Sometimes the best anime come from the most unexpected places. Black Torch is proof of that. Tsuyoshi Takaki’s supernatural action series ran in Shueisha’s Jump Square and Jump+ from 2016 to 2018 — and then it was gone. Canceled after just five volumes and fewer than 20 chapters. Most manga fans never even heard of it.
Fast forward to 2026, and Black Torch is about to become the biggest underdog story of the summer anime season. The anime adaptation premieres July 4, 2026 on Crunchunchyroll, with a special world premiere event at Anime Expo 2026 on July 3 — one day before the global launch. And the hype? It’s real.
What Is Black Torch About?
The story follows Jiro Azuma, a young ninja with a rare ability: he can communicate with animals. His quiet life gets turned upside down when he encounters Rago, a powerful and ancient mononoke (spirit/demon) who is being hunted by a secret government organization called the Bureau of Espionage. After a fateful encounter, Jiro and Rago end up merging into a single being — giving Jiro access to Rago’s immense supernatural power while still retaining his human consciousness.
Think Naruto meets Bleach with a dash of Jujutsu Kaisen — but with its own distinct identity. The manga’s art was praised for its dynamic action sequences and moody, atmospheric style that set it apart from the typical Shonen Jump aesthetic.
Why Was It Canceled in the First Place?
Black Torch ran in Jump Square (a monthly magazine) and later on Jump+ (digital platform), not the flagship Weekly Shonen Jump. This meant it never got the same exposure as hits like My Hero Academia or Demon Slayer. Despite strong art and a compelling premise, the series wrapped up quietly in 2018 with only five collected volumes. It became one of those “what could have been” titles that hardcore manga fans would occasionally rediscover and recommend.
But the story never really died. The manga developed a cult following over the years, and with the anime industry hungry for fresh IP, Black Torch got its second chance.
The Anime: Who’s Making It?
The production team behind Black Torch is seriously impressive:
- Director: Kei Umabiki
- Animation Studio: 100studio
- Series Composition & Screenplay: Gigaemon Ichikawa
- Character Design: Gou Suzuki
- Music: Yutaka Yamada (Tokyo Ghoul, Vinland Saga)
Original creator Tsuyoshi Takaki has been directly involved in the production, supervising settings and storyboards. In his own words: “A new BLACK TORCH has been brought to life, now with voices, sounds, movement and color.”
Voice Cast: A Stacked Lineup
The Japanese voice cast reads like a who’s-who of the industry:
- Ryota Suzuki as Jiro Azuma
- Yoji Ueda as Rago
- Sayaka Senbongi as Ichika Kishimojin
- Junya Enoki as Reiji Kirihara
- Nobuhiko Okamoto as Koga
- Toshiyuki Morikawa as Amagi
The English dub features AJ Beckles as Jiro and Keith Silverstein as Rago — both of whom will be at the Anime Expo 2026 world premiere panel on July 3.
Why This Could Be Summer 2026’s Breakout Hit
There’s something special about an underdog story — and Black Torch is the ultimate underdog. A canceled manga getting a full anime adaptation eight years later? That almost never happens. The fact that Crunchyroll is giving it a major push in their Summer 2026 lineup (alongside heavyweights like Bleach: TYBW and Mushoku Tensei Season 3) shows serious confidence.
Yutaka Yamada’s involvement as composer is a massive green flag. His work on Tokyo Ghoul and Vinland Saga is legendary — if Black Torch gets even half that level of musical intensity, the fight scenes are going to be unforgettable.
Plus, the timing is perfect. With Jujutsu Kaisen Season 4 and My Hero Academia wrapping up, there’s a gap in the dark supernatural action genre that Black Torch could fill perfectly.
Related:
- Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026: Complete Results and All the Controversy
- Jujutsu Kaisen Season 4 Just Got Announced and Fans Are Losing Their Minds
- Frieren Season 3: Big Announcement Coming at Anime Expo 2026
What Do You Think?
Are you excited for Black Torch, or is this just another Shonen Jump adaptation that’s arriving too late? Did you read the original manga back in 2016-2018, or is this your first time hearing about Jiro and Rago? Drop your thoughts in the comments — we want to know if you think this underdog can actually compete with the summer heavyweights!
