Good news if you’re looking for the In Another World with My Smartphone manga reading order and feeling overwhelmed — the reading order here is about as simple as it gets. There are no spin-off manga, no alternate timelines, no branching paths. Just one straight line from Volume 1 to the latest release.
For anyone new to the genre, “isekai” is a Japanese word meaning “another world” — it refers to stories where a character is transported from everyday life into a fantasy world. This series is one of the most approachable examples of that storytelling style.
Below you’ll find the full volume list, how the manga fits alongside the light novel and anime, which edition to grab, and a few pointers if this is your first time picking up the series.
In Another World with My Smartphone Manga Reading Order — The Complete List
The manga follows a single, chronological storyline. Start at Volume 1 and read forward. That’s the entire reading order.
Here are the currently available English volumes from Yen Press:
- Volume 1
- Volume 2
- Volume 3
- Volume 4
- Volume 5
- Volume 6
- Volume 7
- Volume 8
- Volume 9
- Volume 10
- Volume 11
- Volume 12
- Volume 13
- Volume 14
- Volume 15
That’s 15 English volumes published so far. Each volume runs roughly 148 pages and reads in about 30–45 minutes, so a single volume is an easy one-sitting read. The Japanese edition, published by KADOKAWA (one of Japan’s largest publishers) under their Kadokawa Comics Ace label, currently sits at 18 volumes — so the English release has some catching up to do, and more volumes are on the way.
There are no side-story manga, prequel manga, or companion manga to worry about. The series is ongoing, meaning new volumes continue to release in both Japanese and English. If you’re reading this months from now, there may be a Volume 16 or beyond already available — just keep going in numerical order and you’re set.
If you’re wondering whether it’s worth starting an ongoing series — the Japanese release is actively continuing at 18 volumes and counting, the English translation is steadily progressing, and the franchise remains healthy across multiple formats. There’s no sign of this one being abandoned.
How the Manga Connects to the Light Novel and Web Novel
Understanding where the manga sits in the bigger picture helps, especially if you see light novels on the shelf next to the manga volumes and wonder which one to grab.
A quick glossary for anyone new to these terms:
- Web novel: A story originally published online by the author, often chapter by chapter, for free. Think of it as the earliest draft of the story.
- Light novel: A published Japanese novel, usually with some illustrations. “Light” refers to the accessible writing style and shorter length compared to traditional novels. These are the polished, official version of the story.
- Manga adaptation: When an existing story (in this case, the light novel) is retold in comic form — with panels, artwork, and dialogue bubbles. Adaptations typically condense the original to fit a visual format.
The story of In Another World with My Smartphone started life as a web novel. From there, it was adapted into a light novel series written by Patora Fuyuhara (冬原パトラ). The manga adaptation came after that, illustrated by artist Soto and published in chapters through Monthly Comp Ace, a manga magazine where new chapters appear on a regular schedule before being collected into book-format volumes. The first Japanese manga volume hit shelves in June 2017.
So the chain goes: Web Novel → Light Novel → Manga.
The manga retells the light novel’s story, but it’s not a page-for-page, scene-for-scene reproduction. Like most manga based on novels, it condenses certain sections. Some dialogue gets trimmed, some of the main character’s inner thoughts are cut, and some world-building details are simplified to fit the visual format. The core story beats and character journeys remain intact, though. The manga works perfectly well as a self-contained experience — you don’t need to read the novels to follow what’s happening.
One important thing to know: the light novel is further ahead in the story than the manga. If you catch up on all available manga volumes and want more, the light novel is where you’d go to continue. The English light novel is published by J-Novel Club — a separate publisher whose print editions are distributed through Yen Press, so you can find it through most major retailers.
Can You Skip the Light Novel and Just Read the Manga?
Yes, absolutely. The manga retells the story from the very beginning. You don’t need any prior knowledge from the novels to understand or enjoy it.
That said, here’s how to think about the different entry points:
- Manga only: You’ll get the full story in a visual format. Great if you prefer art-driven storytelling and don’t mind waiting for new volumes to release.
- Light novel only: You’ll get the most detailed version of the story, with more world-building, inner thoughts from the main character, and scenes that the manga trims.
- Both: Some readers enjoy the manga first for the visuals, then pick up the light novel to experience expanded versions of scenes they liked.
If you watched the anime and want to continue in manga form, know that the manga starts from the same beginning as the anime. Both the manga and the anime retell the same original novel story. The manga continues well beyond the content covered by the anime, so you’ll get plenty of new material after the familiar early chapters. Since the manga retells everything from scratch, there’s no need to figure out “where the anime left off” — just start at Volume 1 and enjoy the ride, even if some early scenes feel familiar.
Which Edition to Buy — English Volumes from Yen Press
The English manga is published by Yen Press, with 15 volumes currently available. Both physical and digital editions exist, so you can pick whichever format suits your reading style.
Here’s a quick comparison between the English and Japanese releases:
| Detail | English Edition | Japanese Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Publisher | Yen Press | KADOKAWA |
| Volumes available | 15 | 18 |
| Status | Ongoing | Ongoing |
| Formats | Physical & Digital | Physical & Digital |
The English edition trails the Japanese release by several volumes. This is normal — when a Japanese manga is licensed for English release, the translation and production process means the English version runs behind the original. Yen Press releases new volumes roughly every few months, gradually closing that gap.
If you’re looking to start collecting, grabbing Volume 1 is the obvious first step. The volumes are standard manga-sized paperbacks.
In Another World with My Smartphone, Vol. 1 (manga)
One practical note: since there are 15 volumes already out, you might want to start with just the first few to make sure the series clicks for you before committing to the full run. There’s no box set available for this series, so you’ll be picking up individual volumes either way.
What to Know Before You Start Reading
If this is your first time with the series — or maybe your first isekai manga altogether — here are some things worth knowing before you start.
Start at Volume 1 with zero prerequisites. You don’t need to have watched the anime, read the light novel, or know anything about the web novel. The manga is designed to stand on its own from page one.
Know what kind of story you’re getting into. In Another World with My Smartphone is a light-hearted, comedy-focused isekai with harem elements and an overpowered protagonist — a main character who is deliberately written to be extremely powerful from the very start, which is a common and intentional storytelling choice in this genre. “Harem elements” in this context means the main character gradually attracts a group of female companions who develop romantic feelings for him — it’s played for comedy and charm, not explicit content. The series is appropriate for a teen-and-up audience.
The main character, Touya Mochizuki, gets sent to a fantasy world by God (who apologizes for accidentally killing him) and gets to keep his smartphone, which still works via divine magic. From there, it’s a breezy adventure filled with a growing cast of characters, comedic situations, and a protagonist who can basically handle anything thrown at him.
The appeal isn’t tension or high-stakes drama — it’s the fun of watching Touya explore this new world, meet new companions, and solve problems with a mix of magic and modern-world knowledge. If you enjoy easygoing isekai where the protagonist is powerful from the start and the tone stays upbeat, this is a great pick.
The manga is a solid choice if you prefer visual storytelling. Some readers bounce off light novels but love the same story in manga form. The art by Soto brings the characters and world to life in a way that written descriptions can’t, and the pacing moves briskly. You’ll cover a lot of story ground per volume.
If you enjoy it, the light novel is there for more. Think of the light novel as the extended version. It has more details, more scenes, and more inner narration from Touya. The English light novel is published by J-Novel Club — easy to find alongside the Yen Press manga volumes at most retailers. Once you’ve caught up on the manga, switching to the light novel gives you both additional depth on what you’ve already read and continuation of the story beyond where the manga currently reaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the In Another World with My Smartphone manga finished?
No. The manga is ongoing. As of now, there are 18 Japanese volumes and 15 English volumes published. New volumes continue to release in both languages, so the story isn’t wrapping up anytime soon.
Do I need to watch the anime before reading the manga?
Not at all. The manga and the anime both retell the same light novel story from the beginning. You can jump into whichever format appeals to you. If you’ve already seen the anime, the manga will cover familiar ground early on before moving into content the anime hasn’t reached.
How often do new English volumes come out?
Yen Press releases volumes roughly every few months, though the exact gap between volumes can vary. The best way to stay current is to check the Yen Press website for their upcoming release calendar, where they list confirmed dates for future volumes.
Is this a good manga for isekai beginners?
It’s a great starting point. The premise is easy to grasp, the tone is welcoming, and the powerful protagonist means you’re never stuck in frustrating storylines where the hero can’t make progress. It’s one of the more approachable isekai series out there, especially if you want something fun and low-stress.
How does the manga compare to the light novel in terms of content?
The manga covers the same story but in a condensed format. You’ll get all the major plot points and character moments, but the light novel includes more details — extra scenes, deeper world-building, and Touya’s inner thoughts. Neither version is “better” in an objective sense; it comes down to whether you prefer reading with art or with written descriptions.