Wondering where the Grand Blue anime leaves off in the manga? You’ve finished the hilarious first season and are ready to dive into the source material. You just need to know the exact chapter to avoid repeating the story.
To continue the story right after watching the first season of the Grand Blue anime, you should start reading from Chapter 22 of the manga. The anime’s final episode adapts material up to the end of Chapter 21, making Chapter 22 the direct continuation of the main plotline.
Based on an analysis of community consensus and the manga’s volume structure, this guide provides the precise starting points for your reading journey. You’ll discover not only where to start but also why many fans suggest reading from the beginning, plus the latest news on future anime seasons.
Key Facts
- Season 1 Endpoint: The first season of the anime concludes its main story by adapting the events of Chapter 21, which is the final chapter in Volume 5 of the manga.
- Recommended Start: While you can start at Chapter 22, community consensus strongly suggests reading from Chapter 1 to experience jokes and visual gags that were cut from the anime.
- Season 2 Exists: After a six-year wait, a second season of the Grand Blue anime was officially announced and began airing in 2026.
- Season 3 is Confirmed: Shortly after Season 2 concluded, a third season was officially confirmed to be in production, with the story set to take place in Palau.
- The Manga is Ongoing: The manga is far ahead of the anime, with new chapters released monthly, offering a huge amount of story content for fans to explore.
What Chapter Does the Grand Blue Anime Leave Off in the Manga?
The Grand Blue anime’s first season concludes its main storyline at the end of Chapter 21 of the manga. This means to continue the story right where the anime’s finale ends, you should start reading from Chapter 22. This chapter marks the beginning of Volume 6 of the collected manga.
Based on extensive analysis of fan communities on platforms like Reddit and the Grand Blue Fandom Wiki, Chapter 22 is the universally agreed-upon starting point. The final episode of the anime (Episode 12) covers the events of the Izu University Festival from Chapter 21. Starting with the next chapter ensures you pick up the narrative seamlessly without missing any core plot developments.
Start Reading Here:
* Chapter: Chapter 22
* Volume: Volume 6
However, before you jump straight to Chapter 22, you should know about the differences between the anime and manga. The adaptation, while excellent, isn’t a 1:1 recreation, which leads many experienced fans to offer different advice.
Why Do Most Fans Recommend Starting the Manga from Chapter 1?
Fans strongly recommend reading the Grand Blue manga from Chapter 1 because the anime, while a good adaptation, cuts minor jokes and can’t fully replicate the comedic timing of the manga’s panel-by-panel art. The source material’s detailed facial expressions and background gags offer a richer experience, making a full reread worthwhile even for familiar story arcs. The original work by Kenji Inoue and Kimitake Yoshioka is often seen as the definitive version of the comedy.
Here are the key reasons why a full reread from the beginning is the most popular recommendation:
- Superior Visual Comedy: The manga’s artist, Kimitake Yoshioka, is a master of grotesque and hilarious reaction faces. The static nature of manga panels allows these expressions to linger, enhancing the comedic impact in a way fast-paced animation sometimes cannot.
- Un-adapted Jokes and Gags: To fit the story into a 12-episode season, the anime had to trim some of the fat. This means entire minor gags, background character shenanigans, and small comedic exchanges were left on the cutting room floor.
- Perfected Comedic Pacing: In a gag manga, the timing of a joke is everything. The page turn, the panel layout, and the space between dialogue bubbles are all tools the author uses to control the comedic rhythm. Reading the manga allows you to experience this pacing as the creators intended.
- Deeper Character Nuances: While the anime captures the characters’ personalities well, the manga provides additional small moments that add layers to their interactions and internal thoughts.
Ultimately, starting from Chapter 1 isn’t about re-reading the same story. It’s about experiencing a more complete and, as many argue, funnier version of it.
What Is the Anime-to-Manga Chapter Mapping for Season 1?
To help you understand exactly how the anime adapted the source material, here is a detailed breakdown mapping each episode of Season 1 to its corresponding manga chapters. This table clarifies the adaptation’s structure and shows where content was shifted or condensed. This is particularly useful for seeing how the non-linear storytelling was handled.
| Anime Episode (Season 1) | Corresponding Manga Chapters | Key Notes & Skipped Content |
|---|---|---|
| Episode 1 | Chapters 1-2 | A faithful adaptation of the introduction. |
| Episode 2 | Chapters 3-4 | Covers the first dive and the club introduction. |
| Episode 3 | Chapters 5-6 | The mixer and its disastrous aftermath. |
| Episode 4 | Chapter 7 and parts of 8 | The men’s beauty pageant. Some jokes slightly altered. |
| Episode 5 | Chapters 9-10 | Double date setup. Pacing is faster than the manga. |
| Episode 6 | Chapter 11 and parts of 12 | Focuses on the diving test. |
| Episode 7 | Chapters 13-14 | The Okinawa trip begins. |
| Episode 8 | Chapters 15-16 | Continues the Okinawa arc. |
| Episode 9 | Chapter 17 and Chapter 21.5 | Non-Linear Adaptation: The “.5” chapter is adapted early. |
| Episode 10 | Chapters 18-19 | The end of the Okinawa trip and return to Izu. |
| Episode 11 | Chapter 20 | The university festival concert setup. |
| Episode 12 | Chapter 21 | End of the Anime: Concludes with the festival itself. |
What Is the Status of Grand Blue Season 2 and Season 3?
Yes, Grand Blue Season 2 was officially announced and began airing in July 2026, six years after the first season. Furthermore, a third season was announced to be in production immediately following the conclusion of Season 2. The story for Season 3 will take place in Palau. This news, confirmed on the official anime website and by industry sources like Crunchyroll News, has been a massive relief for fans who waited years for a continuation.
The animation for the new seasons is being handled by studios Zero-G and Liber, with director Shinji Takamatsu returning to helm the project, ensuring the comedic spirit remains intact.
What Manga Chapters Does Grand Blue Season 2 Cover?
Grand Blue Season 2 covers manga chapters from approximately Chapter 22 to Chapter 45. However, the adaptation skipped some content, most notably all of Chapter 31. To continue after Season 2, readers should start with Chapter 46 but are encouraged to go back and read the skipped content.
Here is a clear breakdown for viewers who have finished the second season:
- Season 2 Start: The season picks up right where Season 1 left off, beginning with the content from Chapter 22.
- Season 2 End: The main plot of Season 2 concludes around Chapter 45.
- Continuation Point: To continue the story after Season 2, you should start reading at Chapter 46.
- Skipped Content: The anime adaptation notably skipped all of Chapter 31. This is a hilarious fan-favorite chapter that introduces Ushio Nomia, an engineering professor. It is highly recommended to go back and read this chapter so you don’t miss out.
Where Can You Officially Read the Grand Blue Manga?
You can officially read the Grand Blue manga through several platforms licensed by Kodansha USA. Supporting the official release is the best way to show your appreciation for the creators and help encourage future projects. The series is widely available in both digital and physical formats.
Here are the best places to read the manga legally:
- Digital Platforms: For instant access on your tablet, phone, or computer, you can purchase digital volumes or individual chapters from services like Amazon Kindle, ComiXology, and BookWalker.
- Physical Volumes: If you prefer a physical copy, major book retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble carry the officially translated paperback volumes. You can find them in-store or order them online.
- Publisher’s Site: Kodansha’s official website often provides links and information on where to purchase their titles.
FAQs About where does the grand blue anime leave off in the manga
How many chapters did Grand Blue Season 1 cover?
The first season of the Grand Blue anime covered the first 21 chapters of the manga. This spans across the first five volumes of the collected manga. However, it adapted some bonus content, like Chapter 21.5, out of chronological order.
Did the Grand Blue anime skip any manga chapters?
Yes, while Season 1 was mostly faithful, Season 2 skipped some content, most notably all of Chapter 31. This chapter, which introduces a professor, is a fan-favorite comedy chapter that anime-only viewers missed. For this reason, many fans recommend reading the manga to get the full story.
Is the Grand Blue manga finished?
No, the Grand Blue Dreaming manga is still ongoing. New chapters are released on a monthly schedule in Kodansha’s good! Afternoon magazine. This means there is a significant amount of story content available beyond where the anime has covered.
What is the manga’s release schedule?
Grand Blue is a monthly manga series. A new chapter typically releases in Japan around the 5th to the 7th of each month. The official English translation by Kodansha usually follows a few weeks or months later on digital platforms.
Is there a difference in the comedy between the anime and manga?
Yes, many fans feel the comedy is stronger in the manga. The manga’s static panels allow for more detailed and grotesque facial expressions, and the pacing of jokes can be controlled by the reader. The anime, while hilarious, had to condense some gags for runtime.
What chapter does Grand Blue Volume 5 end with?
Volume 5 of the manga contains chapters 18 through 21. This aligns perfectly with the end of the anime’s first season, which concludes by adapting Chapter 21. Therefore, if you own the physical volumes, you would need to buy Volume 6 to continue the story.
Will the anime cover the Palau arc?
Yes, Season 3 of the anime will be set in Palau. This was officially confirmed after the Season 2 finale and will mark the first time the anime’s story is set outside of Japan.
Who animated the Grand Blue anime?
The first season of Grand Blue Dreaming was animated by studio Zero-G. For Season 2, Zero-G collaborated with the studio Liber. Director Shinji Takamatsu, known for other comedy anime, was heavily involved in both seasons.
How far ahead is the manga compared to the anime?
The manga is significantly ahead of the anime. With Season 2 ending around Chapter 45 and the manga having over 90 chapters published, there is more than double the amount of content for anime fans to read.
Do Iori and Chisa end up together in the manga?
As of the current chapters, Iori and Chisa are not officially a couple, but their relationship is a central and slowly developing plot point. The manga continues to explore their dynamic with plenty of “will they, won’t they” moments that are a major draw for readers continuing past the anime.
Key Takeaways: Grand Blue Anime to Manga Guide
- Season 1 Start Point: To continue directly after the first anime season (2018), begin reading the manga at Chapter 22, which is the start of Volume 6.
- Season 2 Start Point: For those who have finished Season 2 (2026), the story continues from Chapter 46, as the anime concluded around Chapter 45.
- Reading from the Start is Recommended: Due to cut jokes, altered pacing, and superior visual comedy in the manga’s panel art, most fans strongly advise starting from Chapter 1 for the complete experience.
- The Anime Will Continue: Grand Blue is not over. Season 2 was officially released in 2026, and Season 3 has already been confirmed to be in production, set to take place in Palau.
- The Manga is Far Ahead: The manga is an ongoing monthly series and is significantly ahead of the anime adaptation, offering a vast amount of story, character development, and comedy for fans to enjoy.
- Content Was Skipped: Viewers of the anime should be aware that Season 2 completely skipped Chapter 31, a comedic chapter introducing a key character, making it essential reading for a complete understanding.
- Official Reading is Easy: The manga is officially published in English by Kodansha and is readily available on digital platforms like Amazon Kindle and ComiXology, as well as in physical volumes.
Final Thoughts on Continuing the Grand Blue Story
Whether you choose to jump straight to Chapter 22 to continue the plot or decide to start from Chapter 1 for the full comedic experience, transitioning to the Grand Blue Dreaming manga is a fantastic decision for any fan of the anime. The manga offers a more complete, arguably funnier, and significantly more expansive version of the story you love. With future anime seasons confirmed, there has never been a better time to dive into the source material and get ahead of the story. You have all the information you need to continue your hilarious journey with the Izu University Diving Club.
Last update on 2026-01-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
