Black Torch

Jiro Azuma, a young ninja from the Azuma clan, has a rare gift: he can talk to animals. On a routine mission, he stumbles upon a legendary black cat named Rago, who is actually a centuries-old mononoke spirit of immense power. A brutal fight leaves Jiro mortally wounded, and to survive, Rago merges with him. The fusion grants Jiro dark flame abilities but also makes him a target. A secret government organization hunts mononoke, and rogue spirits want Rago's power for themselves. Jiro must navigate his new hybrid existence, form uneasy alliances, and protect the people he cares about.

Tsuyoshi Takaki, who previously worked as an assistant to Tite Kubo on Bleach, wrote and illustrated this shonen series. It ran in Shueisha's Jump Square from December 2016 to March 2018, then moved to Shonen Jump+ from April to July 2018. All 19 chapters were collected into five tankobon volumes released between April 4, 2017, and August 3, 2018. Viz Media published the English edition from April 2019 to February 2020. The manga balances fast-paced action with themes of companionship, self-acceptance, and the struggle between human and supernatural nature.

Critical reception has been mixed to positive. Reviewers consistently praise the clean, dynamic art and action choreography, often noting the Bleach influence. The most common criticism is the rushed pacing: at only 19 chapters, world-building and character development feel compressed. The premise of a ninja merging with a spirit cat is widely seen as engaging but underdeveloped. On MyAnimeList, the manga holds a 6.9/10 rating. Despite its short run, Black Torch has gained a minor cult following, frequently cited in discussions about manga that ended too soon. An anime adaptation by 100studio is scheduled to premiere on July 4, 2026.[edit]