How Many Volumes of The Banished Former Hero Lives as He Pleases Manga Are Out?
Here’s where things stand:
- Japanese volumes: 9 (ongoing)
- English volumes: 8 (ongoing)
The manga is drawn by Karasumaru and adapts the light novel by Kouduki Shin, with character designs by Chokoan. In Japan, it’s serialized in Corona EX, a digital manga magazine published by TO Books. (“Serialized” means the manga is released as individual chapters in the magazine before those chapters are collected into the bound volumes you buy.)
The series is still ongoing in both Japan and English, so expect more volumes down the line. With 9 Japanese volumes already released and the English edition at 8, the gap between the two is pretty small — just one volume — which is actually great news for English readers who don’t want to be left too far behind.
What Happens in Each Volume
Below is a spoiler-light overview of each available volume to help you figure out where to start and what to expect. Volumes 1 through 8 are available in English, and Volume 9 is currently only out in Japanese.
Volume 1 — The “Failure” Sets Out
This is where everything begins. Allen, our protagonist, was once celebrated as a hero. But his noble family has decided he’s a failure — a “good-for-nothing” — and banishes him from the household. Rather than fight the decision or grovel for forgiveness, Allen decides to take the opportunity and live life on his own terms.
Volume 1 sets the tone for the entire series. It’s not a revenge story where the protagonist seethes and plots payback. Allen genuinely just wants freedom, and watching him walk away from a family that undervalued him is deeply satisfying. You also get your first taste of how absurdly strong he actually is — the gap between how people treat him and what he’s capable of is the engine that drives a lot of the fun in this series.
If you enjoy the “underestimated protagonist” trope, this first volume nails it. It also works well as a standalone test — if Allen’s personality and the tone of this volume click with you, you’ll enjoy what follows.
Volume 2 — Building a New Life
With his old life behind him, Allen starts carving out a new existence. He picks up odd jobs, meets new people, and generally settles into the easygoing lifestyle he’s always wanted. But trouble has a way of finding former heroes, and the conflicts that arise in this volume start pulling back the curtain on just how overpowered Allen really is.
Volume 2 does a nice job balancing the quieter, everyday moments with action. You get to see Allen handle threats almost casually, which is fun to read without being boring — Karasumaru’s art keeps the fight sequences dynamic enough that Allen’s overwhelming strength still makes for exciting pages rather than one-sided stomps.
Volume 3 — A Wider World
The world opens up significantly here. New allies enter the picture, and the supporting cast starts to feel more fleshed out. What makes this volume click is the widening gap between Allen’s reputation — remember, everyone thinks he’s a failure — and his actual, terrifying level of power.
There’s a recurring comedy to it. People underestimate Allen, Allen quietly handles whatever catastrophe is in front of him, and onlookers lose their minds. It’s a pattern the series keeps returning to, but it works because the character writing gives it warmth. Allen isn’t smug about his strength. He’s genuinely just trying to have a good time.
Volume 4 — Threats Escalate
The stakes go up in Volume 4. The threats Allen faces aren’t just random encounters anymore — they’re more organized, more dangerous, and more persistent. This forces Allen to unleash more of his hidden power, and the results are spectacular in that “overpowered hero going all out” way that fans of this genre love.
This volume is a turning point in terms of tension. The series had been relatively low-pressure up to this point, but Volume 4 makes it clear that Allen’s peaceful life isn’t guaranteed — there are forces in this world that can’t just be ignored.
Volume 5 — The Past Catches Up
Larger-scale conflict enters the picture, and connections to Allen’s former companions — the group of allies he once traveled with as a hero — start resurfacing. This is where the story begins threading in backstory and lore that had only been hinted at before.
Volume 5 is great for readers who want more substance beyond “strong guy beats up bad guys.” The reappearance of people from Allen’s past adds emotional weight and raises questions about why he was really banished in the first place. Was it truly because his family saw him as a failure, or is there more to the story?
Volume 6 — No More Running
The consequences of Allen’s past collide with his carefree present. The stakes rise again, and it becomes harder for Allen to maintain his laid-back lifestyle when his history keeps knocking on the door.
Volume 6 feels like a capstone to the first major story arc — meaning the first big self-contained section of the overall narrative wraps up here. The threads from earlier volumes come together, and the story rewards readers who’ve been paying attention to the smaller details. It’s a satisfying read that also sets the stage for what comes next.
Volume 7 — New Threats, New Territory
The story moves into its next phase. With the fallout from Volume 6 reshaping Allen’s situation, new threats emerge that push the scope of the series wider. Allen encounters enemies and challenges that test him in different ways than before, and the supporting cast continues to develop alongside him. If you enjoyed the escalation of Volumes 4 through 6, Volume 7 keeps that momentum going while opening up fresh storylines.
Volume 8 — Raising the Stakes
Volume 8 is the most recent English release and continues building on the groundwork laid in Volume 7. The conflicts grow more complex, and Allen’s past and present collide in ways that keep the tension high. This volume leaves plenty of threads open for future installments, making it clear the series has a lot more story to tell.
Volume 9 and Beyond
Volume 9 is currently only available in Japanese. Since the manga is ongoing, there’s no telling exactly how many volumes the story will ultimately run. But with the anime adaptation having aired in 2024 and a steady release schedule, the series seems to be in a healthy spot.
Where the Light Novel and Anime Stand
The Banished Former Hero Lives as He Pleases started as a light novel written by Kouduki Shin, also published by TO Books in Japan. A light novel is a Japanese novel format — shorter than a typical Western novel, often illustrated with a few character art pages, and usually aimed at the same audience that reads manga. The manga is an adaptation of that light novel, which means the novel is ahead of the manga in terms of story progression.
For readers who prefer a visual experience, the manga works perfectly fine on its own. Karasumaru’s artwork translates the story well, and you won’t feel like you’re missing critical information by reading the manga instead of the light novel. That said, if you catch up on the manga and want more, the light novel is there waiting for you.
The Anime
A TV anime adaptation aired in Spring 2024, running from April to June 2024 on TV Tokyo. The series was produced by Studio DEEN and Marvy Jack, directed by Kazuomi Koga, and streamed internationally on Crunchyroll.
The anime is a good sign for the series overall — it confirms there’s enough commercial interest and fan demand to justify the investment, which bodes well for continued manga and light novel releases. If you’ve been reading the manga and want to see the story animated, the full season is available to stream.
Which Edition Should You Buy
The English edition of the manga is available digitally, with Volume 8 being the most recent English release. You can find it on platforms like Kindle, BookWalker, and other major digital storefronts.
The Banished Former Hero Lives as He Pleases
Here are some things to consider when deciding how to read:
Digital vs. Print
- Digital is the most reliable way to access this series in English right now. You can buy individual volumes through platforms like Kindle, BookWalker, or Kobo and start reading immediately.
- Print availability for manga in this genre can be inconsistent — some series get wide print runs and some are digital-first or digital-only. Check your preferred retailer for current format options.
- Digital has the added benefit of instant delivery and no shelf space requirements. If you want to read the full series in one go, buying all available volumes digitally is painless. If you’d rather test the waters first, Volume 1 on its own is a solid way to see whether the series clicks for you before committing further.
Japanese Edition
The Japanese edition is published by TO Books under the Corona Comics imprint. If you’re studying Japanese or prefer to read in the original language, you’ll have access to all 9 volumes. The Japanese edition is one volume ahead of the English release.
Reading Order
This one’s simple — start at Volume 1 and read in order. There are no companion series or branching storylines to worry about. The story is linear and each volume follows directly from the last.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many volumes of The Banished Former Hero Lives as He Pleases manga are there?
There are 9 volumes in Japanese and 8 volumes in English. The series is ongoing.
Is the manga finished?
No. The series is still ongoing in both Japan and English. New volumes are being released.
Is there an anime adaptation?
Yes. A TV anime adaptation produced by Studio DEEN and Marvy Jack aired from April to June 2024 on TV Tokyo. It’s available to stream on Crunchyroll.
What’s the difference between the manga and the light novel?
The manga is an illustrated adaptation of Kouduki Shin’s light novel. The light novel is further ahead in the story and, as prose, contains more internal monologue and worldbuilding detail. The manga, drawn by Karasumaru, offers a faster-paced visual version of the same story. If you’ve only ever read manga and haven’t tried a light novel, think of it as reading a short novel with occasional character illustrations — you get more of Allen’s inner thoughts and more detailed descriptions of the world, but no panel-by-panel artwork. Neither format is “better” — it comes down to whether you prefer reading prose or comics. Most readers start with the manga and pick up the light novel later if they want more.
Do I need to read the light novel before the manga?
Not at all. The manga stands on its own and tells the story from the beginning. You can always pick up the light novel later if you want to read ahead or get more depth.
Who made this series?
The original light novel is by Kouduki Shin. The manga adaptation is drawn by Karasumaru, with character designs by Chokoan (the artist who created the original look of the characters that Karasumaru then draws in manga form). It’s published by TO Books in Japan and serialized in the Corona EX digital magazine.