IGN is thrilled to exclusively reveal the first trailer for the upcoming Black Torch anime, now 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 uniform, alongside his powerful mononoke companion, Rago, perched on his shoulder. A shadowy figure glimpsed in the cityscape hints at the perilous journey ahead.
For those unfamiliar with the source material, Black Torch, created by Tsuyoshi Yakaki and originally serialized in Jump SQ. and Shonen Jump+ from 2017 to 2018, tells a captivating tale:
"A new era of ninja battles begins," the official synopsis states. "Jiro, a descendant of 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 with an injured black cat named Rago—a cat far from ordinary. Rago is a legendary mononoke, the Black Star of Doom! Numerous mononoke, drawn to Rago's immense power, emerge from the shadows. The undercover Bureau of Espionage is mobilized to hunt and eliminate this threat, but everyone has their own motives regarding Rago's abilities. Jiro and Rago, however, are prepared. A thrilling clash between shinobi and mononoke is about to ignite!"
This exciting adaptation is celebrated by Takaki himself: “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," he commented. "A new BLACK TORCH has been brought to life, now with voices, sounds, movement and color.” (A link to Takaki's celebratory drawing from the panel will be added upon availability.)
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