BLACK TORCH Season 1 (2026) Review

Tsuyoshi Takaki’s supernatural action series has an appealing premise, an entertaining central duo, and some impressive animation, but its familiar storytelling and rushed conclusion prevent it from reaching its potential.

BLACK TORCH Season 1 has immediate appeal. A teenage boy who can speak to animals discovers that an injured black cat is actually a legendary supernatural entity, bonds with it, and is pulled into a secret war between humans and mysterious spirits. BLACK TORCH Season 1 is based on the manga written and illustrated by Tsuyoshi Takaki, which ran from 2016 to 2018 and comprises five volumes.

The short run matters for the anime, since the adaptation has to work with a tale that doesn’t have much material to draw from. BLACK TORCH Season 1 is a very standard shonen anime over its 12-episode run. It has a driven protagonist, a strange sidekick, a secret society, a nemesis, tragic backstories, and escalating paranormal dangers.

None of these elements are an issue in themselves. In reality, common storytelling tropes can be really engaging when characters are memorable, and the execution is strong. The plot follows Jiro Azuma, a young boy from a long line of shinobi, who inherits more than simply the skill to battle. Jiro can talk to animals, which makes him seem a bit strange to those around him.

This trait is particularly significant in the first episode.

Jiro learns from his animal pals that a cat has been hurt in the woods, and he meets a mystery black cat named Rago. This meeting quickly becomes the foundation of the entire series. Jiro saves Rago’s life at the risk of his own, and the two bond in a way that unlocks Jiro's supernatural power. Their connection mirrors several common anime pairings, most famously Naruto and Kurama and Denji and Pochita from Chainsaw Man.

Rago is definitely one of the best reasons to keep watching BLACK TORCH Season 1. His disposition nicely contrasts with Jiro's high-energy approach. He carries himself like a super-powerful being with little patience for mankind, yet his tiny cat shape makes for an entertaining presence. Rago’s memory loss adds another element of mystery, since he doesn’t fully comprehend what happened to him or why he was being held captive.

But the tale quickly introduces a second key element: the Bureau of Espionage. The organization handles mononoke, whether combating harmful species or working with those that don't threaten humanity. The series benefits from a useful framework the organization provides to introduce new characters, create threats, and launch adventures with the core ensemble.

Jiro eventually ends up with others in the group, such as Ichi and a rival with a typical shonen relationship. At first, the first episodes make BLACK TORCH Season 1 seem like it’s growing into something far larger. The first episode does a great job of establishing Jiro’s affinity for animals and introducing Rago. Jiro himself is a rather recognizable shonen protagonist.

He is impetuous, stubborn, energetic, and often more interested in striking a problem than thinking it through.

His personality is similar to characters like Naruto, Ichigo, Denji, and Itadori. This doesn't mean he's automatically a lousy protagonist, especially since uncomplicated protagonists can be fantastic in action anime. The problem is that Jiro isn't developed enough for his familiar persona to feel particularly unusual. His relationships with the supporting characters likewise don't grow naturally.

Ichi has a fascinating design and has some personal history, but her character often feels underdeveloped, while other members of the organization hardly get enough attention to make themselves known. The supporting characters have their own challenges, including strained family relationships and unpleasant experiences with siblings.

The series explores the link between humans and mononoke as the central conflict becomes more compelling. These are not just disposable monsters to kill. His past is one of the most fascinating parts of the narrative because it provides real contrast. He’s not a villain who just hates humans, but rather has a convoluted relationship with the people he used to know and the supernatural beings he now represents.

And there's also a supporting character whose relationship with his brother sets up a personal story. His sibling is infected with a mononoke, a conflict which may have been used to explore multiple episodes. The anime develops that surprisingly quickly, though. This is another example of the series sowing the seed of possibility and moving on to the next event.

That's a problem that will become more apparent as the season goes on.

BLACK TORCH Season 1 feels like an anime that wants to be a lot more than 12 episodes. It introduces individuals, hints at bigger mysteries, establishes relationships, and starts conflicts that seem to cry out for more attention. But then, in the final leg, it suddenly needs all these aspects to come together in a satisfying ending. This leads to a hasty development that makes it hard to get emotionally immersed in the characters or their issues.

The action also suffers from some typical shonen issues. Sometimes characters waste too much time talking about their feelings, their abilities, or trading conversation in the midst of combat. Some chats are amusing; others kill the momentum when the action should be speaking. Some battles that could be dramatic and exciting become predictable exchanges that the protagonist wins in the end because of tenacity, friendship, or some emotional discovery.

When correctly developed, there is nothing wrong with their themes. The issue is the anime doesn't regularly put substantial barriers in its protagonists' way. Jiro’s ability to escape difficult situations makes the fights less dangerous, and the lack of strategic problem-solving means certain clashes become displays of force rather than truly exciting conflicts.

Ultimately, the climax shows the biggest flaw in the storytelling. Breaking up with Rago also gives Jiro a chance to figure out what he can do and to use his abilities better. The anime also adds characters and situations that should make this feel like a major turning point. But the progress is so fast that the result isn’t that fulfilling. His climactic showdown with the primary antagonist feels unexpectedly hollow; it’s the dramatic, magnificent conclusion to everything that came before.

At the heart of BLACK TORCH Season 1 is a potentially profound idea: Jiro and Rago embody the possibility of humans and mononoke standing side by side despite the antagonism between their groups.

Their alliance defies the assumptions that have characterized this struggle, and it gives the drama a reason to be more than a succession of otherworldly skirmishes. Unfortunately, this notion is never developed as it should be.  BLACK TORCH Season 1 has a wonderful base, but struggles to develop it into a complete, fulfilling story. Its effects on storytelling are plain to see, but what makes the series so memorable is much harder to pinpoint.

If there is one department BLACK TORCH Season 1reliablyy nails, it is the visual presentation. 100Studio produces the anime, which features strong character designs and action sequences. It sometimes reminds me of Bleach in its aesthetics, especially in the darker supernatural mood and how some characters are presented. Some sleek, slightly punk-inspired designs also stand out from the more regular sections of the production.

Visually, Jiro and Rago are a pleasing duo at the center. Rago's black cat form gives the series an easily recognizable mascot, but his stronger supernatural presence allows for more dramatic images. The idea is simple: a normal-looking cat and a super-powerful mononoke. It works quite well. It also helps that Rago remains visually intriguing even when he’s not in the middle of a big fight.

The combat animation is really good. The action is fast-paced, the supernatural powers look great, and some of the effects used in Jiro’s confrontations are impressive. The action is quite distinctive. The black smoke-like aura surrounding some powers is very effective. It’s one of the most unforgettable visuals in the production and helps give the otherworldly powers more weight.

But the look is not always inspired. Some abilities rely heavily on common black energy effects, and at times the supernatural powers lack the innovation needed to stand out from powers in other shonen series. Some Bureau members’ designs feel very mundane, especially compared to the more eccentric character designs elsewhere.

The ultimate forms and big power displays could have been more memorable, too.

Considering how much the series emphasizes Jiro's bond with Rago, his inevitable progression should feel like a significant visual triumph. Instead, a couple of the latter shocks don’t quite land with the impact the script seems to want. Despite those flaws, animation is still one of the anime's biggest strengths. The fights have intensity, and the supernatural elements are fun to see, even when the story they’re part of is suffering.

The visuals sometimes deliver the sleek, stylish mood promised by the premise, and there are enough excellent moments to make it worth watching for the animation. The sound department is a bit more mixed. With Yutaka Yamada on board, BLACK TORCH Season 1 has a strong musical foundation, and the soundtrack includes moments that give the action greater scale.

The music is especially effective in some of the bigger confrontations, adding momentum and helping to create a sense that the characters are heading toward a crucial turning point. Its musical presentation also aids the finale. The soundtrack tries to convey the significance of the final battle, and at times the music feels more enthusiastic than the fight itself.

This isn’t necessarily a criticism of the composition, but it does show how the plot and presentation don’t always mesh as well as they could. The opening theme isn't quite as memorable, but the soundtrack has stronger moments that are easier to enjoy in the episodes themselves. The series lacks a consistently memorable musical identity, but its background music generally supports the action and atmosphere.

Voice acting is another area where the experience depends on the performances and dialogue. Some performers are capable, and their personality differences serve Jiro and Rago's chemistry. Although the supporting cast isn't very exciting, their conversations are enough to sustain the main romance.

Unfortunately, the dialogue itself is a little uncomfortable.

Some of the dialogue feels unnatural, with people slinging juvenile insults or delivering lines that sound like they're mimicking recognizable anime archetypes rather than actually conversing. This is particularly evident in the scenes where the plot pauses to tell us something we should already know from the action.

The English dub is patchy, too. Some performances are good, but the overall presentation doesn’t always make the dialogue work as planned. Much of it comes down to the writing: no matter how great the voice delivery is, it can't overcome sentences that feel artificial. To begin with, BLACK TORCH Season 1 is a frustrating anime because you can easily see the potential buried within.

It has a charming main character, a strange otherworldly sidekick, and a universe full of possibilities for fun adventures in its first episode. Jiro's ability to talk to animals is a lovely premise, and Rago gives the series a lead character who is both engaging and visually unique. The relationship between the two is hands down the best aspect of the experience.

The anime also features some nice character designs, fun action scenes, and great animation from 100Studio. Let the bouts play out without superfluous discussion, and the series can be fun to watch. It has a mystical feel with ninja-esque motion that is both familiar and appealing. But those strengths aren't enough to offset its narrative faults.

Characters are generally underdeveloped, the supporting cast leaves little impression, and the tale throws more concepts at you than it can effectively explore in its limited episode count. The primary adversary has a compelling backstory, but even his arc can't save the last stretch from feeling rushed. By the end, it never did enough to make the audience care as much about the outcome as it should have.

The main issue is that BLACK TORCH Season 1 feels like the start of a much longer story rather than a complete 12-episode experience.

It takes so long to introduce its universe and set up its people that the eventual payout feels lackluster. There’s a fine line between leaving room for future stories and closing a season before the concepts are fully explored. Unfortunately, BLACK TORCH Season 1 leans toward the latter. That doesn’t imply the series is wholly worthless.

If you prefer simple supernatural shounen anime, classic character dynamics, and fast-paced action, there's plenty to love here. It could even serve as a gateway into the genre for someone who hasn’t seen many shows like it. But anyone hoping for a fresh new series with the narrative depth of its more successful influences will likely leave dissatisfied.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of BLACK TORCH Season 1 is what its adaptation means. It shows that even older or forgotten works can get a second chance through animation, bringing a very short manga back into the spotlight. That’s a great notion to get behind, especially when so many adaptations are already based on well-known properties. 

BLACK TORCH Season 1 has the makings of something far better than it ultimately becomes. The characters, magical mythos, and primary partnership deserved a more memorable journey than they were given, and it could have been if they had been allowed the time and development they needed. Instead, the anime finishes with the sensation that its most exciting arcs are yet to come.