HELL MODE: The Hardcore Gamer Dominates in Another World with Garbage Balancing
TV anime2026–2 seasons1 announced25 episodes airedOriginal: light novelHamuo
Over 4 million copiesKenichi 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

Season 1
- Anime ends at
- Ep 12Original: Vol. 2
- Read next
- Vol. 3light novel · English · J-Novel Club
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:

Season 2
- Anime ends at
- Ep 13 (overall Ep 25)Original: Vol. 4
- Read next
- Vol. 5light novel · English · J-Novel Club
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
- Vol. 5Buy on Amazon
- Vol. 6Buy on Amazon
- Vol. 7Buy on Amazon
- Vol. 8Buy on Amazon
- Vol. 9Buy on Amazon
- Vol. 10Buy on Amazon
- Vol. 11Due Jan 2027Pre-order on Amazon
Also in other languages:
Also in manga:
- Hell Mode · Vol. 9Buy on Amazon
Where it stops:

Season 3
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.
Suggested reading (English · J-Novel Club): Season 2 ends at Ep 13 (overall Ep 25). Continue with Vol. 5.
The original light novel is still ongoing; Vol. 14 is the latest as of October 2026.
Earth Star Entertainment: The Japanese edition is at Vol. 14.
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