VIZ Media Announces Black Torch Anime Production

Exciting news for anime fans: VIZ Media has officially announced that the manga Black Torch is being adapted into an anime, with IGN having the exclusive first look at the trailer. The announcement was made at VIZ Media's Emerald City Comic Con panel, where fans were treated to a glimpse of Jiro Azuma in his stealth uniform, accompanied by his powerful mononoke, Rago, perched on his shoulder. The trailer also teases a dark figure looming in the cityscape, hinting at the looming dangers that Jiro and Rago will face.

For those new to the series, Black Torch was crafted by Tsuyoshi Takaki and originally ran in Jump SQ. and Shonen Jump+ from 2017 to 2018. Here's the official synopsis to get you up to speed on what to expect from the upcoming anime:

"A new era of ninja battles begins," the synopsis states. "Hailing from a long line of ninja, Jiro has been brought up by his grandfather in the ancient warrior art of the shinobi. Jiro also happens to be a particularly skilled communicator able to converse with the animal world. But life takes an abrupt turn thanks to a mysterious encounter in the forest with an injured black cat named Rago. Only, Rago's feline appearance is deceiving...

"It turns out the 'ordinary' cat is the stuff of mononoke legend—the Black Star of Doom! Swarming in the shadows are more mononoke, eager to exploit Rago’s uniquely immense powers. To fight back against the tide of dark spirits, the undercover Bureau of Espionage is poised to seek and destroy. Of course, everyone has their motives when it comes to Rago’s powers. But Jiro and Rago are ready. A shinobi clash between boy and mononoke is about to ignite!"

To celebrate this significant milestone for Black Torch, Tsuyoshi Takaki shared a drawing from the panel. (We'll add the link once it goes live.)

"I’ve been supervising the settings and storyboards, and I feel it’s been recreated into something even better, while still fully respecting the original story," Takaki said. "A new BLACK TORCH has been brought to life, now with voices, sounds, movement, and color."

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