Read or Die follows Yomiko Readman, codename "The Paper", an agent for the (fictional) Special Operations Division of the British Library.

The popularity of the Read or Die novels and manga resulted in the production of an OVA adaptation in 2001, which was directed by Koji Masunari and produced by SME Visual Works.

A manga called R.O.D Rehabilitation illustrated by Choko Fuji was published in 2012 in the Super Dash & Go magazine, and collected in one volume.

Dokusensha (読仙社) is the series' main antagonist, a secret organization based in Sichuan devoted to Chinese supremacy and led by China (チャイナ, Chaina).

Known as Grandma (おばあさん, Obaa-san) to Dokusensha's high-ranked agents, China is a "little girl" who, like Gentleman, has lived for a long enough time to know the hidden history of humankind.

The story, featuring characters such as Yomiko Readman and Joker, is a continuation of the Read or Die storyline, taking place a few years after the events of the manga.

Caitlin Donnovan of The Mary Sue argued that the manga was "pretty gross" and said the characters were "way less empowered" than in R.O.D the TV, and criticized it for including kidnapping, near-rape scenes, sexual assault, and gore.