‹ Home

Overlord watch order

When a VR game shuts down, its last player stays logged in and finds himself trapped in its world as Ainz Ooal Gown, an all-powerful undead sorcerer with an army of loyal NPCs. Based on Kugane Maruyama's light novels, told largely from the villains' side.

First time? Watch Seasons I to IV in order, then the film The Sacred Kingdom. Skip the 2017 recap films and treat the Ple Ple Pleiades shorts as optional extras.

First-timer order

The four TV seasons, then The Sacred Kingdom. The film was made after Season IV and works as its follow-up, even though its events happen partway through.

  1. Overlord TV, 2015, 13 episodes

    Ainz settles into the new world, saves Carne Village, goes undercover as the adventurer Momon in E-Rantel, and faces a mind-controlled Shalltear. Covers light novels 1–3.

  2. Overlord II TV, 2018, 13 episodes

    Nazarick's war on the Lizardmen (1–5), Sebas and the Eight Fingers crime syndicate in the royal capital (6–9), and a demon attack on the capital (10–13). Light novels 4–6.

  3. Overlord III TV, 2018, 13 episodes

    A day in Nazarick and Enri's Carne Village (1–5), workers raiding Nazarick (6–8), then the Empire's alliance and the massacre on the Katze Plains (9–13). Light novels 7–9, with 8 shown before 7.

  4. Overlord IV TV, 2022, 13 episodes

    Ainz rules as Sorcerer King, the Empire submits, Ainz visits the Dwarf Kingdom, and the Re-Estize Kingdom falls. Light novels 10, 11 and 14.

  5. The Sacred Kingdom Movie, 2024

    Adapts light novels 12–13, which the TV series skipped: the Roble Holy Kingdom is invaded by the demon Jaldabaoth and turns to Ainz for help. A 135-minute film by the TV staff.

Story order

The Sacred Kingdom film goes after Season IV episode 8, which is where most guides place it (a few say after episode 7). The recap films and comedy shorts are left out.

  1. Overlord TV, 2015, 13 episodes

    Ainz settles into the new world, saves Carne Village, goes undercover as the adventurer Momon in E-Rantel, and faces a mind-controlled Shalltear. Covers light novels 1–3.

  2. Overlord II TV, 2018, 13 episodes

    Nazarick's war on the Lizardmen (1–5), Sebas and the Eight Fingers crime syndicate in the royal capital (6–9), and a demon attack on the capital (10–13). Light novels 4–6.

  3. Overlord III TV, 2018, 13 episodes

    A day in Nazarick and Enri's Carne Village (1–5), workers raiding Nazarick (6–8), then the Empire's alliance and the massacre on the Katze Plains (9–13). Light novels 7–9, with 8 shown before 7.

  4. Overlord IV, episodes 1–8 TV, 2022, 8 episodes

    The Sorcerous Kingdom's first days and the Empire's scheming (1–4), then Ainz's trip to the Dwarf Kingdom (5–8).

  5. The Sacred Kingdom Movie, 2024

    Adapts light novels 12–13, which the TV series skipped: the Roble Holy Kingdom is invaded by the demon Jaldabaoth and turns to Ainz for help. A 135-minute film by the TV staff.

  6. Overlord IV, episodes 9–13 TV, 2022, 5 episodes

    Nazarick's war on the Re-Estize Kingdom and the fall of its royal capital.

Release order

Everything in the order it came out. The Ple Ple Pleiades shorts ran alongside each season from 2015 to 2022.

  1. Overlord TV, 2015, 13 episodes

    Ainz settles into the new world, saves Carne Village, goes undercover as the adventurer Momon in E-Rantel, and faces a mind-controlled Shalltear. Covers light novels 1–3.

  2. Ple Ple Pleiades (optional) Special, 2015–22

    Chibi comedy shorts that accompanied each season, plus a few extra sets. Non-canon parody. Optional.

  3. Ple Ple Pleiades: Nazarick's Greatest Crisis (optional) OVA, 2016

    A longer chibi comedy episode bundled with a light novel volume. Non-canon. Optional.

  4. The Undead King (optional) Movie, 2017

    A compilation film of roughly the first half of Season I, with only a little new footage. Skip it if you've watched the season.

  5. The Dark Hero (optional) Movie, 2017

    A compilation film of Season I's second half (about episodes 8–13). Skip it if you've watched the season.

  6. Overlord II TV, 2018, 13 episodes

    Nazarick's war on the Lizardmen (1–5), Sebas and the Eight Fingers crime syndicate in the royal capital (6–9), and a demon attack on the capital (10–13). Light novels 4–6.

  7. Overlord III TV, 2018, 13 episodes

    A day in Nazarick and Enri's Carne Village (1–5), workers raiding Nazarick (6–8), then the Empire's alliance and the massacre on the Katze Plains (9–13). Light novels 7–9, with 8 shown before 7.

  8. Overlord IV TV, 2022, 13 episodes

    Ainz rules as Sorcerer King, the Empire submits, Ainz visits the Dwarf Kingdom, and the Re-Estize Kingdom falls. Light novels 10, 11 and 14.

  9. The Sacred Kingdom Movie, 2024

    Adapts light novels 12–13, which the TV series skipped: the Roble Holy Kingdom is invaded by the demon Jaldabaoth and turns to Ainz for help. A 135-minute film by the TV staff.

Explained

Do I need the 2017 movies?

No. The Undead King and The Dark Hero retell Season I with only a few new seconds of footage. They came out before Season II as a recap.

Where does The Sacred Kingdom go?

Its story happens during Season IV, around episode 8, because the TV series skipped light novels 12–13 and jumped to volume 14. Most guides put it after episode 8. Watching it after Season IV, as it was released, is also fine.

What is Ple Ple Pleiades?

A series of chibi comedy shorts starring Nazarick's maids and guardians, released with each season, plus a few extras. They're non-canon parody. Overlord also appears in Isekai Quartet, a chibi crossover with KonoSuba, Re:Zero and Saga of Tanya the Evil.

Will there be a Season 5?

Nothing has been announced as of autumn 2026. The light novels continue past what the anime has adapted, so there's material for more.