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from Wikipedia
Blackfox
Promotional art for the film
Directed by
  • Kazuya Nomura[a]
  • Keisuke Shinohara
Screenplay byNaoki Hayashi
Produced by
  • Hitoshi Kawamura
  • Mitsutoshi Ogura
  • Shinji Oomori
  • Motohiro Oda
  • Nobuhiko Kurosu
  • Manami Ishida
  • Yuki Uekusa
  • Michiko Fujii
Starring
CinematographyYu Wakabayashi
Edited byGō Sadamatsu
Music by
Production
companies
Release dates
  • October 4, 2019 (2019-10-04) (Crunchyroll)
  • October 5, 2019 (2019-10-05) (Japan)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryJapan
LanguageJapanese

Blackfox is a Japanese anime film produced by studio 3Hz. It premiered in Japan on October 5, 2019.

Plot

[edit]

Rikka Isurugi is a young girl living at her family home at the edge of Brad City. She is the descendant of ninjas and is expected to follow in the steps of her grandfather, Hyoei Isurugi, and become the next family head. However she wants to be like her father, Allen Isurugi, a renowned robot scientist. One day, Rikka returns home from school for her birthday to find it being attacked by a hit squad led by her father's former colleague, Lauren, intent on obtaining his research, including three AI robotic animal drones: Kasumi the eagle, Oboro the dog and Madara the flying squirrel. Hyoei tries to fight back, only to be restrained and mortally wounded by Lauren's daughter, an esper who is under his control through an electronic collar. Allen is shot and dies, but the drones take Rikka to safety, where she vows to avenge her family.

Six months later, Rikka is now going under the alias "Lily" and is living in a small apartment with her roommate, Melissa. She works as a detective-in-training for Harold Berkeley and uses the animal drones to find information about her family's murderers which are linked to the Gradsheim company. Lily observes one of their facilities, but is caught by security. She is fortunately helped out by a girl named Mia, who vouches for her, and the two become fast friends. That night, Lily infiltrates the facility to retrieve her father's research. However, she is caught by Lauren and the esper, who's revealed to be Mia. Upon discovering Lily's identity, Lauren orders Mia to kill her, but she resists his control and goes berserk; destroying the facility and allowing Lily to flee with her.

The animal drones prevent Lily from killing Mia, and she takes Mia to her apartment where Melissa helps her recuperate. Lauren sends a military drone created using Allen's AI research to kill Lily, but together Lily and Mia lure the drone to Lily's home, where they disable it using the house's ninja traps. Lauren then attacks them and destroys the house using esper powers gained from his research on Mia. Mia fights him but is defeated, while Lily finds a recording of her father and grandfather, wishing her a happy birthday and giving her a present: a "Black Fox" ninja suit with cybernetic enhancements. Once again embracing her true identity as "Rikka," she dons the suit and defeats Lauren. However, he then puts the electronic control collar on Mia and transfers his powers to her, killing himself in the process, causing her to attack Rikka. In the end, with the help of the animal drones, Rikka manages to destroy the collar and free Mia.

Later, the president of Gradsheim, Brad Ingram, holds a press conference where he denies any involvement in the incident with the military drone, but Rikka recognizes him as the mastermind behind the attack on her family. Rikka, now going by the codename "Black Fox", with the aid of Mia, Melissa, and the animal drones, plans to go after Brad next.

Characters

[edit]
Rikka Isurugi (石動 律花)
Voiced by: Ayaka Nanase[1]
The main protagonist, a ninja and detective in training. She eventually becomes the "Black Fox".
Mia (ミア)
Voiced by: Haruka Tomatsu[1]
An esper girl exploited by her father Lauren for his research. His experiments strengthened her ability and turned her into a powerful telekinetic.
Melissa (メリッサ)
Voiced by: Yō Taichi[1]
Rikka's roommate. Also known as AMD00, the first drone created by Rikka's father.
Allen Isurugi (アレン, Aren)
Voiced by: Hiroshi Tsuchida[2]
Rikka's father and an accomplished scientist. Creator of Melissa, Oboro, Madara and Kasumi.
Hyōei Isurugi (兵衛, Hyōei)
Voiced by: Eizō Tsuda[2]
Rikka's grandfather and the 26th head of the Isurugi clan. He trained Rikka to be a ninja.
Kasumi (カスミ)
Voiced by: Kōsuke Toriumi[2]
An eagle drone who serves Rikka; also known as AMD01.
Oboro (オボロ)
Voiced by: Keiji Fujiwara[2]
A dog drone who serves Rikka; also known as AMD02.
Madara (マダラ)
Voiced by: Aki Toyosaki[2]
A flying squirrel drone who serves Rikka; also known as AMD03.
Lauren (ローレン, Rōren)
Voiced by: Nobuo Tobita[2]
A scientist for Gradsheim and Allen's former colleague. Driven insane by his jealousy of Allen's success, he is determined to steal his research and ruin his reputation.
Brad Ingram (ブラッド, Buraddo)
Voiced by: Hiroki Tōchi[2]
The president of Gradsheim and mayor of Brad City. Allen's former colleague.
Harold Berkeley (ハロルド, Harorudo)
Voiced by: Rikiya Koyama[2]
Head of the detective agency where Rikka works.

Production and release

[edit]

The film is produced by studio 3Hz, and directed by Keisuke Shinohara and written by Naoki Hayashi, with Kazuya Nomura serving as chief director. Atsushi Saito is providing the character designs. Infinite is producing the film.[3] Art designers for the series include Fumihiro Katagai (mechanical design), Kenji Andō (Animaldrone design), Ryō Akizuki (prop design), and Yūho Taniuchi, Moriyoshi Ōhara, Atsushi Morikawa, Jyu Ishiguchi, and Kō Kawamura (background design).[4] Background art is provided by Aoshashin. Yūji Kaneko is the series art director. Yukie Noguchi is the colorist, and Hirofumi Araki is the graphic artist. Shunsaku Usui is directing the 3DCG at Flying Ship Studio.[4] T2 Studio is compositing the film, and Gō Sadamatsu is the film's editor.[4] Masaru Yokoyama and Kana Hashiguchi are composing the music.

Crunchyroll streamed the film on their website on October 4, 2019 in all territories, except Asia, France, Germany, Italy, the rest of Europe and Russia. The film premiered in Japanese theaters on October 5, 2019.[5]

A live action tokusatsu drama film titled BLACKFOX: Age of the Ninja, written by Hayashi and directed by stunt coordinator Koichi Sakamoto, was released on October 5, 2019. The film is set in the past during the age of ninja and samurai and focuses on Rikka Isurugi, a girl raised by a ninja clan secluded from society, and a girl with mysterious powers named Miya.[6]

Notes

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References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Blackfox is a 2019 Japanese anime and live-action film duology that combines elements of ninja action and science fiction, produced by Studio 3Hz (anime) and Toei Company (live-action). The anime film follows Rikka Isurugi, the eldest daughter of a ninja clan living in a hidden residence within a futuristic city, who idolizes her researcher father until he and her grandfather are killed in a sudden attack by a paramilitary group, forcing her to don the Blackfox ninja suit and become the vigilante "Blackfox" to avenge her family. Blending traditional ninja lore with modern technology, the 90-minute film explores themes of family, revenge, and heroism as Rikka confronts powerful enemies, including a mysterious magician who offers her enhanced powers at a potential cost. Originally conceived as a television series, Blackfox was condensed into a due to production challenges, resulting in a narrative that premiered at and ends on a suggestive of further installments. Directed chiefly by Kazuya Nomura, with series composition by Naoki Hayashi and character designs by Atsushi Saitō, the film features voice acting led by as Rikka Isurugi, alongside as Madara and Eizō Tsuda as Hyōei. The opening and ending theme, titled "BLACKFOX," is performed by the musical duo , enhancing the film's dynamic action sequences and urban aesthetic.

Premise and themes

World setting

The world of Blackfox is depicted as a near-future society in the fictional city of Brad, where ancient ninja traditions integrate with advanced technological infrastructure. This urban environment features towering skyscrapers and high-tech surveillance systems, allowing ninja clans to operate discreetly amid everyday civilian life. The Isurugi ninja clan resides in a concealed traditional home tucked away in a peripheral district of Brad, preserving their heritage while navigating the city's modern sprawl. This hidden enclave symbolizes the clan's efforts to maintain secrecy in an era dominated by pervasive digital oversight and automated systems. A pivotal element of the setting is the proliferation of artificial intelligence-driven drones, pioneered by researcher Allen Isurugi, which enhance societal functions such as and but also raise ethical concerns over control and . These drones represent the fusion of scientific innovation with potential , influencing power dynamics in the city. Historically, ninja clans like the Isurugi have evolved their stealth and techniques to counter contemporary threats, including incursions from corporations such as Gradsheim Tech Corp., which seeks dominance through technological superiority. This adaptation underscores the ongoing tension between feudal legacies and industrialized warfare in Brad's landscape.

Central themes

The Blackfox film centers on as a pivotal motivator for Rikka Isurugi's evolution into the vigilante Blackfox, following the of her by corporate forces, which propels her from a reluctant heir to a determined avenger seeking justice. This theme underscores the narrative's exploration of personal loss and retribution, where Rikka's pursuit is complicated by her initial aversion to violence, highlighting revenge's transformative yet morally ambiguous power. A core tension arises from family legacy, pitting the ancient traditions of the Isurugi against the innovative embodied by Rikka's father, a whose work in AI and animal drones represents a fusion of heritage with technological progress. Rikka grapples with her grandfather's expectations to uphold ninja ways, contrasting sharply with her admiration for her father's scientific pursuits, symbolizing a broader clash between feudal discipline and futuristic innovation in a near-future world blending ninja lore with advanced AI. Identity and duality form another foundational motif, manifested in Rikka's divided existence between her everyday life as a young woman in a secluded ninja residence and her masked role as Blackfox, navigating the psychological strain of concealing her vigilante actions while reconciling her personal aspirations with familial duties. This duality extends to the film's portrayal of hybrid identities, such as robotic companions and psychic elements, emphasizing self-discovery amid conflicting loyalties. The film critiques corporate power and through antagonists like the Gradsheim , a tech conglomerate that weaponizes AI and drones for control, exemplifying unchecked industrial dominance over society and individual freedoms in a dystopian urban landscape. Gradsheim's role as the catalyst for familial destruction illustrates themes of exploitation and ethical erosion in corporate-driven , positioning the narrative as a on technology's potential for .

Anime film

Plot summary

Rikka Isurugi, a descendant of living in a hidden residence in the futuristic Brad City, idolizes her father Allen, a researcher, over her grandfather Hyōei's ninja traditions. On her 16th birthday, their home is attacked by agents from the Gradsam company seeking Allen's AI research. Allen and Hyōei are killed, but Rikka escapes with the family's AI animal companions: eagle Kasumi, Oboro, and Madara. Six months later, operating as detective "Lily," Rikka investigates Gradsam and befriends Mia, a young esper under the control of , a former colleague of . Rikka acquires her father's prototype "Blackfox" suit, which enhances her abilities by blending traditional techniques with advanced technology. She defeats , frees Mia, and vows to confront Gradsam's president Brad Ingram, ending on a .

Characters and voice cast

The anime film Blackfox features a cast centered around themes of legacy, family, and the clash between tradition and technology, with by Japanese performers. The , Rikka Isurugi (also known as Lily and Blackfox), is the young heir to the Isurugi clan who becomes a vigilante after her family's destruction, wielding advanced ninja techniques blended with modern technology. She is voiced by . Rikka's key ally is Mia, a teenage esper with powerful abilities, who joins her in combating corporate threats and shares a bond forged through shared loss. Mia is voiced by . Complementing the duo are the AI animal companions developed by Allen: , an advanced AI drone capable of into various forms for and combat, voiced by ; Kasumi the eagle, voiced by Kōsuke Toriumi; Oboro the dog, voiced by ; and Madara the flying squirrel, voiced by . Among the family, Allen Isurugi is Rikka's father and a brilliant whose AI and weaponry research drives the conflict, representing the fusion of tradition and innovation. He is voiced by Hiroshi Tsuchida. Rikka's grandfather, Hyōei Isurugi, is the stern head of the Isurugi clan, guiding her with ninja wisdom before his death. Eizō Tsuda voices Hyōei. The primary antagonists include , a ruthless corporate enforcer for Gradsam who pursues Rikka using enhanced abilities, voiced by . Leading Gradsam is Brad Ingram, its ambitious president seeking domination through experimental technology. voices Brad. Additional antagonist Harold Berkeley is voiced by .

BLACKFOX: Age of the Ninja

Plot summary

Set in feudal Japan during the era of samurai and ninjas, the story follows Rikka Isurugi, a young woman raised in the secluded Kitsune ninja clan. While scouting the mountains, Rikka encounters Miya, a fugitive girl with mysterious electrical powers who is being pursued by enemies seeking to exploit her abilities. Rikka brings Miya to the clan's hidden stronghold, where the leader—Rikka's grandfather, Hyōe Isurugi—agrees to provide , though Miya seeks against Hyōe related to her family's tragedy. The two form a bond amid rising tensions, as the rival Negoro group launches an attack on the in pursuit of Miya. Rikka, who is gentle by and opposes killing, is punished for her stance during the conflict. Determined to protect Miya, Rikka dons a and becomes the vigilante "Blackfox" to confront the threats and uncover the forces targeting her friend.

Cast and crew

The live-action film BLACKFOX: Age of the Ninja features in the lead role of Rikka Isurugi, a young from a secluded , while Maimi Yajima portrays Miya, the with mysterious abilities who becomes her ally. Supporting performers include as Merisa, Mami Fujioka as Haku, and Yuki Kubota as Shigetsugu Toda, the antagonistic leader of a rival faction threatening the clans. Other notable cast members in and roles are Hideo Ishiguro as Burado, Masayuki Deai, Takeshi Masu, and veteran as Ishido Hyōe, adding depth to the period drama's conflicts. Directed by , known for his expertise in action and productions, the emphasizes practical ninja combat sequences. Production was led by Tomoyuki Miyagawa, with involvement from Toei Video Co., Ltd. under Project Blackfox, incorporating elements typical of their historical action . Key crew contributions include Sakamoto's in stunt coordination for the practical effects in ninja action scenes, alongside period-accurate that reflects feudal , though specific special effects team credits highlight Toei's in-house expertise in wirework and for battle . As a , the ties live-action origins to the anime's character lineage without overlapping voice performers.

Production

Development

The Blackfox project originated as an original production by Studio 3Hz, first announced in March 2018 ahead of AnimeJapan with a teaser visual and initial staff listings. Initially conceived as a television series, the production encountered significant troubles that necessitated condensing the content into a single feature-length film by 2019. Kazuya Nomura served as chief director, drawing on his experience with action-oriented works like Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie, while Naoki Hayashi handled the screenplay, adapting the -themed narrative for the screen. These creative decisions shaped the core story of a young descendant navigating a near-future world, emphasizing themes of revenge and clan legacy. In parallel, development began on a live-action titled BLACKFOX: Age of the , announced on March 20, 2019, by Senmon Channel as a to expand the franchise's universe into Japan's historical and era. Produced by Infinite and directed by Kōichi Sakamoto, with screenplay again by Naoki Hayashi, the spinoff served as an origin story for the Isurugi clan, bridging the past and the anime's futuristic setting in a " × " crossover. The intertwined productions faced ongoing challenges, including the anime's format shift, but culminated in a strategic release of both the film and spinoff on the same day, October 5, 2019, to maximize cross-promotional impact and audience engagement.

Animation and filming

Studio handled the animation production for the anime film, employing a combination of traditional 2D techniques and (CGI) to depict the high-stakes drone battles and dynamic ninja action sequences. The 90-minute runtime adapts the material from what would have been the first four episodes of the originally planned 12-episode television series, allowing the studio to condense the into a feature-length format while maintaining fluid choreography in fight scenes. For the spinoff film BLACKFOX: Age of the Ninja, production utilized methods, emphasizing practical stunts and wirework to choreograph intense confrontations in a historical setting. Director Kōichi Sakamoto—known for his expertise in stunt coordination from series like —oversaw the physical effects for authenticity. The visual style of the blended hand-drawn 2D animation for character movements and expressions with 3D CGI elements for mechanical components, such as the drone technology central to the plot, creating a seamless integration of futuristic and traditional aesthetics. This approach was supported by 3DCG production from Flying Ship Studio under 3D director Shunsaku Usui, enhancing the scale of action without overpowering the 2D character designs. In post-production, editors at Q-Tec and compositors at T2 Studio refined the anime's footage.

Music and soundtrack

Original score

The original score for the Blackfox anime film was composed by Masaru Yokoyama and Kana Hashiguchi, who also managed programming and instrumentation throughout the production. Their work blends orchestral arrangements with electronic elements to evoke the franchise's fusion of futuristic technology and traditional ninja lore, performed by the Sofia Session Orchestra alongside solo violin by Alicia Enstrom, solo cello by Kevin Bate, acoustic guitar by Takayuki "Kojiro" Sasaki, and brass sections including horn, trumpet, trombone, and tuba. Action cues dominate the score's high-energy sequences, particularly in tracks like "NINJA POWER" and the "Shuriken" series (including "Shuriken 1," "Shuriken 2," and "Shuriken -Again-"), which feature pulsating rhythms and dynamic percussion to underscore drone combat and ninja confrontations in a near-future setting. Atmospheric motifs build tension through subtle, synth-heavy beats in pieces such as "Animal Drones Are Friends" and "Hide And Seek," employing tense strings and layered electronics to highlight themes of and hidden identities, while more introspective cues like "Family Remembrance Of Lily" incorporate heartfelt orchestral swells for emotional depth. For the live-action spinoff BLACKFOX: Age of the Ninja, the original score was composed by Yasutaka Nakamura.

Theme music

The opening and ending theme for the , titled "BLACKFOX," is performed by the musical duo , enhancing the film's dynamic action sequences and urban aesthetic. In the spinoff BLACKFOX: Age of the Ninja, the theme song "My Own Way" is performed by . The 's opening theme plays during the , introducing visual motifs of shadows and fox masks synced to its driving beat.

Release

Premiere and distribution

The anime film Blackfox in Japanese theaters on October 5, 2019, following a limited release at select venues including Wald 9. Simultaneously, began streaming the film worldwide with English subtitles starting October 4, 2019, marking an early international digital rollout for the project. The live-action spinoff film BLACKFOX: Age of the Ninja also debuted on October 5, 2019, through a in . Unlike the film, the spinoff did not receive wide international theatrical distribution, remaining primarily confined to Japanese audiences at launch. handled English subtitled versions of the film for North American distribution, integrating it into their streaming catalog before the 2022 merger with . Marketing efforts positioned Blackfox and its spinoff as a unified franchise launch, with promotional trailers highlighting intense action sequences, futuristic elements, and themes of and legacy to attract action enthusiasts. These materials, released via official channels like and , emphasized cross-media synergy between the animated and live-action components to build anticipation for the dual premiere.

Home video

The film Blackfox received a release in on December 18, 2019, distributed by Toei Video in both Blu-ray and DVD formats. The standard edition featured the 90-minute feature with Japanese audio tracks ( 5.1ch and Linear PCM Stereo), while limited editions included additional packaging such as digipaks or exclusive stickers. Deluxe versions bundled extras like a soundtrack CD containing the theme song "BLACKFOX" by , promotional trailers, and booklet materials with production notes, though full featurettes were not included on the discs. In , no physical release occurred, but the film became available for digital streaming via starting October 4, 2019, coinciding with its international premiere. The live-action spinoff BLACKFOX: Age of the Ninja followed with a DVD and Blu-ray release in on December 18, 2019, also handled by Toei Video. Internationally, it saw limited digital availability on free ad-supported platforms such as , offering both subtitled and dubbed versions for streaming. As of November 2025, availability remains consistent on for the anime film and for the spinoff, with no major updates to physical or .

Reception

Critical response

Upon its release, Blackfox received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, who frequently highlighted its strengths in animation and action while noting narrative shortcomings. awarded the film an overall grade of B+, praising its "outstanding animated action scenes" that feature dynamic ninja parkour and grappling hook sequences, executed with clear direction and thrilling pacing. The review also commended the character designs as sharp and lively, particularly for the female leads, with protagonist Rikka Isurugi described as an empathetic figure whose revenge-driven arc provides emotional depth. Comic Book Resources echoed this sentiment, lauding the film's "stellar female cast" of distinct, non-sexualized characters and its "tightly choreographed" action sequences that maintain fluid pacing amid vibrant futuristic visuals. However, both outlets critiqued the 90-minute runtime for feeling rushed, with CBR likening it to an "extended TV pilot" that introduces unresolved plot threads and derivative superhero origin tropes, leaving potential for franchise expansion unrealized. Anime News Network similarly noted the "boilerplate story structure" as familiar and underdeveloped, though sufficient to support the visual spectacle. Aggregate metrics reflect this balanced reception, with the film holding a 6.1/10 average on from over 470 user ratings and a 6.68/10 score on based on more than 35,000 votes, underscoring praise for charming visuals against critiques of an unoriginal plot. No major data is available, as Blackfox was primarily a theatrical and streaming without widespread international distribution. The live-action tokusatsu spinoff, Black Fox: Age of the Ninja, garnered more mixed evaluations, averaging 5/10 on IMDb from 227 ratings, with reviewers appreciating its fun, fast-paced action and practical effects rooted in tokusatsu traditions. Critics and user summaries highlighted the film's "genre fun" through exciting fight choreography and humorous elements, but faulted its low-budget production for simplistic storytelling, sterile CGI, and limited scope that constrains narrative depth. One assessment described it as "cheap and cheerful" yet enjoyable for its cohesive revenge tale in a feudal setting, though ultimately forgettable due to amateurish character development.

Fan reception

Fans of Blackfox have expressed a mix of appreciation and frustration with the 2019 film, often rating it between 7 and 8 out of 10 in user reviews for its value despite perceived shortcomings. On , the film holds an overall score of 6.68 from 35,412 users, reflecting a niche but dedicated following rather than widespread popularity. Online communities, particularly on discussion platforms, have buzzed about the film's potential as a truncated series, with many lamenting its rushed narrative due to production changes that condensed a planned television format into a 90-minute feature. Fans frequently praise the dynamic fight scenes, which feature fluid and high-energy choreography, as well as the strong female protagonist Rikka Isurugi, whose growth from a enthusiast to a resonates with audiences seeking empowering leads. The art style and character designs also receive commendations for their vibrant, modern take on ninja tropes. Criticisms commonly center on pacing inconsistencies and a generic storyline filled with clichés, which some reviewers feel undermine the film's emotional depth and world-building. Viewership on has remained steady within circles but has not achieved mainstream breakout status, as evidenced by the film's mid-tier ranking of #6212 on . The Black Fox Fandom wiki continues to see activity, with contributors providing detailed analyses of characters like Rikka and her companions, underscoring ongoing grassroots interest. A prevalent sentiment among fans is the unfulfilled desire for a , with discussions highlighting the film's ending and unexplored elements from its sci-fi ; as of 2025, no continuation has been announced. Some viewers have pointed to underutilized ties to the live-action spinoff BLACKFOX: Age of the , noting missed opportunities to expand the shared lore across formats. Overall, Blackfox maintains a appeal among action enthusiasts, who value its entertainment despite calls for more expansive storytelling.

References

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