Alongside the exciting announcement that a Black Torch anime is now officially in production at VIZ Media, IGN is proud to present its exclusive first trailer.
The news was originally revealed during VIZ Media’s panel at Emerald City Comic Con. The newly released trailer offers a glimpse into the thrilling world of Black Torch, showcasing Jiro Azuma dressed in his stealth gear and accompanied by his powerful mononoke companion, Rago, perched on his shoulder. The trailer also teases a mysterious dark figure reflected within the city skyline—hinting at the looming threats and high-stakes action yet to come.
For those discovering *Black Torch* for the first time, here's everything you need to know. Originally created by Tsuyoshi Takaki, *Black Torch* debuted as a manga series serialized in *Jump SQ.* and *Shonen Jump+* from 2017 to 2018.Here’s the official synopsis of the upcoming anime adaptation:
"A new era of ninja battles begins," reads the official description. "Born into a long line of legendary ninja, Jiro has been raised by his grandfather to master the ancient art of the shinobi. He also possesses a rare gift—the ability to communicate with the animal world. However, everything changes when he stumbles upon a mysterious, injured black cat named Rago in the forest. But Rago is not what he seems...
"In reality, Rago is no ordinary feline—he is the feared Black Star of Doom, a legendary mononoke spirit. Swarms of dark spirits lurk in the shadows, all seeking to harness Rago’s immense power for themselves. To counter this rising tide of supernatural danger, the covert Bureau of Espionage mobilizes to neutralize the threat. Yet, everyone involved has their own agenda concerning Rago’s power. But Jiro and Rago are ready to fight back. A fierce battle between boy and mononoke is about to erupt!"
Artwork from the Black Torch manga. Image Credit: VIZ
During the panel, Takaki shared his enthusiasm for the project: “I’ve been personally supervising the settings and storyboards, and I’m thrilled to see it transformed into something even greater than I imagined—while staying completely true to the original story. A new BLACK TORCH has been born, now brought to life with voice acting, sound effects, motion, and vibrant color.”
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