Based on the bestselling fantasy manga by Yūki Tabata, Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King is an anime film and sequel to the television show. The movie is animated by Studio Pierrot and directed by Ayataka Tanemura. It was released in the United States by Netflix.

In the Clover Kingdom, the magic knights Asta (Dallas Reid) and Yuno (Micah Solusod) are engaged in a tournament with their respective allies cheering. Suddenly, the festivities are interrupted by a man called Conrad Leto (Chris Niosi). He was an imprisoned former Wizard King who stole a powerful sword ten years ago, only to be sealed away. Upon escaping, he resurrected the ice-wielding Edward Avalaché (Steve Blum), summer Princia Funnybunny (Mara Junot), and force-field forger Jester Garandaros (Benjamin Diskin), all traitorous Wizard Kings. The current Wizard King Julius (Robert McCollum) is captured along with his allies. Asta rallies the remaining magic knights when he realizes his anti-magic sword is the only thing that can stop Conrad from using his blade from wiping out the Clover Kingdom.

I really liked the animation in this film. Now, there were a few awkward CGI buildings that did not look well-rendered, but all of the characters look incredible. The battle between Mereoleona Vermillion and Funnybunny was so awesome. I loved watching the fire clash with the weapons. Of course, the clash between Asta and Conrad was the cherry on top. They fight three times in the film but the final battle will get you pumped.

It was a little difficult to ascertain where this story takes place in the anime. I’m guessing just before the final arc. The fourth season ended on a cliffhanger and with a war ramping up. This is a standalone story and one I think a casual viewer could enjoy without being emersed in the show. You might be confused as to the number of characters there are, but with its focus primarily on Asta and Yuno, it never felt overwhelming. Fans, of course, will love the Easter eggs spread throughout.

One of the coolest sequences shows why anime is beating Western animation. When Conrad begins the obligatory speech on why he is doing what he doing, Asta does not monologue with him. Quite the opposite. Asta calls out his crap and tells him why he is wrong. It was refreshing not to see a hero fall for the villain’s crocodile tears. It raised the stakes for the action and made the climax so much richer.

Bottom line, Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King is a superb entry into the anime series. You will find the villain loathsome, the hero endearing, and the action sublime.

PARENTAL CONCERNS: Violence, Minor foul language

Check out the trailer below:

This article is based on the English dub from Netflix.

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