In July 2015, Season 1 of Madhouse's hit isekai anime Overlord premiered on Japanese television. Nearly 10 years later, Satoshi Hino, the voice of protagonist Suzuki Satoru/Ainz Ooal Gown, shared his thoughts on why the series continues to resonate with audiences both in and outside of Japan.
Based on the light novel series of the same name by author Kugane Maruyama and artist So-bin, Overlord belongs to the “transportation” subgenre of isekai. As the name suggests, this genre typically features the main character dying and being reincarnated into the world of a TV show or video game they were playing right before they died. In a recent interview with Mantan Web, Hino shared his experiences voicing the main character of Overlord — an ordinary office worker who is reincarnated as a skeleton warrior in an online video game called “YGGDRASIL.”
Overlord is a dark fantasy series whose main characters are considered villains.
Hino's involvement with the Overlord series began with the release of the original script CD. Unlike many other isekai stories, Overlord is a dark, gritty fantasy story reminiscent of popular “dark” shonen titles like Jujutsu Kaisen. The novelty of the series initially made Hino question whether its anime adaptation would be successful. “It's a dark fantasy story that focuses on characters who are often considered villains compared to other fantasy works, and it's a pioneering work in the 'adaptation' genre, so at first I wondered if many people would accept it. However, it's a really fun work, so I think if people watch it, they'll be hooked,” Hino said.
Like many isekai stories, Overlord begins with a central protagonist who is whisked away from the “real world” to embark on exciting adventures in a parallel universe. However, Ainz is a morally questionable character who frequently crosses the line between good and evil—even as he seeks to create a society where humans and non-humans are treated as equals. Although Ainz has conquered many countries throughout the series, Hino argues that he is a leader with a heavy burden on his shoulders. “…he is a leader who protects his family, in other words, everyone in Nazarick…the element of Suzuki being tossed around by his subordinates is also important…Suzuki-san’s character gradually erodes into Ainz’s as he deals with the conflicts he carries within himself. I’m trying to portray the nuances of that change.”
Overlord's greatest strength is its focus on human psychology.
According to Hino, one of Overlord's greatest strengths is not just how it depicts Ainz, but how it handles “human psychology” in general. “What makes it interesting is how carefully crafted the emotions behind the conversations are. Many of the characters have real emotions hidden behind their outward actions and words, and it's fascinating to watch them try to figure that out and negotiate with each other. On top of that, it also has the coolness and power of a classic fantasy.” [both] “It's serious and humorous, and I found it interesting from the beginning that these two elements intertwine so well,” he said.
With four seasons under its belt, Overlord is now gearing up for its third live-action film adaptation, Overlord the Movie: Holy Kingdom Arc (English title: Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom). The plot revolves around the Holy Roble Kingdom and the invasion by the Demon Emperor Jaldabaoth and his demi-human army. In desperation, Holy Princess Calca asks Ainz and Nazarick for help. Towards the end of the interview, Hino briefly touched on the many exciting elements the film will bring to fans. “The intensity of the battles, the streets of the Holy Kingdom, and the difference in atmosphere between the Sorcerer Kingdom, where Nazarick’s forces are stationed, will all look even more effective on the big screen… I hope that many people will enjoy this film.”
Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom will premiere in theaters across Japan on September 20, 2024. Crunchyroll, which has partnered with Sony Entertainment to distribute the film in North America, recently announced that it will begin streaming in the United States and Canada starting November 8. In the meantime, Overlord Seasons 1-4 will be available via Crunchyroll's premium streaming service.
Source: Old website