English Dub Review: Overlord “Lizard Men, Gathering”

Lizard people versus spooky skeletons. What’s not to love?

Overview (Spoilers Below)

It’s time for a lizard battle! Zenberu Gugu, chieftain of the Dragon Tusk tribe vs Zaryusu Shasha, who are trying to unite the lizard tribes under one banner. At stake is the leadership of the Dragon Tusk tribe, which Zenberu will yield to Zaryusu should he be able to take the powerful lizard chief down in honorable combat. The two go at it, exchanging retorts as they exchange blows, (Which gives Zaryusu plenty of time to sing the praises of his new love, Crusch Lulu) and Zenberu reveals he is familiar with Zaryusu’s sword, Frost Pain, which Zenberu has fought against before. The two’s battle is fierce, but after outmaneuvering Zenberu and freezing his arm with Frost Pain’s special ability, Zenberu finally relents, bowing out of combat.

The two celebrate their new partnership that night over a campfire and good drink, as all political discussions should be. We see a few Zenberu’s strengths: while he’s not sure if they can beat this new foe, he’s confident they can put up a good fight. While the two lizardmen cement their newfound partnership, Zenberu also continues putting the moves on Crusch Lulu, who’s as bashful as ever towards his lizard charms.

The three set out and soon arrive back at the Razor Tail village. There, the rest of the tribes have gathered, and soon all the chieftains meet to make war plans. After some debate, they begin by establishing an elite unit made up of the chieftains, to serve as the high command and command the head warriors of the tribes.

Meanwhile, Cocytus is ready for a long-awaited battle with the lizard tribes, news of which soon reaches Ainz Ooal Gown. Soon, an undead army is set upon the coalition of tribes. Shasuryu, Zaryusu’s brother, and village chief rally the lizardmen, stirring their hearts and raising their spirits against the undead hordes. We’re then treated to a truly epic crappy CGI battle. The chieftains trip up the skeleton hordes with some clever traps and swamp elementals summoned by their shamans. The battle begins to turn in the lizard tribe’s favor, but Cocytus is taking measures to retake the field. Concerned about his ability to win the fight, the golem calls up Demiurge for some advice. Demiurge, with his wily tongue, convinces Cocytus that his ability to defeat the lizardmen with such a weak army is a test from Ainz Ooal Gown. But their conversation is interrupted by some mysterious business Demiurge needs to attend to.

His resolve doubled, Cocytus sends out a powerful undead lich to the battle, who begins annihilating the warriors one by one with powerful fireball magic. This new threat is too much for the army on their own, but Zaryusu has an idea. He sends his hydra charging forth to face the commander, taking the fire magic like a champ along the way. When it finally gets in range, outcomes Zaryusu, Zenbery and Crusch Lulu, who rush the mage in heroic fashion. The lizards prove their mettle, and the lich sends out another obstacle to stop them, raising undead warriors as Zaryusu tries to take him down. Despite their combined efforts, the lizard warriors soon find themselves at their limits. Zenbery goes down and soon does Crusch Lulu, who heals Zaryusu with the last of her strength. Zaryusu gathers his power together and uses Frost Pain to create an icy mist, obscuring him from sight. As the lich tries to find him, Zaryusu leaps from the mist and stabs the lich in the face. But the persistent corpse is still standing! He reaches out his bony fingers to strangle Zaryusu, but with a triumphant counterattack, Zaryusu gets the mage with a powerful overhand smash, finally putting the lich in the grave.

Back at his command room, Cocytus is summoned to meet with Ainz Ooal Gown. But before he leaves, he acknowledges the strength of his opponent, commending the lizard tribes in such a fierce battle.

Our Take:

Now that’s what I call anime! This is the best episode of the season so far and showcases all that we’ve come to know and love about this show. I’m extremely impressed with the show’s ability to take the previously unmentioned lizard people and completely endear me to them in only three episodes. That empathy, that tension, is what gives this episode’s battle with such power and seeing Zaryusu take out that lich was a moment that drew sincere cheers from me while watching. The only major downside, sadly, is the aforementioned “Crappy CGI” that the fight is made of. It is really quite crappy, but this is still a solid episode that makes up for that blemish in many other fulfilling ways.