Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom opens in theaters November 8.
With any film adaptation of a long-running anime collection, there are at all times issues about whether or not or not the restricted runtime will do the supply materials justice. Unfortunately, Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom fails in that regard – it’s a disappointing, long-winded try to flesh out a narrative that the favored isekai present ignored. The occasions of Overlord’s Holy Kingdom Arc and the introduction of recent face Neia Baraja, sadly, lack any grand moments justifying its theatrical launch.
With successes like Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train and Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, there are alternatives for some strong anime motion pictures that match alongside multi-season collection. But The Sacred Kingdom makes me query why Madhouse went this route with Overlord. This lengthy, dragging cycle of political plotting and scheming may need performed higher inside a season, or a handful of particular episodes. Those unfamiliar with Overlord lore will in all probability get misplaced in the best way the film revolves across the Sacred (or Holy) Kingdom and Neia as they search assist from Ainz Ooal Gown’s Sorcerer Kingdom in hopes of defeating the demon Jaldabaoth. Jaldabaoth additionally occurs to secretly work for Ainz, the participant who’s been caught within the fictional MMORPG YGGDRASIL for the reason that starting of Overlord. It’s so much to take care of.
That mentioned, being conversant in Overlord doesn’t make The Sacred Kingdom any extra gratifying. It’s clear that the story wanted to suit a two-hour runtime, and so the telling sometimes feels rushed. What appears to be a climactic battle arises within the first half, however earlier than any significant motion is proven, we’re hurried to the aftermath. Outside of 1 stunning scene, the film serves primarily as a solution to introduce viewers to new characters we’ll more than likely see once more within the TV collection.
Much of those two hours are devoted to Neia as she unenthusiastically follows the strongest fighter within the Holy Kingdom, Remedios; as The Sacred Kingdom progresses, we start to see her develop keen on Ainz Ooal Gown, similar to his followers have ever since he began this quest to search out out why he was trapped on this different world. But Ainz’s association with Jaldabaoth – who he’s in cahoots with in hopes of spreading his affect – renders lots of these developments moot. The Holy Kingdom is simply one other pawn within the sport of territorial chess that Ainz and the remainder of the Sorcerer Kingdom have performed all through Overlord.
Knowing this takes lots of the drama and which means out of the film. Neia’s perspective and her development lay a great basis for this storyline, however she’s by no means in any actual hazard – as soon as Ainz grows to respect her, her survival is as sure because the undead king’s. In the tip, lots of the strain from the primary act fades away into enterprise as common for the overwhelmingly highly effective characters of Ainz’s kingdom. (Not that The Sacred Kingdom gives a lot of a showcase for the superb magic we all know Ainz is able to.)
Madhouse brings Overlord’s signature grotesque horror to The Sacred Kingdom, alongside some awkward 3D animation each time bigger battles play out. (Also a staple of the present, sadly.) There are disturbing moments of characters writhing in misery whereas gore is splayed throughout the display, however they don’t present a lot past shock worth. And though the cases of 3D animation are few and much between, it’s nonetheless jarring once they crop up.
Even although The Sacred Kingdom consists largely of battle planning, political ways, and heart-to-heart discussions, there are nonetheless instances when the animation exhibits indicators of potential. When Ainz assists Neia in a battle, they arrive upon a pacesetter of the opposing forces who appears like a formidable problem. As they rush into their duel, the animation, very briefly, seems to be ramping as much as an impressive conflict – just for the film to chop away from the motion but once more. Later, what seems to be the large battle that closes out this saga is introduced down by a uninteresting mixture of characters viewing the struggle from afar and the fight itself not being seen except for some explosions and spells. There’s potential for a cinematic epic set inside the Overlord universe right here, however The Sacred Kingdom lacks the follow-through to make it occur.
