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How to Read the Elden Ring Manga in Order: Road to the Erdtree and Distant Tales

By Freedom251 Team · · 9 min read

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Read Elden Ring: The Road to the Erdtree first, in numbered-volume order from Vol. 1 through the currently listed Vol. 10. Read Elden Ring: Distant Tales Between, Vol. 1 afterward. Distant Tales Between is not the next chapter of Aseo’s journey; it is a separate anthology of alternate-perspective stories about supporting characters. This order lets you follow the continuous Tarnished-led comedy before switching to side stories.

Yen Press publishes the English collected books. KADOKAWA handles the Japanese editions and serialization. Because web episodes can disappear from public listings, the collected paperbacks are the dependable way to read the complete sequence.

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The complete Elden Ring manga reading order

Reading position Book Role in the reading order
1 Elden Ring: The Road to the Erdtree, Vol. 1 Begins Aseo’s journey as a Tarnished in the Lands Between.
2 The Road to the Erdtree, Vol. 2 Continues the numbered main sequence.
3 The Road to the Erdtree, Vol. 3 Continues the numbered main sequence.
4 The Road to the Erdtree, Vol. 4 Continues the numbered main sequence.
5 The Road to the Erdtree, Vol. 5 Continues the numbered main sequence.
6 The Road to the Erdtree, Vol. 6 Continues the numbered main sequence.
7 The Road to the Erdtree, Vol. 7 Continues the numbered main sequence.
8 The Road to the Erdtree, Vol. 8 Continues the numbered main sequence.
9 The Road to the Erdtree, Vol. 9 Continues the numbered main sequence.
10 The Road to the Erdtree, Vol. 10 Completes the currently listed ten-volume Road sequence.
11 Elden Ring: Distant Tales Between, Vol. 1 Optional side-story anthology best read after the main numbered books.

Yen Press currently catalogs The Road to the Erdtree as a single series with Volumes 1–10. That listing establishes the practical mainline order: do not interleave Distant Tales Between between Road volumes. Read the Road books consecutively, then move to the anthology.

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Why Road to the Erdtree comes first

It follows one ongoing protagonist

The Road to the Erdtree is a comedy adaptation of FromSoftware’s ELDEN RING by artist Nikiichi Tobita. Yen Press classifies it as a comedy sword-and-sorcery video-game tie-in and centers the story on Aseo, a Tarnished pursuing the goal of becoming Elden Lord. Volume 1 introduces him at the beginning of his journey through the Lands Between, so starting anywhere else means entering an already-running narrative.

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The opening premise is intentionally irreverent. KADOKAWA’s ComicWalker synopsis describes Aseo as a poor, Tarnished wretch cast out into Limgrave “naked, penniless, hopeless, and maidenless.” Yen Press similarly presents the adaptation as an absurd reversal of the game’s epic and foreboding world. The humor is part of the format, not a separate bonus chapter, and it continues across the numbered books.

The numbering is the continuity signal

Each Road volume belongs to the same numbered line. Volume 2 follows Volume 1, Volume 3 follows Volume 2, and so on through the currently listed Volume 10. The catalog does not present these as interchangeable character books or independent retellings. If you are buying or borrowing the manga one book at a time, the volume number is the only ordering rule you need.

Distant Tales uses a different storytelling model

Distant Tales Between is a separate anthology by Haruichi. Its stories ask what might happen to supporting characters in alternate or expanded scenarios rather than extending Aseo’s central quest in a straight line. That makes it a better postscript to the Road sequence than an opening volume.

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Reading the anthology first will not make the Road books unreadable, but it changes the intended introduction. You meet side characters in vignette-style situations before experiencing the continuous Tarnished-led comedy that establishes the setting and cast. Readers who want the main quest first should therefore postpone Distant Tales Between until after Road Vol. 10.

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Step-by-step reading sequence

  1. Start with Road Vol. 1. This is the entry point for Aseo and his arrival in the Lands Between.
  2. Read Road Vol. 2. Continue the same numbered narrative without inserting an anthology volume.
  3. Read Road Vol. 3. Keep following the Road sequence in numerical order.
  4. Read Road Vol. 4. It remains part of Aseo’s ongoing adaptation.
  5. Read Road Vol. 5. Do not substitute a Distant Tales story at this point.
  6. Read Road Vol. 6. The volume number is the correct placement marker.
  7. Read Road Vol. 7. Continue directly from the preceding Road book.
  8. Read Road Vol. 8. It belongs to the same mainline series.
  9. Read Road Vol. 9. This is still part of the numbered Aseo-led run.
  10. Read Road Vol. 10. This is the tenth Road volume currently listed by Yen Press.
  11. Read Distant Tales Between Vol. 1. Treat it as a separate, optional anthology after the Road sequence, especially if you want the main quest before side perspectives.

What the two manga lines are like

Feature The Road to the Erdtree Distant Tales Between
Narrative continuity One ongoing, numbered journey centered on Aseo. Separate stories rather than one continuous quest.
Tone Broad comedy applied to the game’s sword-and-sorcery setting. Character vignettes and alternate-perspective scenarios.
Primary focus A Tarnished working toward becoming Elden Lord. Supporting characters and situations outside Aseo’s central viewpoint.
Artist Nikiichi Tobita. Haruichi.
English format Numbered collected volumes published by Yen Press. A separate Yen Press collected anthology line.
Japanese origin Serialized through KADOKAWA’s free COMIC Hu web magazine. Published as a distinct KADOKAWA title with its own contents.

The different artists and formats are useful identification checks. If a listing says “Road to the Erdtree,” has a volume number, and credits Nikiichi Tobita, it belongs to the main sequence. If it says “Distant Tales Between,” credits Haruichi, and presents multiple character premises, it is the anthology.

What is in Distant Tales Between?

The first Distant Tales Between volume is built around five supporting-character premises identified in KADOKAWA’s Japanese contents listing:

  • Roderika at Roundtable Hold: a story focused on her life and circumstances at the hub area.
  • Blackguard Boggart’s bistro: a scenario built around Boggart and a restaurant setting.
  • A springhare excursion: an episode involving a group outing and the series’ playful alternate-world approach.
  • Corhyn observing Goldmask: a perspective centered on Corhyn’s attention to Goldmask.
  • Rya’s childhood in Volcano Manor: a look at Rya before the events readers associate with her in the game’s main setting.

These premises explain why the anthology is a side story rather than Road Vol. 11. It broadens the cast and asks “what if” questions, but it does not replace the numbered Aseo narrative.

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English editions: publisher, dates and identifiers

Yen Press is the English-language publisher for both lines. The Japanese editions and online serialization are managed by KADOKAWA. Edition information is useful when a retailer lists multiple formats or imports, so check the title, volume number and ISBN before ordering.

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Edition Format and length English release date ISBN
The Road to the Erdtree, Vol. 1 Paperback, 178 pages May 23, 2023 9781975364892
Distant Tales Between, Vol. 1 Paperback, 184 pages August 25, 2026 9798855430592

For the Road sequence, the practical buying target is the English collected edition of each numbered volume. Retailer pages may display a cover image, an import, or a digital format alongside the paperback, so match the volume number and ISBN when a precise edition matters. For the anthology, look for the first English paperback after finishing Road Vol. 10.

Searching for Road Vol. 1

The clearest retailer search phrase is Elden Ring: The Road to the Erdtree Vol. 1 manga. That wording separates the manga from the video game, soundtrack and art-book products that also use the Elden Ring name. Yen Press documents retailer availability, including Amazon, but live prices and stock change; verify both at the time you order.

Buying the full sequence

If you want every currently listed Road book, make a checklist for Volumes 1–10 and confirm each item individually. A series page can show only the latest volume or combine paperback and digital records. The anthology should be a separate eleventh item on your checklist, not a substitute for any Road volume.

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Can you read it free online?

KADOKAWA’s KadoComi listing is useful for checking current Japanese web serialization, but it is not a guarantee that every earlier episode remains publicly readable. The listing shows Road chapters 90 and 91 in September–October 2026 and marks many earlier episodes as no longer available to the public.

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That changing access matters if you are trying to reconstruct the entire story from web pages. A chapter that was once free can later require a different access method or disappear from the public index. For a stable, complete order, use the collected volumes. Web chapters are best treated as a way to sample current serialization or check what is new, not as the archive for the whole series.

Which order fits your goal?

Your priority Best approach Why
Follow the main adaptation with the least confusion Road Vols. 1–10, then Distant Tales Between Vol. 1 Preserves Aseo’s continuous journey before switching viewpoints.
Read every story featuring supporting characters Still read Road Vols. 1–10 first, then the anthology The anthology’s standalone structure works better once you know the main cast and setting.
Try the comedy before committing to the set Sample Road Vol. 1, then continue numerically if the tone suits you Vol. 1 establishes the adaptation’s broad comic approach and Aseo’s premise.
Follow current Japanese serialization Use KadoComi for available episodes, then use collected books for missing material Public chapter availability changes, so web access alone may not provide a complete run.
Collect English paperbacks Buy each Road volume by number and add Distant Tales Between separately The two lines have different artists, formats and continuity.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Common ordering mistakes

Starting with Distant Tales Between

This is the most common mix-up because both titles carry the Elden Ring name and both are manga. The fix is simple: identify whether the book says “Road to the Erdtree” or “Distant Tales Between.” Start with Road Vol. 1 unless you specifically want a side anthology first.

Treating Distant Tales Between as Road Vol. 11

The anthology is cataloged separately and has a different artist. Its alternate-perspective stories do not continue the numbered Road label, so place it after Vol. 10 rather than renumbering it as the next main volume.

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Assuming all online chapters remain available

KadoComi’s current status demonstrates why a web-only plan can leave gaps. If an older episode is marked unavailable, do not infer that the story has been removed from the collected edition; switch to the paperback sequence for dependable access.

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Confusing game sales with manga sales

KADOKAWA’s ComicWalker listing cites 16.6 million copies worldwide for the ELDEN RING game at the end of June 2022. That figure refers to the game, not manga circulation, and should not be used to estimate how many manga copies sold.

Buying the wrong edition

Check the language, volume number and ISBN. The English Road Vol. 1 paperback is 178 pages with ISBN 9781975364892; the English Distant Tales Between Vol. 1 paperback is 184 pages with ISBN 9798855430592. A retailer may show several regional or digital records under nearly identical titles.

How the manga relates to the game

The Road line is officially presented as a video-game tie-in adaptation, but its purpose is not to reproduce the game’s tone literally. Yen Press describes the world as an absurd comedy adventure, while KADOKAWA’s synopsis foregrounds Aseo’s humiliating condition in Limgrave. Expect the recognizable setting and premise to be filtered through jokes, comic timing and Tobita’s adaptation choices.

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Distant Tales Between takes a different route by giving supporting characters the spotlight. Its five listed premises make it useful for readers who want more context around Roderika, Boggart, Corhyn, Goldmask or Rya, but those episodes are best understood as companion pieces to the main adaptation rather than a replacement for it.

Quick checklist before you start

  • Confirm that your first book is The Road to the Erdtree, Vol. 1.
  • Plan to read Road Volumes 1 through 10 in numerical order.
  • Keep Distant Tales Between, Vol. 1 separate until the Road sequence is finished.
  • Use the artist credit as a second check: Nikiichi Tobita for Road, Haruichi for Distant Tales.
  • For English paperbacks, verify the Yen Press edition, language, volume number and ISBN.
  • Use collected books when a KadoComi chapter is unavailable or when you need the complete sequence.
  • Check live retailer pricing and stock at purchase time rather than relying on an old listing.

Bottom line for first-time readers

There is one straightforward main path: The Road to the Erdtree Vol. 1, then Vol. 2 through Vol. 10. After that, read Distant Tales Between, Vol. 1 for its separate, character-focused alternate stories. The distinction between the two lines—Aseo’s ongoing comedy versus Haruichi’s supporting-cast anthology—removes the need for a more complicated order.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Distant Tales BetweenElden RingElden Ring mangamanga reading orderThe Road to the ErdtreeYen Press

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