Nearly a decade after its abrupt cancellation, Black Torch has made a triumphant return to the spotlight, becoming a massive fan-favorite following its breakout summer anime debut. Created by Tsuyoshi Takaki, the manga originally ran in Shueisha’s Jump Square from 2016 to 2018. Because it was a monthly publication, the series only managed to put out 19 chapters before the publisher pulled the plug. Recognizing the hidden depth and potential of Takaki’s work, Studio EEK stepped in years later to bring the IP to life on screen. True to expectations, the adaptation has quickly grown into one of the year’s standout titles, capturing the imaginations of Shonen Jump enthusiasts worldwide.
The anime’s surging popularity has also breathed new life into the source material, introducing the previously sidelined manga to a fresh wave of readers. According to Viz Media’s official site, a comprehensive paperback box set is slated for release on September 22nd, 2026. This collector’s item will house all five volumes of the series alongside an exclusive double-sided poster. Pre-orders are already live on Amazon via links provided by Viz Media.
Black Torch Earns a Redo Through Compelling Storytelling
While axed Shonen Jump properties occasionally make the jump to animation, very few achieve the sheer level of acclaim that Black Torch is currently enjoying. The narrative centers on Jiro Azuma, a 17-year-old martial artist gifted with the ability to communicate with animals due to his heritage as a descendant of an ancient shinobi clan. His ordinary routine shatters after he rescues a wounded cat, only to discover the animal is actually a supernatural entity known as a mononoke.
The feline spirit, Rago, finds himself hunted by his own kind for refusing to join their plot to plunge the world into chaos. Choosing to protect Rago, Jiro suffers a mortal blow during the confrontation. In a desperate bid to save him, Rago shares his own life force with the boy, which drags Jiro deep into a perilous underworld of supernatural threats. The current anime run is slated for 12 episodes, with new installments dropping weekly on Crunchyroll.
Why Was Black Torch Axed in the First Place?
Shueisha rarely provides explicit justifications for ending a series prematurely, but decisions typically come down to underwhelming sales or reader metrics. Even concepts brimming with ingenuity face termination if they fail to instantly hook the audience. Furthermore, high-profile anthologies like Weekly Shonen Jump and Jump Square maintain strict page quotas, resulting in fierce competition where underperforming titles are routinely cleared out to make room for untested ventures.
Because Black Torch was cut short so early in its run, Takaki never got the chance to fully flesh out his grand vision. With the manga having concluded years ago, the anime adaptation is expected to follow that same concise trajectory. As of now, there are no plans to revive the manga or produce a sequel.