While the concept of being stuck in a game has been seen more frequently, I enjoyed the approach Overlord took. In the past, all shows involved people becoming stuck in the game and the main goal is always survival and returning home. Overlord took a different approach. Sure anyone stuck in a game has hopes and desires to return to the real world, but it is definitely not the overarching theme in Overlord. Instead we find ourselves in a world where there might be nobody from the original game. This allows us to learn about the, main character, the main character's friends and his former allies from the personalities of the floor guardians and every other NPC created by his guild. The approach is different too because with his overwhelming power, the main character views the former NPCs more so as children and representations of his friends.
For some people the blinding loyalty each floor guardian has towards the main character is extreme, but given the circumstances that he is the only remaining creator it is understandable where the NPC's are coming from. It also can be hilarious, if you can relate to the concept of watching over and teaching children, for their arguments and decisions mirror the actions of loyal children. Maybe too an extreme, but that ridiculous adds to the hilarity. However, I can see this being one of the biggest obstacles for many people. I believe that if your truly understand the situation and really think about the relationship between creator and created it adds a unique element to the story. If you cannot do that I foresee many characters falling short of expectations for some.
The setting also sets the show apart as instead of the classic, fight, power level up we see across many animes, this setting the character is not only already extremely powerful, but he has a gigantic fortress and equally powerful allies right at the start. This allows for a different avenue to learn about the world and a different lens through which we view the world.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed Overlord, laughed at the ridiculous comments made by the created, and enjoyed watching an overpowered mage dismantle the obstacles that appeared before him. I would recommend Overlord to anyone who likes the fantasy genre (more so magic or undead) or the trapped in a game genre. I myself found the show, and finished the 13th episode a few hours later. Hopefully you will feel the same jubilation.
