How A Manga that Was Axed in 5 Volumes Got Greenlit For an Anime

by

Summary

  • BLACK TORCH manga series, canceled after 19 chapters, is getting an anime adaptation.
  • Tsuyoshi Takaki, the author, is heavily involved in the BLACK TORCH anime production.
  • Anime revival of an axed manga potentially opens doors for other canceled manga titles to have a new life as well.

By now, you might have learned about one unexpected turn in the world of anime from 2025 – something that nobody anticipated, not even the author himself. The manga named BLACK TORCH, penned by Tsuyoshi Takaki, had a promising start but unfortunately ended prematurely due to negative reviews. With just 19 chapters compiled into 5 small volumes, BLACK TORCH wasn’t the first title that sprang to mind when considering a series worthy of an anime adaptation. However, the announcement of an anime adaptation for this series has certainly stirred up quite a debate.

Back in early March, the announcement of the “Black Torch” anime felt like a ray of hope for series that never got to finish their tales due to premature cancellations. You might wonder, how on earth did “Black Torch” manage to break through the barriers and become an anime? Here’s my take on it:

In the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, I found myself filled with excitement as the “Black Torch” anime was announced earlier this year. For many series, early cancellations meant the tragic end of their stories before they could reach their full potential. But what made “Black Torch” defy these odds and find life on the small screen? That’s a fascinating story!

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.

Regarding the creation process, I’ve overseen the development of the sets and storylines, and I believe we’ve managed to enhance the original concept, all the while remaining faithful to the source material.

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!

– Tsuyoshi Takaki, BLACK TORCH author

What is BLACK TORCH About?

A Supernatural Battle Shōnen

Jiro Azuma might seem like a troublemaking delinquent at first glance, but beneath his rough exterior lies a treasure trove of unique qualities. He harbors a deep affection for animals and even communicates with them, much like the character played by Eddie Murphy. To add to this, Jiro’s lineage is extraordinary as he hails from a family of actual ninja! However, his love for animals frequently lands him in hot water. Yet, nothing has been as challenging for Jiro as when a mysterious stray cat named Rago merged with him, imbuing him with extraordinary abilities but also pulling him into the clandestine struggle between powerful entities known as mononoke.

Interestingly, Rago is a legendary mononoke called the Black Star of Doom, and there are sinister mononoke seeking to exploit this power for their selfish purposes. The story was initially serialized in Shueisha’s monthly shōnen manga magazine Jump Square from December 2016 to March 2018, followed by a digital release on Shōnen Jump+ from April to July 2018.

The initial response towards it was predominantly favorable in the Western world. Critics such as Rebecca Silverman from ANN awarded the first volume a B grade, appreciating the character interactions and artistic style that she likened to Tite Kubo’s work on BLEACH. However, it was also criticized for being hastily produced and falling short in character development. VIZ Media’s Rae First stated that it encapsulates everything that fans adore about Shōnen Jump in a single manga. The forthcoming anime adaptation is being handled by 100studio (known for Quality Assurance in Another World), which poses a substantial challenge as they endeavor to produce an anime adaptation of BLACK TORCH capable of reinvigorating cancelled manga, providing them with a second chance. The upcoming BLACK TORCH anime boasts a formidable creative team.

  • Kei Umabiki (storyboards, Gintama) as director,
  • Gō Suzuki (chief animation director, Lycoris Recoil) as character designer,
  • Gigaemon Ichikawa (series composition, A Galaxy Next Door) is the series supervisor and writing the scripts,
  • Yutaka Yamada (composer, Tokyo Ghoul) behind the music.

In the creation of the “BLACK TORCH” anime, author Tsuyoshi Takaki will play a significant role, overseeing both the script and storyboard development. He’s thrilled about this opportunity, calling it a chance to enhance the story while staying true to its original essence.

To breathe life into the universe of BLACK TORCH through music, we’ve crafted a distinctive soundtrack using our own creative melodies and rhythms. Our aim is to remain true to the enchanting essence of the original piece.

– Yutaka Yamada

How Did This Happen?

Why BLACK TORCH Was Re-Lit

Among many intriguing aspects of the manga “Black Torch,” one stands out: it was abruptly ended after just 19 chapters, suggesting it didn’t gain much traction on its publishing platforms. Yet, there was both domestic and international admiration for this series. Remarkably, its publisher, Shueisha, compiled these chapters into five volumes, suggesting some level of success domestically.

Internationally, despite criticism for its character development, “Black Torch” was highly favored by fans. The exceptional art quality and its resemblance to Tite Kubo’s work were significant attractions. On the anime content aggregator website, MyAnimeList, a platform widely regarded as the most popular of its kind online, “Black Torch” holds over 30,000 members, placing it on par with titles like Tite Kubo’s “Burn the Witch,” Shinobu Kaitani’s “One Outs,” and Shūichi Asō’s “The Disastrous Life of Saiki K” in terms of popularity.

It’s clear that the series BLACK TORCH had the capacity to become a cherished long-running shonen, although the reasons for its cancellation remain uncertain. However, it’s certain that the team working on it are thrilled to be involved. Series director Kei Umabiki initially found BLACK TORCH appealing due to its endearing characters, striking visuals, exhilarating action, and bold villains. He even referred to it as a “classic that honorably carries on the legacy of Shōnen Jump”. Although fans were taken aback by the news, overall, anime and manga enthusiasts responded positively to the revival of BLACK TORCH.

BLACK TORCH’s Revival Could Be Huge

Hope For One, Hope For All?

The unique aspect of BLACK TORCH stands out because typically, an anime adaptation serves to rekindle interest in the original source material. It often targets audiences who haven’t encountered or weren’t interested in the source material before. However, the unusual case of BLACK TORCH being adapted into an anime seven years after its cancellation is one of the most peculiar adaptation scenarios we’ve come across, possibly ever. Many titles, both concluded and ongoing, remain stuck in a limbo, with no prospects whatsoever of being transformed into an anime.

Mangas such as “Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku” by Yuji Kaku, “Ayashimon”, “Psyren” by Toshiaki Iwashiro, “Iris Zero” by Piroshiki and Takana Hotaru, “Doron Dororon” by Gen Oosuka, “Dear Anemone” by Rin Matsui, “Zombiepowder” by Tite Kubo, among others, that were potential successors to the popular manga “BLEACH”, have unfortunately not been completed. The revival of “BLACK TORCH” opens up an opportunity for these and other cancelled mangas to continue as anime, which is a thrilling prospect.

Check out the upcoming anime titled “BLACK TORCH” on VIZ Media’s site. No specific release date has been announced as of now, but keep an eye out for it in the near future!

Read More

2025-03-30 16:12