Finished the Chained Soldier anime and wondering where to pick up the manga? You’ve likely seen conflicting advice online, making it hard to find the right starting point. This confusion can spoil the transition from screen to page.
For a direct continuation of the story after the Chained Soldier anime, you should start reading the manga from Chapter 44. This chapter covers the very end of the final battle shown in the anime’s finale. Reading it provides the necessary context for Chapter 45, which begins the next major story arc.
Based on a detailed analysis of the anime adaptation versus the source material, this guide provides the definitive answer. We will explain exactly why there is confusion and give you a clear path forward. You will learn the best starting chapter for your specific needs and how to access the manga officially.
Key Facts
- Definitive Starting Point: For a seamless transition, community consensus and direct analysis confirm that starting at Chapter 44 is the best choice.
- Reason for Confusion: The anime adapts 44 chapters into 12 episodes, leading to a fast pace and the rearranging of scenes from Chapters 44 and 45 into the finale to create a more conclusive ending.
- Next Story Arc: The story immediately enters the “Foreboding of a Storm” arc, which formally begins around Chapter 45 and introduces the Assembly of Commanders.
- Season 2 Confirmed: A second season of the anime was officially announced to air in January 2026, so waiting for the anime to continue is a viable option for viewers.
- Manga Status: The Chained Soldier manga, which began in 2019, is still ongoing, with new chapters released regularly on Shueisha’s Shōnen Jump+ service.
What Chapter Does the Chained Soldier Anime End in the Manga?
The first season of the Chained Soldier anime concludes by adapting the manga’s story up to the events of Chapter 44. For fans who want to jump directly from the anime to the manga without missing a beat, beginning with Chapter 44 is the most recommended and accurate starting point. This ensures you witness the end of the Unihorn Subjugation arc as intended and get the proper setup for the following storyline.
To give you the clearest picture, our experience in analyzing anime-to-manga transitions shows that there are often two valid starting points: one for a quick continuation and one for a more complete experience. Based on community consensus and a direct comparison, here is a breakdown to help you choose the best path for you.
| Recommendation | Starting Chapter | Volume | Rationale & Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quick Continuation | Chapter 44 | Volume 6 | Start here to see the end of the anime’s final battle and get the full context for the next arc. |
| Full Context Start | Chapter 24 | Volume 5 | Start here if you want to see content and character nuances that were cut or rearranged for the anime adaptation. |
Why Is There Confusion About The Anime’s Ending Chapter?
The main reason for confusion is the anime’s fast pacing and its decision to reorder scenes for a more satisfying television finale. The adaptation by studio Seven Arcs condenses a significant amount of source material into a short number of episodes. This creative choice leads to discrepancies between the anime’s ending and a clean chapter break in the manga.
The confusion over Chained Soldier’s end chapter exists because the anime condenses 44 manga chapters into 12 episodes, leading to a much faster pace. The anime also rearranges some scenes from the end of Chapter 44 and the beginning of Chapter 45 into its finale for a more conclusive ending. Furthermore, some minor character scenes and bonus chapters were cut entirely, causing slight differences in the narrative flow.
What Are The Main Reasons For The Chapter Discrepancy?
From our analysis of the adaptation, the chapter discrepancy boils down to a few key production decisions. These are common in the anime industry but often leave manga readers searching for the right starting point.
- Aggressive Pacing: The anime adapted roughly 3.67 manga chapters per episode. This is a faster-than-average pace which necessitated cutting some content to fit the 12-episode runtime.
- Reordered Scenes for a TV Finale: To create a more conclusive feeling for Episode 12, the anime studio pulled some moments from the beginning of Chapter 45 and placed them into the finale. This means if you start at Chapter 45, you’ll experience a slightly disjointed beginning to the next arc.
- Skipped Bonus Content: The manga includes several bonus chapters, often labeled as “.5” chapters. These contain side stories, gags, or extra ecchi scenes that were almost entirely cut from the anime to save time and focus on the main plot.
- Censorship and Tonal Shifts: The manga is notably more graphic with its violence and ecchi content. The anime adaptation toned down these elements for broadcast, which means some scenes, while telling the same story, have a different impact and visual presentation.
Should You Start Reading the Chained Soldier Manga From Chapter 1?
You should read Chained Soldier from Chapter 1 if you want the full, uncensored experience and enjoy seeing the minor details of character development. The manga includes more graphic details in its art, alongside bonus (.5) chapters and small character interactions that were cut from the anime for pacing and censorship reasons. However, the anime is faithful enough to the main plot that you will not be lost if you start later.
Deciding whether to do a full reread is a personal choice based on what you value most in a story. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide.
Reasons to Start from Chapter 1
- 🔥 Uncensored Content: Experience the story’s action and fan service in its original, more graphic form.
- 💬 Bonus Chapters: Enjoy the “.5” chapters that add extra character moments and world-building that the anime skipped.
- 🎨 Original Art and Pacing: Appreciate Youhei Takami’s original art style and the story’s intended pacing without the rush of a 12-episode adaptation.
- 👥 Deeper Character Nuances: Catch all the minor internal monologues and interactions that build a richer picture of the cast.
Reasons to Skip to Chapter 44
- ⏰ Save Time: If you’re eager to know what happens next, jumping straight to Chapter 44 is the most efficient way to continue the story.
- 📢 Plot Faithfulness: The anime adaptation is very faithful to the core plot events. You won’t miss any major story beats by skipping the first 43 chapters.
- 📹 Get Ahead of Season 2: Starting at Chapter 44 allows you to quickly get far ahead of the story that will be covered in the confirmed second season.
How Do You Continue the Chained Soldier Story After the Anime?
To continue the Chained Soldier story after the anime, you have two primary methods: reading digitally on official platforms or purchasing the physical manga volumes. Practical experience shows that using official sources is the best way to support the creators and get high-quality translations.
Here is a step-by-step guide to get you started:
- Read Digitally on Official Platforms: The easiest and often free way to read is through Shueisha’s official services. You can find Chained Soldier (titled Mato Seihei no Slave) on the Manga Plus or Shonen Jump+ app and website. These platforms typically offer the latest chapters for free.
- Purchase the Physical Volumes: For collectors, the physical manga is the way to go. The series is published in English by Yen Press. To continue the story, you will need to purchase Volume 6, which contains chapters 43 through 47, including the recommended starting point of Chapter 44.
Following these steps ensures you are reading the official release, which provides the best translation and art quality while directly supporting the author, Takahiro, and the artist, Youhei Takami.
FAQs About where does the chained soldier anime end in the manga
Will there be a Chained Soldier Season 2?
Yes, a second season of the Chained Soldier anime has been officially confirmed. The announcement was made shortly after the conclusion of the first season, indicating strong performance and a desire to continue the adaptation. The second season is confirmed to air in January 2026.
Is the Chained Soldier manga finished?
No, the Chained Soldier manga is still ongoing. The series began serialization in January 2019 on Shueisha’s Shōnen Jump+ platform and continues to release new chapters regularly, typically amounting to about three new volumes per year.
What story arc does the Chained Soldier anime end on?
The anime concludes during the “Unihorn Subjugation” arc. While it completes the main battle against the Unihorn Shuuki, the finale also introduces elements that lead directly into the next major storyline, the “Foreboding of a Storm” arc, which begins in earnest around chapter 45.
How many chapters did Season 1 of the anime cover?
Season 1 of the Chained Soldier anime, consisting of 12 episodes, adapted approximately 44 chapters of the manga. This resulted in a relatively fast adaptation pace of about 3.67 chapters per episode, which is why some minor scenes and content were condensed or cut.
Is the Chained Soldier anime a faithful adaptation of the manga?
For the main plot, yes, the anime is considered a faithful adaptation. It captures the core story events and character introductions accurately. However, it is less faithful in terms of tone, censoring some of the more graphic violence and ecchi content, and it also cuts bonus chapters and minor character moments for time.
Does the anime have a different ending than the manga?
No, the anime does not have a different or “anime-original” ending. Its ending corresponds directly to events in the manga, specifically the conclusion of the fight in Chapter 44. It sets up the next manga arc exactly as the source material does, without creating a divergent storyline.
What is the name of the arc right after the anime?
The story arc that begins immediately after the anime is titled “Foreboding of a Storm.” This arc officially kicks off around Chapter 45 and introduces the Assembly of Commanders, setting the stage for major new conflicts and character introductions.
Are the characters different in the manga compared to the anime?
The core personalities of the characters remain the same, but the manga provides more nuance. Some internal monologues and smaller interactions are trimmed in the anime. Additionally, the visual depiction of some characters and their abilities can be more detailed or graphic in the manga’s original art style.
What are the “.5” chapters and did the anime skip them?
The “.5” chapters are extra or bonus chapters that often contain side stories, gags, or additional character-focused ecchi scenes. The anime adaptation skipped most of these bonus chapters to maintain focus on the main plot and manage the fast pacing.
Is it okay to just watch the anime and wait for Season 2?
Yes, absolutely. The anime tells a complete story for its season and ends at a logical point. If you prefer the animated format, you can wait for the confirmed Season 2 to continue the story without feeling like you’ve stopped in the middle of a critical event.
Key Takeaways: Chained Soldier Anime to Manga Guide
Navigating the jump from anime to manga can be confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are the most important points to remember from this guide.
- The Quick Answer: To continue the story right after the anime, start reading the Chained Soldier manga at Chapter 44.
- The Reason for Confusion: The anime adapts 44 chapters into 12 episodes, resulting in a fast pace and some reordered scenes from the end of Chapter 44 and the start of 45 being included in the finale.
- Reading from Chapter 1 is Optional: The anime is faithful to the main plot, but reading from the beginning offers uncensored art, more graphic action, and skipped bonus (“.5”) chapters.
- Official Reading Sources: You can read the manga officially on Shueisha’s Manga Plus service or purchase the physical volumes in English from Yen Press.
- The Next Arc: The story immediately enters the “Foreboding of a Storm” arc after the events of the anime, introducing a meeting of the unit commanders.
- Season 2 is Confirmed: A second season of the anime has been officially announced and is scheduled for release in January 2026, so waiting for the anime to continue is a valid option.
Final Thoughts on Continuing the Chained Soldier Story
Whether you choose to jump straight into the action at Chapter 44, start over from the beginning for the full experience, or wait for the confirmed Season 2, you are now equipped to make the best decision for you. The transition from the Chained Soldier anime to its manga source material opens up a deeper, more detailed version of the world of Mato and the thrilling battles of the 7th Anti-Demon Corps. By understanding the adaptation differences, you can confidently continue your journey with Yuuki, Kyouka, and the rest of the squad without missing a single important moment. Happy reading
Last update on 2026-01-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
