Overview of BLACK TORCH’s Anime Adaptation
- The BLACK TORCH manga, which concluded after just 19 chapters, is receiving an anime adaptation.
- Tsuyoshi Takaki, the original creator, is playing a significant role in the anime’s production.
- This adaptation may signal a revival for other manga series that were previously canceled.
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- Discover the Theme of BLACK TORCH
- The Journey to Adaptation
- The Significance of BLACK TORCH’s Revival
In a surprising turn of events in 2025, the announcement of an anime adaptation for the BLACK TORCH manga—originally authored by Tsuyoshi Takaki—has caught many fans off guard. This series, which was initially canceled and managed to gather only 19 chapters across five volumes due to poor reception, was not a likely candidate for an anime adaptation. However, this recent development could potentially pave the way for a resurgence in interest for other similarly canceled titles.
How did BLACK TORCH defy the odds to earn its place in the anime spotlight?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v36GbO-J9nIhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v36GbO-J9nI
“I’m more surprised and excited than anyone else to see this happen. This is all thanks to the love our fans have shown for the manga, both in Japan and internationally. I have been involved in overseeing the settings and storyboards, and I believe we have crafted something even more compelling, while maintaining the essence of the original narrative. BLACK TORCH now comes alive with voice, sound, action, and color—filled with battles, cats, and adventure. We hope you enjoy it!”
– Tsuyoshi Takaki, Author of BLACK TORCH
What is BLACK TORCH About?
A Supernatural Battle Shōnen
The protagonist, Jiro Azuma, may have a tough exterior that suggests a delinquent persona, but he harbors significant secrets. A lover of animals, he possesses the unique ability to communicate with them—a trait reminiscent of Eddie Murphy’s iconic character. Furthermore, Jiro’s lineage traces back to a family of true ninjas. Chaos ensues when a mysterious stray cat named Rago merges with him. This fusion endows Jiro with extraordinary powers while ensnaring him in a clandestine battle against formidable spirits known as mononoke. Notably, Rago is a legendary mononoke known as the Black Star of Doom, attracting the attention of malevolent entities eager to exploit this power for their gain. BLACK TORCH was serialized by Shueisha from December 2016 to March 2018 and continued digitally from April to July 2018.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z6UGVZdleshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z6UGVZdles
The manga received a mixed yet generally positive response, especially from Western audiences. Critics, including Rebecca Silverman from ANN, awarded the first volume a B grade, highlighting engaging character dynamics and an appealing art style akin to that of BLEACH creator Tite Kubo—though it faced criticism for its pacing and character depth. VIZ Media’s Rae First referred to it as encapsulating everything fans adore about Shōnen Jump within a single title. The anime adaptations are orchestrated by 100studio (Quality Assurance in Another World), handling the challenge of adapting this less acknowledged series into a potential fan favorite.
- Director: Kei Umabiki (Gintama) overseeing storyboards
- Character Designer: Gō Suzuki (Lycoris Recoil) as chief animation director
- Series Supervisor and Scriptwriter: Gigaemon Ichikawa (A Galaxy Next Door)
- Composer: Yutaka Yamada (Tokyo Ghoul) creating the soundtrack
Tsuyoshi Takaki’s active involvement in production has him supervising scripts and storyboards, and he’s genuinely enthusiastic about the project, expressing that it respects the original work while enhancing it.
#BLACKTORCH anime director, Kei Umabiki shares his initial impressions of the manga 📖👀 @umaumatrap2 @BlackTorchAnime @VIZMedia pic.twitter.com/FndVckQu4Y — BLACK TORCH (@BlackTorch_EN) March 11, 2025
How Did This Happen?
Why Was BLACK TORCH Revived?
Despite being canceled after just 19 chapters—indicating a potential lack of popularity—black TORCH maintained a dedicated fan base both in Japan and internationally. Shueisha, the publisher, opted to compile these chapters into five volumes, which hints at a degree of commercial success. Internationally, it garnered a loyal following, praised for its artwork and visual style reminiscent of Tite Kubo’s work, though critics noted deficiencies in character development.
The anime content aggregator MyAnimeList highlights a substantial interest with over 30,000 members marking BLACK TORCH as a favorite. This parallels works from renowned authors like Tite Kubo and others, suggesting a significant international popularity that could not be underestimated.
#BLACKTORCH anime director, Kei Umabiki shares his thoughts on first impressions.
The unique circumstances surrounding BLACK TORCH’s revival are noteworthy, particularly given that adaptations often aim to rekindle interest in original material. The fact that an anime is being produced for a series canceled seven years prior stands out significantly among adaptation trends.
The Potential Impact of BLACK TORCH’s Revival
Is This a New Dawn for Canceled Manga?
What sets BLACK TORCH apart is its unusual position where an anime adaptation surfaces after such a lengthy hiatus since its cancellation. Traditionally, anime adaptations aim to rekindle interest in the original manga, often reaching new demographics who may not have engaged with the source material.
The revival of BLACK TORCH could symbolize a turning point, offering hope for numerous abandoned titles that were unable to complete their narratives. Notable examples including Ayashimon, Psyren, and Zombiepowder—among many others—highlight the plethora of promising manga that are currently without adaptation prospects. BLACK TORCH’s adaptation thus presents a vital opportunity for other canceled works to potentially find new life and audiences, creating excitement within the community.