You’ve come across I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical Ability (yes, the full title is a mouthful) and you want to know the manga reading order before jumping in. Here’s the short version: start at Volume 1 of the manga and read forward. The reading order is completely linear with no English-licensed spin-offs or side stories to worry about.
But you probably have follow-up questions — how many volumes are out, whether to read the manga or the light novel first, and where to pick up after the anime. This guide covers all of that.
If you’re brand new to manga (Japanese comics, read right-to-left), this series is a great entry point. And if you’ve never heard the term “isekai” before, it simply means a story where someone from one world is transported or reborn into another — which is exactly what happens here. The protagonist, a magic-obsessed commoner sorcerer, dies in a duel and is reincarnated as Lloyd, the seventh prince of a kingdom, with all his memories and magical knowledge intact — and this time, with unmatched innate magical ability. Free from the pressures of being an important heir (seventh in line means nobody expects much from him), he gets to spend his new life doing what he loves most: studying and experimenting with magic. The result is a series that blends overpowered action with comedy in a way that hooks readers fast.
Complete Manga Reading Order for I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince
The good news: this series has a straightforward reading order with no English-licensed spin-offs or side stories to worry about. There are two main paths you can take.
1. Manga Route (Recommended for Most Readers)
This is the most popular and accessible entry point, especially if you’re reading in English. Manga — Japanese comics that tell stories through sequential art panels — brings this story to life with dynamic artwork and well-paced action sequences. Simply start at Volume 1 and read forward in order.
The manga is published in English and is an ongoing series with 15 volumes out in English, so new volumes continue to release. Pick up Volume 1 and go from there — it’s that simple.
2. Light Novel Route
The light novel is the original source material — meaning it’s the original work that the manga and anime are both based on. A light novel is a Japanese prose book (written in sentences and paragraphs, like a traditional novel) that’s typically shorter per volume and often includes a few illustrations. If you prefer reading prose with deeper internal thoughts from the characters and more worldbuilding detail, the light novel would be the natural starting point — but as of this writing, the light novel has not been licensed for English-language release. English-speaking readers will want to start with the manga instead.
What About the Anime?
The anime adaptation is a great companion to either reading path, but it’s not a prerequisite. Two seasons have aired so far — Season 1 (12 episodes) covers roughly the first 4–5 manga volumes (this is an estimate; exact chapter coverage varies by adaptation pacing), and Season 2 (12 episodes, July–September 2025) continued further into the story. If you’ve already watched both seasons and want to continue in print, the manga picks up where the anime leaves off — though honestly, the manga’s art is so good that reading from Volume 1 is worth it even if you’ve seen the show. The visual storytelling carries a different energy on the page, and you’ll catch details the anime moved past quickly.
How the Light Novel, Manga, and Anime Connect
Understanding how the three formats relate to each other helps you figure out what you’re getting from each one.
The Light Novel: Where It All Started
The light novel is the foundation of the series. Written as prose, it’s where Lloyd’s story originated. The light novel goes deeper into Lloyd’s thoughts, the magic system’s mechanics, and the political backdrop of the world. If you want the most detailed version of the story, this is it.
For anyone wondering what “internal monologue” means here — the light novel spends more time inside Lloyd’s head, letting you read his actual thought process as he works through magical problems. You get a better sense of his genuine curiosity versus how his actions look to the people around him.
The Manga: The Visual Adaptation
The manga adapts the light novel’s storyline but adjusts the pacing to emphasize visual action and comedic timing. The artist brings Lloyd’s absurdly powerful magical experiments to life in a way that prose simply can’t match. Fight scenes hit harder, comedy lands faster, and the overall experience feels more energetic and immediate.
The manga follows the light novel’s plot faithfully, so you’re getting the same core story — just in a different format with a different rhythm.
The Anime: Early Story in Motion
The anime has aired two seasons so far. Season 1 (12 episodes) covers the early portions of the story, corresponding roughly to the first 4–5 manga volumes (an estimate; exact coverage varies). Season 2 (12 episodes, July–September 2025) continued further into the story. Both seasons do justice to the flashy magic battles, and the animation is a solid way to experience the characters and world. But the anime still covers only a portion of what’s available in print, so you’ll want to pick up the manga or light novel to continue beyond where the show leaves off.
No Spin-Offs to Track
One thing that makes this series beginner-friendly: there are no English-licensed spin-off manga, side story collections, or alternate versions to keep track of. The reading order is purely linear. Light novel, manga, anime — they all tell the same story, just in different formats.
Can You Skip the Light Novel and Start with the Manga?
Short answer: yes, absolutely. The manga works perfectly well as a standalone reading experience. You won’t miss critical plot points or feel lost if you’ve never touched the light novel.
Why the Manga-First Path Works
The manga adaptation does a strong job of conveying the story’s key elements — Lloyd’s ridiculous magical talent, the comedy that comes from everyone around him being stunned by his power, and the gradually escalating stakes. The adaptation doesn’t skip major story sections or leave out essential characters.
For readers who prefer art-driven storytelling, the manga is arguably the better experience. The series leans heavily on visual spectacle — watching Lloyd casually obliterate threats that would terrify anyone else is funnier and more impactful when you can actually see it happening on the page.
When the Light Novel Adds Value
That said, the light novel (currently available only in Japanese) has its own advantages:
- More time in Lloyd’s head: The light novel gives you more of Lloyd’s actual thought process. You get a better sense of his genuine love for magic versus how his actions appear to others — a gap that drives a lot of the series’ comedy.
- Worldbuilding depth: The political dynamics of being the seventh prince — low enough in the royal succession that nobody sees him as a threat or expects greatness — receive more attention in the prose format.
- A different lens on familiar events: Even for story sections the manga already covers, reading the light novel version gives you a richer, more detailed take — particularly on Lloyd’s thought process and the political dynamics that the manga moves through more quickly.
The Recommended Approach
Start with the manga — since the light novel is not currently available in English, it’s the clear choice for English-speaking readers. If an English light novel edition is released in the future, it would be worth picking up for a deeper dive into the world.
Which Edition Should You Buy?
Let’s break down your options for actually getting this series in your hands.
English Manga
The manga is available in English in both digital and print formats, with 15 volumes currently released. This is the easiest version to find and the most widely available for English-speaking readers.
If you’re looking to start collecting, the manga is a solid pickup. The art quality makes physical volumes particularly satisfying to own — the action scenes and double-page magical effects (called “spreads,” where the art stretches across two full pages) benefit from the larger format of a print volume.
I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical Ability, Vol. 15
English Light Novel
As of this writing, the light novel has not been licensed for English-language release. The original Japanese edition has multiple volumes published, but English-speaking readers looking for prose will need to focus on the manga for now. If an English light novel edition is announced in the future, it would be worth picking up for its deeper worldbuilding and character insights.
Digital vs. Physical: What Works Best
Here’s a quick comparison for this specific series:
| Factor | Digital | Physical |
|---|---|---|
| Action readability | Great on tablets; phone screens may lose some detail in busy fight scenes | Double-page art looks great in print |
| Convenience | Instant access, no shelf space needed | Collectible, lendable, no battery required |
| Price over time | Often slightly lower per volume | Can hold value for collectors |
| Availability | Usually in stock | Popular volumes occasionally go out of stock between printings |
For a series this action-heavy, a tablet or physical volume tends to give you the best reading experience. Phone screens handle dialogue scenes fine, but the large-scale magical battle artwork really shines with more screen (or page) real estate.
How the Anime Supplements Reading
The anime is worth watching alongside your reading, but it doesn’t replace the manga. Think of it as a bonus — hearing the voice acting, seeing the magic animated, and getting the soundtrack adds another dimension to scenes you’ve already read (or are about to read). But the manga contains more story content, so the anime works best as a complement rather than a substitute.
What to Expect as a First-Time Reader
Going in fresh? Here’s what to expect so you can get the most out of the series.
The Tone Is Lighter Than You Might Expect
A lot of isekai series — stories about characters reborn or transported to fantasy worlds — lean into dark themes, tragic backstories, or survival tension. This one goes in a different direction. The core appeal is comedy meets an absurdly powerful main character. Lloyd is so talented at magic that much of the humor comes from the gap between his casual attitude and everyone else’s shock at what he can do.
That doesn’t mean there’s zero drama — the stakes do escalate as the story progresses, and some villains bring genuine threat. But especially in the early volumes, expect a fun, lighthearted ride rather than grim survival.
What Draws People In
Lloyd’s magic experiments and battles are the main attraction. He’s not reluctantly powerful — he actively loves studying and experimenting with magic, which gives the series an almost hobbyist energy. Watching him geek out over a new spell and then accidentally terrify everyone around him is endlessly entertaining.
The supporting cast also grows on you. The characters who surround Lloyd each react to his absurd power level differently, and those dynamics create a lot of the series’ charm.
Beginner-Friendly Entry Point
This series requires almost no background knowledge to enjoy. You don’t need to be familiar with isekai genre conventions (though recognizing them adds a layer of comedy), and the world is introduced naturally through the story rather than through dense information dumps.
If you’re new to manga in general, here’s the most important thing to know: manga reads right-to-left. You start at what would be the “back” of a Western book, and read each page from the right side to the left. It feels natural after just a few pages, and this series has clean, easy-to-follow page layouts that make the adjustment smooth.
Pacing Expectations
The early volumes focus on character introductions and establishing Lloyd’s abilities. The story takes its time letting you meet the cast and understand the world before building into larger storylines. This mirrors the series’ own philosophy — Lloyd is “taking his time” perfecting his magic, and the storytelling reflects that patient approach before the bigger conflicts kick in.
Don’t mistake the relaxed early pacing for a lack of direction, though. The groundwork laid in those first few volumes pays off as the story expands.
FAQ
Is the manga finished or still ongoing?
The manga is an ongoing series with 15 English volumes currently available. New volumes continue to be published, with no announced end date, so there’s plenty more story to come.
How far ahead is the light novel compared to the manga?
The light novel is the original source material and has multiple volumes published in Japanese. However, as of this writing, no English-language release of the light novel has been confirmed. For English-speaking readers, the manga (15 volumes) is the primary way to follow the story in print.
Do I need to watch the anime before reading?
Nope. The manga and light novel both start from the very beginning of the story. The anime (two seasons, 12 episodes each) is a fun supplement, but it’s completely optional. You can watch it before, after, or alongside your reading — or skip it entirely. Your reading experience won’t suffer either way.
Where do I pick up the manga after the anime?
If you’ve only watched Season 1, it covers roughly the first 4–5 manga volumes (estimate) — start around Volume 5 or 6 for new material. If you’ve watched both seasons, you’ll need to pick up further along in the manga to find where the anime left off. That said, the manga’s artwork adds a lot to scenes the anime adapted, so starting from Volume 1 is well worth it if you have the time.
Is there a web novel version of this series?
A web novel is a story published for free online (often chapter by chapter) before being picked up by a publisher — many isekai stories start this way. This particular series’ primary published form is the light novel. For English-speaking readers, the manga is the main format to focus on.
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That covers everything you need to get started with I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical Ability. The manga reading order is refreshingly simple — grab Volume 1 of the manga and go. With 15 manga volumes available in English, there’s plenty to keep you busy. If you end up loving it (and there’s a good chance you will — it’s a really fun series), keep an eye out for a potential English light novel release down the road — it would offer even more depth and a different perspective on the story. Enjoy the magic experiments!