You’ve probably never heard of Black Torch — and that’s exactly what makes it the most exciting anime of Summer 2026. A manga that was canceled back in 2018, left unfinished in the pages of Shueisha’s Jump Square, and mourned by a small but loyal fanbase is now having the ultimate second act. And trust us when we say: this comeback story is wilder than anything happening in the show itself.
The Canceled Manga That Refused to Die
Back in 2017, Tsuyoshi Takaki launched Black Torch in Jump Square with high hopes. The manga centered on Jiro Azuma, a high schooler who’s secretly a descendant of ninjas — trained in the ancient art of shinobi by his grandfather Toshimasa Azuma. Jiro has a unique gift: he can talk to animals. When he stumbles upon an injured black cat named Rago deep in the forest, everything changes. Rago isn’t just a cat — he’s the legendary Black Star of Doom, a mythical mononoke entity with powers that every dark spirit in the world is desperate to claim.
The series was popular enough to get five volumes published, but by July 2018, Takaki wrapped it up on Shonen Jump+ with what many fans felt was a rushed ending. The story had so much more to tell. For years, Black Torch existed as a footnote in anime forums — “the ninja manga that deserved better,” they’d say. And then, completely out of nowhere, the anime announcement dropped in late 2025.
100Studio and Director Kei Umabiki Are Delivering Something Special
Here’s where it gets interesting. The anime adaptation is being handled by 100Studio, a relatively new studio that most people wouldn’t have recognized a year ago. But director Kei Umabiki and his team are making a serious case for being the breakout studio of 2026. The animation quality in the first three episodes has been described as “fluid” and “impressive” by reviewers, with fight choreography that punches well above its weight class.
Character designer Go Suzuki and series supervisor Gigaemon Ichikawa have stayed remarkably faithful to Takaki’s original art style while giving it a modern polish. And the music? Composer Yutaka Yamada — the same man behind Attack on Titan‘s iconic soundtrack — is scoring the entire series. The opening theme “Freeze Me Up” by SiM hits hard from the very first frame, while I Don’t Like Mondays.’ ending track “Groooovy” gives each episode a cool, reflective close.
A Cast That’s Already Stealing the Show
Ryota Suzuki voices Jiro Azuma with a perfect blend of teenage awkwardness and warrior intensity. Yoji Ueda brings Rago to life with a gruff, world-weary charm that makes the Black Star of Doom simultaneously intimidating and lovable. Junya Enoki plays Reiji Kirihara, Jiro’s complicated rival-turned-ally from the Bureau of Espionage, with the kind of charisma that turns supporting characters into fan favorites overnight.
The supporting cast is equally stacked. Sayaka Sembongi voices Ichika Kishimojin with fierce conviction, Reina Ueda brings depth to Hana Usami, and Junichi Suwabe — the man you know from dozens of iconic anime roles — voices Ryosuke Shiba with his trademark smooth authority. Hochu Otsuka rounds out the cast as Banjuro Tokieda, a legendary figure from the Bureau who may know more about Rago’s past than he’s letting on.
The English dub, produced by Studiopolis Inc. under dialogue director Kirstie Simone, features AJ Beckles as Jiro and Keith Silverstein as Rago — a pairing that’s already winning over the dub community.
Three Episodes In, and Fans Are Already Obsessed
Black Torch premiered on Crunchyroll on July 4, 2026, with both Japanese subtitles and English dub available. New episodes drop every Saturday at 9:00 a.m. ET. Episode 3 aired on July 18 — just yesterday — and the buzz is growing fast. Reviewers have praised the show’s improving pacing, with the second episode delivering both emotional depth and action-packed sequences.
What makes Black Torch stand out in a season packed with heavy hitters like Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 4, Tanya the Evil Season 2, and Solo Leveling Season 2 is its tone. This isn’t a dark, brooding supernatural thriller — it’s a character-driven action series with genuine heart. The bond between Jiro and Rago feels earned, not forced. The Bureau of Espionage has real political intrigue simmering beneath the surface. And the mononoke threats feel genuinely threatening rather than just being cannon fodder for the hero.
12 Episodes to Tell the Full Story
With a confirmed 12-episode run, Black Torch has enough time to properly explore its world — something the manga never got. The series runs through September 19, 2026, giving fans a full summer of new content every week. For a show that almost didn’t exist, that’s a remarkable vindication.
Tsuyoshi Takaki, who went on to create the popular Heart Gear series, has been supportive of the anime adaptation. And given how the first three episodes have turned out, fans are hoping the anime might even surpass the source material. It’s happened before — and with Yamada’s soundtrack, Umabiki’s direction, and the talented cast, Black Torch has all the ingredients to be the sleeper hit of the season.
What Do You Think?
Is Black Torch the most underrated anime of Summer 2026, or is the hype building too fast for a show most people just discovered? Have you watched the first three episodes on Crunchyroll yet? Which character are you most invested in — Jiro, Rago, or maybe Reiji? Drop your thoughts in the comments below. And if you haven’t started watching yet — what are you waiting for? This is the kind of show that becomes a cultural moment precisely because nobody saw it coming.
