The Vermilion Mask Episode 1 Review: A Stylish 90s-Inspired Fantasy With Clear, Hard-Hitting Action

The first episode of The Vermilion Mask wastes almost no time introducing viewers to its unusual fantasy world. Within roughly 21 minutes, the premiere establishes Peru d’Arrest, the mysterious masks that grant supernatural abilities, the troubled city of Lisblanc and the tragedy that drives its protagonist forward. Despite the amount of information being introduced, the episode rarely becomes difficult to follow.

That clarity is one of the anime’s biggest strengths. Directed by Tetsuaki Watanabe, known for Blue Lock, the series deliberately embraces the straightforward visual storytelling associated with 1990s and early-2000s anime while using modern production techniques. The result is an action fantasy that feels nostalgic without simply copying the look of older shows.

More importantly, The Vermilion Mask gives its supernatural premise an emotional foundation. Peru is not collecting masks simply because they make him stronger. He is trying to destroy them because one of them previously caused him to lose control and kill the people closest to him.

Peru’s Tragic Past Gives the Mask Powers Real Weight

Peru initially appears to be a relatively carefree mask seller, but the premiere quickly reveals the trauma underneath his personality. He was once an apprentice to the legendary mask maker Gaston Roux, whose creations possess extraordinary powers.

The most dangerous of those creations is the Mask of the Warrior God. After Peru became possessed by it, he unintentionally killed his master and fellow apprentices. That incident leaves him carrying enormous guilt, leading him to begin a journey to destroy every mask Gaston created.

This motivation immediately separates Peru from a typical action protagonist. His objective is not simply to become stronger or defeat increasingly powerful enemies. Every mask he encounters represents something connected to the tragedy he is desperately trying to prevent from happening again. The official anime website similarly describes Peru’s journey as an attempt to confront his past and atone for what happened.

The episode also makes his fighting style particularly entertaining. Peru carries multiple masks and chooses between them according to the situation, meaning his battles depend more on adaptability than simply overpowering opponents.

The Masks Are More Than Supernatural Power-Ups

The central concept behind The Vermilion Mask is immediately intriguing because every mask can fundamentally change its wearer. The premiere introduces several different designs and abilities, including the Spider Mask, while establishing that these powers can come with serious consequences.

That idea becomes especially interesting because the masks do not function like ordinary weapons. Their abilities can help their users survive, but they can also become sources of suffering. This gives the supernatural system a darker edge and creates plenty of potential for future character conflicts.

The world surrounding these masks is equally important. Peru’s journey brings him into conflict with the people controlling Lisblanc, while Sona becomes increasingly important to the story. Her identity and connection to the larger conflict add another mystery to an already crowded first episode.

Its 90s Anime Approach Makes the Action Easier to Follow

The biggest surprise is how readable the action remains despite the enormous amount happening on screen. Characters move quickly, supernatural abilities are introduced rapidly and several fights take place, yet the episode generally makes it clear where everyone is and what they are trying to accomplish.

That approach reflects Watanabe’s stated preference for straightforward action direction. In comments reported by Crunchyroll, he emphasized the importance of making action understandable rather than allowing elaborate direction to obscure what is happening.

Visually, the anime combines modern animation with a distinctly retro sensibility. Character designs have an expressive quality that recalls older fantasy and action series, while the masks provide the production with some of its strongest visual imagery.

The anime is also arriving as a two-cour project, with Crunchyroll streaming the series and the Japanese broadcast scheduled for October 2026.

Verdict

The first episode succeeds because it understands that spectacle works better when there is an emotional reason behind it. Peru’s guilt, the dangerous masks and the mysteries surrounding Sona give the action enough substance to make the premiere more than another supernatural battle series.

There are certainly moments where the story moves extremely quickly, and some characters and world-building elements could have benefited from additional breathing room. Still, the episode establishes enough intrigue to make the next chapter genuinely worth watching.