Bastard Swordsman (novel series)

Bastard Swordsman
First light novel volume cover
バスタード・ソードマン
(Basutādo Sōdoman)
GenreIsekai
Novel series
Written byJames Richman
Published by
Original runJuly 7, 2022 – present
Light novel
Written byJames Richman
Illustrated byDaiichi Matsuse
Published byEnterbrain
ImprintFamitsu Bunko
Original runMay 30, 2023 – present
Volumes6
Manga
Written byJames Richman
Illustrated byMask the J
Published byASCII Media Works
ImprintDengeki Comics NEXT
MagazineDengeki Comic Regulus
Original runJanuary 19, 2024 – present
Volumes3

Bastard Swordsman (バスタード・ソードマン, Basutādo Sōdoman) is a Japanese light novel series written by James Richman and illustrated by Daiichi Matsuse. It originally began serialization on the online publishing platform Hameln in July 2022, before being posted to the website Shōsetsuka ni Narō in September 2022. It was later picked up for publication by Enterbrain, which began releasing it as a light novel under their Famitsu Bunko imprint in May 2023; six volumes have been released as of August 2025. A manga adaptation illustrated by Mask the J began serialization on ASCII Media Works' Dengeki Comic Regulus online service in January 2024 and has been compiled into three volumes as of November 2025.

Plot

The series follows Mongrel, a guild member who was reincarnated from another world, although he has no memories of how he came into this world. He encounters a sword while visiting a weapons shop, and becomes attached to it despite being of moderate length. Despite being a guild member, he prefers to spend his days helping others and doing chores at the guild instead of fighting.

Characters

Mongrel (モングレル, Mongureru)
A guild member who is the reincarnation of an unknown person. He has no memories of his previous life. He was born between the kingdoms of Harpelia and Sunglaire to parents who came from each kingdom; both died during a conflict between the two nations. Despite being gifted with magical skills and being potentially powerful enough to defeat strong monsters, he instead helps out with the guild and his neighbors. He uses a sword which he nicknames the Bastard Sword due to its short length compared to a long sword.
Ulrica (ウルリカ, Ururika)
Raina (ライナ, Raina)

Media

Light novel

James Richman wrote the series with the intent to focus on the hero's daily life. He wanted to write the series based on his own personal preferences rather than the typical fantasy and isekai tropes. He wanted to write a fantasy novel featuring a protagonist familiar with modern technologies, a common fantasy trope, while putting his own twist on the theme. He cites manga such as Golden Kamuy and Sanzoku Diary as influences in writing the series. He used his experiences as a frequent camper in fleshing out the outdoor scenes.[1]

Richman began posting the series on the online publishing platform Hameln on July 7, 2022,[2][1] with him also posting the series on the website Shōsetsuka ni Narō from September 1, 2022.[3] It is also posted on Kadokawa's online publishing platform Kakuyomu.[4] Enterbrain later began publishing it as a light novel under their Famitsu Bunko imprint, featuring illustrations by Daiichi Matsuse. The first volume was released on May 30, 2023;[5] six volumes have been released as of August 2025.[6]

No. Japanese release date Japanese ISBN
1 May 30, 2023[5]978-4-04-737441-6
2 October 30, 2023[7]978-4-04-737672-4
3 April 26, 2024[8]978-4-04-737870-4
4 September 30, 2024[9]978-4-04-738151-3
5 February 28, 2025[10]978-4-04-738254-1
6 August 29, 2025[6]978-4-04-738466-8

Manga

A manga adaptation illustrated by Mask the J began serialization on ASCII Media Works' Dengeki Comic Regulus online service on January 19, 2024, with the chapters being posted on Kadokawa's KadoComi service.[11] The first tankōbon volume was released on September 27, 2024;[12][13] three volumes have been released as of November 2025.[14]

No. Release date ISBN
1 September 27, 2024[13]978-4-04-915879-3
2 April 25, 2025[15]978-4-04-916386-5
3 November 27, 2025[14]978-4-04-916788-7

Reception

The series was nominated for the 2024 edition of the Next Light Novel Award, placing 2nd in the Book category.[16][1]

References

  1. ^ a b c "つぎラノ2024単行本部門２位『バスタード・ソードマン』ジェームズ・リッチマン先生スペシャルインタビュー". Mequri Mequru (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. March 4, 2025. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  2. ^ "バスタード・ソードマン". Hameln (in Japanese). 7 July 2022. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  3. ^ "バスタード・ソードマン" (in Japanese). Shōsetsuka ni Narō. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  4. ^ "バスタード・ソードマン". Kakuyomu (in Japanese). Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  5. ^ a b "バスタード・ソードマン" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  6. ^ a b "バスタード・ソードマン6" (in Japanese). Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  7. ^ "バスタード・ソードマン2" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  8. ^ "バスタード・ソードマン3" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  9. ^ "バスタード・ソードマン4" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  10. ^ "バスタード・ソードマン５" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  11. ^ "『バスタード・ソードマン』のコミカライズ連載が開始 おっさん冒険者の異世界日常ファンタジー". LN-News.com (in Japanese). January 20, 2025. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  12. ^ "中途半端な剣を使う、中途半端な男のほどほどな冒険譚「バスタード・ソードマン」1巻". Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  13. ^ a b "バスタード・ソードマン 1" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  14. ^ a b "バスタード・ソードマン 3" (in Japanese). Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  15. ^ "バスタード・ソードマン 2" (in Japanese). Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  16. ^ "次にくるライトノベル大賞2024 結果発表" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
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