The anime community was buzzing with excitement last weekend when Viz Media announced at Emerald City Comic Con that the supernatural action manga “BLACK TORCH” is getting an anime adaptation. This news comes as a surprise to many, especially considering the original manga was cancelled after just five volumes.
The Manga’s Journey
“BLACK TORCH,” created by Tsuyoshi Takaki, originally serialized in Shueisha’s Jump Square from December 2016 to March 2018, before moving to Shonen Jump+ where it concluded in July 2018.
The story follows Jirou Azuma, a teenage shinobi descendant with the unique ability to communicate with animals. After saving a wounded demon cat named Ragou, Jirou is thrust into a world of supernatural battles against mononoke (demonic spirits).
Despite its short run of 19 chapters, the manga developed a dedicated following who appreciated its blend of familial duty, supernatural elements, and high-stakes action. The series was praised for its unique take on the ninja genre, incorporating Japanese folklore and mythological creatures.
From Cancellation to Adaptation
The manga’s cancellation after five volumes was attributed to Takaki prioritizing other projects. However, the passionate fanbase continued to champion the series, with many taking to social media to express their desire for an anime adaptation. Their wishes have now come true as Viz Media confirmed the production of the anime adaptation.
The Anime Production
The anime will be produced by 100Studio, with Kei Umabiki directing and Gigaemon Ichikawa handling the series composition and screenplay. Character designs will be by Gou Suzuki, and the music composed by Yutaka Yamada. Tsuyoshi Takaki has been involved in supervising the settings and storyboards, ensuring the adaptation remains faithful to the original while enhancing the storytelling with animation.
Fan and Creator Reactions
Tsuyoshi Takaki expressed his excitement in a statement:
“Congratulations on the anime adaptation of BLACK TORCH! I don’t think there’s anyone more excited and surprised than me. This is all thanks to everyone who has loved the manga, both in Japan and overseas.”
Fans have been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their anticipation for how the animated format will bring the supernatural battles and character dynamics to life. Social media has been flooded with discussions about potential voice casting and how the anime might expand on the manga’s abbreviated conclusion.
What’s Next?
While a premiere date hasn’t been announced, the first trailer and key visual were revealed at the convention, showcasing the vibrant animation style and intense action sequences that fans have come to expect from the series. The anime promises to explore themes of sacrifice, legacy, and redemption that resonated with readers of the manga.
For those unfamiliar with the source material, the five-volume manga offers a complete story arc that sets up potential for an anime that could either faithfully adapt the existing material or expand upon it, given the creative team’s vision.
The announcement of the “BLACK TORCH” anime adaptation serves as a testament to the power of dedicated fan communities and the second chances that anime adaptations can provide to compelling stories that didn’t get the chance to fully unfold in their original medium.
You can read Black Torch manga On Viz
