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REVIEW: Overlord Novel 1


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Bisuketto



Joined: 09 Mar 2005
Posts: 153
Location: Middle America
PostPosted: Wed Jun 08, 2016 11:56 am Reply with quote
There were a couple translation snafu's (like spoiler[Shalltear being called a rabbit instead of lamprey while arguing with Albedo] and spoiler[the goal of the theocracy being to resurrect the chaos dragon rather than hampering/preparing for]) but overall Yen Press did a pretty good job on Volume 1.
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Merxamers



Joined: 09 Dec 2013
Posts: 720
PostPosted: Wed Jun 08, 2016 11:57 am Reply with quote
Interesting to see them go all-out on the physical release for these light novels. I guess they found out how popular this series was while streaming, and expected this to be a hit? Anyway, the art does look pretty nice; not sure i'll pick it up physically, but i'll probably at least get the kindle version.

I'm curious to know what other people thought about the anime. I enjoyed it very much when i marathoned it a while back, but i can't help but look back and see all its "problematic" elements. The big emotional climax of the series is Momongaspoiler[ crushing a woman to death, slowly, in his arms], in an event only made to seem reasonable by a series of completely unnecessaryspoiler[ fridge deaths]. And yeah, there's the inevitable fantasy-world tropes that pop up, like the harem/team of dedicated, unconditionally loving, and subservient underlings, and the main character being incredibly overpowered compared to anything else in that world. I thought that in execution, most of this stuff wasn't so bad, but i can't deny that it's there.

It's really made me consider the acceptability of liking "problematic" stuff, especially when I read things like Rise of the Shield Hero. The only conclusion I can draw right now is that sometimes it's ok to enjoy junkfood, as long as you don't try to convince yourself that it's fine dining.
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Bisuketto



Joined: 09 Mar 2005
Posts: 153
Location: Middle America
PostPosted: Wed Jun 08, 2016 12:07 pm Reply with quote
Merxamers wrote:


I'm curious to know what other people thought about the anime. I enjoyed it very much when i marathoned it a while back, but i can't help but look back and see all its "problematic" elements.

It's really made me consider the acceptability of liking "problematic" stuff, especially when I read things like Rise of the Shield Hero. The only conclusion I can draw right now is that sometimes it's ok to enjoy junkfood, as long as you don't try to convince yourself that it's fine dining.


There are quiet a few "problematic" elements in the novels mostly spurned on by specific characters spoiler[See: Demiurge with his "animals," parchment creation processes, and general experiments].

That's not to say its limited to specific characters, there are several unkind elements to the story done by everyone--even by the humans of the New World.
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belvadeer





PostPosted: Wed Jun 08, 2016 12:23 pm Reply with quote
When I saw this at B&N the other day, I was hoping it was the actual manga before I noticed it was a novel.

Edit: I stand corrected. The manga is coming too.


Last edited by belvadeer on Wed Jun 08, 2016 2:25 pm; edited 1 time in total
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myskaros



Joined: 13 Jun 2011
Posts: 598
Location: J-Novel Club
PostPosted: Wed Jun 08, 2016 12:38 pm Reply with quote
belvadeer wrote:
When I saw this at B&N the other day, I was hoping it was the actual manga before I noticed it was a novel. I guess I shouldn't hold my breath since I've been told the manga is depicted with quite a bit more gruesome and disturbing content than anything the anime showed us. (Though, in that case, wouldn't they just put it in a plastic wrap with a warning about the content?)

Manga is coming end of the month.

animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-10-10/yen-press-adds-space-dandy-dimension-w-overlord-boy-and-the-beast/.94051
http://www.rightstufanime.com/Overlord-Manga-Volume-1

And I wouldn't say it's particularly gruesome compared to the anime... I mean, it's vaguely more graphic in its visual depiction of body parts, but it's not straight-up gore. I doubt it will have shrink wrap. Tomodachi Monster is probably worse as far as gore content and that doesn't have shrink wrap.
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Alan45
Village Elder



Joined: 25 Aug 2010
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Location: Virginia
PostPosted: Wed Jun 08, 2016 12:49 pm Reply with quote
I don't think I've ever seen anything shrink-wrapped for violence or gore, just sex and nudity.
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Gemnist



Joined: 10 Feb 2016
Posts: 1756
PostPosted: Wed Jun 08, 2016 1:04 pm Reply with quote
Still waiting for the dub for the show - give J Michael Tatum the lead!
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belvadeer





PostPosted: Wed Jun 08, 2016 2:05 pm Reply with quote
myskaros wrote:
animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-10-10/yen-press-adds-space-dandy-dimension-w-overlord-boy-and-the-beast/.94051
http://www.rightstufanime.com/Overlord-Manga-Volume-1

And I wouldn't say it's particularly gruesome compared to the anime... I mean, it's vaguely more graphic in its visual depiction of body parts, but it's not straight-up gore. I doubt it will have shrink wrap. Tomodachi Monster is probably worse as far as gore content and that doesn't have shrink wrap.


Thanks for the info. I must have missed that article last year.
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Whis-pur



Joined: 26 Jul 2015
Posts: 131
PostPosted: Wed Jun 08, 2016 5:11 pm Reply with quote
Doesn't cover much ground? Doesn't it like, cover the first half of the anime? Plus with Light Novels they never cover much ground to begin with.
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CrownKlown



Joined: 05 May 2011
Posts: 1762
PostPosted: Wed Jun 08, 2016 9:29 pm Reply with quote
Whis-pur wrote:
Doesn't cover much ground? Doesn't it like, cover the first half of the anime? Plus with Light Novels they never cover much ground to begin with.


Its the opposite way, it even says in the article the light novel came first. Its not that the light novel never covers ground or only covers part of the anime, its that the anime covers the light novel and to many often too quickly.
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ichii_1



Joined: 02 Sep 2014
Posts: 151
PostPosted: Wed Jun 08, 2016 9:43 pm Reply with quote
Overlord is more of a Character Driven story than plot based one.
Detailed descriptions and subtle future hints are abound but do not defer in the enjoyment even for a reader who does not like reading that much.
The characters are all well characterized and developed even for those who do not have much screen time since the direct writing style really brings out the personalities in a clear and concise manner.

If is something to compare it to it would be Tolkien books.
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TarsTarkas



Joined: 20 Dec 2007
Posts: 5823
Location: Virginia, United States
PostPosted: Wed Jun 08, 2016 11:09 pm Reply with quote
The reviewer didn't note, that the novel is available on the Kindle. That is where I first saw it and bought it.

I thought the novel made a nice companion piece to the anime, that I am sure to pick up also.
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Calsolum



Joined: 11 May 2010
Posts: 898
PostPosted: Thu Jun 09, 2016 12:01 am Reply with quote
heh i bought this the moment my local chapter stocked it and idk if they only stocked 1 but it was the only one left in the store. Im a bit sad that it doesnt cover more of the anime but i suppose thats to be expected given the length of pages, i actually started reading the baka tsuki fan translated version after i randomly found the manga and couldnt wait for more updates. I stopped about a chapter after the spoiler[lizard people get introduced ] when i found out yen press had licensed it.

Man the hardcover treatment feels so nice, it makes it feel like a novel and not just a light novel.
I hope more books get this treatment... but my wallet would hurt since its a bit more pricey
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Key
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Joined: 03 Nov 2003
Posts: 18178
Location: Indianapolis, IN (formerly Mimiho Valley)
PostPosted: Thu Jun 09, 2016 3:56 pm Reply with quote
ichii_1 wrote:
If is something to compare it to it would be Tolkien books.

While I do like what I've seen/read of the franchise so far, it is not even remotely comparable to Tolkein works. They are two very, very different types of fantasy series.
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myskaros



Joined: 13 Jun 2011
Posts: 598
Location: J-Novel Club
PostPosted: Thu Jun 09, 2016 5:18 pm Reply with quote
Key wrote:
ichii_1 wrote:
If is something to compare it to it would be Tolkien books.

While I do like what I've seen/read of the franchise so far, it is not even remotely comparable to Tolkein works. They are two very, very different types of fantasy series.

Agreed; Overlord is less liable to put me to sleep Wink

SHOTS FIRED!
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