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, perched on his shoulder. A shadowy figure glimpsed in the cityscape hints at the thrilling conflicts to come.

For those unfamiliar with Black Torch, created by Tsuyoshi Yakaki and originally serialized in Jump SQ. and Shonen Jump+, here's the official synopsis:

"A new era of ninja battles begins! Jiro, descended from a long line of ninjas, is a skilled shinobi trained by his grandfather. He possesses a unique ability—the power to communicate with animals. His life takes a dramatic turn after a mysterious encounter with an injured black cat named Rago. But Rago is no ordinary feline; 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 hunt and neutralize this threat, but everyone has their own motives regarding Rago's abilities. Prepare for an explosive shinobi clash between boy and mononoke!"

To further celebrate this milestone, here's a drawing by Takaki from the Emerald City Comic Con panel (link to be added later). Takaki himself commented, “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 excitement, 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.