Hell Mode
Japanese light novel series
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Hell Mode: The Hardcore Gamer Dominates in Another World with Garbage Balancing (Japanese: ヘルモード ～やり込み好きのゲーマーは廃設定の異世界で無双する～, Hepburn: Heru Mōdo: Yarikomizuki no Gēmā wa Hai Settei no Isekai de Musō Suru) is a Japanese light novel series written by Hamuo and illustrated by Mo. It began serialization online in November 2019 on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō. The series was later acquired and published by Earth Star Entertainment under their Earth Star Novel imprint since July 2020. A manga adaptation with art by Enji Tetta has been serialized online via Earth Star Entertainment's Comic Earth Star website since October 2020. An anime television series adaptation produced by Yokohama Animation Laboratory aired from January to March 2026. A second season premiered in July of the same year.
| Hell Mode: The Hardcore Gamer Dominates in Another World with Garbage Balancing | |
First light novel volume cover, featuring Allen (top) and Krena (bottom) | |
| ヘルモード ～やり込み好きのゲーマーは廃設定の異世界で無双する～ (Heru Mōdo: Yarikomizuki no Gēmā wa Hai Settei no Isekai de Musō Suru) | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Isekai |
| Novel series | |
| Written by | Hamuo |
| Published by | Shōsetsuka ni Narō |
| Original run | November 17, 2019 – present |
| Light novel | |
| Written by | Hamuo |
| Illustrated by | Mo |
| Published by | Earth Star Entertainment |
| English publisher |
|
| Imprint | Earth Star Novel |
| Original run | July 15, 2020 – present |
| Volumes | 13 |
| Manga | |
| Written by | Hamuo |
| Illustrated by | Enji Tetta |
| Published by | Earth Star Entertainment |
| English publisher |
|
| Imprint | Earth Star Comics |
| Magazine | Comic Earth Star |
| Original run | October 15, 2020 – present |
| Volumes | 14 |
| Anime television series | |
| Directed by | Masato Tamagawa |
| Written by | Daishiro Tanimura |
| Music by |
|
| Studio | Yokohama Animation Laboratory |
| Licensed by | Sentai Filmworks |
| Original network | Tokyo MX, MBS, BS NTV, AT-X |
| Original run | January 10, 2026 – present |
| Episodes | 13 |
Plot
Kenichi Yamada, a 35-year-old office worker and veteran MMORPG player, becomes disillusioned with modern games that cater to casual play. When he encounters a mysterious new game that promises endless progression and an extreme difficulty setting called "Hell Mode", he selects it without hesitation. Upon doing so, Kenichi is reincarnated into another world as a newborn boy named Allen, born into a family of serfs, with no status or wealth.
Living under the harsh rules of Hell Mode, Allen chooses the Summoner class, which offers vast potential, but requires significant effort to grow stronger. With only his previous memories and wits to guide him, he painstakingly experiments to understand his abilities while training from early childhood. As he steadily develops his power, Allen works toward improving his family's circumstances and escaping serfdom.
Characters
- Allen (アレン, Aren)
- Voiced by: Mutsumi Tamura (audio drama, anime)[1][2] (Japanese); Luci Christian[3] (English)
- Krena (クレナ, Kurena)
- Voiced by: Mayu Iizuka (anime)[2] (Japanese); Natalie Rial[3] (English)
- Dogora (ドゴラ)
- Voiced by: Tasuku Hatanaka (anime)[2] (Japanese); Chaney Moore[3] (English)
- Cecil Granvelle (セシル・グランヴェル, Seshiru Guranveru)
- Voiced by: Kana Ueda (audio drama),[1] Sayaka Senbongi (anime)[2]
- Rodin (ロダン, Rodan)
- Voiced by: Hideo Ishikawa (anime)[4] (Japanese); Jeremy Gee[3] (English)
- Theresia (テレシア, Tereshia)
- Voiced by: Sayaka Ohara (anime)[4] (Japanese); Annie Wild[3] (English)
- Matthew (マッシュ, Masshu)
- Voiced by: Makoto Koichi (anime)[4] (Japanese); Kalin Coates[3] (English)
- Butler Von Granvelle (バトラー＝フォン＝グランヴェル, Batorā Fon Guranveru)
- Voiced by: Tomokazu Sugita (anime)[5]
- Mikhail Granvelle (ミハイ＝グランヴェル, Mihai Guranveru)
- Voiced by: Shōya Chiba (anime)[5]
- Thomas Granvelle (トマス＝グランヴェル, Tomasu Guranveru)
- Voiced by: Marie Miyake (anime)[5]
- Zenoff (ゼノフ, Zenofu)
- Voiced by: Akio Ōtsuka (anime)[6] (Japanese); Jay Hickman[3] (English)
- Carnell (カルネル, Karuneru)
- Voiced by: Takahiro Miyamoto (anime)[6]
- Helmios (ヘルミオス, Herumiosu)
- Voiced by: Takahiro Sakurai[7]
- Keel (キール, Kīru)
- Voiced by: Reiji Kawashima[8]
- Sophialohne (ソフィアローネ, Sofiarōne)
- Voiced by: Kiyono Yasuno[8]
- Volmaar (フォルマール, Forumāru)
- Voiced by: Hikaru Midorikawa[8]
- Meruru (メルル)
- Voiced by: Miyu Tomita[8]
- Dverg (ドベルグ, Doberugu)
- Voiced by: Taketora[9]
- Theodojiil (テオドシール, Teodoshīru)
- Voiced by: Shin-ichiro Miki[9]
- Maria (マリア)
- Voiced by: Yui Horie[10]
Media
Light novels
Written by Hamuo, Hell Mode: The Hardcore Gamer Dominates in Another World with Garbage Balancing began serialization on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō on November 17, 2019.[11] It was later acquired and released by Earth Star Entertainment with illustrations by Mo under their Earth Star Novel light novel imprint on July 15, 2020. Thirteen volumes have been released as of January 15, 2026.[12]
During their panel at Anime Expo Lite 2021, J-Novel Club announced that they had licensed the series for English publication.[13] During their panel at Anime NYC 2022, J-Novel Club announced that print releases of the series would be handled by Yen Press.[14]
| No. | Original release date | Original ISBN | North American release date | North American ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | July 15, 2020[15] | 978-4-8030-1433-4 | October 13, 2021 (digital)[16] June 6, 2023 (print)[17] | 978-1-7183-8198-8 (digital) 978-1-9753-6849-4 (print) |
| 2 | November 16, 2020[18] | 978-4-8030-1468-6 | January 4, 2022 (digital)[19] September 19, 2023 (print)[20] | 978-1-7183-8200-8 (digital) 978-1-9753-6850-0 (print) |
| 3 | March 17, 2021[21] | 978-4-8030-1501-0 | April 13, 2022 (digital)[22] January 30, 2024 (print)[23] | 978-1-7183-8202-2 (digital) 978-1-9753-6851-7 (print) |
| 4 | September 15, 2021[24] | 978-4-8030-1564-5 | July 27, 2022 (digital)[25] May 21, 2024 (print)[26] | 978-1-7183-8204-6 (digital) 978-1-9753-6852-4 (print) |
| 5 | March 16, 2022[27] | 978-4-8030-1624-6 | January 11, 2023 (digital)[28] August 20, 2024 (print)[29] | 978-1-7183-8206-0 (digital) 978-1-9753-6853-1 (print) |
| 6 | September 15, 2022[30] | 978-4-8030-1693-2 | July 31, 2023 (digital)[31] November 19, 2024 (print)[32] | 978-1-7183-8208-4 (digital) 978-1-9753-6854-8 (print) |
| 7 | March 15, 2023[33] | 978-4-8030-1763-2 | January 15, 2024 (digital)[34] February 18, 2025 (print)[35] | 978-1-7183-8210-7 (digital) 979-8-8554-0556-9 (print) |
| 8 | October 18, 2023[36] | 978-4-8030-1848-6 | December 18, 2024 (digital)[37] June 10, 2025 (print)[38] | 978-1-7183-8212-1 (digital) 979-8-8554-2143-9 (print) |
| 9 | April 17, 2024[39] | 978-4-8030-1938-4 | March 26, 2025 (digital)[40] December 16, 2025 (print)[41] | 978-1-7183-8214-5 (digital) 979-8-8554-2382-2 (print) |
| 10 | September 13, 2024[42] | 978-4-8030-2007-6 | September 2, 2025 (digital)[43] May 12, 2026 (print)[44] | 978-1-7183-8216-9 (digital) 979-8-8554-3343-2 (print) |
| 11 | March 14, 2025[45] | 978-4-8030-2099-1 | December 26, 2025 (digital)[46] | 978-1-7183-8218-3 |
| 12 | October 16, 2025[47] | 978-4-8030-2198-1 | August 5, 2026 (digital)[48] | 978-1-7183-8220-6 |
| 13 | January 15, 2026[12] | 978-4-8030-2252-0 | — | — |
| 14 | July 15, 2026[49] | 978-4-8030-2342-8 | — | — |
Manga
A manga adaptation illustrated by Enji Tetta began serialization on Earth Star Entertainment's Comic Earth Star manga service on October 15, 2020.[50] The manga's chapters have been compiled into fourteen tankōbon volumes as of July 2026.[51]
During their panel at Anime Expo 2023, J-Novel Club announced that they had also licensed the manga adaptation for English publication.[52]
Anime
An anime television series adaptation was announced on December 5, 2024.[77][78] It is produced by Yokohama Animation Laboratory and directed by Masato Tamagawa, with Daishiro Tanimura handling series composition, Kei Tsushima designing the characters, and Misaki Tsuchida, Moyu Kanazaki, Junko Nakajima, Kanada Sakuma, Reiko Abe, Kaho Sawada, BeauDamian, and Tsugumi Tanaka composing the music.[4] The series aired from January 10 to March 28, 2026, on Tokyo MX and other networks.[2][6][a] The opening theme song is "Haku" (ハク), performed by Atarayo, while the ending theme song is "Sanctuary", performed by Kaya.[4] Sentai Filmworks licensed the series in North America for streaming on Hidive.[79]
Following the airing of the final episode, a second season was announced, which premiered on July 4, 2026.[7][b] The opening theme song is "○✕△□" performed by Romanha Marshmallow,[9] and the ending theme song is "Firetail" performed by ChoQMay.[10]
Episodes
Season 1 (2026)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title [80][81] | Directed by [c] | Written by [c] | Storyboarded by [c] | Original release date [82][a] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Born Again at Bottom-Tier" Transliteration: "Tensei Shitara Nōdodatta" (Japanese: 転生したら農奴だった) | Akira Kato | Daishiro Tanimura | Tamagawa Masato | January 10, 2026 |
| 2 | 2 | "The Appraisal Ceremony" Transliteration: "Kantei no Gi" (Japanese: 鑑定の儀) | Kim Hye-jeong | Daishiro Tanimura | Tamagawa Masato | January 17, 2026 |
| 3 | 3 | "Trouble" Transliteration: "Jiken" (Japanese: 事件) | Sumika Takase | Shingo Irie | Kinomiya | January 24, 2026 |
| 4 | 4 | "Allen Spills the Beans" Transliteration: "Aren no Kokuhaku" (Japanese: アレンの告白) | Sumika Takase | Daishiro Tanimura | Kinomiya | January 31, 2026 |
| 5 | 5 | "A Summoner's Potential" Transliteration: "Shōkansamurai no Chikara" (Japanese: 召喚士の力) | Akira Kato | Shingo Irie | Kinomiya | February 7, 2026 |
| 6 | 6 | "Outward Bound" Transliteration: "Tabidachi" (Japanese: 旅立ち) | Oh Eun-soo | Daishiro Tanimura | Kinomiya | February 14, 2026 |
| 7 | 7 | "Life With the Granvelles" Transliteration: "Guranveru-ke de no Hibi" (Japanese: グランヴェル家での日々) | Yoshihide Ibata | Daishiro Tanimura | Ryoji Fujiwara | February 21, 2026 |
| 8 | 8 | "Huntsman" Transliteration: "Shuryō-ban" (Japanese: 狩猟番) | Kang Seo-ki | Shingo Irie | Ryoji Fujiwara | February 28, 2026 |
| 9 | 9 | "The Murdergalsh" Transliteration: "Mādāgarushu" (Japanese: マーダーガルシュ) | Akira Kato | Daishiro Tanimura | Kinomiya & Tamagawa Masato | March 7, 2026 |
| 10 | 10 | "The Noble's Duty" Transliteration: "Kizoku no Tsutome" (Japanese: 貴族の務め) | Sumika Takase | Shingo Irie | Ogawa Yuki | March 14, 2026 |
| 11 | 11 | "Sneak Attack" Transliteration: "Shūgeki" (Japanese: 襲撃) | Sumika Takase | Shingo Irie | Motohiro Abe | March 21, 2026 |
| 12 | 12 | "The Escape" Transliteration: "Tōhikō" (Japanese: 逃避行) | Mitsuyo Yokono | Daishiro Tanimura | Ogawa Yuki | March 28, 2026 |
Season 2 (2026)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title [80][81] | Directed by [c] | Written by [c] | Storyboarded by [c] | Original release date [83][b] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 1 | "Off to Academy City!" Transliteration: "Gakuen Toshi e!" (Japanese: 学園都市へ！) | TBA | TBA | TBA | July 4, 2026 |
| 14 | 2 | Transliteration: "Aratana Deai" (Japanese: 新たな出会い) | TBA | TBA | TBA | July 11, 2026 |
| 15 | 3 | Transliteration: "Danjon o Kōryaku Seyo" (Japanese: ダンジョンを攻略せよ) | TBA | TBA | TBA | July 18, 2026 |
| 16 | 4 | Transliteration: "Ōtaishi Kara no Sasoi" (Japanese: 王太子からの誘い) | TBA | TBA | TBA | July 25, 2026 |
Reception
See also
- Chronicles of an Aristocrat Reborn in Another World, another light novel series with the same illustrator