Finished the How Not to Summon a Demon Lord anime and feel lost? You’re trying to figure out exactly where the story continues in the light novels without getting spoilers.
The second season of the How Not to Summon a Demon Lord anime concludes its adaptation at the end of Light Novel Volume 6. To continue the story without missing any plot points, fans who have watched both seasons should start reading from the beginning of Light Novel Volume 7. This is the correct entry point.
Based on a direct analysis of the anime and source material, this guide gives you the precise starting points. You will discover not only where to begin reading but also how the anime and novels differ, ensuring you make the best choice for your journey.
Key Facts
- Definitive Starting Point: After watching both anime seasons, the story continues directly in Light Novel Volume 7.
- Source Material Superiority: The light novel is the original source material, offering far more detail, world-building, and character insight than the anime adaptation.
- Rushed Second Season: Analysis reveals that Season 2 of the anime significantly rushed its pacing, skipping and rearranging plot points from Volumes 4-6.
- Internal Monologues Are Key: A major difference is the extensive internal monologue of the protagonist in the novels, which provides much of the series’ comedy and characterization and is mostly cut from the anime.
- Current Series Status: As of early 2026, the light novel series is on an extended hiatus after the release of Volume 14, with no official release date for Volume 15.
Where Does the How Not to Summon a Demon Lord Anime Leave Off in the Light Novels?
For fans who have completed both Season 1 and Season 2 (Omega), the anime’s story concludes at the end of Light Novel Volume 6. The final arc of the second season, which covers the conflict with the Church and the events in the capital city of Faltra, adapts the main plot points from that volume. Starting your reading journey with Volume 7 ensures you pick up the narrative right where the anime left off, with no overlap or missed information.
This specific continuity point is crucial because Season 2, titled How Not to Summon a Demon Lord Ω, had a notably different adaptation approach than the first season. While Season 1 was a relatively faithful adaptation of its source material, Season 2 condensed a significant amount of content. By jumping straight to Volume 7, you transition seamlessly from the anime’s conclusion into the next major, unadapted story arc, ensuring a smooth continuation of Diablo’s adventures with Rem and Shera.
What is the Exact Starting Point in the Light Novel After Season 2?
To continue the story after Season 2 of the anime, start reading at Light Novel Volume 7. The anime concludes with the arc involving the Church and the capital city, which corresponds to the end of Volume 6 of the light novels. This makes Volume 7 the clear and correct entry point for anime-only fans who are ready to dive into the source material.
Volume 7 immediately kicks off a brand new adventure that has not been seen in the anime. It begins the “Dark Elf Forest Arc,” where Diablo, Rem, and Shera travel to Shera’s homeland. This arc focuses on a ritual to help Rem and quickly involves the party in the complex politics and succession conflicts of the Greenwood kingdom. This shift in setting and focus will feel fresh and confirms you are in the right place.
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What if I Only Watched Season 1?
After watching Season 1 of the anime, the correct starting point is Light Novel Volume 4. The first season covered the initial summoning of Diablo, the conflict with the elves of Greenwood, and the climactic battle against the Demon Lord Krebskulm. These events adapt the storyline of the first three light novels. Therefore, Volume 4 is the next chapter in the story and leads directly into the events that were later adapted in Season 2.
How Does the Anime’s Story Compare to the Light Novels?
The main difference between the anime and light novels is the level of detail and character depth. While the anime covers the main plot, the light novel provides a much richer experience. The most significant element missing from the anime is Diablo’s extensive internal monologues, which highlight the hilarious and relatable contrast between his all-powerful Demon Lord persona and the socially anxious gamer, Takuma Sakamoto, underneath.
While Season 1 was a fairly loyal adaptation, practical experience shows that Season 2 was much more condensed. It skipped entire subplots and rearranged events from volumes 4, 5, and 6 to fit its shorter episode count. For instance, the development of side characters like Horn and the political maneuvering in the capital city are given more depth in the novels. This is why many fans recommend reading the novels even for the parts covered by the anime.
| Feature/Aspect | Anime Adaptation | Light Novel (Source Material) |
|---|---|---|
| Diablo’s Internal Monologue | Minimal; conveyed mostly through brief asides and facial expressions. | Extensive; provides deep insight into Takuma’s social anxiety and strategic thinking. |
| Pacing (Season 1) | Generally faithful to Volumes 1-3, with some minor content trimming for runtime. | More detailed world-building and character interactions. |
| Pacing (Season 2) | Rushed; skips and rearranges events from Volumes 4-6 and even pulls from later volumes. | Coherent, sequential progression of the story through the visit to the capital and the church conflict. |
| Character Development | Focused on main plot points; side character subplots are often simplified. | Deeper exploration of supporting characters like Rem, Shera, and Horn. |
| World-Building & Lore | Simplified; focuses on information directly relevant to the immediate plot. | Richer detail on the world’s magic systems, politics, and history. |
What Story Arcs Should I Expect in the Light Novels After the Anime?
After finishing the anime, you step into a story that significantly expands the world and raises the stakes. Here is a spoiler-free glimpse of what awaits you in the volumes immediately following the anime’s conclusion, which makes diving into the light novels an exciting prospect. 📖
- Volume 7: The Dark Elf Ritual: The story immediately moves to Shera’s homeland, the Greenwood Kingdom. Diablo seeks a ritual that might finally solve Rem’s problem with the soul of Krebskulm trapped inside her. However, he quickly becomes entangled in a dangerous political conflict surrounding Shera’s claim to the throne.
- Volume 8: The Swordmaster’s Trial: Following the events in the forest, the group faces new challenges that push Diablo to test the limits of his overwhelming power. This arc focuses on leveling up and acquiring powerful new equipment, culminating in a confrontation with a uniquely skilled and powerful new adversary.
- Volume 9: The Demon Overlord’s Invasion: The stakes are raised dramatically with the appearance of a powerful new antagonist, the Demon Overlord Modinalam. This leads to a large-scale conflict that threatens the entire kingdom, forcing Diablo to confront a threat that may even rival his own power.
FAQs About where does the how not to summon a demon lord anime leave off in the light novels
Will there be a Season 3 of the How Not to Summon a Demon Lord anime?
As of early 2026, there has been no official announcement for a third season of the How Not to Summon a Demon Lord anime. While there is more than enough source material in the light novels to adapt, the second season’s shorter run and adaptation choices have led to fan speculation. Any news would likely come from the official publisher, Kodansha, or the anime production committee.
Where does the manga leave off compared to the anime?
The manga is slightly ahead of the anime, but it is also significantly behind the light novels. The anime’s second season ends around chapter 72 of the manga. However, due to the anime’s altered ending for season 2, a direct continuation in the manga can feel disjointed. Most fans recommend the light novel for the most complete story experience.
Is it better to read the light novel or the manga after the anime?
The light novel is the recommended choice for continuing the story. The light novel is the original source material and contains the most plot details, character thoughts, and world-building. The manga, while a good adaptation, is also behind the light novels and has to trim some details for its format. For the full, intended story, the light novel is the definitive version.
Is the How Not to Summon a Demon Lord light novel finished?
No, the light novel series is not officially finished, but it has been on an extended hiatus. The last volume released, Volume 14, was in June 2021. The author, Yukiya Murasaki, has been working on other projects, but the series is still listed as “publishing” rather than “completed.” Fans are currently waiting for news on Volume 15.
Should I just start reading the light novel from Volume 1?
Starting from Volume 1 is highly recommended if you want the full experience. While Season 1 was a faithful adaptation, the light novels provide much more of Diablo’s hilarious and insightful internal monologue, which is a core part of the series’ charm. Reading from the beginning also ensures you don’t miss any of the smaller world-building details or character moments trimmed for the anime.
Key Takeaways: How Not to Summon a Demon Lord Anime to Light Novel Guide
Making the jump from anime to light novel can be confusing, but this guide provides a clear path forward. Here are the most important points to remember as you continue your journey with Diablo, Rem, and Shera.
- Start at Volume 7: To continue the story directly after finishing Season 2 of the anime, the definitive starting point is Light Novel Volume 7.
- Season 1 Ends at Volume 3: For those who have only seen the first season, the story continues in Light Novel Volume 4.
- Light Novels Offer More Depth: The novels provide extensive internal monologues from the protagonist, Diablo, which are largely absent from the anime and are a key part of the comedy and characterization.
- Season 2 Was a Rushed Adaptation: The second season skipped and rearranged significant plot points from the source material, making a direct continuation feel disjointed for some. This is a primary reason many fans suggest starting from an earlier volume.
- Light Novel is the Recommended Source: For the most complete and coherent story, the light novel is superior to continuing with the manga, which is also an adaptation and is not as far ahead in the story.
- The Story is Ongoing (On Hiatus): The light novel series is not yet complete as of 2026, but has been on a long hiatus since the release of Volume 14.
- Reading from the Start Has Value: Even though you can jump in later, reading from Volume 1 is widely recommended by fans to experience the full story, humor, and world-building as intended by the author.
Final Thoughts on Continuing the How Not to Summon a Demon Lord Saga
Navigating the transition from an anime adaptation to its source material should be exciting, not confusing. You now have a clear roadmap for continuing the How Not to Summon a Demon Lord saga. The most direct path is to pick up Light Novel Volume 7, which throws you right into the next unadapted arc and expands the world in compelling ways.
However, the consensus among experienced readers is clear: for the richest and most rewarding experience, starting from Volume 1 is the superior choice. You’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the characters, the world, and the brilliant comedy that comes from Diablo’s internal struggles. Whichever path you choose, you are now equipped to dive back into the world of a Demon Lord who is just trying his best not to be socially awkward.
Last update on 2026-02-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
