Finished with the Golden Kamuy anime and desperate to know what happens next? You’re in the right place. Many fans get to the end of a season and need to jump straight into the source material.
For anime viewers who have finished all of Golden Kamuy Season 4, the recommended starting point for the manga is Chapter 270. The anime’s fourth season concludes its adaptation with the events of manga chapter 269, making chapter 270 the direct continuation of the main storyline.
This guide, based on a detailed analysis of the anime and the finished manga, provides the exact chapter-by-chapter breakdown. You will discover the precise starting points after every season, understand what the anime missed, and learn about the upcoming conclusion to the anime series.
Key Facts
- Direct Starting Point: After finishing Season 4 of the anime, you should begin reading the manga from Chapter 270 to continue the story seamlessly.
- Manga is Complete: The Golden Kamuy manga is finished, consisting of 314 chapters collected into 31 volumes, ensuring you can read the entire saga without waiting.
- Final Anime Adaptation Confirmed: The remainder of the manga will be adapted into a new anime installment titled “Golden Kamuy: The Final Chapter,” which will cover the story’s concluding arc.
- Anime Skips Content: For pacing, the anime adaptation cuts or condenses minor comedic scenes and detailed cultural notes, which is a key reason many fans suggest reading from Chapter 1.
- Praised for Historical Accuracy: The source material is highly regarded for its deep research and respectful portrayal of Ainu culture and the historical Meiji era in Hokkaido.
Where does the golden kamuy anime leave off in the manga?
The Golden Kamuy anime’s fourth season adapts the manga up to chapter 269. To continue the story without missing any content, you should start reading from chapter 270. This chapter marks the beginning of the final major story arc, propelling the characters toward the ultimate climax of their treasure hunt.
This anime-to-manga transition is straightforward because the source material, the Golden Kamuy manga, is complete. The entire narrative, written and illustrated by Satoru Noda, concludes at Chapter 314. By starting at Chapter 270, you are picking up exactly where the anime producers left off, ensuring a smooth continuation of Saichi Sugimoto and Asirpa’s journey. Jumping in at this point allows you to experience the story’s finale as the author originally intended, well ahead of the anime’s final release.
What Manga Chapters Does Each Golden Kamuy Anime Season Cover? (The Definitive Guide)
Each season of the Golden Kamuy anime covers a significant but specific range of manga chapters, adapting several key story arcs at a time. Understanding these endpoints is crucial for fans who want to jump into the manga from any point in the series. The anime has remained largely faithful to the major plot points of the source material, making the transition from screen to page relatively simple.
This definitive guide provides a clear and accurate mapping of each anime season to its corresponding manga chapters. The table below breaks down the main story arcs covered, the final chapter adapted in each season, and the exact chapter you should start reading to continue the story without overlap or spoilers. It’s the most reliable reference for any fan making the switch.
| Anime Season | Final Episode of Season | Main Story Arcs Covered | Corresponding Manga Chapters | Recommended Starting Chapter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | Episode 12 | Introduction, Otaru, Sapporo, Barato | Chapters 1 – 62 | Chapter 63 |
| Season 2 | Episode 24 | Edogai, Abashiri Prison | Chapters 63 – 139 | Chapter 140 |
| Season 3 | Episode 36 | Karafuto, Immortal Sugimoto Harakiri | Chapters 140 – 200 | Chapter 201 |
| Season 4 | Episode 49 | The Hijikata Gang, Abashiri Portraits | Chapters 201 – 269 | Chapter 270 |
Why Should You Consider Reading the Golden Kamuy Manga From Chapter 1?
You should consider reading the Golden Kamuy manga from the beginning because the anime cuts minor plot points, character interactions, and comedic gags for time. While the anime adaptation does a fantastic job of capturing the main story, the manga provides a more complete and nuanced understanding of Satoru Noda’s original vision. Starting from Chapter 1 is highly recommended by veteran fans for several key reasons.
From our practical experience comparing both mediums, the benefits of a full read-through become clear. You gain access to content that simply couldn’t fit into the anime’s runtime.
- ✅ More Consistent Pacing: The manga allows the story to breathe, giving more weight to quiet character moments and building tension more gradually. The anime, due to episode constraints, sometimes has to move at a faster pace.
- ✅ Uncut Content and Humor: Many of the series’ beloved comedic scenes, side conversations, and smaller character interactions were trimmed or removed entirely from the anime. Reading the manga ensures you experience every joke and moment as intended.
- ✅ Detailed Author’s Notes: Satoru Noda included extensive notes throughout the manga, offering fascinating insights into Ainu culture, historical details of the Meiji era, military equipment, and wildlife. These notes significantly enrich the world-building and are almost entirely absent from the anime.
- ✅ Nuanced Artwork: Noda’s detailed art style captures facial expressions and graphic action with a level of nuance that animation can sometimes miss. The raw detail in the manga panels often adds another layer to the storytelling.
What Is the Status of the Golden Kamuy: The Final Chapter Anime?
Yes, the Golden Kamuy anime will continue with a final installment titled “Golden Kamuy: The Final Chapter.” This was officially announced after the conclusion of Season 4, confirming that the entire manga will be adapted. This new production is expected to cover the rest of the manga’s story, which runs from Chapter 270 to the finale, Chapter 314.
Based on industry news and publisher announcements, this final adaptation will serve as the definitive conclusion to the anime series, rather than being labeled as “Season 5.” It will adapt the manga’s final, climactic arc, bringing the long hunt for the Ainu gold to its dramatic end.
As of February 2026, no official release date for “Golden Kamuy: The Final Chapter” has been confirmed. Fans waiting to see the conclusion animated will need to keep an eye out for future announcements from the production committee. Until then, the only way to experience the story’s ending is by reading the completed manga.
FAQs About where does the golden kamuy anime leave off in the manga
What chapter does Golden Kamuy Season 4 end on?
Golden Kamuy Season 4 ends its adaptation with the events of manga Chapter 269. This is why the recommended starting point to continue the story is Chapter 270, which begins the final major arc of the series.
Is the Golden Kamuy manga finished?
Yes, the Golden Kamuy manga is completely finished. The final chapter, Chapter 314, was released in April 2022. The entire story by Satoru Noda is collected into 31 volumes (tankobon), so readers can experience the complete narrative from beginning to end without waiting for new releases.
How many chapters are in the Golden Kamuy manga?
The Golden Kamuy manga has a total of 314 chapters. This comprehensive story explores the entire treasure hunt for the Ainu gold, providing a definitive conclusion for all the main characters and plotlines introduced throughout the series.
Does the Golden Kamuy anime skip a lot of manga content?
The anime does not skip major plot-critical arcs, but it does condense or cut minor scenes for pacing. These often include smaller comedic interactions, extended character moments, and detailed historical or cultural explanations provided in the manga’s author notes. This is a primary reason why many fans recommend reading the manga from the beginning for the full experience.
Why did the animation studio for Golden Kamuy change?
Golden Kamuy’s animation was handled by Geno Studio for Seasons 1-3, and it switched to Brain’s Base for Season 4. While no single official reason was given for the change, studio switches in the anime industry are common and can be due to scheduling conflicts, production capacity, or strategic decisions by the production committee.
What is the “Final Arc” of Golden Kamuy?
The “Final Arc” refers to the last major storyline in the manga, which runs from Chapter 270 to Chapter 314. This arc focuses on the final confrontation between all factions—Sugimoto’s group, the 7th Division, and Hijikata’s forces—as they close in on the location of the Ainu gold. The upcoming “Golden Kamuy: The Final Chapter” anime will adapt this arc.
Is Golden Kamuy historically accurate?
Golden Kamuy is highly praised for its historical accuracy regarding the setting, Ainu culture, and military technology. While the treasure hunt is fictional, creator Satoru Noda conducted extensive research on the Meiji era, the Russo-Japanese War, and Ainu traditions, even working with an Ainu language consultant. The manga provides a detailed and respectful depiction of this historical period.
Do I need to watch the OVAs to understand the story?
The Original Video Animations (OVAs) are generally not essential for understanding the main plot, but they adapt side stories from the manga that fans enjoy. They often focus on comedic events or provide background for supporting characters. While they enrich the world, you can follow the core narrative perfectly without them.
What chapter does the Abashiri Prison arc end?
The Abashiri Prison arc, which is a major climax in the story, concludes in manga Chapter 139. This corresponds to the ending of Season 2 of the anime, setting the stage for the journey to Karafuto in Season 3.
Where can I legally read the Golden Kamuy manga?
The official English release of the Golden Kamuy manga is licensed by Viz Media. You can read it digitally through the Viz Manga app or the Shonen Jump app (depending on your region), or you can purchase the physical volumes from bookstores and online retailers. Supporting the official release helps the original creator.
Key Takeaways: Golden Kamuy Anime to Manga Guide
- The Direct Answer: To continue the story after Season 4, start reading the Golden Kamuy manga from Chapter 270. Season 4 adapts the source material up to Chapter 269.
- The Manga is Complete: The manga finished in April 2022 with Chapter 314, collected in 31 volumes. This means you can read the entire, completed story without interruption.
- A Full Read is Recommended: The anime cuts minor comedic scenes and detailed cultural explanations for pacing. Reading from Chapter 1 offers a richer, more nuanced experience that is faithful to the creator’s vision.
- The Anime Will Conclude: The rest of the manga (Chapters 270-314) will be adapted in a new installment titled “Golden Kamuy: The Final Chapter,” ensuring the full story gets animated.
- Each Season Has a Clear Endpoint: Season 1 ends at Chapter 62, Season 2 at Chapter 139, Season 3 at Chapter 200, and Season 4 at Chapter 269, making it easy to jump in at any point.
- Source Material is King for Detail: The manga is the definitive canon source, praised for its historical accuracy, detailed art, and respectful depiction of Ainu culture, offering more depth than the anime can cover.
Final Thoughts on Starting the Golden Kamuy Manga
Navigating the transition from the Golden Kamuy anime to the manga is a rewarding step for any fan invested in this epic adventure. Whether you choose to jump straight into the action at Chapter 270 or embark on a full read-through from Chapter 1, you are guaranteed a richer, more detailed experience. The manga offers the complete, unfiltered vision of Satoru Noda’s masterpiece.
By reading the source material, you not only get to experience the story’s thrilling conclusion ahead of the anime, but you also gain a deeper appreciation for the world and its characters. You have all the information you need to continue the hunt for the Ainu gold. The only question left is, which path will you take?
