English Dub Review: Black Torch “Underdog”

Overview

The dueler who confronted Reiji is his own kin, and Shinji’s inner turmoil is about to erupt finally…

Our Take

Picking up from the previous episode, Black Torch puts a much stronger focus on Shinji as his past comes back to haunt him, and it further delves into his personal struggles that drive his actions. His confrontation with Reiji gives the episode a more emotional edge, revealing how years of pressure, insecurity, and resentment shaped their fractured relationship. While some of Shinji’s motivations could have used more development, the conflict itself adds another layer to both brothers and makes their confrontation one of the episode’s highlights.

Meanwhile, Amagi’s arrival raises the stakes considerably, particularly through his clash with Rago and his belief that humanity has grown complacent. Rago’s determination to stand his ground despite knowing the danger he was facing was especially memorable, while his bond with Jiro gives the episode’s final moments considerably more weight. The episode also introduces some intriguing developments surrounding Jiro and Rago’s powers, leaving plenty of questions that hopefully get answered somewhere down the line.

Overall, this was one of the stronger episodes of *Black Torch* so far, balancing character drama with some major developments and a surprisingly emotional ending. The pacing is definitely moving quickly, but the story is becoming increasingly interesting as the relationships between Jiro, Rago, and the other characters continue to evolve. It may leave you with more questions than answers, but after eight episodes, the show is finally starting to feel like it knows exactly where it wants to go. Let’s just hope it keeps this momentum going.