Black Torch has completed its 12-episode anime run on Crunchyroll, bringing new attention to a manga that originally ended after just 19 chapters. The series was created by Tsuyoshi Takaki and was serialized from 2017 to 2018 before its run was cut short.
The anime adaptation is notable because cancelled manga rarely receive the opportunity to return years later as a television series. Black Torch ultimately adapted Takaki’s complete manga story, with its 12th and final episode airing on September 19, 2026.
The series follows Jiro Azuma, a teenager descended from a long line of shinobi who can communicate with animals. His life changes after he encounters Rago, a black cat who is actually a powerful mononoke known as the Black Star of Doom. Jiro subsequently becomes involved in a supernatural conflict between humans and mononoke.
Why Black Torch Could Matter for the Anime Industry
One of the most interesting aspects of Black Torch is how effectively its short manga run translates into a complete anime story. Rather than stretching the available material or creating an unfinished stopping point, the adaptation was able to cover Takaki’s 19 chapters within its 12-episode run.
That could make Black Torch an interesting example for studios and publishers considering other cancelled manga with dedicated fanbases. The series demonstrates that a relatively small amount of source material can still provide the foundation for a focused anime adaptation when the production is designed around the story’s actual length.
VIZ Media is also supporting the franchise internationally. The publisher currently distributes the Black Torch manga in English, while the anime streams on Crunchyroll outside Asia.
The anime was produced by 100studio, with Kei Umabiki directing and Gigaemon Ichikawa handling series composition.
Although Black Torch has reached the end of its existing manga material, its successful revival could encourage greater interest in other overlooked manga that ended before reaching their full potential.
