Hell Mode: The Hardcore Gamer Dominates in Another World with Garbage Balancing (ヘルモード ～やり込み好きのゲーマーは廃設定の異世界で無双する～) is a Japanese light novel series written by Hamuo and illustrated by Mo. It began serialization online in November 2019 on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō. It was later acquired by Earth Star Entertainment, who have published thirteen volumes since July 2020 under their Earth Star Novel imprint. A manga adaptation with art by Enji Tetta has been serialized online via Earth Star Entertainment's Comic Earth Star website since October 2020 and has been collected in thirteen volumes. An anime television series adaptation produced by Yokohama Animation Laboratory aired from January to March 2026. A second season is set to premiere in July 2026.
Plot
Kenichi Yamada, a 35-year-old office worker and veteran MMORPG player, becomes disillusioned with modern games that cater to casual play. When he encounters a mysterious new game that promises endless progression and an extreme difficulty setting called "Hell Mode", he selects it without hesitation. Upon doing so, Kenichi is reincarnated into another world as a newborn boy named Allen, born into a family of serfs, with no status or wealth.
Living under the harsh rules of Hell Mode, Allen chooses the Summoner class, which offers vast potential, but requires significant effort to grow stronger. With only his previous memories and wits to guide him, he painstakingly experiments to understand his abilities while training from early childhood.