Black Torch Anime Fails to Live Up to Its Original Premise

The Black Torch manga originally arrived in 2018, but it was unfortunately canceled after just 19 chapters. Many fans were hopeful that the 2026 anime adaptation from 100studio would finally provide the complete story the source material missed. While the premise involving Jiro Azuma and the mononoke remains as exciting as ever, the show suffers from a rushed pace and overwhelming amounts of explanation.

At its core, the story follows Jiro, a teen who can talk to animals, after he merges with a powerful mononoke named Rago. Together, they join a secret agency to stop dangerous spirits. The characters, including teammates Ichika and Reiji, have great potential. Their growing bond and individual personalities are clear bright spots, yet the show often halts the action to dump massive amounts of backstory on the audience.

Instead of letting us learn about these characters through their missions, the series relies on constant talking, even during intense fight scenes. Interesting plot threads, such as Ichika's family history, are introduced and then left dangling or forgotten. It feels like the show tries to cram an entire complex mythos into a short run, leaving little room for the actual story to develop.

When the show finally stops explaining everything and focuses on the team working together, it is genuinely great. The finale proves that the ingredients for a hit were there all along. It is a shame that these moments are hidden behind so much unnecessary exposition, especially since there are currently no plans for a second season to flesh out the world further.