The Summer 2026 anime season on Crunchyroll has delivered a breakout hit with its newest shonen series, which is moving at a lightning-fast pace. While typical action anime spend dozens of episodes building up to a protagonist’s first major power-up, this series wastes no time. It leans into a beloved genre staple—the inner demon companion—but accelerates the bond between hero and beast to unlock a brand-new transformation far quicker than fans usually expect.
That rapid progression is on full display in the seventh episode of the hit anime Black Torch. From the very first episode, protagonist Jiro Azuma was thrust into a partnership with Rago, a legendary and menacing mononoke spirit. As the series has unfolded, Rago has quickly established himself as one of the most refreshing inner demons in modern anime. Now, with Jiro and Rago pushed to their absolute limits by a formidable adversary, the duo has finally unleashed a striking new combat form that trades pure terror for an unexpectedly adorable aesthetic.
Black Torch Unveils a Formidable Yet Cat-Like Power-Up for Its Hero
In the latest installment of Black Torch, the special operations unit is tasked with a rescue mission in a zone overrun by three distinct varieties of mononoke. This leads to a high-stakes clash against a particularly brutal spirit that threatens to overwhelm Jiro, even with Rago lending his strength. Just as defeat seems imminent, Jiro undergoes a startling metamorphosis, enveloping himself in Rago’s signature dark energy. The resulting design cleverly mirrors Rago’s feline nature while sporting an unexpectedly cute look. The transformation even manifests classic cat-like mannerisms, with Jiro casually swatting away an annoying enemy using a newly formed tail with the supreme indifference of a real feline.
However, beneath the charm of this new ability lies a darker truth that Rago uncovers. The episode sheds light on why mononoke hunt humans—they crave the vital energy humans naturally radiate. Rago realizes that by simply inhabiting Jiro’s body, he is slowly draining that very energy, growing stronger at his host’s expense. It’s a clever twist on a familiar shonen trope, reminding viewers that power gifted by an inner entity always comes with a hidden cost.
Given that the original Black Torch manga spans only 19 chapters, the anime adaptation is destined for a concise run. This means viewers will eventually have to brace for the day Jiro and Rago’s paths diverge—whether that ends with Rago burning through his remaining energy or completely merging with Jiro in a final, transformative sacrifice. Regardless of how the story ultimately concludes, Black Torch has cemented its status as one of the standout shonen titles on Crunchyroll this year, proving that classic tropes can still feel fresh and exciting in the hands of the right adaptation.