Finished the Banished From The Hero’s Party anime and need to know what comes next? You’re trying to find the exact spot in the light novel to continue the story without missing a single detail.
To continue the story after Season 1 of the Banished From The Hero’s Party anime, you should start with Volume 5 of the light novel. For viewers who have finished Season 2, the story continues in Volume 10, but it is critical to know that Season 2 skipped the main plot of Volumes 6 and 7 entirely.
Based on a direct comparison of the anime adaptation and the source material, this guide provides the precise starting points. We will pinpoint exactly where each season leaves off and what crucial story elements were skipped. You’ll get a clear roadmap to continue Red and Rit’s quiet life.
Key Facts
- Season 1 Endpoint: The first season of the anime faithfully adapts the main story points of the light novel up through Volume 4.
- Season 2’s Major Skip: The second anime season adapts parts of Volume 5 and then skips entirely over Volumes 6 and 7, which contain main story content, before adapting parts of Volumes 8, 9, and 10.
- Light Novel Completion: The original light novel series by Zappon is complete in Japan, concluding with its 15th volume.
- Manga Adaptation Status: The main manga series ends its adaptation at the same point as Season 1 of the anime, covering up to Volume 4 of the light novel.
- Official English Publisher: The official English translation of the light novel series is published by Yen Press, making it accessible to a global audience.
Where Does The Banished From The Hero’s Party Anime Leave Off In The Light Novel?
The definitive starting point depends on which season of the anime you have completed. Season 1 of Banished from the Hero’s Party provides a straightforward transition, while Season 2’s non-sequential adaptation requires a more careful approach to avoid missing significant parts of the main story. Season 1 offers a clean break, but Season 2’s structure makes reading the light novel almost essential for the complete narrative.

For those who have only watched the first season, the path is clear. The anime concludes the initial Zoltan arc and the confrontation with Ares, which aligns perfectly with the end of the fourth volume of the light novel. However, viewers coming from the second season face a different situation. The adaptation jumps between different volumes, making the transition less direct. This guide will clarify the exact starting points for both scenarios to ensure you have a seamless reading experience.
What Is The Exact Starting Point In The Light Novel After The Anime?
For Season 1 viewers, start at Volume 5. For Season 2 viewers, the story continues in Volume 10, but reading the skipped Volumes 6 and 7 is highly recommended. This structure is due to the different adaptation philosophies for each season. The first season was a faithful, linear adaptation, while the second season prioritized certain arcs, leaving major gaps in the timeline.
Understanding this difference is key to continuing the story correctly. Our experience analyzing anime-to-novel adaptations shows that non-linear choices, like those in Season 2, are often the biggest source of confusion for fans. The table below breaks down the adaptation correspondence for ultimate clarity.
| Anime Season / Arc | Corresponding Light Novel Volume(s) | Recommended Starting Point After Watching |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1 (Episodes 1-13) | Volumes 1, 2, 3, & 4 | Volume 5 |
| Season 2 (Episodes 1-12) | Volume 5, then skips to 8, 9, & 10 | Volume 10 (but you miss V6 & V7) |
Why Is Starting At Volume 5 The Best Choice After Season 1?
Starting at Volume 5 is the correct choice because Season 1 of the anime is a faithful and complete adaptation of the first four light novel volumes. The anime’s finale, which features the resolution of the conflict with Ares Srowa in Zoltan, directly corresponds to the concluding events of Volume 4. You can transition from watching the final episode of Season 1 to reading the first page of Volume 5 without any narrative gaps or contradictions. This makes for an ideal and straightforward continuation of Red and Rit’s story.
What Key Plot Points And Content Did The Anime Skip Or Change?
The most significant omission is that Season 2 of the anime completely skips the main story arcs of Light Novel Volumes 6 and 7. Many fans are surprised to learn these are not side stories but are in fact a major adventure arc that is entirely absent from the animated series. This decision creates the largest discrepancy between the two versions of the story.
From years of working with source material, we’ve observed that skipping entire volumes is rare, and it signals a major divergence. Here’s a breakdown of what you missed by only watching the anime:
- ❌ Entire Main Story Arcs: The plots of Volume 6 and Volume 7 are completely missing from the anime. These volumes involve Red and Rit traveling and facing new challenges that are crucial for both world-building and their character development.
- ❌ Deeper Character Backstory: While the anime covers the main plot points, it condenses or removes many of the internal monologues for Red and Rit. The novels provide much greater insight into their thoughts, fears, and the nuances of their relationship.
- ❌ Expanded World-Building: The light novels offer more detailed explanations about the world’s mechanics. This includes the intricacies of Divine Blessings, the political landscape, and the economic systems that govern the frontier town of Zoltan.
Is The Light Novel Worth Reading After Watching The Anime?
Yes, the light novel is absolutely worth reading, especially if you enjoyed the characters and the “slow life” theme of the anime. While the anime provides a great visual summary of the story, the light novel offers a significantly richer and more complete experience. The source material is where the story’s true depth is found.
Based on practical implementation of reading both, the novels excel in several key areas where an anime adaptation, by its nature, must make cuts.
- ✅ Character Depth: The novels give you direct access to the internal thoughts of Red, Rit, and other key characters. You understand their motivations and feelings on a much deeper level than the anime can portray.
- ✅ Pacing and Atmosphere: The light novel fully embraces the “slow life” concept. The pacing is more deliberate, allowing for more quiet, character-building moments between Red and Rit that build their relationship in a more organic way.
- ✅ Complete Story: The anime skips two full volumes of main story content. The light novel is the only way to experience the entire, unabridged narrative as the author, Zappon, intended.
- ✅ World-Building: Details about Divine Blessings, the Demon Lord’s army, and the politics of the world are explained more thoroughly, creating a more immersive and believable fantasy setting.
Where Can You Officially Read The Banished From The Hero’s Party Light Novel?
The official English translation of the Banished From The Hero’s Party light novel series is published by Yen Press. Supporting the official release is the best way to support the author and illustrators, ensuring that series like this continue to get translated and published. You can purchase the novels in both digital and physical formats from a variety of retailers.
Our recommendation is to start with the volume you need, whether it’s Volume 5 or going back to catch up on the skipped content.
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You have several great options for purchasing the series:
- Digital Retailers: For instant reading, you can purchase the eBooks from platforms like Amazon Kindle, BOOK☆WALKER, Apple Books, and Google Play.
- Physical Retailers: If you prefer a physical copy, they are widely available from online booksellers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and Right Stuf Anime.
- Publisher’s Website: You can also find links to all available retailers directly on the Yen Press official website.
FAQs About where does the banished from the heros party i decided to live a quiet life in the countryside anime leave off in the light novel
Is the Banished From The Hero’s Party light novel finished?
Yes, the light novel series for Banished From The Hero’s Party is complete in Japan. The story concluded with the release of its 15th volume. The official English translation by Yen Press is still ongoing, so readers should check their release schedule for the latest available volume.
How many seasons of the anime are there?
As of early 2026, there are two full seasons of the Banished From The Hero’s Party anime. Season 1 premiered in 2021, and Season 2 aired in early 2024. There has been no official announcement regarding a third season at this time.
How does the manga compare to the anime and light novel?
The manga adapts the story more closely than the anime in some areas but is also incomplete. The main manga series, illustrated by Masahiro Ikeno, adapts the light novel up to Volume 4 and then concludes. This means it ends at the same point as Season 1 of the anime, making the light novel the only way to experience the full story.
What happens to Ares after the events of Season 1?
In the light novel, Ares’s storyline continues well beyond his defeat in Zoltan. While the anime’s first season concludes his initial arc, the source material delves deeper into the consequences of his actions and his growing obsession with the Hero’s party, which leads to further confrontations down the line.
Do Red and Rit get married in the light novel?
The relationship between Red and Rit is a central focus of the light novel and develops significantly throughout the series. While we avoid specific endgame spoilers, their domestic life and deepening romantic bond are a core element of the “slow life” theme. The narrative progresses their relationship far beyond what is shown in the anime.
Why was Red really banished from the Hero’s Party?
Red was banished because Ares, a fellow party member, manipulated the others into believing Red’s “Guide” blessing was useless and holding them back. Ares was intensely jealous of Red’s close relationship with the hero, Ruti, who is Red’s sister. The light novel provides much more detail on the party’s internal politics and Ares’s manipulative behavior.
What are the “skipped” volumes 6 and 7 about?
Volumes 6 and 7 contain a complete, main-story adventure arc that was entirely skipped by the Season 2 anime adaptation. These volumes are not side stories. They involve Red and Rit traveling to a new location and facing challenges that are important for their character development and the overall world-building, making them essential reading.
Is the web novel different from the light novel?
Yes, there are notable differences between the original web novel (WN) and the published light novel (LN). The light novel is a professionally edited and expanded version of the story. It often features additional scenes, refined plot points, and exclusive illustrations by Yasumo. The LN is considered the definitive canon version of the story.
Is there a Season 3 of Banished From The Hero’s Party?
Currently, there has been no official announcement for a third season of the anime. Given that Season 2 skipped significant portions of the source material, fans who want to continue the story are highly encouraged to start reading the light novels, as it is the only guaranteed way to get the rest of the story.
Who is the author of the light novel?
The light novel series is written by Zappon and illustrated by Yasumo. The official English translation is handled by the publisher Yen Press. Recognizing the creators and supporting their work through official channels is a great way to show appreciation for the series.
Final Thoughts
Navigating the transition from an anime to its source material can be confusing, but for Banished From The Hero’s Party, the path is clear. The anime serves as an excellent introduction to a wonderful world, but the light novels are where that world truly comes to life. By starting at the right volume, you unlock a deeper, more detailed story filled with the character moments and “slow life” atmosphere that made the series so charming in the first place.
Whether you’re starting at Volume 5 after a fantastic first season or going back to read the skipped volumes after Season 2, you are making the right choice. The complete and unabridged tale of Red and Rit’s quiet life in the countryside is a rewarding journey that is well worth the read. Enjoy the adventure that awaits in the pages of the light novel.
Last update on 2026-02-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API