Ascendance of a Bookworm

Ascendance of a Bookworm (Japanese: 本好きの下剋上 ～司書になるためには手段を選んでいられません～, Hepburn: Honzuki no Gekokujō: Shisho ni Naru Tame ni wa Shudan o Erandeiraremasen, lit. 'Ascendance of a Bookworm: I'll Stop at Nothing to Become a Librarian'), also known as AoaB or Honzuki (本好き) for short, is a Japanese light novel series written by Miya Kazuki and illustrated by You Shiina. It was serialized online from September 2013 to March 2017 on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō. It was later acquired by TO Books, who published it in thirty-three volumes from January 2015 to December 2023.

Ascendance of a Bookworm
First light novel volume cover, featuring Myne
本好きの下剋上 ～司書になるためには手段を選んでいられません～ (Honzuki no Gekokujō: Shisho ni Naru Tame ni wa Shudan o Erandeiraremasen)
Genre	Fantasy, isekai
Novel series
Written by	Miya Kazuki
Published by	Shōsetsuka ni Narō
Original run	September 23, 2013 – March 12, 2017
Light novel
Written by	Miya Kazuki
Illustrated by	You Shiina
Published by	TO Books
English publisher	NA: J-Novel Club
Imprint	TO Bunko
Demographic	Male[1]
Original run	January 25, 2015 – December 9, 2023
Volumes	33
Manga
Part 1
Illustrated by	Suzuka
Published by	TO Books
English publisher	NA: J-Novel Club
Imprint	Corona Comics
Magazine	Comic Corona
Demographic	Shōjo
Original run	October 30, 2015 – July 2, 2018
Volumes	7
Manga
Part 2
Illustrated by	Suzuka
Published by	TO Books
English publisher	NA: J-Novel Club
Imprint	Corona Comics
Magazine	Comic Corona
Demographic	Shōjo
Original run	September 24, 2018 – present
Volumes	12
Manga
Part 3
Illustrated by	Ryo Namino
Published by	TO Books
English publisher	NA: J-Novel Club
Imprint	Corona Comics
Magazine	Comic Corona
Demographic	Shōjo
Original run	April 30, 2018 – present
Volumes	8
Anime television series
Directed by	Mitsuru Hongo
Written by	Mariko Kunisawa
Music by	Michiru
Studio	Ajiado (S1–3) Wit Studio (S4)
Licensed by	Crunchyroll (streaming) NA: Sentai Filmworks (home video; S1–2 only) SA/SEA: Muse Communication
Original network	ABC, Tokyo MX, Wowow, BS Fuji, AT-X
Original run	October 3, 2019 – present
Episodes	36 + 2 OVA (List of episodes)
Manga
Part 4
Illustrated by	Hikaru Katsuki
Published by	TO Books
Imprint	Corona Comics
Magazine	Comic Corona
Demographic	Shōjo
Original run	December 24, 2020 – present
Volumes	9

A manga adaptation of the first part with art by Suzuka was serialized online via the Niconico Seiga website from October 2015 to July 2018. It was collected in seven tankōbon volumes by TO Books. Both the light novel and manga are published in English by J-Novel Club. An anime television series adaptation produced by Ajiado aired the first part from October to December 2019, and the second part aired from April to June 2020. A two-part OVA episode was released in March 2020. A third season aired from April to June 2022. A fourth season produced by Wit Studio is set to premiere in 2026.

Plot

The story follows Urano Motosu, a book-loving post-secondary college student and soon-to-be librarian who ends up crushed to death beneath a pile of books at her house during an earthquake. With her dying breath, she wishes to be reincarnated in a world where she can read books forever. Urano awakens in the body of a weak, five-year-old girl named Myne in a world where books are scarce and only available to elites. Myne, retaining her memories from her previous life, decides to create and print her own books so that she can read again.

Characters

Myne (マイン, Main) / Urano Motosu (本須 麗乃, Motosu Urano) / Rozemyne (ローゼマイン, Rōzemain)

Voiced by: Yuka Iguchi^[2] (Japanese); Reba Buhr^[3] (English)

The titular bookworm, Urano (a college student) was on the cusp of being a librarian when she was crushed to death under a pile of books during an earthquake. She reincarnated as a sickly five-year-old girl named Myne, but in a world where books are only for extremely rich nobles. Her frailty is due to a rare disease known as the "Devouring," which consists of high fevers which flares up whenever the host is stressed or depressed. Now, Myne has to put her book knowledge to the test in order to become a librarian in her new world.

Ferdinand (フェルディナンド, Ferudinando)

Voiced by: Show Hayami^[2] (Japanese); Armen Taylor^[4] (English)

The High Priest in the city of Ehrenfest.

Tuuli (トゥーリ, Tūri)

Voiced by: Megumi Nakajima^[5] (Japanese); Lisa Reimold^[4] (English)

Myne's elder sister by one year who follows her mother's craft in becoming a seamstress.

Effa (エーファ, Ēfa)

Voiced by: Fumiko Orikasa^[5] (Japanese); Kirsten Day^[4] (English)

Myne and Tuuli's mother who is a seamstress by trade and works at a dye factory.

Gunther (ギュンター, Gyuntā)

Voiced by: Tsuyoshi Koyama^[5] (Japanese); Kaiji Tang^[4] (English)

Myne and Tuuli's father who works as a soldier and a guard for the city of Ehrenfest.

Lutz (ルッツ, Ruttsu)

Voiced by: Mutsumi Tamura^[5] (Japanese); Jeannie Tirado^[6] (English)

Myne's childhood best friend who helps her in her business of making paper and creating books. He initially wanted to be a traveling merchant, but after being dissuaded by Otto, he decides to work with Myne and be the muscle to her brain. He is the first to suspect Myne is not who she used to be, and in fact taken over by someone else.

Otto (オットー, Ottō)

Voiced by: Satoshi Hino^[7] (Japanese); Joe Zieja^[6] (English)

A former traveling merchant and now soldier and military accountant of Ehrenfest. He teaches Myne how to read and write the language of the new world.

Benno (ベンノ)

Voiced by: Takehito Koyasu^[7] (Japanese); Xander Mobus^[6] (English)

A city merchant who takes Myne and Lutz under his wing and helps them grow their bookmaking business. After realizing the potential Myne and Lutz have at their craft, he is insistent on training them to be merchants and argues against others who want the pair for themselves.

Mark (マルク, Maruku)

Voiced by: Tomoaki Maeno^[7] (Japanese); Brian Anderson^[8] (English)

An assistant at Benno's store who helps Myne and Lutz on their journey.

Gustav (グスタフ, Gusutafu)

Voiced by: Hiroshi Naka^[7] (Japanese); Brook Chalmers^[9] (English)

The head of the Merchant Guild in Ehrenfest and Benno's senior. He agrees to allow Lutz and Myne to become temporarily registered merchants after seeing the products the duo are able to create.

Freida (フリーダ, Furīda)

Voiced by: Aya Uchida^[7] (Japanese); Kayli Mills^[10] (English)

Gustav's granddaughter who wants to buy one of Myne's hairpins to wear at her baptism. Like Myne, she has the incurable illness known as the "Devouring."

Gil (ギル, Giru)

Voiced by: Yūko Sanpei^[11] (Japanese); Laura Stahl^[6] (English)

A young grey-robed boy who is placed as Myne's retainer. He is pompous, brash, and believes himself superior to Myne, even though he is beneath her in the temple hierarchy. He eventually comes around and serves Myne faithfully after she shows him kindness and compassion.

Fran (フラン, Furan)

Voiced by: Shō Karino^[11] (Japanese); Chris Hackney^[6] (English)

A grey-robed young man who is placed as Myne's retainer. He is quiet, follows the rules, and is highly devoted to the temple. He is the first retainer to earn Myne's trust and becomes her right-hand man.

Delia (デリア, Deria)

Voiced by: Chiyo Tomaru^[11] (Japanese); Lizzie Freeman^[6] (English)

A young grey-robed girl who is placed as Myne's retainer. She is out to annoy and frustrate Myne on the High Bishop's orders, hoping she will grow up to be his concubine if she's successful. After Myne threatens to send her back to the orphanage, she changes her ways and serves Myne faithfully but still retains her snarky attitude.

Ralph (ラルフ, Rarufu)

Voiced by: Hitomi Nabatame^[11] (Japanese); Danielle McRae^[6] (English)

He is the third of four brothers, and the older brother of Lutz.

Sylvester (ジルヴェスター, Jiruvesutā)

Voiced by: Kazuhiko Inoue^[12]

Media

Light novels

Ascendance of a Bookworm was originally published by Miya Kazuki as a free-to-read web novel on Shōsetsuka ni Narō from 2013 to 2017. It was acquired by TO Books which published the first volume in print in their TO Bunko imprint with illustrations by You Shiina in January 2015. The thirty-third and last volume was published in December 2023. The series is divided into five parts. The light novel is published in English by J-Novel Club,^[13] who released the series betwwen May 2019 and September 2024.^[14][15]

Volume list

No.	Title	Original release date	English release date
1	Part 1: Daughter of a Soldier Vol.1 Dai Ichi-bu Heishi no Musume Ichi (第一部 兵士の娘I)	January 25, 2015[16] 978-4-86472-342-8	May 20, 2019 (Digital)[14] September 3, 2019 (Physical)[17] 978-1-7183-5600-9
Prologue 1. A New Life 2. Exploring My Home 3. Exploring the City 4. Books: Unobtainable 5. Lifestyle Overhaul 6. Neighborhood Boys 7. Paper: Unobtainable 8. Learning to Respect Egyptian Culture 9. Winter Preparations 10. Stone Slate Get! 11. Beaten by Ancient Egyptians 12. The Sweet Taste of Winter 13. Helping out Otto 14. Tuuli's Hair Ornament 15. Bring Me to the Forest 16. Long Live Mesopotamian Culture 17. Clay Tablets Wont Work 18. Tuuli's Baptism 19. I Love You, Yellow River Culture 20. I Want Ink 21. Intense Battle with Food 22. Mokkan and a Mysterious Fever 23. The Road to a Meeting 24. Meeting with the Merchant Epilogue Extra Story: A Day Without Myne Extra Story: Unchanging Daily Life
2	Part 1: Daughter of a Soldier Vol.2 Dai Ichi-bu Heishi no Musume Ni (第一部 兵士の娘II)	February 25, 2015[18] 978-4-86472-347-3	July 09, 2019 (Digital)[19] November 5, 2019 (Physical)[20] 978-1-7183-5601-6
Prologue 1. The Road to Washii 2. Invitation to the Otto Residence 3. Summons from Benno 4. Contract Magic 5. Lutz's Most Important Job 6. Ordering Tools and Materials 7. Starting to Make Paper 8. Painful Mistakes 9. Lutz's Myne 10. Completed Paper 11. The Merchants' Guild 12. The Guildmaster and the Hair Ornament 13. The Guildmaster's Granddaughter 14. Freida's Hair Ornament 15. Delivering the Hair Ornaments 16. Winter Handiwork 17. Lutz's Training Curriculum 18. Why It Failed and How to Fix It 19. A Trombe Appears 20. We Went Ahead and Made Some 21. Myne Collapses Epilogue Corrina's Married Life Gossiping by the Well
3	Part 1: Daughter of a Soldier Vol.3 Dai Ichi-bu Heishi no Musume San (第一部 兵士の娘III)	June 25, 2015[21] 978-4-86472-397-8	September 03, 2019 (Digital)[22] January 7, 2020 (Physical)[23] 978-1-7183-5602-3
Prologue 1. Discussing the Devouring with Freida 2. Making Cake with Freida 3. Taking a Bath with Freida 4. Freida's Baptism 5. Winter Begins 6. Completion of my Outfit and Hairpin 7. Lutz's Tutor 8. Otto's Counseling Room 9. Family Meeting 10. Report to Lutz 11. Back to Paper-Making 12. Vested Interests 13. Result of the Meeting with the Vested Interests 14. Tools and Selecting a Workshop 15. Preparing for Lutz's Apprenticeship 16. Contract with Freida 17. To The Baptism Ceremony 18. A Quiet Commotion 19. Gated Paradise 20. Rejection and Persuasion 21. Benno's Lecture 22. Contract Magic and Registering the Workshop 23. Strategy Meeting and the Temple 24. Confrontation Epilogue Tuuli — Visiting Corinna Leise — Confectionary Recipe Benno — Pound Cake Sampling Mark — The Master and I The Life of an Apprentice Merchant The Roots of the Guildmaster's Worries
4	Part 2: Apprentice Shrine Maiden Vol.1 Dai Ni-bu Shinden no Miko Minarai Ichi (第二部 神殿の巫女見習いI)	September 25, 2015[24] 978-4-86472-424-1	November 10, 2019 (Digital)[25] April 7, 2020 (Physical)[26] 978-1-7183-5603-0
Prologue 1. Attendants and the Fealty Ceremony 2. A Shrine Maiden's Job 3. Not Like the other Blue Robes 4. Benno's Meeting with the High Priest 5. The Meeting Begins 6. Buying Secondhand Clothes 7. The Animosity of Lutz and Gil 8. What They Deserve 9. First Time Outside 10. Training the Chefs 11. Delia's Job 12. The Reality of the Orphanage 13. Discussion With the High Priest and My Resolve 14. Secret Talk with the High Priest 15. Cleaning Up the Orphanage 16. Ideas for New Products 17. Diptychs and Cards 18. Preparing for the Star Festival 19. The Star Festival 20. After the Festival 21. Lutz's Path Through Life 22. Lutz Running Away From Home 23. The High Priest Letter of Invitation 24. Family Meeting at the Temple Epilogue A Place Still Far From Here An Attendant's Self-Awareness
5	Part 2: Apprentice Shrine Maiden Vol.2 Dai Ni-bu Shinden no Miko Minarai Ni (第二部 神殿の巫女見習いII)	December 25, 2015[27] 978-4-86472-447-0	January 20, 2020 (Digital)[28] June 2, 2020 (Physical)[29] 978-1-7183-5604-7
Prologue 1. One Wilma, Please 2. Rosina and Harspiels 3. An Attendant's Job 4. The Italian Restaurant's Interior Decoration 5. How to Run a Restaurant 6. The Significance of Going Outside 7. Preparing to Make Ink 8. Black Oil Paint 9. Making Picture Books with Woodblock Printing 10. Black-and-White Picture Books 11. Preparing for the Children's Bible 12. Binding Children's Bibles 13. Missing the Harvest Festival 14. The Myne Decimal System 15. A Book for Benno and First Fitting 16. Cinderella and a Book for the High Priest 17. A Discussion About Winter Preparations 18. Off to Buy Winter Clothes 19. Butchering and Absence 20. The End of Winter Preparations 21. Summons from the Knight's Order 22. Trombe Extermination 23. Rescue and Reprimand 24. The Healing Ritual Epilogue The Attendant of an Apprentice Blue Shrine Maiden Apprentice Chef in the Temple
6	Part 2: Apprentice Shrine Maiden Vol.3 Dai Ni-bu Shinden no Miko Minarai San (第二部 神殿の巫女見習いIII)	March 25, 2016[30] 978-4-86472-473-9	April 20, 2020 (Digital)[31] October 6, 2020 (Physical)[32] 978-1-7183-5605-4
Prologue 1. Printing Guild 2. Johann's Task 3. The Ink Guild and the Beginning of Winter 4. Winter Hibernation and Handiwork 5. Meeting of the Minds 6. Punishment for the Knight's Order and My Future 7. Daily Winter Life 8. The Dedication Ritual 9. Rosina's Coming of Age Ceremony 10. Rumtopf and Shoes 11. Completion of the Metal Letter Types 12. Temple Stay Extended 13. Preparing for the Spring Prayer 14. Spring Prayer 15. An After-Meal Invitation 16. Ambush 17. The Wild and Uncontrollable Blue Priest 18. Visit to the Orphanage and Workshop 19. Talking with the High Priest and Returning Home 20. A New Member of the Family Epilogue Lunchtime in the Temple The Title of "Gutenberg"
7	Part 2: Apprentice Shrine Maiden Vol.4 Dai Ni-bu Shinden no Miko Minarai Yon (第二部 神殿の巫女見習いIV)	June 10, 2016[33] 978-4-86472-492-0	June 23, 2020 (Digital)[34] February 2, 2021 (Physical)[35] 978-1-7183-5606-1
Prologue 1. Caring for Kamil 2. The Abandoned Child 3. What to Do About Dirk 4. The Ink Guild and Succession 5. Researching Color-Making 6. Challenging Wax Stencils 7. Delia's Progress 8. Both Sides of the Story 9. The Two Who Left 10. The Shadow Falls 11. Noble from Another Duchy 12. The Black Charm 13. The Source of Strife 14. The New Me 15. Ripped Apart Epilogue Freida — A Visit to the Noble's Quarter Sylvester — Cleaning up the Mess Arno — Fran and I Benno — Maybe Lessen the Workload Fran — To Serve as the High Bishop's Attendant Effa — Facing the Future Josef — Beruf Certification Leon — Sylvester Undercover
8	Part 3: Adopted Daughter of an Archduke Vol.1 Dai San-bu Ryōshu no Yōjo Ichi (第三部 領主の養女I)	September 10, 2016[36] 978-4-86472-521-7	August 12, 2020 (Digital)[37] April 6, 2021 (Physical)[38] 978-1-7183-5607-8
Prologue 1. Examination Results and the Noble's Quarter 2. Preparing for the Baptism Ceremony 3. A Noble's Baptism Ceremony 4. Adoption 5. Inauguration Ceremony 6. Reunited at Last 7. How to Make Fluffy Bread 8. Starbind Ceremony in the Lower City 9. The Archduke's Castle 10. Starbind Ceremony in the Noble's Quarter 11. The Archduke and the Italian Restaurant 12. Making a Monastery 13. How to Gather Donations 14. My First Magic Training Regimen 15. Working Toward Wax Stencils 16. An Illustration of Ferdinand 17. Johann and Zack 18. Elvira and Lamprecht Attack 19. Finishing My Highbeast and the Wax Stencils 20. The Harspiel Concert Epilogue Being My Little Sister's Knight One Stressed-Out Chef
9	Part 3: Adopted Daughter of an Archduke Vol.2 Dai San-bu Ryōshu no Yōjo Ni (第三部 領主の養女II)	December 10, 2016[39] 978-4-86472-540-8	October 19, 2020 (Digital)[40] August 17, 2021 (Physical)[41] 978-1-7183-5608-5
Prologue 1. Discussing the Harvest Festival 2. Hasse's Monastery 3. The New Orphans 4. The Orphan's Treatment and Investigating the City 5. The Monastery's Barrier 6. A New Task and Winter Preparations 7. Opening the Italian Restaurant 8. Disucssing How to Improve Hasse 9. Switching Places 10. Preparing for the Harvest Festival 11. Hasse's Contract 12. Starting Merchant Activities 13. Hasse's Harvest Festival 14. The Harvest Festival 15. The Night of Schutzaria 16. Aftermath 17. My Winter Preparations Epilogue Wilfried's Day as the High Bishop Hasse's Orphans Justus's Grand Lower City Infiltration
10	Part 3: Adopted Daughter of an Archduke Vol.3 Dai San-bu Ryōshu no Yōjo San (第三部 領主の養女III)	March 10, 2017[42] 978-4-86472-562-0	January 4, 2021 (Digital)[43] December 7, 2021 (Physical)[44] 978-1-7183-5609-2
Prologue 1. Ingo and Improving the Printing Press 2. The Gathering of the Gutenbergs 3. The Start of Winter Socializing 4. The Baptism Ceremony and Our Winter Debut 5. A Class for Kids 6. A Tea Party 7. The Dedication Ritual (Take Two) 8. Gathering the Winter Ingredient 9. Fighting the Schnesturm 10. To the End of Winter 11. Selling the Materials 12. Angelica and the Coming of Spring 13. Upcoming Spring Prayer 14. Hasse's Punishment 15. The Door of Judgement 16. The Execution 17. The Spring Ingredient and Discussing Spring Prayer 18. The Goddesses' Bath 19. The Night of Flutrane 20. The End of Spring Prayer Epilogue Winter Debut and the Playroom The High Bishop's Exclusive Business
11	Part 3: Adopted Daughter of an Archduke Vol.4 Dai San-bu Ryōshu no Yōjo Yon (第三部 領主の養女IV)	June 10, 2017[45] 978-4-86472-586-6	March 8, 2021 (Digital)[46] March 15, 2022 (Physical)[47] 978-1-71835-610-8
Prologue 1. A New Dress 2. The New Printing Press's Trial Run 3. Benno's Request 4. Staying Home during the Archduke Conference 5. Payment and Unveiling the Dress 6. Angelica's Manablade 7. Let's Print More Stuff 8. Meeting with the Plantin Company 9. The Archducal Couple Returns 10. The Dress's Debut and Ferdinand's Return 11. Lunch Meeting and Business Day 12. Heading to Illgner 13. Illgner's Brigitte 14. Mount Lohenberg 15. The Riesefalke Egg 16. Hand Pumps 17. Georgine's Visit 18. Dirk's Mana and Submission Contract 19. Georgine Departs Epilogue Tea Party Damuel's Proposal Staying in Illgner
12	Part 3: Adopted Daughter of an Archduke Vol.5 Dai San-bu Ryōshu no Yōjo Go (第三部 領主の養女V)	September 9, 2017[48] 978-4-86472-600-9	May 6, 2021 (Digital)[49] May 24, 2022 (Physical)[50] 978-1-71834-622-2
Prologue 1. The New Orphans and Operation Grimm 2. Hasse and the Gray Priests 3. Ruelle Gathering (Take Two) 4. Damuel's Growth 5. Conditions for Compressing Mana 6. Illgner's Harvest Festival 7. My First-Ever Little Sister 8. Wilfried's Actions 9. Wilfried's Punishment 10. The Jureve and Mana Compression 11. Charlotte's Baptism Ceremony 12. Kidnapped Daughter 13. Rescue 14. And So, the Future Epilogue Grandfather on the Day of the Baptism In Place of My Older Sister Two Marriages No Rest for Us Meanwhile at the Temple The Laynoble Guard Knight One Handful of a Chef
13	Part 4: Founder of the Royal Academy's So-Called Library Committee Vol.1 Dai Yon-bu Kizoku-in no Jishō Tosho Iin Ichi (第四部 貴族院の自称図書委員I)	December 9, 2017[51] 978-4-86472-634-4	June 30, 2021 (Digital)[52] July 19, 2022 (Physical)[53] 978-1-71834-624-6
Prologue 1. Just Call Me Urashima Taro 2. Moving to the Castle 3. Dinnertime 4. Cramming and Preparations 5. The Gifting Ceremony 6. The Winter Playroom and Our Departure 7. My Retainers and Entering the Dormitory 8. The Better Grades Committee 9. The Advancement Ceremony and Fellowship Gatherings 10. Royalty and Nobles from Other Duchies 11. Math, Theology, and Controlling Mana 12. History, Geography, and Music 13. Mana Compression and Creating a Highbeast 14. The Fourth Step of Mana Compression 15. Registering at the Library 16. Schwartz and Weiss 17. Court Etiquette and Hirschur's Visit 18. Schtappe Acquisition 19. My First Earthday 20. Dedication Whirl 21. Passing Highbeast Creation 22. Schtappe Fundamentals Epilogue A Productive Earthday Myne Awakes
14	Part 4: Founder of the Royal Academy's So-Called Library Committee Vol.2 Dai Yon-bu Kizoku-in no Jishō Tosho Iin Ni (第四部 貴族院の自称図書委員II)	March 10, 2018[54] 978-4-86472-669-6	September 1, 2021 (Digital)[55] September 6, 2022 (Physical)[56] 978-1-71834-626-0
Prologue 1. Meeting for the Tea Party 2. Onward to the Library 3. I Want to Found the Library Committee 4. Preparing a Tea Party for Solange 5. My First Tea Party at the Royal Academy 6. Tea Party with the Music Professors 7. Measuring Schwartz and Weiss 8. The Battle for Schwartz and Weiss 9. Treasure-Stealing Ditter 10. The Prince's Summons 11. Rihyarda's Wrath 12. Traugott's Thoughts 13. A Tea Party with Eglantine 14. Reporting to the Prince 15. An Order to Return to Ehrenfest 16. Interrogation 17. Returning to the Temple 18. Ferdinand and Hirschur's Gifts 19. The Summoned Merchants Epilogue Honest Courting Life without One's Lady
15	Part 4: Founder of the Royal Academy's So-Called Library Committee Vol.3 Dai Yon-bu Kizoku-in no Jishō Tosho Iin San (第四部 貴族院の自称図書委員III)	June 9, 2018[57] 978-4-86472-686-3	October 27, 2021 (Digital)[58] November 1, 2022 (Physical)[59] 978-1-71834-628-4
Prologue 1. The Dedication Ritual and Returning to the Castle 2. Mother and Printing in Haldenzel 3. Winter Socializing 4. The End of Winter and the Summoned Merchants 5. A Place to Call Home 6. The Meeting with Giebe Haldenzel 7. Returning to the Royal Academy 8. A Week of Socializing 9. Justus and Preparing for the Interduchy Tournament 10. Meeting with the Prince 11. The Tea Party for All Duchies 12. Interduchy Tournament 13. Angelica’s Graduation Ceremony 14. Year One: Complete 15. Buying Information and the Mana Compression Lecture 16. Philine’s Family Circumstances 17. Taking Konrad to the Temple 18. The Book Fair and the Follow-Up Meeting 19. A Promise 20. Ferdinand and I Epilogue The Passage of Time and a New Promise The Blessing at the Graduation Ceremony
16	Part 4: Founder of the Royal Academy's So-Called Library Committee Vol.4 Dai Yon-bu Kizoku-in no Jishō Tosho Iin Yon (第四部 貴族院の自称図書委員IV)	September 10, 2018[60] 978-4-86472-724-2	December 22, 2021 (Digital)[61] January 17, 2023 (Physical)[62] 978-1-71834-630-7
Prologue 1. The Feast Celebrating Spring 2. Meeting the Scholars 3. Life in the Temple 4. Schwartz's and Weiss’s Outfits 5. Magic Ink 6. Request for the Gilberta Company 7. Another Gathering of the Gutenbergs 8. Disappearing Ink and Returning to the Castle 9. The Archduke Conference Approaches 10. Spring Prayer in the Central District 11. Haldenzel’s Craftspeople 12. Haldenzel’s Spring Prayer 13. Entwickeln 14. Left at Home 15. Report on the Archduke Conference 16. A More Private Meeting Epilogue The Miracle of Haldenzel Preventing Destructive Reconstruction
17	Part 4: Founder of the Royal Academy's So-Called Library Committee Vol.5 Dai Yon-bu Kizoku-in no Jishō Tosho Iin Go (第四部 貴族院の自称図書委員V)	December 10, 2018[63] 978-4-86472-764-8	February 16, 2022 (Digital)[64] March 14, 2023 (Physical)[65] 978-1-71834-632-1
Prologue 1. Apprentices and the Temple 2. A Discussion with the Lower City 3. Going to the Italian Restaurant 4. Evolved Cooking 5. Visiting Groschel and the Starbind Ceremony 6. My Brother Lamprecht’s Wedding 7. The Wedding on the Border 8. Pre-Meeting for the Dyeing Competition 9. The Dyeing Competition 10. Post-Competition and the Harvest Festival 11. Groschel and the Harvest Festival 12. Groschel Nobles and the Printing Industry 13. The Library Plan and Completed Outfits 14. The Start of Winter Socializing (Second Year) 15. Leaving for the Royal Academy 16. Fealty and the Dormitory 17. Hirschur’s Visit and the Advancement Ceremony 18. The Second-Year Fellowship Gathering Epilogue Staying Home at the Castle Reaching a Crossroads The Road to Exclusive Business
18	Part 4: Founder of the Royal Academy's So-Called Library Committee Vol.6 Dai Yon-bu Kizoku-in no Jishō Tosho Iin Roku (第四部 貴族院の自称図書委員VI)	March 9, 2019[66] 978-4-86472-788-4	April 20, 2022 (Digital)[67] May 16, 2023 (Physical)[68] 978-1-71834-634-5
Prologue 1. The Beginning of Classes 2. Library Committee Member Get! 3. Registering for the Library and Supplying Mana 4. Schtappe Transformation 5. Strengthening the Weapon 6. Everyone Passing on the First Day 7. Brewing and Recovery Potions 8. Roderick's Wish 9. Dedication Whirling and Ordonnanz Brewing 10. The Music Tea Party and the End of Classes 11. I Want to Do Library Committee Work 12. Professor Hirschur's Laboratory 13. Professor Hirschur's Disciple 14. Changing Schwartz and Weiss 15. Gathering Feystones 16. Hunting a Ternisbefallen 17. Healing and Reinforcements 18. A Tea Party of Bookworms 19. Going Home Epilogue Unshakeable Resolve Investigating the Former Werkestock Dormitory
19	Part 4: Founder of the Royal Academy's So-Called Library Committee Vol.7 Dai Yon-bu Kizoku-in no Jishō Tosho Iin Nana (第四部 貴族院の自称図書委員VII)	June 10, 2019[69] 978-4-86472-814-0	June 15, 2022 (Digital)[70] July 11, 2023 (Physical)[71] 978-1-71834-636-9
Prologue 1. Post-Return Discussion 2. Dinner and a Tea Party 3. Sylvester's Order 4. Investigating the Bible 5. Winter Life in the Temple 6. This and That in the Castle 7. The Ternisbefallen Inquiry 8. The Bible Inspection Meeting 9. Planning for the Tea Party 10. The Tea Party with Drewanchel 11. Roderick's Name-Swearing 12. Interduchy Tournament (Second Year) 13. The Ditter Match 14. Ditter at the Interduchy Tournament 15. Hartmut's Marriage Partner 16. Unforeseen Consequences 17. The Graduation Ceremony 18. The Library and Going Home Epilogue Speaking at the Gazebo Rendezvous at the Gazebo
20	Part 4: Founder of the Royal Academy's So-Called Library Committee Vol.8 Dai Yon-bu Kizoku-in no Jishō Tosho Iin Hachi (第四部 貴族院の自称図書委員VIII)	September 10, 2019[72] 978-4-86472-828-7	August 10, 2022 (Digital)[73] September 12, 2023 (Physical)[74] 978-1-71834-638-3
Prologue 1. The Return and a Dinner Meeting 2. The Winter Playroom and Judithe's Younger Brother 3. Discussion with the Plantin Company 4. Melchior's Baptism 5. Ahrensbach's Fish Cuisine 6. Returning to the Temple and the Meeting with the Gutenbergs 7. Dissecting Fish 8. Spring Prayer and Leaving for Leisegang 9. Giebe Leisegang 10. Visiting Great-Grandfather 11. Sitting Out the Archduke Conference 12. Report on the Archduke Conference (Second Year) 13. A More Private Meeting (Second Year) 14. Decisions 15. Successors 16. Another Discussion and Making Rejuvenation Potions 17. Hartmut's First Ceremony and Another Jureve 18. Visitors and Counterstrategies 19. The Welcoming Feast 20. Ferdinand’s Estate Epilogue Clearing Regrets from Ten Years Ago Ten Years of Change
21	Part 4: Founder of the Royal Academy's So-Called Library Committee Vol.9 Dai Yon-bu Kizoku-in no Jishō Tosho Iin Kyuu (第四部 貴族院の自称図書委員IX)	December 10, 2019[75] 978-4-86472-855-3	October 5, 2022 (Digital)[76] November 14, 2023 (Physical)[77] 978-1-71834-640-6
Prologue 1. Rewarding Hartmut's Hard Work 2. The Harvest Festival and a Meeting 3. The Farewell Dinner 4. Farewell Gifts 5. A Stolen Book 6. Commoner Testimonies 7. Rescue 8. Evidence 9. New Perspectives 10. Viscount Dahldolf's Estate 11. Finding the Book 12. A Change of Plans 13. Preparing to Leave 14. Separation Epilogue Irreplaceable Starting Life in Ahrensbach The Start of a Busy Winter Out of Time The New Children Winter Resolution My Son's Departure Memories and Farewells
22	Part 5: Avatar of a Goddess Vol.1 Dai Go-bu Megami no Keshin Ichi (第五部 女神の化身I)	March 10, 2020[78] 978-4-86472-923-9	November 30, 2022 (Digital)[79] January 9, 2024 (Physical)[80] 978-1-71834-642-0
Prologue 1. The Children of the Former Veronica Faction 2. The Fellowship Gatherings (Third Year) 3. Passing Classes 4. The New Librarian 5. Practical: Divine Protections of the Gods 6. Music and Everyone's Rituals 7. Discussing Divine Protections with Hirschur 8. Beginning the Archduke Candidate Course 9. Dedication Whirling (Third Year) 10. Hirschur's Meeting with the Aub 11. Researching Rituals and an Update on the Purge 12. Finishing the Archduke Candidate Lessons 13. Passing Professor Gundolf's Classes 14. Gretia's Circumstances and Gathering Ingredients 15. Professor Fraularm's Class 16. Hirschur's Personal Librarian 17. A Request from Royalty 18. Tea Party for Bookworms 19. Tea Party with Dunkelfelger 20. Replies Epilogue Fantasy versus Reality Finding Purpose and the Guardians of Knowledge
23	Part 5: Avatar of a Goddess Vol.2 Dai Go-bu Megami no Keshin Ni (第五部 女神の化身II)	June 10, 2020[81] 978-4-86699-001-9	January 26, 2023 (Digital)[82] March 11, 2024 (Physical)[83] 978-1-71834-644-4
Prologue 1. The Royal Family and the Library 2. Dunkelfelger's Ritual 3. Talking and Tallying 4. Frustrating Tea Parties 5. Doing a Little Scheming 6. Preparing for the Ritual 7. The Royal Academy's Dedication Ritual 8. Using the Rest of The Mana 9. Tea Parties and Negotiations 10. Confrontation 11. Preparing for Ditter 12. Bride-Taking Ditter 13. Intruders Epilogue The Saint's Ritual Someone Worthy of Caution Headache-Inducing Reports (Third Year)
24	Part 5: Avatar of a Goddess Vol.3 Dai Go-bu Megami no Keshin San (第五部 女神の化身III)	September 10, 2020[84] 978-4-86699-038-5	April 5, 2023 (Digital)[85] May 13, 2024 (Physical)[86] 978-1-71834-646-8
Prologue 1. Awakening and Reports 2. Preparing for the Interduchy Tournament 3. Raimund's Research and Hirschur's Warning 4. The Interduchy Tournament (Third Year) 5. Socializing with Dunkelfelger 6. Socializing with Ahrensbach 7. Socializing with Royalty 8. Socializing with Other Duchies 9. Socializing with Frenbeltag 10. Ditter and Dunkelfelger's Demonstration 11. My First Awards Ceremony 12. Dinner with Ferdinand 13. Farewells and the Coming-of-Age Ceremony 14. Detlinde's Dedication Whirl 15. A Discussion with Eglantine 16. Lending Books and a Place for One's Heart Epilogue Resolve at the Interduchy Tournament My Daughter's Perspective and Resolve Suspicions and Gewinnen
25	Part 5: Avatar of a Goddess Vol.4 Dai Go-bu Megami no Keshin Yon (第五部 女神の化身IV)	December 10, 2020[87] 978-4-86699-089-7	May 31, 2023 (Digital)[88] July 8, 2024 (Physical)[89] 978-1-71834-648-2
Prologue 1. Returning Home and Everyone's Situation 2. Lamprecht and Nikolaus 3. Archducal Family Meeting 4. Melchior and Preparing for the Temple 5. The Will of the Leisegangs 6. Speaking with the Aub 7. Brunhilde's Suggestion 8. Changing Surroundings and the Feast Celebrating Spring 9. Touring the Temple 10. Preparing the Ritual 11. Reobtaining Divine Protections 12. Clarissa's Invasion 13. She Arrived Immediately 14. Melchior and Spring Prayer 15. The Disciples of the Gutenbergs 16. Kirnberger's Country Gate Epilogue Reflection and Envy Defense of the West Gate
26	Part 5: Avatar of a Goddess Vol.5 Dai Go-bu Megami no Keshin Go (第五部 女神の化身V)	April 10, 2021[90] 978-4-86699-133-7	July 26, 2023 (Digital)[91] September 10, 2024 (Physical)[92] 978-1-71834-650-5
Prologue 1. Apprentice Blues and the Orphanage Children 2. Divine Protections All Around 3. The Archduke Conference's Starbinding 4. Work in the Underground Archive 5. Zent Candidates 6. The Locations of the Shrines 7. Consultation 8. Circling the Shrines 9. Deeper into the Underground Archive 10. Letters and a Discussion 11. The Merchant Saint 12. Conditions for Being Adopted 13. Secured Conditions 14. The Archduke Conference's Dedication Ritual Epilogue An Unwanted Marriage Schlaftraum's Flowers
27	Part 5: Avatar of a Goddess Vol.6 Dai Go-bu Megami no Keshin Roku (第五部 女神の化身VI)	August 10, 2021[93] 978-4-86699-241-9	September 20, 2023 (Digital)[94] November 12, 2024 (Physical)[95] 978-1-71834-652-9
Prologue 1. Report on the Archduke Conference (Third Year) 2. The Canceled Engagement and a Choice for the Future 3. My Retainers' Choices 4. At Karstedt's Estate 5. Mother and Daughter 6. Magic Tools for Children 7. Preparing Fey Paper 8. Making Maximal-Quality Samples 9. The Spring Coming-of-Age Ceremony and Sylvester's Departure 10. Kids' Tea Party 11. The Leisegang Elders 12. Sylvester Returns 13. Letters from Ferdinand 14. The Trombe Hunt and the Starbind Ceremony 15. Tuuli's Coming-of-Age Ceremony 16. Interviews with the Aub 17. The Harvest Festival and the Gutenbergs' Choices Epilogue The Lanzenave Envoys My Hopes and Their Problems Inquiry into the Commotion
28	Part 5: Avatar of a Goddess Vol.7 Dai Go-bu Megami no Keshin Nana (第五部 女神の化身VII)	December 10, 2021[96] 978-4-86699-380-5	November 15, 2023 (Digital)[97] January 14, 2025 (Physical)[98] 978-1-71834-654-3
Prologue 1. Dirk's and Bertram's Baptisms 2. The Winter Playroom and Another New Term 3. The Fellowship Gatherings (Fourth Year) 4. The First Week of Classes 5. The Royal Academy's Dedication Rituals 6. Meeting Gramps 7. The Book of Mestionora 8. I'm Back 9. The Foundational Magic 10. The Bible's Key 11. Anxiety and the Measuring 12. How to Protect Them 13. Preparing for War 14. Kamil's Baptism 15. Defense Meeting 16. Danger Beheld 17. Temptation 18. Faster than Steifebrise Epilogue Rozemyne's Disappearance and Return The Royal Academy without My Sister Their Hopes and Dreams
29	Part 5: Avatar of a Goddess Vol.8 Dai Go-bu Megami no Keshin Hachi (第五部 女神の化身VIII)	April 9, 2022[99] 978-4-86699-413-0	January 10, 2024 (Digital)[100] March 11, 2025 (Physical)[101] 978-1-71834-656-7
Prologue 1. Uniting 2. Their Information and Name Stones 3. Teleporting 4. To Battle 5. Ahrensbach’s Temple 6. Ahrensbach’s Foundation and Replenishment Hall 7. Rescue 8. My Geduldh 9. The Zent and the Grutrissheit 10. The New Aub 11. The Aub’s Protection 12. Lanzenave’s Ships 13. Summoning Winter 14. Choices 15. Playground 16. Rumors and a Departure 17. Bindewald 18. Black Weapons and Chalices Epilogue Giebe Kirnberger — The Activated Country Gate Brigitte — Illgner’s Battle Philine — Just like Our Drills Effa — Strong Bonds, Strong Protection Gunther — A Promise Fulfilled Follow Your Heart
30	Part 5: Avatar of a Goddess Vol.9 Dai Go-bu Megami no Keshin Kyuu (第五部 女神の化身IX)	August 10, 2022[102] 978-4-86699-520-5	March 20, 2024 (Digital)[103] May 13, 2025 (Physical)[104] 978-1-71834-658-1
Prologue 1. Gerlach’s Front Line 2. Confronting Grausam 3. Victory and Return 4. Everyone’s Tales of Heroism 5. Celebratory Feast 6. A Sleepless Night 7. Late-Night Tea Party 8. Fitting 9. Following My Heart 10. Lunch Meeting 11. The Temple and Melchior’s Report 12. The West Gate and Groundwork 13. To Ahrensbach 14. Making the Bible 15. Dunkelfelger’s Request 16. Dunkelfelger’s Response 17. Prayers and the Departure Epilogue Charlotte — Supporters of the Rear Guard Leckle — The Battle for the West Gate Judithe — Those Left Behind Florencia — At the Ivory Tower Sylvester — The Battle for the Foundation
31	Part 5: Avatar of a Goddess Vol.10 Dai Go-bu Megami no Keshin Jyuu (第五部 女神の化身X)	December 10, 2022[105] 978-4-86699-718-6	May 15, 2024 (Digital)[106] July 15, 2025 (Physical)[107] 978-1-71834-660-4
Prologue 1. The Royal Academy at Night 2. The Adalgisa Villa 3. Collaborator 4. Alstede's Side 5. Rescuing Solange 6. The Road to the Garden of Beginnings 7. The Duty of a Zent 8. The Battle for the Auditorium 9. One Man's Return from the Garden of the Beginnings 10. The Battle atop the Altar 11. In the Garden of the Beginnings 12. The Race to Become Zent 13. The Lord of Evil's Machinations 14. Machinations Complete Epilogue Immanuel — The Returned Branch Royal Anastasius — The Royal Family’s Position Magdalena — Smiting the Traitor Gervasio — Descent of a Goddess Ferdinand — A Battle That Must Be Won
32	Part 5: Avatar of a Goddess Vol.11 Dai Go-bu Megami no Keshin Jyuu-ichi (第五部 女神の化身XI)	May 10, 2023[108] 978-4-86699-836-7	July 10, 2024 (Digital)[109] August 12, 2025 (Physical)[110] 978-1-71834-662-8
Prologue 1. The Pale-Faced Royal Family 2. Terms for the New Zent 3. Goddess-Dyed Mana and Name-Swearing 4. Finalizing the New Zent 5. Rewards and the Criminals 6. Adolphine's Push 7. Eglantine's Name-Swearing 8. Blessings from the Gods 9. The Blessings' Influence 10. Operation: Mana Drain 11. Gold Dust and Going Back 12. Expending Mana through Spring Prayer 13. Never-Ending Mana 14. Large-Scale Magic Epilogue The Transference Ceremony Vows and the Garden of Beginnings The New Aub's Awesome Magic
33	Part 5: Avatar of a Goddess Vol.12 Dai Go-bu Megami no Keshin Jyuu-ni (第五部 女神の化身XII)	December 9, 2023[111] 978-4-86794-022-8	September 4, 2024 (Digital)[15] August 12, 2025 (Physical)[112] 978-1-71834-664-2
Prologue 1. Memories 2. A Future Chosen 3. Busy Days 4. Entwickeln 5. Eglantine's Visit 6. Engagement Ceremony 7. Proclamations as the Aub 8. Library and Laboratory 9. Back to Ehrenfest 10. Brewing the Base Color 11. Aurelia's Situation 12. A Mother's Encouragement 13. Temple Attendants 14. Meeting with the Merchants 15. Inauguration Attire and Closing the Library 16. Farewell, Ehrenfest 17. The Morning of the Inauguration Ceremony 18. The Inauguration Ceremony Epilogue

Hannelore's Fifth Year at the Royal Academy

The series continued with a sequel titled Ascendance of a Bookworm: Hannelore's Fifth Year at the Royal Academy, following the perspective of Rozemyne's close friend Hannelore in her next year at the Royal Academy, after the events of the main series. As with the main series, the Hannelore sequel was originally published by Miya Kazuki as web novel.^[113]

No.	Title	Original release date	English release date
34	Hannelore’s Fifth Year at the Royal Academy Vol.1 Han'nerōre no kizoku-in gonensei 1 (ハンネローレの貴族院五年生1)	August 10, 2024[114] 978-4-86794-274-1	May 23, 2025 (Digital)[115]

Manga

A manga adaptation was published by TO Books and follows similar format as the novels. Part 1, subtitled If there aren't any books, I'll just have to make some! (本がないなら作ればいい!, Hon ga nainara tsukureba ī!), was illustrated by Suzuka, serialized in Comic Corona from October 2015 to July 2018, and was compiled into a total of seven volumes. Suzuka continued to illustrate Part 2, subtitled I'll even join the temple to read books! (本のためなら巫女になる！, Hon no tamenara miko ni naru!), which began serialization in Comic Corona on September 24, 2018 and currently has a total of twelve volumes. Part 3, subtitled Let's spread books through the duchy! (領地に本を広げよう！, Ryōchi ni hon o hirogeyou!), is illustrated by Ryo Namino and began serialization in Comic Corona despite Part 1 still being ongoing at the time. Part 3 currently has eight volumes. Part 4, I want to save the Royal Academy's library! (貴族院の図書館を救いたい！, Kizoku-in no toshokan o sukuitai!), is illustrated by Hikaru Katsuki and began serialization on December 24, 2020 also in Comic Corona and currently has a total of nine volumes. The manga adaptation is also published in English by J-Novel Club.^[13]

Part 1

No.	Original release date	Original ISBN	English release date	English ISBN
1	June 25, 2016[116]	978-4-86472-495-1	June 18, 2019[117]	978-1-7183-3800-5
1. A New Life 2. Books: Unobtainable 3. Lifestyle Overhaul 4. Learning to Respect Egyptian Culture 5. Winter Preparations Extra: Myne's Gotten Weird
2	July 10, 2016[118]	978-4-86472-499-9	December 3, 2019[119]	978-1-7183-3802-9
6. Pig Killing Day 7. The Sweet Taste of Winter 8. Helping Out Otto 9. Bring Me to the Forest 10. Finally the Forest Extra: Lutz and the Parue Tree
3	November 10, 2016[120]	978-4-86472-533-0	March 25, 2020[121]	978-1-7183-3804-3
11. I Love You, Yellow River Culture 12. The Mysterious Heat and the Meeting 12.5. Result of the Meeting 13. Road to Washi 14. Summons From Benno Extra: Improving the Food Situation Story: The Baptism Ceremony and the Hairpin
4	February 25, 2017[122]	978-4-86472-554-5	May 13, 2020[123]	978-1-7183-3806-7
15. Lutz's Most Important Job 16. Beginning to Make Paper 17. Lutz's Myne 18. The Merchant's Guild 19. Temporary Registration and a Business Discussion Extra: Coins and the Value of Things Story: Zeg the Apprentice Craftsman
5	August 1, 2017[124]	978-4-86472-602-3	August 12, 2020[125]	978-1-71833-808-1
20. The Guildmaster's Granddaughter 21. Freida's Hairpins 22. Improving Rinsham 23. A Trombe Appears 24. Nearing Winter Extra: The Power of Money Story: Hairpins and the Meeting of Stores
6	February 24, 2018[126]	978-4-86472-664-1	February 10, 2021[127]	978-1-71833-810-4
25. Freida and Myne 26. The Beginning of Winter 27. Family Meeting 28. Resuming Paper-Making 29. Vested Interests Extra: Some Time in the Woods Story: A Long-Awaited Reunion
7	August 1, 2018[128]	978-4-86472-720-4	May 12, 2021[129]	978-1-71833-812-8
30. Freida's Contract and the Baptism Ceremony 31. God-Given Paradise 32. Becoming an Apprentice Shrine Maiden 33. Confrontation 33.5. Negotiations in the High Priest's Chamber Extra: The Pound Cake Taste-Test Event Story: As the Gilberta Company's Successor

Part 2

No.	Original release date	Original ISBN	English release date	English ISBN
1	April 25, 2019[130]	978-4-86472-801-0	July 7, 2021[131]	978-1-71833-814-2
1. Apprentice Shrine Maiden in the Temple 2. Meeting in the Temple 3. Why I Collapsed 4. What They Deserve Extra: How to Handle the Myne Workshop Story: Fran and the Commoner Apprentice Blue Shrine Maiden
2	October 5, 2019[132]	978-4-86472-853-9	September 1, 2021[133]	978-1-71833-816-6
5. Gil's Job 6. Everyone Has a Job to Do 7. My Third Attendant 8. The Reality of the Orphanage 9. A Secret Talk with the High Priest Extra: Sister Myne and Me Story: The Other Side of the Orphanage Incident
3	April 1, 2020[134]	978-4-86472-941-3	November 10, 2021[135]	978-1-71837-259-7
10. The Great Orphanage Cleanup 11. The Orphanage Director's Visit 12. Growing Problems 13. Diptychs and Karuta 14. Preparing for the Star Festival 15. The Star Festival Extra: Ordering Ceremonial Robes Story: Gathering Taues
4	October 1, 2020[136]	978-4-86699-056-9	March 16, 2022[137]	978-1-71833-820-3
16. Lutz's Path 17. Running Away from Home 18. Family Meeting at the Temple 19. One Wilma, Please 20. Gifts and an Education Extra: My Son's Growth Story: This Thing Called Family
5	April 15, 2021[138]	978-4-86699-203-7	May 4, 2022[139]	978-1-71833-822-7
21. My New Attendants 22. Attendants of an Apprentice Blue Shrine Maiden 22.5. Christine's Former Attendants 23. Preparing to Make Ink 24. Making Ink 25. Challenging Woodblock Printing Extra: Problems with the Italian Restaurant Story: Preparing for the Baby
6	October 15, 2021[140]	978-4-86699-346-1	August 17, 2022[141]	978-1-71833-824-1
26. Suspicions and a New Connection 27. Preparing Stencils 28. Binding a Picture-Book Bible for Children 29. After Completing the Picture Book 30. The Myne Decimal System 31. Starting Winter Prep Extra: The Story of Cinderella Story: Books and Karuta
7	April 15, 2022[142]	978-4-86699-416-1	February 6, 2023[143]	978-1-71833-826-5
32. Buying Winter Clothes 33. Winter Preparations and the Knight's Order 34. Trombe Extermination 35. During the Trombe Hunt 36. Rescue and Reprimand Extra: Mental Image Story: My First Trombe Hunt
8	December 1, 2022[144]	978-4-86699-689-9	January 24, 2024[145]	978-1-71833-827-2
37. Returning from the Hunt 38. The World of Dreams 39. After Synchronizing 40. Johann's Tasks and the Ink Guild 41. Hunkering Down for the Winter 41.5. At the Karstedt Estate Extra: Exploring the World of Dreams Story: Coming-of-Age Task
9	June 1, 2023[146]	978-4-86699-855-8	April 17, 2024[147]	978-1-7183-3828-9
42. Punishment and the Future 43. The Dedication Ritual 44. Rosina's Coming-of-Age Ceremony 45. Winter's Close Extra: New Sweets Story: The Knight Who Came to the Temple
10	December 15, 2023[148]	978-4-86794-029-7	—	—
11	July 16, 2024[149]	978-4-86794-244-4	—	—
12	February 15, 2025[150]	978-4-86794-455-4	—	—

Part 3

No.	Original release date	Original ISBN	English release date	English ISBN
1	February 1, 2019[151]	978-4-86472-784-6	June 7, 2023[152]	978-1-71833-801-2
1. The Daughter of a Noble 2. The Archduke's Adopted Daughter 3. The Adopted Daughter's New Guard Knights 4. The High Bishop Inauguration Ceremony 5. Reunion with the Gilberta Company 6. In the Hidden Room 7. The Starbind Ceremony (Lower City) Extra: The Knight Commander's Youngest Son Story: My First Letter
2	December 14, 2019[153]	978-4-86472-881-2	October 11, 2023[154]	978-1-71833-803-6
8. The Archduke's Castle 9. Italian Restaurant 10. Hasse's Monastery 11. How to Secure Funding 12. My First Magecraft Lesson 13. The Path to Wax Stencils Extra: Benno and Gustav's Suffering Story: Changes at Home
3	June 15, 2020[155]	978-4-86699-003-3	August 14, 2024[156]	978-1-71833-805-0
14. Picture of Ferdinand 15. Johann and Zack 16. Reunion with Tuuli 17. Lamprecht and Elvira Attack 18. Forming a Highbeast! 19. Completing the Wax Paper Extra: Less and Me (1 and 2) Story: All to See Myne
4	May 15, 2021[157]	978-4-86699-220-4	December 3, 2024[158]	978-1-71833-807-4
20. The Harspiel Concert 21. The Little High Bishop 22. Meeting for the Harvest Festival 23. Inspecting the Monastery 24. Hasse's Orphans Extra: Unwavering Emotions Story: From Tasty Food to Trouble
5	March 15, 2022[159]	978-4-86699-415-4	—	—
6	February 15, 2023[160]	978-4-86699-768-1	—	—
7	September 15, 2023[161]	978-4-86699-946-3	—	—
8	August 17, 2024[162]	978-4-86794-279-6	—	—

Part 4

No.	Original release date	Original ISBN	English release date	English ISBN
1	March 15, 2021[163]	978-4-86699-132-0	February 26, 2025[164]	978-1-71832-967-6
1. Call Me Urashima Taro 2. Dinner and Cramming 3. To the Royal Academy Extra: What I Know Story: Fruitless Anxieties
2	July 15, 2021[165]	978-4-86699-249-5	April 16, 2025[166]	978-1-71832-968-3
4. Life at the Royal Academy 5. The Better Grades Committee 6. The Royal Family and Nobles of Other Duchies 7. Math, Theology, and Mana Control Extra: Cornelius's Resolve Story: After Her Departure
3	November 25, 2021[167]	978-4-86699-350-8	—	—
4	May 14, 2022[168]	978-4-86699-512-0	—	—
5	November 15, 2022[169]	978-4-86699-690-5	—	—
6	May 15, 2023[170]	978-4-86699-847-3	—	—
7	November 15, 2023[171]	978-4-86794-001-3	—	—
8	May 15, 2024[172]	978-4-86794-177-5	—	—
9	December 14, 2024[173]	978-4-86794-381-6	—	—
10	April 15, 2025[174]	978-4-86794-539-1	—	—

Anime

Main article: List of Ascendance of a Bookworm episodes

An anime television series adaptation was announced on March 7, 2019. The series is animated by Ajiado and directed by Mitsuru Hongo, with Mariko Kunisawa handling series composition, Yoshiaki Yanagida and Toshihisa Kaiya designing the characters, and Michiru composing the series' music.^[2]

The first part ran for 14 episodes,^[175] which aired from October 3 to December 26, 2019, on ABC, Tokyo MX, Wowow, and BS Fuji,^[5][a] and covers Part 1: Daughter of a Soldier of the light novel. Sumire Morohoshi performed the series' opening theme song "Mashiro" (真っ白), while Megumi Nakajima performed the series' ending theme song "Kamikazari no Tenshi" (髪飾りの天使).^[5][176] A two-part OVA series (numbered collectively as episode 14.5, both airing on March 9, 2020) consisted of two parts titled "Eustachius's Incognito Operation Downtown" and "Visiting Missus Corinna".^[177][178]

The second part ran for 12 episodes, which aired from April 5 to June 21, 2020, and covers Volumes 1 and 2 of Part 2: Apprentice Shrine Maiden of the light novel.^[179][180] Sumire Morohoshi also performed the second part's opening theme song "Tsumujikaze" (旋風) (Commotion), while Minori Suzuki performs the ending theme "Ephemera wo Atsumete".

The production of a third season was announced on July 12, 2020,^[181][182] which ran for 10 episodes and aired from April 12 to June 14, 2022 on ytv,^{[183][184][b]} and covers Volumes 3 and 4 of Part 2: Apprentice Shrine Maiden of the light novel. Nao Tōyama performed the third season's opening theme song "Ano Hi no Kotoba" (あの日のことば), while Maaya Sakamoto performed the ending theme song "Kotoba ni Dekinai" (言葉にできない).^[185][186]

A fourth season by Wit Studio covering Part 3: Adopted Daughter of an Archduke of the light novel was announced on December 6, 2023.^[187][188] It is set to premiere in 2026.^[189]

Crunchyroll streamed the series^[190] and has partnered with Sentai Filmworks for distribution in North America.^[191]

Other

Nine fanbooks were published by TO Books and released on December 20, 2016,^[192] December 9, 2017,^[193] November 10, 2018,^[194] November 9, 2019,^[195] November 10, 2020,^[196] November 10, 2021,^[197] November 10, 2022,^[198] November 10, 2023,^[199] and November 9, 2024.^[200] TO Books also published eleven Drama CDs released on September 9, 2017,^[201] June 9, 2018,^[202] June 10, 2019,^[203] December 10, 2019,^[204] September 10, 2020,^[205] August 10, 2021,^[206] April 9, 2022,^[207] August 10, 2022,^[208] May 10, 2023,^[209] December 9, 2023,^[210] and August 10, 2024.^[211]

Reception

The series has sold over 11 million copies across physical and digital sales combined as of July 20, 2024.^[212] The series ranked fifth in 2017, first in 2018 and 2019, second in 2020 and 2021, third in 2022 and first in 2023, before being added to Hall of Fame in Takarajimasha's annual light novel guide book Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi!, in the tankōbon category.^{[213][214][215][216][217][218]}

In 2017, the manga adaptation was ranked seventh at the third Next Manga Awards in the web category.^[219]

The 2nd season of anime was nominated for "Best Fantasy" in 2021's Crunchyroll Anime Awards.^[220]

Notes

1. Wowow listed the show at 24:30 on October 2, which is 12:30 AM on October 3, 2019.
2. ytv listed the show at 26:29 on April 11, which is 2:29 AM on April 12, 2022.