Overlord: The Sacred Kingdomis hitting select theaters across the globe and, for fans of the dark fantasy isekai anime, it’s a major event as it’s the first film in the series to adapt an entire arc rather than the prior omnibus movies. As Ains Ooal Gown settles further into his role as the Sorcerer King, straying further from his humanity while retaining his impulses, the film explores the adaptation ofOverlord’slight novels from volume #12 and #13.Overlord: The Sacred Kingdomis somewhat inaccessible to those unfamiliar with the franchise, but a fairly rewarding outing from Studio Madhouse.
Overlordbegan its anime adaptation on August 06, 2025, as an isekai adventure starring Satoru Suzuki, a salaryman trapped in the popular full-dive VRMMORPGYGGDRASILafter its scheduled shutdown. As he’s stuck in his undead avatar, Momonga, the protagonist, soon adopts the name of his guild, Ains Ooal Gown, to track down any remaining friends in the game. But asOverlord: The Sacred Kingdom’stheatrical releaseadapts an interquel arc within season 4,little remains of the human player protagonist as he makes major plays affecting the lives of a major neighboring nation.
Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom Provides a Beautiful Yet Rushed Spectacle
Madhouse Packs Plenty Into a Tight Two-Hour Runtime
With a two-hour film adapting two volumes of story,Overlord: The Sacred Kingdombriskly approachesa looming threat to the eponymous realm in the form of a demi-human coalition helmed by Jaldabaoth, a fierce demon combatant. However, this opening will immediately make sense forOverlordfans thanks to the monologuing masked Floor Guardian Demiurge involved in the operation. It’s not merely a clash between demonic forces and a shining city on the hill:Overlord: The Sacred Kingdomis an outright false flag operation staged by Ains Ooal Gown and his lackeys.
The story quickly picks up with the immediate and visceral consequences of a siege on the Roble Sacred Kingdom’s northern territories, with Princess Calca at the mercy of Jaldabaoth. Much of the story explores the developments leading to and following this moment, with Roble seeking the aid of the Sorcerer Kingdom, not knowing about Ains' orchestration of the events unfolding.Overlord: The Sacred Kingdomthus tells the events of what’s known as The Paladin of the Holy Kingdom Arc, two volumes of the light novels,among the more concise adaptations made throughout the anime.
While some of the plot is fascinating, such as Neia Baraja’s development, according to Ains' manipulations, much of the conflict feels rushed inOverlord: The Sacred Kingdom.
Newcomers will easily have many questions, asit’s not an anime film for the uninitiated. However, a quick viewing of the introduction and subsequent arcs allows viewers to understand what’s going on quickly. Ains, inhabited by the former player known online as Momonga, attempts to paint himself as the benevolent savior to the Sacred Kingdom, building up to a staged yet explosive clash with Jaldabaoth. While some of the plot is fascinating, such as Neia Baraja’s development, according to Ains' manipulations, much of the conflict feels rushed inOverlord: The Sacred Kingdom.
Overlord Fans Will Appreciate the Missing Arc from Season 4
The Sacred Kingdom Film Ties Over Viewers Anticipating the Final Volumes' Adaptation
WithOverlord’sanime covering volumes #1-11 and #14,The Sacred Kingdomis the missing link, telling a fascinating saga of one of Ains Ooal Gown’s more dastardly deeds. In trueOverlordfashion, he ingratiates himself to the Roble Sacred Kingdom with long-term plans to drive its citizens under his rule with increasingly little regard for the casualties left behind.It feels faithful to the source material and has a feature film-quality presentation of Madhouse’s signature excellent animation. While these qualities are appealing, newcomers will find the film intimidating.
Any films that act as part of a larger franchise and require prior reading or viewing can be troublesome for those looking to check it out. WithOverlordseasons 1-3 and episodes #1-7 of season 4 precedingThe Sacred Kingdom’sevents, much has happened since Momonga was left behind inYGGDRASIL.A cursory viewing of the first episodes of season 1 alongside season 4 helps gain a basic understanding of the series' events.Still, without even this, unfamiliar viewers will certainly have questions or be outright lost.
Jaldabaoth’s truly hokey, hammed-up attempt to draw focus on Ains' gifts to Neia is among the most amusing moments of the film, accessible even to newcomers.
Still, getting more familiar with the premise and vibe ofOverlordmakesThe Sacred Kingdoma fun experience, if somewhat isolated to long-term fans.It’s entertaining seeing the events largely from the perspective of Sacred Kingdom citizens like Neiaas she looks up to Ains or observes Ains' self-conscious observations of how others look at him, knowing how awkward his internal monologues are. Finally, Jaldabaoth’s truly hokey, hammed-up attempt to draw focus on Ains' gifts to Neia is among the most amusing moments of the film, accessible even to newcomers.
The Sacred Kingdom Stands as Madhouse’s Latest Stellar Visual Offering
2024 Has Been a Banner Year for the Studio
WithFrieren: Beyond Journey’s Endhaving concluded its landmark first season in Winter 2024, new shows likeTrillion GameandOrb: On the Movements of the Earth, andfavorites likeNinja Scrollheading to HIDIVE, Madhouse has had a banner year in 2024.Overlord: The Sacred Kingdomboasts Madhouse’s trademark visuals, famous for season 1 ofOne-Punch Man,Black Lagoon, andTrigun,with even its more brief moments given rich and dynamic lighting. Painfully short moments likeAins' various battles in the film or Jaldabaoth’s brutal acts of violencestill linger in viewers' memory well after the credits finish rolling.
10 Best Isekai Anime Like Overlord
Overlord is an incredible anime series, and luckily, fans who want to see more shows like it have plenty of options for their next binge-watch.
Whether it’s sunset light rays hitting the skeletal contours of Ains Ooal Gown’s overlord visage, or Neia’s candlelit bonding with CZ2128 Delta over chocolate drinks, the series' visual fidelity is consistently strong.The lively depiction of its characters overrides the palpable darkness in the Sorcerer Kingdom leadership’s pitch-black hearts.While the action is short and in keeping with the rest of the series, it is difficult to sell to anime-oriented or typical moviegoing audiences. WhileOverlord: The Sacred Kingdomis often painfully more ‘tell’ than ‘show’, what it chooses to show is pleasing to the eye.
The Verdict
A Necessary but Occasionally Unsatisfying Adaptation
WithOverlordgeared toward adapting its entire story,The Sacred Kingdomwas a necessary canonical entry. It was not long enough for a separate season, but it was sufficient for the inevitable upcoming season 5. Much of the climactic action, namely the anticipated clash between Momonga and Jaldabaoth, is criminally short, which can be disappointing when breaking up more cerebral plot developments. But the underlying subterfuge left in its wake, showing a long game geared toward fomenting discord and eventual desertion of a once-great country, is an interesting viewing experience in and of itself inOverlord: The Sacred Kingdom.
Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom
Cast
Under the leadership of Sacred Queen Calca, the Roebel Sacred Kingdom has enjoyed an era of peace behind its great walls. That peace is shattered by the sudden attack of the Demon Emperor Jaldabaoth and the Demi-Human Alliance. With their forces overwhelmed, the Sacred Kingdom turns to Ains Ooal Gown, ruler of the Sorcerer Kingdom, for aid.
