Finished the Akame ga Kill! anime and felt like something was missing? You’re not alone. Many viewers are left with questions after the show’s intense, anime-original ending, wondering what the source material holds.
The Akame ga Kill! anime adaptation diverges from the manga’s storyline at the end of Episode 19, which concludes the events of Chapter 38. To continue the story and experience the canon plot, including the entire ‘Wild Hunt Arc’ that was cut from the anime, you must start reading from Chapter 39.
Based on a detailed analysis of the source material, this guide provides the exact starting point and reveals the significant plot differences. You will discover the true fates of your favorite characters and learn about an entire story arc the anime completely skipped, giving you the complete, canonical experience.
Key Facts
- Definitive Divergence Point: The anime begins to significantly deviate from the manga during Episode 19, making Chapter 39 the clean starting point for the manga’s canon story.
- Major Character Survival: Key characters who die in the anime, including Tatsumi and Mine, survive in the manga, leading to a completely different and more hopeful ending for many.
- A Whole Missing Arc: The anime entirely omits the “Wild Hunt Arc,” a major storyline that introduces new villains and provides crucial development for characters like Wave and Kurome.
- Official Sequel Exists: The manga has an official sequel titled Hinowa ga Crush!, which follows Akame’s journey after the events of the original series, a continuation not possible with the anime’s ending.
- Early Adaptation is Faithful: The first 18 episodes of the anime are a largely faithful adaptation of the first 38 chapters of the manga, meaning you can skip them without missing critical plot points.
Where Does the Akame ga Kill! Anime Leave Off in the Manga?
The definitive point of divergence between the Akame ga Kill! anime and manga occurs during Episode 19. This episode adapts the events of manga chapters 37 and 38 but then veers into an anime-original plot. Therefore, the recommended starting point to continue the canon story is Chapter 39.
This split happened because the anime production, handled by studio White Fox, caught up to the ongoing manga serialization in the Monthly Gangan Joker magazine back in 2014. Rather than creating filler or going on hiatus, the production team worked with the author, Takahiro, to craft a unique ending for the television series. Starting your reading journey from manga Chapter 39 ensures you seamlessly transition into the manga’s exclusive content, beginning with the thrilling and completely skipped “Wild Hunt Arc.”
By picking up the manga here, you are not just getting an alternate ending; you are experiencing a significantly different second half of the story. This includes different character developments, new antagonists, and a more fleshed-out final confrontation with The Empire.
Why Is It Recommended To Start At Chapter 39 Instead Of Reading From The Beginning?
You can safely start the Akame ga Kill! manga at Chapter 39 without missing major plot points. The anime’s first 18 episodes faithfully adapt chapters 1 through 38 of the manga source material. This makes jumping directly to the divergent content an efficient way to experience the canonical story without re-reading dozens of chapters.
While the core narrative is the same in the early parts, dedicated fans who read from the beginning may notice some minor differences made for the anime adaptation. These changes were mostly for pacing and do not alter the main plot.
Minor differences you might notice include:
* Slightly altered dialogue in some scenes.
* Trimming of some minor character interactions or inner monologues.
* Changes in the sequence of a few events for better episodic flow.
Ultimately, these are not critical to understanding the story. Starting at Chapter 39 respects your time and gets you right to the new content you came for. It is the most common and recommended approach for anime-first fans.
What Are the Major Plot And Character Differences After The Anime’s Divergence?
The differences between the anime’s conclusion and the manga’s canonical ending are massive, fundamentally changing the fates of many main characters. The anime opts for a much more tragic and swift finale, while the manga provides a more developed and nuanced conclusion with significantly different outcomes. Here is a direct comparison of the most impactful changes.
| Character | Anime Fate | Manga (Canon) Fate |
|---|---|---|
| Tatsumi | Dies protecting civilians from the fallen Emperor’s Teigu. | Fuses permanently with Incursio to defeat the Shikoutazer, surviving as a dragon. |
| Mine | Dies in Tatsumi’s arms after over-exerting her Teigu, Pumpkin. | Falls into a coma after defeating General Budo, later awakens and has a child with Tatsumi. |
| Kurome | Is killed by her sister Akame in their final duel. | Survives the duel with Akame and leaves with Wave to seek a cure for her drug dependency. |
| Leone | Is shot and killed by Prime Minister Honest, dying alone in an alley. | Kills Prime Minister Honest but is mortally wounded; dies in the same manner as the anime. |
| General Esdeath | Is defeated by Akame; encases herself and Tatsumi’s body in ice and shatters. | Is defeated by Akame; uses her power to encase only herself in ice before shattering. |
These are just the most significant changes. The manga’s path provides entirely new battles, deeper character arcs for members of both Night Raid and the Jaegers, and a conclusion that sets the stage for a much different future.
What Is The True Fate Of Tatsumi In The Manga?
In the manga, Tatsumi does not die. Instead, he survives his final battle through a shocking transformation. To defeat the Empire’s ultimate Teigu, the Shikoutazer, he is forced to push his own Teigu, Incursio, to evolve multiple times. This immense strain causes the armor to permanently fuse with his body. He succeeds in stopping the giant Teigu but is left as a large, dragon-like being, unable to ever fully return to his human form. It’s a bittersweet victory, as he lives on but not as the person he once was.
How Does Mine’s Story Continue In The Manga?
Mine also survives in the manga, and her story has a much more hopeful conclusion. In her climactic battle against General Budo, she unleashes the full power of her Teigu, Pumpkin. Instead of killing her, the immense strain puts her into a deep coma. She remains comatose through the end of the war but eventually awakens. The manga’s epilogue shows her reunited with the transformed Tatsumi, and they are shown to have a child together, living a peaceful life away from the conflict.
What Is The “Wild Hunt Arc” That Was Completely Skipped In The Anime?
The Wild Hunt Arc is a major, manga-exclusive storyline in Akame ga Kill! that was completely omitted from the anime adaptation. This arc introduces Syura, the sadistic and powerful son of Prime Minister Honest, and his elite squad of psychopathic Teigu users known as the “Wild Hunt.” This arc is a primary reason why reading the manga from Chapter 39 is essential for the full story.
Taking place immediately after the divergence point, the arc follows Night Raid as they are targeted by this new, depraved group of antagonists who abuse their power for personal pleasure. The Wild Hunt’s cruelty serves to highlight the deepest levels of the Empire’s corruption.
Key aspects of the Wild Hunt Arc include:
* A New Main Villain: It introduces Syura, a formidable Teigu user with a personal connection to Esdeath.
* Development for Wave and Kurome: The arc is crucial for the character development of Jaegers members Wave and Kurome, pushing them to question their allegiance to the Empire.
* Raising the Stakes: The Wild Hunt’s brutal actions directly impact Night Raid, leading to significant confrontations and character growth for Tatsumi and Lubbock.
By skipping this entire 15+ chapter storyline, the anime jumps directly to the final revolution, losing a massive amount of world-building and character development in the process.
How Do The Anime Episodes & Manga Chapters Align Before The Split?
The early portion of the Akame ga Kill! anime is a relatively faithful adaptation, which is why starting later is possible. The pacing is roughly two manga chapters per anime episode. The table below provides a clear breakdown of the alignment, highlighting the exact point where the stories diverge into anime-original content.
| Anime Episode(s) | Corresponding Manga Chapter(s) | Key Events Covered |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – 3 | 1 – 5 | Tatsumi joins Night Raid. |
| 4 – 6 | 6 – 10 | Sheele and Bulat’s fates. |
| 7 – 10 | 11 – 17 | Introduction of Esdeath and the Jaegers. |
| 11 – 14 | 18 – 25 | Dr. Stylish’s attack; Chelsea and Susanoo join. |
| 15 – 17 | 26 – 33 | Confrontations with Bols and Kurome. |
| 18 | 34 – 36 | Tatsumi’s battle against Budo; Mine’s fight. |
| 19 (Divergence) | 37 – 38 (Partial) | The anime adapts the fight with Seryu but then begins its original plot. This is the split. |
| 20 – 24 | Anime-Original Content | These episodes do not follow the manga and create a unique, non-canon ending. |
This guide clearly shows that after adapting parts of Chapter 38 in Episode 19, the anime embarks on its own narrative path for the final five episodes.
FAQs About where does the akame ga kill anime leave off in the manga
Is the Akame ga Kill manga worth reading after watching the anime?
Absolutely. The manga offers a significantly different and more developed story, including an entire missing arc (the Wild Hunt arc) and vastly different fates for key characters like Tatsumi and Mine. If you enjoyed the world and characters but were disappointed by the anime’s rushed ending, the manga provides a more complete and satisfying conclusion.
Does Akame ga Kill have a sequel manga?
Yes, the official sequel to Akame ga Kill! is a manga titled Hinowa ga Crush! (HGC). It follows a new protagonist, Hinowa, in a different country, but features an older Akame in a major supporting role as she searches for a cure for Tatsumi’s condition. It’s the direct continuation of Akame’s journey after the original manga’s ending.
What is Akame ga Kill! Zero?
Akame ga Kill! Zero is a prequel manga that follows Akame’s childhood and her time as an elite assassin for the Empire before she defects and joins Night Raid. It provides extensive backstory on her relationship with her sister, Kurome, and details the brutal training they endured. It’s an excellent read for those who want to understand Akame’s origins.
How many chapters and volumes does the Akame ga Kill! manga have?
The main Akame ga Kill! manga series is complete and consists of 78 chapters. These chapters are collected into a total of 15 tankōbon volumes. The story reached its definitive conclusion in December 2016.
Will Akame ga Kill get a reboot or Season 2?
There has been no official announcement for a reboot or a second season of Akame ga Kill!, and it is highly unlikely. The anime created a conclusive, original ending where many key characters died, making a direct continuation impossible. A reboot that faithfully adapts the entire manga is a fan hope but is not currently planned.
Does Akame die in the manga?
No, Akame survives the entirety of the Akame ga Kill! manga. After her final battle with Esdeath, she leaves the newly formed nation to search for a way to reverse Tatsumi’s transformation and deal with the effects of her own Teigu, Murasame. Her journey continues in the sequel, Hinowa ga Crush!.
Who is the final villain in the manga?
While Esdeath is the final major battle for Akame, the ultimate villain of the manga remains Prime Minister Honest. The final confrontation involves Night Raid and the Revolutionary Army storming the capital to depose him. His defeat is achieved differently than in the anime, with Leone playing a key role.
Why did the anime change the ending?
The most common reason for an anime to diverge is that it catches up to the source manga, which was the case with Akame ga Kill! At the time of production in 2014, the manga was still ongoing. Rather than go on hiatus, the studio, White Fox, worked with the author to create an original ending to provide a complete, self-contained story for TV viewers.
What volume of the manga should I buy to start after the anime?
You should start with manga Volume 8. The divergence point, Chapter 39, is the first chapter in Volume 8. This will place you directly at the beginning of the manga-exclusive content, including the Wild Hunt Arc.
Is the manga more violent or graphic than the anime?
Yes, the manga is generally considered more graphic and uncensored than the anime. While the anime is already known for its violence, the manga, illustrated by Tetsuya Tashiro, features more detailed and often brutal depictions of injuries and death that were toned down for the television broadcast.
Key Takeaways: Akame ga Kill! Anime vs. Manga
- The Definitive Starting Point: The anime diverges at Episode 19, so you must start reading from Chapter 39 to get the canon manga story. This is the single most important piece of information for any anime-first fan.
- Major Character Fates Are Different: Key characters like Tatsumi, Mine, and Kurome survive in the manga, leading to a vastly different and often preferred ending compared to the tragic anime-original conclusion.
- An Entire Arc Was Skipped: The anime completely omits the “Wild Hunt Arc,” a major storyline introducing the Prime Minister’s sadistic son, Syura, and his elite squad. This arc is crucial for character development and the plot’s progression.
- The Story Continues Beyond The Original: The Akame ga Kill! universe is expanded with a prequel, Akame ga Kill! Zero (Akame’s past), and a direct sequel, Hinowa ga Crush! (Akame’s future journey).
- The First 18 Episodes Are Mostly Faithful: You can safely skip the first 38 chapters of the manga without missing major plot points, as the early part of the anime is a relatively faithful adaptation of the source material.
Final Thoughts on Reading the Akame ga Kill! Manga
Finishing the Akame ga Kill! anime often leaves viewers with a mix of excitement and disappointment due to its notoriously brutal and divergent ending. The good news is that the story you loved doesn’t truly end there. By picking up the manga at Chapter 39, you are not just continuing the story; you are stepping onto the canonical path that author Takahiro originally intended.
You will experience the full depth of the Empire’s corruption in the “Wild Hunt Arc,” witness the true, hard-won fates of Tatsumi and Mine, and see a more nuanced and satisfying conclusion to the revolution. This guide has provided you with the exact starting point and a clear map of the differences. Now, the definitive version of the story awaits.
Last update on 2026-01-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
