Wondering where the Drifters anime leaves off in the manga? You’ve finished the brutal, action-packed series and are left hanging, needing to know what happens next to Toyohisa and the others. You’re in the right place.
To continue the Drifters story after finishing the 12-episode anime series, you should start reading the manga from Chapter 45. This is the widely accepted starting point within the fan community, as the anime’s final episode corresponds to the events at the end of manga Chapter 44.
Based on extensive analysis of fan communities and authoritative guides, this post provides the definitive answer. We’ll clarify the different starting points for TV-only viewers versus those who’ve seen the OVAs. You will learn exactly where to begin reading to seamlessly continue the saga.
Key Facts
- TV Series End Point: The 12-episode anime series adapts the manga up to the end of Chapter 44, making Chapter 45 the correct starting point for TV-only viewers.
- OVA Continuation: The three subsequent Original Video Animation (OVA) episodes are canon and continue the story, adapting the manga up to approximately Chapter 55.
- Post-OVA Starting Point: If you have watched both the TV series and all three OVAs, the recommended starting point is Chapter 56 to avoid re-reading content.
- Adaptation Faithfulness: The Drifters anime is considered a very faithful adaptation of the manga, with no major plot points or characters being skipped.
- Manga Status: The Drifters manga by Kouta Hirano is still ongoing, but it is known for an extremely slow release schedule, which is the primary reason a second season has not been produced.
Where Does the Drifters Anime Leave Off in the Manga?
The definitive starting point for the Drifters manga after watching the 12-episode TV series is Chapter 45. This is the consensus among fans on platforms like Reddit and MyAnimeList. The anime’s final episode concludes the narrative arc that aligns perfectly with the end of manga Chapter 44, making Chapter 45 the seamless entry point into the next phase of the story.
By starting at this chapter, you dive directly into new material without re-reading scenes you’ve already watched. This applies specifically to the main 12-episode television series that aired in 2016. However, it’s crucial to understand that this starting point changes if you have also seen the additional OVA episodes, as they adapt further into the manga’s timeline. This distinction is a common point of confusion that we will clarify next.
What is the Manga Starting Chapter After the Drifters TV Series vs. the OVAs?
A critical point of confusion for many fans is the difference between the TV series’ ending and the OVAs’ ending. The three OVA episodes [the direct-to-video animations released after the main series] are not filler; they are a direct continuation of the story and adapt significant portions of the manga. Therefore, your starting chapter depends entirely on what you have watched.
Based on our analysis, here is a clear breakdown to eliminate any guesswork. This ensures you jump into the manga at the exact right spot.
| Watch History | Recommended Manga Starting Chapter | Corresponding Manga Volume (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Finished 12-Episode TV Series ONLY | Chapter 45 | Volume 5 |
| Finished TV Series + All 3 OVAs | Chapter 56 | Volume 6 |
In practice, this means the OVAs cover the events from Chapter 45 through Chapter 55. While some community discussions mention Chapter 52 as the OVA endpoint, starting at Chapter 56 is the safest and most recommended approach. This guarantees you won’t miss any minor details or the setup for the next major arc, providing a smooth transition from the animated content to the source material.
What Happens in the Manga Where the Anime Leaves Off?
Starting from Chapter 45, titled “What ’bout my star?”, the Drifters manga immediately escalates the strategic conflict and expands the world’s political landscape. Without revealing major spoilers, this next arc shifts focus from initial skirmishes to the larger war effort. You’ll see the Octobrist Organization [the group of magicians aiding the Drifters] making more decisive moves against the Ends.
The story delves deeper into:
* Nation-Building: Toyohisa and his allies focus on consolidating their power, training their army of elves and dwarves, and establishing a functional state.
* Political Maneuvering: The conflict becomes less about pure brute force and more about alliances, intelligence gathering, and countering the Black King’s influence.
* Recruitment of New Figures: The search for and introduction of new Drifters and Ends from different historical periods continues, adding fresh dynamics to the battlefield.
This arc demonstrates Kouta Hirano’s skill in blending high-octane action with complex military strategy. The Black King’s forces are not idle; they begin preparations for a massive, terrifying offensive that raises the stakes for the entire world. In essence, Chapter 45 is where the small-scale rebellion you saw in the anime begins to transform into a full-fledged world war.
How Faithful is the Drifters Anime to the Manga?
The Drifters anime is widely considered a highly faithful adaptation of Kouta Hirano’s manga. From years of working with anime-to-manga transitions, it’s clear when an adaptation takes liberties, but that is not the case here. The anime follows the plot, character introductions, and major story beats with remarkable accuracy. You can confidently start reading at the recommended chapters without fearing you’ve missed crucial information.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how the anime compares to the source material:
- ✅ Plot and Story: The anime follows the manga’s main storyline almost panel-for-panel. There are no significant plot deviations or filler episodes.
- ✅ Characters: All major character arcs, motivations, and introductions are preserved from the manga.
- 🔄 Tone and Pacing: The core difference lies in the medium itself. Real-world experience shows that the manga’s comedic moments, often depicted in a chibi art style, have a different impact compared to the anime’s timed comedic scenes.
- 🔄 Art Style: Kouta Hirano’s distinctive, gritty art with heavy shadowing is translated well into animation, though some fans feel the manga’s static panels carry a unique grittiness that animation smooths over.
The bottom line is that the anime serves as an excellent and accurate introduction to the world of Drifters. The creators clearly respected the source material, ensuring viewers could transition to the manga without needing to start from the beginning.
Why Hasn’t Drifters Season 2 Been Released?
The single biggest reason a Drifters Season 2 has not been released is the lack of available source material from the manga. This is a common issue in the anime industry, where an adaptation catches up to its ongoing source material. As of 2026, the anime and OVAs have already adapted the content up through manga Volume 6.
The problem is compounded by the author, Kouta Hirano. He is famously known for his meticulous but incredibly slow production pace, a trait also seen during the serialization of his previous hit, Hellsing. New Drifters chapters are released sporadically, and a new collected volume only appears every two to three years. Without enough new chapters to form a cohesive 12-episode arc, the animation studio simply has nothing to adapt.
This means for the foreseeable future, the manga is the only way to continue the story. If you’re ready to see what happens next in the war against the Ends, picking up the manga is your best and only option.
FAQs About where does the drifters anime leave off in the manga
What chapter should I start the Drifters manga on?
Start the Drifters manga at Chapter 45 if you only watched the 12-episode TV series. If you have also watched the three OVAs, you should begin with Chapter 56 to continue the story where the animation leaves off.
Is the Drifters manga finished?
No, the Drifters manga is not finished and is still ongoing as of 2026. The series is known for its extremely slow release schedule, with new chapters being published infrequently and new volumes released every few years.
How many volumes of the Drifters manga are there?
As of late 2026, there are 7 published tankōbon volumes of the Drifters manga. The anime and OVAs cover the material up to approximately Volume 6, so the majority of the un-adapted content is found in Volume 7 and subsequent individual chapter releases.
Did the Drifters anime skip any manga content?
No, the Drifters anime is a very faithful adaptation and did not skip any major plot points from the manga. You can safely start reading from Chapter 45 (or 56 after the OVAs) without missing critical story information. The main differences are minor, related to pacing and artistic interpretation.
What manga volume contains Chapter 45 of Drifters?
Chapter 45 is the first chapter in Volume 5 of the Drifters manga. Therefore, if you are looking to purchase a physical copy to continue after the TV series, Volume 5 is the correct book to buy.
Why is there no Drifters Season 2?
The primary reason for the absence of a Drifters Season 2 is the lack of available source material from the manga. The author’s slow release pace means there isn’t enough new content to adapt into a full anime season yet.
Are the Drifters OVAs important to the story?
Yes, the three Drifters OVA episodes are canon and directly continue the main story from where the TV series ended. They adapt roughly 11 more chapters of the manga (from Chapter 45 to 55) and are essential viewing for the most complete anime experience.
Who is the author of Drifters?
The author and illustrator of Drifters is Kouta Hirano. He is a renowned manga artist, also famous for creating the popular dark fantasy series Hellsing, which shares a similar gritty art style and tone.
What is the difference between the Drifters and the Ends?
The Drifters are historical heroes summoned to the new world to fight for its protection. The Ends are also historical figures, but they are those who died with deep-seated grievances and now seek the world’s destruction, commanding an army of monsters.
Can I just wait for Drifters Season 2 instead of reading the manga?
While a second season is not officially canceled, it is highly unlikely to be produced anytime soon due to the manga’s slow progress. If you want to continue the story, reading the manga is the only viable option for the foreseeable future.
Key Takeaways: Drifters Anime to Manga Guide
- TV Series Starting Point: For those who have only seen the 12-episode TV show, the story continues from Manga Chapter 45.
- OVA Starting Point: If you’ve seen the TV series and the three OVAs, you must start further ahead at Manga Chapter 56 to avoid re-reading content.
- Anime Faithfulness: The anime is extremely faithful to the manga’s plot. You will not miss major story elements by starting at the recommended chapters.
- Season 2 Is Unlikely: A second season has not been made due to the manga’s very slow release schedule. There simply isn’t enough source material to adapt.
- Manga Is Ongoing: The manga by Kouta Hirano is not finished. Reading the manga is the only way to get new Drifters content for the foreseeable future.
- OVAs Are Canon: The three OVA episodes are not filler; they are a direct continuation of the main story and adapt crucial chapters between the TV series and the current manga.
Final Thoughts on Continuing the Drifters Saga
Navigating from an anime to its source material should be a straightforward process, and now you have a clear roadmap for continuing the Drifters saga. By distinguishing between the TV series endpoint (Chapter 45) and the more complete OVA endpoint (Chapter 56), you can dive into Kouta Hirano’s work with confidence, knowing you’re picking up exactly where you left off.
Given the uncertainty surrounding a potential second season, the manga remains the definitive and only way to experience the unfolding war between the Drifters and the Ends. The story only gets more intense, strategic, and brutal from here. Happy reading
Last update on 2026-02-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
