The upcoming anime series, The Vermilion Mask, is poised to captivate audiences this October with its compelling blend of dark fantasy, action, and an unconventional take on the shounen genre. At Anime Expo 2026, we spoke with editor Taichi Kimura and Taihi Kimura, the voice of the central character, Peru, who shared fascinating insights into this unique series.
An Unconventional Shounen Experience
Editor Taichi Kimura was immediately struck by the manga's fast pace and unexpected narrative turns. "It contained developments that you don't normally see in shounen manga," he revealed, emphasizing the story's surprising nature. Despite the darker themes, Kimura felt Peru's journey of redemption and positive struggle would deeply resonate, fostering strong reader empathy.
Voicing the Enigmatic Peru
Voice actor Taihi Kimura recounted his journey to becoming Peru. After devouring the original manga in a single day, he was determined during his audition. "I went into the audition really hoping that I would get the role," he shared. His smooth audition process led to a unanimous decision, with Director Watanabe already envisioning him as Peru. Taihi Kimura expressed his joy and a touch of nervousness about this significant second lead role, eager to embrace the challenge.
Peru: A Hero Defined by Loss and Responsibility
Taihi Kimura believes Peru's appeal lies in his youthful vulnerability coupled with a weighty sense of responsibility. "He tends to take too much on himself, which is worrisome, but this is also what makes you grow fond of him," he explained. Despite Peru's calm exterior, the voice actor ensures he portrays a full spectrum of emotions, including moments of laughter and boyishness, maintaining his humanity.
A key element distinguishing The Vermilion Mask is Peru's encounter with shocking, irreversible consequences early on. Editor Kimura acknowledged the bold choice of a protagonist committing a crime, but stressed that Peru's subsequent painful experiences and his path to redemption make him incredibly compelling. Taihi Kimura agreed, highlighting the importance of Peru's growth after these difficult events, hoping his eventual smiles bring joy to viewers.
One such pivotal event, revealed in episode two, is the loss of Peru's arm. Editor Kimura recalled planning this impactful moment, but admitted it caused practical issues for manga production. "Without his arm, he can't make masks then," he recounted. Taihi Kimura found this development profoundly tragic, likening it to a voice actor losing their voice. He reflected on Peru's continuous cycle of loss, a stark contrast to typical shounen heroes who gain abilities.
Dynamics and Discovery
The interview also explored key supporting characters. Taihi Kimura pointed out Totoque, appearing in the first episode, describing him as "a bit psychopathic" yet handsome. Editor Kimura highlighted Moku, a smoke-wielding character whose "buddy" dynamic with Peru evolves as he helps shoulder Peru's burdens, fighting on his behalf. This relationship, Kimura suggested, is akin to Zenitsu and Tanjirou's bond in Kimetsu no Yaiba.
Peru and Sonah share a crucial connection, both having committed past sins. Editor Kimura elaborated, "Both of them are trying to make amends for what they've done, and since their circumstances are alike, both of them want to be forgiven by the other." Moku, meanwhile, acts as a protective, mischievous older brother.
Adding a lighter note, the two discussed their favorite masks. Editor Kimura chose the dragon mask for stress relief, while Taihi Kimura humorously picked a mind control mask to make troublemakers engage in volunteer work.
A Call to Action for Anime Fans
Recalling recording sessions, Taihi Kimura shared amusing moments, including how the main cast's heights mirrored their characters. He also revealed a pleasant surprise: Yamamoto-san, the voice of Sonah, knew him from high school dramatic reading contests.
Both editor Taichi Kimura and voice actor Taihi Kimura concluded with a passionate plea to the MyAnimeList community. Taihi Kimura encouraged everyone to watch the incredibly entertaining first episode to experience the series' unique world. Editor Kimura emphasized the immense passion invested in The Vermilion Mask, urging anime fans to spread the word. He expressed confidence that viewers will quickly fall in love with this amazing series after its premiere. The Vermilion Mask is set to redefine expectations, offering a deeply moving and unconventional shounen narrative.
