12 Anime Like Overlord June 2026
Overlord fans love watching a max-level player trapped in his MMORPG body methodically build a sinister undead empire as the overpowered, morally-grey villain protagonist Ainz Ooal Gown. The appeal is a dark isekai power fantasy where the 'hero' is actually the conquering antagonist, ruling over loyal monstrous minions with cold strategy. Every recommendation below appears across multiple independent "anime like Overlord" lists and community threads — consensus picks first, with the exact reason each one matches. Last verified June 26, 2026.
💖 The list, ranked
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1
The Saga of Tanya the Evil
A ruthless reincarnated salaryman-turned-child soldier schemes and conquers exactly like Ainz, with the same dark humor and morally-grey calculation.
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2
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
An overpowered reincarnated adult builds a thriving monster nation with fiercely loyal followers, mirroring Ainz's empire-building.
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3
The Eminence in Shadow
A delusion-driven mastermind secretly commands a fanatically loyal organization from the shadows, blending OP power, scheming, and comedy.
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4
How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord
A gamer is trapped in the body of his all-powerful in-game Demon Lord avatar — the closest 'player stuck as their OP game character' premise to Ainz.
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5
Log Horizon
Thousands of players are trapped inside an MMORPG and must build governance and society, sharing Overlord's brainy, world-system focus.
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6
No Game No Life
Genius shut-in gamers are pulled into a world ruled by games and outwit every opponent to conquer it — a stylish game-logic power fantasy.
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7
Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World
A darker, psychologically heavy isekai with high stakes and morally grey factions for fans who want Overlord's grim edge over a glossy power fantasy.
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8
The Rising of the Shield Hero
A betrayed, bitter hero claws his way up in a hostile isekai world, sharing Overlord's cynical, anti-heroic outlook.
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9
Sword Art Online
The defining 'trapped in a deadly VRMMO' anime, where surviving and dominating the game world is everything.
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10
How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom
A summoned hero rules through cold logistics, economics, and statecraft rather than fighting, scratching Overlord's governance-and-strategy itch.
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11
Cautious Hero: The Hero Is Overpowered but Overly Cautious
An overpowered summoned hero grinds and over-prepares to crush every threat, delivering OP wish-fulfillment with a comedic twist.
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12
Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy
An isekai'd man gains god-tier power and gathers supremely loyal followers to carve out his own domain, echoing Ainz and Nazarick.
❓ FAQ
What is the closest anime to Overlord?
The Saga of Tanya the Evil is the most-cited closest match: both star a ruthless reincarnated protagonist who schemes, conquers, and operates in moral grey areas with a streak of dark humor. For the specific 'player trapped as their overpowered game avatar' hook, How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord is the nearest premise.
What anime have an overpowered villain or anti-hero protagonist like Ainz?
The Saga of Tanya the Evil, The Eminence in Shadow, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, and The Rising of the Shield Hero all center on overpowered protagonists who are villainous, scheming, or morally grey rather than clean-cut heroes.
What are good dark isekai anime like Overlord?
Re:Zero, The Saga of Tanya the Evil, and The Rising of the Shield Hero deliver Overlord's grim, morally-grey tone with high stakes and cynical worlds, rather than a purely upbeat power fantasy.
What anime are about being trapped in a game world like Overlord?
Log Horizon and Sword Art Online are the definitive 'trapped in an MMORPG' anime, while How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord and No Game No Life build their worlds on game logic and game avatars.
What should I watch while waiting for more Overlord?
As of June 2026, Overlord Season 5 has not been officially announced. To fill the gap, start with The Eminence in Shadow and That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime for ongoing empire-building, then The Saga of Tanya the Evil for the closest tonal match.
📚 Sources
Cross-checked against: CBR — The best anime like Overlord · Game Rant — The best isekai anime to watch if you like Overlord. Last verified June 26, 2026.