The best time to watch a popular anime is right when it begins airing, the second best time is right now! Overlord has found itself ranked among the most bingeable anime series of all time, and it’s easy to see why. p695g

This isekai adventure where Suzuki Satoru is plunged into the world of his favorite video game — Yggdrasil — right as its servers close has many compelling twists on an already popular genre. Stories from the acclaimed light novels have been adapted into an anime and films series by Madhouse, as well as an OVA and ONA by Studio Puyukai. A new film, Overlord: Holy Kingdom, just hit theaters in November 2024 so there’s no shortage of Overlord content for those looking to start the series.

The only problem is that with so much supplemental material for the series it can look overwhelming at first for folks who want to watch it for themselves. There are two major ways to check out Overlord – in release order and chronologically.

How to watch Overlord in release order 2wg4p

The exact release order for Overlord is ittedly quite confusing, especially with the absolute deluge of special content that has come out for the series. For those who want to see every part of the show from start to finish, here’s how to make that happen.

• Overlord: “The Maid Tea Party” (2014)
• Season 1: Overlord (2015)
• Overlord: Ple Ple Pleiades (2015)
• Overlord: Ple Ple Pleiades – “Nazarick’s Great Crisis” (2016)
• Overlord: The Undead King (2017)
• Overlord: Manner Movie (2017)
• Overlord Movie: Ple Ple Pleiades (2017)
• Overlord: The Dark Hero (2017)
• Season 2: Overlord II (2018)
• Overlord: Ple Ple Pleiades 2 (2018)
• Season 3: Overlord III (2018)
• Overlord: Ple Ple Pleiades 3 (2018)
• Overlord: Ple Ple Pleiades – “Fugitive Clementine” (2018)
• Season 4: Overlord IV (2022)
• Overlord: Ple Ple Pleiades 4 (2022)

Watching all of Overlord in release order is certainly an option, but this much content can be overwhelming for someone new to the anime. Luckily, if you decide to watch only the events adapted from the light novels, things are much more manageable.

How to watch Overlord in chronological order 5v174r

If you just want to get the basics of the story from start to finish, things get a whole lot less complicated. You can even watch the first episode dubbed for free on YouTube. How cool is that?

Like most anime, Madhouse’s Overlord doesn’t adapt every arc from its source material but it gets pretty close. Here’s how each season and each film line up with the light novel volumes. 

• Season 1: Overlord (2015): Adapts Volume 1 (Ep. 1-4), Volume 2 (Ep. 5-9), Volume 3 (Ep. 10-13)
• Overlord: The Undead King and Overlord: The Dark Warrior
• Season 2: Overlord II (2018): Adapts Volume 4 (Ep. 1-5), Volume 5 (Ep. 6-9), and Volume 6 (Ep. 10-13)
• Season 3: Overlord III (2018): Adapts Volume 7 (Ep. 6-8), Volume 8 (Ep. 1-5), and Volume 9 (Ep. 9-13)
• Season 4: Overlord IV (2022): Adapts Volume 10 (Ep 1-4), Volume 11 (Ep. 5-7), and Volume 14 (Ep. 8-13)

The easiest way to enjoy one of the top anime in the isekai genre is by watching each season in chronological order. If you really want to speed things up, you can watch the first two movies instead of the first season. The Undead King covers everything that happens in the first four episodes of season one and The Dark Warrior recaps the rest of the season. Both movies also feature some extra scenes so if that sounds like something you’d want to see, definitely watch them even if you watched the show. 

The Overlord: Ple Ple Pleiades series, while fun, doesn’t adapt any storylines from the light novels. That being said, some fans enjoy the character insight and the more comedic tone the OVA provides. While not required viewing, watch these if you like cute animation and want to learn more about the characters. 

What about Overlord: The Holy Kingdom? 6g453u

The feature film, Overlord: The Holy Kingdom, was released in Japan on Sep. 20, 2024 and in North America on Nov. 8, 2024. The movie adapts the story from volumes 12 and 13 of the manga, thus putting it chronologically after the first four seasons of the show. Technically speaking, the new film fills the gap between episodes seven and eight of season 4. There’s no “right” way to watch Overlord, but we’d recommend either watching the film after episode seven or after you’ve finished the season. The fate of the show likely rests on how well this film performs in the box office, so keep that in mind if you’re a fan — but no pressure.

So how should I watch Overlord? 3eq5x

For someone just jumping into the series to see if they’ll like it, there is no reason not to make things simple and go in chronological order. For those really short on time, the first two movies serving as recaps for the earlier seasons could also be a great way to dip those toes into the anime waters and see if the whole series is worth investing your time in.

However, if season 1 feels like anime perfection after watching it, or that first movie makes the series seem irresistible, consider checking things out in release order. The silly chibi art specials will make much more sense when viewed alongside the proper seasons, after all. Either way, they aren’t necessary to understand the plot in any capacity so skip or enjoy them, your choice!

Overlord is available to stream on Crunchyroll, Funimation, and Hulu.

Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment have now locked in a premiere date for Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom. Have you marked your calendars for the big battle yet?

Originally released in 2010 as a Japanese light novel by Kugane Maruyama, Overlord has since sprouted into a manga and an anime series, conquering audiences in all mediums. But the most popular of all, the anime adaptation by Madhouse debuted in July 2015, followed by three more seasons entertaining audiences with jam-packed action. The series follows Momonga, a regular salaryman (later known as Ainz Ooal Gown), a powerful player trapped in the virtual game Yggdrasil, which eventually becomes his new reality.

The most recent season of Overlord concluded in Sept. 2022, adapting light novel volumes 10, 11, and 14. This left fans wondering about volumes 12 and 13 until Madhouse announced the feature film Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom, set to adapt the two volumes chronicling the Paladin of the Holy Kingdom arc. Now, when is the big day?

Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom release date 5w5a6y

The film will first enter big screens in Japan on Friday, Sept. 20 before moving to the North American theaters seven weeks later. Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom will thus be released on Friday, Nov. 8, in theaters across the United States. It will be released IMAX, and large formats and audiences will have two screening options: English dub or Japanese original audio with English subtitles.

The film marks the first canon film in the franchise, since the first two Overlord movies, Overlord: The Undead King and Overlord: The Dark Hero, were essentially compilations of the ongoing anime seasons. Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom will instead continue the story from where the anime season 4 left off. The official plot synopsis of the film by Crunchyroll is:

“Fearing invasion of their own lands, the neighboring territory of the Slane Theocracy is forced to beg their enemies at the Sorcerer Kingdom for help. Heeding the call, Momonga, now known as the Sorcerer King Ains Ooal Gown, rallies the Sorcerer Kingdom and its undead army to the fight alongside the Sacred Kingdom and the Slane Theocracy in hopes to defeat the Demon Emperor.”

The film is directed by Naoyuki Itou, who also helmed the previous seasons of Overlord. It will showcase Ainz’s involvement in the conflict within the Roble Holy Kingdom, showcasing large-scale battles and deeper moral complexities. Are you tuning in?

For anyone who has ever played an MMORPG, Kugane Maruyama’s Overlord has been a dream adaptation, transforming from a best-selling light novel series to a beloved anime. Following the culmination of four incredible seasons, fans will see Momonga in all of his splendor on big screens soon.

Set inside every gamer’s dream world of a full-dive massively multiplayer online role-playing game, Overlord is the perfect power fantasy of weebs. Though it’s unlikely that you are unaware of who the Overlord Momonga is, we’ll give you a brief into this virtual world for the sake of it. The series takes place inside the game YGGDRASIL, whose virtual world has been transported to another world altogether and its various NPCs become actual living beings when the game servers shut down after an intense twelve-year run.

The hero of our narrative is the leader of one of the strongest guilds in the game, called Ainz Ooal Gown. Out of the original 41 guild players, only one skeletal Lich “Overlord” character named Momonga continues to play the game when the shut-down time arrives. Maintaining their headquarters in The Great Tomb of Nazarick till the end, Momonga gets trapped in the form of his game avatar and explores this new world trying to solve the mystery.

This dark fantasy and isekai anime adapts its story from the top-selling light novel series by Kugane Maruyama. After its debut in July 2015, Overlord concluded its fourth season in Sept. 2022 and covered 14 volumes of the light novel so far. While a fifth season has also been confirmed, an anime movie continuing the story has been announced to be released before season 5. Curious about the details? Here is everything we know:

Overlord: The Holy Kingdom movie release window 4p15z

The Overlord movie was first confirmed to be in production on May 8, 2021, even before the announcement of the anime series’ fourth season. After three years in production, it seems high time for the movie to come out. But do we have a release date yet?

Though we saw the first trailer of the film on the new year day 2024, a release date for the film is still under the covers. However, the second trailer of Overlord: The Holy Kingdom, released on March 22, 2024, unveiled a release window of the film. It is now set to release in Fall 2024.

Overlord: The Holy Kingdom movie plot m4g3s

The anime series skipped adapting the light novel volumes 12 and 13 during its four-season run. Unlike the previous Overlord anime films, The Holy Kingdom is not a recap compilation. Instead, it fills in the empty gaps between Overlord Season 4 episode 7 and 8. It will adapt The Paladin of the Holy Kingdom Arc, the 11th arc in the series.

The storyline of the movie will center on Jaldabaoth’s demi-human invasion of the Roble Holy Kingdom. The Holy Kingdom will enlist Momonga’s assistance in their war effort after realizing the seriousness of the threat to their country.

Is Overlord: The Holy Kingdom movie canon? 6s4kc

The movies released in the Overlord anime series thus far have been compilation films, recapping the events from the first season. However, this is not the case for the The Holy Kingdom movie. It will instead adapt directly from the original light novel volumes 12 and 13. So, the film will be canon to close the loose ends of the anime season 4 plot.

However, given that The Holy Kingdom movie will not be a direct sequel to the anime’s released fourth season, fans can choose to skip it and move directly to the fifth season of the series. But this might leave some questions answered for the viewers. Season 5 of the anime has already been confirmed and will adapt the light novel volumes 15 and 16.

Overlord: The Holy Kingdom movie cast 452d51

Overlord: The Holy Kingdom‘s official returning cast has not been disclosed yet. However, we can confirm the return of some characters based on the substance of the light novel series. These will include Satoshi Hino as Ainz Ooal Gown, Asami Seto as CZ2128 Delta, Masayuki Katō as Jaldabaoth, Yumi Hara as Albedo, Ami Koshimizu as Lakyus Alvein Dale Aindra, and more.

Overlord: The Holy Kingdom movie trailer 6g283c

Two trailers for the movie have been unveiled to ignite curiosity and excitement among fans. You can watch them below:

Trailer 1:

Trailer 2:

Re: Zero, Mushoku Tensei, and Konosuba are all dominating the 2024 anime season, but let’s not forget about the one and only Overlord.

Overlord anime has consistently delivered on its promise of a more morally ambiguous take on the isekai formula. The series has always been a bit of a cult favorite, but a successful movie could help it break through to the mainstream. Sacred Kingdom movie was announced back in 2021, and fans have been eagerly awaiting its release ever since. The film will cover the Paladin of the Holy Kingdom arc from the light novels, giving us a peek into the nefarious schemes of everyone’s favorite sadistic demon, Demiurge.

While Albedo was busy winning hearts and minds (and maybe a few other things) through diplomacy, Demiurge was busy with some twisted behind-the-scenes experiments. For those keeping track, the Demon’s goal is ultimately to expand his lord, Ainz’s territory. With the help of his loyal Floor Guardians, Ainz has already brought the Empire under his sway and even conquered the Re-Estize Kingdom.

But as any good overlord fan knows, there’s always more territory to be claimed. And if the movie’s setting is any indication, it looks like the Roble Holy Kingdom may just be next on Ainz’s hit list.

When is Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom releasing? 2e5k4u

The Overlord movie is slated to hit Japanese theaters sometime in 2024. The official Twitter for the anime recently dropped two new visuals for the movie, confirming the new setting. While the exact release date for the Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom Movie remains under wraps, the good news is that Crunchyroll has already secured the global distribution rights.

Director Naoyuki Ito from Madhouse is back at the helm, promising to deliver all the dark humor, brutal violence, and existential dread that we’ve come to know and love from the series. The movie will also feature an impressive lineup of four new cast as per a tweet on March 22. This includes Yoshi Aoyama as Neia, Hitomi Nabatame as Remedios, Saori Hayami as Calca, and Haruka Tomatsu as Kelart. 

Sacred Kingdom movie is largely separate from the ongoing political machinations of the main series. But even if it doesn’t advance the main storyline in significant ways, it could still provide an opportunity for some behind-the-scenes worldbuilding. Of course, all of this is just speculation at this point until we get to watch the movie in the theaters.

Has Solo Leveling got all your attention this season? Well, we know just the right shows to keep you entertained seven days a week while you wait for new episodes to drop.

Solo Leveling stormed into the anime landscape, rapidly conquered the devotion of every action-fantasy fan, and it’s already a contender for Anime of the Year. This means if you haven’t yet delved into the captivating saga of Sung Jin-woo, we couldn’t suggest a better time to do it.

But if you’re already all caught up with this adventures amidst the realm of hunters and monsters, you must be left with a knack for such gripping narratives. While Solo Leveling is a one-of-a-kind anime diverging from conventional clichés and tropes, a few titles evoke a similar feeling. Here are ten anime that promise to captivate you just as much as Solo Leveling.

1. The Rising of the Shield Hero (2019) 6y4f3q

If underdog anime protagonists inspire you, this 2019 dark fantasy anime will win your heart. Like Sung Jin-woo in Solo Leveling, the main character Naofumi in The Rising of the Shield Hero also experiences hardship and discrimination before becoming a formidable figure when summoned into a parallel world. To make it better, a fourth season of The Rising of the Shield Hero was recently announced in Jan. 2024. So, you’re not running out of Naofumi’s adventures anytime soon.

2. Log Horizon (2013) 1xv5t

The most captivating narrative device in Solo Leveling is Sung Jin-woo’s imprisonment in a world where monsters and dungeons from video games have come to life. The three-season 2013 anime Log Horizon promises a similar premise where players of the MMORPG Elder Tale are inexplicably brought into the game universe. The series also delves into comparable gaming concepts like Solo Leveling‘s leveling up, such as player classes, skills, and combat methods.

3. Goblin Slayer (2018) o5t64

Instead of monsters, the main characters in Goblin Slayer set out on missions to eradicate goblins, encountering many obstacles and perils along the way. The show also delves into dark fantasy themes, examining violence, survival, and the worst sides of human nature. Even though Goblin Slayer doesn’t have extreme undertones, it nonetheless maintains the sense of tension and narrative suspense that Solo Leveling is known for. Goblin Slayer is our pick for viewers seeking a less sentimental story with more excitement!

4. Shangri-La Frontier (2023) 1j3670

Much like the realm of dungeons and monsters in Solo Leveling, the characters in Shangri-La Frontier are transported to a fantasy world complete with levels, stats, and skills. So, character growth and development are central themes in both the anime. If you’re looking for the ideal balance of fantasy and adventure, you might like watching this futuristic anime from last year.

5. Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? (2015) 1y381x

If the anime’s title didn’t strike a similarity already, this fantasy comedy anime is set in a similar fantasy world filled with monsters, dungeons, and magic. While Solo Leveling focuses more on the action part, Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? will make sure to leave you in a jolly mood after every episode. And, whether it’s Bell Cranel forming alliances with other adventurers in a dungeon or Sung Jin-woo teaming up with other hunters, both anime will teach you the value of cooperation.

6. Tower of God (2020) f82u

Before Solo Leveling, another popular South Korean manhwa, Tower of God, was adapted into an incredible anime in June 2020. The series has distinct power structures that propel the narrative and guarantee you never miss the iconic Solo Leveling action. The fights in both series are gripping and strategically interesting, whether it’s Bam taking on lethal challenges inside the Tower or Sung Jin-woo battling formidable monsters. A second season of Tower of God is also set to premiere in July 2024.

7. Overlord (2015) 5d1k33

Ainz Ooal Gown, the overlord in charge of the virtual realm of Yggdrasil will make you forget all about Solo Leveling. If he doesn’t, the series’ themes of ambition and power will undoubtedly bring to mind the hints of Solo Leveling. Either way, Overlord has become the ideal anime for lovers of the dark fantasy subgenre since 2015 and wrapped up its fourth season in 2022. Like Solo Leveling, the show explores the mechanics of a virtual world and features jaw-dropping battles to keep you captivated for the entire four seasons.

8. Sword Art Online (2012) 1g1gi

Players in Sword Art Online are imprisoned within the titular game set in a world known as Aincrad. Like Sung Jin-woo in Solo Leveling, the players in Sword Art Online level up and acquire experience points by slaying monsters and completing objectives. In both narratives, the characters go on exciting adventures that propel the plot; whether clearing dungeons, facing monsters, or discovering hidden mysteries. Despite being a decade old, the anime remains one of the best virtual reality-themed stories out there.

9. The Unwanted Undead Adventurer (2024) 461119

The Unwanted Undead Adventurer recently premiered on Jan. 8, 2024, following the story of Rentt Faina, a 25-year-old Bronze-ranked adventurer. While not very similar to Solo Leveling in of the plot, the anime features captivating fantasy adventures set in a richly imagined world. However, Faina’s character growth will remind you of Sung Jin-woo at times.

10. Hunter X Hunter (2011) 3d6u6g

The Hunter × Hunter material is so good that it was adapted into an anime twice. Whether you want to watch the 62-episode 1999 version or the most recent 148-episode 2011 version, Hunter x Hunter will not leave you bored. The series explores the diverse world of hunters, Nen s, and various factions, and focuses on a young boy named Gon aspiring to become a hunter. Fans of Solo Leveling will also appreciate the strategic depth and complexity of the combat scenes in Hunter X Hunter.

Or, if you just want the real deal, you can watch Solo Levelling as part of a Crunchyroll subscription.

The beloved isekai anime series Overlord wrapped its fourth season in Sept. 2022. Over a year and counting, the series’ fate has been bugging millions of fans waiting for the anime to adapt the final volumes of the original light novel series.

Finding its origins in the Japanese light novel series written by Kugane Maruyama and illustrated by so-bin, Overlord sprouted both a manga and an anime adaptation. Late in July 2022, Maruyama revealed that his light novel series will end with its 18th volume. The novel series is currently standing at 16 volumes, but the announcement has sealed the fate of its manga and anime adaptations.

The anime adaptation by Madhouse first aired between July 7 and Sept. 29, 2015, followed by three more seasons. The fourth and most recent season concluded in Sept. 2022, which adapted the light novel volumes 10, 11, and 14. Now where did volumes 12 and 13 go? A feature film adaptation of the Holy Kingdom Arc, titled Overlord: Holy Kingdom will soon hit the screens in 2024, and cover volumes 12 and 13 of the light novel.

Overlord: Holy Kingdom will serve as a canon sequel to Overlord anime season 4. However, it is also revealed that some elements of the original light novel will be omitted from the movie, meaning that it won’t be a 100% direct adaptation. With all that information, does Overlord season 5 seem likely? And do we have a release date yet?

Is Overlord coming back with season 5? 485f4e

According to the latest updates, Overlord will first return with a film this year, adapting The Paladin of the Holy Kingdom Arc or volumes 12 and 13 of the light novel series. It will center on the demi-human invasion of the Roble Holy Kingdom, spearheaded by Jaldabaoth, who would then recruit Momon’s assistance in their war effort. So those merely looking forward to seeing Overlord again, you’re in luck this year.

That being said, Season 5 is a different conversation. As of now, Madhouse has not made a formal announcement endorsing or denouncing the release of Overlord season 5. This could be due to their preoccupation with the film. Given the positive reception that the first four seasons of the series have received on Crunchyroll, it seems improbable that production will end before season 5.

So, Overlord season 5 is very much possible, just not anytime soon. To the speculation, Madhouse will have its hands on four light novel volumes to make season 5 as soon as the final two volumes of the novel series are released. Currently, there are only two already-released volumes to adapt into anime, and the production company might be waiting for more.

While nothing is set in stone yet, Overlord season 5 will likely come out sometime in 2025 or early 2026. There is no release date yet, but chances are that we will see the series conclude with at least one more season, unlike the many ill-fates series that are halted before a well-deserved finale.

With the third season of The Rising of the Shield Hero coming to a close, and no release date for the fourth announced yet, isekai anime fans are understandably starved.

The isekai genre is full of fantastical worlds and underdog characters. It also helps that there’s a certain relatability to most of the protagonists. Just like Naofumi Iwatami, most of us want to feel strong, respected, and loved. Thankfully, there are other anime to binge through, each boasting their own exciting worlds, and protagonists worth rooting for. 

Arifureta: From Common Place to World’s Strongest 1f516a

Just like in Shield Hero, Hajime Nagumo is summoned to a new world alongside a group of his classmates. While they are all tasked with slaying evil demons and saving the world, Hajime inherits the weakest hero class of the group. However, he soon learns how to level up his power to become a mighty hero. 

Sword Art Online 95a41

A staple of the isekai genre, Sword Art Online follows Kirito as he and fifty thousand other people are dropped into a video game where the only way to exit is to win. Death in the game means real-life death, so players must be vigilant and crafty to stay alive. 

Fate/Grand Order: Absolute Demonic Front Babylonia 5x5b1w

While most entries in the Fate series follow a standard Holy Grail War format, Babylonia follows Fujimaru and Mash, of the Grand Order, as they travel to ancient Babylon to retrieve the final Holy Grail and fix the singularities caused by the evil King Solomon. The two encounter King Gilgamesh and have to help the residents of Uruk defeat all kinds of evil. 

Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World 3m6yg

Re:Zero mirrors Shield Hero as it follows a protagonist who, even after being transported to a new world, is still relatively weak. When Subaru Natsuki finds himself in a strange new world, he discovers that he now has the ability to wake up a few hours in the past every time he is killed. His power comes with the catch that the pain of his several deaths never leaves him, but he decides to use it to help his new friends. 

Saga of Tanya the Evil 3w73d

A nameless salaryman is transported to a war-torn, magic-infused past at the moment of his death in the body of a girl named Tanya, who is condemned to hell. Tanya decides to the army and rise through the ranks to get to a position so high that her safety is secured, leading to a ruthless quest for power acquisition. 

Overlord  r3x4t

Overlord follows Satoru Suzuki, who goes from leading a guild in a video game to inhabiting his character in the game, with no memory of how he fell into it. As he slowly begins to embody his character, we see Satoru grow stronger not only physically but also mentally as he embraces the darker and more calculating aspects of Ainz OOal Gown, the lord of Nazerisk. 

Jobless Reincarnation 6un59

Jobless Reincarnation follows a nameless man, who, after a meaningless life, sacrifices himself to save someone and dies. Instead of nothingness, he wakes up in a magical world with all his memories of his past life. With the advantage of an adult mind, he names himself Rudeus Greyrat and is determined to make this new life count, learning magic and swordplay at an advanced rate, and gaining immense power. 

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime 126pd

Boring salaryman Satoru Mikami is reincarnated in a fantasy world as a slime creature. In a classic isekai trope, while he is initially believed to be weak and underpowered, he finds out that his slime abilities include the ability to absorb people’s powers, quickly allowing him to power up as he navigates the new world. 

No Game, No Life 1b305

A common style of isekai anime is having characters be transported to the world of their favorite games. In No Game No Life, the best gamers in the world are transported to a new world where gaming determines every choice. Sora and Shiro must navigate this unknown world where life and death hang in the balance of games.

Bofuri: I Don’t Want to Get Hurt Anymore So I’ll Max Out my Power 4u6m2o

With all the attack-based anime out there, Bofuri is all about defense. The series follows Kaede Honjo who can’t stand to take any damage in the video game she plays. This leads to her only using a shield and pouring all her resources into reinforcing that shield. The anime is full of unorthodox and creative fighting styles, as she prioritizes her amazing defensive abilities. 

Since 2014, fans of The Seven Deadly Sins have been taken on a large emotional roller coaster, as Meliodas and the gang fought to clear the name. While the beloved anime is indeed over, a spin-off, Four Knights of the Apocalypse arrives in October. Will that be enough to fill the void? Some fans aren’t so sure. One thing’s for certain, and it’s that Percival, who Meliodas es the baton to, seems like a worthy protagonist. 

However, even after Four Knights, more shōnen adventure is still required. There’s nothing quite like a young protagonist leading his friends into multiple battles and emerging victorious. That’s why this list of anime shows similar to The Seven Deadly Sins is necessary. It’ll serve to keep the momentum going, and introduce some exciting new anime characters you can’t help but root for. 

Kiznaiver 1w6559

Kiznaiver has a unique plot that would pique any otaku’s interests. The mini-series also has just 12 episodes, making for a truly thrilling binge watch. Kiznaiver takes place during the summer in a futuristic world. A group of teenagers are brought in to be experimented on in an effort to facilitate world peace. The experiment, however, is rather ghastly, and links the teenagers’ pain receptors together. So when one “Kiznaiver” is hurt, everyone linked feels it. Naturally, things begin to spiral out of control soon after.

Hunter X Hunter ha37

Hunter X Hunter is one of the most recommended anime of all time, especially for beginners. The series follows the lovable Gon Freecss, who ventures out to become a hunter, as well as find his father, one of the world’s most top ranked hunters. On his journey, he befriends other aspiring hunters, and together, they face a hoard of challenges along the way. 

Dorohedoro 1b2i5l

Sorcery and experimentation collide in Dorohedoro, an anime about a somewhat dystopian city that houses evil magic s. The city, called “the Hole,” is a hotspot for sorcerers who experiment on the innocent and leave them greatly disfigured. When Caiman ends up with a reptile head, he s forces with the full human, Niakidou, to hunt and kill the sorcerers and get his original look back. 

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood 5z6e5b

Would it even be a list of determined protagonists if Edward and Alphonse Eric didn’t make an appearance? Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood follows the now-iconic duo who venture out to restore their physical bodies after an experiment gone wrong. It remains one of the most lauded anime ever, with a gripping storyline, brilliantly written characters, and incredible action sequences. 

YuYu Hakusho  1hu22

YuYu Hakusho is another anime that deals with correcting previous wrongs. When a young delinquent, Yusuke Urameshi, is killed while trying to save a young girl, he is given another chance at life. However, he must continue on as a spirit detective and make new friends in the spirit world, in order to keep demons from constantly wreaking havoc.

Cowboy Bebop 5z6z6z

With just 26 episodes, Cowboy Bebop is one of the most fulfilling anime to binge through. Much like The Seven Deadly Sins, the iconic anime follows a group of underrated heroes who band together to defeat the actual criminals. Cowboy Bebop is widely heralded as one of the best anime in existence. Between its writing, action, and funky music, there’s more than enough to entertain.

Plunderer  382f4y

Plunderer ventures into psychological thriller territory during its 24-episode run. The anime takes place in a dystopian world where one’s life is linked to a “Count.” When the “Count” gets to zero, that life is sent to the Abyss. However, a young girl named Hina soon begins to discover that the world she lives in houses many dark secrets. 

InuYasha 2h1u23

InuYasha is an older, but much appreciated anime about an epic adventure. When Lagome Higurashi is transported to the past, she encounters a half-boy, half-demon named Inuyasha. Although they butt heads at first, they unite on a journey to find the pieces of a very powerful jewel. Along the way, they face many obstacles and must rely on one another to make it through. 

Fairy Tail 53261w

The Seven Deadly Sins and Fairy Tail are quite similar, thematically. The former is a magical tale about a band of aspiring top-ranking wizards who are enrolled in the titular guild. Together, these wizards train and become stronger, encountering many challenges, and sticking with each other through it all.

Overlord 6o1l5u

Set in a dystopian 2126, Overlord is an isekai anime that follows Momonga, an office worker who logs into an old game for the last time. However, things take an unexpected turn when, instead of being logged out, he is transported to another reality. Now, he must venture on with his gaming guild to see all this new world has in store for them.

Ever thought what you’d do if you had the chance to keep your memories and start a new magical life? Well, that’s pretty much the plot of Jobless Reincarnation.

The fantasy comedy anime follows the protagonist Rudeus Greyrat as he’s plunged into a brand new world. Magic and adventure are its central focus, but the anime offers so much more. Even though it’s still fairly new, it’s become a huge hit, especially for fans of the beloved isekai subgenre. If being transported to other worlds sounds like your cup of tea, Jobless Reincarnation is a pretty hilarious watch. However, if you’re done with the anime, or simply crave a similar feel, these 10 entries are also the way to go!

Grimgar, Ashes and Illusions 193iw

This dark fantasy anime delves into the lives of a group of strangers who find themselves in a mysterious fantasy world. After waking up in this new world, our protagonist, Haruhiro, finds himself surrounded by people who have no memory of where they came from, or how they got there. With no other choice but to survive at all costs, the group bands together to fight monsters in order to get stronger and earn money.

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This supernatural mystery anime is set in a world of magic and demons. It explores the life of high school student Chise Hatori, an orphan who sells herself at an auction due to being ostracized by society. She is bought by Elias Ainsworth, a tall humanoid with an animal skull as his head. Chise soon becomes the apprentice and bride of this magus.

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This reverse isekai anime brings the Demon Lord of a mythical world to a world without magic. The series follows Satan, a tyrannical demon lord who seeks to conquer the world of Ente Isla. He is forced to retreat when he is nearly defeated by the hero Emilia. Satan escapes through a gate that transports him to modern-day Japan. In order to survive and return to Ente Isla, Satan takes on a new name and becomes a part-timer at a fast-food restaurant.

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The Faraway Paladin tells the story of a young man named Will, who is reborn as a child in a world of magic and swords. He lives in a ruined city of the dead and is the only human to exist there. Raised by three undead, Will grows up with an unending stream of love and care but soon enough, he begins to wonder about his identity. He embarks on a journey to find out who he is and to uncover the secrets of the undead.

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This anime explores adapting to a new world with strategic thinking. Sibling duo Sora and Shiro suffer from severe social withdrawal and rely on playing games to retain their sanity. The two play under the gamer name Blank, an undefeated group of gamers. One day, Shiro and Sora are transported to a world where everything is decided by games, a wonderland for the siblings. To keep up their reputation, the duo decided to conquer the games and this new world.

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Re:Zero tells the story of Subaru Natsuki, an unemployed man who is suddenly summoned into a magical world. Not long after arriving, Subaru is killed by a group of thugs while trying to help a half-elf woman named Emilia. After his miraculous self-resurrection, he discovers that he has the power to return from the dead. Subaru befriends Emilia and makes use of his gift to help her achieve her dream.

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This anime focuses on the players of a popular virtual reality MMORPG game named Sword Art Online who find themselves trapped inside the game. The story follows a player named Kazuto “Kirito” Kirigaya, who logs into the game alongside 10 thousand other players but is unable to log out. It is then revealed that the player must beat all 100 levels of the game to escape, but shockingly, in-game deaths mean death in real life.

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Overlord follows the life of Momonga, a skeletal Lich character in a full-dive MMORPG game called Yggdrasil. After 12 years of running, the game is set to shut down completely and Momonga decides to stay until the servers shut down. When the shutdown completes, he realizes that the game doesn’t end but becomes his new reality. Trapped in this game, he embarks on a journey to find other players like him.

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Would it be anime if it didn’t have a weird title? That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime follows the adventures of Rimuru, a 37-year-old who dies and is reborn as a powerful slime in a fantasy world. Upon his arrival, he crosses paths with a powerful dragon named Veldora. After he consumes Veldora, Rimuru becomes a powerful leader and establishes the nation of Tempest.

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In this anime series, the protagonist is summoned to another world. Naofumi Iwatani, alongside three other characters, is called away to a fantasy world and given the task of being heroes. Naofumi becomes the Shield Hero who is the most disliked for being useless in battle. He is forced to care and fend for himself in this unfamiliar world.

Back in the days before his number one goal became stealing Warner Bros.’ money without actually delivering anything to justify the company’s investment, J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot used to have a nice sideline in churning out top-notch genre movies, with Overlord standing out among the pack.

Even though there were rumors in the buildup to its release that the World War II adventure would be the latest secret entry in the Cloverfield franchise, it turned out to be a more than solid standalone action thriller. Of course, it also happens to be completely off-the-rails insane, with the opening act giving Saving Private Ryan vibes before it evolves into something closer to The Thing.

It was a bold swing for the fences from director Julius Avery, but one he pulled off with aplomb after Overlord won strong reviews and wasted no time in cementing itself as a stone-cold cult favorite. However, it did suffer the ignominy of bombing hard at the box office by barely recouping its $38 million budget in ticket sales, even if a long-lasting second life is a decent enough substitute.

To that end, the rollicking romp behind enemy lines that takes an unexpectedly gnarly detour into creature feature territory has been dropping bombs on the streaming charts all over again, with FlixPatrol naming it as one of the most-watched titles on iTunes all week. It may have flopped the first time around, but we can at least sleep safely in the knowledge that Overlord will continue winning over new converts with its one-of-a-kind wartime antics for a long time to come.

As far as genre mashups go, they don’t come more batsh*t insane and brilliantly bonkers than the deliriously demented 2018 cult favorite Overlord, which decided to throw science fiction, action, creature features, and war epics into the mix to create a delicious stew of insanity.

Director Julius Avery balances the tone perfectly, which isn’t an easy task when any one element of the World War II thriller could easily have overpowered the other in the wrong hands. The plot is remarkably simple, with a group of American soldiers finding themselves trapped behind enemy lines right on the cusp of D-Day, before they uncover a secretive research facility that’s harboring dark, dangerous, and grotesque secrets – but the beauty is in the maniacal execution.

Despite strong reviews from critics and positive notices from audiences, though, Overlord was a huge box office bomb after earning less than $42 million on a $38 million budget. It’s been a strong performer on-demand ever since, to be fair, with the appreciation society back out in force on Reddit to celebrate the unhinged joys of the unbridled imagination on show.

Even the opening set piece, which has absolutely nothing to do with blood, guts, and gore as the main cast of characters take to the skies en route to their planned destination, is a phenomenal example of parachuting viewers right into the maelstrom of noise, pyrotechnics, and bullet-riddled shenanigans to come.

It’s a real shame Overlord ended up in the red, then, but a long-lasting second life is a more than suitable compromise in the long run.

Dumping several genres into the filmmaking blender at once and then throwing the results onscreen can often end in disaster, but sometimes we end up with a movie like Julius Avery’s Overlord, which is so demented that you can’t help but find yourself caught up in the sheer insanity of it all.

Inspired as much by Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan as it is the classic body horrors of John Carpenter’s 1980s heyday, the Bad Robot mashup delivers old school thrills by bolting a gruesome tale of science gone mad to the bones of a relatively straightforward World War II shoot ’em up.

A band of disparate personalities all fighting side-by-side for the American armed forces find themselves stranded behind enemy lines on the eve of D-Day, but they end up getting a lot more than they bargained for after stumbling upon a top-secret facility that acts as the base of operations for ungodly experiments.

Overlord opens with a bang, and the first act’s airborne action sequence is an incredible blend of sound design, visual effects and a very real sense that everything you’re witnessing couldn’t possibly go more wrong, but that’s only a mere appetizer for the sheer bedlam that follows.

Despite winning strong reviews from critics, though, Overlord turned out to be a box office disappointment after barely recouping the $38 million budget from theaters. However, the film has already found long-lasting life as a cult favorite, and it’s in the midst of yet another renaissance on streaming.

As per FlixPatrol, Overlord has scored a bounty of Top 10 finishes on the platform’s most-watched list covering several continents, as if you needed any more proof that subscribers are never going to grow tired of horror.