Chainsaw Man Anime Ending Explained: Manga Chapter 38

Struggling to figure out where the Chainsaw Man anime ends? You’re not alone; many fans are confused about the exact manga chapter to start with. Getting it wrong means either re-reading content or, even worse, encountering major spoilers.

The Chainsaw Man anime’s first season ends by adapting up to Chapter 38 of the manga. The final episode, titled “Katana vs. Chainsaw,” concludes the “Katana Man arc.” Therefore, to continue the story exactly where the anime leaves off, you should start reading from Chapter 39.

Based on an analysis of the official source material, this guide provides the definitive answer. We’ll clear up the common confusion surrounding other chapter numbers like 97. You will learn precisely how and where to start reading the manga to continue Denji’s journey seamlessly.

Key Facts

• Anime Ending Point: The first season of the Chainsaw Man anime officially concludes its story by adapting up to Chapter 38 of the manga.
• Manga Starting Point: To continue the story without interruption, you must begin reading at Chapter 39, which is the start of the next major story arc.
• Source of Confusion: Most confusion comes from mixing up the anime’s Season 1 ending (Chapter 38) with the conclusion of the manga‘s entire Part 1, the “Public Safety Saga,” which ends at Chapter 97.
• Covered Arcs: The anime faithfully adapts four story arcs from the source material: the Introduction Arc, the Bat Devil Arc, the Eternity Devil Arc, and finally, the Katana Man Arc.
• Confirmed Continuation: The story will continue in an animated format with the upcoming film, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, which will adapt the next major storyline from the manga.

What Chapter Does the Chainsaw Man Anime End On?

The first season of the Chainsaw Man anime concludes at the end of Chapter 38. This chapter marks the finale of the intense “Katana Man arc,” and its contents are faithfully adapted in the anime’s twelfth and final episode, “Katana vs. Chainsaw.” This provides a clean stopping point, wrapping up a major conflict while setting the stage for what comes next.

Studio MAPPA’s adaptation is widely regarded as a very faithful take on Tatsuki Fujimoto’s source material, meaning no major plot points or chapters were skipped within its 12-episode run. When you finish Episode 12, you have effectively consumed the story up to the end of Chapter 38. Therefore, the direct and unambiguous starting point for any anime-only viewer looking to transition to the manga is Chapter 39.

This specific endpoint is crucial for a seamless transition. Starting any earlier will mean re-reading events you have already watched, while jumping ahead any further would lead to immediate spoilers and confusion. The narrative of the manga picks up with a brand new arc and a new set of challenges for Denji right at the start of Chapter 39, making it the perfect entry point.

Why Is There So Much Confusion About the Anime’s Ending Chapter?

The confusion over the Chainsaw Man anime’s ending chapter stems from two different major story milestones. While the anime’s first season ends at Chapter 38, the manga‘s entire first part, known as the “Public Safety Arc,” concludes much later at Chapter 97. Many online discussions and wikis refer to the end of Part 1 when talking about “the ending,” which creates this discrepancy.

It’s easy to get confused when you see different numbers thrown around online. A quick search might show some sources claiming the story ends at Chapter 97, while others correctly state Chapter 38. This happens because these two numbers represent different types of conclusions within the Chainsaw Man universe. Understanding the difference is key to navigating the story correctly.

Here’s a simple breakdown of the two distinct “endings”:

• ✅ Season 1 Ending (Chapter 38): This is the stopping point for the TV anime produced by MAPPA. It concludes the Katana Man Arc and serves as the finale for the currently released episodes.
• ✅ Part 1 Ending (Chapter 97): This is a much larger milestone, marking the conclusion of the manga‘s entire first saga, the “Public Safety Saga.” This part of the story contains several more arcs beyond what the anime has shown. The manga then takes a short break before beginning Part 2 (the “Academy Saga”).

In essence, the anime has only just begun to scratch the surface of the complete Part 1 story. The confusion arises when fans who have read the entire first part of the manga discuss its dramatic finale, which naturally takes place at Chapter 97, without specifying that the anime has not reached that point yet.

How Do You Start Reading the Chainsaw Man Manga After the Anime?

To start reading the Chainsaw Man manga after the anime, begin with Chapter 39. This is the first chapter that was not adapted by the anime’s first season. You can find it and subsequent chapters on official platforms, ensuring you get the authentic experience while supporting the creator.

Transitioning from watching the anime to reading the manga is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step guide to ensure you start in the right place and use the best available resources.

1. 📖 Start at Chapter 39: This is your magic number. Open your preferred reading app or website and navigate directly to this chapter. It kicks off the next major story, the “Bomb Girl Arc.”
2. 📱 Use Official Sources: The best and most reliable places to read are official apps and websites. The Shonen Jump or Manga Plus apps (by publisher Shueisha) are the primary platforms. They often provide the latest chapters for free. VIZ Media also hosts the chapters on its website.
3. 📕 Find Volume 5 for Physical Copies: If you prefer collecting physical manga volumes, Chapter 39 is located in the middle of Volume 5. You would purchase this volume to finish the Katana Man arc and seamlessly start the next part of the story.

Following these steps guarantees you’ll continue Denji’s story without missing a single detail. Using official sources like the Shonen Jump app also provides access to a high-quality, accurate translation, which is essential for understanding the nuances of the plot and dialogue.

What Happens in the Manga Immediately After the Anime?

Immediately after the anime, the manga begins the “Bomb Girl Arc,” also known as the “Reze Arc,” starting at Chapter 39. This storyline is one of the most popular and critically acclaimed in the entire series. It introduces the mysterious character Reze and explores Denji’s desperate search for a normal connection and his first real chance at a romantic relationship.

This arc is a significant turning point for Denji’s character development. It forces him to confront his desires for normalcy and affection against the brutal reality of his life as Chainsaw Man. The story masterfully blends moments of surprising sweetness and humor with the shocking violence and emotional gut-punches the series is known for. It raises the stakes considerably and deepens the world’s lore by introducing powerful new devil hybrids.

“If we run away together… you think we could have a normal life?”

The good news for anime-only fans is that this beloved arc is confirmed to be the subject of the next animated project. As of June 2026, it has been announced that the story will continue in a feature film titled “Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc.” This makes reading the arc now a perfect way to get ahead and experience the story as it was originally told before seeing it adapted for the big screen.

FAQs About where does chainsaw man manga end in the anime

What Volume Does the Chainsaw Man Anime End On?

The Chainsaw Man anime ends partway through Volume 5 of the manga. Chapter 38, the final adapted chapter, is located within this volume. To continue reading with physical copies, you would purchase Volume 5 to read the conclusion of the Katana Man arc and seamlessly transition into the next part of the story, which begins in the same volume.

Is the Chainsaw Man Manga Finished?

No, the Chainsaw Man manga is not finished; it is currently ongoing. The series is structured in parts. Part 1, the “Public Safety Saga,” is complete and concluded with Chapter 97. Part 2, known as the “Academy Saga,” began serialization in July 2022 and is actively releasing new chapters bi-weekly on the Shonen Jump+ platform.

Did the Anime Skip Any Manga Chapters?

No, the first season of the Chainsaw Man anime is a very faithful adaptation that did not skip any major manga chapters. The pacing closely follows the source material, covering all plot-critical events from Chapter 1 through Chapter 38. While some minor lines of dialogue or brief moments might be trimmed for time, no story content was omitted.

Is There Going to Be a Chainsaw Man Season 2?

A full “Season 2” has not been officially announced, but the story’s continuation is confirmed in the form of a movie. “Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc” will adapt the next major arc from the manga. It is a common strategy for popular anime franchises to use a feature film to bridge the gap between full television seasons.

How Many Chapters Are in Chainsaw Man Part 1?

Part 1 of the Chainsaw Man manga, known as the “Public Safety Saga,” contains a total of 97 chapters. This complete saga is collected in the first 11 volumes of the physical manga. The anime’s first season, by comparison, only covers the initial 38 chapters of this much larger, overarching story.

Does the Anime Have an Original Ending?

No, the Chainsaw Man anime does not feature an anime-original ending. The season finale presented in Episode 12 is a direct and faithful adaptation of the manga‘s conclusion to the Katana Man arc in Chapter 38. The story stops precisely where the source material does at that point, serving as a canonical pause before the next arc.

Is the Chainsaw Man Anime or Manga Better?

This is a subjective choice, as both the anime and manga are highly acclaimed for different strengths. The manga is celebrated for Tatsuki Fujimoto’s unique, cinematic paneling and raw, expressive art style that delivers incredible pacing. The anime, from Studio MAPPA, is praised for its stunning, high-budget animation, breathtaking action choreography, and fantastic voice acting. Most fans agree that experiencing both is the best way to appreciate the full scope of the series.

Where Can I Read the Chainsaw Man Manga Legally?

You can read Chainsaw Man manga legally and officially on the VIZ Media website, the Shonen Jump app, and the Manga Plus app. These platforms, run by the publisher and its international distributors, offer the three most recent chapters for free. To access the full back catalog, including Chapter 39 where you need to start, the Shonen Jump app requires a very affordable subscription.

What Arcs Does the Chainsaw Man Anime Cover?

Season 1 of the Chainsaw Man anime covers the first four main story arcs from the manga. In order, these are the “Introduction Arc” (Chapters 1-4), the “Bat Devil Arc” (Chapters 5-12), the “Eternity Devil Arc” (Chapters 13-21), and the “Katana Man Arc” (Chapters 22-38). The season finale concludes the last of these four arcs.

Who is the Main Villain at the End of the Anime?

The primary antagonist at the end of the anime’s first season is Katana Man. He is a human-devil hybrid who holds a personal grudge against Denji. He works alongside Akane Sawatari, a former Devil Hunter who has a contract with the Gun Devil, making their group the main villainous force for the final arc adapted in the anime.

Key Takeaways: Where to Continue Chainsaw Man After the Anime

Navigating the transition from the Chainsaw Man anime to the manga is simple once you have the correct information. The story is far from over, and some of the best arcs are waiting for you. Here are the most critical points to remember:

• 📖 The Anime Ends at Chapter 38: The first season adapts the manga up to the end of the “Katana Man Arc,” which concludes in Chapter 38.
• 📖 Start Reading from Chapter 39: To continue the story without missing anything, you must begin reading at Chapter 39. This chapter is located in Volume 5 of the physical manga.
• 📖 Understand the “Part 1” Confusion: The manga‘s entire first saga ends at Chapter 97. This is a separate milestone from the anime’s Season 1 finale and is the primary source of conflicting information online.
• 📖 The Next Story is the “Bomb Girl Arc”: The manga chapters immediately following the anime introduce the fan-favorite character Reze and kick off the highly-acclaimed “Bomb Girl Arc.”
• 📖 A Movie is Coming Next: The “Bomb Girl Arc” will be adapted into a feature film, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, which will serve as the official continuation of the anime’s story.
• 📖 Read Legally on Official Apps: The best way to read the manga is on official platforms like the Shonen Jump or Manga Plus apps, which offer high-quality translations and support the creator.

Final Thoughts on Continuing the Chainsaw Man Story

You are now fully equipped to dive headfirst into the world of the Chainsaw Man manga without fear of spoilers or confusion. By knowing that the anime concludes at Chapter 38, you can confidently start at Chapter 39 and experience the story as it was meant to unfold. The upcoming arcs, including the “Bomb Girl Arc,” are considered by many to be the series at its absolute best, filled with emotional depth, shocking twists, and unforgettable characters.

The journey from anime viewer to manga reader is a rewarding one, offering a deeper appreciation for Tatsuki Fujimoto’s unique vision and storytelling. With the next part of the story set to be adapted into a movie, now is the perfect time to get ahead and immerse yourself in the source material. Happy reading

Last update on 2026-06-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API