Tearmoon Empire Manga Reading Order — The Complete List
The Tearmoon Empire manga is a single, sequential series. For English readers, there are no alternate editions or side-story volumes to worry about. (A Japanese spin-off, Tales of the Tearmoon Empire: Servants’ Tea Party, exists in Japan but has not been licensed in English as of this writing.) You read them in numbered order, starting from Volume 1.
Here’s the full list of English volumes available as of early 2026:
- Tearmoon Empire, Vol. 1
- Tearmoon Empire, Vol. 2
- Tearmoon Empire, Vol. 3
- Tearmoon Empire, Vol. 4
- Tearmoon Empire, Vol. 5
- Tearmoon Empire, Vol. 6
- Tearmoon Empire, Vol. 7
Volume 7 is the most recent English release, published on January 13, 2026. The Japanese edition is further ahead with 11 volumes published under TO Books’ Corona Comics imprint, so there’s plenty of story still waiting to be translated. The series is ongoing in Japan, meaning more volumes are on the way for both the Japanese and English editions.
That’s genuinely the entire reading order. If you came here worried you might miss something or read things out of sequence — you’re all set. Volume 1 through Volume 7, straight through.
Tearmoon Empire, Vol. 7
How the Light Novel, Manga, and Anime Connect
Tearmoon Empire started as a light novel series — essentially a short Japanese novel with occasional illustrations — written by Nozomu Mochitsuki (餅月望). The story proved popular enough to spawn a manga adaptation (a retelling of the same story in comic form) illustrated by Mizu Morino (杜乃ミズ), which began serialization in 2019 in Japan, with Volume 1 published in early 2020.
Here’s how the different versions break down:
- Light novel (original source) — The first version of the story, told in prose. The light novel is further ahead in the narrative than the manga, and its biggest strength is Mia’s inner thoughts — you get to read her panicked reasoning in much more detail than the manga can show.
- Manga adaptation — Serialization began in 2019, with Volume 1 published in early 2020. Retells the light novel’s story with full artwork, but at a slower pace. Character designs for the manga are by Gilse, a separate artist who created the visual look of the characters that the manga illustrator then draws in each chapter.
- Anime — An anime adaptation aired in fall 2023. If you’ve watched the anime and want to continue the story, both the manga and light novel cover the same narrative from the start, so you’ll find familiar ground before the story moves beyond what the anime covered.
The key thing to understand is that the manga and the anime both retell the same source material — the light novel. The manga isn’t a sequel to the anime or vice versa. They’re parallel versions that cover overlapping story content, each with their own pacing.
For most readers landing on this page, the manga is probably your best entry point. It’s visual, it works on its own without needing any other format first, and you don’t need prior knowledge from the light novel or anime to enjoy it.
Can You Skip the Light Novel and Start with the Manga?
Absolutely. The manga retells the story from the very beginning — Princess Mia’s execution, her reawakening as her younger self, and her hilariously self-serving attempts to avoid the guillotine the second time around. You won’t be missing context or backstory by starting here.
That said, the two formats offer slightly different experiences:
| Manga | Light Novel | |
|---|---|---|
| Story coverage | 7 English volumes (ongoing) | Further ahead in the story |
| Strengths | Visual comedy, expressive art, faster to read | Deeper comedic narration, much more of Mia’s panicked inner thoughts on the page, more story available |
| Best for | Visual readers, manga fans, beginners to the genre | Readers who love prose comedy and want more story now |
The manga is arguably the more approachable version, especially if you’re new to villainess isekai or light novels in general. Mia’s facial expressions and the visual gags land beautifully on the page.
But here’s the great part — the two formats complement each other perfectly. If you burn through the seven available manga volumes and desperately want to know what happens next (and you probably will), the light novel is right there waiting for you. You can pick up the light novel from roughly where the manga leaves off and keep going.
So no, you don’t need the light novel first. But you might want it eventually.
Which Edition to Buy
The English manga is published by J-Novel Heart (a J-Novel Club imprint) and is available in both physical and digital formats, giving you flexibility depending on how you prefer to read.
Physical Volumes
Physical copies of the Tearmoon Empire manga are available through major book retailers. With 7 volumes out so far, the series is still manageable to collect without needing to hunt down dozens of out-of-print books. The volumes feature Gilse’s character designs and Mizu Morino’s artwork, and they look great on a shelf if you’re building a collection.
One practical note: since the series is ongoing and new volumes release periodically, starting a physical collection now means you can stay current without playing catch-up later. Seven volumes is a very comfortable entry point — enough story to get hooked, but not so many that the upfront cost feels intimidating.
Digital Editions
If you prefer reading on a tablet or phone, digital editions are available and tend to be convenient for longer reading sessions. Digital is also a good option if you’re not sure whether the series is for you yet — you can grab Volume 1 digitally, see if the comedy clicks, and decide from there whether to commit to the full run.
The Light Novel as a Companion
For readers who finish the available manga volumes and want more story, the English light novel translations are available as well. The light novel covers significantly more of the story than the manga has reached so far, making it the natural next step for fans who can’t wait for new manga volumes.
You don’t need to double up on both formats from the start. The most common path is: read the manga first, fall in love with the series, then pick up the light novels to continue the story beyond where the manga currently ends.
What to Expect as a First-Time Reader
If you haven’t started Tearmoon Empire yet, here’s what you’re walking into — and why it’s such a good time.
The Premise
Princess Mia is a spoiled, self-centered princess of the Tearmoon Empire. In her original timeline, her incompetence and selfishness contribute to the empire’s downfall, and she’s executed by guillotine during a revolution. But instead of dying permanently, she wakes up as her younger self with all her memories intact.
This is where it gets fun: Mia doesn’t become a better person out of the goodness of her heart. She’s desperately trying to avoid getting her head chopped off again. Every “noble” decision she makes is actually driven by pure self-preservation. But everyone around her interprets her panicked survival instincts as brilliant political strategy and compassionate leadership.
The Comedy
The humor is the beating heart of this series. Tearmoon Empire is fundamentally a comedy built on a simple trick that never gets old: the reader knows Mia is a terrified, self-interested schemer, but every other character in the story thinks she’s a genius and a saint. The narration frequently contrasts what Mia is actually thinking with how others perceive her actions, and the gap between those two things is consistently hilarious.
If you’ve read other villainess isekai and found them a bit heavy or melodramatic, Tearmoon Empire is a breath of fresh air. The stakes are technically life-and-death (guillotine!), but the tone stays light and playful. It’s one of the most accessible entries in the villainess category for exactly that reason.
The Art
Gilse’s character designs give the manga its distinctive visual identity, and Mizu Morino’s artwork brings the comedy to life with expressive character reactions. Mia’s face alone carries entire chapters — her smug confidence, her barely-concealed panic, and her occasional genuine moments of growth are all beautifully rendered. The visual comedy is a big part of why the manga version works so well as a starting point.
Who Will Love This
- Fans of villainess isekai who want something lighter and funnier
- Readers who enjoy comedic misunderstandings where the audience knows the truth but the characters don’t
- Anyone looking for a story where the main character is reborn into the past and is lovably selfish rather than nobly selfless
- Newcomers to manga who want an easy, entertaining series to start with — no prior genre knowledge required
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Tearmoon Empire manga finished?
No. The series is ongoing. As of early 2026, there are 11 volumes published in Japanese and 7 volumes available in English. New volumes continue to release in both languages.
Do I need to read the light novel before starting the manga?
Nope. The manga retells the story from the very beginning and works perfectly on its own. The light novel is there if you want more story after catching up with the manga, but it’s not a prerequisite.
Is there an anime adaptation?
Yes. An anime adaptation aired in fall 2023. If you’ve already watched it and want to continue the story, both the manga and light novel cover the same narrative from the start, so you can pick up either format and find familiar ground before the story moves beyond what the anime covered. The manga is generally the easier transition if you’re used to visual storytelling.
When does the next English volume come out?
The English manga volumes have generally released a few months apart, though the exact schedule can shift. Volume 7 came out in January 2026. Your best bet for tracking the next release date is to check J-Novel Club’s announcements or add the next volume to your wishlist at your preferred retailer so you get notified when it drops.
What order should I read everything in?
If you only want the manga: Volume 1 through Volume 7, in order. That’s it.
If you want the full experience: start with the manga (or watch the anime first — both cover the same early story), then continue with the light novel once you’ve caught up with the available manga volumes. The light novel picks up the story further than either the manga or anime has reached.