Black Torch Episode 1 Review: A Familiar Shonen Premise With Little New to Offer
The review highlights the challenge of adapting a cancelled manga with only five volumes, questioning whether the anime can build a coherent story beyond the familiar shonen template.
Reporting from 1 source: Anime Feminist.
Anime Feminist reviews the premiere of Black Torch, finding a protagonist defined mainly by his love for animals and a plot that follows standard shonen beats. The review notes forced fanservice, a limited source material (five volumes, cancelled), and questions whether the adaptation can deliver a satisfying conclusion.
The premiere introduces Jiro Azuma, a descendant of a shinobi family who can speak to animals. After saving a mononoke named Rago, the two merge powers, and both are captured by the Ministry of Espionage. The review finds Jiro's animal-protection motivation endearing but the shinobi element tacked on, and criticizes the fanservice as forced. With the source material cancelled after five volumes, the review wonders if the adaptation can provide a satisfying conclusion.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.
Sources
- Anime Feminist BLACK TORCH – Episode 1