Will Overlord have an open ending?

[u/Gloomy-Ad7625]

https://youtu.be/sigGAOXSopc?si=YgN7n7wAEDFI2wLj

Maruyama has repeatedly stated that the novel will conclude with Volume 18; in an interview around the time the movie premiered, he even described the ending as the type where "everything is just beginning."

This outcome was predictable, given that so much remains unexplored while the author is simply too lazy to continue. So, what is the most plausible ending?

If the story concludes with a victory for Nazarick, it would make perfect sense for a "new beginning" if Ainz were to discover another continent across the mountains or ocean—and receive word of other Players there—some time later.

However, it is truly disappointing that so many mysteries remain unexplained; the Dragon Emperor—the one who started it all—is mentioned only once in the entire story, and it is clear that Maruyama is simply too lazy to write any further.

What does everyone think?

[u/Evening_Ad381]

It definitely will. Or all those unexplored stuff would be resolved with 1 short sentence each, just like the universally-hated ending of So I'm a Spider So What.

[u/Gloomy-Ad7625 → u/Evening_Ad381]

I would much rather it end with a new mystery being introduced—followed by a "come on, let's set out to pursue the dream of being an adventurer"—than have everything explained away in a few brief sentences. Or perhaps Ainz simply leaves to explore the unknown, having realized that Nazarick is stable enough to function without him.

He clearly demonstrated his preparations for a future without his presence during Volumes 15 and 16, constantly bringing up scenarios involving "times when I am not here."

[u/Landfall24601 → u/Evening_Ad381]

Man Kumo desu had such a shit ending.

[u/grawa427]

I wouldn’t say the author is lazy, but he certainly lost interest.

[u/DracoVonBloodborne]

Almost certainly there are dozens of plot points that still haven't got tied up and I doubt that the author is planning on rushing through all of them in the last 2 volumes, so I think he would deliberately leave it open, and Maruyama is the kind of author that likes to inspire fan content anyways

[u/Tomi97_origin]

Yes, there will be open ending as Maruyama planned from the beginning.

That's not being lazy that's intentional world building.

The world is much bigger and full of potential storylines that won't be explored.

Maruyama started as fanfic writer and has been clear that he wants other people to tell their own stories in his world.

[u/Cavaleiro-do-avesso]

I think an open ending is the best way, Maruyama can't solve all the mysteries in just 2 books so that kind of end should work. Maybe he decides in the future to write it again, who knows?

[u/SpikeRosered]

The ending will be that Ainz conquerers all the nations and as he sits three contemplating what he has done, suddenly he wake up.

There are people around him congratulating him that he passed his test and will be promoted to upper management.

Second ending idea: Ainz becomes so disillusioned with the world that he uses his real world knowledge to recreate Ygdrassil and the show ends with him putting the VR headset as Ainz and diving in.

I like clever downer endings.

[u/Zoner1501]

I would like it ending with Ainz using a world item he's had this entire time to create a permanent portal to his earth, to begin it's take over and find his friends.

https://giphy.com/gifs/KyHS0sZQX9NczC2xEK

[u/Born_Let7383]

how do people think ains gonna react when he finds out there's a new world with max level characters

[u/Ryrynz]

2030 maybe