Every summer season, one show sneaks up and steals the spotlight while everyone is busy arguing about the big sequels. This year, that show is Black Torch — and if the internet’s reaction is anything to go by, it just became the sleeper hit of Summer 2026. The anime adaptation of Tsuyoshi Takaki’s cult-favorite ninja manga has been quietly building a massive following since its July 4 premiere on Crunchyroll, and by early August it’s the topic fans can’t stop debating. Here’s why everyone is losing their minds over it.
What Is Black Torch, Anyway?
Black Torch is a supernatural ninja action series created by manga artist Tsuyoshi Takaki, originally serialized in Shueisha’s Jump Square before moving to the Shonen Jump+ app. It follows Jiro Azuma, a teenager descended from a legendary ninja clan, who has the rare ability to communicate with animals — including the fearsome mononoke that roam the shadows of Japan. When a mission goes horribly wrong, Jiro finds himself bonded with Rago, one of the most powerful mononoke in existence, a black cat-like creature who ends up sharing his body. What follows is a violent, fast-paced war between ninja, exorcists, and the supernatural creatures that could destroy the world.
The manga ran from 2016 to 2018 and earned a devoted cult following for its brutal fight choreography and surprisingly tight storytelling. For years, fans begged for an anime adaptation. After nearly a decade of waiting, the dream finally came true in July 2026.
The Dream Team Behind the Adaptation
What makes Black Torch’s anime so special isn’t just the source material — it’s the people bringing it to life. The series is directed by Kei Umabaki, known for his work on Quality Assurance in Another World, while Go Suzuki, the co-character designer of Sword Art Online: Alicization, handles the character designs. The music comes from Yutaka Yamada, the composer behind Vinland Saga’s iconic score, and the animation is produced by the up-and-coming studio 100studio.
The voice cast is equally stacked. Ryota Suzuki voices the hot-headed Jiro Azuma, Yoji Ueda brings Rago to life, and the supporting cast includes Sayaka Sembongi as Ichika Kishimojin, Junya Enoki as Reiji Kirihara, Junichi Suwabe as Ryosuke Shiba, and Reina Ueda as Hana Usami. It’s a lineup of some of the most recognizable names in modern anime — and they all deliver.
Why Everyone Is Calling It ‘The New Jujutsu Kaisen’
Here’s the comparison that has taken over anime Twitter: Black Torch is being called the spiritual successor to Jujutsu Kaisen. And honestly, it’s not hard to see why. Both series feature a young protagonist who gains supernatural power through a bond with a creature, both are packed with stylish, high-speed combat, and both balance dark themes with a scrappy, underdog energy. Some fans have even pointed out visual and thematic parallels in the fight scenes that make the comparison almost impossible to ignore.
But Black Torch is very much its own thing. Where Jujutsu Kaisen leans into curses and sorcery schools, Black Torch leans into ninja clans, shikigami-style combat, and a much more grounded, historical-meets-modern setting. The animation team at 100studio has done incredible work making every fight feel raw and physical. The dub, which launched simultaneously on Crunchyroll, has also been praised for its energy — a rarity for a debut season.
Weekly Release and Growing Momentum
New episodes of Black Torch drop every Saturday at 6:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Crunchyroll, with both subtitled and dubbed versions available. As of early August, the series is deep into its first cour, and word of mouth is spreading fast. Memes comparing Jiro and Rago to Yuji and Sukuna are already everywhere, and the show is trending in anime communities worldwide.
For fans of gritty supernatural action in the vein of Jujutsu Kaisen, Demon Slayer, or Chainsaw Man, Black Torch is shaping up to be the must-watch of the season. The manga may be short — only around 40 chapters — but the anime proves that sometimes the shortest stories leave the biggest impact.
What Do You Think?
Have you started Black Torch yet? Do you agree with the comparisons? Drop your take in the comments — and tell us which Summer 2026 show has been your biggest surprise so far!
Related: Chainsaw Man Reze Arc and the rest of Summer 2026.
