Episode 74 - Black Torch by Tsuyoshi Takaki

Episode 74 - Black Torch by Tsuyoshi Takaki

Author: Manga Tak October 27, 2025 Duration: 1:03:09
Jiro Azuma isn’t your run of the mill Ninja though, oh no - he also has the unique ability to talk to animals. It’s this special skill that leads him to nurse a dying cat back to health… but this isn’t just any cat: it’s Rago, the Black Star of Doom: a Mononoke of incredible power. Before he knows it, Jiro has fused with this vengeful spirit in the middle of a fight to the death and is immediately taken into custody by the Bureau of Espionage… But seemingly with the fate of the world at stake...

Each week on Manga Tak, the focus is on beginnings. Instead of overwhelming you with endless series, we take a deep and considered look at specifically the first volumes of manga. It’s that crucial opening act where a story either grabs you or doesn’t, and we explore what makes these initial instalments work. You’ll hear genuine discussions that dig into the artwork, the narrative hooks, and the distinct atmosphere each creator establishes right from the start. The aim is to give you a real sense of whether a series might be for you, saving both your time and your shelf space. Whether you’re a seasoned collector looking for hidden gems or someone just curious about where to start, this podcast serves as a thoughtful guide. Think of it as having a chat with knowledgeable friends who are just as passionate about the medium as you are. We break down the finest debut volumes, from well-known hits to under-the-radar titles, always with an eye on how they build a foundation for what’s to come. It’s about making informed choices for your next favourite read and, ultimately, curating a personal collection you truly love. Tune in weekly for these focused conversations that celebrate the art and craft of manga’s opening chapters.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 100

Manga Tak
Podcast Episodes
Bonus Episode - Unemployed Killers Support Group by RIO [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:40
Locker Loyed, one of the underground's best snipers, it forced to take early retirement after a job gone wrong. In the assassination industry, these things happen! Fortunately for Locker, his handler tells him that there…
Episode 99 - Baki The Grappler by Keisuke Itagaki [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:23
When an unknown 17 year old enters the 18th annual Real Fight Tournament, everyone is amazed as this kid takes down every pupil of the legendary Shinshinkai dojo... Even the tournament's reigning champion, Suedo, is no m…
Episode 97 Audio Issues Now Fixed! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:28
Hey folks, just a quick update from me explaining some of the unfortunate audio errors in the Witch Hat episode - hopefully the file should be fixed now and available for your listening pleasure! Sorry to those who liste…
Episode 98 - March Comes In Like A Lion by Chica Umino [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:58
Rei Kiriyama is a shogi prodigy who has overcome incredible hardship to become a professional player. Despite having his own Tokyo apartment at 17, he's incredibly lonely. After a young hostess takes pity on him, Rei is…
Episode 97 - Witch Hat Atelier by Kamome Shirahama [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:33
Coco is a young girl who's had put her dreams of becoming a witch aside because she was not born one... However a child's curiosity can never be quenched, and so after discovering that magic is something one does with a…
Episode 96 - Shaman King by Hiroyuki Takei [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:57
To the casual observer, Yoh Asakura seems like a laid back teenager with street and book smarts in equal measure, but unbeknown to his new classmates, Yoh is actually a shaman: a human blessed with the powers to not only…
Episode 95 - Revolutionary Girl Utena by Chiho Saito and Be-Papas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:19
A young girl is given a rose signet ring by a mysterious prince who saves her life... But when she grows up and finds herself at Ohtori Academy, where the student council also hold matching rings and end up challenging h…
Episode 94 - One Piece: Ace's Story by Boichi and Ryo Ishiyama [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:46
Stranded on a desert island with no hope of rescue, an unnamed writer suddenly finds himself face to face with a young pirate by the name of Portgas D. Ace. While he isn't much to look at, just a scrawny kid in a hat, af…
Episode 93 - Phantom Busters by Neoshoco [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:32
Eugene Korekishi is the smartest kid in his class, but despite his Grandma's promise to one day come back to haunt and hang out with him, he doesn't believe in ghosts. That is until one day, a young exorcist in training…
Episode 92 - Love Bullet by inee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:16
Love can hit you when you least expect it... Sometimes it's up close with a 9mm, other times it's at a distance from an semi-automatic! Some people even end up falling in love as collateral damage from a stray grenade...…