Vermeil in Gold Manga Illustrator Yōko Umezu Passes Away
It was announced that Yōko Umezu, the illustrator of the Vermeil in Gold manga adaptation, passed away on July 7 due to an ischemic stroke. Umezu's death was made public in an announcement about the series.
Umezu, who illustrated the story written by Kōta Aoyama and gave the series its visual identity, brought the manga pages of Vermeil in Gold, also known as Kinsō no Vermeil, to life in Square Enix's Monthly Shōnen Gangan magazine starting in 2018. The series centers on a young student considered a failure at a magical academy who gains power by making a contract with Vermeil, a demon woman.
Umezu's illustrations played an important role in the growth of the series' fan base, especially with her character designs and humorous tone. Vermeil in Gold was adapted into an anime by Staple Entertainment in 2022; the 12-episode production aired during the summer of that year.
Yōko Umezu's sudden death was met with sadness both in the manga community and among the series' fans. Umezu's works will continue to be a reference point for readers, especially those seeking strong and character-focused storytelling in the fantasy genre.
The original manga of the series had previously been completed with a five-volume structure; therefore, no new chapters are expected in the coming period. However, the artistic legacy Umezu left behind will live on both in the pages of Vermeil in Gold and in the minds of new generations of readers who discover the manga.
