Since season 3 of KonoSuba has started, now would be a great time to look back at this excellent comedy isekai anime series.
This article will explain how to watch KonoSuba in the correct order. We’ll take a look at the main series, the spin-off, the movie, and the OVAs.
In addition, keep reading for some information on the plot of season 3.
KonoSuba Basics
KonoSuba is a fun and silly parody of the isekai genre. It started out in 2013 as a series of light novels by Natsume Akatsuki. Over the past decade, Akatsuki has written 17 volumes, with the most recent one released in 2020.
In addition to the main series, Akatsuki also wrote several spin-off stories.
The first season of the KonoSuba anime started in 2016. The anime led to sequel seasons, a prequel spin-off, a movie, and a couple of OVAs. A manga adaptation also exists.
(The KonoSuba characters also appear in the extremely silly comedy anime parody spin-off short series, Isekai Quartet. The series is cute but not even remotely canon.)
The title KonoSuba is short for Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo!, which literally translates as “a blessing to this wonderful world!” The full English title interprets this as KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World.
KonoSuba Plot
At the beginning of the series, ordinary student Kazuma gets reincarnated in another world when he mistakes a tractor for the infamous Truck-kun. Water goddess Aqua offers to let him choose a powerful item to take with him, but he decides to take her instead.
Unfortunately, taking Aqua turns out to be a bad idea, because Aqua’s powers are pretty useless. These two are soon joined by Megumin, a young wizard obsessed with explosion magic; and Darkness, a knight with a masochistic streak.
In order to survive, Kazuma’s mismatched party goes on a lot of quests. These are often disastrous or anticlimatic, and they frequently involve a lot more destruction than necessary.
Naturally, there’s also a Devil King (* sometimes translated as Demon King), who will eventually need to be defeated. The KonoSuba gang has been slowly defeating his generals and minions, when not sidetracked by other quests.
Of course, what really matters is the comedy. The series features elements of slapstick, quite a few “Boke and Tsukkomi” or Manzai-style arguments, and a lot of general snarkiness. A lot of the humor comes from the interaction between flawed but adorable characters.
Fantasy and isekai elements are frequently parodied, especially when typical RPG adventure party antics have real-world consequences (getting arrested for property damage, for example).
KonoSuba Watch Order
Before we look at the proper watch order for KonoSuba, there are a couple of things to keep in mind:
- Unlike some movies based on TV anime franchises, the KonoSuba movie is canon to the source material. It adapts volume 5 of the light novels, Crimson Magic Clan, Let’s & Go! (sic). It’s not filler, and it affects the rest of the story.
- Natsume Akatsuki wrote the An Explosion on This Wonderful World light novel series, which means that the Explosion anime spin-off is also canon.
- However, the OVAs are not strictly canon to any of the light novels. Regardless, they are worth watching.
KonoSuba Release Order
- KonoSuba, Season 1, 2016
- Covers books 1 and 2 — Oh, My Useless Goddess; and Love, Witches, and Other Delusions!
- Starts with Kazuma’s arrival, and introduces all of the main characters. The gang defeats the first of several generals of the Devil King. It ends with Kazuma being arrested for destroying a mansion.
- OVA: God’s Blessings on This Wonderful Choker!, 2016
- Although it’s not a regular season episode, it is listed as season 1, episode 11, at Crunchyroll.
- The OVA was sold with book 9 of the light novels, The Crimson Fate. But it takes place sometime during season 2 of the anime.
- KonoSuba, Season 2, 2017
- Adapts books 3 and 4 — You’re Being Summoned, Darkness; and You Good-For-Nothing Quartet.
- The gang deals with Darkness’ arranged marriage. They also solve a problem involving a hot springs town and the Axis Church, a cult that worships Aqua.
- OVA: God’s Blessings on These Wonderful Works of Art!, 2017
- Crunchyroll lists this as season 2, episode 11.
- It was included with volume 12 of the light novels, The Knight’s Lullaby.
- Takes place after the season 2 hot springs town trip.
- Film: KonoSuba: Legend of Crimson, 2019
- It adapts volume 5 of the light novels, Crimson Magic Clan, Let’s & Go! (sic).
- The team visits Megumin’s hometown, the Crimson Demon Village.
- Spin-off: Konosuba: An Explosion on This Wonderful World, 2023
- The prequel looks at Megumin’s life in the Crimson Demon Village prior to joining the team.
- KonoSuba, Season 3, 2024
- So far, Season 3 seems to be adapting book 6, The Princess of the Six Flowers.
KonoSuba Chronological Order
Chronologically, the watch order would be:
- KonoSuba: An Explosion on This Wonderful World
- KonoSuba, Season 1
- OVA: God’s Blessings on This Wonderful Choker! (see note below)
- KonoSuba, Season 2
- OVA: God’s Blessings on These Wonderful Works of Art!
- KonoSuba: Legend of Crimson
- KonoSuba, Season 3
Note: The first OVA, God’s Blessings on This Wonderful Choker!, is difficult to place in the KonoSuba timeline. You should definitely watch it after season 1, and maybe even after episode 1 of season 2.
But, as a non-canon filler, it doesn’t fit well as part of season 2, either. For simplicity’s sake, I’m keeping it where Crunchyroll puts it.
Should I Watch An Explosion on This Wonderful World?
Chronologically, the Megumin spin-off series An Explosion on This Wonderful World is a prequel to the main series. In fact, the Explosion series ends right when the main KonoSuba story begins. Although it is not part of the main series, it leads directly into it, much in the same way that the ending of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story leads into the beginning of A New Hope.
Theoretically, you can watch the spin-off series without having watched any of KonoSuba first. The series tells a fun coming-of-age story which could easily stand on its own.
However, if you haven’t watched any of KonoSuba, you will miss some minor jokes and references. Most notably, as Explosion reaches its conclusion, you can hear Kazuma and Aqua arguing in the background of some of the later scenes.
If you are a fan of Megumin, I would recommend Explosion. It’s got a lot of the same humor as KonoSuba, and the characters are fun to watch.
What Will Happen in Season 3?
At the time that I wrote this, Season 3 had just started. The first few episodes clearly adapt the beginning of the sixth light novel, The Princess of the Six Flowers. In typical KonoSuba fashion, our heroes are slowly meandering toward the story’s climax.
Without giving away too many spoilers, the story involves Princess Iris, and the friendly thief Chris.
Since the first two seasons covered two books each, it is reasonable to assume that season 3 will continue on from book 6 to include at least some of volume 7.
The seventh book, 10 Millions Bride, is a Darkness story.
After Season 3? If the series remains popular, there are still 10 light novels remaining. These could be adapted as either another season or another movie.
Having Streaming Issues?
If you want to know where to watch KonoSuba, we have an article for that. If you’re having trouble finding KonoSuba in your area, you may need a good VPN.
Conclusion
If you haven’t seen it yet, KonoSuba is definitely worth watching. Season 3 looks like it ought to be good.
I hope this article helps you to better understand the KonoSuba timeline and watch order.
