Review of Goblin Slayer: Goblin's Crown

Don't worry, this is a review of Goblin's Crown. I must cover a few things first... In my experience I've found that Goblin Slayer seems to be a series that most people either love, hate, or think is just a whole lot of average. I can understand where those who aren't fans of the show are coming from. When I first watched Goblin Slayer I found the first couple episodes to be unbearable and it was with great reluctance that I continued on to episode three. I was entertained by the new character interactions and decided to continue onward. By the end I had greatly enjoyedthe series for its fantasy action and characters, giving it an 8/10 final score. Several months later I wanted more Goblin Slayer so I decided to purchase and read the light novels. This is when I really fell in love with the series.

The influence tabletop games, specifically DnD, have had on the author when writing this series is much more obvious in the light novels. Some examples that immediately come to mind are the existence of random critical hits and how all the evil guys in the world are referred to as "Non-Prayer Characters." This influence can be seen in the anime through how the main characters have a limited amount of skills that they can use each day. The author of Goblin Slayer thought, what if there was a DnD character whose entire purpose was to kill goblins? And hence we got Goblin Slayer. My point with this is that I think it's very important that everyone keep in mind when watching the series that this is fully intended to be a darker realistic fantasy focused on the slightly more mundane aspects of adventuring within a tabletop game. Goblin Slayer and company are not portrayed as the heroes who will save the world. They are only Silver-rank and must work together and use their skills together in order to overcome every foe they face. Given that nearly all of their foes end up being goblins with some twist on the scenario, I really can understand how the series might not appeal to everyone. However, having read the light novels I have a much greater appreciation for just how much thought is put into each scenario and how the main characters, especially Goblin Slayer himself, move through that scenario, sometimes making decisions on the fly but often following clever plans that take down goblins in new and creative ways.

I begin with all that because I want to express where most of my enjoyment of the series comes from and why I'm rating this OVA rather high compared to average score and other reviews. And also as a strong recommendation that everyone goes and reads the light novels hehe. On to the specific review...

STORY and ENJOYMENT - 10/10

I'm rating the plot based on well I felt it followed the story from the light novels. In a surprise plot twist, Goblin Slayer receives a new quest that involves killing goblins. Well, that's not the focus of the quest. But goblin killing happens believe it or not. As I mentioned earlier, you aren't going to find much in the way of brand new enemies and scenarios that Goblin Slayer and co. find themselves fighting. I've also already covered why I think the series is entertaining. Goblin's Crown does not disappoint with regards to that and as the first new arc I encountered in the light novels I was particularly impressed with it, especially the end sequence. There is some mystery involving the goblins' presence and activity that grows and we're left with a sense of something bigger than just goblins being afoot. This trend doesn't stop going forward in the story and I hope that understanding this might also help more people to enjoy this OVA.

I'm including my overall enjoyment with the story here because let's face it, there isn't really much of a bigger plot to consider when it comes to Goblin Slayer. The only consistent aspect of a plot throughout the series are the development of character relationships over time. I greatly enjoyed the Goblin's Crown arc in the light novels and seeing it animated (decently) was awesome. Goblin Slayer trusting his teammates to use their skills at the right moments all comes together in on an epic stage at the end.

ART - 7/10

This is pretty much where all my grievances with the OVA come from. Overall the animation is little better than any of the seasonal episodes. Some CGI is still present for Goblin Slayer himself and even poorer CGI is used occasionally for the goblins. Goblin Slayer was fully animated more often than in s1, as well as the more important fight(s), though it's obvious shortcuts were taken and some of the fighting is just looping sword smacking. With that said, I think the world of Goblin Slayer is still brought to life well enough and I hope more animation adaptations are green-lit in the future.

SOUND - 10/10

Goblin Slayer's personal theme is badass and is played at the right moment. The rest of the score is fitting for the tone of each scene. Yeah, music was good. Not as much heavy metal as the series.

CHARACTER - 10/10

I think this might be where the light novels surpass the anime the most. The anime portrays all the characters well enough, we get their personalities, tendencies, and interactions with each other. The light novels often show us what they are thinking as well, which doesn't come across in the anime. However, I feel this is just a curse of animation in general. Anyway, my 10/10 score is very much influenced by my appreciation of the LNs.

OVERALL - 9/10

In the end I was very happy with the adaptation of this arc and I can't wait for the possibility of more. I do wish the animation was better but what can ya do, sometimes it just be like that. I recognize why some folks can't enjoy it as much as I do and in those cases I do really recommend you give the LNs a try if you have the time and means to do so.