Re:Zero Light Novel Reading Order (Complete Guide)
Re:Zero’s reading order is more complicated than most light novel series because of three things: a web novel that exists alongside the light novel, five EX side story volumes that slot in at specific points, and an arc structure that doesn’t align neatly with volume numbers. The anime complicates it further by covering some arcs faithfully and others with significant cuts. This guide covers the light novel reading order specifically, with notes on where the EX volumes fit and where the anime leaves off.
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TL;DR
- Main series: Volumes 1-37+ in order. Currently in Arc 8, ongoing. Published by Yen Press.
- EX volumes slot in at specific points — EX 1 after Vol 9, EX 2 after Vol 15, EX 3 after Vol 17, EX 4 after Vol 21. They’re backstory but they matter.
- After Season 2: Pick up at Volume 16 (Arc 5). The anime covers Arcs 1-4 (roughly Vols 1-15).
- Skip the web novel. The LN is the definitive version — revised, expanded, and better paced.
More about Re:Zero
The Main Series (44 Volumes)
The main Re:Zero light novel runs sequentially from Volume 1 through Volume 44 (as of March 2026). Read them in numerical order. There are no .5 volumes like Classroom of the Elite. The complexity comes from the EX volumes, which I’ll cover separately below.
| Arc | Volumes | What It Covers | Anime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arc 1 | Vol 1 | Subaru’s arrival, the loot house, first deaths and Return by Death. The setup for everything. | S1 E1-3 |
| Arc 2 | Vols 2-3 | The Roswaal mansion, Rem and Ram, the mabeast curse. Where Subaru learns he can’t brute-force his way through loops. | S1 E4-11 |
| Arc 3 | Vols 4-9 | Royal selection, White Whale battle, Sloth Archbishop confrontation. The “From Zero” speech. Arc 3 is where the series earns its reputation. | S1 E12-25 |
| Arc 4 | Vols 10-15 | The Sanctuary, Echidna’s trials, Roswaal’s true nature. The longest arc adapted so far and the most psychologically intense. | S2 (Parts 1-2) |
| Arc 5 | Vols 16-20 | Priestella water city, multiple Archbishop battles, large-scale ensemble combat. More action-heavy than Arcs 3-4. | S3 |
| Arc 6 | Vols 21-27 | The Pleiades Watchtower. Subaru loses his memories. One of the most acclaimed arcs in the series. | Not adapted |
| Arc 7 | Vols 28-35 | Vollachia Empire. Subaru separated from the main cast, new setting, longest arc. Divisive among readers. | Not adapted |
| Arc 8 | Vols 36-39 | Return arc, consequences of Vollachia. | Not adapted |
| Arc 9 | Vols 40-43 | Latest completed arc. | Not adapted |
| Arc 10 | Vol 44+ | Current arc, started March 2026. | Not adapted |
Volume Covers (Vols 1-20)
Where Do the EX Volumes Go?
Re:Zero has five EX volumes. These are side stories set in the past, focusing on characters like Crusch, Felix, Wilhelm, and Theresia. They’re not required for the main plot, but they add significant context to character motivations that the main series references without fully explaining.
The community recommendation for EX placement:
| EX Volume | Read After | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| EX 1: The Dream of the Lion King | Volume 6 or 7 (after Arc 3 begins) | Crusch and Felix’s backstory. The community specifically recommends reading this between vols 6 and 7 for maximum context. |
| EX 2: The Love Song of the Sword Devil | Volume 9 (after Arc 3) | Wilhelm and Theresia’s story. Adds weight to the White Whale battle you just read. |
| EX 3: The Love Ballad of the Sword Devil | Volume 9 (with EX 2) | Continuation of Wilhelm/Theresia. Read EX 2 and 3 back-to-back. |
| EX 4: The Great Journeys | Volume 20 (after Arc 5) | Multiple short stories, broader world context. |
| EX 5: The Silvered Promise | Volume 29 (during Arc 7) | Latest EX volume, ties into the Vollachia arc. |
If you want the simplest possible reading order: read the main volumes 1-44 straight through, then read all five EX volumes after. You’ll miss some context in the moment but nothing that breaks the story. The placement above is for optimal experience, not necessity.
Light Novel vs Web Novel
Re:Zero originated as a web novel on Shosetsuka ni Naro (the same platform as Mushoku Tensei). The web novel is free, still ongoing (arc 9 in progress there), and has been running since 2012. The light novel is the revised, canonical version published by Media Factory with illustrations by Shinichirou Otsuka.
The community is split on WN vs LN. The practical differences: the LN has revised scenes, additional content not in the WN, professional illustrations, and official English translations from Yen Press. The WN is free, further ahead in the story, and available in fan translation. If you’re reading in English, the LN is the better experience. If you’ve caught up to the LN translation and want to keep going, switching to the WN from where the LN left off is common. The arcs align closely enough that the transition works, though you’ll notice differences in specific scenes.
One important note: the LN is the canonical version. When the anime adapts future arcs, it follows the LN, not the WN. Read the LN if you want the definitive version. Read the WN if you can’t wait.
Anime to Volume Mapping
If you’ve watched the anime and want to continue in the light novel, here’s where each season ends. The universal community recommendation is to start from Volume 1 anyway since the anime cuts content from every arc. But if you absolutely want to skip ahead:
| Anime | Volumes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | Vols 1-9 (Arcs 1-3) | Good adaptation but cuts Arc 3 content. Vol 9 has material not in the anime. |
| Season 2 Part 1 | Vols 10-12 (Arc 4 first half) | Echidna trials, Sanctuary setup. Some trial content cut. |
| Season 2 Part 2 | Vols 13-15 (Arc 4 second half) | Sanctuary resolution. Anime condensed several character moments. |
| Season 3 | Vols 16-20 (Arc 5) | Priestella arc. Action-heavy, adapted relatively faithfully. |
| After S3 | Start at Vol 21 | Arc 6 (Pleiades Watchtower). Not yet adapted. This is where the unadapted content begins. |
If you start at Volume 21 after Season 3, you’ll be fine plot-wise. You’ll miss the internal monologue and cut scenes from earlier arcs, but Arc 6 doesn’t depend on that cut content to function. Most readers who start here eventually go back and read from Volume 1 anyway. For a full breakdown of what the anime changed, see our Re:Zero light novel vs anime comparison.
Short Stories
Re:Zero has over 300 short stories. That number is not a typo. Nagatsuki writes short stories for magazine bonuses, special editions, events, and what seems like any occasion that presents itself. Most are available only in Japanese with fan translations. A few have been collected into official volumes.
The short stories are genuinely optional for the main plot. They add lore, character perspectives, and world-building that enriches the reading experience but isn’t required to follow the story. If you want to read them, the Re:Zero fan wiki maintains a comprehensive list sorted by chronological placement. Don’t try to read all 300+ on your first time through. Read the main novels, then explore the short stories as supplementary content.
Where to Buy
Yen Press publishes the English light novel editions. Physical and digital available on Amazon, BookWalker, Barnes and Noble. The EX volumes are also published by Yen Press in English. The English translation is currently around Volume 35, with new volumes releasing every few months. You’ll hit the translation frontier somewhere in Arc 7 or 8, after which you’d need to switch to the web novel (fan translated) or wait.
Frequently Asked Questions
What order should I read Re:Zero light novels?
Volumes 1-44 in numerical order. The EX side story volumes slot in at specific points for optimal context (EX 1 after vol 6-7, EX 2-3 after vol 9, EX 4 after vol 20, EX 5 after vol 29), but you can also read them separately after finishing the main series.
Should I read the Re:Zero light novel or web novel?
The light novel is the canonical, revised version with official English translations from Yen Press and professional illustrations. The web novel is free and further ahead in the story. Read the LN for the best experience. Switch to the WN only if you’ve caught up to the LN translation and can’t wait for more.
Where does Re:Zero Season 3 end in the light novel?
Season 3 covers Arc 5 (Volumes 16-20). To continue the story after Season 3, start at Volume 21, which begins Arc 6 (the Pleiades Watchtower arc). This is widely considered one of the best arcs in the series.
Are the Re:Zero EX volumes necessary?
Not strictly necessary, but recommended. They provide backstory for Crusch, Felix, Wilhelm, and Theresia that the main series references without fully explaining. EX 1 in particular adds significant context to Arc 3’s events. You can read the main series without them and come back later.
Do I need to read the Re:Zero EX side stories in order?
Not strictly, but reading them at specific points enhances the experience. EX 1 and EX 2 add context for Arc 3 and are best read after Volume 9. EX 3 ties into Arc 4 and works well after Volume 15. EX 4 and EX 5 connect to later arcs. They’re side stories that fill in backstory rather than advance the main plot, so you won’t be lost without them, but the character work is worth fitting in.