The upcoming The Vermilion Mask anime took the spotlight at the Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair (KYOMAF) on September 20, with the cast sharing new insights ahead of the series’ October premiere. Taihi Kimura, Yuuki Yamamoto, and Junya Enoki appeared at the special stage as Peru, Sonarue, and Zent, respectively, while promotional ambassadors T.N.T. also joined the event.
The KYOMAF appearance gave fans a closer look at the characters and relationships driving the masked battle fantasy. The cast discussed what attracted them to their roles, including Peru’s guilt and determination, Sonarue’s strong personality, and the complicated connection between Peru and Zent.
The event also featured handmade masks created by special effects makeup artist Kanako Kitaochi, giving attendees a closer look at physical designs inspired by the anime. With the October debut approaching, the stage offered an early look at what viewers can expect from the adaptation. The official website confirms that The Vermilion Mask will begin in October 2026.
The Vermilion Mask Cast Discuss Peru, Sonarue and Zent
Kimura explained that Peru immediately stood out to him because of the character’s determination to confront his past. Peru begins his journey carrying the guilt of his actions, and Kimura highlighted the character’s refusal to give up despite that burden.
Enoki, who voices Zent, said that his own seriousness as an actor matches Peru’s earnest nature. He also described Zent as an important figure in Peru’s development, although the character’s fate makes their relationship particularly complicated.
Yamamoto discussed Sonarue, revealing that her former status as a princess does not define her personality. She described Sonarue as someone with a strong sense of right and wrong who acts according to her convictions.
Kimura agreed, calling Sonarue more than a decorative princess because of her inner strength. The official character material similarly presents Zent as Peru’s former senior fellow pupil who trained alongside him under the legendary mask maker Gaston.
The biggest revelation came when Enoki explained that Zent is already dead. He is one of the senior disciples Peru killed while under the control of the Mask of the Warrior God.
Yamamoto emphasized the emotional complexity between the two characters. She described their connection as involving affection, resentment, hatred, and an inability to forgive, making their eventual confrontation one of the story’s major points of interest.
The cast also praised Kazuki Ura, who voices Mok. Although Ura was absent from the event, his fellow performers remembered his supportive attitude during recording sessions.
MAN WITH A MISSION and yutori Themes Get the Spotlight
The KYOMAF stage also featured video messages from the artists behind The Vermilion Mask’s opening and ending themes. MAN WITH A MISSION performs the opening song “Firestarter,” while yutori performs the ending theme “Koe.”
Kimura described “Firestarter” as a song that feels like the beginning of a battle and said it could make listeners want to charge directly into the series’ conflicts.
Yamamoto praised “Koe” for capturing emotions that are difficult to express through words. She also noted that its energy could make it feel suitable as an opening theme rather than an ending song.
The anime’s official information lists Tetsuaki Watanabe as director, Daisuke Ohigashi as series composer, Hisashi Higashijima as character designer and chief animation director, and One Double-O studio as the animation production studio.
T.N.T. then joined the cast for a special quiz segment called the “Mask King Showdown.” Yuya Tegoshi revealed that the group had received manga volumes one through nine and quickly became engrossed in the story, with the members competing among themselves to read the books first.
The quiz placed the voice actors against Team T.N.T., with both sides identifying masks displayed during the competition. The first two questions resulted in a tie before the difficulty increased.
Team T.N.T. ultimately secured the inaugural “Mask King” title and won an assortment of Kyoto sweets. Tegoshi joked that victory could eventually lead to T.N.T. replacing the voice actors, while Enoki countered by joking that the cast should join T.N.T. if they won.
What to Expect From The Vermilion Mask Anime
The Vermilion Mask follows Peru, an apprentice of legendary mask maker Gaston Roux. After being controlled by the Mask of the Warrior God, Peru unintentionally kills his friends and master, leaving him determined to destroy Gaston’s masks scattered across the world.
His journey becomes an attempt to confront his guilt while preventing another tragedy. Along the way, Peru encounters Sonarue, Mok, Zent and other characters as he faces powerful enemies and the dangerous abilities granted by the masks.
The anime is based on the manga by Dr. Poro and Nabana Naba, which is serialized in Young King OURs. Crunchyroll is set to stream the adaptation internationally, while the series is scheduled to begin in October 2026.
Kimura ended the KYOMAF appearance by thanking fans for attending the first The Vermilion Mask event and promising to work hard to make the series something audiences will enjoy. The cast then received applause as the special stage came to a close.
