Original Release Date: August 30, 2019 Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Isekai, Supernatural Directed By: Takaomi Kansaki Based on the Series Created By: Natsume Akatsukic
***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for KONOSUBA -God’s blessing on this wonderful world!- Legend of Crimson. Reader discretion is advised.***
Film Synopsis
We once again meet up with the “hero” party of the unremarkable adventurer Kazuma, the less than useless goddess Aqua, the explosion-happy mage Megumin, and the masochistic crusader Darkness (voiced respectively by Jun Fukushima, Sora Amamiya, Rie Takahashi, and Ai Kayano).
One day, Megumin receives a letter from her hometown warning that disaster will soon befall her people, the Crimson Clan. However, the letter turns out to be a massive misunderstanding, and the absurdly overpowered Crimsons are in no real danger.
Nevertheless, Megumin can’t help feel a little worried. Thus, Kazuma, Aqua, and Darkness decide to join Megumin as she heads back to the place of her birth.
Film Positives
Fair warning for what you are about to read. While this is Anime Hajime’s official review of KONOSUBA -God’s blessing on this wonderful world!- Legend of Crimson (KonoSuba Movie), I won’t promise a balanced critiquing. Instead, perhaps it is better to think of this post as a fan-gasm letter to a series the author – i.e., me – loves.
The KonoSuba franchise is one of my favorites. It is also, without a doubt, the best isekai story out there – fight me in the comments below. However, I think I can get away with a bit of bias because unless you are just a fan of my writing style, you most likely clicked on this review with one question in mind:
Is KonoSuba Movie worth a look?
Accordingly, my gut is telling me it is okay to assume that if you’ve read this far, you most likely fall into one of two categories:
- You have read my reviews on KonoSuba’s first two seasons and are wanting a complete overview of the series before diving into it.
- You are already a fan of KonoSuba, and so, a full-length feature is a natural curiosity.
Regardless of which – as well as for any other reason – was KonoSuba Movie any good? Well, when you consider this film had more striking visuals, was incredibly funny, absurdly entertaining, and the best thing to come out of the franchise thus far (as of September 2021), then yeah, KonoSuba Movie was pretty damn good.
Where does one even begin?
I suppose we must acknowledge this was not merely an extended episode. That wouldn’t have necessarily been a bad thing if it were, so allow me to explain. Although KonoSuba Movie had everything that makes KonoSuba proper so fantastic, this was very much a film.
In this age of Netflix and streaming services, the divide which separates movie and television quality is quickly evaporating. I can think of plenty of shows and anime that are significantly more epic than many films I have seen in theatres in recent years. Still, there is something about watching a really good movie that hits differently than watching a really good series.
That becomes even truer when a film is an extension of a television show. You go in expecting things to be bigger, louder, and, frankly, better.
That was why KonoSuba Movie was so phenomenal. It was bigger, it was louder, and it was better than an already brilliant series. Let’s take a look at this film’s story…
Except, now that I think about it, that is probably not a helpful idea. You see, KonoSuba isn’t a story-based anime. Sure, there are obstacles for the characters to overcome, as well as an overall goal – defeat the Demon King. But with other vital narrative aspects – tension, revelations, hardships, betterment, etc. – they aren’t much of a thing.
Rather than solving problems, KonoSuba’s “hero” party tends to break s@&%. For Kazuma, Aqua, Megumin, and Darkness, sometimes things work out, and sometimes things get worse. The point is, our main group should never be the first people anyone turns to when the day needs saving.
For example, KonoSuba Movie’s climax was many things, but tension-filled was not one of them. Granted, this film’s final boss was nothing to sneeze at; Kazuma and his friends losing this fight was a real possibility (in a narrative sense). And yet, it was hard to take the situation seriously when everyone was running around in a blind panic, throwing everything they could at the problem in the hopes of something sticking – a.k.a., classic KonoSuba crisis management.
But though KonoSuba Movie’s climax won’t get you to the edge of your seat, it will be thrilling for other reasons. This is where a film’s larger budget can bring things up a notch.
As a result, we got a well-funded, over-the-top spectacle fueled by KonoSuba’s unique brand of high-energy antics. The big movie battle was an explosion, both figuratively and literally. I already was loving the crap out of this film before reaching this point, but the last thirty minutes were worth the price of admission alone.
Putting that aside, I need to slap on my reviewer cap for a moment. KonoSuba Movie had several noteworthy character-building moments, especially between Kazuma and Megumin.
One of this series’s hallmarks is its usage of – to use a house word – asshat humor. Every character in this franchise, but particularly within the main cast, is a self-centered jerk. Kazuma, Megumin, Aqua, and Darkness tend to look out for themselves and are not above a little under-the-bus throwing. Nevertheless, all four are incredibly likable because their scumminess is fair and balanced.
No one is ever the instigator or the butt of a joke indefinitely.
KonoSuba Movie was no different, and this film was clear about one thing. Despite sometimes being utterly awful to each other, our “heroes” are close friends. When the chips are down, they will stick together.
That is all well and good, but really though, I had so much fun with this film.
And if I am thoroughly honest, this review might have turned out quite differently if KonoSuba Movie was any less than it was. As an anime fan, I was looking forward to returning to this franchise; it truly is one of anime’s brightest gems.
To every other KonoSuba fan out there, this film is a marvelous representation of the series we enjoy so much.
Film Negatives
Following this sentence, this Film Negatives section will not surpass 200 words:
KonoSuba Movie was, more or less, a Kazuma and Megumin story. That was not a problem because these two are outstanding characters, and they easily held up this film. However, Aqua and Darkness are just as good, and it was impossible not to feel their lack of presence here.
Considering everything that went on, Aqua and Darkness didn’t have much to do; they didn’t add much to this story. Although it pains me to say it, had they not been here, nothing would have changed.
As it happens, though, no KonoSuba production worth a damn would dare exclude anyone from the main cast. Sure, Aqua and Darkness may have been in supporting roles this go around, but it would have been unacceptable had they not been here.
Given that, if there were one thing I would change about this film, I would have ensured all four “heroes” had the chance to shine.
Final Thoughts
As of this review’s September 2021 posting, we have two KonoSuba projects to look forward to. First, there is the third installment of the Isekai Quartet series. Second, and the one that gets me excited, there is a new addition to KonoSuba itself, even though I don’t yet know what form it will take.
As for this film, it thoroughly exceeded every expectation I had. It had all the reasons why this franchise is great, as well as the qualities that made it an excellent movie in its own right.
KONOSUBA -God’s blessing on this wonderful world!- Legend of Crimson has earned itself a recommendation.
But these were just my thoughts. What are yours? Have you seen this film? How would you advise KONOSUBA -God’s blessing on this wonderful world!- Legend of Crimson? Leave a comment down below because I would love to hear what you have to say.
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For Anime Hajime, I’m Odyssey, and I’ll see you next time.
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