Finished the Altair: A Record of Battles anime and need to know what comes next? You’ve realized the 24-episode journey ends, but the grand political strategy has only just begun.
The anime for Altair: A Record of Battles (Shoukoku no Altair) ends on manga Chapter 78. While this is the direct continuation point, the anime adaptation significantly condenses the story and skips important arcs, making it highly recommended to start from an earlier chapter for the full experience.
Based on a direct analysis of the anime and the fully completed manga, this guide provides the definitive answer. You’ll discover exactly why starting earlier is beneficial and get clear, actionable options to continue your journey into Kato Kotono’s intricate world without missing a beat.
Key Facts
- Direct Continuation Point: The anime’s story concludes at the end of Chapter 78, making Chapter 79 the official starting point to continue the narrative.
- Significant Skipped Content: The anime adaptation is known for its fast pacing, which results in the omission of crucial political subplots, character development, and world-building found in the manga.
- Manga is Complete: The Altair: A Record of Battles manga finished its 17-year run in November 2023, concluding with Chapter 165.
- Total Volume Count: The entire series is collected into 27 tankōbon volumes, so you can read the story from start to finish without interruption.
- Completed Spin-Off Exists: A prequel spin-off series titled Tōkoku no Subaru is also complete, offering more depth to the world for dedicated fans.
What Chapter Does the Altair: A Record of Battles Anime End On?
The definitive ending point for the Altair: A Record of Battles anime adaptation is Chapter 78 of the manga. To continue the story directly after the final scene of episode 24, you should begin reading from Chapter 79. This chapter picks up immediately with the aftermath of the events covered in the anime’s conclusion.
However, simply jumping to Chapter 79 comes with a major caveat that many anime-only fans quickly discover. The 24-episode anime, produced by MAPPA, had the monumental task of adapting nearly 80 chapters of a dense, politically-driven narrative. As a result, the pacing is significantly faster than the source material.
This accelerated pace means that while the main plot points are covered, a substantial amount of detail, context, and even entire story arcs are condensed or skipped altogether. This introduces the primary dilemma for viewers transitioning to the manga: continuing directly from Chapter 79 may lead to confusion as characters and political situations appear with little to no background, their introductions having been omitted from the anime.
Why Should You Consider Reading the Manga from an Earlier Chapter?
It is highly recommended to start the Altair manga from a chapter much earlier than 78 because the anime adaptation skips or severely condenses major story arcs. The anime removes important characters and drastically simplifies the complex political relationships that are central to the manga’s appeal. For the complete, unabridged story as author Kato Kotono intended, starting from Chapter 1 is the best option.
The core issue lies in the difference in focus between the two formats. The anime streamlines the story into a more action-focused adventure, while the Altair: A Record of Battles manga [a Japanese manga series by Kotono Kato] is a deep political and strategic epic. The pacing issues in the anime mean that much of the nuance is lost.
Here are the key reasons why starting earlier provides a richer experience:
* Narrative Pacing and Depth: The manga unfolds at a deliberate pace, allowing for intricate world-building and detailed explanations of military tactics and political strategy. The anime often rushes through these moments, removing the “why” behind major decisions.
* Character Development: Many supporting characters receive far more development and screen time in the manga. Their motivations, backstories, and relationships with Mahmut are more thoroughly explored, making their actions more impactful.
* Skipped Story Arcs: The anime completely omits several important arcs to fit its 24-episode runtime. These aren’t just side stories; they are crucial events that establish key alliances, introduce long-term antagonists, and provide essential context for the world’s political climate.
* Political Intrigue: The manga revels in the complexities of espionage, diplomacy, and internal power struggles within both Türkiye and the Balt-Rhein Empire. Much of this detailed political maneuvering is simplified in the anime adaptation.
What Key Story Arcs and Character Developments Did the Anime Skip?
The Altair anime notably skips the recruitment arc for the final member of the Tri-Military Council of Türkiye and heavily condenses the political maneuvering within the Empire. To give you a concrete idea of what was left on the cutting room floor, here is a breakdown of some key manga arcs and their status in the anime. This demonstrates the significant information loss when relying solely on the anime’s narrative.
| Manga Arc / Key Event | Approximate Manga Chapters | Anime Coverage Status | Impact of Omission/Condensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Political Maneuvering in Türkiye | Chapters 10-25 | Heavily Condensed | Reduced understanding of the internal political factions and Zaganos Pasha’s initial schemes. |
| The Muzrak Stratocracy Arc | Chapters 26-34 | Partially Skipped | The full strategic depth of Mahmut’s first major command is lost; key supporting characters are underdeveloped. |
| Venedik Republic Espionage | Chapters 45-55 | Condensed & Altered | The complexity of the trade and spy networks is simplified, weakening the world-building of nations outside Türkiye. |
| Recruitment of the Final Council Member | Chapters 60-70 | Completely Omitted | A major character and their entire backstory are missing from the anime, impacting later political dynamics. |
How Should You Start Reading the Altair Manga After Finishing the Anime?
To read the Altair manga after the anime, you have three main options: start from Chapter 1 for the full, unabridged story; start around Chapter 35 to cover major skipped arcs; or start at Chapter 79 to continue directly where the anime left off. Your choice depends on how much time you’re willing to invest and how important the complete narrative is to you.
Based on years of community discussion and analysis of the adaptation, we’ve broken down the best entry points to help you make an informed decision. Each path offers a different experience, catering to different types of readers.
Option 1: How Do You Get the Complete, Unabridged Story? (Recommended)
This is the purist’s choice and the most highly recommended path. Starting from Chapter 1 is the only way to experience Kato Kotono’s full, unaltered narrative. You’ll witness the proper introductions of every character, understand the subtle political setup from the very beginning, and appreciate the gorgeous, detailed art that the manga is famous for. This approach ensures you miss absolutely nothing and get the definitive Altair experience.
Option 2: Where Can You Start to Cover the Most Important Skipped Content?
For readers who want a balance between saving time and catching up on critical plot points, starting around Chapter 35 is an excellent middle ground. This entry point places you after the initial setup but before some of the most significant story arcs that were either condensed or completely skipped by the anime, such as the full Muzrak Stratocracy Arc. This pragmatic approach allows you to fill in the biggest narrative gaps without committing to a full re-read.
Option 3: How Do You Continue Directly From the Anime’s Ending?
If you accept the anime’s version of events and simply want to know what happens next, then starting at Chapter 79 is the most direct path. This option is for readers who are eager to move forward with the plot immediately. Be aware that you will be building on a condensed foundation and may encounter characters and situations that lack the full context provided in the earlier manga chapters.
What is the Final Status of the Altair: A Record of Battles Manga?
The Altair: A Record of Battles manga is complete, having concluded its serialization in November 2023. This is fantastic news for anyone looking to dive into the series, as you can experience the entire epic story from beginning to end without waiting for new installments. The series ran for an impressive 17 years.
Here are the key statistics about the manga’s publication status:
- ✅ Status: Completed
- ✅ Final Chapter: 165.
- ✅ Final Volume: 27 tankōbon (collected graphic novel volumes).
- ✅ Completion Date: November 2023.
- ✅ Spin-Off: A prequel spin-off, Tōkoku no Subaru, is also completed with 7 volumes.
FAQs About where does the altair anime end in the manga
How many episodes are in the Altair: A Record of Battles anime?
The Altair: A Record of Battles anime has a total of 24 episodes. This single season, which aired in 2017, covers the story from the beginning of the manga up to Chapter 78. There has been no announcement regarding a second season, which is why most fans transition to the manga to find out how the story concludes.
What manga volume does the Altair anime end on?
The anime ends on Chapter 78, which is collected in tankōbon Volume 19. However, because of the vast amount of skipped and condensed content, simply buying Volume 20 will likely cause confusion. It is far more practical to think in terms of chapters rather than volumes when making the jump from the anime to the manga.
Is the spin-off manga, Tōkoku no Subaru, worth reading?
Yes, for fans of the world-building, Tōkoku no Subaru is highly recommended. It is a completed 7-volume prequel series focusing on Subaru, a rival character from an island nation, and provides excellent background on the eastern kingdoms. This adds significant depth to the overall political landscape of the Altair universe.
Is the Altair in the anime Re:Creators the same character?
No, they are completely unrelated characters from different series. The character Altair from Re:Creators is a villain known as the “Military Uniform Princess.” The similarity in names is a coincidence that often causes confusion in search results, but the stories, worlds, and characters have absolutely no connection.
How faithful is the Altair anime to the manga?
The anime is faithful to the main plot beats but not to the narrative depth or pacing. It successfully captures the general sequence of major battles and key events but sacrifices many of the intricate political discussions, strategic planning sessions, and nuanced character-building moments that define the manga. The manga is a dense political epic, whereas the anime is a more streamlined action-adventure story.
Key Takeaways: Altair Anime to Manga Guide
- The Anime Ends at Chapter 78: The direct continuation point for the Altair: A Record of Battles manga is the beginning of Chapter 79.
- Significant Content Was Skipped: The anime heavily condenses or completely omits major political arcs and character development, making a direct continuation potentially confusing.
- Starting from Chapter 1 is Best: For the complete and intended story experience, with all its political nuance and world-building, starting from the beginning is the universally recommended option.
- The Manga is Complete: You can read the entire story without waiting for new releases. The series concluded in November 2023 at Chapter 165, collected in 27 volumes.
- A Prequel Spin-Off Exists: For fans who want more, the completed 7-volume spin-off Tōkoku no Subaru explores the backstory of a rival character, adding more depth to the world.
Final Thoughts on Continuing the Altair Saga
Transitioning from the Altair: A Record of Battles anime to the manga is an incredibly rewarding decision for any fan of the series. While the anime provides a thrilling introduction to Mahmut’s world, it only scratches the surface of the deep political intrigue and brilliant strategic depth that author Kato Kotono masterfully crafted over 17 years. Reading the manga is essential to experience the full story.
Whether you choose to start from the very beginning for the complete epic, jump in at a middle point to catch the most critical skipped arcs, or continue directly from Chapter 79, you are embarking on the definitive version of the story. You now have all the information needed to make the best choice for your journey. Happy reading
Last update on 2026-02-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
