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 aired from July to September of the same year. A third season has been announced.
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
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. 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.
During their panel at Anime Expo Lite 2021, J-Novel Club announced that they had licensed the series for English publication. During their panel at Anime NYC 2022, J-Novel Club announced that print releases of the series would be handled by Yen Press.
Manga A manga adaptation illustrated by Enji Tetta began serialization on Earth Star Entertainment's Comic Earth Star manga service on October 15, 2020. The manga's chapters have been compiled into fourteen volumes as of July 2026.
During their panel at Anime Expo 2023, J-Novel Club announced that they had also licensed the manga adaptation for English publication.
Anime An anime television series adaptation was announced on December 5, 2024. 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. The series aired from January 10 to March 28, 2026, on Tokyo MX and other networks. The opening theme song is , performed by , while the ending theme song is "Sanctuary", performed by Kaya. Sentai Filmworks licensed the series in North America for streaming on Hidive.
Following the airing of the final episode, a second season was announced, which aired from July 4 to September 26, 2026. The opening theme song is "○✕△□" performed by Romanha Marshmallow, and the ending theme song is "Firetail" performed by .
After the airing of the finale of the second season, a third season was announced, which will cover the "S-Kyū Dungeon Kо̄ryaku-hen" ("S-Rank Dungeon Conquest Arc").
Episodes Season 1 (2026)
Season 2 (2026)
Reception The series won the grand prize at the 2nd Earth Star Novel Award in 2020.
By December 2024, the series had over 1.6 million copies in circulation.
See also Chronicles of an Aristocrat Reborn in Another World, another light novel series with the same illustrator
Notes
References
External links at Shōsetsuka ni Narō at Earth Star Novel