The Unwanted Undead Adventurer (Japanese: 望まぬ不死の冒険者, Hepburn: Nozomanu Fushi no Bōkensha) is a Japanese light novel series written by Yū Okano and illustrated by Jaian. It has been serialized online via the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō since September 2016. It was later acquired by Overlap, who have published fourteen volumes since October 2017 under their Overlap Novels imprint.
A manga adaptation illustrated by Haiji Nakasone has been serialized in Overlap's Comic Gardo website since November 2017, with its chapters collected into fourteen tankōbon volumes as of August 2026. An anime television series adaptation produced by Connect aired from January to March 2024. A second season has been announced.
Contents
Plot
Rentt Faina is a 25-year-old who has been a Bronze-class adventurer for a decade. One day while he is in the Labyrinth of the Moon's Reflection, he finds an undiscovered path. Unfortunately for him, he comes across a dragon's lair and is devoured. Sometime later, Rentt awakens as an undead skeleton. He soon begins a quest to achieve Existential Evolution so he can rejoin civilization.
Characters
Rentt Faina (レント・ファイナ, Rento Faina)
Voiced by: Ryōta Suzuki, Anna NagaseEp. 12 credits (young) (Japanese); Alex Hom (English)
A 25-year-old Bronze-class adventurer who is eaten by a dragon, but later resurrects as an animate skeleton. He is noted to be a helpful presence in the town of Maalt, providing guidance and assistance for new adventurers. He is oblivious to the romantic feelings of many of his female acquaintances, particularly Lorraine.
Lorraine Vivie (ロレーヌ・ヴィヴィエ, Rorēnu Vivie)
Voiced by: Mikako Komatsu (Japanese); Corey Pettit (English)
A high level magician, scholar and part-time Silver-class adventurer who allows Rentt to live with her before and after his resurrection to help him figure out his condition. She is in love with Rentt, tending to get jealous when he makes new female acquaintances.
Sheila Ibarss (シェイラ・イバルス, Sheira Ibarusu)
Voiced by: Ikumi Hasegawa (Japanese); Katie Caruso (English)
A guild employee who helps Rentt with his adventurer work. She cares very deeply for Rentt.
Rina Rupaage (リナ・ルパージュ, Rina Rupāju)
Voiced by: Sayumi Suzushiro (Japanese); Abigail Blythe (English)
A new adventurer whom Rentt rescues after his resurrection when she is attacked by undead. She repays the favor by buying him clothing to hide his monstrous ghoul body in Maalt.
Mysterious Woman (謎の女性, Nazo no Josei)
Media
Light novels
Written by Yū Okano, The Unwanted Undead Adventurer began publication online via the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō on September 22, 2016. The series was later acquired by Overlap, who began publishing the novels with illustrations by Jaian on October 25, 2017, under their Overlap Novels imprint. As of December 25, 2024, fourteen volumes have been released. In February 2018, J-Novel Club announced that it had licensed the novels in North America.
Manga
A manga adaptation illustrated by Haiji Nakasone began serialization online via Overlap's Comic Gardo website on November 24, 2017. As of August 20, 2026, fourteen tankōbon volumes have been released. In April 2019, J-Novel Club announced that it had also licensed the manga.
Anime
An anime television series adaptation was announced at the "Overlap Bunko 9th Anniversary Online Event" on April 17, 2022. It was produced by Connect and directed by Noriaki Akitaya, with scripts written by Yukie Sugawara, character designs handled by Takao Sano, and music composed by Shun Narita. The series aired from January 8 to March 25, 2024, on AT-X and other networks. The opening theme song is "Immortal", performed by Juvenile, and the ending theme song is "Keep Your Fire Burning", performed by Mao Abe. Crunchyroll is streaming the series. Muse Communication licensed the series in South and Southeast Asia.
A second season was announced at the Overlap Bunko 10th anniversary event on December 15, 2024.
Reception
Rebecca Silverman and Lynzee Loveridge of Anime News Network reviewed the first volume of the light novel in 2018, praising Rentt's goal as "an interesting goal, and a hopeful one if you're looking for the potential harem romance that's lurking within the plot, and it does help to make this novel stand out in the crowded field of fantasy that draws directly from role playing games". They criticized the repetitive nature of the writing, but noted that it "does lessen as the book goes on, which is a very good sign for volume two". They concluded, "This isn't a perfect or particularly polished novel, but it is interesting enough to merit at least one more volume, because with the pesky set up out of the way, this could go places."