VIZ Media Announces Black Torch Anime Production

Alongside the exciting news that a Black Torch anime is officially in production at VIZ Media, IGN is thrilled to exclusively reveal its first trailer.

VIZ Media made the announcement at its Emerald City Comic Con panel, and the trailer below showcases Jiro Azuma in his stealth uniform. Accompanying him is his powerful mononoke, Rago, perched on his shoulder. The trailer also teases a dark figure reflected in the cityscape, hinting at the looming danger.

For those new to the series, **Black Torch** was crafted by Tsuyoshi Takaki and originally serialized in Jump SQ. and Shonen Jump+ from 2017 to 2018. Here's the official synopsis to get 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 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!"

For more, check out this drawing by Takaki from the panel that celebrates this big milestone for Black Torch. (will add link when it is live.)

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

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