Goblin Slayer Manga Reading Order — The Complete List
Here’s the recommended reading order. Publication order — meaning the order in which each series was released to the public — is the way to go for first-time readers. It’s how the story was designed to be experienced, and it lets you build familiarity with the world before branching into prequels and side stories.
1. Goblin Slayer (main manga)
- Story by Kumo Kagyu, art by Kousuke Kurose
- Published by Yen Press (English) / Square Enix (Japanese, serialized in Monthly Big Gangan, a manga anthology magazine where chapters are published on a regular schedule before being collected into volumes)
- Status: ongoing
- 16 English volumes currently available (17 Japanese volumes)
- Serialized since September 2016
- Start here. This is the core story.
2. Goblin Slayer Side Story: Year One
- A prequel manga — a story set before the events of the main series — covering Goblin Slayer’s origin and earliest days as an adventurer
- Story by Kumo Kagyu, art by Kento Sakaeda
- Published in English by Yen Press
- Best read after you’ve gotten several volumes into the main series
3. Goblin Slayer: Brand New Day
- A short story anthology — a collection of self-contained tales — set in the same world
- Story by Kumo Kagyu, art by Masahiro Ikeno
- Published in English by Yen Press
- Best enjoyed after you’re caught up (or mostly caught up) on the main manga
4. Goblin Slayer Side Story II: Dai Katana
- A spin-off set in the world’s past — more of a standalone historical dark fantasy
- Story by Kumo Kagyu, art by Shogo Aoki
- Published in English by Yen Press
- The most independent of the spin-offs; can be read later or on its own
Each spin-off has a different artist from the main series, which means the visual style shifts between titles. The names above let you look up each artist’s work if art style consistency matters to you.
A note on the light novels: A light novel is a type of short Japanese novel, often with a few illustrations — different from manga, which tells its story primarily through sequential artwork. The light novel series by Kumo Kagyu is the original source material for Goblin Slayer. The manga adaptations cover the same narrative ground but stand on their own — you do not need to read the light novels first, or at all, to follow and enjoy the manga.
Why This Order Works Best for New Readers
The main manga exists for a reason: it’s the backbone of the entire franchise. Every spin-off assumes you already know who Goblin Slayer is, how his party (the group of adventurers who travel and fight together) works, and why this world treats goblins as a problem nobody wants to deal with. Starting anywhere else puts you at a disadvantage.
Year One is the prequel, but it’s not the entry point. This is important. Year One tells the story of Goblin Slayer’s very first adventures — before he had allies, before he had a reputation. That story lands with so much more weight after you’ve spent time with the quiet, driven version of him in the main series. You understand what he became, and then Year One shows you why. Reading it first robs you of that payoff.
Brand New Day and Dai Katana are supplementary. They’re rewarding reads that expand the world, but they aren’t essential to following the main plot. Think of them as bonus content for readers who want more time in this setting.
The horror builds naturally in publication order. Goblin Slayer’s dark tone isn’t just shock value (though the opening chapter certainly shocks). Across volumes — the numbered books that collect chapters into a single edition — the series develops a creeping sense of dread around what goblins are capable of. Reading in order lets that tension accumulate the way it’s supposed to. Jump around and you lose the escalation.
Start Here — A Beginner’s Path Into the Goblin Slayer Manga Reading Order
Volume 1 of the main manga is your starting line. The very first chapter drops you into the deep end — a party of rookie adventurers takes on what they think will be an easy goblin-slaying quest, and it goes horribly wrong. Within pages, you’ll know exactly what kind of series this is.
Content warning before you begin: Goblin Slayer contains graphic violence and deeply disturbing scenes from the very first chapter. The series depicts assault, torture, and brutal combat. This content establishes the stakes and the world’s cruelty, but it is intense and starts immediately. Specific content concerns include: depictions of physical violence against characters, implied and explicit sexual violence, and character death — all within the opening chapters. If any of these are dealbreakers for you, this series may not be the right fit. You now have enough information to make that call before buying.
Minimum commitment: The first few volumes cover the opening story arc — the first major storyline, spanning several chapters — and give you a very clear picture of whether this series is for you. You’ll meet the core party members, see how Goblin Slayer operates, and get a feel for the manga’s rhythm of tactical combat and dark atmosphere. If you’re hooked by volume 3, you’re in for the long haul.
Coming from the anime? If you’ve already watched the Goblin Slayer anime, the manga covers similar narrative ground but with more graphic visual detail. The manga’s artwork by Kousuke Kurose is more explicit in its depiction of violence than the anime adaptation. The visual storytelling adds a different dimension, but the core story beats will be familiar. Even so, starting the main manga from volume 1 is still the recommended approach — it gives you the strongest foundation before heading into any spin-offs.
The latest English volume — Vol. 16 — continues the ongoing story, so there’s plenty to read through if you’re starting fresh.
Goblin Slayer, Vol. 16 (manga)
Spin-Offs and Side Stories — Where They Slot In
One of the nice things about the Goblin Slayer franchise is that the spin-offs are genuinely optional. They enrich the world, but the main manga never requires you to have read them. Here’s how each one fits:
Goblin Slayer Side Story: Year One
This is the most significant spin-off. Year One is a prequel that follows a young, freshly orphaned Goblin Slayer as he begins his one-man crusade against goblins. It fills in his backstory — his training, his early failures, his growing obsession — and adds emotional depth to the character you already know from the main series.
When to read it: After you’ve read several volumes of the main manga (around volume 5 or later is a comfortable spot). By then you’ll have enough context for the prequel to resonate. Reading it too early spoils the mystery of who Goblin Slayer is and why he’s the way he is.
Year One is published in English by Yen Press, with art by Kento Sakaeda — a different artist from the main series, giving it a slightly different visual feel while maintaining the same dark tone.
Goblin Slayer: Brand New Day
Brand New Day is a collection of short stories set in the Goblin Slayer universe. These are smaller, self-contained tales that focus on various characters and situations — some featuring the main cast, others exploring corners of the world you wouldn’t see in the primary storyline.
When to read it: After you’re caught up or mostly caught up on the main manga. These stories assume familiarity with the world and its characters. They’re lighter (relatively speaking — this is still Goblin Slayer) and work well as between-volume reading.
Published in English by Yen Press, with art by Masahiro Ikeno.
Goblin Slayer Side Story II: Dai Katana
Dai Katana is the most standalone-friendly spin-off. Set in the same world’s past, it follows different characters in a different era. It’s a historical dark fantasy story that shares the Goblin Slayer universe’s setting and tone but doesn’t directly connect to the main cast’s storyline.
When to read it: Whenever you want, really. It benefits from knowing the world’s rules and atmosphere, so reading at least a few volumes of the main manga first helps. But of all the spin-offs, this one works best on its own terms.
Published in English by Yen Press, with art by Shogo Aoki.
Quick Reference: Spin-Off Timing
| Title | Type | Read After… | Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year One | Prequel | Main manga Vol. 5+ | No, but highly recommended |
| Brand New Day | Anthology (short story collection) | Most of main manga | No |
| Goblin Slayer Side Story II: Dai Katana | Historical spin-off | A few main manga volumes | No |
Where to Buy Goblin Slayer Manga in English
All Goblin Slayer manga titles — the main series and every spin-off — are published in English by Yen Press, a manga and light novel publisher, in both physical and digital editions.
Physical editions are available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and other major book retailers. The main series currently has 16 English volumes available, with the Japanese serialization ahead at 17 volumes.
Digital editions are available through Kindle, BookWalker (a digital storefront that specializes in manga and light novels), Kobo, and other digital manga platforms. If you want to start reading immediately, digital is the fastest route — no waiting for shipping.
A few buying tips:
- The main series is your priority purchase. Get at least the first three volumes before thinking about spin-offs.
- Year One is the only spin-off worth buying early. The others can wait until you’ve caught up on the main story.
- Digital editions sometimes go on sale through various retailers, which can make catching up on a longer series more affordable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to read the light novel first?
No. The manga adaptations are self-contained and tell their stories clearly without requiring light novel knowledge. The light novels by Kumo Kagyu are the original source material and contain more detail and characters’ internal thoughts, but the manga stands perfectly well on its own. Read the light novels if you want more — not because you have to.
Is the main manga finished?
No. The main Goblin Slayer manga is ongoing, with 16 English volumes currently available and 17 Japanese volumes published. The series is still being serialized in Monthly Big Gangan.
Which spin-off is the most important?
Year One, without question. It’s the prequel covering Goblin Slayer’s origin and early career, and it adds real emotional weight to the main character. If you’re only going to read one spin-off, make it this one.
Is Goblin Slayer really as dark as people say?
Yes. The manga earns its dark fantasy reputation from the very first chapter. It depicts graphic violence, including scenes of assault and cruelty, as a deliberate part of how the series establishes its world — goblins are genuinely horrifying threats in this setting, and the manga doesn’t shy away from showing why. This isn’t a series that gradually eases you in. The content warning in the “Start Here” section above covers the specific concerns, so scroll back up if you want the full rundown before committing.
What is the complete Goblin Slayer manga reading order?
Main manga first (all available volumes), then Year One, then Brand New Day, then Dai Katana. Publication order. Keep it simple.
Can I skip straight to the spin-offs if I’ve seen the anime?
Not recommended. The Goblin Slayer anime has two full seasons covering a substantial portion of the main manga’s story, so you’ll have some familiarity with the characters and setting. But the manga’s artwork tells the story differently — with different visual detail and a different rhythm — and reading the main manga from the beginning gives you the strongest foundation before heading into spin-off territory. Start with the main manga, even if some of the early story beats are familiar from the anime.