English Dub Review: Overlord “PVP”

Every good MMO has got to have some PVP.

Overview (Spoilers Below)

Gazef has stepped forth to challenge Ains to a one on one duel. Ains gladly accepts the request but doesn’t want to lose such a valuable warrior as Gazef, since he will certainly lose. To avoid Gazef’s death, Ains offers him to work as one his underlings. Naturally, the honor-bound Gazef refuses, and the two are set to fight. Before they do though, Brain asks if he can join in as well, but Gazef tells him to sit down and watch, this is his fight to lose.

The fight begins with Climb acting as the starter, but in an instant, it’s already too late. Ains freezes time with a powerful spell, and casts “True Death” on Gazef at that moment, ending his life instantly. Brain and Climb are shocked and gather up Gazef’s body to take with them for burial. As they depart, Ains offers them an ultimatum: concede E-Rantel to Nazarick, or he will destroy the capital with his terrible powers.

Much to their dismay, the nobles and King of E-rantel have no choice but to accept this proposal. Meanwhile, Brain tries to come to terms with Gazef’s death, not understanding why he would sacrifice himself so needlessly. In a moment of clarity, wielding Gazef’s sword, Brain decides to do things his own way, follow his own path wherever it may go.

It’s only a short while before Albedo leads Nazarick’s death knight forces into the city to begin their rule. As they march through town, a young boy throws a rock at the death knights. Albedo is about to strike the boy down for his insolence, but at the last moment, Momon arrives to stop her. Momon declares himself in resistance to Ains’s rule, but this is merely a ruse. Albedo offers Momon a role as protector of the people and keeper of Ains’s laws. Momon agrees, as long as they’re just, which Albedo assures them they will be.

Later, after the city is taken, the Floor Masters of Nazarick kneel before the newly crowned Sorcerer King Ains. Ains declares that they’re coming out of the shadows and that this is the beginning of their new kingdom.

Our Take:

Surprisingly, this episode marks the season finale for Overlord, which feels like it only just got started. Here marks an impressive milestone in Ains Ooal Gown’s rise to power, and all in all, it’s a pretty good episode to end things out on. While, like most of Overlord, it lacks a certain tension, what with Ains Ooal Gown being the baddest mamma jamma who ever walked the Earth, its still quite entertaining and satisfying to see Ains win this battle.

I had known that as soon as Gazef challenged Ains to battle that his death was certain, but I hadn’t expected him to die so darn fast. It was an impressive subversion of expectation that, instead of having a drawn-out fight with Ains and Gazef, he just ends it in a single moment. It makes a lot of sense, of course, but usually, anime loves to go for its flashy battles. At the same time, however, it does feel a little anticlimactic that Gazef, this beloved character, dies so unceremoniously. I was hoping he might make Ains tremble just a little bit, but it looks like the Sorcerer King has yet to find an opponent that can stand up to him.

Brain gets the best moment of the episode since Gazef was his de factor mentor and source of inspiration. It’s nice to see that, instead of collapsing into depression at the loss of his friend, Brain doubles down on his courage and decides to go his own way in securing the future and safety of himself and the people. Climb doesn’t really get a lot to do this episode, other than briefly appear next to Princess Renner and be the one who starts up the duel between Gazef and Ains. I would’ve expected him to at least shed a tear over Gazef’s death, but strangely, he was rather cool with the whole thing.

There is a coldness that accompanies characters in this show, and I think that’s best emphasized with Gazef’s untimely demise. Perhaps it’s because they’re soldiers, but Gazef, Climb, and Brain have all been callous to the loss of human life, both in this episode and the one prior. A little emotion might give things a little more spice in the episode, but I don’t think that’s what Overlord is all about.

I think there’s a lot more that could have been done to make this episode more memorable, but as it stands, its a functional way of finishing things off. I’m not sure what Overlord wants to do in the long run, but its told some pretty good stories so far, and it seems to be continuing that trend.

Score
7/10