Black Torch is a strong replacement for Jujutsu Kaisen in Crunchyroll's Summer 2026 season.
Black Torch, one of the new additions to Crunchyroll's Summer 2026 anime lineup, is quickly gaining attention as a potential new favorite for fans looking for a series to fill the gap left by Jujutsu Kaisen. After just three episodes, the anime has already established itself as a dark shonen series packed with supernatural elements, intense action, and a central character dynamic that will feel familiar to fans of the popular franchise.
The series takes place in a world where supernatural beings known as mononoke prey on humans. The concept immediately draws comparisons to the Cursed Spirits of Jujutsu Kaisen, but Black Torch introduces its own mythology and approach to the supernatural.
One of the biggest parallels comes through Rago, a legendary mononoke who becomes connected to the protagonist, Jiro Azuma. While the setup may initially remind viewers of Yuji Itadori and Sukuna, the relationship between Jiro and Rago takes a different direction. Rago is not inherently evil and even saves Jiro's life after he suffers a fatal injury, creating a more complicated dynamic between the human protagonist and the supernatural entity within him.
The similarities continue with the introduction of a secret organization dedicated to hunting mononoke. Its members remain suspicious of Rago and are uncertain whether he can truly be trusted, creating a dynamic that echoes the relationship between Sukuna and the jujutsu sorcerers.
Jiro himself also shares some characteristics with Yuji. He possesses extraordinary physical abilities and has the unusual ability to communicate with animals. However, the series gives him a different family background. Unlike Yuji, Jiro's grandfather is still alive and is already aware of the supernatural world, adding another layer to the protagonist's story and giving the series a distinctive family dynamic.
The anime has also begun to establish itself through its action sequences. Recent episodes have delivered intense battles and supernatural confrontations that capture some of the same excitement found in fights between jujutsu sorcerers and Cursed Spirits. As Jiro becomes part of the Black Torch unit, the series is also building a team dynamic involving an instructor and several characters with their own personalities and abilities.
What makes Black Torch's early reception even more interesting is the unusual history of its source material. The original manga was cancelled during its serialization, making the anime adaptation a particularly unexpected development. Despite that history, the series is now receiving attention from viewers who are discovering its world and characters through the anime.
While Black Torch is not a replacement for Jujutsu Kaisen in the literal sense, it offers many of the ingredients that fans of dark supernatural shonen series are looking for. With its unique mythology, powerful protagonist, mysterious supernatural entities, and fast-paced action, the anime could become one of the more interesting new additions to the Summer 2026 season.
