Black Torch (stylized inall caps) is a Japanesemanga series written and illustrated byTsuyoshi Takaki [ja]. It was serialized inShueisha's monthlyshōnen manga magazineJump Square from December 2016 to March 2018, and later on the digital platformShōnen Jump+ from April to July 2018. Its chapters were compiled in fivetankōbon volumes. In North America, the manga was licensed for English release byViz Media. Ananime television series adaptation produced by100studio is set to premiere in July 2026.
Jiro Azuma is a teenage punk, trained in the art of the ninja, who has the incredible ability to talk to animals. Despite this, he was constantly bullied as a child for talking to animals; he could only find solace with other animals, such as his dog Nachi. One day, Jiro is led into the woods by some birds and encounters a gravely injured cat. He nurses the cat back to health, who is shocked to find out that Jiro can understand him. The cat reveals himself as Rago of the Black Star of Doom, an immortalmononoke, or evil spirit. He reveals that he was attacked by othermononoke for refusing to help them. Later that night, Rago attempts to escape from Jiro's house, but they are attacked by one of themononoke Rago encountered earlier. Thismononoke kills Jiro by stabbing him through the chest with his immense claws. Feeling pity and indebted to Jiro for saving him earlier, Rago fuses with Jiro to give him a second chance at life. With their combined power, they kill themononoke, but are then taken into custody by the Bureau of Espionage. The two later join the Bureau in order to stop moremononoke in the future.
Written and illustrated byTsuyoshi Takaki [ja],Black Torch was serialized inShueisha's monthlyshōnen manga magazineJump Square from December 31, 2016, to March 2, 2018.[6][2][7] It was then transferred to Shueisha'sShōnen Jump+ online platform, being serialized for four chapters from April 11 to July 11, 2018.[8][9][10][11] Shueisha published its 19 individual chapters in fivetankōbon volumes, released from April 4, 2017, to August 3, 2018.[12][13]
In North America,Viz Media announced that it had licensed the series for English release in North America in July 2017.[14][15] The title became available on itsShonen Jump digital platform in December 2018.[16] The five volumes were released from August 7, 2018, to August 6, 2019.[17][18]
In March 2025, atEmerald City Comic Con, it was announced that the manga would receive ananime television series adaptation. The anime is produced by100studio and directed by Kei Umabiki, with series composition byGigaemon Ichikawa [ja], character designs by Gō Suzuki, and music composed byYutaka Yamada.[25][26] It is set to premiere in July 2026.[27]
Viz Media, the company that made the adaptation announcement, has licensed the series.[26]
Rebecca Silverman ofAnime News Network gave the first volume a B, praising the character dynamics and story devices, but criticized its rushed start and lack of character development. She noted that Takaki's art style resembles that ofTite Kubo (Bleach) and otherWeekly Shōnen Jump authors, but without being an imitation of any of them. Silverman concluded, "If you're in the mood for a new shounen action series, this is one worth checking out, because once it works out its issues, it could definitely go places".[29]
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