Black Torch Anime Is Officially In Production at VIZ Media

IGN is thrilled to announce that the highly anticipated Black Torch anime is officially in production at VIZ Media. Alongside this exciting news, we are exclusively unveiling the first trailer for the series, which was introduced at VIZ Media's Emerald City Comic Con panel.

The trailer features Jiro Azuma donning his stealth uniform, accompanied by his formidable mononoke companion, Rago, perched on his shoulder. A mysterious dark figure reflected in the cityscape teases the looming threats that Jiro and Rago will face.

For those new to the series, Black Torch is the brainchild of Tsuyoshi Takaki, originally serialized in Jump SQ. and Shonen Jump+ from 2017 to 2018. Here's the official synopsis to get you up to speed:

"A new era of ninja battles begins," the synopsis declares. "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, be sure to check out a special drawing by Takaki from the panel, celebrating this monumental milestone for Black Torch. (We'll add the link once it's 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 shared. "A new BLACK TORCH has been brought to life, now with voices, sounds, movement, and color.”

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