Black Torch! A manga I picked up when the first chapter came out because I heard that it strongly resembles Bleach. I loved Bleach but it got really bad afterwards, so if a manga that has Bleach vibes just came out, Why not pick it up? And my decision turned out to be a correct one!
Story:
While not something "VERY" original, it's still pretty darn intresting. A boy who can understand animals saves a cat who he later finds out is a legendary Momonoke that has beeen sealed away for a long time. After a couple of events our MC Azuma Jirou acquires the momonokes power, who's name by the way is Ragou.
The story is about an organisation who decide to have Jirou join them to keep a eye on him and Ragou. Jirou joins a team which consists of a girl and a "four eye", the team's name is Black Torch.
So as you guys can see it's not very original, but the execution is on point which makes following the story intresting and not to predictable, something that alot of new Shounen titles are.
It will probably improve and I will update this review later on but for now it's a solid:
7/10
Art:
The art is fantastic, Kubo Tite (Bleach author) used to be a brilliant artist but his arts quality declined throughout the years and ended on a low note. But the art in Black Torch so far is magnificent and especially the double pages, which are breathtaking.
Not a 10 because it can be improved slightly with the background in some panels where the background is just white, but it will definitely improve with time.
9/19
Characters:
Again not original but not badly excecuted. Jirou and Rago are cool characters so you will probably enjoy these 2 characters. The glasses guy (can't remember his name) is alot like Uryuu from Bleach or Sasuke from Naruto. That dosen't mean that he is a bad character tho, he is right now a character that is pretty strong and he easily annoyed by the MC, but he has potential but so far nothing speciall. Let's hope that he dosen't turn out like Sasuke or Uryuu later on.
The main girl is called Ichicka, has a bit of a temper but nothing that is to annoying to be honest. She has a nice design if your're into that kinda stuff. But what I like from here is that 6 chapters in she's already eager to do something and tries to do everything in her power to help out. Which is nice cause alot of shounen girls are useless from the start and doesn't realise that until the end of the series (I'm looking at YOU SAKURA).
8/10
Enjoyment:
Now the thing is I know that this isn't super original, but it's very entertaining. It's not a go happy manga but dosen't take itself to seriously all the time and can have a few comedic moments. To put it simply; It's gives of those early Bleach vibes. Which is a positive thing!
I'm positive that this is the next big thing in Shounen Jump SQ and it can be adapted into an anime within 3-4 years if a studio is quick. But if you're looking for a new shounen manga that isn't as shounenish as the most things published in Shounen Jump today, then this is definitely worth a read!
STRONG 8/10
