Overview
is a Japanese light novel series written by Kaitō and illustrated by Almic. It began serialization online in April 2019 on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō. It was later acquired by Hobby Japan, who have published thirteen volumes since July 2021 under their HJ Bunko imprint. A manga adaptation with art by Terio Teri has been serialized in Akita Shoten's seinen manga web magazine Dokodemo Young Champion since August 2021 and has been collected in six volumes. An anime television series adaptation produced by Gekkou aired from July to September 2024.
Premise
In an alternate version of the modern world featuring fantasy dungeons and other role-playing video game mechanics, Kaito Takagi is a high school student who hunts weak slime monsters on the first floor of a dungeon as a part-time job. One day, he defeats a golden slime that drops an extremely rare Servant Card, allowing him to summon Sylphy, a Valkyrie with powerful magic.
Characters
; : : A childhood friend and neighbor to Kaito. She often discourages Kaito from going to the local dungeon. Her father helped to inspire Kaito to go down to the dungeon and become an explorer. ; : : A female adventurer who Kaito meets in the dungeon along with her two female party members. She uses a naginata and has trained in her family dojo to use it as she dreams of becoming a hero. This dream is one she shares with Kaito. Eventually Kaito joins her party so they can clear more levels in the dungeon. She is a first year in college and attends the college that is the first choice for Katsuragi. She becomes infatuated with Kaito the more time she spends with him. ; : : ; : :
Light novel
Written by Kaitō, A Nobody's Way Up to an Exploration Hero began serialization on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō on April 9, 2019. It was later acquired by Hobby Japan which began releasing it in July 2021 under its HJ Bunko imprint with illustrations by Almic. Thirteen volumes have been released as of January 30, 2026.
Manga
A manga adaptation illustrated by Terio Teri began serialization in Akita Shoten's seinen manga web magazine Dokodemo Young Champion on August 24, 2021. Its chapters have been collected into six volumes as of March 2026.
Anime
An anime television series adaptation was announced in December 2023. It is produced by Gekkou and directed by Tomoki Kobayashi, with Kazuyuki Fudeyasu handling series composition, Shoko Yasuda designing the characters, and Keiji Inai composing the music. The series aired from July 6 to September 21, 2024, on Tokyo MX and other networks. The opening theme song is "Up Start" performed by Amatsuki, while the ending theme song is performed by May'n. Crunchyroll streamed the series. Muse Communication licensed the series in Southeast Asia.
See also
* Love Is Indivisible by Twins, another light novel series with the same illustrator
External links
* at Shōsetsuka ni Narō * * * *