Wondering what manga chapter to read after finishing the Heavenly Delusion anime? You’re not alone; many viewers struggle to find the correct starting point due to the show’s unique narrative structure. Finding the answer is essential to continue the journey without missing a beat.
The Heavenly Delusion anime ends at two different points: the “Outside” world journey with Kiruko and Maru concludes around manga Chapter 34, while the “Inside” world story at Takahara Academy is adapted up to manga Chapter 39. This dual endpoint is crucial for continuing the story correctly.
Based on an analysis of community consensus and the source material, this guide provides the definitive answer. You’ll discover exactly why the anime concludes at two different chapters and the best path for transitioning to the manga, ensuring a seamless and complete reading experience.
Key Facts
- Kiruko and Maru’s Journey: The “Outside” world storyline featuring the main duo is adapted up to approximately Chapter 34 of the manga.
- Takahara Academy’s Story: The “Inside” world storyline with the children in the nursery is adapted further, concluding around Chapter 39.
- Volume Adaptation: The anime’s first season covers material up to about the middle of Manga Volume 6, making Volume 7 the start of entirely new content.
- Fan Recommendation: Despite knowing the continuation point, community sources overwhelmingly recommend starting the manga from Chapter 1 to experience skipped details and subtle foreshadowing.
- Narrative Rearrangement: The anime intentionally adapts the storylines to different points, integrating parts of the manga’s “Nursery arc” (Chapters 36-38) out of chronological order to create a more dramatic season finale.
Where Does the Heavenly Delusion Anime Officially End in the Manga?
The definitive answer is that the Heavenly Delusion anime concludes at two distinct points in the manga due to its parallel narratives. For the primary journey with Kiruko and Maru in the “Outside” world, the anime adapts events up to roughly Chapter 34. However, for the storyline concerning the children “Inside” at Takahara Academy, the adaptation covers material all the way to Chapter 39.
Understanding this dual endpoint is the first step to properly continuing the story. The anime’s production team made specific structural choices that resulted in this staggered conclusion between the two plotlines. This guide will break down exactly how each storyline was adapted, why the ending points are different, and what the best reading strategy is for you moving forward. This isn’t a simple mistake; it’s a deliberate choice that impacts how you should approach the manga.
How Does the Anime Adapt the Manga’s Two Parallel Storylines?
The anime adapts the manga’s two main plots—the “Outside” world journey and the “Inside” world mystery—to different chapter endpoints. This decision was likely made to give the first season a more conclusive and impactful finale for the Takahara Academy storyline, which contains major plot revelations. The journey of Kiruko and Maru, being more episodic in nature, was paused at a natural resting point.
To give you a clear picture, here is a breakdown of how each storyline’s anime adaptation coverage corresponds to the manga:
| Storyline Focus | Primary Characters | Anime Season 1 Final Chapter | Corresponding Manga Volume | Key Event in Anime Finale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| “Outside” World (The Journey) | Kiruko & Maru | Chapter 34 | Ends mid-Volume 6 | Kiruko and Maru leave the refugee community in Tokyo. |
| “Inside” World (The Academy) | Tokio, Kona, Mimihime, etc. | Chapter 39 | Ends mid-Volume 7 | The director’s reveal and the events leading to the facility’s collapse. |
As the table shows, the adaptation is not a simple 1:1 conversion. The anime directors made a strategic choice to push the academy’s plot further into the source material, ensuring anime-only viewers were left with a massive cliffhanger regarding the facility’s fate and the director’s true identity.
Why Are the Adaptation Endpoints for the Two Storylines Different?
The primary reason for the different adaptation endpoints is narrative pacing and dramatic effect. Anime production teams often restructure source material to create compelling season arcs with satisfying climaxes. The Takahara Academy plot, with its shocking reveals and the eventual collapse of the facility, provided a much stronger narrative finale than the point where Kiruko and Maru’s journey pauses in Chapter 34.
Think of it like a movie rearranging scenes from a book to make the ending more exciting. The anime pulls forward the major revelations from the “Nursery arc” (manga chapters 36-38) and integrates them into the finale of the Takahara timeline. This gives the season a powerful, shocking conclusion that leaves viewers questioning everything. While this alters the manga’s original chronological flow, many fans agree it created a more memorable and thrilling finale for those watching the anime first.
Should You Start Reading the Heavenly Delusion Manga from Chapter 1?
Yes, it is strongly recommended to start the Heavenly Delusion manga from Chapter 1. While the anime is a faithful adaptation, it streamlines the narrative, omitting small but significant details like character inner monologues and early foreshadowing. Reading from the start provides a more complete and nuanced understanding of the world and its mysteries.
Here’s a quick breakdown of your options:
- ✅ Starting from Chapter 1 (Recommended):
- You’ll catch subtle clues and foreshadowing you missed in the anime.
- You get a deeper understanding of characters’ internal thoughts and motivations.
- The experience of the world’s mystery is richer and more detailed.
- ❌ Starting from Chapter 35/39 (The Shortcut):
- You’ll save time and jump straight into new plot developments.
- You can still follow the main story without major confusion.
- You risk missing the foundational context that makes later twists more impactful.
While you can jump ahead, the consensus among manga readers is that starting from the beginning is far more rewarding. The anime does a fantastic job, but the source material offers an unparalleled level of depth that enriches the entire experience.
Which Manga Volumes Should You Buy to Continue After the Anime?
To continue the Heavenly Delusion manga after the anime, you should purchase Volume 7. The anime adapts roughly half of Volume 6. While starting with Volume 6 is an option to see the exact transition, Volume 7 is the first volume that will contain entirely new story content not seen in the anime.
Your Starting Point: Volume 7
Purchasing Volume 7 ensures you don’t re-read too much material and can dive straight into the next phase of Kiruko and Maru’s journey. It picks up right after the major events of the anime’s conclusion, making it the perfect continuation point for eager fans.
FAQs About where does the heavenly delusion anime end in the manga
Is Heavenly Delusion Season 2 confirmed?
As of early 2026, a second season of the Heavenly Delusion anime has not been officially confirmed. While the first season was well-received by critics and fans, the production committee has not announced any formal plans for a continuation. Fans should keep an eye on official announcements from Production I.G or the series’ social media channels for updates.
What manga volume does the Heavenly Delusion anime end on?
The Heavenly Delusion anime ends partway through Volume 6 of the manga. Specifically, the Kiruko and Maru storyline concludes with an event from chapter 34, while the Takahara Academy storyline adapts events up to chapter 39. To be entirely safe, you should start reading from Volume 7 to get new content.
Was the Heavenly Delusion manga or anime better?
Both the manga and anime have unique strengths, and preference often comes down to personal taste. The manga is praised for its intricate details, subtle foreshadowing, and pacing, offering a denser narrative. The anime is acclaimed for its stunning animation, excellent voice acting, and compelling direction that brings the post-apocalyptic world to life visually and audibly.
Is the Heavenly Delusion manga finished or ongoing?
The Heavenly Delusion manga is still ongoing. New chapters are released monthly in Japan in Kodansha’s Monthly Afternoon magazine. This means that even after you catch up to the latest published volume, there will be more of the story to look forward to as the author, Masakazu Ishiguro, continues the series.
How many chapters are in a volume of Heavenly Delusion?
A typical volume of the Heavenly Delusion manga contains about 6 to 7 chapters. For example, Volume 6 contains chapters 32 through 37. This structure is fairly standard for manga serialized in monthly magazines, and it helps in estimating where certain chapter events will fall within the collected tankōbon volumes.
Did the anime skip any important arcs from the manga?
No, the anime did not skip any major arcs, but it did rearrange some events and trim minor content. The adaptation is considered very faithful to the main plot points of the source material. The most significant change was adapting the “Nursery arc” reveal earlier in the timeline for dramatic effect, rather than skipping it.
Can I understand the story if I skip the manga chapters the anime covered?
Yes, you can still understand the main plot, but you will miss out on nuances. The anime does a great job of covering the core narrative. However, by skipping the early chapters, you miss additional context, world-building details, and character thoughts that create a richer experience. It’s functional, but not the ideal way to experience the story.
Where can I legally read the Heavenly Delusion manga?
You can legally read the Heavenly Delusion manga through official digital platforms and by purchasing the physical volumes. In the United States and other regions, Denpa holds the license for the English release. Digital versions are often available on platforms like Amazon Kindle, BookWalker, and ComiXology, while physical copies can be bought from major booksellers.
What is the Japanese name for Heavenly Delusion?
The original Japanese name for Heavenly Delusion is Tengoku Daimakyō (天国大魔境). Tengoku translates to “heaven” or “paradise,” and Daimakyō translates to “great demonic-or-unearthly-place,” reflecting the series’ core mystery of searching for “Heaven” in a demon-infested world.
How far behind the manga is the anime?
At the end of Season 1, the anime was about 3 manga volumes behind the currently released volumes in Japan. The anime adapted up to around chapter 39 (mid-Volume 7), while the manga was approaching Volume 10 at the time. This gap gives the production committee plenty of source material for a potential second season.
Key Takeaways: Heavenly Delusion Anime to Manga Guide
- Two Different Endpoints: The anime does not have one single ending point. Kiruko and Maru’s journey is adapted up to Chapter 34, while the Takahara Academy story is adapted up to Chapter 39.
- Start with Volume 7: To continue reading new content immediately after the anime, the safest and most direct starting point is Manga Volume 7.
- Reading from Chapter 1 is Recommended: For the most complete experience, experts and fans strongly recommend starting from Chapter 1 to catch subtle foreshadowing and details the anime skipped.
- The Manga is Ongoing: The story is far from over. The manga is still being actively written and released, meaning there is a significant amount of content available past the anime’s conclusion.
- The Anime is a Faithful Adaptation: Despite minor restructuring for dramatic effect, the anime did not skip any major plot arcs and is considered a high-quality adaptation of the source material.
- Narrative Structure is Key: The reason for the different ending chapters is the anime’s choice to rearrange events to create a more climactic season finale, focusing on the collapse of the Takahara facility.
Final Thoughts on Continuing Heavenly Delusion
Navigating the transition from the Heavenly Delusion anime to the manga can seem complex, but it’s a rewarding step for any fan. You now know the precise chapter endpoints for both storylines and understand the creative decisions behind the anime’s structure. Whether you choose to jump straight into the action with Volume 7 or savor the full narrative from Chapter 1, you are equipped to continue this incredible story without missing a single clue. The world of Tengoku Daimakyō is vast and full of mystery, and the best parts are still waiting for you in the pages of the manga.
Last update on 2026-02-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
