The Seven Deadly Sins the Movie: Prisoners of the Sky
General Info
| Genres | Animation, Action, Adventure |
|---|---|
| Music By | Hiroyuki Sawano, Takafumi Wada |
| Tagline | No matter who you are, there's no place you can't call home. |
| Film Name | The Seven Deadly Sins the Movie: Prisoners of the Sky |
| Starring | Yūki Kaji, Sora Amamiya, Misaki Kuno |
| Languages | Japanese |
| Directed By | Noriyuki Abe |
| Produced By | Hiroyuki Okino |
| Release Date | 2018-08-18 |
| Running Time | 99 minutes |
| Screenplay By | Makoto Uezu |
| Content Rating | TV-14 |
| Distributed By | A-1 Pictures Inc. |
| Original Title | 劇場版 七つの大罪 天空の囚われ人 |
| Country of Origin | Japan |
| World Premiere Date | 2018-08-18 |
| Production Company Name | A-1 Pictures |
Overview
Expanding into the larger Nanatsu no Taizai universe, the film introduces viewers to surprising new characters and settings while staying true to the spirit of the story. It has a perfect blend of comedic elements, hard-hitting action sequences and heartfelt moments to suit audiences of all tastes. It's an action-packed roller coaster that leaves viewers on edge with its epic battles, deep storytelling and surprising twists.
Prisoners of Heaven, although separate from the TV series, is a must-see for any fan of the franchise. It's an epic journey through new corners of the Nanatsu no Taizai universe, revealing the exploits of the Seven Deadly Sins. As a standalone experience, showcasing the bravery of Meliod and his knights expands the emotional depth and breadth of the original storyline. This movie is truly a testament to the infinite limits of courage and friendship in the Nanatsu no Taizai universe.
Trailer
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Plot
Leader Zoria misidentifies Melioda as an ancient liberator, the Winged One, who once saved the Sky People from a clan of demonic beasts. Expressing the tribe's plight, he reveals the tribe's ritual to seal away the demons, lest the demonic beasts make a catastrophic invasion of the Temple of Heaven. To complicate matters, Zoria's daughter Solaad has mysteriously disappeared.
In a parallel world, Solaad reaches the Earth plane and confronts the remaining Seven Deadly Sins. Acknowledging each other as doubles, Solaad explains that he shirked his obligation to participate in the ritual out of fear. He convinces them of the plight of his people and inspires them to stop the invading demons and rescue Melioda and Hawk. This leads to an intense battle as a clan of demon beasts attack them and summon a massive beast: Indura. The fate of the Heavenly Tribe and the Earthly Realm hangs in the balance as the Seven Deadly Sins break all walls to contain Indura and protect their comrades. The film successfully combines comedic moments with heart-pounding action in a race against time to prevent a devastating full-scale invasion. The secrets revealed over time not only test their bonds, but also challenge their identities, making the characters and plot tighter and deeper.
Production
The meticulous attention to detail is evident in every frame of the film, from the character designs to the dynamic action sequences. The film is very faithful to the original manga, while adding unique cinematic elements of the animated medium.
The production team needed a complex and dramatic narrative and focused heavily on plot development. This tangled story is woven together by screenwriters Makoto Uezu and Noriyuki Abe, both veterans of the anime industry.
The production of the film required collaboration between several departments. The art department has worked tirelessly to create a unique world that captures the imagination and lives up to the original manga.
As for the sound design, the film's score was created by Hiroyuki Sawano, who managed to capture the essence of the original music while matching the intensity and emotional depth of the events taking place on screen.
Overall, the making of the film was very rewarding thanks to the collective creativity and great dedication of each team member. From sketch to screen, every element of the film grew in the hands of these professionals, resulting in an animated film that transcended the boundaries of the medium.
Release
Anticipation has been huge since its release and fans are eager to see their favorite Sins in a new adventure. The film was later released internationally through local distributors or online streaming platforms. For the English-speaking audience, Netflix, which also includes original anime series, in 2018. December. added the Prisoners of Heaven to their list. It was also released on the Australian streaming service AnimeLab.
This film not only impressed the existing fan base, but also attracted a new audience intrigued by the eclectic mix of magic, adventure and camaraderie at the heart of The Seven Deadly Sins: Prisoners of Heaven.
Reception
Critics praised the film for giving each member of The Sins enough screen time, balancing the focus between the members and allowing their individual skills and personalities to shine through. Of particular note was the well-received final battle, often cited for its intense animation and bringing all the members together, showcasing their teamwork and camaraderie.
Fans appreciated the greater depth of the Nanatsu no Taizai universe, praised the introduction of the Heavenly Kingdom, and the interesting new villains. Humor, an iconic element of the series, was also successful in the film, providing light-hearted moments between acts.
However, the storyline, which was considered "standard" and "predictable", and the length of the film were criticized, with some fans wanting more content. Some viewers also expressed disappointment that the main series' story did not improve.
Despite these criticisms, Prisoners of Heaven was widely regarded as a welcome addition to the franchise, celebrated as an immersive and action-packed expansion of the beloved series. With strong animation, character focus, and fan-favorite elements, the film was able to gain traction with fans and critics alike.
Cultural impact
The animation quality and fight sequences were praised, contributing to the continuing trend of high-quality animation in both film and television. Character growth and development still evokes emotional responses that influence how audiences perceive and connect with anime characters. Additionally, Hawk's comedic timing added light wit, balancing the heavier themes and reinforcing the importance of humor even in the darkest moments.
This film helped show the potential of anime films outside of Japan, promoting international exposure and recognition of the genre. Its success has led to several anime films crossing borders, leaving an indelible mark and changing the international film landscape for future animation projects. Importantly, it also showed that side stories can provide meaningful narratives that can influence anime creators' approach to such films.
In terms of merchandising, Prisoners of Heaven has inspired numerous products, from collectibles to clothing, making the characters iconic pop culture figures. The film's score has also become a popular part of the series' soundtrack, winning fans and non-fans alike for its emotional depth and stunning composition.
The Seven Deadly Sins: Prisoners of Heaven reaffirmed the power of animation to convey deep themes and stories that touched not only fans of the series, but also the wider world of pop culture.