The Vermilion Mask anime is set for an October 2026 debut, split into two cours, with Crunchyroll streaming it. Tetsuaki Watanabe directs at 100Studio.
Crunchyroll announced at its Anime Expo panel on July 3, 2026 that it will stream The Vermilion Mask, an adaptation of the supernatural action manga by Dr.Poro and Nabana Naba. The following day, the anime's staff revealed the first main trailer and cast, confirming a debut in October 2026. The series will run for two cours, with Tetsuaki Watanabe directing at 100Studio.
The two announcements together establish the production's key details: a streaming home on Crunchyroll, a fall 2026 premiere, and a split-cour format. The trailer and cast reveal provided the first concrete look at the adaptation, moving it from a slate listing to a fully scheduled title with a director and studio attached.
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10h ago
At Anime Expo, Anime Herald interviewed the two Kimura team members behind the upcoming anime The Vermilion Mask. Taichi Kimura, a writer on the project, described script meetings that run five hours, from 5 PM to 10 PM, with repeated drafts and rewrites. He noted this process is rare and stems from the original creator's deep involvement in the anime production. Voice actor Taihi Kimura, who plays the character Peru, said his initial impression of the story was that it is interesting, sad, and painful, and he wants to convey Peru's attitude of challenging obstacles, his willingness to forgive, and his desire to be forgiven. Taichi Kimura said the story develops quickly and is full of surprises, while Taihi Kimura called it dynamic and dramatic from the start. The interview also covered Taihi Kimura's ten years of restaurant kitchen experience, his interest in vintage clothing from unknown designers, and his path to voice acting through a high school announcing club and a Koshien game announcement. Taichi Kimura mentioned that Dr. Poro, the manga's artist, drew inspiration from Baki for action sequences. Taihi Kimura also noted he is playing Chihiro Rokuhira in Kagurabachi this season.
Jul 4
The staff for the anime adaptation of Dr. Poro and Nabana Naba's manga The Vermilion Mask revealed the first main trailer with English subtitles during Crunchyroll's panel at Anime Expo 2026 on July 3. The announcement also confirmed the main Japanese voice cast. Taihi Kimura voices protagonist Peru d'Arrest, a young mask maker who loses control of a cursed mask and kills his master and comrades. Yuuki Yamamoto plays Sonarue Maywood, Kazuki Ura plays Mok Sharib, Takanori Hoshino plays Gouon, Wataru Komada plays Totoque, Junya Enoki plays Zent, Kazuhiko Inoue plays Gaston, and Akio Otsuka voices the Mask of the Warrior God. The anime is directed by Tetsuaki Watanabe at 100Studio (also called One Double-O or WOW Studio), with Gai Hazako as assistant director. Daisuke Ohigashi handles series composition, Hisashi Higashijima designs the characters, and Arisa Okehazama composes the music. The series will premiere in October 2026 and run for two cours. Crunchyroll will stream the anime as it airs. The manga began serialization in Young King Ours in February 2021 and has eight compiled volumes as of July 2025.
Jul 3
Crunchyroll announced during its Anime Expo panel that it will stream Fate Rewinder, Overgeared, The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn't a Guy at All, The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 5, Gacha Girls Corps, Magical Buffs: The Support Caster is Stronger Than He Realized!, The Vermilion Mask, Dengeki Daisy, and Aoashi Season 2. The company also revealed staff for the Ghost of Tsushima: Legends anime and the Here U Are anime and Solo Leveling: Beyond the System film.