Scum of the Brave (勇者のクズ) is a Japanese light novel series written by Rocket Shokai and illustrated by Yūya Kusaka. It was initially serialized as a web novel published on Kadokawa Corporation's Kakuyomu website between February and March 2016. A single volume was published under Fujimi Shobo's Kadokawa Books imprint in December 2016. A manga adaptation illustrated by Nakashima723 initially began serialization as an independent comic in June 2018, before beginning serialization on Leed Publishing's Comic Border manga website in February 2022. A new edition of the light novel series illustrated by toi8 began publication by Shueisha under their Dash X Bunko imprint in January 2026. An anime television series adaptation produced by OLM premiered in January 2026.
Plot
Set in mid-21st-century Tokyo, the criminal underworld is dominated by Demon Lords, gang leaders who have gained overwhelming powers through ether enhancement and Demon King Transformation Surgery. To counter them, the government sanctions "Heroes", bounty hunters who amplify their own ether abilities using the drug E3 and are legally permitted to kill.
The story follows Yashiro, a lone wolf Hero known as the Reaper, who lives a dissolute life and prefers to work alone.