BLACK TORCHロゴ

BLACK TORCH's illustration
ANIME COMING SOON!!
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INTRODUCTION

Jiro Azuma is not your average high schooler. Hailing from a long line of ninja, Jiro has been brought up by his grandfather in the ancient warrior art of the shinobi. Jiro also happens to be a particularly skilled communicator able to converse with the animal world. But life takes an abrupt turn thanks to a mysterious encounter in the forest with an injured black cat named Rago.

Only, Rago’s feline appearance is deceiving… It turns out the “ordinary” cat is the stuff of mononoke legend–the Black Star of Doom!

Swarming in the shadows are more mononoke, eager to exploit Rago’s uniquely immense powers. To fight back against the tide of dark spirits, the undercover Bureau of Espionage is poised to seek and destroy.

Of course, everyone has their motives when it comes to Rago’s powers. But Jiro and Rago are ready.

A shinobi clash between boy and mononoke is about to ignite!

CHARACTER

・LIST

Jiro Azuma

・NAME

Jiro Azuma

・CV

Ryota Suzuki

・DETAIL

Raised and trained by his grandfather, Jiro is a highschooler who has followed in the family tradition of lethal ninja-hood. But Jiro is a complicated teen-age operative. His peculiar, innate talent for communing with all manners of animal life shines as he cares for the local community of stray cats and dogs. Still, while he won’t hesitate to let his fists do the talking when his temper flairs, it does nothing to diminish his genuine goodness. Then life takes a strange turn when Jiro meets Rago and the two are pulled into a war against the so-called mononoke. Luckily, Jiro is now member of the Bureau of Espionage's special unit, Black Torch.

・BIRTHDAY

May 19

・HEIGHT

175cm

・AFFILIATION

Bureau of Espionage, Special Operations Division 2

STAFF & CAST

STAFF

  • Original Work

    Tsuyoshi Takaki (Published by SHUEISHA)

    Original Work

    Tsuyoshi Takaki

    Congratulations on the anime adaptation of BLACK TORCH!

    I don't think there's anyone more excited and surprised than me.
    This is all thanks to everyone who has loved the manga, both in Japan and overseas.

    As for the production, 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.

    A new BLACK TORCH has been brought to life, now with voices, sounds, movement and color.
    There are battles, cats, and thighs!
    We hope you enjoy it!

  • Director

    Kei Umabiki

    Director

    Kei Umabiki

    I’m Kei Umabiki, Director for the BLACK TORCH anime.

    A story of friendship between the protagonist and his friends! Charming characters with great visuals! Cool action sprinkled with humor! Brash villains! Elements of Japanese culture like ninja and Mononoke! A militaristic setting with a sci-fi twist! It's all there, plus it's a classic that proudly inherits the lineage of Shonen Jump, packed with everything shonen fans love!

    These were my first impressions when I read the BLACK TORCH manga, and I remember feeling very excited.

    In creating the anime, we’ve made full use of elements that are unique to the medium like color, movement, music, and a brilliant cast. The entire staff is working hard to bring the excitement and charm of the original work to this production!

    We can't wait to share the complete story with you! Please look forward to it and thank you very much.

  • Character Design

    Gou Suzuki

  • Series Composition &
    Screenplay

    Gigaemon Ichikawa

    Series Composition & Screenplay

    Gigaemon Ichikawa

    With a lot of care and passion, I did my best to adapt the fiery, cool, heartrending and heartwarming world of ""BLACK TORCH"" created by Tsuyoshi Takaki Sensei, into the screenplay.

    I can’t stop being excited, imagining how Jiro and Rago, the members of Black Torch, and the Mononoke will be running all over the screen!

    Let's enjoy it together, everyone!!

  • Music by

    Yutaka Yamada

    Music by

    Yutaka Yamada

    To bring the world of BLACK TORCH to life with music, we've created a unique soundscape with our own original tones and beats.

    We're putting our all into making sure we embody the charm of the original work.
    Please look forward to it!

  • Animation Production

    One Double-O studio

CAST

  • Jiro Azuma

    Ryota Suzuki

    Ryota Suzuki

    Jiro Azuma

    Ryota Suzuki

    The characters in BLACK TORCH are just so cool.
    That, along with Takaki Sensei’s amazing drawings and the emotional rollercoaster of a story, it’s all totally pulled me in. It’s an honor to be a part of something so loved, not just in Japan but all over the world. I’m giving it my all to be the best Jiro Azuma I can be. Stay tuned!

  • Rago

    Yoji Ueda

    Yoji Ueda

    Rago

    Yoji Ueda

    When I found out I got this major role, I remember being so happy and excited, but also feeling this tremendous pressure.
    But acting out the action scenes ended up being a sort of catharsis for me—there’s this great chemistry you feel, the lines sound so good alongside those of my fellow actors. Then when I get to listen to the recording, the effect is really satisfying. I’m telling ya, you gotta watch this show—meow!

  • Ichika Kishimojin

    Sayaka Sembongi

    Sayaka Sembongi

    Ichika Kishimojin

    Sayaka Sembongi

    I’ve been going into recording with the hope that I’m conveying Ichika’s unique mix of resolve and nonchalance, but also that loveable charm that she gives us a glimpse of every once in a while. All of us have come together on this project as a great team, a true collaboration with Takaki Sensei and our director.
    I hope you’re as excited as we are for the broadcast!!

  • Reiji Kirihara

    Junya Enoki

    Junya Enoki

    Reiji Kirihara

    Junya Enoki

    Enoki Junya here, voice of Reiji Kirihara. I remember thinking, when I first read the manga, wow this manga just bursts with kinetic life.
    I would look at the drawings, at the sheer movement they convey, and would see them spring to life in my mind. I really think this is going to turn out to be something really cool. Get excited!

BOOKS