by The upcoming anime adaptation of BLACK TORCH continues building anticipation with the announcement of several major cast additions and new staff details ahead of its Summer 2026 debut.
Veteran voice actors:
- Shinji Tsuji
- Yuko Kaida
- Hōchū Ōtsuka
have officially joined the anime’s cast lineup, bringing even more attention to the supernatural ninja action series.
The anime is scheduled to begin airing on TOKYO MX and other Japanese channels starting:
July 4, 2026
Alongside the casting reveal, additional staff comments and production details were also released, offering fans a deeper look into the creative vision behind the adaptation.
What Is BLACK TORCH About?
Based on the manga by:
Tsuyoshi Takaki
BLACK TORCH combines:
- Ninja action
- Supernatural battles
- Urban fantasy
- Monster combat
- Fast-paced martial arts
The story follows:
Jiro Wagatsuma
a high school student descended from a ninja clan who possesses the unusual ability to communicate with animals.
His life changes dramatically after encountering:
Rago
a mysterious black cat who is actually a legendary mononoke (supernatural being).
Their meeting triggers intense battles involving hidden organizations, powerful monsters, and dangerous supernatural enemies.
The manga became popular for its:
- Dynamic fight choreography
- Stylish artwork
- Modern ninja themes
- Strong action pacing
- Unique creature designs
Now, fans are eagerly waiting to see how the anime adaptation brings those elements to life.
Shinji Tsuji Joins as Toshimasa Wagatsuma
Veteran actor:
Shinji Tsuji
will voice:
Toshimasa Wagatsuma
The grandfather of Jiro Wagatsuma.
As a descendant of the Wagatsuma ninja family, Toshimasa raised Jiro after he lost his parents and trained him harshly in martial arts from a young age.
According to Tsuji’s comments, the character’s training methods are:
“Strict enough that they would never be accepted today.”
However, he emphasized that the strictness comes from deep love and concern for Jiro.
Tsuji also praised the series’s cast of eccentric characters and encouraged fans to look forward to the anime’s unique atmosphere.
Yuko Kaida Cast as Touko Hisazumi
Popular voice actress:
Yuko Kaida
will play:
Touko Hisazumi,
the leader of the Public Security Bureau Special Operations Division 1.
The division is described as the organization’s strongest and largest operational unit.
Kaida described Touko as:
- A cool beauty
- A reliable leader
- Someone hiding kindness beneath a cold exterior
She also mentioned looking forward to portraying the relationship between Touko and her longtime acquaintance:
Ryosuke Tsukasa
Fans online have already reacted positively to the casting, with many believing Kaida’s strong and elegant vocal style perfectly matches the character.
Hōchū Ōtsuka Will Play Banjuro Tokieda
Legendary voice actor:
Hōchū Ōtsuka
joins the series as:
Banjuro Tokieda
a member of Special Operations Division 1 under Touko Hisazumi.
Although Tokieda appears calm and gentle, he is also an elite combat specialist capable of handling everything from driving to high-level combat operations.
Ōtsuka commented that he was especially excited to participate because:
“The series already has enthusiastic support overseas.”
He also explained that he hopes to capture the contrast between Tokieda’s peaceful personality and his exceptional combat skills.
Main Cast Features Major Anime Voice Talent
The anime’s main cast already includes several well-known voice actors.
Main Cast
- Ryota Suzuki as Jiro Wagatsuma
- Yoji Ueda as Rago
- Sayaka Senbongi as Ichika Kishimojin
- Junya Enoki as Reiji Kirihara
- Junichi Suwabe as Ryosuke Tsukasa
- Reina Ueda as Mika Usami
- Toshiyuki Morikawa as Tenki
- Nobuhiko Okamoto as Koga
The powerful cast lineup has significantly increased anticipation among anime fans.
Production Staff Share Enthusiasm for the Project
Several newly announced staff members also shared comments regarding the anime’s production.
Art Direction Focuses on Bringing the Manga World to Life
Art directors:
- Sachi Takahashi
- Seiko Imaizumi
explained that they worked carefully to recreate the atmosphere and world of the original manga within the anime format.
The production team emphasized creating immersive environments that blend naturally into the action-heavy story.
Color Design Pays Special Attention to Rago the Black Cat
Color designer:
Haruko Nobori
shared particularly interesting comments regarding:
Rago
As a cat lover herself, she wanted to ensure the black cat did not simply appear as:
“A black blob.”
Instead, the color design emphasizes:
- Sharp eyes
- Strong personality
- Coolness
- Emotional expression
Fans of the manga know that Rago’s visual presence is one of the series’ defining elements, making this detail especially important.
CG and Action Elements Will Be More Ambitious Than Previous 100studio Works.
CG director:
Hirotaka Naito
revealed that the anime involves collaboration between multiple:
100studio
teams across:
- Tokyo
- Osaka
- Taiwan
- Korea
as well as the affiliated company:
Infinity1
According to Naito, the anime contains:
- More action sequences
- More CG integration
- More hybrid animation techniques
than previous productions by the studio.
This suggests the adaptation may heavily emphasize fast-paced supernatural combat.
Photography and Effects Aim to Capture the Manga’s Black-and-White Style
Director of photography:
Sei Yamamoto
explained that the team worked hard to recreate:
- The original manga’s atmosphere
- Black-and-white visual contrast
- Intense visual effects
- Scene-specific emotional moods
Fans of Tsuyoshi Takaki’s manga often praise its sharp visual style, so maintaining that feeling in animation is considered very important.
Sound Team Promises Intense Ninja and Monster Battles
Sound director:
Takeshi Takadera
described the anime as:
“A thrilling story involving legendary monsters and ninja battles.”
He also praised the powerful cast and music by:
Yutaka Yamada
whose previous anime soundtracks are known for their cinematic intensity.
Meanwhile, sound effects director:
Naoto Yamaya
highlighted Jiro’s emotional straightforwardness and how it influences the energy of the action scenes.
Anime Production Staff Overview
Staff Highlights
- Original Work: Tsuyoshi Takaki
- Director: Kei Umabiki
- Character Design: Go, Suzuki
- Series Composition: Jūokuemon Ichikawa
- Music: Yutaka Yamada
- Animation Production: 100studio
Why BLACK TORCH Is Generating Attention
Although the manga originally had a relatively short serialization, BLACK TORCH built a loyal fanbase because of its:
- Stylish art direction
- Fast pacing
- Creative monster designs
- Ninja-themed action
- Modern supernatural setting
Many fans believe the manga ended before fully reaching its potential, which makes the anime adaptation especially exciting.
Some viewers are hoping the anime may:
- Expand certain story elements
- Add anime-original material
- Develop character relationships further
- Enhance fight choreography
Final Thoughts
With the addition of:
- Shinji Tsuji
- Yuko Kaida
- Hōchū Ōtsuka
The upcoming BLACK TORCH anime continues building an impressive cast and production team ahead of its July 2026 premiere.
Combining ninja action, supernatural creatures, stylish visuals, and emotionally driven characters, the series has the potential to become one of the standout action anime of Summer 2026.
With experienced staff, strong animation ambitions, and growing international interest, BLACK TORCH is shaping up to be an adaptation anime fans should keep a close eye on.
