VIZ Media Announces Black Torch Anime Production

IGN is thrilled to exclusively share the exciting news that a Black Torch anime is officially in production at VIZ Media. Alongside this announcement, we're proud to unveil the first trailer, which was revealed at VIZ Media's panel during Emerald City Comic Con.

The trailer introduces us to Jiro Azuma, clad in his stealth uniform and accompanied by his formidable mononoke companion, Rago, perched on his shoulder. A glimpse of a mysterious dark figure reflected in the cityscape hints at the impending peril that awaits.

"A new era of ninja battles begins," the 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!"

“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," Takaki remarked. "A new BLACK TORCH has been brought to life, now with voices, sounds, movement, and color.”

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