BLACK TORCH is getting closer to its anime debut, and the latest update gives fans a much better idea of what to expect from the adaptation. A new main trailer and key visual have been released, along with the confirmation of the opening and ending theme songs for the series.
The anime is scheduled to premiere in Japan on July 4, 2026, with Crunchyroll set to stream the series in several regions. For fans of supernatural action, shinobi stories and manga adaptations with a darker edge, BLACK TORCH is shaping up to be one of the notable new titles of the Summer 2026 anime season.
New Trailer Previews the Opening and Ending Themes
The new trailer for BLACK TORCH gives viewers a stronger look at the anime’s action, character dynamics and supernatural conflict. More importantly, it also previews both theme songs for the first time.
The opening theme is titled “FREEZE ME UP” and will be performed by SiM, a band already well known among anime fans for its intense sound and previous anime theme work. The ending theme is titled “Groooovy” and will be performed by I Don’t Like Mondays.
The choice of artists seems fitting for a series like BLACK TORCH. The story mixes urban action, supernatural battles and a protagonist with shinobi roots, so the music needs to carry both energy and attitude. Based on the trailer, the anime appears to be leaning into that sharp, fast-moving tone.
New Key Visual Highlights Jiro and Rago
Alongside the trailer, the anime also revealed a new key visual. The artwork features Jiro Azuma and his mononoke partner Rago, placing the main duo at the center of the image while also showing other important characters connected to the story.
The visual helps reinforce one of the strongest hooks of BLACK TORCH: the unlikely partnership between a young shinobi descendant and a powerful supernatural being. Jiro and Rago’s connection is not just a simple hero-and-mascot dynamic. Their bond is tied directly to the battles ahead and to the dangerous forces that want Rago’s power for themselves.
What Is BLACK TORCH About?
BLACK TORCH follows Jiro Azuma, a high schooler descended from a long line of shinobi. Jiro is not exactly an ordinary teenager. He was trained by his grandfather in the old arts of the ninja, and he also has the unusual ability to communicate with animals.
That connection with animals leads him to a mysterious black cat named Rago. At first, Rago appears to be an injured stray, but the truth is far more dangerous. Rago is actually a powerful mononoke known as the Black Star of Doom, and his existence draws the attention of other supernatural beings who want to exploit his immense power.
After Jiro becomes involved with Rago, he is pulled into a hidden battle between humanity and dangerous spirits. What begins as a chance encounter quickly becomes a fight for survival, as Jiro finds himself caught between shadowy organizations, hostile mononoke and the power now connected to him through Rago.
Main Voice Cast
The anime has already confirmed several cast members for its main characters. The voice lineup includes names attached to both Jiro’s side and the wider supernatural conflict surrounding Rago.
- Ryota Suzuki as Jiro Azuma
- Yoji Ueda as Rago
- Sayaka Senbongi as Ichika Kishimojin
- Junya Enoki as Reiji Kirihara
- Junichi Suwabe as Ryosuke Shiba
- Reina Ueda as Usami
This cast gives the anime a strong foundation, especially because BLACK TORCH depends on the contrast between human characters, supernatural beings and the unusual relationship between Jiro and Rago. The dynamic between the two central characters will likely be one of the most important parts of the adaptation.
Staff Behind the Anime
The BLACK TORCH anime is being produced by 100studio. Kei Umabiki is directing the series, while Gigaemon Ichikawa is handling series composition and scripts. Character designs are credited to Go Suzuki, and the music is composed by Yutaka Yamada.
- Director: Kei Umabiki
- Series composition and scripts: Gigaemon Ichikawa
- Character design: Go Suzuki
- Music: Yutaka Yamada
- Animation production: 100studio
The involvement of Yutaka Yamada is especially worth noting, since his music has helped define the atmosphere of several intense and emotionally driven anime projects. For a supernatural action series like BLACK TORCH, the soundtrack could play a major role in building tension during battles and giving weight to the darker parts of the story.
Based on the Manga by Tsuyoshi Takaki
BLACK TORCH is based on the manga written and illustrated by Tsuyoshi Takaki. The series was originally published by Shueisha, beginning in Jump Square before later continuing on the Shonen Jump+ digital platform.
The manga is relatively short, with its story collected into five volumes. That may actually work in the anime’s favor, since a compact source material can sometimes allow an adaptation to feel more focused, especially if the production is able to cover the core story without stretching the pacing too much.
Despite its short run, BLACK TORCH built a following thanks to its mixture of stylish action, supernatural mythology, shinobi elements and the central partnership between Jiro and Rago. The anime now gives the title a second chance to reach a wider audience, including viewers who may have never encountered the manga before.
Why BLACK TORCH Could Stand Out
At first glance, BLACK TORCH has many familiar ingredients: a teenage protagonist, hidden supernatural forces, secret organizations and battles against dangerous spirits. What gives the series its personality is the way those elements are tied to Jiro’s background as a shinobi descendant and his ability to communicate with animals.
Rago also gives the story a strong central hook. He is not just a mysterious creature attached to the protagonist. He is a powerful being with a dangerous reputation, and his existence creates conflict from the moment he enters Jiro’s life. That makes their partnership feel risky from the beginning.
The anime’s visual identity will be important as well. The contrast between modern urban settings, old shinobi traditions and mononoke battles gives BLACK TORCH room to deliver action scenes with a distinct supernatural flavor. If the adaptation captures the manga’s stylish energy, it could become a strong pick for fans of action-heavy shonen anime.
Final Thoughts
The new trailer and key visual for BLACK TORCH make the anime feel much more concrete as its July 4, 2026 premiere approaches. With theme songs by SiM and I Don’t Like Mondays., a supernatural action premise and Crunchyroll streaming the series, the adaptation has a solid chance to attract both manga readers and new viewers.
For anyone who enjoys stories about shinobi, mononoke, secret battles and unlikely partnerships, BLACK TORCH is definitely a title to keep on the radar for the Summer 2026 season.
