Overlord promises to be 'the best anime movie'
On August 27, Kugane Maruyama, the author of the popular light novel series "Overlord," shared his impressions after attending an early screening of the film "Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom." Through his Twitter account, Maruyama surprised his followers by expressing his amazement with the quality of the adaptation.
"I don't remember writing such a good story," Maruyama said, adding, "Did Ainz really say such a good line?" These statements have generated speculation among fans, who wonder if the film presents significant modifications to the original narrative or if the cast's interpretation has elevated the material in an exceptional way.
The film, which adapts volumes 12 and 13 of the original light novels, is set in the Holy Kingdom, a place that has enjoyed a long peace thanks to a colossal wall built after a historical tragedy. However, that peace is threatened when the terrible demon Jaldabaoth leads an army of monstrous tribes in a devastating attack. With the kingdom's existence at stake, the leaders of the Holy Kingdom are forced to take desperate measures, including the possibility of allying themselves with Ainz Ooal Gown, the undead king of the Nation of Darkness.
"Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom" will officially open in theaters in Japan on September 20, with a special screening in IMAX format scheduled for September 13. Fans of the series are already expressing their excitement to see how this crucial part of the story has been adapted, especially after Maruyama's surprising statements.
- "It's a good story because Ainz-sama rescues Neia, who was being bullied, and becomes Shizu's friend (from the perspective of the Kingdom of Sorcery)."
- "I guess the production team made several changes because the original story, which the author wrote seriously, was too unpleasant and would not have been successful at the box office if it had been adapted as is."
- "I saw it in the special screening of the film, and what happens is that the story is told mainly from Neia's perspective, which adds to that feeling that it's a 'good story'."
- "That would be a problem. I wanted to see people get angry when they announce that it's an emotional masterpiece starring Rengoku's voice actor, and then they go to the movies."
- "The bad thing about the film is that it will be shorter."
- "It's equivalent to 7 episodes of the TV series."
- "The bonus novel must be interesting. Kugane-sensei cuts the unnecessary into short stories of between 350 and 400 pages, making them easier to read and well-paced. But when they let him write without restrictions, like in the Sacred Realm arc or volume 14 with the elves, it becomes tedious and terrible."
- "I would like someone else to continue the story, keeping only the world he created, someone who really 'knows how to write'. The author could be left with the additional stories for the films or records, and that would be fine."
- "I think because it's a movie, the scenes will be more explicit than in the TV version, but I don't think it's as graphic. Only 3 weeks left. I'm excited!"
The Overlord franchise has been a phenomenon in both literature and animation, with its dark and captivating focus on a protagonist who rules a vast empire of undead. Volumes 12 and 13 are especially significant, as they explore the political and military tensions that arise when the Holy Kingdom faces a threat of total annihilation.
The film promises not only to be a faithful adaptation, but a work that could offer an even more enriching experience than reading the novels, thanks to the work of the voice actors and the film direction. Maruyama concluded his comment by saying, "I think those who see the movie will have similar feelings to mine...", which has increased the expectation among fans.
Source: Yahoo! News Japan
