The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic

The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic (治癒魔法の間違った使い方 ～戦場を駆ける回復要員～) is a Japanese light novel series written by Kurokata and illustrated by KeG. It began serialization online in March 2014 on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō. It was later acquired by Media Factory, who published twelve volumes between March 2016 and March 2020 under their MF Books imprint. A manga adaptation with art by Reki Kugayama has been serialized in Kadokawa Shoten's seinen manga magazine Comp Ace since April 2017. It has been collected in fourteen tankōbon volumes. Both the light novel and manga are licensed in North America by One Peace Books. A sequel light novel series, The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic Returns, began publication in December 2023. An anime television series adaptation produced by Studio Add and Shin-Ei Animation aired from January to March 2024.

Plot
Ken Usato is a typical high school student, while his classmates Suzune Inukami and Kazuki Ryusen are the president and vice president of their school's student council. On a rainy evening, they are walking home from school when a magic circle transports them to another world. Upon their awakening in the Kingdom of Llinger, King Lloyd informs them that they have been summoned as heroes to defend the Kingdom from the Demon Lord and his army, which two years previously had been repelled after attacking the kingdom and is now preparing for another invasion, and that there is currently no way to return the three to their world; it also turns out that only Inukami and Kazuki were meant to be summoned, and that Usato was brought along by accident. When the three are tested to determine what magical powers they possess, Usato discovers that he is able to use healing magic, which is extremely rare, but also considered to be weak and almost useless compared to other forms of magic. Upon learning this, Rose, the captain of the Kingdom's Rescue Team, enlists him in her team and begins training him to be a healer on the front lines of battle, while Inukami and Kazuki are trained as warriors. As the time of battle approaches, Usato determines to save as many people as possible and show the world that healing magic is not to be underestimated.

Characters

 * Ken Usato (兎里 健) / Usato (ウサト)
 * A typically average high school student who is accidentally transported to another world. He has an affinity for healing magic, one of the rarest affinities; as such, Rose recruits him into the kingdom's Rescue Team. While he is initially shy, over time he grows in physical and mental toughness and selflessness to become a worthy member of the Rescue Team determined to save other people. In his own world, he (like the other boys at school) had a crush on Inukami and now sees her as a close friend (even though at times she totally exasperates him), and like her sees living in this world as a chance to live a fulfilling and purposeful life. He is terrified of Rose, but over time grows to respect and even admire her. During his travels on King Lloyd's ambassadorial mission, he develops new ways of using healing magic "the wrong way", as well as making new friends and allies among both humans and non-humans.
 * A typically average high school student who is accidentally transported to another world. He has an affinity for healing magic, one of the rarest affinities; as such, Rose recruits him into the kingdom's Rescue Team. While he is initially shy, over time he grows in physical and mental toughness and selflessness to become a worthy member of the Rescue Team determined to save other people. In his own world, he (like the other boys at school) had a crush on Inukami and now sees her as a close friend (even though at times she totally exasperates him), and like her sees living in this world as a chance to live a fulfilling and purposeful life. He is terrified of Rose, but over time grows to respect and even admire her. During his travels on King Lloyd's ambassadorial mission, he develops new ways of using healing magic "the wrong way", as well as making new friends and allies among both humans and non-humans.


 * Suzune Inukami (犬上 鈴音) / Suzune (スズネ)
 * A high school student and president of her school's student council, who is transported to another world and has an affinity for thunder magic. She maintained an aloof persona and led a restricted life, possibly because she was born into a wealthy family, but now free from that life she is excited (sometimes to the point of giddiness) by new experiences. She admits to Usato that she prefers this world to her home world and does not want to return, seeing this world as a chance to be truly free and herself. However, after entering into battle with the Demon Lord's army, she understands the reality of warfare and the real possibility that she could be killed. As the story progresses, she seems to develop feelings for Usato (on one occasion [detailed in Chapters 60 and 61 of the manga] publicly proclaiming her feelings for him [in an attempt to refuse a prince's unwelcome offer of marriage]).
 * A high school student and president of her school's student council, who is transported to another world and has an affinity for thunder magic. She maintained an aloof persona and led a restricted life, possibly because she was born into a wealthy family, but now free from that life she is excited (sometimes to the point of giddiness) by new experiences. She admits to Usato that she prefers this world to her home world and does not want to return, seeing this world as a chance to be truly free and herself. However, after entering into battle with the Demon Lord's army, she understands the reality of warfare and the real possibility that she could be killed. As the story progresses, she seems to develop feelings for Usato (on one occasion [detailed in Chapters 60 and 61 of the manga] publicly proclaiming her feelings for him [in an attempt to refuse a prince's unwelcome offer of marriage]).


 * Kazuki Ryusen (龍泉 一樹) / Kazuki (カズキ)
 * A high school student and the vice president of his school's student council, who is transported to another world and has an affinity for light magic. While he appears to be subservient to Inukami at school, he is sensitive, intelligent, caring, and loyal to his friends. He also seems to have a trusting nature, leading Usato to think of him as "pure, sweet [and] innocent" and to hope that Kazuki will never change. He also seems to be dense about relationships, as he seems unaware of Princess Celia's feelings for him.
 * A high school student and the vice president of his school's student council, who is transported to another world and has an affinity for light magic. While he appears to be subservient to Inukami at school, he is sensitive, intelligent, caring, and loyal to his friends. He also seems to have a trusting nature, leading Usato to think of him as "pure, sweet [and] innocent" and to hope that Kazuki will never change. He also seems to be dense about relationships, as he seems unaware of Princess Celia's feelings for him.


 * Rose (ローズ)
 * The captain of Llinger Kingdom's Rescue Team, who has a rare affinity for healing magic and is powerful both magically and physically. Formerly a Battalion Commander in the Llinger Royal Army, she resigned both her command and her knighthood after her subordinates were killed in a battle with demon monster hunters, blaming herself and her arrogance for their deaths. As a result of a wound from a cursed sword in that battle, her right eye is scarred, which she refuses to heal and which is covered by her hair. After learning that Usato also possesses healing magic, she recruits and personally trains him to be a member of her team. Her training style and regimen are extremely harsh, but she has high hopes for Usato and is determined to make him both her "right-hand man" and "the ideal healer", believing him to be the "subordinate who will not die" that she has been searching for. She is occasionally accompanied by Kukuru, a greyish-black "noir rabbit".
 * The captain of Llinger Kingdom's Rescue Team, who has a rare affinity for healing magic and is powerful both magically and physically. Formerly a Battalion Commander in the Llinger Royal Army, she resigned both her command and her knighthood after her subordinates were killed in a battle with demon monster hunters, blaming herself and her arrogance for their deaths. As a result of a wound from a cursed sword in that battle, her right eye is scarred, which she refuses to heal and which is covered by her hair. After learning that Usato also possesses healing magic, she recruits and personally trains him to be a member of her team. Her training style and regimen are extremely harsh, but she has high hopes for Usato and is determined to make him both her "right-hand man" and "the ideal healer", believing him to be the "subordinate who will not die" that she has been searching for. She is occasionally accompanied by Kukuru, a greyish-black "noir rabbit".


 * Blurin (ブルリン)
 * A bear-like creature with blue fur, known as a Blue Grizzly. Usato adopted him as a cub after he was orphaned and gave Blurin his name. Rose permitted the cub to stay at the Team's residence, but he is officially the "property" of the Rescue Team. Blurin is very affectionate towards Usato and originally only allowed Usato to pet him (although in episode 6 of the anime he does allows the guard Aruku to pet him); during their stay in Luqvist, Amako helps look after him, and by Chapter 32 of the manga he is comfortable enough with her to allow her to ride on his back in an emergency. He accompanies Usato when he and the Heroes depart on King Lloyd's ambassadorial mission, and thanks to his speed and strength (although still only a cub) proves a powerful ally in fights.
 * A bear-like creature with blue fur, known as a Blue Grizzly. Usato adopted him as a cub after he was orphaned and gave Blurin his name. Rose permitted the cub to stay at the Team's residence, but he is officially the "property" of the Rescue Team. Blurin is very affectionate towards Usato and originally only allowed Usato to pet him (although in episode 6 of the anime he does allows the guard Aruku to pet him); during their stay in Luqvist, Amako helps look after him, and by Chapter 32 of the manga he is comfortable enough with her to allow her to ride on his back in an emergency. He accompanies Usato when he and the Heroes depart on King Lloyd's ambassadorial mission, and thanks to his speed and strength (although still only a cub) proves a powerful ally in fights.


 * Amako (アマコ)
 * A 14-year-old fox "beastkin" who is an Oracle of Time, a person possessing the power of precognition, and who believes that Usato has the power to change possible fatal futures. She appeared in the castle town two years earlier after leaving the Beastlands searching for a Healer to save her mother, as only humans can use Healing Magic; until meeting Usato, she had not found one strong enough or willing to help her. In Llinger, she works as a helper to an old woman selling fruit in the town, who took her in. As a reward for her prophetic help, King Lloyd agrees to have Usato accompany her back to the Beastlands when he and the Heroes depart on King Lloyd's ambassadorial mission. During their travels, she and Usato develop a close comradeship and trust to the point where she can predict what he is going to say before he actually does and isn't afraid to state her opinions of him out loud. She has two beastkin friends in Luqvist, brother and sister twins Kyo and Kiriha, whom she stayed with for a time while traveling alone and with whom she and Usato stay while in Luqvist.
 * A 14-year-old fox "beastkin" who is an Oracle of Time, a person possessing the power of precognition, and who believes that Usato has the power to change possible fatal futures. She appeared in the castle town two years earlier after leaving the Beastlands searching for a Healer to save her mother, as only humans can use Healing Magic; until meeting Usato, she had not found one strong enough or willing to help her. In Llinger, she works as a helper to an old woman selling fruit in the town, who took her in. As a reward for her prophetic help, King Lloyd agrees to have Usato accompany her back to the Beastlands when he and the Heroes depart on King Lloyd's ambassadorial mission. During their travels, she and Usato develop a close comradeship and trust to the point where she can predict what he is going to say before he actually does and isn't afraid to state her opinions of him out loud. She has two beastkin friends in Luqvist, brother and sister twins Kyo and Kiriha, whom she stayed with for a time while traveling alone and with whom she and Usato stay while in Luqvist.


 * Orga (オルガ)
 * A member of the Rescue Team who is part of the Team's "rear support". He runs a clinic in the town with his sister Ururu after they were both unable to keep up with Rose's training. While able to heal others, he admits that he is not strong enough to heal himself; however, Usato sees that Orga's healing magic is much stronger than his.
 * A member of the Rescue Team who is part of the Team's "rear support". He runs a clinic in the town with his sister Ururu after they were both unable to keep up with Rose's training. While able to heal others, he admits that he is not strong enough to heal himself; however, Usato sees that Orga's healing magic is much stronger than his.


 * Ururu (ウルル)
 * A member of the Rescue Team who is part of the Team's "rear support". She runs a clinic in the town with her brother Orga after they were both unable to keep up with Rose's brutal training, and is very protective of him.
 * A member of the Rescue Team who is part of the Team's "rear support". She runs a clinic in the town with her brother Orga after they were both unable to keep up with Rose's brutal training, and is very protective of him.


 * Tong (トング)
 * A member of the Rescue Team, who is Usato's roommate and the strongest of Rose's five subordinates.
 * A member of the Rescue Team, who is Usato's roommate and the strongest of Rose's five subordinates.


 * Mill (ミル)
 * A member of the Rescue Team.
 * A member of the Rescue Team.


 * Alec (アレク)
 * A member of the Rescue Team, who is in charge of kitchen and cooking.
 * A member of the Rescue Team, who is in charge of kitchen and cooking.


 * Gomul (ゴムル)
 * A member of the Rescue Team.
 * A member of the Rescue Team.


 * Gurd (グルド)
 * A member of the Rescue Team, who has a goatee beard and rat-like features/ears.
 * A member of the Rescue Team, who has a goatee beard and rat-like features/ears.


 * Princess Celia (セリア)
 * The princess of Llinger Kingdom, who develops feelings for Kazuki (which he is either unaware of or chooses not to see).
 * The princess of Llinger Kingdom, who develops feelings for Kazuki (which he is either unaware of or chooses not to see).


 * Aruku (アルク)
 * A knight of Llinger Kingdom. He is usually a guard at the castle gate, but also acts as protector of the Rescue Team's Rear Support during battle. He describes himself as "clumsy" and best suited for being a guard, but his fellow guards assure Usato that Aruku is skilled at both magic and swordsmanship. Usato personally selects him to join him and the Heroes on King Lloyd's ambassadorial mission, and he accompanies Usato and Amako when their paths diverge from the others after visiting Luqvist.
 * A knight of Llinger Kingdom. He is usually a guard at the castle gate, but also acts as protector of the Rescue Team's Rear Support during battle. He describes himself as "clumsy" and best suited for being a guard, but his fellow guards assure Usato that Aruku is skilled at both magic and swordsmanship. Usato personally selects him to join him and the Heroes on King Lloyd's ambassadorial mission, and he accompanies Usato and Amako when their paths diverge from the others after visiting Luqvist.


 * Felm (フェルム)/Black Knight (黒騎士)
 * A member of the Demon Lord's army, who was originally part of its second legion and served under Amila's command. Until her true identity was revealed, she was known as the "Black Knight" because of her appearance. The magical living black armor she wore is self-regenerating and has abilities that can also be used for attacks; after Usato defeats her, Rose uses a talisman to seal off her magic and forcibly recruits her into the Rescue Team to become one of the Runners. She secretly admires Usato for his strength and endurance and his kindness towards her (although she expresses her feelings by kicking him in the shins), and he is seemingly the only person she has revealed her name to.
 * A member of the Demon Lord's army, who was originally part of its second legion and served under Amila's command. Until her true identity was revealed, she was known as the "Black Knight" because of her appearance. The magical living black armor she wore is self-regenerating and has abilities that can also be used for attacks; after Usato defeats her, Rose uses a talisman to seal off her magic and forcibly recruits her into the Rescue Team to become one of the Runners. She secretly admires Usato for his strength and endurance and his kindness towards her (although she expresses her feelings by kicking him in the shins), and he is seemingly the only person she has revealed her name to.


 * Amila (アーミラ)
 * The commander of the third legion of the Demon Lord's army. She and Rose have been mortal enemies since Rose nearly killed her master Nero Arjence two years earlier. In Volume Two of the light novels and Chapter 18 of the manga, the Demon Lord demotes her from commander to common soldier after Llinger's defeat of the Demon Army, stating his belief that she can serve him better in the ranks.
 * The commander of the third legion of the Demon Lord's army. She and Rose have been mortal enemies since Rose nearly killed her master Nero Arjence two years earlier. In Volume Two of the light novels and Chapter 18 of the manga, the Demon Lord demotes her from commander to common soldier after Llinger's defeat of the Demon Army, stating his belief that she can serve him better in the ranks.


 * Hyriluk (ヒュルルク)
 * A researcher in the Demon Lord's army who created two giant serpent monsters, one of which was killed in the Darkness of Linger forest by Usato and Rose and the other in battle by Inukami and Kazuki.
 * A researcher in the Demon Lord's army who created two giant serpent monsters, one of which was killed in the Darkness of Linger forest by Usato and Rose and the other in battle by Inukami and Kazuki.


 * Demon Lord (魔王)
 * The leader of the Demon Army, who is centuries old and calm to the point that he is seemingly not enraged by the failures of his subordinates.
 * The leader of the Demon Army, who is centuries old and calm to the point that he is seemingly not enraged by the failures of his subordinates.

Light novels
The series written by Kurokata began serialization online in March 2014 on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō. It was later acquired by Media Factory, who have published twelve volumes with illustrations by KeG between March 25, 2016 and March 25, 2020 under their MF Books imprint. The light novel is licensed in North America by One Peace Books.

A sequel light novel series by the same author and illustrator, titled The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic Returns, began publication on December 25, 2023.

Manga
A manga adaptation with art by Reki Kugayama began serialization on Kadokawa Shoten's Comp Ace magazine on April 26, 2017. It has been collected in fourteen tankōbon volumes as of March 26, 2024. The manga adaptation is also licensed in North America by One Peace Books.

Anime
An anime adaptation was announced during the MF Books 8th Anniversary livestream event on August 15, 2021. It was later announced that it would be produced by Studio Add and Shin-Ei Animation and directed by Takahide Ogata, with Shogo Yasukawa in charge of series composition, Keiji Tanabe as character designer, and Elements Garden as music composer. The series aired from January 6 to March 30, 2024, on Tokyo MX and BS11. The opening theme song is "Cure", performed by Waterweed, while the ending theme is "Green Jade", performed by ChouCho. Crunchyroll licensed the series, with Muse Communication licensing it in South and Southeast Asia.