ANIME/FILM REVIEW | A Kingdom to Conquer in Clever "Overlord" Movie
First, the bad news: if you have never watched a single episode of Overlord, then you will be completely lost at what’s going on. However, for those who dove headfirst into the first four seasons of the series based on Kugane Maruyama’s popular light novel series, then you’re in for a hell of a good time! The reason for that is because Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom shows its hand to the audience the very moment the film begins. However, the fun comes from seeing whether those outside of Ainz Ooal Gown’s (Satoshi Hino) circle of trust call its bluff.
Taking place immediately after the conclusion of Season 4, Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom puts most of the perspective on Neja (Yoshino Aoyama), a squire for the Sacred Kingdom Liberation army. Peace has been in place for many decades, until the mysterious Demon Emperor Jaldabaoth (Masayuki Katō) arrives to wreak havoc. That’s when King Ainz arrives to not only bring back peace to the Sacred Kingdom, but also protect the neighboring Slane Theocracy. As Neja fights alongside Ains, she gains not just the undead’s trust, but also the courage to overcome the many obstacles that are thrown her way.
Of course, those who know Overlord will quickly realize that all of this is all part of Ainz Ooal Gown’s plan. Immediately when Jaldabaoth appears, fans will figure out exactly what’s going on. Fortunately, unlike the That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime movie, this does nothing to ruin the viewing the experience. Quite the contrary, the joy comes from watching just how the Sorcerer King will succeed in his plan.
Where KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on this Wonderful World! is a parody of isekai anime, Overlord is a straight-up satire. There’s a big sense of humor to just about everything this series throws at its viewers. From Ains being taken by surprise by certain people’s reactions to how the “enemy” acts towards Neia’s special bow, these moments will leave anyone watching snickering in their seats. (Once Ainz’s internal dialogue finally appears, you’ll no doubt grin ear-to-ear.) The addition of CZ (Asami Seto) halfway through the film adds more to the true silly nature of Overlord, thanks in part to her deadpan attitude and inability to sell a legit emotion.
However, just because you’ll be laughing with Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom doesn’t mean you won’t be caught off guard. There are some pretty brutal violent scenes scattered throughout the film. Trust me when I say your jaw will drop when you witness what happens to the Holy Queen Calca (Saori Hayami) early on, with her fate being one that’ll make certain people wince. It brings to mind the OVA era of anime in the late 1980s, where very little is left to the imagination.
Much of the action showcased in this movie is solid, with Madhouse proving once again why they’re an animation force to be reckoned with. The battles are well-done, and seeing Ains in action is a step up from what we’ve seen on the TV version of Overlord. There’s also some strong comedic effect thrown in for some character emotions, such as when Neia gets all snot-nosed or when a monster isn’t quite selling the “power” of runes weaponry. With that being said, there is some so-so CGI effects that could’ve been upgraded for the big screen, especially with some of the demi-human hoardes.
Again, your enjoyment of Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom will depend on your knowledge of the series. If you go in blindly to this world, then you’ll no doubt feel confused over many of the characters’ actions and reactions. However, if you have been rooting for Ainz Ooal Gown and the gang since the anime first premiered nearly a decade ago, then you’ll have a blast witnessing this exciting new chapter of Overlord. And stick around after the credits, as there’s just one little more gag for you to enjoy afterwards.
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Madison Markel of Crunchyroll. English subtitled version screened for review. In theaters November 8. Click here for tickets, and watch the original anime here!
