Black Torch Anime Is Officially In Production at VIZ Media

IGN is thrilled to exclusively reveal the first trailer for the upcoming Black Torch anime, officially in production at VIZ Media! Announced at VIZ Media's Emerald City Comic Con panel, the trailer showcases Jiro Azuma in his stealth ninja attire, accompanied by his powerful mononoke partner, Rago. A shadowy figure glimpsed in the cityscape hints at the thrilling dangers ahead.

For those unfamiliar with Black Torch, this exciting series, created by Tsuyoshi Yakaki and originally serialized in Jump SQ. and Shonen Jump+ from 2017 to 2018, promises a fresh take on ninja battles. The official synopsis offers a glimpse into the story:

"A new era of ninja battles begins. Jiro, descended from a long line of ninjas, has been trained by his grandfather in the ancient art of shinobi. He possesses a unique ability—the power to communicate with animals. His life takes a dramatic turn after a mysterious encounter in the forest with an injured black cat named Rago. But Rago is far from ordinary…

He's a legendary mononoke—the Black Star of Doom! Other mononoke, drawn to Rago's immense power, emerge from the shadows. The undercover Bureau of Espionage is mobilized to seek and destroy, but everyone has their own agenda concerning Rago's abilities. Jiro and Rago, however, are ready. A thrilling shinobi clash between boy and mononoke is about to ignite!"

The panel also featured a celebratory drawing by Takaki, which you can find [here](will add link when it is live). Takaki shared his excitement, stating, “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. A new BLACK TORCH has been brought to life, now with voices, sounds, movement and color.”

For more anime goodness, check out our picks for the best anime of 2024, the most anticipated anime of 2025, and our definitive top 25 anime of all time.