Ryo Mizuno's Record of Lodoss War: The Crown of the Covenant is back from a long silence. Kadokawa's Sneaker Bunko imprint announced on Friday, October 16, 2026 that the novel series is resuming — and while Volume 2 still needs more time, part of the manuscript will go up on Kakuyomu on October 22 at 5:00 p.m. JST.
Quick answer
Record of Lodoss War: The Crown of the Covenant (*Lodoss-tō Senki: Seiyaku no Hōkan*) is the sequel novel series by Ryo Mizuno, illustrated by Hidari. Volume 1 came out in Japan in September 2019 — the franchise's first new novel in 12 years — and Volume 2 has been pending since. Sneaker Bunko will publish a partial Volume 2 manuscript on Kakuyomu on October 22, 2026, with the full book to follow later. On SenpaiRanks, the classic 1990 Record of Lodoss War OVA holds a 7.25 adjusted score and the 1998 TV sequel Chronicles of the Heroic Knight sits at 7.03.
Where the story picks up
The Crown of the Covenant jumps a century past the original saga. The isle of Lodoss has kept the peace for 100 years thanks to the titular crown, until the ruler of Flaim starts pushing toward war again. Prince Lyle of Marmo turns to the one face every fan knows — the high elf Deedlit — to find a new Knight of Lodoss. Atsushi Suzumi's three-volume manga adaptation, launched in October 2019, is out in English from Udon Entertainment.
Why it matters to anime fans
Lodoss is one of the founding texts of anime high fantasy. It began as magazine write-ups of Group SNE's tabletop sessions, became Mizuno's novels, and then the 1990 OVA that set the visual template — elves, armored knights, a dragon on the cover — for a generation of fantasy anime. Any movement on new canon keeps alive the hope of a modern adaptation, though nothing about an anime has been announced. The franchise has also been expanding sideways: Record of Lodoss War: Queen of Death, a prequel webtoon from Studio White, launched globally in August 2025.
Meanwhile, the classics are the place to start. Rate the 1990 OVA and Chronicles of the Heroic Knight on SenpaiRanks, then see how they stack up in our best '80s and '90s anime ranking and the best fantasy anime board. More light-novel news this month: Kino's Journey's new novel and the best light novel anime ranking.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is Record of Lodoss War: The Crown of the Covenant continuing?
A: Yes. Sneaker Bunko announced on October 16, 2026 that the series is resuming.
Q: When can I read new Crown of the Covenant material?
A: Part of the Volume 2 manuscript goes up on Kakuyomu on October 22, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. JST.
Q: Is there a new Record of Lodoss War anime?
A: No new anime has been announced. The 1990 OVA and 1998 TV series remain the main adaptations.
Q: How does Record of Lodoss War rank on SenpaiRanks?
A: The 1990 OVA holds a 7.25 adjusted score; the 1998 TV series holds 7.03.