Satoshi Hino："Overlord" 10 years of playing Ainz: The difficulty of finding the right balance, and the movie version he took on with great passion

The latest film in the Overlord anime series, based on Maruyama Kugane's light novel Overlord: Holy Kingdom Arc, will be released on September 20th. This is the first completely new film in the series, based on the dark fantasy series that has sold over 14 million copies. The first season of the TV anime began in 2015, and Overlord has been loved for a long time. The popularity of the series is largely due to the charm of the skeletal protagonist Ainz Ooal Gown. We asked popular voice actor Hino Satoshi, who has been playing Ainz for about 10 years since recording began for the first season of the TV anime, about his thoughts on Overlord and Ainz.

◇The key is to be able to express the gap between Suzuki and himself in an interesting way

Overlord is the story of a boring office worker, Suzuki Satoru, who is transported to another world with his skeletal avatar when the game Yggdrasil comes to an end. Suzuki Satoru becomes the ruler of the Sorcerer Kingdom of Ainz Ooal Gown. The first season of the TV anime aired from July to September 2015, the second from January to April 2018, the third from July to October 2018, and the fourth from July to September 2022. The IMAX version will be screened from September 13th ahead of the movie's release on September 20th.

Nine years have passed since the first season of the TV anime began airing. The original work "Overlord" was popular, but the TV anime broadcast has captured the hearts of even more people.

"It's been almost 10 years since the dubbing started. Before the TV series, there was a drama CD, so we've been working together for a long time. I'm grateful for that. It's a dark fantasy that is centered around characters who are often treated as villains compared to other fantasy works, and it's also a pioneering work in the "transfer" genre, so at first I wondered how many people would accept it. However, it's a really interesting work, so I thought that if you watch it, you'll definitely get hooked... I think that it's because so many people watched the first season that it's been able to continue this far. After all, the main character is a skeleton. It may be popular overseas, but in Japan, the only thing that comes to mind is "Golden Bat". Is that old-fashioned? (laughs). But it was that unusual."

Overlord's dark worldview is a big attraction. But that's not all it's attractive.

"I think the most important thing is the detailed psychological portrayal. What makes this work interesting is how the emotions behind the conversations are carefully crafted. There is a struggle between the true feelings hidden behind the surface actions and words of various characters, and it is very interesting to see them try to figure each other out and negotiate with each other. It also adds the coolness and power of a classic fantasy. It is serious and has gags, and I felt that it was interesting from the beginning how they were well intertwined. Kugane Maruyama, the creator of Overlord, is truly amazing."

Ainz, played by Hino, is also a big part of the appeal of "Overlord". Ainz is a fascinating character thanks to Hino's acting, which includes dignity, power, kindness, tolerance, and a little cuteness.

"Most importantly, Suzuki is the leader who protects his family, in other words everyone in Nazarick, but the element of him being manipulated by his subordinates is also very important. I think the key is how to express the gap in his inner thoughts in an interesting way. In expressing Ainz, I am conscious of his appearance, the dignity and intelligence that comes from his position. Suzuki's personality is gradually eroded by Ainz as he deals with the conflicts he is carrying, so I am trying to express the nuances of that change. However, it is difficult to get the balance right. I think that Suzuki's humanity will help the viewers to get closer to Ainz, so I tried not to make him just a terrifying demon king."

It has been about 10 years since the recording of the first season of the TV anime began, and he has some thoughts about this.

"It's been 10 years, so everyone's gotten older (laughs). I haven't consciously changed anything in my acting compared to before, but there may be a flavor that comes naturally as a result of changes in my personal life, age, and years of experience in the entertainment industry. I think that everyone, and I myself, can now do things that we worked hard to do at the beginning naturally. When I look back at the past, there are times when I think, "I could have done it a little better now," but there are also good things that were unique to that time. There are also things that I can't do now, so rather than regretting, I try to acknowledge my best in the past."

◇All great actors

The story of "Overlord: Holy Kingdom Arc" is about the Holy Kingdom of Roble, led by Holy Princess Calca, being invaded by Demon Emperor Jaldabaoth and the demi-human allied forces, and on the verge of collapse, asking for help from the Sorcerer Kingdom of Ainz Ooal Gown. New characters will also appear, such as Neia Baraha, a servant of the Holy Knights of the Holy Kingdom of Roble. Neia will be played by Yoshino Aoyama, who is currently active in "Botchi the Rock!" and other works. Shizu Delta, played by Asami Seto, is also a highlight.

"Neia is a very difficult role, as she is fascinated by Ainz while worrying about her background and position. I have met Aoyama at dubbing studios and other places, and I thought she was amazing! Shizu didn't have many scenes to show off in the TV series, but she plays a big role in the movie. Shizu's cuteness and her abilities are well portrayed, so I think the number of Shizu fans will increase. Shizu is also a difficult role. Everyone is a great actor, so I'm learning from the younger actors and I'm inspired by them. They play eccentric characters with exquisite balance."

"Overlord," which has a profound worldview that makes it an attractive anime, is also a good fit for the theater.

"The intensity of the battles, the streets of the Holy Kingdom, and the difference in atmosphere of the Sorcerer Kingdom where the Nazarick forces are located will all look even more impressive on the big screen. The staff and cast have put in a lot of passion into creating this film, with gratitude to everyone who has loved Overlord for the past 10 years. I hope many people will enjoy it."

We hope you'll come to the theater to experience the passion that the staff, Hino, and other cast members have poured into it.