches-series-premiere-in-toonami-history/.91645|archive-date=2015-08-13|url-status=live}} The series was also streamed on Crunchyroll;{{cite web|last1=Loveridge|first1=Lynzee|title=Crunchyroll Adds Akame ga Kill, DRAMAtical Murder, Blue Spring Ride TV Anime|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-07-05/crunchyroll-adds-akame-ga-kill-dramatical-murder-blue-spring-ride-tv-anime/.76346|website=Anime News Network|access-date=August 3, 2023|date=July 5, 2014|archive-date=July 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729105207/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-07-05/crunchyroll-adds-akame-ga-kill-dramatical-murder-blue-spring-ride-tv-anime/.76346|url-status=live}} after the acquisition of Crunchyroll by Sony Pictures Television, Akame ga Kill!, among several Sentai Filmworks titles, was dropped from the Crunchyroll streaming service on March 31, 2022.{{cite web|last=Cardine|first=Kyle|title=Food Wars, Is It Wrong to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? and More Are Leaving Crunchyroll|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2022/03/24/food-wars-is-it-wrong-to-pick-up-girls-in-a-dungeon-and-more-are-leaving-crunchyroll|website=Crunchyroll|access-date=August 3, 2023|date=March 24, 2022|archive-date=March 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325082132/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2022/03/24/food-wars-is-it-wrong-to-pick-up-girls-in-a-dungeon-and-more-are-leaving-crunchyroll|url-status=live}} Medialink licensed the series in Asia-Pacific, streaming it on their Ani-One Asia YouTube channel.{{cite web|last=Hazra|first=Adriana|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-12-09/ani-one-streams-akame-ga-kill-anime-on-youtube/.192758|title=Ani-One Streams Akame ga Kill Anime on YouTube|website=Anime News Network|date=December 9, 2022|access-date=December 10, 2022|archive-date=December 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209214951/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-12-09/ani-one-streams-akame-ga-kill-anime-on-youtube/.192758|url-status=live}}

Reception

The seventh volume sold 24,181 copies within the first week of release.{{cite web|last=Hodgkins|first=Crystalyn|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-02-27/japanese-comic-ranking-february-18-24|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, February 18–24|website=Anime News Network|date=February 27, 2013|access-date=January 20, 2014|archive-date=March 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327082801/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-02-27/japanese-comic-ranking-february-18-24|url-status=live}} The eighth volume likewise sold 37,833 copies in its debut week.{{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/obc/w/2013-08-05/more/3/|script-title=ja:2013年07月22日～2013年07月28日のコミック|trans-title=Comics from July 22, 2013 ～ July 28, 2013|publisher=Oricon|date=August 5, 2013|access-date=January 20, 2014|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140121145245/http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/obc/w/2013-08-05/more/3/|archive-date=January 21, 2014}} Up until volume 11, the series has sold over 2.1 million copies.{{cite news|script-title=ja:『アカメが斬る!』第18話登場のブドー大将軍と羅刹四鬼ビジュアル&声優公開|url= http://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/9423993/|date=November 1, 2014|access-date= November 15, 2014|work=Mynavi News|via=Livedoor News|language=ja|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050406/http://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/9423993/|archive-date= March 4, 2016|url-status= dead}}{{cite magazine|year=2014|title=月刊ビッグガンガン|magazine=Monthly Big Gangan|language=ja|publisher=Square Enix|volume=11|issue=197|page=958}} The English release debuted at nineteenth in Monthly BookScan during February 2015.{{cite web|last=Loveridge|first=Lynzee|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-03-06/akame-ga-kill-no.1-debuts-at-19th-on-u.s-monthly-bookscan-february-list/.85666|title=Akame ga Kill! #1 Debuts at 19th on U.S. Monthly BookScan February List|website=Anime News Network|date=March 6, 2015|access-date=March 6, 2015|archive-date=March 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150307003528/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-03-06/akame-ga-kill-no.1-debuts-at-19th-on-u.s-monthly-bookscan-february-list/.85666|url-status=live}}

All five volumes of the English translation have appeared on The New York Times Manga Best Sellers list:

Volume one stayed on the list for twelve nonconsecutive weeks; for three of those weeks it ranked first.* {{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-02-08/manga/list.html|title=Best Sellers - Manga|date=February 8, 2015|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=May 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505231405/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-02-08/manga/list.html|url-status=live }}
{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-02-15/manga/list.html|title=Best Sellers - Manga|date=February 15, 2015|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=April 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418045708/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-02-15/manga/list.html|url-status=live }}
{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-02-22/manga/list.html|title=Best Sellers - Manga|date=February 22, 2015|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=April 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416120036/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-02-22/manga/list.html|url-status=live }}
{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-03-01/manga/list.html|title=Best Sellers - Manga|date=March 1, 2015|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=March 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307233908/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-03-01/manga/list.html|url-status=live }}
{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-03-08/manga/list.html|title=Best Sellers - Manga|date=March 8, 2015|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=March 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306093154/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-03-08/manga/list.html|url-status=live }}
{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-03-15/manga/list.html|title=Best Sellers - Manga|date=March 15, 2015|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=April 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415133957/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-03-15/manga/list.html|url-status=live }}
{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-03-22/manga/list.html|title=Best Sellers - Manga|date=March 22, 2015|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=March 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310084941/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-03-22/manga/list.html|url-status=live }}
{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-04-05/manga/list.html|title=Best Sellers - Manga|date=April 5, 2015|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=April 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404214139/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-04-05/manga/list.html|url-status=live }}
{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-05-03/manga/list.html|title=Best Sellers - Manga|date=May 3, 2015|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=April 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429030010/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-05-03/manga/list.html|url-status=live }}
{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-05-10/manga/list.html|title=Best Sellers - Manga|date=May 10, 2015|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=April 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419154608/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-05-10/manga/list.html|url-status=live }}
{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-05-17/manga/list.html|title=Best Sellers - Manga|date=May 17, 2015|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=April 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417151528/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-05-17/manga/list.html|url-status=live }}
{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-06-07/manga/list.html|title=Best Sellers - Manga|date=June 7, 2015|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=May 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519191328/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-06-07/manga/list.html|url-status=live }}
Volume two stayed on the list for four weeks; for one of those weeks it ranked first.* {{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-05-10/manga/list.html|title=Best Sellers - Manga|date=May 10, 2015|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=April 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419154608/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-05-10/manga/list.html|url-status=live }}
{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-05-17/manga/list.html|title=Best Sellers - Manga|date=May 17, 2015|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=April 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417151528/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-05-17/manga/list.html|url-status=live }}
{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-05-24/manga/list.html|title=Best Sellers - Manga|date=May 24, 2015|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=May 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507094231/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-05-24/manga/list.html|url-status=live }}
{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-05-31/manga/list.html|title=Best Sellers - Manga|date=May 31, 2015|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=April 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420044954/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-05-31/manga/list.html|url-status=live }}
Volume three stayed on the list for four weeks; for one of those weeks it ranked second.* {{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-08-09/manga/list.html|title=Best Sellers - Manga|date=August 9, 2015|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=April 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418203219/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-08-09/manga/list.html|url-status=live }}
{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-08-16/manga/list.html|title=Best Sellers - Manga|date=August 16, 2015|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=April 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429020311/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-08-16/manga/list.html|url-status=live }}
{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-08-23/manga/list.html|title=Best Sellers - Manga|date=August 23, 2015|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=April 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418075154/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-08-23/manga/list.html|url-status=live }}
{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-08-30/manga/list.html|title=Best Sellers - Manga|date=August 30, 2015|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=August 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824194226/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-08-30/manga/list.html|url-status=live }}
Volume four stayed on the list for two weeks; for one of those weeks it ranked second.* {{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-11-15/manga/list.html|title=Best Sellers - Manga|date=November 15, 2015|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=April 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422043615/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-11-15/manga/list.html|url-status=live }}
{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-11-22/manga/list.html|title=Best Sellers - Manga|date=November 22, 2015|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=May 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505233958/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-11-22/manga/list.html|url-status=live }}
Volume five stayed on the list for two weeks; for one of those weeks it ranked first.* {{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2016-02-14/manga/list.html|title=Best Sellers - Manga|date=February 14, 2016|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=May 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507080214/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2016-02-14/manga/list.html|url-status=live }}
{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2016-02-21/manga/list.html|title=Best Sellers - Manga|date=February 21, 2016|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=March 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316175332/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2016-02-21/manga/list.html|url-status=live }}
Volume six stayed on the list for one week, ranking at first place.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2016-05-15/manga/list.html|title=Best Sellers - Manga|date=May 15, 2016|website=The New York Times|access-date=May 6, 2016|archive-date=May 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512084053/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2016-05-15/manga/list.html?|url-status=live }}
Volume seven stayed on the list for one week, ranking at fourth place.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2016/08/14/manga/|title=Best Sellers - Manga|date=August 14, 2016|website=The New York Times|access-date=September 8, 2016|archive-date=August 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817145348/http://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2016/08/14/manga/|url-status=live }}

The first volume of Akame ga Kill! Zero also appeared on the list for three weeks, ranking at sixth place for one week.* {{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2016-04-10/manga/list.html|title=Best Sellers - Manga|date=April 10, 2016|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=April 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410155124/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2016-04-10/manga/list.html|url-status=live }}

{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2016-04-17/manga/list.html|title=Best Sellers - Manga|date=April 17, 2016|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=April 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412141154/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2016-04-17/manga/list.html|url-status=live }}
{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2016-04-24/manga/list.html|title=Best Sellers - Manga|date=April 24, 2016|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=April 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419173903/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2016-04-24/manga/list.html|url-status=live }}

Both the main and prequel manga combined had 3.3 million copies in circulation by August 2016. By September 2020, the overall manga series had over 4.1 million copies in circulation.{{cite web|script-title=ja:パチスロ新機種『アカメが斬る！』発売のお知らせ|url=https://www.nanashow.co.jp/_pdf/Release_20200914.pdf|publisher=Nanashow Corporation|access-date=October 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104033058/https://www.nanashow.co.jp/_pdf/Release_20200914.pdf|archive-date=November 4, 2022|language=ja|date=September 14, 2020|url-status=live}}

Kestrel Swift from The Fandom Post praised the anime's first episode for "harsh, brutal commentary on corruption and how likely it is that the more perfect someone seems, the darker the secret lurking within" as well as the production values from White Fox.{{cite web|last=Swift|first=Kestrel|url=http://www.fandompost.com/2014/07/07/akame-ga-kill-episode-01-anime-review/|title=Akame ga Kill! Episode #01 Anime Review|website=The Fandom Post|date=July 7, 2014|access-date=July 8, 2014|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126210315/https://www.fandompost.com/2014/07/07/akame-ga-kill-episode-01-anime-review/|url-status=live}} While reviewing the series' first eight episodes, Matt Packard from Anime News Network said that "it's stupid and childish" as "[t]here's nothing mature about the idea that evil always takes the form of a psychopath or a power-hungry glutton, or that people become soul-dead assassins because something traumatic happened to them once, or that the physically weak are destined to become slaves and die weeping".{{cite web|last=Packard|first=Matt|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/akame-ga-kill/episodes-1-8/.78041|title=Akame ga Kill! Episodes 1–8|website=Anime News Network|date=September 1, 2014|access-date=September 2, 2014|archive-date=September 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904032449/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/akame-ga-kill/episodes-1-8/.78041|url-status=live}} In the Goo ranking website, Akame ga Kill! ranked 36th with 9 votes in the list of Anime's Most Miserable Endings.{{cite web|last=Sherman|first=Jennifer|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2016-12-02/grave-of-the-fireflies-tops-poll-of-anime-most-miserable-endings/.109432|title=Grave of the Fireflies Tops Poll of Anime's Most Miserable Endings|website=Anime News Network|date=December 2, 2016|access-date=November 7, 2020|archive-date=April 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422130521/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2016-12-02/grave-of-the-fireflies-tops-poll-of-anime-most-miserable-endings/.109432|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://ranking.goo.ne.jp/column/3877/ranking/49776/?page=4|script-title=ja:アニメ史上最も「悲惨なバッドエンド」を迎えた作品ランキング 30位から39位|website=Goo Ranking|language=ja|date=December 2, 2016|access-date=November 7, 2020|archive-date=June 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621163831/https://ranking.goo.ne.jp/column/3877/ranking/49776/?page=4|url-status=live}}

Notes

References

External links

{{official website|http://www.square-enix.com/jp/magazine/joker/series/akame/index.html|Akame ga Kill!}} at Square Enix {{in lang|ja}}
{{official website|http://www.jp.square-enix.com/magazine/biggangan/introduction/akame/|Akame ga Kill! Zero}} at Square Enix {{in lang|ja}}
{{official website|http://akame.tv/|Official anime website}} {{in lang|ja}}
{{official website|http://www.jp.square-enix.com/magazine/biggangan/introduction/hinowa/|Hinowa ga Crush!}} at Square Enix {{in lang|ja}}
{{Anime News Network|manga|11663}}