Vermeil in Gold: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.0

Vermeil in Gold: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie Review

Vermeil in Gold is a sexy action-comedy anime. Created by Kōta Amana and Yōko Umezu, Vermeil in Gold is the type of series for fans of fanservice and comedic action-packed fun rolled in to one. The series features animation by Staple Entertainment (Am I Actually the Strongest?, Tales of Wedding Rings).  Vermeil in Gold features theme music performed by Kaori Ishihara (OP) and Mili (ED). The fanservice anime is produced by Kōhei Yamada (Holmes of Kyoto, My Stepmom's Daughter Is My Ex), Kouji Sawahata (The Iceblade Sorcerer Shall Rule the World, ONIMAI: I'm Now Your Sister! ), Shota Watase (Death March to The Parallel World Rhapsody, How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord), Shuta Sasaki (Higehiro, Black Fox), Tomoko Fujimura (NieR:Automata Ver 1.1a, Talentless Nana), Tomoyuki Ohwada (The Demon Girl Next Door, Diary of Our Days at the Breakwater), and Yoshihiro Ishikawa (Scar on the Praeter, Goblin Slayer). The series features voice performances by a cast including Yūya Hirose, Maaya Uchida, and Wakana Kuramochi.

Alto Goldfield (Yūya Hirose) is trying his best to be a good student. Yet being a good student doesn’t come easy for Alto. Alto is a student who is struggling with summoning and his skill set is lacking in numerous ways. If Alto can’t improve upon his summoning skills, Alto might not be able to pass his grade and advance to the next grade at the school. Being a magic student is more challenging than outsiders might expect! Alto gets lucky when he experiences an old grimoire and is thus able to summon a gorgeous naked demon girl, Vermeil (Maaya Uchida).

Now that Alto has managed a summoning, things are looking up for the young student. Yet Vermeil also wants Alto to take off all of his clothes, bond with her, and amp up the kink in ways Alto never expected. Now thrust in to an unexpected and sexy tango with Vermeil, can Alto at least pass class and advance to the next grade?

The chief characters are essential to the production. The series follows a standard trope of many anime series with a male lead that is somewhat shy and aloof and a bosom lady who provides an extremely different counterbalance to their character. The dynamics between Alto and Vermeil are in line with many other classic anime series in the same genre. Yet the characters are essential to the series and fulfill the comedic dynamics of the production.

The character designs by Kiyoshi Tateishi (Alice in Deadly School, Val x Love) are worthwhile and add to the series production quality. The designs are reasonably good and are a good match for the central characters on the show. While perhaps not as impressive as some of the best series in the genre (a example of perfection being Tenchi Muyo), Vermeil in Gold is a decent effort nonetheless.

The animation is decent enough and the art style is certainly befitting the production. The series core art direction comes from art director Masazumi Matsumiya (Grimm's Fairy Tales, Val x Love). Alongside the contributions of chief animation directors Atsushi Aono (Log Horizon: Destruction of the Round Table, Wasteful Days of High School Girl), Kiyoshi Tateishi (Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie, Val x Love), Toshimitsu Kobayashi (Demon King Daimao, The Legend of the Legendary Heroes), and Yukiyo Komito (Dr. Stone: Stone Wars, Yowamushi Pedal), Vermeil in Gold achieves a specific aesthetic that fits in the genre. The art style might not be perfect – and sometimes might make one wonder if there are perhaps too many cooks in the kitchen – but the animation is nonetheless colorful, vibrant, and decent enough for the genre.

The cinematography by Mitsuhiro Kuno (Val x Love, Real Girl) is one of the strengths of Vermeil in Gold. The series has a colorful and crisp aesthetic. The cinematography is one of the essential elements that enhances this component of the series. Kuno understands the expectations of the genre and provides something that captures the essence of these dynamics well.

The score composed by Ken Itō (Smile of the Arsnotoria the Animation, Kira Kira Happy Hirake! Cocotama) and Kenichi Kuroda (Hatena Illusion, The Saint's Magic Power is Omnipotent) is one element that was somewhat underwhelming and didn’t make a big impression. The score doesn’t stand out as much as one might hope to find but it does offer some adequate background music for the comedy. Nothing extraordinary but the music isn’t that underwhelming, either.

Written by Tatsuya Takahashi (Domestic Girlfriend, World’s End Harem), Vermeil in Gold is a series that is aimed squarely at fans of silly over-the-top anime series with fanservice and comedic goofiness that is in the series vein. The writing could have been a bit better and more creative. The writing seems far too reminiscent of other anime series and doesn’t stand out as something as creative as the best anime productions. This is one area where the series could have been improved.

Directed by Takashi Naoya (Luck & Logic, Am I Actually the Strongest?), Vermeil in Gold might not be a shining example of the genre but fans looking for some simple laidback entertainment with bosom women could do worse. It isn’t the best directed series but it is decent enough and may fit the bill, considering what some fans expect. Keep expectations modest and there might be some enjoyment that can be had.

Vermeil in Gold: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Sentai Filmworks, Vermeil in Gold is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The series has a robust and colorful aesthetic and this is something that is well preserved with the presentation. The colorful animation pops on the release and the character designs stand out well with the video presentation. The encode quality from Sentai Filmworks is impressive. The video quality offers a superior presentation to streaming alternatives with lower bit-rate encodes – this is one of the best strengths of the Blu-ray format and one of the things that makes physical media so superior to video streaming services.

Vermeil in Gold: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (with English subtitles). The lossless audio encoding on the release is effective and helps to improve the sonic soundstage. Dialogue is clear and easy to understand on the release. The score is well reproduced and sounds crisp and engaging in stereo. The sound direction by Ryousuke Naya is effective and helps to provide a more engaging stereo soundstage. The subtitles are noteworthy and are free from egregious issues with spelling or grammatical errors. The lossless audio encoding is a testament to the Blu-ray format and will appeal to audiophiles seeking the absolute best viewing experience (with streaming video services only offering lossy audio options).

Vermeil in Gold: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

One area of the release that could have been improved is the supplemental package. The release does not include that many exclusive bonus features and the assortment of extras included are standard in variety. The set could have benefited from the inclusion of some audio commentaries or behind the scenes featurettes and unfortunately there is nothing like this on the release.

Clean Opening Animation (HD, 1:32)

Clean Closing Animation (HD, 1:32)

Japanese TV Spots (HD, 1:08)

Vermeil in Gold: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Vermeil in Gold is a sexy anime comedy with action elements. The series features animation production by Staple Entertainment (Am I Actually the Strongest?) and fans of the genre will find the art style fits the genre well. Though the series isn't the best out there and isn't as good as it could be, fans with lowered expectations seeking modest entertainment may it worthwhile. The Blu-ray release offers strong video and audio presentations. The set includes a small assortment of extras and could have benefited from a more expansive supplemental package. Though the set could be better overall, fans of Vermeil in Gold may wish to consider a purchase for their collection.