No Game No Life: Zero
| Company type | Animated film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Animation, Film |
| Founded | July 15, 2017 |
| Headquarters | Japan |
| Products | Animated movie |
| Parent | Madhouse |
is an animated Japanese movie adapted from The Gamer Couple Who Challenged the World!, the sixth installment in the light novel series No Game No Life authored by Yuu Kamiya. Under the direction of Atsuko Ishizuka and produced by studio Madhouse, it debuted in Japan on July 15, 2017. Distribution rights are held by Sentai Filmworks for North America, Madman Entertainment for Australia and New Zealand, and MVM Entertainment for the UK and Ireland.
Plot
Set in a futuristic era, Izuna and Tet engage in a chess match while Tet narrates the origins of the world during the Great War that occurred 6,000 years ago. This extensive conflict involved sentient species and Old Deus vying for control over the Suniaster, a powerful artifact granting supreme authority to its holder. The war wreaked havoc across the planet and brought humanity—incapable of wielding magic—to the brink of extinction.
Riku commands humanity’s final settlement alongside his sister Corounne. Haunted by the loss of comrades from Demonia assaults, Riku battles with remorse and emotional turmoil amid intensifying warfare. While exploring a destroyed Elvish refuge, he encounters an Ex-Machina detached from its collective hive-mind due to its pursuit of human emotions—an unfamiliar concept to its programming. Though initially cautious, Riku accepts her invitation to a chess duel; upon defeat, they agree to collaborate, combining her analytical prowess with his human intuition. He names her Shuvi, derived from a term within her designation, establishing a tactical partnership.
As their bond strengthens, Shuvi challenges Riku to confront his grief over fallen allies, leading to mutual empathy. Together, they formulate a strategy to provoke rival factions into mutual annihilation using their most potent armaments. By channeling energy from all races’ spirit circuits alongside Shuvi’s mechanical systems, their goal is to penetrate the planet’s core and seize the Suniaster.
Despite their differences and previous enmity, Riku proposes marriage to Shuvi. When their plan jeopardizes Riku’s survival, Shuvi attempts to secure the Suniaster herself but sustains fatal injuries battling Jibril. Before her demise, she reconnects with the Ex-Machina hive-mind to assist Riku and uses her final energy to safeguard his wedding ring.
Mourning Shuvi’s passing, Riku finalizes their scheme. Following an intense confrontation involving all species and Old Deus forces, the Suniaster manifests but denies Riku’s claim. He appeals to a childhood deity known as the God of Games; responding to this prayer, Tet appears and claims the Suniaster as the One True God. Tet then reconstructs the world’s foundation based on games instead of conflict.
In the present day, Izuna notes similarities between Shuvi and Riku’s tale and that of Shiro and Sora—hinting at reincarnation. Stephanie, a descendant of Corounne, possesses a necklace engraved by Riku and Shuvi. Together, they anticipate forthcoming challenges.
Cast
| Character | Japanese voice actor | English voice actor |
|---|---|---|
| Riku / Sora | Yoshitsugu Matsuoka | Scott Gibbs |
| Shuvi / Shiro | Ai Kayano | Caitlynn French |
| Corounne Dola / Stephanie Dola | Yōko Hikasa | Sara Ornelas |
| Jibril | Yukari Tamura | Amelia Fischer |
| Nonna Zell / Kurami Zell | Yuka Iguchi | Brittney Karbowski |
| Think Nirvalen | Mamiko Noto | Jessica Boone |
| Izuna Hatsuse | Miyuki Sawashiro | Kira Vincent-Davis |
| Tet | Rie Kugimiya | Shannon Emerick |
Production
The film was first revealed at the MF Bunko J Summer School Festival on July 17, 2016, and officially named No Game No Life: Zero on March 3, 2017. The production was largely handled by the original anime's returning team, with direction by Atsuko Ishizuka and a script penned by Jukki Hanada. Animation duties were carried out by studio Madhouse. Character designs were crafted by Satoshi Tasaki. The soundtrack, composed by Yoshiaki Fujisawa, was produced under the auspices of Kadokawa Corporation. Key personnel who returned included art director Eiji Iwase, art setting specialist Tsukasa Ohira, color key artist Harue Ono, director of photography Kenji Fujita, 3D director Shuhei Yabuta, editor Kashiko Kimura, sound director Jin Aketagawa, concept artist Kazuhiro Hocchi, and background artist Tsukasa Ohira. The film’s main theme song, "There is a Reason," was performed by Konomi Suzuki, who also provided the opening theme for the television series.
Release
The movie debuted in Japan on July 15, 2017, initially appearing in 61 theaters before expanding to a total of 178 venues. Beginning September 9, 2017, it was available in 4DX format across 48 theaters. The home video release in Japan followed on February 23, 2018.
On June 12, 2017, Sentai Filmworks secured licensing rights for the film. In the United States, Azoland Pictures managed its theatrical distribution, premiering an English dubbed version at the Los Angeles Anime Film Festival on September 15, 2017. This was followed by an English-subtitled screening on September 16. The film saw a nationwide U.S. release on October 5 with subtitles and October 8 with an English dub. Sentai Filmworks later issued the home video release on August 28, 2018.
For Australia and New Zealand, Madman Entertainment obtained licensing rights and showcased the subtitled version at the Madman Anime Festival in Melbourne on November 5, 2017.
In the United Kingdom, MVM acquired distribution rights and released the film in 2018.
Reception
Upon its debut in Japan’s box office rankings, the film entered at number seven before dropping to tenth place during its second weekend. By August 18, 2017, it had earned , increasing to by September 30 of that year.
Sales figures from Oricon show that the limited edition Blu-ray sold 29,586 units, while the regular Blu-ray edition sold 6,133 copies and the standard DVD edition moved 4,068 units.
Kim Morrissy from Anime News Network commended the film as an effective standalone prequel, emphasizing its succinct narrative and impressive animation as director Atsuko Ishizuka’s finest achievement. Conversely, Rachel Cheung of the South China Morning Post awarded it a rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars, suggesting that while fans would appreciate it, newcomers might find it perplexing.