Black Torch Episode 1 Review: The Shonen You’ve Been Waiting For?

The Black Torch anime is finally here! Dive into our Episode 1 review for first impressions on the animation, characters, and if it's the next big Shonen.

One anime that a lot of people have been waiting for this season, Black Torch, finally aired its first episode on July 4, 2026. Honestly, I am one of those who had been looking forward to this series, so I watched its premiere as fast as I could to share my honest opinion of the anime, as I think many of you may be wondering whether you should give it a try.

Source: TVアニメ「BLACK TORCH」公式 Official X account

Honest Review: Is Black Torch a good Shonen?

Before diving deep into this post, I understand what everyone might be worried about. Since Black Torch originally comes from a manga, including manga content in this post might mean major spoilers for a lot of people. Therefore, I will only be sharing my opinions based on the anime, as I want everyone to be able to read this post freely.

After watching the first episode myself, I would say that I had a great time with it. Although it is just the first episode, it is really similar to what we saw in the trailers. The animation is great, the voice acting is amazing, and it really gives us the cool, dark vibe we were expecting from this anime. Personally, I do think this anime is interesting, and I am really looking forward to its upcoming episodes.

The first episode really did a great job. It successfully impressed a lot of people, went trending on X, and has everyone discussing it on the internet. While it is a great anime, no anime is perfect, each one has its own flaws. Even with just the first episode, I noticed something when I watched it, and I think it is something I need to mention in this post.

Source: TVアニメ「BLACK TORCH」公式 Official X account

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Honest Opinion: Is Black Torch a perfect must watch for everyone

No anime is perfect. Although personally I think Black Torch is an amazing anime, it does have one thing worth pointing out. Black Torch has amazing animation, the battles are fluid, and the voice acting is incredible too, but at the same time, it follows the classic Shonen formula very closely. The anime itself does have a "dark" vibe, but in the end, you can somehow guess the story.

You may think that I am exaggerating, since the anime has just aired and we don't really know what will happen; most people expect a slow start from a first episode. Let's be clear, I am enjoying Black Torch a lot, but the whole flow feels very familiar and predictable, even if you've watched a lot of Shonen.

If you're already a Shonen fan, Black Torch is an easy title to get into. Black Torch follows the classic Shonen style. For some people, it definitely might not feel that attractive or interesting, but on the other hand, it is the best choice for someone who is just looking for a great watching experience.

Here’s a great YouTube video worth checking out.

Useful Questions About Black Torch for Those Who Haven't Watched It

I might have given some harsh critiques of Black Torch, but it is honestly a series I would highly recommend to everyone, as it is a great comfort anime to watch in your free time. Because the story is so welcoming and easy to follow, I strongly suggest giving it a try if you haven't seen it yet! Now that I've shared my thoughts, you might have some questions of your own, so I've put together a quick FAQ below. I hope this section helps you out!

Watch it if: You want a classic Shonen that has great animation and a dark vibe. The animation is truly amazing, so if you are looking for something to watch in your free time, Black Torch is what you need.

Skip it if: You are looking for a top-tier masterpiece or an anime that leaves a massive impact. Although the animation is great, unfortunately, there are reasons why the manga ended within five volumes.

I might be wrong, and I would be happy if this anime surpasses everyone's expectations, but currently, it is really hard for it to compete with other famous Shonen titles. If you are looking for something like Demon Slayer or Jujutsu Kaisen, this might not be what you're looking for.

Here’s a great YouTube video worth checking out.

Black Torch ratings among platforms: Since Black Torch officially aired, a few users have already posted their reviews on different platforms. On MyAnimeList, Black Torch currently has a score of 7.39 out of 10, while the platform I have been using, AnimeOshi, has it at a 7.40. Both websites are showing almost the exact same score, which indirectly tells us something.

Should you watch it weekly or wait to binge it? Since Black Torch is a Shonen title, I always suggest watching it weekly. Watch it weekly, get excited for each new episode, and discuss it with others online. This is always the best way to watch Shonen anime.

Of course, if you currently don't have much free time, waiting is also another great choice. While waiting can't give you the excitement of discussing every episode, watching all of the episodes at once will also provide a wonderful viewing experience.

Here’s a great YouTube video worth checking out.

Conclusion:

Thank you so much for reading this post! If you were wondering what to expect from Black Torch, or whether it's the right show for you, I hope this breakdown gave you the information you needed. For those of you who prefer to wait for community feedback before diving in, I highly recommend checking out AnimeOshi.

AnimeOshi also just dropped a new avatar system, you can unlock anime-themed profile pictures based on how much you engage with the community. The more you rate, the more you unlock. It's a genuinely fun way to build out your anime identity on the platform. Worth checking out while you're there.

Here’s a great YouTube video worth checking out.