Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Overlord (Season 2) - Lord Ainz Strikes Back

Overlord II is the season 2 of the anime Overlord. The second season aired around January of 2018 still under Madhouse Studio and Enterbrain. Overlord II is probably the first time ever Madhouse ever made a sequel for an anime series that they did.


This is my review for the second season of Overlord. if you haven't read my review of the first season of Overlord then please proceed to here. Also minor spoilers flag is up for this review just in case.



Since Ains appeared in this new world he has made both friends and enemies alike. Even going as far as having an alter ego that of the adamantite level persona Momon, the strongest adventurer in this new world. But having one of his servant turned against him has made him somewhat evasive and angry. With his lineup of human hating Guardian servants following his every command Momonga is more hell bent on finding who is responsible no matter who's toes he has to step on. Even if he has to go to war on this new world.


As a narrative point of view Overlord II doesn't have much that wasn't done and done better during the first season of the series. They tried to introduce a bunch of characters going as far as giving them some form of character development only to drop a lot of them later on in the series. Like the whole thing was just to show how seriously OP Ainz and his Guardians are. I know this follows the LN but feels like it fails in execution.


The idea was sound in itself if it wasn't for the fact that they have done this in the first season of the series already making the entire story arc more like a filler episode and story arcs just so one of the other Guardians characters have time to flex their muscle and show how powerful they are. The story feels rushed and disconnected as one part feels like a different season altogether compared to the next. This makes me less invested on these characters as I was with Shalltear, Nabi or Albedo.


The mere fact I feel more attached to side characters like that loli mage Evileye and her cookie cutter band of Blue Roses speaks volumes on how weak the character development for the main characters has become. The first season of Overlord worked cause despite being OP characters there is that sense of dread that there is someone out there who has powers equal enough to turn allies into enemies. The stakes was high and you feel it right to the end. The second season of Overlord doesn't have anything remotely like that.


Don't get me wrong the second season of Overlord is still an entertaining anime to watch specially when you get to the Blue Roses arc but there are really some aspect that was either badly executed and felt rush to the point that they feel like pointless fillers like that lizard folk arc at the beginning that served nothing but gave Ainz a new sword to use sometime later in the season. Sadly I feel the LN could have probably told the particular story arc better.


Surprisingly the animation is better this time for in my opinion specially when you look at how well the lizard folks of the second season looked from how they move and fight. Most notably the texture of their skins. The cgi part still falls in some area here and there but still bearable. Also the new character design are well done specially the Blue Roses which I feel should star in their own spin off anime. The fight scene are still impressive as what you would expect from the anime Overlord.


Overlord II as a sequel is a decent enough sequel to the first Overlord series but it sadly pales in comparison in terms of character and story narrative as I mentioned above. The plot felt all over the place and has a so so character development. If you watched the first season of Overlord than I'd recommend watching this one. If you are new to the franchise I'd suggest watching the first season first as this will get confusing for you. Those familiar with Overlord will definitely find something to enjoy on this one.








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