IGN is thrilled to exclusively unveil the first trailer for the Black Torch anime, now 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, alongside his powerful mononoke companion, Rago, perched on his shoulder. A shadowy figure glimpsed in the cityscape hints at the perilous adventures to come.
For those unfamiliar with the source material, Black Torch, created by Tsuyoshi Yakaki and originally serialized in Jump SQ. and Shonen Jump+ from 2017 to 2018, tells a thrilling tale:
"A new era of ninja battles begins. Jiro, a descendant of a long line of ninjas, has been trained by his grandfather in the ancient art of shinobi. Uniquely skilled, Jiro can communicate with animals. His life takes a dramatic turn after a mysterious encounter with an injured black cat named Rago—a cat far from ordinary. Rago is a legendary mononoke, the Black Star of Doom! Shadowy mononoke, drawn to Rago's immense power, emerge, prompting the intervention of the undercover Bureau of Espionage. With everyone vying for control of Rago's abilities, Jiro and Rago must prepare for an epic shinobi clash!"
The accompanying artwork by Takaki, unveiled at the Emerald City Comic Con panel, celebrates this exciting milestone. (Link to be added upon availability.)
Takaki shared his enthusiasm, 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.”
Explore more of our anime coverage, including our favorite anime of 2024, the biggest anime releases anticipated for 2025, and our definitive top 25 anime of all time.