What Is The Best Reading Order For Now Is The Time Of Monsters?

I get a kick out of deciding reading orders, and for 'Now Is the Time of Monsters' I usually recommend starting with the main published volumes in their original release order. That way you experience the pacing, reveals, and character development exactly as the author intended — twists land when they should, and those cliffhangers keep their teeth. Read Volume 1 straight through, then Volume 2, and so on, without skipping the short interlude chapters that were released between volumes; they often fill in emotional beats and worldbuilding that matter later.

After you finish the most recent main volume, I like to go back and read any officially released side stories or novellas. Put the prequel novellas after the first or second volume (not before) unless you want to spoil certain set-ups; they shine best with some context. Finally, save the author's notes, afterwords, and translation posts for last — they add insight and jokes that feel like a reward. Personally, reading this way made me care about the small moments in Chapter 7 all over again.

This is one of those series where the order you pick really colors the whole experience, so I like to think about reading it like mixtape sequencing rather than a strict rulebook. If you want the emotional first punch the author likely planned, read 'Now Is the Time of Monsters' in publication order: start with the original volume that introduced the world and its hooks, then follow each subsequent volume and any officially numbered novellas or short-story collections as they were released. Publication order preserves reveals, thematic echoes, and the way the author slowly expands the lore. I personally savor the little touches—author notes, afterwords, and cover changes—that appear in later editions and enrich the whole rhythm of the story.

If you’re the type who prefers a tidy timeline, try a chronological reading: begin with any prequel novellas or origin-focused short stories that take place before the main book, move through the main volumes in timeline order, and finish with epilogues or future-set side tales. That gives you a clean, linear scope of cause and effect and can turn some initially ambiguous moments into clearer turning points. However, be warned: a chronological read sometimes empties the mystery the author wanted to reveal later, so it’s less suspenseful but more coherent. For a middle path I like a hybrid approach—main volume, prequel novella that deepens a character arc introduced in that volume, next main book, then side stories that cast light backward. This keeps suspense while deepening context at the right beats.

Beyond orders, there are practical tips I swear by: read any short stories that were bundled with special editions after you finish the volume they reference, because those extras often assume you know the main events. If there’s a companion comic or illustrated guide, slot it between volumes where the character art or world-building most overlaps—you’ll get new visuals that change how you picture scenes without spoiling plot leaps. For translations, follow the translator’s notes when available—to me, translator introductions can save confusing jumps in phrasing or cultural references. Finally, treat your first run as discovery and then re-read in whichever order you enjoyed most; the series rewards second passes because motifs and callbacks pop harder once you’re familiar with the map. Personally, publication-first for impact, then chronological for satisfaction—either way, it’s a wild ride that kept me turning pages late into the night.

For a minimalist route, stick to the official main novels first — that’s Volume 1 through the latest — and treat all extras as optional. Read side stories that focus on characters you liked most, and skip anything that feels like filler until later. If there’s a prequel short, read it after Volume 2 so you have some context but still preserve key reveals.

Also, be mindful of translation quality: if you see two different translators, pick the one with consistent releases to avoid voice shifts. I often read the main canon once straight, then dip into extras months later; it keeps the world fresh and avoids burnout, which is how I still love returning to the series.

I tend to devour everything and then circle back, so my personal plan for 'Now Is the Time of Monsters' is a binge-then-savor method. First pass: blaze through the core volumes to get the adrenaline and major plot beats — don't pause for every side chapter. Once the main arc is finished, I binge all the peripheral bits: epilogues, character shorts, the web-only chapters, and any spin-off material. That second, slower pass is when I take notes on characters, re-read my favorite scenes, and read the author's commentary.

This approach works great if you enjoy immersing fully and then dissecting. It lets you form big-picture theories without having each short chapter change your immediate expectations. If you follow fan translation groups, keep an eye on consolidated chapter lists so you don't miss web-only extras — they sometimes vanish or move. Personally, after doing this, I always feel like I’ve lived in that world for a little while, which is exactly my kind of reading high.

If you want a no-nonsense, get-to-the-good-stuff plan, I’d recommend this: read the core 'Now Is the Time of Monsters' volume that starts the saga first, then go for any direct sequels in the order they were released. After that, pick up prequel novellas or origin short stories—read them once you’ve met the characters because they mostly add depth rather than essential plot. Finish with side stories, anthologies, and any spin-off comics or illustrated guides.

That route gives you both the intended reveals and the character beats that make the emotional hits land. If you crave a strictly linear timeline, drop the prequels in before the main book instead, but expect some spoilers for mysteries the author set up on purpose. Personally, I like publication-first as my baseline: it feels like sharing the author’s original drip-feed of surprises and I always end up appreciating small details more on a re-read.

If you want a tighter, chronological experience, try a slightly different path: start with any short prequel that is explicitly labelled as a timeline prologue, then proceed through the main volumes in in-universe chronological order. That means slotting flashback-heavy side chapters where they belong chronologically rather than where they were published. I like this when I'm in a mood to follow character arcs cleanly from origin to present because it removes the jarring time jumps the author sometimes uses for suspense.

A caveat: the author likely released things in a specific sequence to control reveals, so chronological reading sacrifices some surprises. I usually read chronological once as a second pass, after experiencing release order; that second run teaches me new nuances and makes scenes hit differently. For translations, follow a reputable translator's grouped release to avoid inconsistencies, and skim translator notes if dates and placement seem confusing — those notes often explain where a short story was intended to sit.