I have remarked that when you see an uptick in OVAs or short runs of a series that completed its first season, it is a prelude to the release of the next season, but they want to let you know it’s coming with a bit more than a notice on the internet going “The second season is coming! Sale starts on Friday!” It’s just there was a two-run OVA about a year or so ago and now “Nanatsu no Taizai: Seisen no Shirushi” (“The Seven Deadly Sins: Signs of the Holy War”) came out with what they refer to as a TV Special that acts as a prelude to the new season.

It is the aftermath of the great and grand battle against Dreyfus and Hendrickson and the city is rebuilding. Six of the Deadly Sins are here (listed from left to right), Merlin, Ban, King (floating in the air), Meliodas, Diane and Gowther. The last one, Escanor, has yet to make an appearance anywhere, save for a drawing on a wanted poster (“Why can’t they get the nose right?”). They are trying to be normal to the point that Diane is taking ‘normal’ pills so she is not her giantess self, but something more normal-sized.

Also not seen up there is Elizabeth Liones, the third princess of the kingdom of Liones, who actually help gather these people to take the kingdom back from the Holy Knights (the aforementioned Dreyfus and Hendrickson) and restore calm and peace. This four-episode runs details their efforts to make things regular as they try not to get into too much trouble, but that isn’t going to work.

Although it starts out fun and frothy enough (Hawk runs away and everyone has to find him, another fight between Ban and Meliodas, King and Diane spend some time together), the dark forces appears to be gathering again and we end the run on that somber note.

Certainly, if you enjoyed the series, you need to catch this offering, as it explains and set-up for what appears to be the climactic second season with the arrival of the ever-missing Escanor. We finally get to see a lot of Merlin and how she acts and interacts with everyone. She made a late-show arrival the first year and has been spotty at best, so it is nice to see her put through the paces and catch up with the rest.

Gowther is still a big mystery, as he comes off as rather nebulous and vague, although we know he is far more than that. But we would have to wait for his arrival to make the team complete and then, then we can really get down to the matters at hand. And they will be a handful.

On a scale of 1 to 10:

Artwork           8 (Good, strong design and execution)
Plot                  7 (Played more for laughs)
Pacing              8 (Moves along briskly)
Effectiveness   8 (Good utilization of the numerous rivalries)
Conclusion       7 (It reaches a ‘coupler point’, but hasn’t ended)
Fan Service      2 (A similar show would be “Okamisan”)

Overall            8 (We learn a bit more about our team)

And remember, it’s first run until you’ve seen it. I am the King of Leftovers!