The Brilliant Healer's New Life in the Shadows

The Brilliant Healer's New Life in the Shadows (Japanese: 一瞬で治療していたのに役立たずと追放された天才治癒師、闇ヒーラーとして楽しく生きる, Hepburn: Isshun de Chiryou shiteita no ni Yakudatazu to Tsuihousareta Tensai Chiyushi, Yami Healer to shite Tanoshiku Ikiru) is a Japanese light novel series written by Sakaku Hishikawa and illustrated by Daburyu. It originally began serialization online in November 2020 on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō. It was later acquired by SB Creative, who began publishing it in print under their GA Novel imprint in October 2021, with eight volumes released as of March 2025. A manga adaptation illustrated by Ten Jūnoichi began serialization online on the Piccoma website and app in January 2022, with five tankōbon volumes released by SB Creative under their GA Comic imprint as of June 2025. A webtoon adaptation illustrated by Minsam and RocketStaff Inc. began serialization on the same website and app in January 2025. An anime television series adaptation produced by Makaria airied from April to June 2025.

The Brilliant Healer's New Life in the Shadows
First light novel volume cover
一瞬で治療していたのに役立たずと追放された天才治癒師、闇ヒーラーとして楽しく生きる (Isshun de Chiryou shiteita no ni Yakudatazu to Tsuihousareta Tensai Chiyushi, Yami Healer to shite Tanoshiku Ikiru)
Genre	Adventure[1] Fantasy[1] Harem[1]
Novel series
Written by	Sakaku Hishikawa
Published by	Shōsetsuka ni Narō
Original run	November 30, 2020 – present
Light novel
Written by	Sakaku Hishikawa
Illustrated by	Daburyu
Published by	SB Creative
English publisher	NA: J-Novel Club Yen Press (print)
Imprint	GA Novel
Original run	October 14, 2021 – present
Volumes	8
Manga
Written by	Sakaku Hishikawa
Illustrated by	Ten Jūnoichi
Published by	SB Creative
English publisher	NA: J-Novel Club Yen Press (print)
Imprint	GA Comic
Magazine	Piccoma
Original run	January 22, 2022 – present
Volumes	5
Manga
Written by	Sakaku Hishikawa
Illustrated by	Minsam RocketStaff Inc.
Published by	SB Creative
Imprint	GA Comic
Magazine	Piccoma
Original run	January 2, 2025 – present
Volumes	2
Anime television series
Directed by	Joe Yoshizaki
Written by	Taika Miyagi
Music by	Toy's Factory Harumi Fuuki
Studio	Makaria [ja][a]
Licensed by	Crunchyroll SA/SEA: Medialink
Original network	Tokyo MX, BS11, SUN, KBS, AT-X, TVh
Original run	April 3, 2025 – June 19, 2025
Episodes	12

Plot

The Kingdom of Herzeth is dominated by the Healers, who use their power to enrich themselves rather than truly help those in need, and only those with official licenses can be recognized as Healers. However, Zenos, a powerful healer born in the slums, was never formally educated as a Healer and did not go through the official process (thereby not gaining a license) but instead learned his skills from a mysterious man. He eventually is asked to join an adventuring party, but is later brutally discarded when they fail to recognize his abilities and regard him as useless. Left without money and with few options, he finds a deserted building in the slum area and sets up an underground clinic with the help of Lily, a young elf-girl he rescued, and in time gains an incredible reputation as a healer, especially with the gangs that operate within the slums, as well as making friends with the female leaders of the gangs (as well as a female ghost that inhabits the upper floor of his building). However, as news quickly spreads about the exceptional healer performing remarkable magic and helping to maintain the peace in the city's hidden corners, the officials begin massing their forces to destroy his operation.

Characters

Zenos (ゼノス, Zenosu)

Voiced by: Shogo Sakata^[2] (Japanese); Eli Farmer^[3] (English)

A healer with no license who learned his craft from a mysterious man, and recently kicked out of his adventurer group for being perceived as useless. Upon realizing he can use his craft to gain pay, he opens an 'underground clinic' in the slums inhabited by three rival demi-human gangs, vowing to never work for free again. Though polite, coolheaded, and intelligent, he is also notably naïve; his lack of formal training causes frequent confusion when others praise his magic as extraordinary or impossible, and he is oblivious to romantic feelings unless they're directly pointed out, and utterly skeptical when they are.

Lily (リリ, Riri)

Voiced by: Miharu Hanai^[2] (Japanese); Nia Celeste^[3] (English)

A young but levelheaded elf girl rescued by Zenos from slavery, who becomes his assistant. She frequently prepares tea for Zenos and his guests, and is a skilled chef as well. Lily often competes for Zenos’s attention against all the other girls in his life.

Carmilla (カーミラ, Kāmira)

Voiced by: Yoko Hikasa^[2] (Japanese); Molly Zhang^[3] (English)

A wraith who inhabits the upper floor of the abandoned mansion Zenos and Lily take over, she died 300 years before the story begins. Initially hostile, she soon yielded the ground floor to them after seeing that her magic was no match for Zenos, and soon became a friendly acquaintance, albeit with frequent tsundere behavior.

Zophia (ゾフィア, Zofia)

Voiced by: Anna Nagase^[4] (Japanese); Mallorie Rodak^[3] (English)

Also called "Zophia the Tornado," she is one of the 'big three' leaders of the slums' demi-human gangs. Calm and confident, she is a lizardkin who runs the gang of lizardmen, known for robbing rich merchants and assisting the downtrodden. The first gang leader to meet Zenos, he earns her respect after easily amputating and replacing her poisoned arm.

Lynga (リンガ, Ringa)

Voiced by: Mashiro Hitaka^[4] (Japanese); Mary Morgan^[3] (English)

Also called "Lynga the Tyrant," she is one of the 'big three' leaders of the slums' demi-human gangs. Ditzy and childish but a fierce warrior, she is a wolf beastkin who runs the gang of werewolves in charge of illegal gambling. The second gang leader to meet Zenos, she initially attacked him for aiding the lizardmen, but wholeheartedly surrendered due to a fear of Carmilla.

Loewe (レーヴェ, Rēve)

Voiced by: Sayaka Kikuchi^[4] (Japanese); Cassie Ewulu^[3] (English)

Also called "Loewe the Mighty," she is of the 'big three' leaders of the slums' demi-human gangs. Amicable, strong, and a big eater, she is an ogress who runs the gang of orcs dealing in the excavation of mana stones. The final gang leader to meet Zenos, she swore the orcs to him after he cut an explosive stone she'd ingested out of her belly, despite knowing that letting her die would yield him the orcs' entire fortune.

Krishna (クリシュナ, Kurishuna)

Voiced by: Yuki Nakashima^[5] (Japanese); Emily Lopez (English)

Also called the "Iron Rose", she is the Vice-Commander of the city's Royal Order of Knights. While a fierce warrior and gunslinger, among her self-professed bad habits are her short temper, a poor sense of direction, and jumping to conclusions. She became a Knight after her mother, who visited the slums to do charity, was supposedly killed while being robbed. Initially sent to the slums to identify and put an end to the mediator who brought peace between the three demi-human gangs, after Zenos and Zophia help her expose the aristocrat head of a child trafficking enterprise and rescue the children, she becomes Zenos's ally.

Zonde (ゾンデ)

Voiced by: Taku Yashiro^[5] (Japanese); Jesse Pinnick^[3] (English)

A lizardkin, Zophia's brother and right-hand man. He was the second person Zenos healed after leaving the Golden Phoenix, and his putting Zenos in contact with Zophia was the start of Zenos's climb in popularity.

Aston (アストン, Asuton)

Voiced by: Masaaki Mizunaka^[5] (Japanese); Nick Huber (English)

The leader of Zenos' former party, the Golden Phoenix. A vain and arrogant man who lived his entire life coasting on others' abilities, he realized much too late that his party's success was due entirely to Zenos's silent support. Later on, he was turned into a golem by The Guide after unsuccessfully attempting to bring Zenos back into the party. After, he was defeated and saved by Zenos, he had a change of heart thanks to Zenos’s kindness.

Becker (ベッカー, Bekkā)

Voiced by: Takehito Koyasu^[6] (Japanese); David Matranga (English)

An elite healer from the Royal Hospital who recruits Zenos to investigate Goldran, the vice director of the Royal Hospital. In truth, he wanted to learn the truth about an incident that took place thirteen years ago. He learned about how Goldran murdered several people including his fiancée to save a noble’s life to earn their favor and plotted his own revenge. He was thwarted by Zenos and willingly surrendered after realizing that his revenge wasn’t right.

Umin (ウミン)

Voiced by: Hikaru Tono

A healer from the Royal Hospital and Becker's niece/assistant.

Cress (クレソン, Kureson)

Voiced by: Setsuo Itō^[6]

A healer from the Royal Hospital and Umin's classmate. Other than Umin, he is the first friend Zenos makes as they make their way towards Goldran's echelon. Initially, he looked down on Zenos, but came to respect him as he saw just how talented he was. As a result, Cress became Zenos’s self-proclaimed brother.

Goldran (ゴルドラン, Gorudoran)

Voiced by: Tetsu Inada^[6]

The vice-director of the Royal Hospital in the running for candidacy of the hospital's Director position. He is suspected to be involved with the disappearance of an important healer by Dr. Becker, who asks Zenos to investigate him. It is revealed later on, that Goldran murdered several people 13 years ago in order to save a noble and earn their favor. One of those people was Dr. Becker’s fiancée, after learning the truth he plotted his revenge. But was stopped by Zenos, Goldran was subsequently stripped of his wealth and imprisoned for his crimes.

Media

Light novel

Written by Sakaku Hishikawa, The Brilliant Healer's New Life in the Shadows began serialization on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō on November 30, 2020.^[7] It was later acquired by SB Creative who began publishing it with illustrations by Daburyu under their GA Novel imprint on October 14, 2021.^[8] Eight volumes have been released as of March 15, 2025.^[9] The light novels are licensed in English by J-Novel Club.^[10] In January 2025, J-Novel Club announced that a print version would begin publication in August 2025.^[11]

No.	Original release date	Original ISBN	North American release date	North American ISBN
1	October 14, 2021[8]	978-4-8156-1020-3	December 7, 2023 (digital)[1] August 12, 2025 (print)[12]	978-1-7183-1954-7 (digital) 978-1-7183-3270-6 (print)
2	February 11, 2022[13]	978-4-8156-1193-4	February 29, 2024 (digital)[1] October 14, 2025 (print)[14]	978-1-7183-1956-1 (digital) 978-1-7183-3271-3 (print)
3	July 14, 2022[15]	978-4-8156-1611-3	May 28, 2024 (digital)[1] November 11, 2025 (print)[16]	978-1-7183-1958-5 (digital) 978-1-7183-3272-0 (print)
4	November 12, 2022[17]	978-4-8156-1612-0	September 13, 2024[1]	978-1-7183-1960-8
5	July 14, 2023[18]	978-4-8156-2257-2	December 20, 2024[1]	978-1-7183-1962-2
6	March 15, 2024[19]	978-4-8156-2465-1	June 2, 2025[1]	978-1-7183-1964-6
7	November 15, 2024[20]	978-4-8156-2720-1	September 8, 2025[1]	—
8	March 15, 2025[9]	978-4-8156-2721-8	—	—

Manga

A manga adaptation illustrated by Ten Jūnoichi began serialization on the Piccoma website and app on January 22, 2022.^[21][22] SB Creative has collected the manga's chapters into five tankōbon volumes under their GA Comic imprint as of June 2025.^[23] The manga adaptation is also licensed in English by J-Novel Club.^[10] In January 2025, J-Novel Club announced that a print version of the manga would begin publication in July 2025.^[11]

No.	Original release date	Original ISBN	North American release date	North American ISBN
1	August 11, 2022[24]	978-4-8156-1052-4	December 6, 2023 (digital)[25] July 15, 2025 (print)[26]	978-1-7183-0766-7 (digital) 978-1-7183-3740-4 (print)
2	June 15, 2023[27]	978-4-8156-1310-5	March 27, 2024 (digital)[25] September 9, 2025 (print)[28]	978-1-7183-0767-4 (digital) 978-1-7183-3741-1 (print)
3	March 15, 2024[29]	978-4-8156-1876-6	July 2, 2025 (digital)[25]	978-1-7183-0768-1
4	November 15, 2024[30]	978-4-8156-1877-3	—	—
5	June 14, 2025[23]	978-4-8156-1878-0	—	—

Webtoon

A webtoon adaptation illustrated by Minsam and RocketStaff Inc. was announced during the "GA Fes 2024" livestream event on March 9, 2024. It was originally set to begin serialization on the same website and app in Q3 2024,^[31] but was delayed for unknown reasons. It later began serialization on January 2, 2025.^[32] SB Creative has collected the webtoon's chapters into a two volumes as of May 2025.^[33]

No.	Original release date	Original ISBN	North American release date	North American ISBN
1	April 14, 2025[34]	978-4-8156-2834-5	—	—
2	May 15, 2025[33]	978-4-8156-2835-2	—	—
3	July 12, 2025[35]	978-4-8156-2836-9	—	—

Anime

An anime television series adaptation was also announced during the "GA Fes 2024" livestream event on March 9, 2024.^[36][31] It is produced by Makaria and directed by Joe Yoshizaki, with scripts written by Taika Miyagi, characters designed by denpuougi and Yoshihiro Sawada, and music composed by Harumi Fuuki. The series aired from April 3 to June 19, 2025, on Tokyo MX and other networks.^[2] The opening theme song is "Light Maker" (ライトメイカー), performed by bokula,^[5] while the ending theme song is "Tsuki ni Negau" (月に願う; To Wish Upon the Moon), performed by sorato.^[37] Crunchyroll streams the series.^[38] Medialink licensed the series in South, Southeast Asia and Oceania (except Australia and New Zealand) for streaming on Ani-One Asia's YouTube channel.^[39]

Episodes

No.	Title [40][41]	Directed by [b]	Storyboarded by [b]	Original release date [42]
1	"An Equal Price" Transliteration: "Sōō no Taika" (Japanese: 相応の対価)	Taika Miyagi	Parkji-seung & Eishin Fujita	April 3, 2025 (2025-04-03)
The illegal underground healer Zenos lives with his assistant Lily the elf and the ghost Carmilla in the slums of the Herzeth Kingdom. Herzeth is famous for its healers who train at colleges, yet Zenos is unique in that he taught himself healing magic ministering to the sick and injured of the slums. He is frequently visited by the three top gang-leaders Zophia, Lynga and Loewe, who respectively lead the Lizard-kin, Beast-kin and Ogre gangs. While on his rounds Zenos encounters an ill Beast-kin slave named Til being abused by her master into grave robbing the slum cemetery. The girl becomes possessed by a spirit and attacks her master. After curing the girl's possession Zenos also heals her master, but takes all his cash and the girl as payment. After the man flees, Zenos diagnoses Til with gallstones which he uses magic to remove painlessly. On the basis that all work deserves fair payment, Zenos has Til lead him to wild herbs needed for Lily's cooking, after which he sets her free as her payment. Til leaves to find her life's purpose and promises to visit Zenos one day to show him her success. Zenos returns home and finds Zophia, Lynga and Loewe cooking his dinner, having eaten the dinner Lily cooked earlier and bringing her masses of new ingredients as an apology.
2	"The Underground Healer in the Abandoned Part of Town" Transliteration: "Haikyo-gai no Yami Hīrā" (Japanese: 廃墟街の闇ヒーラー)	Yuri Hagiwara & Hiroto Miyagi	Tatsu Yamamoto	April 10, 2025 (2025-04-10)
In the past, Zenos is kicked from his party Golden Phoenix by the leader, Aston, who claims employing an illegal healer will damage their reputation among the nobility. Immediately after leaving, Zenos encounters slavers murdering their slave girl, Lily, so Zenos buys and heals her. Zenos later heals the adventurer Zonde and is surprised when Zonde pays him, having never once been paid by Aston. Realising his skills have value Zenos decides to open an underground clinic, since slum dwellers like himself are forbidden from obtaining healer licences. By chance, the rundown house he chooses is inhabited by a wraith. Fortunately, Zenos is aware healing magic is fatal to undead, since Aston used to trap him in dungeons full of undead. The wraith, Carmilla, realises she cannot defeat Zenos and allows him to use the ground floor as a clinic. Zonde visits with his sister Zophia, suffering from a bullet wound in her arm. Despite knowing Zophia is a dangerous gang boss Zenos negotiates a high fee to amputate the arm then completely regenerate a brand new one. Everyone is astounded by his skill which far surpasses other healers, which Zenos is unaware of. Soon he is being visited by all three gang bosses and their men, providing plenty of business as the gangs are constantly fighting and injuring each other.
3	"Struggle" Transliteration: "Sōdatsu-sen" (Japanese: 争奪戦)	Toshihiro Nagao & Yuri Hagiwara	Sakusan	April 17, 2025 (2025-04-17)
Continuing his flashback, Zenos meets Loewe and diagnoses her as having swallowed an explosive crystal. Loewe offers him her gang's wealth to fund treatments for poor people if she dies. Zenos removes the stone instantly and refuses her money, considering it too generous when the surgery lasted barely a second. Zophia, Lynga and Loewe visit the clinic regularly and Carmilla suggests they might be in love with him, which could escalate the conflict. Zenos assumes this is impossible, since he is just an unlicensed healer. That same afternoon, the three bosses declare war for the slums. Exasperated, Zenos attends and heals every fighter the moment they are injured so not one person dies. Realising fighting is pointless the three agree to peace, except for the fight over Zenos, which they keep secretly to themselves. Word of the truce reaches the Royal Knights, who fear peace might cause the slum dwellers to band together against normal citizens, maybe even against the aristocracy. To prevent this, Vice-Commander Krishna is sent to investigate. Interrogating gang members Krishna is surprised by their loyalty towards the anonymous mediator who ended the fighting. She also witnesses Zophia and Zonde healed of the magical bullet wounds she gave them earlier. Becoming lost in the unfamiliar slums she coincidentally asks for directions at Zenos' clinic, only to shoot him when she sees Lily is an elf.
4	"A Righteous Hero" Transliteration: "Seigi no Hīrō" (Japanese: 正義のヒーロー)	Tobita Hiroki & Hon Tatsuyama	Tatsu Yamamoto	April 24, 2025 (2025-04-24)
Krishna accuses Zenos of enslaving an elven child, until Lily explains how Zenos saved her. Krishna is surprised Zenos is unaffected by her bullet and decides he must be a grand sorcerer. She demands Zenos cooperate with her investigation into the "mediator", and the illegal slave trade in children. Zenos deduces Krishna hates the slums and she admits her mother would visit the slums to do charity work, until a thief killed her. Zophia visits and almost fights Krishna, only to end up arguing that Krishna is so brainwashed by the idea of noble superiority she hasn't even realised the slaver is Lord Calendor, common knowledge among the slum dwellers. To prevent a fight Zenos admits he is the healer and the "mediator". Krishna furiously leaves and visits Calendor's mansion, discovering a dungeon full of kidnapped children. Calendor shoots her with her own gun but Zenos and Zophia appear, rescue her and beat up Calendor. She is amazed when Zenos heals her bullet wounds and realises Zenos is the true hero of the slums. She finally understands why her mother would visit the slums despite the danger and decides to make her proud by seeking real justice. She asks why Zenos got there so quickly to rescue her and finds it funny when he claims it was because of her unpaid clinic fees, smiling for the first time since her mother died.
5	"A Place to Belong" Transliteration: "Ibasho" (Japanese: 居場所)	Kenyu Kimura, Ryuuta Nakano, Isao Otaki & Yuri Hagiwara	Jiro Arimoto	May 1, 2025 (2025-05-01)
In the past, Aston takes a young Zenos as his party's servant. In their arrogance they never noticed Zenos healing their injuries and became overconfident in their average level abilities. On their first quest without Zenos they were all seriously injured: their archer Yuma is forced into retirement and mage Andres is almost burned to death. Aston is furious when temporary healer Umin insists the instant healing he is demanding from her is a Saint-level ability. Aston decides to rehire Zenos, hoping he can still impress his employer Lord Fennel. Aston and his only remaining mage Guile attempt to hire Zophia, Lynga and Loewe to find Zenos, but they threaten them to leave Zenos alone. Aston encounters Zenos by chance and is furious when Zenos only offers his assistance for a ridiculously high fee. He attempts to murder Zenos, but is stopped by Krishna, blames Guile, then flees. Zophia fears Aston might hire the Underground Guild to get revenge on Zenos. Zenos stays awake that night guarding the clinic, and admits to Carmilla that in his youth he tried to revive a corpse, which he was unaware was forbidden black magic. Carmilla tells him if he wants an obedient servant he could use demon sorcery to create a golem. By sheer unfortunate coincidence, a giant golem begins destroying the slums nearby.
6	"The End of Adventure" Transliteration: "Bōken no Owari" (Japanese: 冒険の終わり)	Kenyu Kimura	Natsuto Fujiwara	May 8, 2025 (2025-05-08)
Shortly before the golem attack Aston hires a member of the Underground Guild known as The Guide to get revenge on Zenos. Zenos heals hundreds of people hurt by the golem and is annoyed he can't keep track of everyone to know what fees to charge them. Zenos and the gangs battle the golem and Zenos notices the golem deliberately avoid hurting a young girl. Zenos determines the golem is powered by Aston's hatred. Guide is curious whether Zenos will kill Aston to stop the golem. Zenos feels sympathy for Aston, who lost his sister in childhood when he couldn't afford medicine. Rather than kill him Zenos takes the difficult route of slicing Aston out of the golem a piece at a time and healing his flesh before the stone can fuse to him again. Aston realises he let his grief over his sister turn him into a greedy bully and sincerely apologises to Zenos. Not willing to forgive him so easily Zenos knocks him unconscious then takes his legendary sword to pay for rebuilding the slums, leaving him only a single gold coin to start a new life after Krishna lets him out of prison. As Zenos is exhausted Zophia, Lynga and Loewe carry him home. Guide decides to go into hiding but is certain he and Zenos will meet again.
7	"Special Service" Transliteration: "Tokubetsu Sābisu" (Japanese: 特別サービス)	Kamadon	Masao Suzuki & Sakusan	May 15, 2025 (2025-05-15)
Neither Krishna or the gang leaders learn much about Guide. Zenos decides to spend one day recovering from the battle so everyone invites him to a hot springs. Carmilla decides to tag along for amusement. All four girls battle over Zenos' chastity in the men's bath, until he banishes them back to the women's side. Lily is upset she has the smallest chest of everyone there, but Carmilla assures her some men prefer smaller sizes. Also a guest, Umin spots Carmilla but fails to exorcise her. With the girls causing chaos Zenos hasn't relaxed at all. The spring owner is injured when his oven blows up. Umin insists he be taken to a Royal Hospital but Zenos nonchalantly heals the man in gratitude for his excellent cooking; convincing Umin he must be a Saint. Umin reports this to her superior Becker who decides to meet Zenos after learning he wears a distinctive black coat. Becker visits the slums pretending to be ill and is taken to Zenos' clinic. He is disappointed Zenos is not the man he was looking for, Zenos having inherited his black coat from his master whom Becker once knew. Becker decides to hire Zenos for an investigation at the hospital. Zenos agrees, hoping to learn more about his mysterious master, who was so secretive Zenos did not even know his name.
8	"The Royal Hospital" Transliteration: "Ōritsu Chiryō-in" (Japanese: 王立治療院)	Otaki Isao	Fujiwara Natsuto	May 22, 2025 (2025-05-22)
Becker reveals people have gone missing, including Afread, who worked with Becker in the past to eradicate the disease Red Lung. Umin points out Professor Goldran, the Deputy Director, openly gives better treatment to the nobility to advance his political career. Umin believes Goldran was involved in Afread’s disappearance. Umin is certain Goldran will try to recruit Zenos, though Zenos is uncertain why since he is merely an unlicensed slum healer. In the past Zenos studied under his master with fellow unlicensed healer Veritra. Zenos is confused by a professor’s claim that wraiths that can speak, such as Carmilla, are the most dangerous. Goldran’s underling Cresson claims to have exorcised 30 ghosts, so he is furious when Zenos nonchalantly claims he can exorcise 50 with one spell. Cresson attempts to embarrass Zenos by asking him to draw a minor healing circle, yet becomes madly jealous when Zenos draws a circle that can regenerate missing limbs. Goldran decides to send Zenos and other students to a graveyard overrun with ghosts. Zenos exorcises the entire graveyard with one spell, though Cresson quickly takes the credit. A Zombie King appears and Cresson panics, knowing he isn’t capable of defeating it but unwilling to admit it in front of witnesses. At Umin’s request Zenos lets the King beat Cresson up first, then exorcises it and heals Cresson all with the same spell.
9	"Faction Infiltration" Transliteration: "Habatsu Sen'nyū" (Japanese: 派閥潜入)	Ryuta Nakano	Saori Tanaka	May 29, 2025 (2025-05-29)
Zenos believes undead are attracted to stronger undead, so he insists Carmilla follow him everywhere in case more Zombie Kings appear. Cresson admits to Goldran’s second secretary Zenos defeated the Zombie King. Goldran concludes Zenos abilities are legitimate and invites him to join his followers. Zenos notices Goldran uses Health Transfer magic, taking life energy from healthy people to heal sickness and injuries. This is seen as revolutionary and almost guarantees Goldran will become the next Director. Cresson reveals Afread disappeared after attending one of Goldran’s private dinners. Becker offers Zenos a bonus if he can be invited to the next dinner and report what goes on. Cresson is put in charge of Goldran’s dog, Madam Milk, and is mocked by Goldran’s first secretary, Bons, who due to being Goldran’s friend does no actual work. Bons drunkenly causes Milk to be hit by a carriage. Cresson panics, so Zenos heals her without leaving any scars as evidence. Cresson is confused that what Zenos considers basic healing is actually elite magic. Umin apologises for dragging Zenos into the investigation, but Zenos is fine with it as he is being paid and can learn about his master. Carmilla is amused another woman is interested in Zenos. Cresson suddenly begs Zenos for help with a major problem.
10	"A Request from a Noble Lady" Transliteration: "Kizoku Reijō no Negai" (Japanese: 貴族令嬢の願い)	Tatsu Yamamoto & Yuri Hagiwara	Sakusan	June 5, 2025 (2025-06-05)
Goldran is asked by Lord Fennel to heal his daughter Charlotte of Odd-face, a facial growth she insists be removed without leaving scars. Cresson, having taken credit for healing Milk without a scar, is ordered to assist Goldran. Cresson is forced to beg Zenos for help as he fears the consequences of scarring a noblewoman's face. Charlotte turns out to be a brat who impossibly demands the growth be removed without surgery. Tired of her moaning Zenos heals her injured pet bird and rudely tells her to either keep the growth or trust him. Seeing her bird healed Charlotte agrees to surgery. Still believing Cresson is the one who heals without scars Goldran demands he do the surgery. Zenos manages to guide him through the surgery but Cresson discovers the growth has infiltrated Charlotte's facial nerves, risking paralysing her face. Fearing for his reputation Goldran cuts the nerve himself then blames Cresson for the mistake in front of Fennel, planning to repair the nerve later with Health Transfer to gain Fennel's support. Disgusted, Zenos pushes Goldran aside, repairs the nerve and heals the wound without a scar. Fennel is thrilled with "Goldran's" surgery and decides to support him in becoming Director. Charlotte takes an interest in Zenos. Goldran invites Cresson and Zenos to a private dinner that evening.
11	"Just a Normal Healer" Transliteration: "Tada no Chiyu-shi" (Japanese: ただの治癒師)	Kamadon	Sakusan	June 12, 2025 (2025-06-12)
At Goldran's dinner Zenos and Lily get Bons even drunker until he reveals Goldran only got a job at the hospital with Fennel's support following an explosion 13 years ago. Zonde almost dies in a construction accident and Zofia rushes to get him to Zenos without ruining his investigation. Carmilla deduces if Goldran healed Fennel after an explosion he would have spread the story to become famous, yet he covered it up instead. Lily suggests someone else healed Fennel but Goldran stole the credit and bribed Bons to stay quiet. This could mean if Bons told the story to Afread that Afread is in hiding from Goldran. Zenos suggests a much darker possibility. An explosion would have injured multiple people, so it is possible Goldran caused the explosion himself to injure Fennel then used Health Transfer to take life energy from the other victims, killing them but healing Fennel in order that Fennel would owe him a debt. Zenos sends Carmilla to tell both theories to Becker. Zonde worsens so Zofia is forced to barge into the party to find Zenos. Zenos begins healing Zonde so a disgusted Goldran swears to ruin Zenos' career. Cresson, realising the kind of man Goldran is, abandons him and follows Zenos, impressing Umin. Becker thanks Zenos for his work and promises to leave him a letter with everything he knows about Zenos' master. Later, Becker is seen standing over Goldran and his supporters, all seemingly poisoned.
12	"Choosing Who Lives" Transliteration: "Inochi no Sentaku" (Japanese: 命の選択)	Unknown	TBA	June 19, 2025 (2025-06-19)
It is revealed 13 years ago Goldran witnessed an explosion and used Health Transfer magic to save Fennel, while Bons took a photograph of the spell killing injured factory workers. Zenos and Umin find Bons' photograph in Becker's office and discover Afread was one of the workers who survived, and one of the women Goldran murdered was Becker's fiancée. Becker explains Goldran must choose to save either himself, Fennel or the supporters whose votes he needs. Goldran chooses to kill his supporters to cure himself. Zenos and Umin interrupt and Cresson yells at Becker for poisoning innocent people. Zenos cures everybody by continually healing the damage to their bodies until the poison naturally wears off. Becker realizes his actions insulted his fiancée's memory and apologizes. Goldran's supporters realize he was going to kill them to save himself and turn on him, as does Fennel. Becker admits he only used a paralysis drug to scare Goldran and was surprised to find the wine already contained a poison, probably put there by Afread to kill Goldran. As he never intended to hurt anyone Krishna sets Becker free. Becker suspects Afread actually was killed 13 years ago and somebody used his identity to get close to Goldran, someone who might now want revenge on Zenos. Nearby, the person posing as Afread reveals to be the Guide, who is actually a demon possessing his body. Goldran is imprisoned for murder. Zenos and Lily return to the slums and await their next patient.

Reception

Sales

By March 2024, the series had 200,000 copies in circulation.^[31]

Critical response

Rebecca Silverman of Anime News Network gave the first five volumes of the light novel an overall B+ grade, writing, "The Brilliant Healer's New Life in the Shadows is, on the whole, a surprisingly good series. It doesn't break the mold, but it does stretch it in positive ways, and Zenos is easy to get behind as a protagonist. Add in a total lack of status screens and some interesting side characters and you have a series that feels better than it has any right to be."^[43]

Richard Eisenbeis of Anime News Network, in his review of the first two episodes of the anime adaptation, gave them an overall C+ grade. He wrote, "The interactions between Zenos and the demi-human girls are the focus of the show with action and intrigue being secondary. However, that said, there was a surprising amount of depth to both Zenos and the setting. This one most likely won't be topping any "best of the season" lists but if it carries on as is, it will be enjoyable to anyone who likes the non-revenge-focused "kicked out of the heroes' party" stories."^[44]

See also

• Now I'm a Demon Lord!, another light novel series illustrated by Daburyu

Notes

1. Animation production assistance (アニメーション制作協力) for all episodes provided by Luminas.
2. Production staff information is taken from the ending credits of each episode.