Black Channel (manga)
A demon YouTuber documents humanity's true sides.
Black Channel is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Satoshi Kisaichi. It began as a pilot in Shogakukan's Monthly CoroCoro Comic magazine in 2020 before starting regular serialization later that year, and has been compiled into multiple volumes. The series follows a demon YouTuber who films people's misery to expose their true nature, and has expanded into novel and anime adaptations.
- First Serialization
- January 2020 (pilot), October 2020 (regular)
Lore & Background
The series originated from Kisaichi's earlier work that was not picked up for serialization. After releasing a pilot in MiraCoro Comic Vol. 2 in January 2020, it was voted the most popular choice, leading to a pilot serialization in Monthly CoroCoro Comic from April to August 2020, followed by regular serialization starting October 2020. The manga moved to the Weekly CoroCoro Comic website in May 2026. A spin-off, Black Channel: Breaking the Wall, ran from June to August 2022.
The plot centers on Black, a YouTuber who is actually a demon, who films unfortunate people and makes deals to grant their desires, only to turn the deals against them to reveal their true nature. He uses powers to cleanse evil tendencies and erase memories. Key characters include Camera-chan, a small assistant with a camera for a head; Satoshi, an elementary school student YouTuber; and Hime Ichii, a popular but insecure schoolmate.
A novel adaptation by Shin Sukitake began in January 2023, with four volumes as of February 2026. Short-form ONA videos started on YouTube in August 2020, and an anime television series was announced in April 2026.
Reader's Guide
Black Channel holds significance as a children's manga that blends supernatural elements with social commentary on internet culture and human nature. Its nomination for the 2022 Next Manga Award (placing 20th in the Print Manga category) and for the Best Children's Manga award at the 68th Shogakukan Manga Award indicate recognition within the industry. The series' expansion into a novel, ONA, and announced anime television adaptation demonstrates its growing reach. By focusing on a demon YouTuber who exposes people's true selves, the series engages with themes of authenticity and morality in the digital age, appealing to its target audience of elementary school students. Its move from monthly to weekly online serialization in 2026 suggests sustained popularity.
Did You Know?
- The series was originally a pilot in MiraCoro Comic Vol. 2 and was voted the most popular choice among that issue's featured manga.
- Camera-chan, Black's assistant, has a video camera for a head and can transform into various objects.
- A spin-off manga titled Black Channel: Breaking the Wall was serialized from June to August 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Black Channel?
Black Channel is a Japanese manga created by Satoshi Kisaichi that centers on a demon who runs a YouTube channel dedicated to capturing people's worst moments and revealing their hidden true selves. It has since expanded beyond comics into novels and an anime adaptation.
Who wrote and illustrated Black Channel?
Satoshi Kisaichi handles both the writing and the artwork for the series. The manga first appeared as a pilot chapter in Shogakukan's Monthly CoroCoro Comic before moving to a full regular run.
When did Black Channel begin serialization?
A pilot chapter debuted in January 2020, and the ongoing serialization kicked off in October 2020 in Monthly CoroCoro Comic. The story has since been collected into multiple tankōbon volumes.
What is the main plot of Black Channel?
The story follows a demon who operates a YouTube channel specifically to film and broadcast people's moments of cruelty or moral failure, using those clips to strip away their public personas. It serves as a supernatural commentary on how people reveal their true nature when they think no one is watching.
What media adaptations exist for Black Channel?
Beyond the original manga, the franchise has grown to include a novel adaptation and an upcoming anime television series. This makes it one of the more cross-media properties to come out of Monthly CoroCoro Comic in recent years.
More in Upcoming anime television series 1-24
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