Vermeil in Gold: The Failing Student and the Strongest Scourge Plunge Into the World of Magic is a Japanese manga series written by Kōta Amana and illustrated by Yōko Umezu. The series was serialized in Square Enix's shōnen manga magazine Monthly Shōnen Gangan from August 2018 to June 2026, with its chapters collected into eleven tankōbon volumes. An anime television series adaptation produced by Staple Entertainment aired from July to September 2022.
The story is centered around a young magician who accidentally makes a contract with a legendary and powerful female demon, eventually becoming her master and lover and the trials and challenges they face so that they can live in peace together.
Contents
Plot
Alto Goldfield is a student at the Ortigia Magic Academy who is on the verge of failing his summoning magic class and being held back a year. Desperate to avoid this outcome, he discovers an ancient magic book that allows him to perform a powerful summoning ritual.
However, instead of a familiar spirit, Alto accidentally summons Vermeil, a beautiful but extremely powerful demon known as a “scourge” who once brought disaster to the world and was sealed away. To stay in the human world, Vermeil must regularly absorb magical energy from Alto through intimate physical contact, forming a binding contract between them.
Although initially overwhelmed and intimidated, Alto decides to keep Vermeil by his side and use her immense power to improve his own magical abilities. As they grow closer, Alto begins to gain confidence in his magic and life, while Vermeil gradually develops human emotions and a deep attachment to him.
Together, they navigate the dangers of the academy, rival students, and powerful magical threats. However, Vermeil’s true identity as a legendary demon and the consequences of her existence constantly put them at risk. The story follows their developing relationship, Alto’s growth as a mage, and the struggle to balance forbidden power with human bonds.
Characters
Alto Goldfield (アルト・ゴールドフィルド, Aruto Gōrudofirudo)
Voiced by: Yūya Hirose (Japanese); Mike Haimoto (English)
First year at the Ortigia Academy of Magic, he is an A-grade student except in summoning class. At risk of repeating a year unless he performs a successful summoning, he discovers a grimoire in the school library. Performing the spell within, he succeeds in summoning a naked demon girl named Vermeil. His blood possesses a high degree of mana, making most summoned spirits avoid him despite his calls. Vermeil on the other hand likes "potent" mana, hence why she answered. Despite her high degree of power, she agrees to become Alto's familiar. His childhood friend, Lilia, is head over heels in love with him, but he never loved her in the slightest, and is often annoyed and even creeped out by her, making him avoid her at all costs.
Vermeil (ヴェルメイ, Verumei)
Voiced by: Maaya Uchida (Japanese); Monica Rial (English)
A female demon, who appears to be a succubus-type and a very powerful one. She is able to knock out a rampaging dragon with a finger flick. Vermeil seems to be sealed in some kind of grimoire, before Alto breaks her out. She needs to kiss Alto to drain his mana to live, she can also amplify the mana and transfer them to her contractor. She loves to tease him.
Lilia Kudelfeyt (リリア・クーデルフェイト, Riria Kūderufeito)
Voiced by: Wakana Kuramochi (Japanese); Kira Vincent-Davis (English)
Alto's childhood friend, who is in love with him and becomes jealous when Vermeil appears and other girls surrounds Alto, even though he does not love her at all, and often times tends to avoid her. She made a contract with a high-class wind spirit, named Sylphid.
Marx Parston (マルクス・パールストン, Marukusu Pārusuton)
Media
Manga
Written by Kōta Amana and illustrated by Yōko Umezu, Vermeil in Gold began serialization in Square Enix's shōnen manga magazine Monthly Shōnen Gangan on August 10, 2018. The first tankōbon volume was released on April 12, 2019. Eleven volumes have been released.
On August 12, 2026, Shōnen Gangan's editorial department announced that Yōko Umezu had died due to a cerebral infarction on July 7. It was further disclosed that the manga had ended serialization, with the last chapter released on June 12.
Anime
An anime television series adaptation was announced on March 10, 2022. The series is produced by Staple Entertainment and directed by Takashi Naoya, with scripts written by Tatsuya Takahashi, character designs handled by Kiyoshi Tateishi, and music composed by Ken Itō and Kenichi Kuroda. It aired from July 5 to September 20, 2022, on AT-X, Tokyo MX, BS11, and SUN. The opening theme song is "Abracada-Boo" by Kaori Ishihara, while the ending theme song is "Mortal With You" by Mili. Sentai Filmworks has licensed the series under the title Vermeil in Gold: A Desperate Magician Barges Into the Magical World Alongside the Strongest Calamity. At their Otakon panel in July 2022, Sentai Filmworks announced that the series would receive an English dub, which premiered on September 27, 2022.