VIZ Media Confirms Black Torch Anime Production

Exciting news for fans of the supernatural ninja genre: VIZ Media has officially announced that a Black Torch anime is in production, and IGN has the exclusive first look at its trailer. The announcement came during VIZ Media's panel at Emerald City Comic Con, where attendees got a glimpse of protagonist Jiro Azuma donning his stealth uniform. Accompanying Jiro is his formidable mononoke companion, Rago, perched on his shoulder. The trailer also teases a mysterious, ominous figure looming in the cityscape, hinting at the thrilling dangers that await in this new animated series.

For those new to the series, Black Torch is a manga created by Tsuyoshi Takaki, which was serialized in Jump SQ. and Shonen Jump+ from 2017 to 2018. Here's the official synopsis of the upcoming anime to get you up to speed:

"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 special drawing from the panel. (Link to be added when available.)

"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 remarked. "A new BLACK TORCH has been brought to life, now with voices, sounds, movement, and color."

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