English Dub Review: Overlord “The Freezing God”

Cocytus is a stone cold killer.

Overview (Spoilers Below)

Following Ainz Ooal Gown’s ultimatum to the lizardfolk tribes in last week’s episode of Overlord, preparations must be made for the forces of Nazarick to ready themselves for what’s to come. The newest floor master, Victim, takes his leave back to the tomb, while Ainz inspects the new fortification built in The Great Forest by Fiora and Demiurge. The skeletal overlord is quite pleased, despite its shabby appearance, but is somewhat disturbed by the macabre skeletal throne constructed for him as a gift by Demiurge. With the floor masters gathered, Ainz takes the opportunity to enact his punishment on Shalltear for her rebellion, if you can really call it that. He orders her to serve as his throne, an act that provokes a teeth-grinding response from Albedo. (For obvious reasons) She demonstrates admirable restraint, choosing to step out from the room before unleashing her fury offscreen. And so, the fight for Ainz’s love continues.

Sitting on the most-pleased Shalltear, Ainz uses his magic mirror to scout out the lizardmen’s preparations for the battle ahead. Just as he’s about to learn some valuable intel, he accidentally ends up viewing Zaryusu and Crusch Lulu…canoodling in their tent. Yikes. Awkward sexual tension fills the room like a noxious cloud. Not to be deterred, Ainz presses on, noting that if there is another Yggdrasil player on their side, he will give them a chance to join him.

The stage is set for the battle to come, and Cocytus emerges from Ainz’s skeletal army to face the lizardmen. Firstly, Cocytus demonstrates a warrior’s respect raises ice pillars to serve as a gate. Then he poses his ultimatum: enters the gate, and die by his hand. The lizard warrior veterans are the first to enter the fray, but are quickly struck down by Cocytus’s magic. Following through on their courageous boasts, the lizard chiefs are next to follow, but even they prove to be no match for Cocytus. Drawing an enormous blade from the ether, he strikes down any attempt to attack him with brutal efficiency. The lizard chiefs aren’t giving up though; a little healing magic and they’re back on their feet. Yet, it’s a futile effort, as Cocytus merely strikes them down with the same ease as before.

Eventually, its just Shasuryu and Zaryusu left standing against the colossus. The two don’t have much left to give, but Zaryusu declares that they will never give up, a war cry that earns Cocytus’s admiration as their opponent. Out of his sense of honor, Cocytus asks the warriors their names, which they proudly announce, standing tall in the face of death.

The two fight their best, trying to take Cocytus by surprise using Shasuryu’s magic as a distraction. Though Shasuryu is killed in the process, Zaryusu manages to land a single blow on Cocytus with the attack, an attack leaving one word on Cocytus’s lips: “Magnificent.” His final words to the lizard brothers, before he fells Zaryusu in one final blow.

Following the battle, Cocytus kneels before Ainz to hear his thoughts. Ainz commends Cocytus on his battle but reminds him that he must rule over the lizard people with benevolence and not descend into the tyranny of a dictator. Just as Ainz is about to consider raising the lizard warriors as undead, Cocytus interjects to say they shouldn’t waste such powerful warriors by turning them into zombies. Their keen sense of courage and determination would be put to much better use being resurrected to their living selves. Ainz considers this request, and after getting nods of advisement from the other floor masters settles on Cocytus’s idea and congratulates him for his thinking.

Ainz sends for Crusch Lulu, and soon the lizard priestess is sitting before his council. She submits to his will, head hung low, declaring her and her people’s allegiance to her new overlord. Ainz asks Crusch Lulu a favor, a favor that if followed, will be rewarded with Zaryusu coming back to life. Lulu’s mind goes right to the gutter, and she asks Ainz is he wants to take advantage of her. Ignoring Albedo’s and Shalltear’s furious aura, Ainz continues, asking Crusch Lulu to act as an informant, feeding him information on the lizard people. In exchange, he’ll revive Zaryusu, but Ainz proceeds to bluff, saying that if Lulu betrays him, he’ll destroy Zaryusu once again.

Faced with such an impossible choice, Lulu agrees to Ainz’s proposal. Zaryusu is soon pulled from the afterlife and resurrected into Crusch Lulu’s adoring arms. Humbled by Ainz’s power, Zaryusu declares his allegiance to Nazarick, but also requests that his brother and Zenberu be revived as well, knowing that their strength could be useful to Ainz Ooal Gown as powerful warriors. Ainz seems to accept the idea and makes certain to safeguard the bodies of Zenberu and Shasuryu. Their business concluded, and the loyalty of the lizard people achieved, Ainz walks off, leaving the exhausted Zaryusu in Lulu’s arms. The lizard tribes have survived the storm, peaceful once again.

Our Take:

This episode served as a satisfying conclusion to the entire lizard people arc and served as a good jumping off point for what intrigue lies ahead. Furthermore, this is easily one of the funnier episodes of Overlord thus far, giving me some serious chuckles at Albedo and Shalltear’s shenanigans. However, I do have to say its a rather predictable episode, and therefore lacks real tension. All in all, a serviceable, if not a somewhat vanilla episode.