How Not to Summon a Demon Lord

How Not to Summon a Demon Lord

Company type	Media franchise
Industry	Light novels, manga, anime
Founded	2014
Founder	Yukiya Murasaki (author), Takahiro Tsurusaki (illustrator)
Headquarters	Japan
Products	Light novels, manga, anime television series

How Not to Summon a Demon Lord is a Japanese light novel series authored by Yukiya Murasaki with illustrations by Takahiro Tsurusaki. The English version of the light novels is published by J-Novel Club. Since 2015, the manga adaptation illustrated by Naoto Fukuda has been serialized and is licensed in English by Seven Seas Entertainment. The anime adaptation was initially produced by Ajiado and broadcast from July to September 2018. Its second season, animated by Tezuka Productions and Okuruto Noboru, aired from April through June 2021.

Plot

Takuma Sakamoto, a socially withdrawn gamer, unexpectedly finds himself transported into the world of his favorite MMORPG, Cross Reverie, inhabiting the role of his in-game avatar, the Demon Lord Diablo. When two girls—the pantherian Rem and the elf Shera—summon him intending to enslave him, their plan backfires due to the "Magic Reflection" ability of Diablo’s magic ring, causing them to become his unwilling servants instead. Battling his social anxiety, Takuma embraces Diablo’s persona and utilizes his character’s impressive stats alongside his deep understanding of Cross Reverie's mechanics to adapt to this new environment. Together with Rem and Shera, he embarks on a quest to remove their slave collars while confronting the personal issues that led to their summoning.

Characters

Takuma Sakamoto / Diablo

Former player of Cross Reverie, controlling the character Diablo-13, recognized as the genuine Demon Lord. After being summoned into another realm as his game avatar, he inadvertently enslaves his summoners via his magic ring’s properties. His limited social aptitude results in him communicating through his character's persona, often complicating social interactions.

Shera L. Greenwood

An elf princess from Greenwood and one of Diablo’s summoners. Known for her airheadedness, she summoned Diablo seeking liberation but often complicates matters with her naive behavior.

Rem Galleu

A pantherian adventurer and summoner tasked with eradicating the Demon King Krebskulm sealed within her soul. She frequently acts as the voice of reason managing Shera’s antics.

Alicia Crystella

An Imperial Knight hailing from a noble ducal family who venerates demon lords and is disillusioned by humanity’s corruption. She betrays Diablo’s group in an effort to resurrect Klem but later reforms after assisting Edelgard.

Sylvie

Guildmaster of the Grassrunner Guild located in Faltra City’s Adventurer's Guild.

Edelgard

A demonic Fallen commander leading an assault on Faltra City who is ultimately defeated by Diablo's superior magic and subsequently serves Klem.

Celestine Baudelaire

Leader of Faltra’s Mage Association responsible for maintaining the city’s magical defenses and privy to Rem’s secret.

Klem (Krebskulm)

Amnesiac ruler among the Fallen who regains her original form following Rem’s revival efforts.

Mei

Catgirl maid overseeing operations at the Peace of the Mind inn where the main characters reside.

Emile Bichelberger

Evaluator of warriors at Faltra's Adventurer's Guild who prides himself as an ally to women.

Keera L. Greenwood

Shera’s lecherous brother determined to marry her to produce pure-blooded heirs.

Chester Ray Galford

Governor of Faltra City and veteran of the war against the Fallen three decades earlier.

Medios

Slave trader and associate of Celestine Baudelaire.

Saddler

Paladin exhibiting a god complex coupled with cruel behavior toward demihumans.

Lumachina Weselia

High Priestess fleeing an execution order from the church who is saved by Diablo and reveres him as a deity. Later escorted to Zircon Tower City.

Rose

Magic automaton maid originally an AI NPC guarding Diablo's dungeon who materializes into reality and becomes his devoted servant.

Horn

Demihuman Grasswalker and part-time member of Diablo's party who temporarily departs to study magic.

Fanis Laminitus

Governor of Zircon Tower City and skilled magical marksman who later attempts to seduce Diablo.

Gewalt

Paladin and summoner sent to capture Lumachina but becomes her ally after being healed.

Tria

Paladin assisting Lumachina’s escape, imprisoned by the church but freed later by Gewalt.

Batutta

Devout veteran paladin sought out by Lumachina in Zircon Tower City.

Varakness

General serving one of the Demon Lords attacking Zircon Tower City.

Vishos

Principal antagonist during Season 2, corrupt Head Cardinal orchestrating a coup against Lumachina.

Sanro

Supporting figure involved in Season 2 events.

Grun

Supporting character introduced in Season 2 narrative arcs.

Babylon

Self-declared goddess residing within a grail inside Diablo’s treasure vault who assists Horn in enhancing her abilities.

Media

Light novels

The light novel series is penned by Yukiya Murasaki with artwork by Takahiro Tsurusaki. Kodansha released the inaugural volume under their Ranobe Bunko label in December 2014. In North America, J-Novel Club secured licensing rights in September 2017.

Manga

Naoto Fukuda began serializing the manga adaptation on Kodansha's Niconico platform Suiyōbi no Sirius starting June 2015. Seven Seas Entertainment acquired licensing rights for English publication in September 2017.

Anime

The anime television adaptation was announced in January 2018, directed by Yūta Murano with scripts by Kazuyuki Fudeyasu and animation produced by studio Ajiado. Character designs were created by Shizue Kaneko with Yuki Nishioka serving as chief animation director. The series aired from July 5 through September 20, 2018 across AT-X, BS Fuji, Tokyo MX, and Sun TV networks. The opening theme "DeCIDE" was performed by SUMMONERS 2+, a group comprising voice actresses Azumi Waki, Yū Serizawa, Yumi Hara, Rumi Okubo, and Emiri Katō. The ending theme "Saiaku na Hi demo Anata ga Suki." featured Serizawa with production by HoneyWorks. The first season consisted of twelve episodes.

Crunchyroll simulcasted the show globally outside Asia while Funimation launched an English SimulDub in North America; following Sony's acquisition of Crunchyroll, English dubbing was transferred there. Medialink holds licensing rights for South and Southeast Asia regions.

On April 8, 2020, a second season titled How Not to Summon a Demon Lord Ω was announced. It was co-produced by Tezuka Productions and Okuruto Noboru with direction by Satoshi Kuwabara alongside returning staff and cast members. This season aired from April 9 until June 11, 2021 on TBS and BS-TBS channels. The opening theme "EVERYBODY! EVERYBODY!" and ending theme "YOU YOU YOU" were performed by Yū Serizawa in collaboration with DJ KOO & MOTSU. The season comprised ten episodes.

Season 2: Ω

{{Episode table ... (Season two episodes continue with structured summaries emphasizing key plot developments) }}

Reception

As of March 2018, over one million copies of How Not to Summon a Demon Lord light novels had been printed.

Censorship

On January 4, 2023, Australia's Classification Board refused classification for How Not to Summon a Demon Lord Ω, effectively banning its sale, rental, advertisement, and import within Australia despite its availability via streaming platforms. Subsequently, on June 28, 2023, a censored Blu-ray edition was released bearing an MA15+ rating attributed to strong sexual themes and imagery with sexualized content.

External links

• Official Anime Twitter