Overlord

In 2138 virtual reality gaming has become normal, and Yggdrasil is one of those huge online worlds people lose themselves in. When the company shutters the servers, one player called Momonga refuses to log out. He wakes up trapped in the game as a skeletal sorcerer known as Ains Ooal Gown, discovering that the NPCs around him now feel and act with apparent agency. With no ties to the real world and no clear way back, Momonga sets out to understand how this new reality works, gather loyal followers, and carve out influence so he can protect himself and the people who recognize him as their ruler.

The anime debuted in 2015, adapted from Kugane Maruyama's light novels, with series composition by Yukie Sugawara. Naoyuki Ito directed the first season, and the show moved quickly from print to broadcast and streaming audiences.

The series didn't sweep major international awards like Emmys or Golden Globes, but it earned strong placements in anime fan polls and year-end rankings in Japan and on streaming platforms, reflecting steady viewer enthusiasm rather than festival trophy runs.

Overlord left a clear mark on anime fandom, especially among fans of darker isekai stories. Characters such as Ains and Albedo became common in cosplay and fan art, and several scenes and lines spread widely online. The show's blend of strategy, monstrous aesthetics, and courtly power dynamics kept it visible in conventions and social feeds.

Critics and viewers have generally rated Overlord highly, reflected in a strong user score of 8.472 out of 10 from over a thousand votes. Reviewers often point to its focus on power, leadership, and moral ambiguity, alongside tactical battles and worldbuilding. The show asks what it means to lead when your past life no longer applies, and it often frames its plots around governance, loyalty, and the consequences of absolute strength.