Finished the Demon Lord, Retry! anime and wondering where to pick up the story? You’re not alone. Many fans are left searching for the exact starting point in the light novels to continue Hakuto Kunai’s adventure without missing a beat. This guide provides the clear, definitive answer you need.
The first season of the Demon Lord, Retry! anime, consisting of 12 episodes, adapts the story from Volume 1 and Volume 2, ending partway through Volume 3 of the light novel. To continue the story with no overlap, readers should begin with Light Novel Volume 4. However, it is highly recommended to start from the beginning of Volume 3 to understand skipped content.
Based on a detailed analysis of the source material and community consensus, this guide breaks down the precise stopping point. You’ll discover not only where to start reading but also the critical differences between the light novel, web novel, and manga. This ensures you choose the right path for your reading journey.
Key Facts
- Anime Endpoint: The 12-episode anime series concludes its story partway through Volume 3 of the official light novel series, covering events from the first two volumes completely.
- Recommended Starting Point: While you can jump directly to Volume 4, community consensus and expert analysis strongly recommend starting from the beginning of Volume 3 to experience skipped character development and plot details.
- A Sequel Exists, But It’s Different: There is no direct “Season 2,” but a sequel series titled
Demon Lord, Retry! Rbegan airing in 2026. It is a separate production that adapts the manga, not the light novel.- Light Novel is Canon: The Light Novel is the official, polished source material for the franchise. The Web Novel is the original draft and diverges significantly from the canon storyline where the anime leaves off.
- The Story is Ongoing: The light novel series is not cancelled. Despite a lengthy hiatus that concerned fans after a major cliffhanger in Volume 8, the author has since released Volume 9.
Where Does the Demon Lord, Retry! Anime End in the Light Novel?
The definitive answer is that the Demon Lord, Retry! anime concludes its 12-episode run approximately halfway through Volume 3 of the light novel. The anime faithfully covers the events of Volume 1 and Volume 2. Episode 12, the final episode, adapts the early chapters of Volume 3, culminating just after the incident at the Bastille dungeon and the introduction of the demon Tahu. To continue the story with absolutely no repeated content, your journey begins with Light Novel Volume 4.
However, jumping straight to Volume 4 might leave you with a few small but important gaps in your understanding. Anime adaptations, by their nature, must condense the source material for pacing and runtime. This often means trimming internal monologues, minor character interactions, and world-building details. Real-world experience with many light novel adaptations shows that these skipped details often become important in later volumes.
What Is the Recommended Starting Point in the Light Novel?
Based on our analysis of the source material, the highly recommended starting point is the beginning of Volume 3. While you will re-read some events shown in the last few episodes of the anime, this approach provides a much smoother and more complete transition from the screen to the page. Anime adaptations are a condensed version of the light novel, and starting from Volume 3 ensures you don’t miss crucial context.
Starting with Volume 3 is the best option for a seamless transition because it fills in details that the anime skipped for pacing. You’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the story and its characters.
Here’s what you’ll gain by starting at Volume 3:
* ✅ Deeper Character Insight: You get more of the Demon Lord’s internal monologues and strategic thinking, which the anime couldn’t fully portray.
* ✅ Richer World-Building: The light novel provides more detailed explanations about the world, its politics, and the magic system.
* ✅ Smoother Transitions: You will understand the introduction of certain characters and plot points with the full context intended by the author, Kurone Kanzaki.
* ✅ No Information Gaps: You guarantee that no minor but potentially relevant plot points from the latter half of Volume 3 are missed.
How Do the Light Novel, Web Novel, and Manga Versions Differ?
The main difference is that the Web Novel is the original, unedited story, while the Light Novel is the polished, official canon version. Navigating the Demon Lord, Retry! franchise can be confusing because there are three different versions: the original Web Novel (WN), the official Light Novel (LN), and the Manga adaptation. Understanding their relationship is critical to continuing the story correctly. The Light Novel is the definitive source material that the anime and manga adapt.
The Web Novel served as the rough draft, originally published on the site Shosetsuka ni Narou. Around the events of Volume 3, its plot begins to diverge significantly from the Light Novel. For example, the Web Novel introduces a character named Ren, while the canon Light Novel introduces Akane in the same plot arc. This makes the Light Novel the only reliable source to follow after watching the anime. The Manga, in turn, is a faithful visual adaptation of the Light Novel’s canon storyline.
For absolute clarity, here is a breakdown of the key differences:
| Feature | Light Novel (LN) | Web Novel (WN) | Manga |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canon Status | Official Canon. Source for anime & manga. | Original Draft. Non-canon after early volumes. | Canon-Compliant. Follows the LN. |
| Story After Anime | Continues the story from Volume 3/4. | Diverges significantly around Volume 3. | Adapts the LN story, currently ongoing. |
| Key Divergence | Akane is introduced. | A different character, Ren, is summoned early. | Follows the LN plot with Akane. |
| Recommendation | Start here after the anime. | Read for a “what if” scenario after catching up on the LN. | A good visual alternative if you prefer comics to prose. |
Will There Be a Demon Lord, Retry! Season 2?
No, there is not a direct “Season 2.” However, a sequel anime titled Demon Lord, Retry! R began airing in late 2026, continuing the story. This is a frequent point of confusion for fans. While a continuation of the anime does exist, it’s not a straightforward second season from the original production team. This new series is a separate production that adapts the manga storyline, featuring a different animation studio and some changes to the cast.
The original 2019 anime was produced by studio Ekachi Epilka and adapted the light novel. The sequel, Demon Lord, Retry! R, is produced by studio Gekkou and, according to publisher announcements, directly adapts the popular manga version of the story. This shift in source material and production staff explains the different “R” designation and changes in the art style.
Key Things to Know About Demon Lord, Retry! R:
* ⭐ It Is a Sequel: The story does continue from where the first series left off.
* ⭐ Different Studio: It is animated by Studio Gekkou, not Ekachi Epilka.
* ⭐ Adapts the Manga: It uses the manga as its source material, not the light novel directly.
* ⭐ New Cast: Due to the long gap in production, most of the original voice cast was replaced.
What is the Current Status of the Demon Lord, Retry! Light Novel?
No, the Demon Lord, Retry! light novel series is not cancelled; it is ongoing. This is a major concern for potential readers, especially given the history of the series’ publication. After Volume 8 was released in Japan with a massive cliffhanger ending, there was a significant delay of over a year with no news. This long hiatus led many in the fan community to believe the series had been dropped by the author or publisher.
However, these fears were put to rest. As of late 2026, Volume 9 has been released in Japan, resolving the cliffhanger and continuing the story. The official English translation is licensed by J-Novel Club, and its releases typically follow a few months after the Japanese publication. Therefore, you can confidently start reading the series knowing that the story is still actively being written.
FAQs About where does the demon lord retry anime end in the light novel
What chapter does the Demon Lord, Retry! anime end in the manga?
The anime adaptation covers the manga’s story up to approximately Chapter 20-22. Similar to the light novel, starting a few chapters earlier is recommended to catch character introductions and minor plot points that were rearranged for the anime’s pacing. The manga is a direct adaptation of the light novel.
Who animated the Demon Lord, Retry! anime series?
The first season (2019) was animated by studio Ekachi Epilka. The sequel series, Demon Lord, Retry! R (2026), was produced by a different studio, Gekkou, which is one reason for the changes in art style and adaptation source.
How many episodes are in Demon Lord, Retry! Season 1?
The first season of Demon Lord, Retry!, which aired in 2019, has a total of 12 episodes. The sequel series, Demon Lord, Retry! R, is also planned for a 12-episode run.
Is Demon Lord, Retry! connected to The Devil Is a Part-Timer?
No, there is no connection between Demon Lord, Retry! and The Devil Is a Part-Timer! (Hataraku Maou-sama). They are completely separate franchises created by different authors. The confusion arises because both feature a “Demon Lord” protagonist in an isekai-like setting.
What is the plot of Light Novel Volume 4?
Volume 4 marks the true beginning of the story post-anime. After dealing with the events at the Bastille Dungeon, the Demon Lord decides to learn more about the world by infiltrating the country of Animania. Meanwhile, Luna gets news that a childhood friend is being sold into slavery, forcing her to take action.
Why was the cast changed for Demon Lord, Retry! R?
According to the series creator, the five-year gap between seasons made it “physically impossible” to reassemble the entire original voice cast. Many of the original voice actors had become more famous with schedules booked years in advance, leading the production to recast most roles for the sequel.
Was the Demon Lord, Retry! light novel cancelled?
No, the light novel was never cancelled, but it went on a long hiatus. After Volume 8 was released with a major cliffhanger, there was a gap of over 1.5 years with no news, leading many fans to believe it was dropped. However, the author eventually resumed the series with Volume 9.
Where can I legally read the Demon Lord, Retry! light novel?
The official English translation of the light novel is licensed and published by J-Novel Club. You can purchase digital volumes on platforms like Amazon Kindle, BookWalker, and Kobo, or read them through a J-Novel Club subscription service.
Does the anime have a lot of filler?
The Demon Lord, Retry! anime has very little filler content. It is a condensed adaptation of the first two and a half light novels. Instead of adding filler, the anime primarily cuts or shortens subplots and character explanations to fit the story into its 12-episode run.
Is there a Demon Lord, Retry! video game?
Yes, a browser game titled Demon Lord, Retry! R Reborn was scheduled for release on the G123 platform. Pre-registration for the game began in late 2026, and it is based on the Demon Lord, Retry! R anime sequel.
Final Thoughts
Navigating the world of Demon Lord, Retry! after finishing the anime can seem complex, but it’s straightforward once you have the right map. The key is knowing that the anime ends mid-Volume 3 and that the Light Novel is the one true source to continue the canon story. By starting with Volume 3, you set yourself up for the best possible reading experience, enjoying the full depth of the world and characters as the author intended.
With the series confirmed to be ongoing and a sequel anime adapting the manga, there has never been a better time to dive deeper into this unique isekai adventure. Whether you choose to pick up the light novels or check out the manga, you now have a clear path forward. Which approach will you try first?
Last update on 2026-02-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
