VIZ Media Announces Black Torch Anime Production

Exciting news for fans of the supernatural and ninja lore: VIZ Media has officially announced that the manga "Black Torch" is being adapted into an anime, with production currently underway. IGN is thrilled to exclusively reveal the first trailer for this highly anticipated series, which was showcased at VIZ Media's panel during Emerald City Comic Con.

The trailer introduces us to the protagonist, Jiro Azuma, clad in his stealth uniform and accompanied by his powerful mononoke companion, Rago, perched on his shoulder. A glimpse of a mysterious, ominous figure reflected in the cityscape suggests the looming threats that Jiro and Rago will face.

For those new to the series, "Black Torch" is a creation of Tsuyoshi Takaki, initially serialized in Jump SQ. and Shonen Jump+ from 2017 to 2018. Here's the official synopsis to get you up to speed on the upcoming anime:

"A new era of ninja battles begins," the official synopsis reads. "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!"

To further celebrate this milestone for "Black Torch," be sure to check out a special drawing by Takaki from the panel, which will be linked here once available.

Tsuyoshi Takaki, the creator, shared his enthusiasm about the project, stating, "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."

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