Summary
Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom is a Japanese animated feature film set to be released in 2024. It is produced by Studio Madhouse with Naoyuki Itō serving as the director. The movie adapts the twelfth and thirteenth volumes of Kugane Maruyama’s light novel for animation, depicting the political and military turmoil that the Sacred Kingdom goes through while being besieged by demon forces. The film is slated to be an addition to the already existing anime series Overlord.
🗡️ Synopsis
The film picks up just after the events of Overlord Season 4, where ‘The Roebel Sacred Kingdom’, a building nation that is both majestic and self-sufficient, guarded with a magnificent wall that isolates it from all outside threats, is thrust into it’s most catastrophic moment. The fearsome demon emperor ‘Jaldabaoth’ commences an invasion alongside a horde of demi-human savages. For the settlers that protect the bounds of the kingdom, this invasion becomes their worst nightmare.
The conflict becomes more severe with the demi human forces increasing their assaults and primary characters like Remedios Custodio and her fellow soldiers needing to rethink their faith, plans, and thoughts because they are now deep in active overwhelming depth.
🎭 Cast & Crew
Main Cast:
Satoshi Hino as Ainz Ooal Gown / Momonga
Yumi Hara as Albedo
Masayuki Katō as Demiurge
Yoshino Aoyama as Neia Baraja
Hitomi Nabatame as Remedios Custodio
Saori Hayami as Calca Bessarez
Haruka Tomatsu as Kelart Custodio
Crew:
Director: Naoyuki Itō
Original Story: Kugane Maruyama
Character Design: Satoshi Tasaki
Screenplay: Yukie Sugawara
Music Composer: Shūji Katayama
Animation Production: Madhouse
The animation was well received, but it is the voice cast that set the standard for emotive delivery. Notably, Yoshino Aoyama’s performance as Neia is among the greatest executed character arcs in the motion picture. Satoshi Hino also had a substantial role as Ainz. He delivered astounding authority tempered with cold calculation and skillful stylization of emotion.
📊 IMDb Ratings & Reception
By 2025, Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom will practically score a surprising 7.2 on the IMDb. For both longtime supporters and recent ones, this score does translate to a decent overall reception despite being divisive.
Anime critics and reviewers have lauded the film for its high-quality animation, intricate world-building, and philosophical depth. Its intense and crisp battle scenes are well accompanied by over-the-top orchestral pieces that add to the emotional impact during standout moments. The political and religious elements of the Sacred Kingdom within this film offers a depth that most action-centered anime movies lack.
Enthusiasts have praised the film for the unique way it featured moral ambiguity. Ainz Ooal Gown does not fit neatly into the roles of either a hero or villain. Rather, his effective but thought-provoking decisions challenge norms around ethics, leadership, and the price of peace. This complexity gives the film a richness that is often lacking in fantasy anime films.
Nonetheless, the focus as well as the pace has drawn ample criticism. Remedios Custodio, who is a prominent character in the original books, has sparked controversy within the fan base due to receiving a more unsympathetic take in the movie. Also, some viewers criticized the decision to condense two volumes of detailed narratives into one movie dubbed ‘Akashic Records of the Overlord Queen,’ arguing it came with the sacrifice of important subplots and supporting characters.
Despite this, the film still manages to deepen the Overlord Universe. In particular, it showcases Neia’s change from a lowly squire to an ardent devotee of Ainz. Her struggle with the transformation, ultimately leading her to embrace it, stands as one of the most poignant moments in the film.
🎞️ Visuals & Music
The Sacred Kingdom keeps its captivating cinematics which go alongside its richly dark style characteristic to the Overlord series. The nimble motion of the camera captures the Sacred Kingdom’s holy paladins and the demi-human horde engaging in battle masterfully. Emanating magic and powerful spells create a remarkable ambience.
Overlord’s score by Shūji Katayama hosts a notable blend of solemn introspection and powerful battle cues, aiding in creating vividly dramatic scenes. The tension and depth is complimented with his work alongside the visual flow which further embellishes the riveting atmosphere.
🧩 Conclusion
The Sacred Kingdom might appear as a fantasy action film at first glance, but it’s a striking politically savvy, deeply characteristic grounded tale of power, faith, and transformation. The pacing issues stemming from an expansive source material is easy to overlook in what is otherwise a remarkable story in the Overlord universe.
Newcomers to the series are welcomed to a world artistically built where morality resides in an intricate realm of greys instead of rigid dos and don’ts. With rich visuals and vigorous performances, the film becomes a sensational anime for the audience, securing its position as one of the best anime films of 2024.
Watch Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom on Kisscartoon
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