Who doesn’t want a skeleton love pillow?

Overlord Review (Anime)

Overlord is another series where the protagonist finds himself trapped in a MMO of sorts, but this time with a twist! Instead of being a hero fighting for good or to return home, Momonga decides to be the world’s strongest villain and to remain in this new world.

 

When the developers of online MMO Yggdrasil decide to close down the servers, player Momonga stays on until its final second passes. When the timer concludes and begins anew, Momonga realises that things are very different as to how they were just moments ago. NPCs behave like real people with their own thoughts, and Momonga isn’t able to communicate with the outside world. As his real life doesn’t bring him much happiness, he decides to stay in this world and become its unrivaled king.

 

overlord review

The narrative isn’t quite as gripping as its concept.

Overlord has a fresh take on the “uh oh I’m stuck inside a MMO” genre by seeing Momonga as a protagonist with villainous intent, but the narrative isn’t quite as gripping as its concept. You’ll have to read the light novels if you want any satisfying conclusion, and it’s a shame that Overlord has only one season and ends on the note that it does.

 

Overlord is more of a comedy than anything else, and much of that comedy is lewd. There are some brutal action scenes but the seducer Albedo wore me out pretty quickly — her constant sexual moaning and clingy behaviour didn’t make her endearing in any way, and she proves to be an annoying character. She made me turn the volume down!

 

overlord review

Ultimately feels shallow and unfulfilling.

You know you’re in for a good looking anime when Madhouse are involved and Overlord isn’t the exception, although it doesn’t look quite as good as some of their other works — c’mon, you know ’em, there’s Death Note, My Love Story!!, One-Punch Man and more! Overlord had a tighter budget, perhaps? The characters don’t all look particularly malevolent – although Momonga is literally a giant skeleton – and it’s surprisingly colourful considering that the world is primarily enshrouded in darkness. Much of the humour comes from character’s expressions, especially those of Albedo and Shalltear, although I can’t say I really enjoyed their interactions.

 

There are quite a few voice-actors and actresses who I’m not too familiar with including Christopher Guerrero, Elizabeth Maxwell and Felecia Angelle, but they give great performances. I might not like the character, but I can’t deny that I didn’t enjoy Elizabeth’s performance as the outlandish Albedo. Overlord also has a very catchy opening theme too, although it’s a bit lighter than what you’d expect from the show.

 

overlord review
Who doesn’t want a skeleton love pillow?

 

Overlord doesn’t make the most of its unique concept and ultimately feels shallow and unfulfilling, which is a shame as it could’ve been something really cool. The humour didn’t find a home with me and Albedo is a pain in the arse, but there are some moments later in the series where things start to become as dark as you’d expect from a protagonist who wishes to be seen as purely evil.

 

I can’t say I’m interested in checking out the light novel, and I can’t count myself among those who are sad that there isn’t a second season. If the humour gels with you, then you’ll likely enjoy Overlord and much that it has to offer – across both anime and written word – but for me it’s something that’s no better than ‘okay’.

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