The Banished Former Hero Lives as He Pleases — Complete Manga Reading Order
Here’s the full reading order for the English edition. Read them in numbered sequence — that’s it:
| Volume | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Volume 1 | Digital / Physical | Start here — introduces the story and cast |
| Volume 2 | Digital / Physical | Continues directly from Vol. 1 |
| Volume 3 | Digital / Physical | |
| Volume 4 | Digital / Physical | |
| Volume 5 | Digital / Physical | |
| Volume 6 | Digital / Physical | |
| Volume 7 | Digital / Physical | |
| Volume 8 | Digital / Physical | Latest English release |
8 volumes are currently available in English. Japan is one volume ahead with 9 volumes published, and the series is ongoing — so more volumes are on the way.
There are no companion manga (separate series set in the same world), prequels, sequels, or alternate spin-offs to worry about. This is a single, continuous manga series. You start at Volume 1 and read straight through. That’s the entire reading order.
If you’re coming to this series fresh, the Japanese title is 出来損ないと呼ばれた元英雄は、実家から追放されたので好き勝手に生きることにした — quite a mouthful. Long titles like this are common for manga based on Japanese light novels (short, illustrated prose novels aimed at young adults — more on those below). The English title captures the spirit perfectly: a former hero gets banished and decides to live however he wants.
Why This Reading Order Is Straightforward
Some manga franchises turn their reading orders into puzzle boxes. Multiple manga running at the same time, side stories published in different magazines, extra half-volumes that fill in story gaps — it can get exhausting. The Banished Former Hero Lives as He Pleases doesn’t do any of that.
The manga is a single adaptation of the light novel by Kouduki Shin. “Adaptation” here simply means the manga retells the prose novel’s story in comic form. The art and manga adaptation are handled by Karasumaru (烏間ル), with character designs by Chokoan (ちょこ庵) — the artist who created the original look of the characters that Karasumaru then draws in the manga. The series is published by TO Books in Japan, where new chapters appear in their Corona EX online manga magazine before being collected into volumes.
Because there’s only one manga version of this story, you’ll never run into the problem of accidentally reading a spin-off before the main series or discovering you missed a prequel that recontextualizes everything. Volume 1 is where the story begins, and each subsequent volume picks up right where the last one left off.
The Anime Connection
A TV anime adaptation of this series aired in Spring 2024, produced by Studio DEEN and Marvy Jack and directed by Kazuomi Koga. The anime premiered on TV Tokyo on April 1, 2024, and was streamed internationally on Crunchyroll. If you watch the anime and want more, the manga is a natural next step — and vice versa.
The anime’s existence also means the manga is likely to stay in print and continue receiving English releases at a steady pace, since publishers tend to prioritize series with active anime adaptations.
Do You Need to Read the Light Novel First?
Short answer: No. The manga works perfectly fine as your entry point into the story.
A light novel is a style of short Japanese prose novel, usually illustrated with a handful of pictures per volume — think of it as closer to a traditional novel than a comic. The manga adapts the original light novel written by Kouduki Shin, retelling the same story with full artwork on every page. As is typical with these adaptations, the light novel is further ahead in the story than the manga. That’s just how it works — the novel comes first, and the manga follows behind, adapting the story at a slower pace with full artwork.
Starting with the Manga
If you prefer visual storytelling — and if you’re on a site about manga, there’s a fair chance you do — the manga is a great place to start. Karasumaru’s artwork brings the action and character interactions to life in a way that complements the original novel. You won’t be missing critical story context by starting here. The manga tells the same core story, just at its own pace.
Starting with the Light Novel
If you’re someone who wants to get ahead in the story and doesn’t mind reading prose, the light novel will take you further into the narrative than the manga currently reaches. The light novel has at least 7 volumes published in Japanese. Some readers like to read the manga first for the visual experience, then switch to the light novel to continue the story beyond where the manga adaptation has gotten to. That’s a perfectly valid approach.
The Bottom Line
There are no prerequisites. You don’t need to read the light novel or any other material before picking up Volume 1 of the manga. Just start reading.
Which Edition Should You Buy?
With 8 English volumes available, you’ve got a couple of options for how to collect the series. The English edition is published by J-Novel Club.
Digital vs. Physical
Both digital and physical editions follow the same volume numbering and contain the same content. Your choice comes down to personal preference:
Digital is great if you want instant access. No waiting for shipping, no shelf space needed, and you can read on your phone, tablet, or e-reader wherever you are. The latest English volume is available digitally.
The Banished Former Hero Lives as He Pleases
Physical is the way to go if you like having manga on your shelf. There’s something satisfying about seeing a growing collection, and physical volumes are easy to lend to friends. Physical copies are available through major book retailers and online stores. The trade-off is that you’ll need shelf space, and you’re at the mercy of shipping times and stock availability.
Content Rating
This series features fantasy action and some violence typical of the genre, along with mild fanservice. It’s generally aimed at a teen-and-up audience, similar to most manga in this category. Parents buying for younger teens may want to preview a volume first.
Catching Up
Eight volumes is a very manageable amount to catch up on. It’s enough to give you a solid chunk of story without the intimidation factor of a 30+ volume series. For a fast reader, you could get through the whole thing in a weekend. For a more casual pace, maybe a volume or two per week — you’d be caught up within a month.
Staying Current
Since the series is ongoing, new English volumes will continue to release as the Japanese publication progresses. Japan currently has 9 volumes out, so at minimum one more English volume is in the pipeline. Keep an eye on release announcements from J-Novel Club to stay up to date.
What to Expect as a New Reader
Going in blind? Here’s what to expect without spoiling anything.
What Kind of Story Is This?
The Banished Former Hero Lives as He Pleases belongs to the isekai genre — a Japanese storytelling category where characters end up in a fantasy world, often one that resembles a video game setting. More specifically, it falls into what fans call the banished-hero subgenre, where the protagonist gets unfairly cast out or exiled before proving everyone wrong.
The setup: our protagonist is a former hero who gets kicked out by his own family, branded as a failure. Naturally, he’s anything but — he’s massively overpowered. Free from family obligations, he decides to just live life on his own terms.
If you enjoy stories where the protagonist is clearly stronger than everyone around them but takes a laid-back, carefree approach rather than constantly trying to prove themselves, this is right up your alley. Think less “angry revenge storyline” and more “relaxed guy who happens to be absurdly strong.”
Early Volume Vibes
The opening volumes blend family drama with fantasy action. The expulsion from his family kicks off the story, and the fallout from that decision — both emotional and practical — drives the early chapters. You’ll get a mix of the hero establishing his new independent life, action sequences that show off just how powerful he actually is, and interactions with new characters who don’t know his real background.
Pacing and Tone
The manga moves at a comfortable pace. It’s not breakneck action every chapter, and it’s not glacially slow either. There’s a good balance between quieter everyday moments and action set pieces, which keeps things engaging without feeling exhausting. Eight volumes in, there’s a solid foundation of world-building — the gradual layering of how this fantasy setting works — and character development to enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many volumes of The Banished Former Hero Lives as He Pleases manga are out?
There are 8 volumes available in English and 9 volumes in Japanese. The series is ongoing, so more volumes will continue to be published.
Is the manga finished?
No. The manga is still ongoing. New chapters are still being released in Japan, and they’re collected into volumes over time. Expect the volume count to keep climbing.
Do I need to read the light novel before the manga?
Nope. The manga works as a standalone entry point. It adapts the light novel by Kouduki Shin, but you don’t need any prior knowledge to enjoy it. Volume 1 of the manga gives you everything you need to get started.
Is there an anime adaptation?
Yes. A TV anime adaptation produced by Studio DEEN and Marvy Jack aired in Spring 2024 on TV Tokyo and was streamed on Crunchyroll. If you enjoy the anime, the manga continues the story further.
Is there a specific reading order I need to follow?
Just read Volume 1 through Volume 8 in order. There are no spin-offs, side stories, or alternate versions to fit in anywhere. It’s as simple as reading orders get.
Who created the manga?
The manga is drawn by Karasumaru (烏間ル), based on the light novel by Kouduki Shin (紅月シン), with character designs by Chokoan (ちょこ庵). It’s published by TO Books in Japan, with the English edition from J-Novel Club.