The Bugle Call: Song of War
Japanese manga series
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The Bugle Call: Song of War (Japanese: 戦奏教室, Hepburn: Sensō Kyōshitsu) is a Japanese manga series written by Mozuku Sora and illustrated by Higoro Toumori. It began serialization in Shueisha's Jump Square magazine in June 2022. As of February 2026, thirteen volumes have been released.
| The Bugle Call: Song of War | |
 First tankōbon volume cover | |
| 戦奏教室 (Sensō Kyōshitsu) | |
|---|---|
| Genre | |
| Manga | |
| Written by | Mozuku Sora |
| Illustrated by | Higoro Toumori |
| Published by | Shueisha |
| English publisher | |
| Imprint | Jump Comics SQ. |
| Magazine | Jump Square |
| Original run | June 3, 2022 – present |
| Volumes | 13 |
Plot
Setting
There are nine spires scattered across the land which contain relics and technology from an advanced, ancient civilization that are beyond the craftsmanship of the current day. The two greatest spires are controlled by the Papal States and the Erin Empire, who wage war over control of the other spires.
Humans born with branches sticking out of their heads are called branched and each posseses a unique power such as invisibility or supernatural luck. The branched cannot use their powers outside of a spires field of influence and will eventually die if they stay outside. In some nations, branched are famous and well-known while in others they are kept secret.
Premise
Luca was raised among a band of mercenaries since he was an infant, but he hates the life. He is recruited by the Pontiff in his war against the Erin Empire in exchange for support of his dream of becoming a maestro. Part of their deal consists of Luca killing the Garland, a powerful branched that can destroy nations.
Characters
Papal States
- Luca (リュカ, Ryuka)
- A 14-year-old branched. He was raised by a band of mercenaries, where he served as their bugler. After being saved by the Pontiff, he agrees to become the leader of the Papal States' branch-hexed, in exchange for help in achieving his dream of becoming a maestro. He's developed feelings for Zoe. His power allows him to turn sound into light, which he uses in battle to command troops.
- Zoe (ゾーイ, Zōi)
- A branched under Luca's command and the Papal States' trump card. She has a mutual affection for Luca. She believes the Pontiff is her mother. Her power allows her to obtain her future self's strength, but she falls asleep afterwards as a consequence. She is 27-years-old but has the mind of a 9-year-old due to overuse of her power.
- The Pontiff (教皇, Kyōkō)
- The leader of the Papal States and of the Spirism faith.
- Demi (デミ)
- A branched under Luca's command. Her power gives her exceptional eyesight that she can share with others.
- Miura (ミウラ)
- A branched under Luca's command. His power allows him to run incredibly fast, though, because of the high speed, he cannot see where he is going.
- Poppy (ポピー, Popī)
- A branched under Luca's command. Her power gives her telekinesis. Her telekinesis is very weak but has a large radius, allowing her to use a bow and arrow to hit enemies at a distance with high accuracy.
- Cora (コーラ, Kōra)
- A branched under Luca's command. Her power allows her to transfer injuries between herself and another person. She primarily serves as a medic.
- Oskar (オスカー, Osukā)
- A branched under Luca's command. He and Zahid have been friends since childhood. He is fanatically devoted to the Pontiff, who brought his younger sister back to life. His power grants him immortality, capable of healing from any wound, including decapitation.
- Zahid (ザヒード, Zahīdo)
- A branched under Luca's command. Born to a traveling merchant, he often visited Oskar's village, with whom he became friends. His power gives him supernatural luck.
Erin Empire
- The Garland Branched (花冠の枝憑き, Kakan no Edatsuki)
- A 13-year-old branched capable of destroying whole nations. Her power allows her to summon a meteor on a target.
Kingdom of Gallia
- The Looking Glass Branched (鏡面の枝付き, Kyōmen no Edatsuki)
- A powerful branched serving Gallia as a soldier. Her power allows her to create a spatial connection between mirrors.
- Catherine
- Daughter of the Looking Glass Branched.
Other
- Gerhart (ゲルハルト, Geruharuto)
- Leader of a band of mercenaries and Luca's adoptive father.
Publication
Written by Mozuku Sora and illustrated by Higoro Toumori, the manga began serialization in Shueisha's Jump Square magazine on June 3, 2022.[2] In September 2025, it was announced that the series would be entering its final battle.[3] As of February 2026, the series' individual chapters have been collected into thirteen tankōbon volumes.[4]
In October 2024, Viz Media announced that they licensed the series for English publication.[5]
Volumes
| No. | Original release date | Original ISBN | English release date | English ISBN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 2, 2022[6] | 978-4-08-883236-4 | June 3, 2025[7] | 978-1-9747-5259-1 | |
| |||||
| Luca is recruited by the Pontiff following a battle where he uses his powers for the first time to conduct a successful retreat. To assess his abilities, the Pontiff tasks Luca with eliminating enemies that have gathered outside the city gates of Thermi. The Pontiff makes Luca captain of the branched and wants him to assist in his war against the Erin Empire and in killing the Garland, a powerful branched. In return, Luca demands he be allowed to quit afterwards and become a maestro. The next day, Luca strikes up a friendship with Miura, a fellow branched. After an abandoned fort was occupied by bandits, Luca leads Miura to recapture the fort | |||||
| 2 | January 4, 2023[8] | 978-4-08-883344-6 | August 5, 2025[9] | 978-1-9747-5609-4 | |
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| 3 | April 4, 2023[10] | 978-4-08-883515-0 | October 7, 2025[11] | 978-1-9747-5823-4 | |
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| 4 | July 4, 2023[12] | 978-4-08-883570-9 | December 2, 2025[13] | 978-1-9747-5824-1 | |
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| 5 | October 4, 2023[14] | 978-4-08-883673-7 | February 3, 2026[15] | 978-1-9747-6175-3 | |
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| 6 | February 2, 2024[16] | 978-4-08-883778-9 | April 7, 2026[17] | 978-1-9747-6176-0 | |
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| 7 | June 4, 2024[18] | 978-4-08-884027-7 | June 2, 2026[19] | 978-1-9747-6360-3 | |
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| 8 | September 4, 2024[20] | 978-4-08-884182-3 | August 4, 2026[21] | 978-1-9747-6518-8 | |
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| 9 | January 4, 2025[22] | 978-4-08-884324-7 | — | — | |
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| 10 | April 4, 2025[23] | 978-4-08-884421-3 | — | — | |
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| 11 | July 4, 2025[24] | 978-4-08-884586-9 | — | — | |
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| 12 | October 3, 2025[25] | 978-4-08-884709-2 | — | — | |
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| 13 | February 4, 2026[4] | 978-4-08-884821-1 | — | — | |
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Reception
The reception of The Bugle Call: Song of War has been largely positive, with critics praising its innovative magic system,[26][27] detailed artwork,[28][1][29] and its blend of historical and dark fantasy elements.[30] Screen Rant included the manga in its list of the "10 Best New-Gen Manga to Read in 2026."[31] It was also recommended by Makoto Yukimura, the creator of Vinland Saga.[31][32]
The narrative and characters were well received by critics.[27][1] Kara Dennison of Otaku USA described it as a "surprisingly inspirational and hopeful story."[29] Mida of Scorpio Books noted that the ability to "see" music keeps the pacing "sharp and quick" while maintaining the emotional weight of the lives lost in war.[30] Kerstin of Walt's Comic Shop, however, noted an abrupt tonal shift in the first volume, causing the narrative to "lose some focus in the middle."[28] Some found Luca a relatable and likable character[29] while others found him to be unlikable though intriguing.[33]
The worldbuilding was generally favorably received,[26] though some critics found the setting unoriginal.[28][1] The series' worldbuilding and tone have been compared to other dark fantasy works, such as Berserk and Vinland Saga.[26][28] Kerstin noted that while "inspirations from Vinland Saga and Berserk are apparent", the world is "carefully constructed."
Higoro Toumori's artwork has received significant acclaim. Kerstin described the depictions of Luca's power as "particularly striking"[28] and Dennison called the art "gorgeous."[29]