It appears that the upcoming anime “The Vermilion Mask,” which is a dark fantasy series, won’t follow the soccer genre as fans might have expected, given that Tetsuaki Watanabe, known for his work on “Blue Lock,” will be directing it. This revelation came during the YTV Group Industry Panel at Anime Expo on Saturday. The project is a joint venture between YTV and animation studio 100studio.
In terms of their intensity, there’s a striking similarity between Blue Lock and The Vermilion Mask. While Blue Lock brings an extraordinary twist to the world of soccer anime, The Vermilion Mask offers a dark and intense fantasy story. In brief, the tale revolves around Peru, a young mask maker who, under the influence of a cursed mask, tragically kills his master and companions. Stricken with guilt, Peru embarks on a journey to annihilate the legendary masks crafted by his late master. Along the way, he encounters unexpected allies and lethal adversaries. The narrative unfolds as a captivating quest for redemption, with the fate of Peru’s soul and the world hanging in the balance.
Dark Fantasy Anime Announced From Blue Lock Director
The shift from Watanabe’s work on the sports anime “Blue Lock” to directing a supernatural horror series is intriguing, as it marks a transition from athletic arenas to realms of myth and creatures. This change offers a platform to showcase his versatility.
The anime adaptation of “The Vermilion Mask,” originally a manga by Dr. Poro with art by Nabana Naba, is currently in production. First published in YOUNGKING OURS (Shonengahosha) in 2021, the series has an impressive creative team, spearheaded by global animation label 100studio (WOW Studio). Notable contributors to this project include:
- Director: Tetsuaki Watanabe (Blue Lock Season 1)
- Assistant Director: Gai Hazako
- Series Composition: Daisuke Ohigashi (Fate/strange Fake)
- Character Design: Hisashi Higashijima (Mashle: Magic and Muscles)
- Sound Director: Fumiyuki Goh (Kaiju No.8, Overlord)
- Music: Arisa Okehazama (Jujutsu Kaisen, The Apothecary Diaries)
- Animation Production: 100studio
To honor the exciting news, exclusive artwork from the original creator Dr. Poro and renowned manga artist Nabana Naba has been shared. Nabana expresses heartfelt appreciation to fans for their unwavering support, stating: “Regardless of whether you discovered The Vermilion Mask through the manga or the anime, I am confident that you’ll find our work delightful! I’m profoundly thankful to the team behind this project for their passionate dedication! It would bring me immense joy if we could all experience and enjoy The Vermilion Mask together! Yoropiku!
The manga at present offers seven volumes, with the next chapter set to come out on July 7. As of now, no air date or streaming service has been disclosed for “The Vermilion Mask“, but since it’s already being produced, a release window around 2026 could be plausible.
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2025-07-05 20:51