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Whether someone loves or hates the isekai genre, Kugane Maruyama’sOverlordhas something to cater to everyone. The series provides a fresh perspective on common isekai tropes, which can be refreshing for isekai lovers. As for those on the fence, they probably won’t find any of the aspects that give the genre a bad reputation among fans. In many ways,Overlordsets itself apart from most isekai anime-manga series.
However, Maruyama spelled out the exact thing during an interview that madeOverlordstand out. And it’s the protagonist, Ainz Ooal Gown, who is the life and soul of the series. His characterization gives the much-needed depth to his story, which is usually lacking in most isekai shows. Maruyama spoke at length about different aspects ofOverlordand the thought process behind Ainz, so let’s delve into it!
Ainz Ooal Gown Isn’t Your Typical Isekai Protagonist
Before discussing the specifics of how Ainz Ooal Gown came to be, let’s understand his character and how he’s different. Ainz is the protagonist ofOverlordwho gets transported into his favorite RPG video game. Usually, isekai protagonists see their new lives as a chance to do things right. In the process of doing that, they emerge as the savior of mankind.
Ainz never attempts to do that, instead, his goal is world domination, which could be considered evil. He wants to conquer the world, no matter the cost, and his underlings who are devoted to him help him achieve that goal. Sometimes he ends up hurting people for his own goal like the time he took over Re-Estize kingdom.
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Ainz doesn’t feel human emotions, yet he often feels concerned about his underlings, and then care shows through. While most isekai protagonists are overpowered prodigies, he has to put his tactical knowledge to use to plan ahead and stay ahead of his opponents. Beyond all these differences, his evil makes him a morally gray character.
While media and fiction deal with morally gray characters by exploring them through a non-judgmental lens,Kugane Maruyama‘s ideology suggests that he had a more understanding and empathetic approach towards Ainz and most of the other characters.
Kugane Maruyama’s Ideology Makes Ainz Special
The nuanced characterization of Ainz is a result of an equally complex thought process. Maruyama shared the ideology behind the world-building in the series during an interview (via translations on Reddit). He drew parallels between the jungle and the world inOverlord.
The world of Overlord operates on the law of the jungle, so I write as if the strong are good and the weak are bad. While some may view their actions as evil, they act on their perception of “good”.
Instead of labeling the characters as good or evil, we see them putting their best foot forward for their goals. It’s similar to the ‘survival of the fittest’. It’s not about good or bad, it’s about survival first and foremost, and to ensure that the characters take steps that are necessary or good according to them.
So, they’re not necessarily evil, just looking out for themselves. Ainz seems to always follow the same ideology. His behaviour and his circumstances are explained and most of his actions make sense in the situation he finds himself in. So, Ainz isn’t necessarily righteous or genius like most typical protagonists.
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It’s almost as if he knows that even if he does the morally right thing, he’ll hurt someone in the process, he’ll always be perceived as the villain by someone. Therefore, he focuses on his own goals and the ways in which he can achieve them, truly an ideology worth exploring more!
Overlordis available to stream on Netflix.
Laveena Joshi
Anime Writer
Articles Published :925
Laveena is an anime content writer at FandomWire. Having written more than 800 articles, she’s an expert in mainstream shonen series, ranging from the bizarre world of JoJo’s to the expansive worldbuilding of One Piece.With her formal education in Journalism and Mass Communication, she explores entertainment journalism through the lens of anime and manga, from mainstream and classic titles to niche and obscure ones.
