IGN is thrilled to exclusively reveal the first trailer for the upcoming Black Torch anime, officially in production at VIZ Media! Announced at VIZ Media's Emerald City Comic Con panel, the trailer showcases Jiro Azuma in his stealth ninja attire, accompanied by his powerful mononoke partner, Rago, perched on his shoulder. A shadowy figure glimpsed in the cityscape hints at the perilous adventures ahead.
For those unfamiliar with the source material, Black Torch, created by Tsuyoshi Yakaki, originally ran in Jump SQ. and Shonen Jump+ from 2017 to 2018. The anime’s official synopsis sets the stage:
"A new era of ninja battles begins. Jiro, descended from a long line of ninjas, has been trained by his grandfather in the ancient art of shinobi. Uniquely skilled, Jiro can communicate with animals. His life takes a dramatic turn after a mysterious encounter in the forest with an injured black cat, Rago. But Rago is far from ordinary; he’s a legendary mononoke—the Black Star of Doom! Other mononoke, drawn to Rago’s immense power, emerge from the shadows. The undercover Bureau of Espionage is mobilized to hunt and destroy them, each with their own agenda regarding Rago's abilities. The stage is set for an explosive shinobi clash between boy and mononoke!"
Celebratory artwork by Takaki, from the Emerald City Comic Con panel, is available (link to be added upon availability). Takaki commented, “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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