The Stars of ‘Black Torch’ Are Ready For a New Generation of Classic Anime Stories
A new addition to the canon of classic, badass ninja anime has officially joined the chat!
Based on the cult classic manga series of the same name, Crunchyroll’s Black Torch is what viewers are describing as a new and obsession-worthy title to add to the long list of series that any long-time anime fan will love to devour.
Though the premise sounds wild on paper, combining elements of supernatural folklore, coming-of-age, fast-paced ninja action, and a talking feline sidekick, Black Torch is a perfect summer watch for those who already love classic and beloved shinobi titles like Naruto and Ninja Scroll, but want something new and exciting to get into.
“Jiro Azuma is no average high schooler,” the series’ official description reads. “A descendant of ninjas and trained in the ancient warrior art of the shinobi, Jiro is also able to talk with animals. After a mysterious encounter with an injured cat named Rago, Jiro discovers the feline is actually the legendary Black Star of Doom! Joined by the Bureau of Espionage, they fight off swarms of mononoke lying in wait to exploit Rago’s powers.”
We got to sit down with the English voice actors of the show, AJ Beckles (Tokyo Revengers, Bungo Stray Dogs) and Ryan Colt Levy (Chainsaw Man, VINLAND SAGA), who play main hero Jiro and Shiba respectively, and we chatted about everything from what got them into the Black Torch universe and what their favorite comfort shows and characters are, to the enduring, everlasting appeal of ninjas on popular culture.
“It's so baked in culture, especially in the osmosis of how American culture has received Japanese culture,” Levy said when asked about why fans love ninja stories so much. “It feels like it was one of the first touchstones for us to even connect with. So much media, since we were children, has utilized it as an element of storytelling, so there's almost a familiarity that we feel like we have where it feels comforting.”
“And they're just really cool,” Beckles adds. “They're really awesome.”
He continues:
“I feel like it's ingrained in our DNA to like ninjas. There's like this air of mystery, too. They're alluring in that way, and I feel like there's so many things you can do with the concept.”
Watch our full interview with AJ and Ryan in the video above. Black Torchstreams weekly on Crunchyroll.
