Jiro Azuma is an odd sort of fellow: he has the strange power to speak with animals. This power isolated him from other kids, so his only real friends were those very same animals. This gift would lead him to make a powerful friend later in life. Jiro would meet and bond with a mononoke (vengeful spirit) and join a battle between humans and spirits. We’ll see him take to the battlefield when Black Torch premieres on July 4th, 2026.
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Tsuyoshi Takaki released the original Black Torch manga series between December 31st, 2016, and July 11th, 2018. Shueisha has since published all five volumes in Shonen Jump+.
Black Torch Cast
The animal speaker, his new black cat comrade, and the government-employed hunter are as follows:
- Jiro Azuma — Ryota Suzuki (Third One for All from My Hero Academia). Jiro is a roguish brute with a kind heart and shinobi training.
- Rago — Yoji Ueda (Eisen from Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End). Rago is a powerful cat-like mononoke.
- Ichika Kishimojin — Sayaka Senbongi (Cixous from Overlord). Ichika is a skilled agent of the Public Bureau of Espionage.
100studio maintains a website, an Instagram account, and an X (Twitter) account to promote Black Torch. You can find more information about the series and the key visuals at those sites.
Light the Flames of the Black Torch
Jiro Azuma has been a target of ridicule since he was a kid. The others thought he was weird for talking to animals. His only real friends were those same birds, dogs, and cats that helped him through those times. Jiro strengthened himself as a shinobi to defend himself against bullies and help the animals that came to him for aid. That kindness led him to help a strange black cat that barely walked away from a fight. That fateful meeting would bring about his death and rebirth.
Rago may look like a black cat, but he’s a powerful mononoke that the modern incarnation of the Oniwaban sealed away years ago. His fellow mononoke released him to aid in their campaign of destruction. Jiro tended his wounds and even defended him against the large mononoke that sought to recruit him again, at the cost of his life. Rago merged with Jiro, granting him the power of a mononoke. He may have won the battle, but the Public Bureau of Espionage and other mononoke now have him in their sights.
Will you enjoy America’s special day in July when you watch the premiere of Black Torch? Did you read the original manga series? Would you like to become a half-mononoke? Let us know in the comments below.
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It’s a very special celebration for the U.S., and J-List is getting into the proper spirit with a big July 4 Sale. Celebrate with 15% off all in-stock products shipping from Japan through Monday, July 6. Start browsing here!
