So you want the Didn’t I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?! manga reading order, but you’ve discovered there are actually two different manga adaptations, an anime, a light novel series, and a spin-off? For a series that’s mostly lighthearted comedy, the publishing situation is surprisingly tangled. Let’s sort it out.
A quick note before we start: if you’re new to manga and some of these terms are unfamiliar, don’t worry — we’ll explain them as we go.
Didn’t I Say to Make My Abilities Average — Complete Manga Reading Order
Here’s the short version for English-speaking readers:
- Main manga — The Seven Seas Entertainment English release (based on the Earth Star Comics version illustrated by Nekomint). Seven Seas is a publisher that translates Japanese manga into English, and this is the primary manga to read. This is a standard manga — a Japanese comic read right to left, published in collected book installments called volumes.
- Everyday Misadventures! spin-off — Didn’t I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?! Everyday Misadventures! A spin-off is a separate, secondary series that uses the same characters. This one focuses on low-key, everyday scenarios with the main cast — perfect bonus reading.
- TV anime (12 episodes, aired from October 2019) — The animated TV adaptation works as a complement at any point. Watch it before, after, or alongside the manga.
A couple of important things to know upfront: two separate manga adaptations exist in Japan — meaning the same story was drawn and published as entirely distinct manga by different artists — but only one has an official English release through Seven Seas Entertainment. And the original light novel by FUNA is completely optional. A light novel is a Japanese prose fiction format — think a short novel with occasional illustrations, distinct from manga’s comic-style storytelling. The manga works fine on its own as a starting point.
That reading order above is really all most people need. But if you’re wondering why there are two manga versions, or where the light novel fits, keep reading.
Two Different Manga Adaptations Explained
This is the part that trips people up, so let’s break it down clearly.
Earth Star Comics Version (Nekomint) — The One to Buy in English
The first manga adaptation was published by Earth Star Comics in Japan, illustrated by Nekomint (ねこみんと). This is the version that Seven Seas Entertainment licensed — meaning they acquired the legal rights to translate and sell it in English. In Japan, it has released 4 volumes and is currently on hiatus (publication has paused with no confirmed return date).
Because Seven Seas picked this version up, it’s the one you’ll find in English at bookstores and online retailers. Seven Seas has published 4 English volumes so far. If you’re an English reader looking to collect the manga, this is your series — it’s the accessible, buyable option. Volume 1 is the place to start:
Didn't I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?! (Manga) Vol. 1
Square Enix Version (iimAn) — Japan Only for Now
A separate, second manga adaptation was published by Square Enix in Japan, illustrated by iimAn. This version ran for 20 chapters across 5 volumes and is completed (the final Japanese volume released on March 12, 2024). It adapts the same source light novel by FUNA but features a different art style and different pacing — meaning the story moves at a different speed and covers events in a different rhythm compared to the Nekomint version.
Here’s the important part for English readers: this Square Enix adaptation has no confirmed official English release as of this writing. While it’s the more complete adaptation (finished versus on hiatus), English readers do not currently have easy access to it. If you’re shopping for the manga in English, focus on the Seven Seas / Nekomint version above — that’s the one on shelves.
Quick Comparison
| Earth Star Version | Square Enix Version | |
|---|---|---|
| Artist | Nekomint (ねこみんと) | iimAn |
| JP Volumes | 4 | 5 |
| Status | On hiatus | Completed |
| English Release | Yes (Seven Seas) | No confirmed English release |
| Chapters | Not confirmed | 20 |
Both manga adapt FUNA’s light novel, but they are entirely separate works. Reading one doesn’t require reading the other. For English readers, the Earth Star / Seven Seas version is the clear choice.
Do You Need the Light Novel First?
Not at all. The manga stands perfectly well on its own. You don’t need any light novel background to enjoy it — the story introduces everything you need to know about Mile and her accidentally-overpowered life in another world.
That said, FUNA’s light novel series covers far more story than either manga adaptation does. The manga adaptations only cover a portion of the overall narrative, so if you finish the manga and want more of Mile’s adventures, the light novel is where to go. The English edition of the light novel is published by Seven Seas Entertainment as well, so you’ll find it at the same retailers where you pick up the manga.
The recommended path for newcomers:
- Read the manga first — it’s a quick, visual, fun introduction to the characters and comedy.
- Then pick up the light novel if you want the full story beyond what the manga covers.
You absolutely don’t need to read the light novel first, though. The manga is a perfectly valid entry point, especially if you’re new to the series or to isekai manga in general. (“Isekai” is a genre where a character is transported or reborn into another world — it’s one of the most popular genres in manga and anime today, and this series is a comedic take on it.)
Where the Anime Fits In
The Didn’t I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?! TV anime aired starting in October 2019 and ran for 12 episodes. It adapts the same original story as the manga, so you’ll see overlap in the early events — Mile’s arrival in her new world, meeting her companions (an adventuring party called the Crimson Vow), and the comedic situations that come from her wildly misinterpreted wish for “average” abilities.
The anime and manga complement each other without creating major spoiler problems either way. If you want a clear recommendation: read the manga first, then watch the anime to see Mile and the Crimson Vow animated with voice acting and music. But honestly, there’s no wrong order. If you’d rather sample the anime first to see whether the humor clicks for you, that works too — twelve episodes is a small commitment, and the show captures the lighthearted, playful energy that defines the franchise. If you’re laughing along by episode three, you’ll enjoy the manga.
What to Know Before You Start Reading
The Tone and Genre
Didn’t I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?! is a lighthearted comedy isekai focused on humor and friendship. If you’re expecting dark conflict, intense battles, or gritty survival stakes — wrong series. This one is all about a girl who just wanted to be normal in her next life and instead ended up absurdly overpowered, much to her frustration and everyone else’s amazement.
The comedic hook is simple and endlessly entertaining: Mile specifically asked to be reborn with average abilities. The wish was granted… but “average” was calculated as the midpoint between the weakest and strongest beings in the world. So she’s roughly half as powerful as the most powerful creature in existence. “Average” indeed.
Don’t Skip the Spin-Off
The spin-off manga, Didn’t I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?! Everyday Misadventures!, features the same cast in everyday, low-stakes scenarios. It’s not essential reading, but if you enjoy the characters — and you will — it’s a welcome dose of bonus content. Think of it as dessert after the main course.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many manga volumes are there?
Two separate manga adaptations exist. The Earth Star version (illustrated by Nekomint, published in English by Seven Seas) has 4 Japanese volumes and is on hiatus (meaning publication has paused indefinitely). The Square Enix version (illustrated by iimAn) has 5 Japanese volumes with 20 chapters and is completed, but has no confirmed English release.
Is the English manga complete?
Not yet. Seven Seas Entertainment has published 4 English volumes of the Earth Star adaptation, and the series has not reached a complete English release. The Japanese source is itself on hiatus, so the English edition’s future depends on whether the Japanese run resumes.
What is the difference between the two manga adaptations?
They’re illustrated by different artists (Nekomint vs. iimAn), published by different Japanese publishers (Earth Star Comics vs. Square Enix), and have different pacing and art styles. Both adapt the same light novel by FUNA. They are completely separate works — you don’t need to read both, though collectors who want every version may be interested in both.
Is there a second season of the anime?
Only the original 12-episode TV anime has aired. No second season has been confirmed as of this writing.
What order should I follow if I want to experience everything?
For the full experience, here’s a recommended manga reading order and beyond: start with the Seven Seas manga (the Nekomint / Earth Star version), then watch the 12-episode anime, then check out the Everyday Misadventures! spin-off, and finally move to FUNA’s light novel series for the complete story. But there’s no wrong order here — jump in wherever feels right and enjoy Mile’s hilariously “average” adventures.