Black Torch

During a routine patrol in December 2016, seventeen-year-old ninja Jiro Azuma encounters Rago, a black cat that hides the identity of a centuries-old mononoke spirit known as the Black Star of Doom. A violent confrontation leaves Jiro near death and forces him to fuse with the creature to survive. This symbiosis grants Jiro control over dark flames but marks him as a target for a secret government agency hunting rogue spirits.

Tsuyoshi Takaki drew on his experience as an assistant to Tite Kubo during Bleach to craft the series' visual style, favoring clean lines and fluid motion. Shueisha serialized the story in Jump Square from late 2016 through early 2018 before moving it to the digital platform Shonen Jump+ for its conclusion. Viz Media handled the English release from April 2019 to February 2020, collecting all 19 chapters into five volumes.

Critics often compare the narrative to Chainsaw Man due to its visceral action and monster-of-the-week structure mixed with deeper lore. While reviewers praise the art and fight choreography, many note that the short run results in compressed world-building and rushed character arcs. The manga holds a 6.9 rating on MyAnimeList, where fans frequently discuss it as a cult favorite that ended prematurely. An anime adaptation produced by 100studio premiered in July 2026, featuring an opening theme by the rock band SiM. [편집]