The full opening video for the Black Torch anime dropped on June 27, 2026, giving fans their first complete look at the animated sequence set to SiM's hard-hitting track "FREEZE ME UP." Released just a week before the series premiere on July 4, 2026, the non-credit opening has already become a rallying point for viewers eager to see this supernatural action manga brought to life. We're here to walk through what's in the opening, who's behind the song, and exactly where you can watch both the OP and the series itself.
The Quick Version
- The opening theme is "FREEZE ME UP" by SiM, the Japanese rock band known for their work on Attack on Titan Final Season Part 2.
- The non-credit opening video was released on June 27, 2026, ahead of the anime's premiere.
- Episode 1 premieres July 4, 2026 on Crunchyroll.
- The series adapts Tsuyoshi Takaki's manga about a teenage ninja who bonds with a powerful demon.
- Where to watch: Crunchyroll will stream the series starting July 4.
What the Opening Video Shows
The Black Torch opening runs just under ninety seconds and serves as our visual introduction to the series' core cast and tone. The sequence opens with protagonist Jiro Azuma in motion—quick cuts of him leaping across rooftops and through shadowed alleyways establish him as both athlete and outsider. We see flashes of his dual nature: a quiet high schooler by day, and by night a young man wrestling with the mononoke (supernatural creatures) that inhabit his world.
SiM's "FREEZE ME UP" powers the entire sequence with driving guitars and MAH's signature growl-to-melody vocals. The lyrics reportedly come from MAH and Jon Lundin, with music credited to SiM and Lundin, though these credits appear only in fan uploads rather than official statements. What's clear from the video itself is the synergy between the band's aggressive energy and the animation's kinetic action. Every beat drop coincides with a moment of combat or transformation, reinforcing the series' promise of high-stakes supernatural battles.
Midway through, we meet Rago—the powerful demon who fuses with Jiro after a near-fatal encounter. The opening doesn't shy away from showing this central relationship: panels of Jiro's face half-shadowed, his eyes flickering between human and otherworldly, tell us that the bond between boy and demon will be complex and costly. We also catch glimpses of the Bureau of Espionage, the secretive organization that monitors and fights supernatural threats, hinting at the larger conflict that will draw Jiro in.
Why This Opening Matters for SiM and the Anime
SiM has become one of the go-to bands for anime openings that need raw intensity. Their track "The Rumbling" for Attack on Titan Final Season Part 2 cemented their reputation as a band that understands how to amplify an anime's emotional stakes. "FREEZE ME UP" follows that template: it's loud, unapologetic, and built for repeated viewing. For fans of the manga, hearing SiM attached to Black Torch was an early signal that the adaptation would lean into the source material's dark, action-forward tone rather than soften it.
The decision to release a non-credit version of the opening a week before premiere is strategic. Non-credit OPs—opening sequences without the staff names and production credits overlaid—let fans see the animation in full, share clips on social media, and build anticipation without visual clutter. It's a standard move in the weeks leading up to a major anime launch, and it's proven effective: the video has already circulated widely across YouTube, Twitter, and anime community hubs since June 27.
For Black Torch itself, this opening sets expectations. The manga, serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump, earned a devoted following for its blend of ninja action and yokai folklore, but it also faced criticism for an abrupt ending. The anime adaptation has a chance to reintroduce the story to a broader audience and perhaps offer a more complete narrative arc. The opening video's polish and energy suggest that the production team is taking that opportunity seriously.
Where and When You Can Watch Black Torch
Episode 1 of Black Torch is scheduled to premiere on July 4, 2026, streaming exclusively on Crunchyroll. The platform announced the series as part of its summer 2026 lineup in early June, positioning it alongside other high-profile titles for the season. Crunchyroll's promotional materials confirm that the series will be available to both free and premium subscribers, with premium members able to watch new episodes as they release and free users accessing them a week later.
The opening video itself is currently available through official channels on Crunchyroll's website and through partner promotions on VIZ Media's social media. Fan uploads have also made the OP widely accessible on YouTube, though viewers should note that these are unofficial and may be taken down or lack the video quality of the official release.
As for the ending theme, promotional materials indicate that the song is "Groooovy" by the band I Don't Like Mondays, though this detail has appeared in fewer official sources than the opening theme information. We'll likely see the ending theme video released closer to or just after the premiere.
What We Know About the Black Torch Story
For anyone coming to Black Torch fresh, the premise is straightforward but rich with potential. Jiro Azuma is the last of a ninja clan, living a double life in modern Japan. He's compassionate toward animals and mononoke alike—a trait that sets him apart from his more ruthless peers. When he tries to protect a powerful demon cat named Rago from rival hunters, Jiro is fatally wounded. Rago saves him by fusing their bodies, granting Jiro immense power but also binding them together in a way neither fully understands.
The Bureau of Espionage quickly takes an interest in this new hybrid. Jiro is pulled into their world of covert operations, political intrigue, and increasingly dangerous supernatural threats. The manga balances explosive fight scenes with quieter moments exploring what it means to share your body and mind with another being—and what you're willing to sacrifice to protect the people (and creatures) you care about.
The anime adaptation has the advantage of pacing: where the manga's ending felt rushed, the series can take time to develop secondary characters and flesh out the Bureau's internal conflicts. The opening video hints at this depth, giving screen time not just to Jiro and Rago but to the ensemble of agents, rivals, and monsters who populate the story.
What People Are Saying
"SiM doing another anime OP is always a win. The energy in 'FREEZE ME UP' is exactly what Black Torch needs—this opening hit way harder than I expected."
—@yokudan on Twitter
"I'm so ready for this. The manga deserved better and I hope the anime gives it the ending it should've had. That opening has me hyped."
—user kuro_ninja on the Crunchyroll forums
"Watched the OP like five times already. The animation looks clean and Rago's design is perfect. July 4th can't come fast enough."
—@torchfan2026 on Twitter
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Black Torch episode 1 premiere?
Episode 1 is scheduled to premiere on July 4, 2026, on Crunchyroll. The series will stream weekly after that initial release.
Where can I watch the Black Torch opening video?
The non-credit opening video for "FREEZE ME UP" is available on Crunchyroll's official channels and through VIZ Media's social media pages. Fan uploads are also circulating on YouTube.
Who performs the Black Torch opening theme?
The opening theme "FREEZE ME UP" is performed by SiM, the Japanese rock band known for their work on Attack on Titan and other anime soundtracks.
Is Black Torch available on any other streaming platforms?
As of June 27, 2026, Crunchyroll is the only confirmed streaming platform for Black Torch. No announcements have been made about additional services.
Will the anime follow the manga's story?
The anime is adapting Tsuyoshi Takaki's manga, though it's not yet clear whether the series will diverge from or expand upon the original ending. Fans are hopeful that the adaptation will offer a more fully realized conclusion.
What to Expect When Black Torch Arrives
We're now just a week out from the premiere, and the opening video has done its job: it's set the tone, introduced the key players, and reminded us why we fell for this story in the first place. SiM's "FREEZE ME UP" promises that the anime will honor the manga's intensity while bringing new life to its visual storytelling. Whether you're a longtime fan of the manga or discovering Black Torch for the first time, July 4 on Crunchyroll is the date to mark. The opening has given us a taste—now we're ready for the full story to unfold.
