1
Saga of Tanya the Evil
Start here. Tanya's reincarnation, her training as an aerial mage, and her rise to command of the 203rd Air Mage Battalion. 12 episodes.
6 titles
Updated Sep 25, 2026
Saga of Tanya the Evil Watch Order (2026 Guide)
An elite Japanese salaryman is reborn by a vengeful god as Tanya Degurechaff, a little girl in an empire at war. Caring only about efficiency and her own career, she becomes one of the Imperial Army's most dangerous aerial mages, fighting on the front lines while waging a private war against the being who put her there.
Recommended Order
Quick answer
- Saga of Tanya the Evil
- Saga of Tanya the Evil: The Movie
- Saga of Tanya the Evil Season 2
Plus 3 optional extras.
3 titles · 24 episodes + 1 movie · ~11 hours
Watch Season 1, then the movie, then Season 2. The movie is not a side story: it continues directly from Season 1, and Season 2 picks up after it. Operation Desert Pasta and the Youjo Shenki chibi shorts are optional extras.
2
Saga of Tanya the Evil: The Movie
The 203rd returns from the southern campaign and is sent to the border with the Russy Federation, where Mary Sue, a girl seeking revenge for her father, joins an allied volunteer army. Season 2 continues from here.
3
Saga of Tanya the Evil Season 2
Autumn 1926. Tanya is given command of a newly formed battle group. Watch the movie first, since this season picks up after it. 12 episodes.
Optional Extras
4
Saga of Tanya the Evil: Operation Desert Pasta
A 17-minute short set in September 1925 on the southern desert front, where the 203rd tries to turn a shipment of dry pasta into a proper meal. It falls between Season 1 and the movie.
5
Youjo Shenki
Chibi comedy shorts of about two minutes each that ran alongside Season 1 in 2017, mostly the cast chatting off duty. They do not affect the story.
6
Youjo Shenki 2
A second set of Youjo Shenki chibi shorts, released in 2026.
Why This Order
The main story of Saga of Tanya the Evil is only three entries long: the 2017 TV season, the 2019 movie, and Season 2 from 2026. They run in a single line, and none of them can be skipped.
The movie is the entry people are most tempted to leave out, because it sits between two TV seasons and looks like a bonus. It is not. It follows the 203rd Air Mage Battalion straight from the end of Season 1 to the border with the Russy Federation, and it introduces Mary Sue, who becomes central to the conflict. Season 2 begins after the movie, so going from Season 1 straight to Season 2 leaves a real gap.
Operation Desert Pasta is a 17-minute short set between Season 1 and the movie. It is fun and fits the timeline, but nothing later depends on it, so it sits with the extras here. You can watch it right after Season 1 if you want to see it in story order.
Youjo Shenki and Youjo Shenki 2 are chibi comedy shorts with the same cast. They are separate from the story and can be watched any time.
How Many Episodes and Seasons Does Saga of Tanya the Evil Have?
Saga of Tanya the Evil has 2 seasons and 1 film in the main run — 24 episodes altogether.
Main Run
| Title | Type | Episodes | Aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saga of Tanya the Evil | TV Series | 12 episodes | January 2017 |
| Saga of Tanya the Evil: The Movie | Movie | February 2019 | |
| Saga of Tanya the Evil Season 2 | TV Series | 12 episodes | July 2026 |
Optional Extras
| Title | Type | Episodes | Aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saga of Tanya the Evil: Operation Desert Pasta | ONA | 1 episode | June 2021 |
| Youjo Shenki | ONA | 13 episodes | January 2017 |
| Youjo Shenki 2 | ONA | July 2026 |
3 titles · 24 episodes + 1 movie · ~11 hours
Source Material
Light Novel
Ongoing
The Saga of Tanya the Evil
Carlo Zen's light novel is still ongoing, with 14 volumes out in Japan, and the manga adaptation by Chika Tojo has reached 35 volumes. Yen Press publishes both in English. Reading guides disagree on exactly which volumes Season 1 and the movie cover, so the safest place to start the light novel is Volume 1.
Saga of Tanya the Evil Watch Order FAQ
Where should I start with Saga of Tanya the Evil?
Start with the first TV season from 2017. It covers Tanya's reincarnation and her rise to command of the 203rd Air Mage Battalion, and everything else builds on it.
What is the correct order to watch Saga of Tanya the Evil?
Season 1, then Saga of Tanya the Evil: The Movie, then Season 2. Operation Desert Pasta is an optional 17-minute short that fits between Season 1 and the movie. The Youjo Shenki chibi shorts are optional and can be watched any time.
Do I need to watch the movie before Season 2?
Yes. The movie is part of the main story, not a side film. It continues directly from Season 1 and introduces Mary Sue, and Season 2 picks up after it. Going straight from Season 1 to Season 2 skips a full part of the story.
Where does Operation Desert Pasta fit in the timeline?
Between Season 1 and the movie. It is set in September 1925 on the southern desert front, a few months before the movie begins. It first streamed on Crunchyroll on June 19, 2021, and runs about 17 minutes. Nothing later depends on it, so it is optional.
Is Season 2 finished?
Yes. Season 2 ran for 12 episodes from July 8 to September 23, 2026. As of late September 2026, a third season has not been announced.
Is there an English dub?
Yes. Season 1 was dubbed by Funimation in 2017, with Monica Rial as Tanya, J. Michael Tatum as Rerugen and Jeannie Tirado as Visha. Season 2 streams with an English dub on Crunchyroll.
Are there any filler episodes?
The main story is the two TV seasons and the movie. The only side content is Operation Desert Pasta, a standalone short, and the Youjo Shenki chibi comedy shorts. Both can be skipped without missing anything in the story.
Where can I watch Saga of Tanya the Evil?
Crunchyroll streams Season 1, the movie, Operation Desert Pasta and Season 2 in most regions. The movie is not included in Asia or German-speaking countries, so check availability in your region.
Do I need to watch Youjo Shenki?
No. Youjo Shenki is a set of chibi comedy shorts of about two minutes each that ran alongside Season 1 in 2017, and Youjo Shenki 2 followed in 2026. They are separate from the story.
Is Isekai Quartet part of Saga of Tanya the Evil?
Not as part of the story. Isekai Quartet is a chibi-style crossover in which Tanya and the 203rd share a school with characters from Overlord, KONOSUBA and Re:ZERO, with The Rising of the Shield Hero joining from its second season. It is a comedy spin-off and is not needed for the main series.
Is the Saga of Tanya the Evil light novel finished?
No. Carlo Zen's light novel is still ongoing, with 14 volumes out in Japan, and the manga adaptation by Chika Tojo has reached 35 volumes. Yen Press publishes both in English.
Where should I start the light novel after the anime?
Reading guides disagree on exactly which volumes Season 1 and the movie cover, so the safest place to start is Volume 1. That way you do not miss anything the anime left out.