Overlord: The Undead Oh! Chapter 36

Spin-off and Sense of Distance (スピンオフと距離感) is the thirty-sixth chapter of the Overlord: The Undead Oh! series.

Summary
Ainz Ooal Gown hears that there is a rumor going around that Albedo, Pandora's Actor, and Demiurge wish to secretly discuss with him. Ainz fears that the top three brains in Nazarick have finally figured out that he is just a normal person beneath his Overlord visage. But it turns out to be about Overlord: The Undead Oh!, calling that the media should not be called a spin-off.

Ainz while glad his cover is not blown, considers the three concerns and states that spin-offs like Overlord: The Undead Oh! exist all the time from derivative works. Generally speaking, spin-offs are usually narrated at a distance from the original work especially in facets like the leading role, genre, setting, and time axis.

Pandora's Actor feels that the story of Overlord: The Undead Oh! follows too close to the original work. In fact, a better one would be a spin-off following the events of another party like Blue Roses, rather than the turmoil in the Great Tomb of Nazarick. Demiurge feels that would be appropriate, though a four-panel manage series depicting the adventurers doing daily maid work would also be appealing. Albedo objects to the idea as it puts a distance to the original work of Overlord.

Ainz thinks that the spin-off degree is relative so long as there are no other Overlord manga spin-offs where they will not have a comparison so there shouldn't be concern. Pandora's Actor agrees to his creator's assessment though states that the manga industry has a habit of creating new serializations of works that already have a large fan base. He is afraid that due to the novel series non-comicalization fans are going to become more active. As a matter of fact, he already notes that there is a shift in trend for spin-off competition. Ainz admits that Overlord already has an anime series, and there are examples of Crossover media, he wouldn't put an Overlord: The Undead Oh! anime series out of the realm of possibility either. So far Comp Ace, the manga publisher, has already two manga series they produce, perhaps a third one is already being drafted? Demiurge think that it might be a magical girl genre given Comp Ace's penchant for that theme. Though Pandora's Actor says that new spin-offs aren't necessarily produced by the same publisher. If they want to attract new fans and customers, another publisher might be the best path.

Demiurge suggests going with Cafe Blues as a possible publisher for their new spin-off. Though Ainz feels they would still need to announce the release of a new serial through Comp Ace to get the word out. Pandora's Actor is thrilled about going to another publisher as there is an opportunity of different genres for the spin-off. Albedo wonders if they perhaps could do a shoujo spin-off. Ainz wonders if their series can be translated well into a shoujo spin-off, but Pandora's Actor thinks they might be able to expand their fan demographics if they pursue that path. Demiurge agrees as skeleton men are a novelty for that genre so they can show female fans something new. Albedo obviously wants a shoujo manga based on her and Ainz's relationship, but Demiurge advises against it as the spin-off needs to be distantly associated from the main work. Thus using a supporting character would be a better choice. Inserting a love triangle would certainly make things interesting as proposed by Pandora's Actor.

Albedo has one group in mind that would do perfectly, the Swords of Darkness. The story is perfect as there is a girl that pretends to be a man whilst being in the midst of her male companions. The idea feels sketchy to Ainz as he didn't think that the adventurers had any conflicting love issues. Demiurge really wants to create a derivative work that matches the main series without offending the fans. However since there is no definite romance for the adventurers, a shoujo spin-off may not be an option. Albedo thinks that maybe they need to appeal to female readers first, and concentrate on a specific female character in Overlord. They go back to the magical girl theme which often includes the female protagonist defeating a powerful enemy. Any of the members of Blue Roses would do, though Albedo thinks that Princess Renner Theiere Chardelon Ryle Vaiself would be suitable as there are a lot of nobles in shoujo type mangas. Demiurge then prepares to make the ultimate Overlord spinoff.

The next scenes show characters playing a card game based on characters on Overlord. It turns out to be Demiurge's latest pitch of a spin-off is using a Trading Card Game model.

Character Appearance

 * Lakyus Alvein Dale Aindra
 * Evileye
 * Gagaran
 * Tia
 * Tina
 * Ainz Ooal Gown
 * Demiurge
 * Pandora's Actor
 * Albedo
 * Zaryusu Shasha
 * Crusch Lulu
 * Ninya
 * Peter Mauk
 * Lukrut Volve
 * Dyne Woodwonder
 * Renner Theiere Chardelon Ryle Vaiself
 * Enri Emmot
 * Nfirea Bareare

Known Locations

 * Great Tomb of Nazarick
 * Treasury

Chapter Notes

 * This chapter first appears in the Monthly Comp Ace April 2020 Issue.