What Is The Correct Reading Order For My Next Life As A Villainess Light Novel?

After watching the anime, I want to dive into the Hamefura books but I'm lost between the original LN and the anthology volumes. What comes first?
2026-08-04 12:31:30
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14 Answers

PaxCook
PaxCook
Reply Helper Sales
After the main storyline, there's the 'Variants' spin-off, 'My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! - Variants'. That one's a separate series following an alternate-universe Katarina. Do NOT read that until you've finished the main series volumes currently available. It's a fun 'what-if' that plays with the premise, but it relies on you knowing the original characters and plot beats to appreciate the twists. So, two clear phases: Phase 1, main series in order. Phase 2, 'Variants' and side-story collections. Keep those phases separate for maximum enjoyment.
2026-08-05 19:45:37
2
ErinOlson
ErinOlson
Longtime Reader Mechanic
It's not just about plot sequence; it's about thematic development. Early volumes focus on survival and avoiding specific doom flags. Later volumes shift to managing political intrigue and the consequences of her harem. Skipping ahead would rob you of that gradual shift in tone. You'd go from 'how do I not die?' to 'how do I manage these eight people in love with me?' without understanding how she got there. The journey from fear to flustered confusion is the heart of the series. That journey only works in the intended, published order.
2026-08-06 04:30:38
5
MayaHines
MayaHines
Story Interpreter Assistant
The light novel is an adaptation of the original web novel, but the published light novel is the polished, canonical version. The web novel is much longer and has some divergent plot points, especially later. For most readers, the 'correct order' is the light novel order. The web novel is an interesting historical artifact for superfans after they've finished the LNs. So, again, the path is clear: official English light novel release order. That's the version the author refined and the one all other adaptations (anime, manga) are based on. It's the definitive timeline.
2026-08-06 05:17:42
8
AdamLopez
AdamLopez
Contributor Lawyer
Okay, so the light novels are the original source. The order is just the volume numbers. Volume 1 through Volume 9 tell the complete story of Catarina Claes.

Separately, there are books that compile the short stories. These are often called 'Side Stories' or have a 'Short Story Collection' subtitle. They are not numbered within the main sequence. Read the main nine, then the side collections. Trying to read them concurrently on a first read is more hassle than it's worth and can fragment the narrative flow of the primary plot.
2026-08-06 13:27:09
4
NoelWade
NoelWade
Bibliophile Chef
Check the copyright page or the publisher's website. Yen Press lists them all. The main story is volumes 1-9. After that, you can read the side-story collections, which are often labeled as 'Side Stories I' and 'Side Stories II' or similar.

It's a very linear narrative. Don't start with any volume that isn't number 1. The charm of the series is watching Catarina's relationships grow naturally over time, and reading out of order would ruin that gradual development. The side stories are sweet, but they assume you already know the characters and their established dynamics from the main plot.
2026-08-06 17:39:59
5
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