No Game No Life Zero

1 Film

2017

Alternate Titles

No Game No Life 0

NGNL Zero

NGNL 0

Series Order

This film is a prequel to the series No Game No Life, but they can be watched in any order. A few references to the main series exist, but they are more like easter eggs for original viewers. Under normal circumstances, I’d tie this entry in with the main series entry I did before, but I’ve separated this page because of how different the productions are in terms of themes and style (i.e. this part being so serious as opposed to the main series’ larger fun factor).

Genre

Fantasy; Drama; Action; Tragedy; Sci-fi; Apocalypse; Magic; Supernatural; Game

Synopsis

Six-thousand years before the events of No Game No Life, the world of Disboard is engulfed in the devastation of a world war. Between the overwhelming strength of the dwarves, the warbeasts and the elves, humanity is left to cower and wait for this apocalypse to be over. However, after sending another comrade to his death in the name of survival, Riku finds the Ex-Machina Schwi. In her dangerous search for an understanding of the human heart, Schwi has been isolated from the system that every other Ex-Machina connects to. As she integrates into the surviving human colony, she sparks a new hope in Riku and the rest of humanity. Now, it seems that Riku – along with the most powerless of races on Disboard – has a plan to stop this war (and war in general) for good. But they’ll have to endure the burning ash that falls eternally from the sky and the psychopaths who don’t want to lose if they’re going to succeed.

Content Advisory

This is not a comprehensive list of every individual use of strong content, merely a guide to show you how extreme it gets and how strong it tends to be. Also, the tags I’ve given each segment (e.g. Very Strong Language) is based on my own system and does not necessarily reflect the tags the BBFC (or other national equivalent) use. According to my system, the ‘Mild’, ‘Moderate’, ‘Strong’ and ‘Very Strong’ adjectives are based on strength, not on volume. Now, obviously, the strength of any type of content is subjective; what I consider strong might just be a relaxing weekend for you. Hence, I have added an explanation for my decision to allow you to make your own informed decision.

Please also note that the ‘colourful’ language I am referring to here is based on sentai FILMWORKS’ English Dub. The Japanese Dub may (and probably does) differ.

Bloody Violence

Lots of climactic fights in this include lots of explosions and skirmishes. Some blood is present during these scenes.

Injury Detail

If unprotected humans go out into the ashen outside, their skin burns away. Since this happens a few times, there are some detailed burns on the skin on the human characters.

Mild Nudity

Some scenes depict nudity, though no breast detail is present (i.e. no nipples) and no genitalia are present. If ever shots depict full frontal nudity, the genitalia and breasts are smoothed over.

Strong Sex References

Milder references include references to perversion and a character maintaining his virginity.

Stronger references include a character describing her body as having no orifices for which another character could penetrate.

Strong Language

Infrequent use of ‘shit’ and a few uses of milder language (e.g. crap, damn, ass, etc.)

Reasons to Watch

This is the difficult part. I don’t want you to see this entry as an oversized ‘DON’T WATCH THIS’ post. Equally, I don’t want to influence your opinion with a biased review – there’s a reason this website is called ‘Anime Insights’ and not ‘Anime Reviews’! In this section, I’m going to try to convey to you some of the reasons (in no particular order) that I’ve seen this film’s fans give for enjoying it!

Very high production values (i.e. excellent artwork and animation)

I’ve noticed many critics and fans alike say that they found it to be a general improvement on the original series.

Accessible to newcomers and returning fans, despite being a prequel.

Very different from the original series, so even if you didn’t like the series, this might tickle your fancy. And if you did like the original series, then this is a new approach and perspective on what brought that world into being.

Barrier of Entry

Not nearly as comedy-focused or fun-focused as the original series.

Drops the game-based strategies popular in the main series in favour of creating one larger, overarching strategy to tackle with their situation.

Very different from the original series, so if you liked the series, such a drastic difference might not tickle your fancy.

Music

Ending Theme

THERE IS A REASON by Konomi Suzuki

Hardcopy Notes

Special features most notably include a behind-the-scenes video with the staff and cast of the English Dub. The same special features are present on both the Blu-Ray and DVD versions.

Staff List

Animation Production: MADHOUSE

Director: Atsuko Ishizuka

ADR Director: Kyle Jones

Screenplay: Jukki Hanada

Music: Yoshiaki Fujisawa

Original Creator & Original Character Design: Yū Kamiya

Animation Character Design: Satoshi Tasaki

Art Director: Eiji Iwase

Lead Voice Actors

Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Riku

Ai Kayano as Schwi

Lead Voice Actors (sentai FILMWORKS)

Scott Gibbs as Riku

Caitlynn French as Schwi