News
Black Torch Anime: Release Schedule, Cast, and Everything to Know
Black Torch, the TV anime adaptation of Tsuyoshi Takaki’s Black Torch manga, premiered on Crunchyroll on July 4, 2026, and three episodes are now streaming as of this week. The series marks a rare revival for a Shonen Jump title that Shueisha canceled back in 2018 after just 19 chapters, and it’s already building buzz heading into the back half of Summer 2026.
NEWS SUMMARY
- Black Torch premiered July 4, 2026, and airs new episodes every Saturday on Crunchyroll
- The series runs for 12 episodes total, produced by 100Studio and directed by Kei Umabiki
- SiM performs the opening theme, “Freeze Me Up,” while I Don’t Like Mondays. handles the ending, “Groooovy”
- The manga was canceled in 2018 after only 19 chapters — this anime is its first-ever adaptation
Black Torch – What We Know
Black Torch follows Jiro Azuma, a teenage descendant of a shinobi clan who can talk to animals. That gift pulls him into a hidden war between humans and spirits called mononoke after he bonds with an injured cat named Rago, who turns out to be a legendary being known as the Black Star of Doom. Jiro joins the shadowy Bureau of Espionage to keep Rago’s power out of the wrong hands.
100Studio is animating the series, with Kei Umabiki directing, Gō Suzuki designing characters, Gigaemon Ichikawa handling series composition, and Yutaka Yamada composing the score. The Japanese voice cast includes Ryota Suzuki as Jiro Azuma, Yoji Ueda as Rago, Sayaka Sembongi as Ichika Kishimojin, and Junya Enoki as Reiji Kirihara. An English dub is also available at launch, led by AJ Beckles as Jiro and Keith Silverstein as Rago.
Image: Crunchyroll
What This Means for Black Torch Fans
An anime adaptation eight years after cancellation is unusual, and it signals that Shueisha sees revival potential in shelved Jump properties. New episodes drop every Saturday at 9:00 a.m. ET / 6:00 a.m. PT, with both subtitled and dubbed versions available the same day. That simultaneous dub release is a bigger commitment than many mid-tier seasonal anime get, which suggests Crunchyroll is treating this as a priority title rather than a niche pickup.
Where to Watch and What’s Next
Crunchyroll streams Black Torch across North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. In Japan, it airs on Tokyo MX, Sun TV, and Aichi TV, with ABEMA and d Anime Store as additional streaming outlets. The season is scheduled to run through Episode 12 on September 19, 2026, giving it a full 12-week broadcast.
FAQ
When does a new Black Torch episode come out each week?
New Black Torch episodes release every Saturday at 9:00 a.m. ET / 6:00 a.m. PT on Crunchyroll. Both the English-subtitled and English-dubbed versions are available the same day, so you don’t have to wait for a separate dub release.
How many episodes does Black Torch have?
Black Torch is confirmed for 12 episodes total, running from its July 4, 2026 premiere through a scheduled finale on September 19, 2026.
Is Black Torch based on a finished manga?
No. The source manga by Tsuyoshi Takaki was canceled by Shueisha in 2018 after only 19 chapters. The anime adapts that shorter run rather than a completed, long-running series.
Where can I watch Black Torch outside Japan?
Crunchyroll streams Black Torch in North America, Central and South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, CIS, the Indian Subcontinent, and Southeast Asia.
Who plays Jiro Azuma in the English dub?
AJ Beckles voices Jiro Azuma in the English dub, produced by Studiopolis Inc.