The appeal and reviews of "Lord of Vermilion: The Crimson King": A grand story and character depth

Lord of Vermilion - The Crimson King - Review and Recommendation

Overview

"Lord of Vermilion: The Crimson King" is a TV anime series based on the popular Square Enix game, which aired on TOKYO MX and BS11 from July 14 to September 29, 2018. It consists of 12 episodes, each 30 minutes long, directed by Eiji Suganuma and produced by Athlead Tear Studio. The series begins with the "Great Resonance" that suddenly strikes Tokyo, and depicts the struggles and growth of young people who have gained the power of Heroic Blood in Tokyo, which is shrouded in red mist.

■ Story

Suddenly, a great resonance strikes Tokyo! All the citizens of Tokyo who heard it fall into a coma in an instant. When the people wake up, Tokyo is enveloped in a red mist. Some people try to escape, but no one makes it through the red mist safely, and Tokyo becomes an isolated island on land. Escape is impossible, and Tokyo has become an isolated island in the shadows! Five months later, the only person who remained asleep until the very end, a university student named Kamina Chihiro, wakes up, and the terrible legend of the Crimson Lotus begins!

■Explanation

The story is set in Tokyo in 2030. Suddenly, a high-frequency resonant sound is observed in the Tokyo suburbs, and the city is enveloped in a crimson mist. Anyone who hears the sound, whether human or animal, loses consciousness. With the capital paralyzed, the government temporarily moves the function to Osaka, predicts that this phenomenon is an unknown virus, and seals off Tokyo out of concern for further epidemics. However, six days after this "Great Resonance," the unconscious people wake up as if nothing had happened. After that, the sealed-off city of Tokyo gradually regains its function as a city, but from that day on, various "abnormal incidents" begin to occur, and people gradually become more and more extraordinary. Meanwhile, young people unleash the power hidden in their blood and awaken to the "vessels of heroes." They are drawn to each other's powers, and are forced to meet, connect with each other, and sacrifice their lives, becoming engulfed in a cruel chain of fate.

■Cast

・Chihiro Kamina/Yuki Kaji/Kotetsu Domyouji/Satoshi Hino/Shoko Hanashima/Ai Kayano/Isshin Kakihara/Hiroki Tochi/Inuki Akaya/Tomoyuki Morikawa/Koume Sakiyama/Aoi Yuki/Yuuri Shiraki/Misato Fukuen/Junichi Suwabe/Haru Mizukami/Takuma Terashima/Kirk Kaburagi/Shinichiro Miki/Chiyu/Chiwa Saito/Juria Ichijo/Yui Horie/Suruga Jumonji/Akira Ishida/Marie Kurokami/Yu Kobayashi/Tsubaki Manazuru/Rie Kugimiya/Akira Harabuki/Rina Sato/Dux/Sayuri Inoue (Nogizaka46)
・Tsubasa Tachikaze/Hisako Tojo/Eiko Morizono/Tomoko Nakamura/Ikuro Owari/Shunichi Toki/Van Dreil/Nobuyuki Hiyama/A. Shiraki/Shou Hayami

■ Main staff

・Original work: Square Enix ・Director: Eiji Suganuma ・Series composition: Masashi Suzuki ・Character design: Toshie Kawamura ・Production company: Athleed Tear Studio ・Produced by: LORD of VERMILION Production Committee

■ Main Characters

・Kamino Chihiro A second-year student at Kamiei University. Having lost both parents, she is now living at Kotetsu's house, the Domyouji Swordsmanship Dojo. She generally avoids conflicts and has a gentle personality, and is an avid reader of Shakespeare. After the Great Resonance struck Tokyo, she was the only one who remained in a coma for five months. After waking up, she awakens to the power of the "Vessel of Heroic Blood" hidden in her own blood. However, she is plagued by dreams of loved ones dying tragically, and it seems like there is some secret in her past.

・Domyouji Kotetsu A first year student at Kamikei University. He adores Chihiro, who lives at his house, the Domyouji swordsmanship dojo, like an older brother. He is the master of the Domyouji style of swordsmanship and is a top-notch swordsman, but he is too obsessed with orthodox methods and has never been able to beat Chihiro. He hates crooked things and has a reckless personality, but he is also surprisingly sensitive and timid. After losing his father, he awakens to the power of his heroic blood, and throws himself into battle as Chihiro's good partner.

A nun who serves the Church of St. Mardius. She was one of the earliest awakened "Vessels of Heroic Blood" and was discovered by the masked girl Dux. Since then, she has followed Dux's orders to gather allies to fight against the minions of Chaos and work to create a new world. She is friendly, but her words are all on the surface and she does not show the depths of her heart to others. As an orphan who was picked up by the church, she is more determined than anyone to survive and will use any means to achieve that goal.

・Kakihara Isshin Freelance journalist. He used to be a skilled reporter for a major newspaper, but he became so obsessed with a certain double suicide that he left the organization and continues to pursue Chihiro. He hates Chihiro and follows her around like a snake. He is sarcastic and hates being in groups, so he is not good with people. His reporter's eyes are top-notch, and he has a track record of exposing various corporate corruption, including the AVAL Science Foundation. He seems to be in awe of his apprentice and junior, Tsubasa.

・Akatani Inu A doctor at Kei University Hospital. He specializes in treating people who have fallen into a coma due to the Great Resonance, and is Chihiro's doctor. He is a good partner with nurse Sakiyama Koume, and the two of them continue their research to return people who have been turned into monsters to their original state. He has a strong sense of responsibility and tends to take on everything by himself. He is one of the first to awaken to the "vessels of Eiketsu", but he is afraid of the "power" that is about to overflow from within himself, and seems to be secretly searching for a solution.

・Koume Sakiyama A nurse working at Kamiei University Hospital along with Inuki Akaya. Her trademarks are her pigtails and an eyepatch over her left eye. She has a bright personality, but her actions and words are rough and violent. On the other hand, she also has a kind side that cares for others...or so it seems. She was one of the first to awaken the "vessel of English blood," and is something of a mood maker at the St. Mardius Church. However, she was forced to participate in a "certain experiment" in the past, and this seems to be her strong reason for fighting.

・Shiraaki Yuuri A mysterious beautiful girl who frequently appears before Chihiro. She belongs to a group that turns people into monsters using mysterious resonant sounds, and has attacked Chihiro many times, but she also has a somewhat sad air about her. She repeatedly behaves as if she is familiar with Chihiro, and seems to be related to Chihiro's missing mother, but her true identity is unclear. Chihiro's encounter with Yuuri has an impact on her, and will greatly change the course of her fate.

・Aoi Jun Leader of the color gang "Blue Skull". With his overwhelming charisma, he brings together a huge team and leaves behind many heroic tales. He has strong beliefs and is willing to make any sacrifice, including his own, to follow through on them. He uses the sympathetic sound of his fingers to turn people into monsters one by one, and tries to eliminate Chihiro and the others. He uses powerful blood crystal weapons and is like a shock trooper for the organization. He grew up in an orphanage and seems to have a deep connection with Akaya Inuki, but...

・Mizukami Haruhi is a second-year student at Hikawa Gakuen High School. He was the ace of the triathlon club and was expected to have a bright future, but recently he has been spending all his time with the color gang "Blue Skull" and is infatuated with the leader, Aoi Jun. Because of this, no matter how much his childhood friend from the same hometown, Harabuki Akira, advises him, he refuses to listen. He has a straightforward personality and is determined to follow any order given by the respected Aoi Jun, no matter what it is.

Kirk Kaburagi is a world-famous pianist. He is known as the "Degenerate Musician" because he composes music filled with insanity and sadness. He has many enthusiastic fans, and it is said that anyone who hears his melodies is instantly captivated by them. He himself is obsessed with something, and does not care what happens to the people of this world. He praises death and calls himself the "Grim Reaper" because of his overwhelming fighting power.

・Chiyu
A mysterious girl who is the treasured possession of Dr. Grumman of the AVAL Science Foundation. Though she looks young, she has an ultra-genius mind with an IQ of 350. It is said that her talent as a scientist is what has caused the AVAL Science Foundation to grow so much. Although she is extremely capable, she is an emotionless rationalist whose words and actions are out of touch with the world. Even among the Foundation's personnel, only a very small number of people have ever seen her, and everything about her is shrouded in mystery.

Ichijo Juri is a third-year student at Hibika Gakuen High School and the student council president. She comes from the Ichijo family, which oversees the "Chingo-Koku-Ka" organization, whose goal is to "protect the country from evil." She has a noble and cold-hearted personality. She demands perfection from herself and others, which gives her an unapproachable air. She became the head of the "Chingo-Koku-Ka" organization at a young age and has secretly dealt with various supernatural events.

・Juumonji Suruga A third-year student at Hibika Gakuen High School and the Disciplinary Committee Chairman. The Juumonji family is a branch of the Ichijo family, and Ichijo Juria is his cousin. He is a member of the "Chingoukaga" and always tries to take the lead in fighting. He has a complex about being a branch family, and by showing off his own strength more than necessary, he hopes to one day take the place of the head of the "Chingoukaga". He is actually a kind-hearted person, and his ambitious actions seem to be related to Juria.

Marie Kurokami is a detective in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's First Investigative Division. She met Chihiro and Toratetsu when she was in charge of the Domyouji Dojo incident. She is also a member of the sorcery organization "Chingoukokuka" and has noticed that various supernatural incidents have been occurring in Tokyo since the Great Resonance. She is calm, collected, and reliable. However, she feels that "just dealing with incidents and killing enemies does not truly save the people." She was originally the first president of the ladies' group "Shuka" and is good friends with Tsubaki.

・The second president of the Manazuru Tsubaki ladies' team "Shuka". She is cheerful, energetic, free-spirited, and easy-going. Her family home is Shumiyama Shrine, the guardian shrine of the sorcery organization "Chingoukokuga". Although she has great abilities as a genius sorcerer, she hates being tied down by a mission. However, she admires the first president, Marie Kurokami, and because she is a member of "Chingoukokuga", she has no intention of neglecting her mission.

Harabuki Akira is a second-year student at Hikawa Gakuen High School. He is the captain of the triathlon club and was a top athlete in "Neo Triathlon" during his middle school days. He has a bright and straightforward personality, and is the type who acts before thinking. He is childhood friends with Mizukami Haru, who is also in the club, and they are from the same hometown. However, he is worried when Mizukami joins a color gang, and while following his actions, he gets caught up in a fight. He is also a member of "Chinkokaku".

A mysterious girl wearing a Dux mask. Her trademark is the parasol she carries. Her age, background, and true identity are all unknown. As the leader of the St. Mardius Church, she gathers vessels of the Royal Blood to fight against the minions of Chaos. She likes to use allusions and metaphors, and seems to enjoy the reactions of others.

Assistant to Kakihara Isshin. After teaming up with Kakihara as a new cameraman, he begins to think about becoming a journalist himself. He has a bright and frank personality, and doesn't get discouraged even when Kakihara overworks him.

Eiko Morizono is a second-year student at Kamiei University, and is in the same seminar as Chihiro. Her true identity is the guardian familiar Celdid. She always thinks and acts around Chihiro, and has a cold-hearted side to her that is willing to make any sacrifice for Chihiro.

A second-year student at Kamiei University. He is a close friend of Chihiro and Kotetsu, and a student at the Domyouji Dojo. He enjoys student life more than swordsmanship, and continues to enjoy his daily life even after the Great Resonance.

Van Dreil: A mysterious man with tattoos all over his body. He has a frivolous and violent personality. However, he also exudes an eeriness that suggests he is hiding something mysterious.

Shiraki, A. Grumman
A genius scientist who established the AVAL Science Foundation, he is a leading researcher in Arcana Factors. As the head of the foundation, he has a great influence in the political and financial world. He is arrogant, calm and confident.

■Subtitle

Episode 1: Is my life a debt to pay to my enemy? Episode 2: You still don't know me. Episode 3: Who is reigniting an old conflict?
Episode 4: Why do I love my hateful enemy? Episode 5: Today's dark fate will hang over me for the foreseeable future. Episode 6: A dark heart deserves bright light. Episode 7: Please join our hands with holy words. Episode 8: Even the most painful sorrow can be healed by another pain. Episode 9: They say that people can become cheerful in the face of death. Episode 10: It is my soul that calls my name. Episode 11: In the buds of a fragile flower, there is both medicine and poison. Episode 12: The world is wide and endless.

■ Theme songs and music

・OP
・Angel, listen to your hometown ・Lyrics by Yuho Iwasato ・Music by TOMOYA, KENT (SALTY DOG)
・Arrangement: CHOKKAKU
・Singer: May'n

・ED
・A red flower of despair.
・Lyrics by la la larks
・Composition: la la larks
・Arrangement: la la larks
・Song: JUNNA

■Review

"Lord of Vermilion: The Crimson King" is a highly acclaimed anime based on a game. In particular, the story development and character growth are beautifully depicted, and it has the power to draw viewers in. Below, we will review each element in detail.

story

The story of this work begins with the "Great Resonance" that suddenly hits Tokyo. This Great Resonance causes Tokyo to be enveloped in a red mist, and the residents fall into a coma. When the people wake up from the coma, they face various abnormal phenomena, and the young people who have gained the power of Heroic Blood fight against them. This setting is very unique and has the power to draw the viewer in. The story unfolds gradually, and the process of the mystery being solved is very interesting. In particular, the growth of Kamina Chihiro and the mystery surrounding him are at the heart of the story, and the unraveling of the mystery will entertain the viewer until the end.

character

The characters in this work are very attractive, each with their own background and growth. In particular, the main character, Kamina Chihiro, is impressive for her kind nature, but her fighting style, which is enhanced by the power of her heroic blood. Other characters, such as Domyouji Toratetsu and Hanajima Shoko, also have their own beliefs, which add excitement to the story. The acting of the cast is also excellent, with Kaji Yuki as Chihiro and Hino Satoshi as Toratetsu receiving particularly high praise.

Visuals and Music

Visually, the depiction of Tokyo shrouded in a red mist is extremely beautiful and visually enjoyable. The battle scenes are also powerful and worth watching. Musically, May'n's opening theme "Listen to My Hometown, Angel" and JUNNA's ending theme "Aku, Zetsubou no Hana" add to the atmosphere of the story, with the opening theme being particularly memorable.

Directed and produced

Director Eiji Suganuma has carefully depicted the development of the story and the growth of the characters, successfully drawing the audience in. Additionally, production company Athlead Tear Studio has maintained high quality in terms of visuals, creating a visually enjoyable production.

■Recommendation

"Lord of Vermilion: The Crimson King" is an anime based on a game that has received extremely high praise, and is excellent in all aspects, including the story, characters, visuals, and music. It is especially recommended for those who enjoy solving mysteries and character growth. Another attractive feature is the unique world view of Tokyo shrouded in red mist, so it is also recommended for those who want to enjoy the visuals. Furthermore, the theme songs by May'n and JUNNA are very impressive, so it is also recommended for those who want to enjoy the music. Overall, it is a very well-made work that can be recommended to many viewers.