Before the Tutorial Starts: A Few Things I Can Do to Keep the Bosses Alive

Lore & Background

The story follows a protagonist reincarnated into the world of the video game Spirit Wars: Dungeon Magia. Unlike typical isekai heroes, he is not the protagonist or a background character but a boss who gets beaten in the tutorial. After learning that his older sister will die from an illness, he uses his knowledge of the game to destroy every plot point leading to her death. The series began as a web novel on Kakuyomu in November 2021 and was later picked up for print publication by ASCII Media Works in December 2022. A manga adaptation illustrated by Kōji Yokoyama started serialization in Dengeki Maoh in December 2023, with four tankōbon volumes released as of February 2026. Yen Press licensed the series for English publication, releasing the first volume in December 2024.

Reader's Guide

Before the Tutorial Starts: A Few Things I Can Do to Keep the Bosses Alive stands out in the isekai genre by centering on a tutorial boss rather than a hero or background character. Its premise—using foreknowledge to prevent a sibling's death—offers a twist on common reincarnation tropes. The series gained early acclaim by winning the Grand Prize in the Isekai category at the 7th Kakuyomu Web Novel Contest in 2022. It ranked eighth in the tankōbon and novel category in the 2024 edition of Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi! and seventh in the tankōbon category at the 2024 Next Light Novel Awards. These accolades, along with its English license by Yen Press, indicate growing international interest. The manga adaptation further expands its reach. The series contributes to the ongoing popularity of isekai narratives that subvert traditional roles, appealing to readers who enjoy strategic, family-driven plots.

Did You Know?

• The series won the Grand Prize in the Isekai category at the 7th Kakuyomu Web Novel Contest in 2022.
• The manga adaptation is illustrated by Kōji Yokoyama and began serialization in Dengeki Maoh in December 2023.
• Yen Press announced the English license at Anime Expo 2024, with the first volume released in December 2024.
• The series shares its illustrator, Kakao Lanthanum, with Combatants Will Be Dispatched! and The Healer Who Was Banished From His Party, Is, in Fact, the Strongest.