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HELL MODE: The Hardcore Gamer Dominates in Another World with Garbage Balancing

TV anime2026–2 seasons1 announced25 episodes airedOriginal: light novelHamuo

Over 4 million copies

Kenichi Yamada, a single, 35-year-old businessman, has spent the majority of his adult life playing every MMORPG to hit the market. Tired of the constant cycle of repetitive, newbie-centric gameplay, he is immediately drawn in by the promise of a new game that, on top of being never-ending, offers up a "Hell Mode"—a difficulty level that makes it nigh impossible to level up but also promises uncapped growth potential. Upon selecting the newly released Summoner class, Kenichi finds himself reborn as Allen, an infant in a serf family, with nothing but his wits and old memories to guide him.

After Season 2, continue with Vol. 5

Reading work
Book language
EditionJ-Novel Club
HELL MODE: The Hardcore Gamer Dominates in Another World with Garbage Balancing Season 1 anime poster

Season 1

Medium confidence

12 episodesJan 2026 – Mar 2026

Anime ends at
Ep 12Original: Vol. 2

The anime’s continuation point is Vol. 3 of the original. This is the book that contains it.

Hell Mode, Vol. 3: The Hardcore Gamer Dominates in Another World with Garbage Balancing

J-Novel ClubEnglishPaperback

Also in other languages:

Also in manga:

  • Hell Mode · Vol. 4?The opening includes Allen and Cecil’s escape, overlapping the first-season finale.Buy on Amazon

Where it stops:

HELL MODE: The Hardcore Gamer Dominates in Another World with Garbage Balancing Season 2 anime poster

Season 2

Medium confidence

13 episodesJul 2026 – Sep 2026

Anime ends at
Ep 13 (overall Ep 25)Original: Vol. 4

The anime’s continuation point is Vol. 5 of the original. This is the book that contains it.

Hell Mode, Vol. 5: The Hardcore Gamer Dominates in Another World with Garbage Balancing

J-Novel ClubEnglishPaperback

All 6 books from Vol. 5 to Vol. 10 · Vol. 11 due Jan 2027
  1. Vol. 5Buy on Amazon
  2. Vol. 6Buy on Amazon
  3. Vol. 7Buy on Amazon
  4. Vol. 8Buy on Amazon
  5. Vol. 9Buy on Amazon
  6. Vol. 10Buy on Amazon
  7. Vol. 11Due Jan 2027Pre-order on Amazon

Also in other languages:

Also in manga:

Where it stops:

HELL MODE: The Hardcore Gamer Dominates in Another World with Garbage Balancing Season 3 anime poster

Season 3

Announced

The third season, covering the S-rank dungeon arc, has been announced but has not aired. There is no completed third-season ending from which to continue yet.

Original · Light novel

Hell Mode

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~

HamuoEarth Star EntertainmentOngoing14 volumes so far

Series copies in print

Over 4 million copies

Earth Star Entertainment · September 2026

All volumes

Before you read

Suggested reading (English · J-Novel Club): Season 1 ends at Ep 12. Continue with Vol. 3.

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