Overlord began as a light novel series in 2012 written by Kugane Maruyama with illustrations by so-bin before being adapted by writer Satoshi Ōshio and artist Hugin Miyama to manga, finally becoming an anime beginning in 2015 and currently three seasons in. This isakei (a work about a "normal" person from Earth being transported/reincarnated/you name it to a different, fantastical world) takes place in the year 2126 and centers around a Dive Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (DMMORPG) Yggdrasil.
After 12 years the servers are shutting down, and the player "Momonga" (later "Ainz Ooal Gown") stays for the final countdown in his guildhall. However, instead of shutting down when the timer ends, Momonga finds himself trapped in the game with NPCs that have come alive! With so many characters and viewers, Overlord has more than its fair share of fan art. Today, we're spotlighting 10 pieces of awesome fan art we love, with full credit and links given to the creator's since they make these works possible!
10 Albedo and Ainz (Momonga)
Created by ofSkySociety, whose DeviantArt is filled with beautiful anime paintings ranging from Demon Slayer to That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, features the Overlord himself behind the beautiful Albedo. Albedo, a succubus obsessed with her dear Lord Ainz, is seen here wielding her main weapon.
This battle-ax is actually transformed from Albedo's world item, "Ginnungagap", which is capable of great destruction. World Items are the most powerful items in the world of Yggdrasil. The name "Ginnungagap" actually comes from the primordial void in the Norse creation myth. You can see the full process step-by-step creation of this portrait on the ofSkySociety Instagram.
9 Ainz And The Guardians
Created by AsakuraShinji, this fan art features Ainz and the guardians of his tomb. From left to right it goes Demiurge, Sebas, Albedo, Momonga (Ainz), Shalltear, Aura, Mare, and Cocytus. The background features the throne room often portrayed in the anime, which is where Ainz found himself after the shutdown and in his new reality.
The attention to detail is great, with the symbols on the flags in the background that are visible matching the show. Even the characters have all their frills, from Demiurge's wings and tail to Ainz's multi-colored rings and staff. The artist has numerous digital art ranging from fanart to original art.
8 Ainz And The Guardians "Metal Cover"
Another group shot, this image by Cecil2235 on Imgur has a metal album cover feel to it. The picture features Ainz with Demiurge, Aura, Mare, and Cocytus on his left and Sebas, Albedo and Shalltear on his right. The unnatural glow from all the characters' eyes gives the piece an ominous feel to it, especially with the blue fire rising from the bottom of the image.
Ainz stands front and center with an aura radiating from his one hand while he holds his staff, the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown, with the other. This staff is a symbol of his guild, which bears the same name, and it's a powerful weapon that only Ainz can use to cast high-level spells.
7 Albedo With An Ainz Body Pillow
Created by Zumi Draws, this hyperrealistic illustration of Albedo is gorgeous. It features Albedo holding her body pillow of Lord Ainz, which is featured in a scene lovingly cradled by Albedo in Overlord Season 1 Episode 6 (2015). The intricate details and cut of her dress match the source material perfectly.
Albedo is even wearing a sparkling red ring, a reference to the Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown that Ainz gives Albedo. The ring was originally given to the members of the guild to show their affiliation. After everyone in the guild left and the game world became Ainz's new reality, Ainz started giving the rings to his servants as proof of their loyalty to him.
6 Pleiades
Created by MgMn オーバーロード(プレアデス), this adorable set of paper cutout looking imagery features the Pleiades of Overlord. These are the combat maid squad of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, the team that was originally intended to be the last line of defense in the Tomb, meaning their power is astounding. From left to right, the set shows CZ Delta, Solution Epsilon, Yuri Alpha, Narberal Gamma, Entoma Vasilissa Zeta, and Lupusregina Beta.
The word Pleiades actually comes from an open star cluster referred to as Seven Sisters and Messier 45. They also appear in Greek mythology as the seven daughters of the Titan Atlas and the Oceanid Pleione.
5 Aura and Mare
This adorable piece of Aura and Mare fan art was created by @sunakoart. Aura and Mare are twin dark elf floor guardians that couldn't be more different, which is reflected in their subtle differences in the artwork--from their canonical clothes to their expressions, which extend to their ears.
While Aura (left) has her ears perked up with a full-toothed smile, indicating her boisterous and outgoing nature, Mare (right) has his ears turned down and a subtle smile, indicating his quiet and shy nature. A running gag is a confusion caused by Mare's outfit--put in a dress by his creator, Bukubukuchagama, Mare was intended by the creator to be a "trap", which is a trope in anime where a character that looks like a girl is actually a boy.
4 Pair of Ainz Ooal Gown Pieces
This pair of art pieces from ariirf both depict versions of Ainz Ooal Gown. The one on the left shows his true Elder Lich form. The heart he holds in his hand is a reference to the high 9th tier spell he can perform, an instant-death spell called Grasp Heart.
This is supposedly Ainz Ooal Gown's favorite spell, which does pretty much what it says: allows the user to grab their opponent's heart so they can crush it. The one on the right shows Ainz in his Momon disguise armor, which he uses to blend in as a "hero" while quietly taking over the world as Ainz Ooal Gown.
3 Demiurge Unmasked
This piece of Demiurge fan art was created by zsanjiani. This painting is part of a series done by the artist of Overlord characters ranging from Momon, Seba, Cocytus, Shalltear, Albedo and more. It features him taking off the mask he used while pretending to be Jaldabaoth, a demon general who led his minions on a violent mission torching the Royal Capital of the Re-Estize Kingdom. Behind him are the masked combat maids Yuri Alpha and CZ Delta.
Demiurge is one of the more dangerous and cruel members of the Tomb of Nazerick. His favorite pastimes including performing experiments on prisoners held in the Tomb.
2 Shalltear Bloodfallen
ADSouta created this portrait of Shalltear Bloodfallen. The image helps capture her evil side, highlighting her gleaming red eyes and sharp teeth, as well as her haughty side, with her hand raised towards her mouth in a mocking gesture.
Shalltear is a Floor Guardian responsible for the first three floors in the Tomb of Nazarick. She is constantly arguing with Albedo over the affections of Lord Ainz. Don't let the frills fool you! As a True Vampire, she can transform into a horrific bloodsucker who transforms her victims into her servants.
1 Princess Renner
This painting of Princess Renner by Olalehee really brings out her dark side! While Princess Renner may seem sweet and innocent, she is the ultimate definition of a two-faced monster. Full name Renner Theiere Chardelon Ryle Vaiself (and try saying that three times fast), she is the youngest daughter of King Ramposa III and the Third Princess of the Re-Estize Kingdom.
Her highness is a secret yandere that harbors a disturbing obsession with her knight Climb. Completely clueless, Climb will do anything for her, and she secretly refers to him as her "puppy". Good luck to that poor unfortunate soul.