VIZ Media Confirms Black Torch Anime Production

IGN is thrilled to exclusively reveal that the much-anticipated Black Torch anime is officially in production at VIZ Media. The announcement was made at the Emerald City Comic Con panel, and alongside it, the first trailer has been released, showcasing the protagonist Jiro Azuma in his stealth uniform. Accompanying him is the formidable mononoke, Rago, perched on his shoulder. The trailer also teases a mysterious dark figure reflected in the cityscape, hinting at the looming dangers.

For those new to the series, Black Torch was crafted by Tsuyoshi Takaki and initially serialized in Jump SQ. and Shonen Jump+ from 2017 to 2018. Here's the official synopsis to bring you up to speed on 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 possesses a unique ability to communicate with the animal world. However, his life takes an unexpected turn following a mysterious encounter in the forest with an injured black cat named Rago. But there's more to Rago than meets the eye...

"The seemingly ordinary cat is, in fact, the legendary Black Star of Doom, a powerful mononoke. As more mononoke emerge from the shadows, eager to harness Rago’s immense powers, the undercover Bureau of Espionage steps in to combat these dark spirits. With everyone having their own motives for Rago's powers, Jiro and Rago prepare for battle. A thrilling clash between a boy and a mononoke is about to ignite!"

Black Torch Manga Art. Image Credit: VIZ

To celebrate this significant milestone for Black Torch, Tsuyoshi Takaki shared a special drawing from the panel. (Link to be added once available.)

Takaki expressed his excitement about the project, saying, “I’ve been supervising the settings and storyboards, and I feel it’s been transformed into something even better, while still fully respecting the original story. A new BLACK TORCH has been brought to life, now with voices, sounds, movement, and color.”

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