Wondering where to go after the Clockwork Planet anime’s abrupt ending? You’re not alone. Many viewers are left searching for the continuation of the story, trying to figure out exactly where the anime leaves off in the light novel series.
The 12-episode Clockwork Planet anime, which aired in 2017, adapts the source material up to the conclusion of Volume 4 of the light novel series. To continue the story without missing any plot, you must start reading from the beginning of Volume 5. The anime’s finale covers the climax of the fourth book.
Based on a detailed analysis of the anime adaptation and the canonical source material from the official English light novel releases, this guide provides the definitive answer. You will discover exactly how faithful the anime is to the novels, where to start reading, and the current status of the series as of 2026.
Key Facts
- Anime Endpoint: The anime adapts the light novel series up to the end of Volume 4, concluding with the ‘Anchor’ story arc.
- Reading Start Point: To continue the story with entirely new content, you must begin reading from Volume 5 of the light novel.
- Series Status: The light novel is on an indefinite hiatus, with no new volumes released since December 2015, leaving the overall story unfinished.
- Manga Adaptation: The completed manga also only adapts the first four light novels and does not provide a story continuation beyond the anime.
- Season 2 Likelihood: A second anime season is extremely unlikely because there is no further source material to adapt.
Where Does the Clockwork Planet Anime End in the Light Novel?
The 12-episode Clockwork Planet anime concludes by adapting the story up to the end of Volume 4 of the light novel series. This means the final confrontation with the military automaton ‘Anchor’, which serves as the climax for the anime, is also the conclusion of the fourth book. To continue the story after the anime, you should start reading from Volume 5.
This verified information establishes a clear demarcation point for fans looking to transition from the visual adaptation to the source material. The anime production committee covered the major plot points of the first four light novels, packaging them into a single 12-episode season. The story arc involving the journey to multiple Grids and the ultimate battle against the Breguet family’s rogue weapon is fully contained within these initial volumes and the anime series.
Because the anime covers these arcs completely, jumping straight to Volume 5 ensures you will not be re-reading events you have already watched. You will be stepping directly into the next phase of the story that has not yet been animated, picking up immediately where Naoto, RyuZU, and Marie’s adventure left off.
How Faithfully Does the Anime Adapt the First Four Light Novel Volumes?
The Clockwork Planet anime follows the main story of the light novels but omits key details due to its fast pacing. While it is largely a faithful adaptation of the core plot, it significantly condenses or removes character inner monologues, detailed technical explanations of the clockwork world, and some minor character-building scenes.
From our analysis of both mediums, the primary difference is depth. The light novels provide extensive inner thoughts from Naoto Miura, offering deep dives into his obsession with gears and his analytical process. Likewise, Marie Bell Breguet’s political struggles and technical genius are explored with more nuance. The anime, to fit four volumes into 12 episodes, focuses on action and major plot progression, leading to a loss of this detailed world-building and character introspection.
The following table breaks down how each light novel volume corresponds to the anime episodes, highlighting the adaptation’s focus.
| Light Novel Volume | Corresponding Anime Episodes | Key Story Arcs Covered & Adaptation Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Volume 1 | Episodes 1-4 | Introduction of Naoto and RyuZU, the Kyoto Grid purge. Pacing is relatively faithful but trims some of Naoto’s initial technical obsession. |
| Volume 2 | Episodes 5-7 | Journey to the Mie Grid, introduction of Halter, and the first major group conflict. Some of Marie’s political struggles are simplified. |
| Volume 3 | Episodes 8-10 | The Akihabara Grid incident and deeper dives into the Breguet family’s secrets. Character backstories are condensed. |
| Volume 4 | Episodes 11-12 | The final confrontation with the military automaton ‘Anchor’. The climax is rushed, and the resolution feels abrupt compared to the novel. |
Where Should You Start Reading the Clockwork Planet Light Novel After the Anime?
The recommended starting point for the Clockwork Planet light novel after finishing the anime is Volume 5. The anime’s 12th episode concludes the story arc from Volume 4, making Volume 5 the direct continuation of the narrative. Starting here ensures you will not re-read plot points already covered by the show.
This approach is for viewers who were satisfied with the anime’s summary of events and are primarily interested in discovering what happens next. You will dive straight into new adventures and plot developments that were never animated, continuing the journey with the main cast.
Should You Start from Volume 1 or Jump Straight to Volume 5?
Based on the adaptation differences, you have two main options for your reading journey:
- ✅ For the Complete Experience: Start with Volume 1. If you want to experience all the trimmed world-building, technical details, and character thoughts that the anime skipped, reading from the beginning is the best approach. This ensures you get the full, unabridged story as the authors intended.
- ✅ To Continue the Story Immediately: Start with Volume 5. If you are satisfied with the anime’s summary of events and simply want to know what happens next, you can safely begin with Volume 5. This volume picks up right after the defeat of ‘Anchor’ and will be entirely new content for you.
No products found.
Is the Clockwork Planet Light Novel Series Finished?
No, the Clockwork Planet light novel is not finished. The series has been on an indefinite hiatus since the release of Volume 4 in Japan in December 2015. While not officially cancelled, the authors, Yuu Kamiya and Tsubaki Himana, have not released a new installment in many years, leaving the story incomplete after the events of Volume 4.
This is a critical factor for any potential reader. The story does not have a conclusion. The anime adapted all of the source material that was available, which is the primary reason a Season 2 has never been produced. The co-author, Yuu Kamiya, is also the creator of No Game No Life, another series famous for its long breaks between volumes, and his focus has largely remained there.
The indefinite hiatus has been active for over a decade. Community consensus and publisher silence since 2015 suggest that while a continuation is not impossible, it is highly improbable in the foreseeable future. Therefore, if you start reading, you should be prepared for the story to end on a cliffhanger after Volume 4’s events.
FAQs About where does the clockwork planet anime end in the light novel
What Chapter Does the Clockwork Planet Anime End in the Manga?
The anime’s story concludes around Chapter 37 of the manga. However, the manga adaptation, which is complete, also only adapts the events of the four light novels and does not contain a unique or extended ending. It finished its serialization in 2018 after running out of source material.
Will There Be a Clockwork Planet Season 2?
It is extremely unlikely there will be a Season 2 of Clockwork Planet. The anime adapted all of the available light novel source material. With the light novel series on an indefinite hiatus since 2015, the production committee has no new story to adapt into a new season.
How Many Volumes of Clockwork Planet Light Novel Are There?
There are a total of four published volumes of the Clockwork Planet light novel. The first volume was released in 2013, and the fourth and final volume was released in December 2015. J-Novel Club has licensed and released all four volumes digitally in English, with physical editions available from Seven Seas Entertainment.
Is the Clockwork Planet Manga Finished?
Yes, the Clockwork Planet manga adaptation is finished. Illustrated by Kuro, it was serialized from 2013 to August 2018 and is collected into 10 tankōbon volumes. It covers the same story as the first four light novels and does not go beyond the anime’s ending.
Is Clockwork Planet Related to No Game No Life?
Yes, Clockwork Planet is co-written by Yuu Kamiya, the author and illustrator of No Game No Life. He wrote Clockwork Planet as a collaborative project with Tsubaki Himana. Many fans of No Game No Life explore Clockwork Planet due to the shared author.
Where Can I Read the Clockwork Planet Light Novel Legally in English?
You can read the official English translation of the light novel digitally via J-Novel Club. Seven Seas Entertainment has also published physical print editions of J-Novel Club’s translations, which are available from major booksellers. Reading official releases supports the creators and the industry.
What is the Genre of Clockwork Planet?
The primary genres of Clockwork Planet are action, clockpunk, and fantasy. Clockpunk is a subgenre of steampunk that focuses specifically on clockwork-based technology rather than steam power. The story is set in a post-apocalyptic world rebuilt entirely with gears.
Who are the Main Characters in Clockwork Planet?
The core group consists of five main characters. They are Naoto Miura, a machine-obsessed high school dropout; RyuZU, an ancient automaton he repairs; Marie Bell Breguet, a prodigy clock technician; Vainney Halter, Marie’s loyal cyborg bodyguard; and AnchoR, another automaton discovered later in the series.
Does the Light Novel Have a Different Ending Than the Anime?
No, because the anime adapts all currently available light novel content. The anime ends at the same point the light novel series has been paused: the end of Volume 4. Neither medium currently offers a definitive conclusion to the overarching story.
Is Clockwork Planet Worth Reading if it’s Unfinished?
This depends on your tolerance for incomplete stories. The four volumes tell a self-contained major arc with a satisfying climax, but they also leave larger plot threads unresolved. Many readers enjoy the unique world-building and character dynamics enough to find it worthwhile, despite the hiatus.
Final Thoughts on Clockwork Planet
Navigating the transition from an anime to its source material can be confusing, but for Clockwork Planet, the path is clear. You now have the precise information to decide how to continue your journey through its gear-based world, armed with the knowledge of both the anime’s limits and the light novel’s current status.
Here is a summary of the most critical points to remember:
- ⭐ Anime Endpoint: The Clockwork Planet anime definitively ends after adapting the events of Light Novel Volume 4.
- ⭐ Reading Start Point: To continue the story with new content, you must start reading from Volume 5.
- ⭐ Incomplete Series: The light novel series is on an indefinite hiatus and is considered unfinished, with only four volumes published as of 2026.
- ⭐ Adaptation Fidelity: The anime is a rushed but plot-faithful adaptation that cuts significant world-building and character thought-processes found in the novels.
- ⭐ No Season 2 Expected: Due to the lack of source material, a second season of the anime is highly improbable.
Whether you choose to dive into the novels from Volume 1 for the full experience or accept the series as a fascinating but incomplete tale, you can now make an informed choice. The world of Clockwork Planet is rich and imaginative, and the story told within its four volumes offers a unique adventure, even if its final chapter remains unwritten.
Last update on 2026-02-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
