The highly anticipated film “ Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom ” has proven to
be a huge hit in its preview screening , drawing a
total of 29,936 moviegoers and generating over 66.6 million yen in revenue
during its first four days at the 51 IMAX theaters where it was shown in Japan.
The preview screening has generated a high level of excitement among fans,
setting the stage for its official release on September 20.
What has caught the attention is not only the
financial success of the film, but also the demographic composition of the
audience. According to reports, 80% of the attendees were men and most
of them were in the age range of 30 to 50 years old, which has caused surprise
among the younger fans of the franchise.
Comments on social media and forums have reflected
many fans' surprise at this revelation. One user commented: " I
thought this was an anime popular with teenagers and twenty-somethings, I
didn't expect 50-somethings to be among the viewers too! " This reflects the common perception
that Overlord is a series aimed at a younger audience, but data suggests
otherwise.
Another user added:
“ The generation that consumes this type of content the most is the
one that lived through the Ice Age in Japan, which is why anime continues to
sell .” This comment refers to the idea that many long-time fans
of Japanese animation, especially those who grew up in the 1980s and 1990s,
remain a dominant force in the industry.
However, not all
comments were positive. Some showed some disdain towards older fans. One of the
most striking messages read: “ Seeing people in their 50s enjoying
these anime makes me think about how the audience has changed. It’s a little
disturbing .” While others defended the series for its mature
narrative: “ Overlord has a complex and dark plot, designed to
appeal to a more adult audience, it’s not surprising that those in their 30s to
50s are the most interested .”
The Overlord
franchise, which began in 2015, has maintained a strong fan base over the
years, attracting both new viewers and long-time fans who enjoy the dark tone
and superhuman character of Ainz Ooal Gown. The success of the IMAX
preview reinforces Overlord’s position as one of the most popular series in the
isekai genre, especially among more mature viewers.
Source: Yaraon!
