The Vermilion Mask writer Dr. Poro has revealed that his preference for helping others extends beyond his manga characters and into his video game habits. During an interview with Anime News Network, the writer explained that he always chooses healer or support characters in RPGs, even when his attempts to rescue teammates end with both players getting killed.
Dr. Poro’s answer offers an amusing glimpse into the personality behind the supernatural action manga. He explained that he finds motivation in helping others rather than doing things for himself, a quality that also influences how he develops characters such as Peru and Sona.
The interview also covered the origins of The Vermilion Mask, its anime adaptation, the collaboration with artist Nabana Naba, and the storytelling lessons that influenced Dr. Poro’s newer manga, GOAT’S GAME.
The Vermilion Mask Writer Dr. Poro Reveals Why He Always Plays Healers in RPGs
When asked whether he typically chooses support characters in video games, Dr. Poro immediately agreed with the suggestion that he prefers playing healers.
“Exactly. You’re right. I always play the healer or the character who supports the main characters or the party,”
he explained.
However, his approach does not always produce successful results. The writer admitted that he frequently puts himself in danger while attempting to rescue other players.
“And then oftentimes I go to rescue or help other people, and the teammate and I die. I kill myself in the game,”
Dr. Poro added.
His gaming habits reflect something he also recognizes in his own personality. According to the writer, he enjoys supporting and encouraging others and feels motivated when his actions benefit someone else.
He believes this quality partly explains why he works in the entertainment industry, as he wants his stories to bring excitement and happiness to audiences.
How Dr. Poro’s Personality Influences Peru and Sona
Dr. Poro also discussed how his personality influences the protagonists of The Vermilion Mask. The manga follows Peru, an apprentice mask maker who seeks to destroy the powerful masks created by his former master. During his journey, he joins forces with Sona, a runaway princess.
The writer described Peru as a selfless character who consistently prioritizes helping others. Sona complements this personality by finding meaning in supporting him as their relationship develops.
Interestingly, Dr. Poro explained that he does not deliberately create characters who are difficult for him to understand. He considers his characters reflections of different aspects of himself.
He also discussed Mok Sharib, explaining that the character initially became difficult to write because he had designed him with Nabana Naba’s artistic style in mind rather than his own understanding of the character. Over time, Mok developed into someone closer to Dr. Poro’s personality.
Dr. Poro’s Biggest Lesson From The Vermilion Mask Was Communication
Beyond his personal gaming habits, Dr. Poro discussed how his collaboration with Nabana Naba and editor Kimura shaped the manga’s development.
The writer explained that he and his editor initially had different ideas about where the story should go. Dr. Poro would submit individual chapters without explaining his longer-term plans, leading to disagreements about the direction of the series.
He eventually realized that communicating his intentions earlier was essential to their collaboration. Interestingly, this experience also inspired his recently launched manga, GOAT’S GAME, whose central theme is communication.
The Vermilion Mask itself originated from an idea Dr. Poro developed while he was in college more than a decade ago. He eventually revisited the unfinished concept and developed it into the manga that began serialization in Shōnengahōsha’s Young King Ours magazine in 2021.
The series follows Peru and Sona in a world where magical masks grant supernatural abilities. Dr. Poro writes the story, while Nabana Naba handles the illustrations, with editor Kimura coordinating their collaboration.
The writer also revealed that he is particularly interested in seeing the manga’s more dynamic sequences animated. He specifically mentioned a character introduced in the later chapters who possesses gravity-manipulating abilities.
