Review of Demon Lord 2099

Demon Lord 2099 or The Lord Of Immortals Blooming in The Abyss F.E. 2099 There was a short blooming of this show, before it fell into the Abyss. It takes a very eccentric mind, to try and make the marriage between futuristic sci-fi elements and medieval Fantasy. It takes an even more wisdom to consummate intimately it into a truly compelling piece with a disciplined narrative. Unfortunately we have only the former with this one… That’s not all, we have all these potentially exciting as well as enticing elements, a plethora of settings that make your mouth water, characters, types and designs that could fill several encyclopedias. Sucha vast horizon but at some point the writer seems it acceptable to place us into our friendly neighbourhood school building.

Ah the esteemed high-school building, where the story of all great Fantasy go to die. Do you remember the school in Eminence in the shadow? Yeah I do! It was the worst part. How about in Mushoku Tensei? Yeah that too! It tanked the second season cour 1. This setting is terrible for these shows because it’s the exact place we wanted to escape from when we started watching this show. It's especially not needed when we're dealing with adults.

You see this MC? We hoped for our salvation with another Anos, another Alucard, another Ainz. We should have gotten the hint when his name didn’t start with A but with the pussy letter V. The experience is supposed to be centred around him, his goals, his journey, his desires. But in typical fashion the writer lacks courage, lacks the ability to empathize with the mind of a true King of the Abyss. His own development seems like a regression, his impact on the story; a means to an end for others. It’s apparent he’s been banned from ever being allowed to be cool or to have ‘aura’ as the youngings say it today. Such a shame, he doesn’t show any wickedness any callous, reckless, cruel, selfish or even ruthless behaviour. Why then is he a ‘Demon Lord’, they waste this premise criminally.

The side characters, boring, disappointing and at their worst a total nuisance. Are they female? They won’t die, Are they a man? They’re already dead whether spiritually, or physically. If they’re a female they’re being “controlled” or they’re allowed to be an irritant, If they’re a man conversely, an evil tyrant or fool. Have you ever cringed at dialogue? Stupid question right? You are truly in for a generational ‘try not to cringe challenge here’. One of these annoying characters will downright banish any attempt to take this show seriously. I’m not actually sure why this female is here, it frankly seems like they were trying to kill the spark in every prospective blossoming of ambiance this show had left. Too many women, not enough grit and darkness. Making light of everything, the tension just disappears. Time and time again they end up saving the female antagonist rather than perishing them to perdition. All that does is nullify the kind of powerful emotion these fighting scenes are suppose to cultivate.

The plot was perhaps the most displeasing. The entire first Arc should have been stretched into the 12-13 episodes. It robbed the main duo of their shine, and cheapened the general overarching conflict of the series. A potent, resourceful but familiar villain beaten by the pen, not the MC. It was also, again as is common with shows of this nature, just too easy. One of the most powerful and respected beings, stripped of his power in a new age. Only for it to be resolved in the most lackadaisical and anti-climactic manner. A chance to be humbled to edify the narrative, to see the world in a new light. Turned into comical debasement to no greater effect. It may be a personal thing, but I dislike these struggles, journeys and suffering being degraded for humor or for a seemingly witty present day reference. The methods employed here will surprise you, but it’s not a delightful slice of cake but rather an old tin-can of beans. The second arc? An utter waste of time, shouldn’t have existed. It takes us further away from the initial objectives, the mission of the reincarnation is almost forgotten.

Finale? Poor..
This one you feel nothing, an episode that encapsulates the efforts of this show. What’s strange is that I haven’t heard this show mentioned once in any discourse despite such rapturous applause and wide critical acclaim. My statement made after almost a year after it’s conclusion, for all the avenues ventured none of it manages to stick because it wasn’t taken very seriously.

The greatest finales of this kind of genre I give to Season 2 cour 1(E12) of Tensura and Season 1 Episode 20(Advent of the Demon) of Eminence in the Shadow. These finales just multiply the positive emotion shown throughout the season, conclude matters in a way that is satisfying, gratifying and gives you hope for more. They put clearly on a display the compounding events and the resultant ‘crespuscolo’ is the icing on the cake.

Back to this show..
As for the general production quite nice actually, I can’t point you any spectacular moments but there’s not much left to want, except a lack of what this kind of work could have been used to service better. The ED was outstanding for me, the OP not so much. I’d say there’s nothing to complain about here.

Final Rankings

Animation 8
Soundtrack 8
Plot 4
Character 4
Enjoyment 3

27/50 – 5.4/10 – 5/10 – Looks great on the outside, but it’s a mud cake..

I took a 3 week-break between episode 7 and episode 12 to pure disappointment at the shift in core narrative, utterly unacceptable as a binging experience. Any interest in the show was gone.
This show might dazzle you initially but it’s not worth it.

Hope this helps.