*Overlord* Season 4 is a season that left me with conflicting emotions, largely due to the direction taken with its central character, Ainz Ooal Gown. While the series continues to deliver on its dark fantasy premise with rich world-building and intricate political maneuvering, my growing discomfort with Ainz as a protagonist made this season a more challenging watch.
From the beginning, Ainz has always been a morally ambiguous character, but in Season 4, this ambiguity tipped more toward outright villainy. His decisions and actions throughout the season made it increasingly difficult for me to root for him. Instead of cheering for his success, I often found myself hoping he would fail or be thwarted by those opposing him. This shift in my perspective was unexpected and left me feeling disconnected from the story's intended trajectory.
The narrative pushes Ainz further down a path of conquest and domination, showcasing his strategic brilliance but also his ruthless disregard for anyone standing in his way. While this is consistent with the dark tone of the series, it also made me question whether I wanted to continue following a character whose goals and methods I no longer supported. The moments where Ainz’s cold, calculated nature overshadowed any hint of humanity or empathy were particularly unsettling, making it hard to stay invested in his journey.
The season’s pacing exacerbated this disconnect. Key events unfolded with a sense of inevitability, as if Ainz’s success was a foregone conclusion, leaving little room for tension or doubt. This made the narrative feel somewhat one-sided, with Ainz's victories coming at the cost of any real challenge or opposition that could have added depth to his character arc.
Despite these issues, there were still aspects of the season that I appreciated. The animation quality was solid, and the world-building continued to expand in interesting ways. The supporting characters, while not always fully developed, provided some respite from Ainz's increasingly dark path. However, these positives were overshadowed by my growing discomfort with Ainz as the focal point of the series.
In the end, *Overlord* Season 4 left me with mixed feelings. While I can appreciate the series' commitment to its dark themes and complex storytelling, my disconnect with Ainz as a protagonist made it difficult to fully enjoy this season. For those who revel in the darker aspects of the story, this season will likely satisfy, but for me, it marked a turning point where I found myself questioning my investment in Ainz’s journey.
