Wondering where the Ao-chan Can’t Study anime ends in the manga? You’re trying to find the exact chapter to continue the story without missing a single moment of the awkward romance between Ao Horie and Kijima. It can be frustrating piecing together the answer from scattered forum posts.
The anime for Ao-chan Can’t Study! ends after adapting the events of manga Chapter 28, which is located in Volume 5. To continue the story where the anime leaves off, you should start reading from Chapter 29. This ensures you can seamlessly transition from the screen to the page.
Based on detailed analysis of the source material and community consensus, this guide provides the definitive starting point. You will discover not only where the anime ends but also what crucial moments were skipped. This will help you decide the best way to continue Ao-chan’s hilarious and heartfelt journey.
Key Facts
- Definitive End Point: The anime’s 12-episode run concludes its adaptation with the events corresponding to Chapter 28 of the manga source material.
- Manga Continuation: To pick up the story exactly where the anime leaves off, readers should start with Chapter 29, which is the beginning of the next arc in Volume 5.
- Complete Story: The original manga series by Ren Kawahara is fully complete with 8 volumes. A sequel series, Ao-chan Can’t Study: Adult Arc, is also finished with 3 volumes, concluding the entire story.
- Skipped Content: The anime adaptation is condensed and skips several chapters from the first four volumes, including chapters 8, 10, 11, and 13, which contain character-building side stories.
- Anime-Original Elements: The finale of the anime (Episode 12) contains some anime-original scenes designed to give the series a more conclusive feeling than the corresponding manga chapter provides.
Where Does the Ao-chan Can’t Study Anime End in the Manga?
The anime for Ao-chan Can’t Study! concludes after adapting the main events of manga Chapter 28, which is in Volume 5 of the series. For fans who have just finished Episode 12 and are eager to see what happens next in the romantic comedy, the correct place to start reading is Chapter 29. This will allow you to continue the story of Ao Horie and her relationship with Takumi Kijima without re-reading plot points you have already seen on screen.

From our analysis of both the anime series produced by Silver Link and the original manga source material, jumping in at this manga continuation point is the most direct way to move forward. However, it is important to understand that the anime adaptation makes certain pacing choices and has a slightly different narrative feel in its finale. Understanding these differences can help you decide if a different starting point might be better for your reading experience.
The core query for any fan transitioning from anime to manga is ensuring a seamless experience. Knowing that Chapter 28 is the end point of the anime adaptation provides a clear and actionable answer. This allows you to dive right back into the world created by Ren Kawahara and follow Ao-chan’s journey beyond the anime’s conclusion.
What Are the Key Differences Between the Anime and Manga Endings?
The main difference is that the anime ending feels more conclusive. Episode 12 adapts Chapter 28 but adds some anime-original scenes to create a satisfying finale for the TV series. The manga, in contrast, uses this point as a transition into the next major plot arc, leaving things more open-ended than the anime’s conclusion. The anime studio, Silver Link, needed to provide a sense of closure for viewers who might not continue with the manga.
For viewers wondering about anime vs manga discrepancies, the core events are largely the same. The “study session” at Kijima’s house and the romantic development it sparks are central to both versions. However, the tone and final moments are tailored for their respective mediums. The anime provides a neat bow, while the manga uses the chapter as a springboard for future conflict and character development.
Here is a breakdown of the key differences:
| Event/Feature | Anime Finale (Episode 12) | Manga (Chapter 28) |
|---|---|---|
| Core Event | The “study session” between Ao-chan and Kijima. | The “study session” between Ao-chan and Kijima. |
| Pacing & Tone | Paced to feel like a series conclusion, with a definitive emotional resolution. | Paced as a chapter ending, setting up the next conflict and plot developments. |
| Final Scene | Features conclusive romantic moments to satisfy viewers. | Ends on a note that leads directly into the challenges of the next arc (starting Ch. 29). |
| Status of Relationship | Implies a more stable, defined relationship milestone. | The relationship is still developing and faces immediate new external pressures. |
Should You Read the Ao-chan Can’t Study Manga From the Beginning?
Yes, it is highly recommended to read the Ao-chan Can’t Study manga from Chapter 1. The 12-episode anime is a condensed adaptation and skips several chapters (such as 8, 10, 11, and 13) that contain fun character moments and side stories. While you can start at Chapter 29, reading from the beginning provides a more complete experience and deeper context for the characters’ motivations.
Making the decision to start from the beginning or jump ahead depends on your priorities as a reader:
- ✅ Reading from Chapter 1 (The Purist’s Path):
- You get the full story as author Ren Kawahara intended.
- You experience all the skipped comedic side plots and character interactions.
- The character development, especially for side characters, feels more fleshed out.
- You can appreciate the small details and foreshadowing that the anime adaptation may have missed.
- 🔥 Starting at Chapter 29 (The Direct Route):
- You save time and jump straight into new story content.
- You can satisfy your curiosity about what happens immediately after the anime’s ending.
- This is a good option if you are primarily interested in the main plot progression of Ao and Kijima’s relationship.
Ultimately, because the manga is a relatively short and funny read, starting from the beginning is the best way to get the most enjoyment out of the series. You won’t just be reading to find out what happens next; you’ll be experiencing the story in its complete, original form.
What Happens in the Manga After the Anime Ends?
The manga continues for another three volumes after the anime’s ending point. The story introduces new romantic rivals and focuses on Ao and Kijima navigating their relationship as they prepare for university entrance exams. The original manga series concludes with Volume 8, and a direct sequel, Ao-chan Can’t Study: Adult Arc, continues their story in college.
Without giving away major spoilers, here is a glimpse of what you can expect from the manga story beyond the anime:
- New Challenges: The relationship between Ao and Kijima is immediately tested by new characters and misunderstandings that create hilarious and tense situations.
- Deeper Character Development: You will see more of Ao’s internal struggles as she tries to reconcile her feelings for Kijima with the bizarre influence of her erotic-novelist father.
- Story Resolution: The manga provides a full and satisfying conclusion to their high school romance, leading directly into their next stage of life.
- The Sequel Series: For fans who want the complete story, the Adult Arc sequel follows Ao and Kijima into university, exploring the challenges of maintaining their relationship as young adults. This sequel is also complete, ensuring you get the full narrative from start to finish.
Where Can You Officially Read the Ao-chan Can’t Study Manga?
You can officially read the Ao-chan Can’t Study manga digitally in English from Kodansha USA. The manga series, a creation of Ren Kawahara, was not given a physical print run in English, so digital is the primary way to access the source material legally and support the creator.
Based on our research into official distribution channels, here are the best platforms to buy and read the manga volumes:
- Amazon Kindle
- ComiXology
- BookWalker
- Google Play Books
Focusing on these official platforms ensures you are getting a high-quality, professional translation and are helping to support the manga industry. This allows publishers like Kodansha to continue licensing more great series for international audiences.
FAQs About where does the ao chan cant study anime end in the manga
Is the Ao-chan Can’t Study manga finished?
Yes, the main Ao-chan Can’t Study manga series is complete. It finished serialization in December 2018 and is collected in a total of 8 volumes. A sequel series, Ao-chan Can’t Study: Adult Arc, is also finished with 3 volumes, bringing the entire story to a conclusion.
How many volumes of Ao-chan Can’t Study are there?
There are 8 volumes in the original Ao-chan Can’t Study manga series. Additionally, there are 3 volumes in the sequel series, Ao-chan Can’t Study: Adult Arc, for a total of 11 volumes in the complete story.
Will there be an Ao-chan Can’t Study Season 2?
A second season of the Ao-chan Can’t Study anime is highly unlikely. The first season was a short, promotional series that aired in 2019. Given that the source material is now fully complete and the anime did not achieve massive commercial success, there is little incentive for the production committee to fund a sequel.
What chapter does the anime cover up to?
The anime covers the main plot points up to Chapter 28 of the manga. However, it’s important to note that the anime adaptation is not a 1-to-1 recreation. It skips several chapters from the first four volumes to fit the story into its 12-episode runtime.
Does Ao-chan and Kijima get together in the manga?
Yes, Ao Horie and Kijima Takumi’s relationship is the central focus of the manga, and it develops significantly beyond the anime. The manga fully explores their journey as a couple through high school and into their university life in the sequel. This provides a complete and satisfying resolution to their romance.
Who is the author of Ao-chan Can’t Study?
The manga series Ao-chan Can’t Study was written and illustrated by Ren Kawahara. Kawahara is responsible for both the original series and its sequel, Adult Arc.
What studio animated Ao-chan Can’t Study?
The anime adaptation of Ao-chan Can’t Study was produced by the animation studio Silver Link. The series was directed by Keisuke Inoue and aired in 2019.
Why was the Ao-chan anime so short?
The anime’s format of 12 short episodes, each around 12 minutes long, is a common strategy for adapting niche romantic comedy manga. This “short-form anime” style serves as a cost-effective promotion for the source material. It allows studios to introduce a series to a wider audience without the larger financial commitment of a full-length, 24-minute-per-episode season.
What is Ao-chan Can’t Study: Adult Arc?
Ao-chan Can’t Study: Adult Arc (Otona-hen) is the official sequel to the main manga series. It picks up after the original story concludes and follows Ao and Kijima as they navigate their relationship and studies in university. The sequel is 3 volumes long and is also complete.
Is the manga better than the anime?
Most fans consider the manga to be a better and more complete experience. While the anime is a fun and faithful summary of the main plot, the manga provides more character development. It includes numerous funny side stories skipped by the anime and tells the entire story through to its conclusion.
Key Takeaways: Ao-chan Can’t Study Anime to Manga Guide
- Start Reading at Chapter 29: The anime adapts events up to Chapter 28 of the manga, so to continue the story directly, you should begin with Chapter 29, located in Volume 5.
- Reading From Chapter 1 is Recommended: The anime is a condensed adaptation and skips several humorous and character-building chapters, so starting from the beginning offers a more complete experience.
- The Anime Has a Slightly Different Ending: Episode 12 provides a more conclusive-feeling finale suitable for television, whereas the manga’s Chapter 28 serves as a transition to the next story arc.
- The Manga is Fully Complete: The entire story is finished, consisting of 8 volumes in the main series and 3 volumes in the sequel, Ao-chan Can’t Study: Adult Arc.
- A Season 2 is Unlikely: Due to the promotional nature of the anime and the fact that the source material is complete, a second season is not expected.
- Find it Digitally via Kodansha: The official English release is handled by Kodansha USA and is primarily available on digital platforms like Amazon Kindle and ComiXology.
- The Story Continues into University: For fans who want more, the sequel series Adult Arc provides a satisfying conclusion by following Ao and Kijima’s relationship in college.
Final Thoughts on Continuing with the Ao-chan Can’t Study Manga
Transitioning from the Ao-chan Can’t Study anime to the manga is a rewarding decision for any fan invested in the quirky romance. You now have a clear roadmap: start at Chapter 29 for a direct continuation or begin at Chapter 1 for the full, unabridged experience. By choosing to read the manga, you are not only getting more content but also supporting the original creator’s complete vision. The story’s continuation through high school and into the Adult Arc provides the closure and character development that the short anime format simply couldn’t cover. What has your experience been with transitioning from anime to manga?
Last update on 2026-02-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API