is a Japanese light novel series written by Hideyuki Kurata, published under Shueisha's Super Dash Bunko imprint. Read or Die follows Yomiko Readman, codename "The Paper", an agent for the (fictional) Special Operations Division of the British Library. There are twelve Read or Die novels, though in June 2016, it was announced via Twitter that a thirteenth (and final) volume was set to be released. Kurata confessed in a 2021 interview with long-time collaborator Masashi Ishihama (who served as animation director of the OVA and TV series) that to date, he has not continued with the novel project and has no immediate plans to do so. As of 2025, there are no plans for when Kurata will release the final installment.Tai, Anita (February 9, 2025). "Read or Die Author Hideyuki Kurata Launches 1st New Manga in 13 Years". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
Along with the novels, Kurata scripted the official R.O.D manga illustrated by Shutaro Yamada,Antonio Pineda, Rafael (April 8, 2020). "Kakegurui's Homura Kawamoto, Read or Die Manga's Shutaro Yamada Launch New Manga". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 3, 2025. which was originally published in Ultra Jump magazine and later printed into four paperback volumes, as well as Read or Dream, a manga illustrated by Ran Ayanaga set in the same universe as Read or Die.
The popularity of the Read or Die novels and manga"Stranger Than Fiction: How light novels have become a powerful new force in anime". Anime Insider (57). Wizard Entertainment: 12–13. 2008 resulted in the production of an OVA adaptation in 2001, which was directed by Koji Masunari and produced by SME Visual Works. In 2003, Aniplex produced R.O.D the TV, a 26-episode animated television series, which served as a sequel to the OVA and introduced Read or Dreams characters to those from Read or Die."At the end of the last episode, the Three Sisters are forced to fight alone (Britain's great ambitions)". Animage. Tokuma Shoten. March 2004 (in Japanese)."GALLERY: The Cast of R.O.D -THE TV-". Animage. Tokuma Shoten. March 2004 (in Japanese).
A manga called R.O.D Rehabilitation illustrated by Choko Fuji was published in 2012 in Shueisha's Super Dash & Go magazine, and collected in one volume. The comic tells the story of a future city created by bibliomaniacs in exile, "Bibliopolis.""R．O．D REHABILITAION ： 人気ラノベの最新作、マンガ連載スタート (R.O.D REHABILITAION: The latest work of the popular Read or Die novel/manga series arrives)". Mantan Web. February 23, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2025 (in Japanese).Kurata, Hideyuki. R.O.D Rehabilitation. 集英社 (Sheuisha), Super Dash & Go, 2012.Lanson, Greg (February 22, 2012). "New Yomiko from New 'Read or Die' Manga 'R.O.D. Rehabilitation' Previewed: Old Yomiko say hi to the new Yomiko". Crunchyroll. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
When Koji Masunari, director of the anime, was asked in 2005 by Anime News Network if any of the story arcs or characters' backstories presented in the novels would ever see an anime version, he explained: "As far as whether any other stories from the original would ever become an anime, we don't think so. In the future, if there is a new anime, it would come from an original work someplace. It would be adaptations of new stuff that haven't yet been written."Macdonald, Chris (April 17, 2005). "R.O.D Staff (Interview)". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 26, 2025. That said, it was announced in 2016 that a new R.O.D anime series was pitched (as of 2025, there have been no further announcements).Shley, Matt (August 25, 2016). "New Read or Die Anime Teased". Otaku USA Magazine. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
Plot Read or Die takes place in an alternate history world where the British Empire has remained a major superpower. The Empire's continued existence is guaranteed by the , an external intelligence agency working underneath the British Museum; its Special Operations Division (the British Secret Intelligence Service,R.O.D Volume 5, Hideyuki Kurata, Shueisha Super Dash Bunko, more widely known as MI6) is also often mentioned, despite Kurata's editors (erroneously) telling him it no longer existed.
The series follows Yomiko Readman, also known as "The Paper", a superhuman agent of the Library's Special Operations (possessing a "double 0" certification that denotes a "license to kill", as in the James Bond series, although she rarely invokes it). In both the novels and manga, her adventures alternate between doing missions for the British Library and helping young novelist Nenene Sumiregawa.
Only the first novel and first manga have similar stories, involving rescuing Nenene Sumiregawa from a vicious kidnapper. Otherwise, the novels, manga, and animated versions of the stories have divergent plotlines. While characterizations are usually consistent even when storylines are not, some characters have different origins in different versions of the story, or do not appear at all. For instance, a prominent character named Jiggy Stardust (a "resident paper expert" of the British Library) was only ever introduced in the novels (Book 3) as well as Wendy's co-worker, Karen. Other key characters, such as Faust, a powerful Paper Master who was kept prisoner by the British Library as he held ulterior ties with the Library's sworn enemy, Dokusensha makes his debut in Novel 4. Likewise, the matriarch of Dokusensha who is arguably as ancient and powerful as the Library's Mr. Gentleman, a kung fu artist called "Grandma" (a.k.a. China) is introduced at the end of Novel 6. Furthermore, a team of Chinese Paper Masters (Hoi Mei, Hakuri Yuu, Rin Rii and Gai Kou) who have no relation to the Paper Sisters become hired hands for Grandma, then later, allies of Yomiko. Another important Paper Master, Wang Yan (also transliterated as Ou-En depending on the characters used) is cast as a main protagonist in the later books, notably in Volume 12. None of these characters, despite their vital presence in the novels, are ever referred to in the manga or the anime.
Novel Volume 1 Yomiko Readman, a half-Japanese, half-English field agent for the British Library Special Operations Division, is employed as a substitute teacher at a Japanese institution, Bunkyo High School. Unusually obsessed with books and able to channel telekinetic abilities as a paper manipulator (referred to as "Paper Users" or "Paper Masters" in-universe depending on transliterations), she meets 17-year-old Nenene Sumiregawa, an established YA author who was a literary prodigy at just 13 years old.
Though Yomiko exhibits an aloof, often spacey demeanor which stands as a stark contrast to Nenene's bold aggression and tantrums, the two young women somehow find a common connection as Nenene hammers away at her latest manuscript in the school library, which leads to them spending the night together in Nenene's apartment, bonding through their love of books and humour. Yomiko especially opens up to the possibility of another relationship as she had lost her lover, Donny Nakajima under unusual, tragic circumstances.
However, an unhinged individual is on the prowl, Scissorhands, and soon, he targets Nenene and abducts her in plain sight. Yomiko embarks on a personal mission to rescue her, coming to terms with her deeper feelings for Nenene and her need for a meaningful friendship.Betita, Miguel A.E. (July 2004). "The Paper Chase (R.O.D. the TV Character Files)". Anime Insider. Wizard Entertainment: 47.
Novel Volume 2 Yomiko and Nenene, in attendance for the opening of possibly the largest bookstore in the world, "Babel Books," become accidentally entwined in a surprise terrorist attack, orchestrated by Red, Inc. While the plot takes a backseat to Yomiko and Nenene's budding friendship, the second installment introduces Yomiko's companion and the on-call mercenary for the American troops hired by the British Library, Drake Anderson, as well as the powerful, elusive Mr. Gentleman in the flesh - the source of Great Britain as a global superpower.
The most climatic moment occurs as Yomiko leaps out of harm's way with Nenene secured in her arms, dangling from a roll of toilet paper forty stories above ground. In the end, Yomiko defeats the terrorists and emerges from the ruined building mostly unscathed, overjoyed to be reunited with an elated Nenene. Once more, Yomiko leaves Nenene behind, returning home to pay her respects to the shrine of her ex-lover, Donny.Friedman, Erica (December 5, 2009). "Yuri Light Novel: R.O.D., Volume 2". Okazu. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
Characters British Library The British Library is an institution devoted to the promotion of literacy. The British Library is a political organization with branches all over the world. The organization is led by , an old man of extreme longevity and the power behind the throne of the British Empire.
The is the secret enforcement branch of the British Library. Based in a giant underground complex concealed beneath the Great Court at the British Museum, the Special Operations Division employs a number of agents with special powers and runs operations all over the world to fight book-related crime and terrorism, and to acquire rare works for the Library. Their slogan is "Peace to the books of the world, an iron hammer to those who would abuse them, and glory and wisdom to the British Empire!"
is a half-Japanese, half-English , an individual with the ability to control and influence paper. A substitute teacher in her spare time, she is the 19th British Library agent to earn the codename . Her name is a play on her nature as a bibliomaniac—the verb "to read" in Japanese is pronounced yomu. is the acting head of the Special Operations Division. A stereotypical Englishman, Joker's coolheadedness and silver tongue are his primary weapons. Though outwardly loyal and humble, Joker secretly wishes to be the actual head of the Division as it would allow him to gain control over the whole country. is a half-Indian, half-English girl. She joined the Special Operations Division at 19 years old, and soon became Joker's personal secretary. She is earnest and devoted, but clumsy and still an "in training" assistant. is the Special Operations Division's resident scientist, an aging man whose knowledge of paper is unrivaled. He developed the Yomiko uses. is a 26-year-old agent; in the novels, Joker recruits her in China. Codenamed: , due to her special power of "Diving" which allows her to become intangible and pass through solid objects. However, "Diving" can be suppressed through the use of . Nancy does not appear in the manga, and has a different origin in the anime where she is one of two clones of Mata Hari. is a veteran of the American special forces turned mercenary, employed by the Special Operations Division as a field support operative for their agents. Drake is a hardened, no-nonsense soldier who, though lacking any kind of special powers, is incredibly strong and possesses considerable combat experience. Anderson has a young daughter named Maggie, whom he cares for deeply (Maggie Anderson is not to be confused with Maggie Mui from Read or Dream). He is also kind-hearted and will not harm children, even if it goes against the mission.
Dokusensha is the series' main antagonist, a secret organization based in Sichuan devoted to Chinese supremacy and led by . Known as to Dokusensha's high-ranked agents, China is a "little girl" who, like Gentleman, has lived for a long enough time to know the hidden history of humankind.
Supporting characters is a world-famous Japanese author. Her debut novel was written when she was just 13-years-old. Nenene became acquainted with Yomiko when she worked briefly as a substitute teacher at the latter's school. The two would meet again and soon become good friends after Yomiko rescues Nenene from a crazed fan who tried to abduct her.