Hello, everyone!
So yesterday, I finally got to watch Black Clover : Mahou Tei no Ken on Netflix. As someone who has been following the anime from the beginning , it felt like meeting an old friend who suddenly returned with a new, cooler style.
A Little Bit About the Story Behind It
The story of this movie is a little different from the usual arc. This time, the enemy isn't from a neighboring kingdom or a new evil organization, but actually comes from the Clover Kingdom's own past (the four former Wizard Kings) who once ruled the kingdom.
What makes it interesting is that their leader is named Conrad Leto. He's not your typical villain who is evil because he craves power. He used to be a hero... but then he became deeply disappointed with the royal system , which he thought was unfair. So he decided to... well, destroy everything and create a new world.
Sound familiar? Yes, like some villains in other anime whose idealism goes too far and becomes destructive.
What Makes Me Still Love Black Clover
Honestly , the main reason I've been following Black Clover since the beginning is because of Asta.
It's not because he has the coolest moves or because he's a genius. Quite the opposite, in fact. This kid was born without any magic at all in a world where everyone else has magic... But what makes him different is that he never complains or gives up.
In this movie , it's the same. Asta falls, gets beaten up, and even almost loses completely. But he still gets up. He still shouts “I won't give up!” in his hoarse voice. And somehow, every time he gets back up, it feels... touching.
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Maybe because we've all felt like Asta at some point feeling inadequate compared to others, feeling our talents are far inferior, or feeling our path is harder... But he reminds us to keep going, no matter how hard things get.
Visuals
Well , when it comes to animation, Studio Pierrot seems to be taking it seriously this time. They know this is a movie, so they can't just slap something together like some episodes in the middle of the series that... well, you know.
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The fights are super smooth. Every spell that comes out feels powerful. Especially when Asta pulls out his anti-magic sword or when Yuno uses his wind magic and his stars are so cool! 🤩
My favorite part is when Yami and Nozel work together. The combination of their dark magic and mercury magic is eye candy. Plus, when Yami speaks in his usual calm tone in the middle of an intense battle, it still makes me laugh.
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The soundtrack is also spot on. It's not overly dramatic... but it's enough to make us feel nervous or excited along with ASTA.
It's Not Just About Who's Stronger
What I appreciate about this film is that the battle isn't just about “who has the most powerful magic”. There is an ideological conflict there.
Conrad wants a fair world by imposing a new order through force. He is desperate with the existing system and believes that only a total revolution can change everything.
Meanwhile, Asta ? He believes that change can start from within oneself. There is no need for massive destruction. It is enough to keep fighting, keep getting up and not give up on the situation.
And this is where I feel a strong connection. Sometimes we also want the system or environment to change instantly, right? But the reality is , real lasting change is built slowly, one step at a time.
What's Missing?
Honestly , if I had to nitpick, the pacing is a bit rushed in the middle. Some scenes feel so fast that I had to rewind a bit to think, “Wait, what just happened?”
Also, some of the other characters I like—like Luck, Magna, or even Charmy—don’t get much screen time... But maybe the focus is on Asta, Yuno and the captains.
Overall, it’s understandable because this is a movie, not a long arc. So they have to choose what to focus on.
For me personally , this movie reminds me why I liked Black Clover in the first place. It's not because of the fancy magic or the exciting battles
... but because of the spirit the spirit to keep going even when the world says you can't.
My rating : 8.5/10
If you've already watched it, what do you think ? Drop it in the comments!
And if you haven't watched it yet but are interested, just go to Netflix. Trust me , it's worth your time, especially if you need motivation to not give up on whatever you're facing.
See you in the next review! ✨