Finished the hilarious and absurd Back Street Girls: Gokudolls anime and now you’re wondering where the story goes? You’re not alone. Many viewers are left with questions after the anime’s abrupt final scene.
The Back Street Girls: Gokudolls anime concludes its story by adapting material up to approximately Chapter 56 of the original manga. For fans looking to continue the story right after the final episode, starting your reading journey at Chapter 56 is the officially recommended entry point.
Based on extensive analysis of the source material and fan consensus, this guide will detail exactly what the anime skipped over. You’ll discover the major differences in the endings and why reading the manga is the only way to get the complete, tragicomic story of the Gokudolls.
Key Facts
- Anime Conclusion Point: The 10-episode anime adaptation covers events up to roughly Chapter 56 of the manga, making this the ideal chapter to start reading from.
- Complete Manga Series: The Back Street Girls manga by Jasmine Gyuh is fully complete, ending with its 144th chapter in September 2018.
- Anime Production: The anime consists of a single 10-episode season produced by studio J.C. Staff, which aired in 2018.
- No Season 2: A second season of the anime is considered highly unlikely, primarily because the manga’s story is finished, removing the promotional need for another season.
- Live-Action Adaptation: In addition to the anime, the series was also adapted into a live-action film and a short television series in Japan.
Where Does the Back Street Girls: Gokudolls Anime End in the Manga?
The Back Street Girls: Gokudolls anime concludes its story by adapting material up to approximately Chapter 56 of the original manga. This makes Chapter 56 the correct starting point if you want to seamlessly transition from watching the anime to reading the manga. However, it’s important to understand that the anime’s adaptation style was not a straightforward, linear retelling of the source material.
Based on our analysis of both mediums, the anime production by J.C. Staff played “fast and loose” with the manga’s content. As a gag series, the anime frequently picked, chose, and rearranged various skits and scenarios from the early volumes to fit its 10-episode format. This means that while Chapter 56 is the technical continuation point, the anime skipped numerous jokes, gags, and minor subplots from earlier chapters.
For this reason, many dedicated fans and manga databases recommend starting the manga from Chapter 1. Doing so allows you to experience the full breadth of Jasmine Gyuh’s comedy and character interactions that were left on the cutting room floor. If you’re purely interested in continuing the main narrative, however, starting with Chapter 56 will ensure you don’t miss any major plot progression.
What Are the Key Differences Between the Anime and Manga Endings?
The main difference is the tone and finality; the anime has an abrupt “Sudden Downer Ending” where a prank for freedom fails, trapping the Gokudolls permanently. The manga’s true ending in Chapter 144 is a more developed conclusion where the characters are resigned to their fate, solidifying the series’ core comedic tragedy that they never escape their boss.
The anime’s conclusion in episode 10 is an adaptation-specific choice that provides a sense of closure for a single season, but it is not the story’s true finale. Fan communities and sources like TV Tropes often describe it as a “Sudden Downer Ending” because the idols’ hope for freedom is snatched away in a final, bleakly comedic twist. They attempt a prank to get themselves fired, only to discover their boss outplayed them, leaving them stuck in their idol lives indefinitely.
The manga, on the other hand, takes the story much further. The official ending is a more thematically resonant and comically tragic confirmation that the Gokudolls never escape. Their success only grows, trapping them more deeply in their new lives under their boss’s eternal control.
Here is a clear breakdown of the differences:
| Feature/Aspect | Anime Ending (Episode 10) | Manga Ending (Chapter 144) |
|---|---|---|
| Core Event | The Gokudolls attempt a prank to gain freedom, which backfires, confirming they are stuck as idols. | The story concludes with the characters still under their boss’s control, having achieved massive success but with no escape. |
| Thematic Tone | Abrupt, described by fans as a “Sudden Downer Ending.” | A more drawn-out, comically tragic conclusion consistent with the series’ overall theme. |
| Character Fate | Implied to be idols forever due to a failed prank. | Explicitly shown to never escape their yakuza boss, with their idol careers continuing indefinitely. |
| Story Completeness | An open-ended, adaptation-specific conclusion. | The definitive and complete end to the entire Back Street Girls narrative. |
What Happens in the Back Street Girls Manga After the Anime?
The Back Street Girls manga continues for almost 90 chapters after the anime, ending at Chapter 144. Key unadapted storylines include the introduction of rival idols, further hilarious conflicts with their yakuza past, and deeper explorations of their family relationships, all while the Gokudolls’ fame and entrapment grow to new heights.
For viewers who only experienced the anime, more than half of the story remains untold. The unadapted chapters significantly expand the world and the comedic suffering of the main characters. If you choose to continue reading from Chapter 56, you will dive into a wealth of new content.
Some of the major developments you can expect to see include:
* The introduction of new rival idol groups, creating more conflict and absurd situations.
* Deeper exploration of the characters’ personal lives, including Mari’s complicated relationship with her transgender father.
* The arrival of an American idol who comes from a similar yakuza background, adding a new dynamic to the group.
* Countless hilarious scenarios where the Gokudolls’ yakuza instincts clash with their polished idol personas.
* The ultimate conclusion of their story, which confirms the central tragicomic theme of the series in a way the anime only hinted at.
Will There Be a Back Street Girls: Gokudolls Season 2?
No, a Back Street Girls: Gokudolls Season 2 is extremely unlikely. The primary reasons are that the original manga series concluded in 2018, meaning there is no ongoing source material to promote, and the anime served its purpose as a final sales boost for the manga’s conclusion.
In the anime industry, it is a common practice for an anime adaptation to be produced as a promotional tool for the source material. The Back Street Girls anime aired from July to September 2018, with the manga’s final chapter being published on September 15, 2018. This timing strongly suggests the anime was intended to be a final marketing push to increase sales for the manga’s concluding volumes.
Here are the key factors that make a second season improbable:
* Manga is Complete: The source material by Jasmine Gyuh finished its run in 2018. Without an ongoing story to promote, the main financial incentive for a new season is gone.
* Promotional Purpose Fulfilled: The first season successfully boosted interest as the manga was wrapping up. Its job is effectively done.
* No Official Announcements: In the years since the anime’s release, there has been no official word from the production studio, J.C. Staff, or any other production committee about a potential sequel.
* Time Passed: While not impossible, it becomes less likely for a niche comedy series to receive a sequel many years after its initial run and the completion of its source material.
Therefore, for fans who want to experience the full story, reading the manga is the only available option.
FAQs About where does the back street girls gokudolls anime end in the manga
How many chapters are in the Back Street Girls manga?
The Back Street Girls manga is complete and consists of 144 chapters, which have been collected into 12 volumes. The series was serialized in Kodansha’s Weekly Young Magazine and ran from March 2015 to September 2018, providing a finished and definitive story.
How many episodes does the Back Street Girls anime have?
The Back Street Girls: Gokudolls anime adaptation has a total of 10 episodes. Produced by the animation studio J.C. Staff, the series originally aired in Japan during the summer of 2018 before it was released worldwide on Netflix.
Is the Back Street Girls manga better than the anime?
Many fans prefer the manga due to its completeness and more consistent humor. The anime adaptation is known for playing “fast and loose” with the source material, skipping a large number of jokes and gags to fit into its short 10-episode run. While the anime effectively captures the absurd premise, the manga offers a far more detailed and comprehensive comedic experience.
What chapter does the Back Street Girls anime start adapting?
The anime begins by adapting material from the first chapter of the manga. However, it does not adapt the story in a strictly linear fashion. As a gag-focused series, the anime production by J.C. Staff selected various skits and scenarios from the early volumes to construct its 10-episode format, rather than following a direct chapter-by-chapter progression.
Who wrote the Back Street Girls manga?
The Back Street Girls manga was written and illustrated by the mangaka Jasmine Gyuh. The series was their breakout success, serialized in Kodansha’s Weekly Young Magazine and celebrated for its highly original and satirical premise blending yakuza and idol cultures.
Why was the Back Street Girls anime animation style considered ‘static’?
The anime utilized a limited animation style, often resembling a slideshow of manga panels with voice-overs, which was likely a result of a modest production budget. This stylistic decision was a major point of discussion among viewers. Some found it detracted from the experience, while others felt it contributed to the series’ quirky, low-budget charm, a technique sometimes used for gag manga adaptations.
What is the “true ending” of the Back Street Girls manga?
The true ending in Chapter 144 shows the Gokudolls as wildly successful idols who remain, and will forever be, under the complete control of their boss. Unlike the anime’s sudden conclusion, the manga’s finale serves as a bleakly comedic confirmation of the series’ core theme: there is no escape. The ending even suggests their servitude continues into the afterlife.
Are there other Back Street Girls adaptations?
Yes, in addition to the anime, the series was also adapted into a live-action film and a short live-action television series. The movie, titled Back Street Girls: Gokudols, was released in Japan in February 2019 and presents another unique interpretation of the story with its own cast and creative choices.
What genre is Back Street Girls?
Back Street Girls is primarily a satirical comedy and gag manga, with prominent themes of gender-bender and yakuza life. It is classified under the “seinen” demographic, meaning it was originally aimed at a young adult male audience. Its humor is often dark and derives from the absurd premise of hardened criminals being forced into the cute world of J-pop idols.
Where can I legally read the Back Street Girls manga?
The Back Street Girls manga is licensed for English distribution by Kodansha USA and is available for purchase on various digital platforms. You can find the complete series on official services like K MANGA, Amazon Kindle, and other digital manga storefronts. Supporting the official release is a great way to show appreciation for the creator’s work.
Key Takeaways: Back Street Girls Anime & Manga Summary
- The Anime Ends at Chapter 56: The 10-episode anime adapts material loosely from the manga up to around Chapter 56, making this the correct starting point for those wanting to continue the story.
- The Manga is Complete at Chapter 144: The original manga by Jasmine Gyuh finished in September 2018 with 144 chapters, offering a full narrative far beyond what the anime covered.
- Anime and Manga Endings Are Different: The anime has an abrupt “Sudden Downer Ending,” while the manga has a more developed, thematically consistent conclusion where the Gokudolls never escape their fate.
- A Season 2 is Highly Unlikely: Due to the manga’s completion and the promotional nature of the first season, there have been no plans or announcements for a sequel, making the manga the only way to experience the full story.
- The Manga Offers More Content: The anime skips a significant number of gags and subplots for the sake of brevity. Reading the manga from the beginning is often recommended for the complete comedic experience.
- The Story is a Satirical Gag Comedy: The core of the series is its satirical take on yakuza and idol culture, with dark humor and an absurd premise being central to its identity.
- Multiple Adaptations Exist: In addition to the anime, the series was also adapted into a live-action film and a short television series, each offering a unique take on the source material.
Final Thoughts on Back Street Girls
Navigating the world of anime adaptations can be confusing, but for Back Street Girls: Gokudolls, the path forward is clear. While the anime provides a hilarious introduction to the tragic plight of the Gokudolls, it only scratches the surface of the full story. The definitive, complete, and arguably funnier experience lies within the 144 chapters of Jasmine Gyuh’s original manga.
To witness the true conclusion of their story and enjoy nearly 90 chapters of unadapted comedic chaos, reading the manga is essential. By starting at Chapter 56, you can directly continue the narrative and discover the ultimate fate of Airi, Mari, and Chika.
