(Featured Image Source: ©Tsuyoshi Takaki/Shueisha, Project BLACK TORCH)

VIZ Media has announced at Emerald City Comic Con that an anime adaptation of Black Torch is officially in production!

“A New Era of Ninja Battles Begins!

Jiro Azuma is not your average high schooler. 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!”

via VIZ Media

Black Torch is a science fiction action manga series written and illustrated by Tsuyoshi Takaki and published by Shueisha. The series follows Jiro, a teenage ninja who, after a chance encounter with a Mononoke (an evil spirit in Japanese folklore), gains powers that let him slay other Mononoke, drawing the attention of the Bureau of Espionage. The series ran from December 2016 to July 2018.

The anime adaptation will be directed by Kei Umabiki and written by Gigaemon Ichikawa. It will feature music by Yutaka Yamada, character designs by Gou Suzuki, and animation by 100studio.

Tsuyoshi Takaki shared a special exclusive drawing for fans to celebrate the announcement.

The Creative Team also commented on what it is like to work on the series.

Creator: Tsuyoshi Takaki

“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.”

via VIZ Media

Director: Kei Umabiki

“In creating the anime, we’ve made full use of elements that are unique to the medium like color, movement, music, and a brilliant cast. The entire staff is working hard to bring the excitement and charm of the original work to this production!“

via VIZ Media

Series Composition & Screenplay: Gigaemon Ichikawa

“With a lot of care and passion, I did my best to adapt the fiery, cool, heartrending and heartwarming world of “BLACK TORCH” created by Tsuyoshi Takaki Sensei.”

via VIZ Media

Music Composer: Yutaka Yamada

“To bring the world of BLACK TORCH to life with music, we’ve created a unique soundscape with our own original tones and beats. We’re putting our all into making sure we embody the charm of the original work.”

via VIZ Media

An adaptation of a stylized action-packed series! Black Torch currently has no released date. Learn more and stay tuned to the official site for updates.

(Source: VIZ Media)

Anime NYC 2025 has wrapped up, so make sure to check out our coverage to see what happened at NYC’s largest anime convention! And stay tuned! Anime NYC 2026 is set for August 20-23! We will keep you up to date as they announce their special guests, event lineup, and when badge sales go live!