The Vermilion Mask Anime Confirms 2-Part Release

1 week ago 10

Published Mar 26, 2026, 7:00 PM EDT

An experienced Editor representing Canada via Screen Rant's Team Anime, J.R. has been reading manga since the first printing of Shonen Jump in North America. This passion drove him to write about anime, manga, and manhwa since 2022, having recently served as Lead Anime Editor for ComicBook.com.

His favorite moments in media coverage include reviewing the series premieres of Zom 100 and Bleach: TYBW Part 2 back-to-back and briefly meeting Junji Ito at a VIZ gallery event in 2023.

When one thinks of battle shonen anime, they think of sophisticated animation and brightly-designed characters showing their faces to the world. What separates most of them apart from Western action comic characters like superheroes is the frequent absence of masks, barring odd exceptions like My Hero Academia or Kakashi Hatake.

But one anime empowers the wearers of its esoteric masks, in the case of One Double-O Studio's The Vermilion Mask. Set for an October 2026 debut, the two-part anime's press release included a brand-new poster and trailer. Soon, viewers will experience The Vermilion Mask's Peru as he reels from a catastrophic accident after donning a legendary mask beyond his control.

New 2-Part Action Shonen Anime Takes Its Troubled Hero on a Journey of Atonement

The Vermilion Mask stars Peru D'Arrest, mask maker apprentice to the legendary Gaston Roux, introducing masks as its central relics and power system. But as Peru puts on the Mask of the Warrior God, he is suddenly whipped into a frenzy, killing his master and companions as a result.

Traumatized by this horrific incident, Peru resolves to destroy every mask created by Roux. Typical of any shonen anime, The Vermilion Mask's journey will bring Peru across new allies, and powerful masks to test his resolve. As he grows to trust these new friends, Peru soon learns just how monumentally dangerous the enemies on his quest are.

"Calling it atonement probably makes it sound noble. But let’s be real—it’s nothing that fancy."

-Peru, The Vermilion Mask

The new trailer for The Vermilion Mask's two-part anime introduces viewers to the vision of One Double-O Studio (100studio) as it depicts Peru alongside his allies, Sona and Mok. But the preview also gives a crucial glimpse of the terrifying powers of the Mask of the Warrior God, and what other dangers are promised in the future.

The Vermilion Mask Boasts an Impressive Anime Staff

Action Shonen Fantasy Anime The Vermilion Mask Poster

Headlining this production is Tetsuaki Watanabe, the acclaimed Director behind Blue Lock season 1 as well as "Mermaid Rhapsody" and "Nayuta of the Prophecy" of Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26. Also noteworthy is The Vermilion Mask's Chief Animation Director and Character Designer Hisashi Higashijima of Mashle: Magic and Muscles, Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans, and Moriarty the Patriot.

The Vermilion Mask's listed key staff so far includes:

Director: Tetsuaki Watanabe
Assistant Director: Gai Hazako
Series Composition: Daisuke Ohigashi
Story Supervision: Dr. Poro Nabana Naba
Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Hisashi Higashijima
Sound Director: Goh Fumiyuki
Music: Alisa Okehazama
Anime Production: One Double-O studio

It's part of what can truly sell an anime experience when The Vermilion Mask's studio alone isn't a highly-established brand yet. While there are other exciting projects releasing the summer leading up to The Vermilion Mask's release, namely One Double-O's Black Torch, knowing the staff behind the production can truly boost hype and confidence that the anime will at least look good.

The Vermilion Mask is set for an October 2026 release window, with no current details yet on its streaming home.

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