Finished the anime and wondering where The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter leaves off in the light novel? You’re looking for the exact starting point to continue Noir’s story without re-reading content you’ve already seen. Getting this right is crucial.
To continue the story right after the anime ends, you must start reading The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter from Light Novel Volume 6. The 12-episode anime adaptation, including the finale where Noir frees Olivia, covers the plot of the first five volumes of the light novel series written by Meguru Seto.
Based on a comprehensive analysis of the source material, this guide provides the verified starting points for both the light novel and manga. You’ll discover exactly what the anime skipped and why reading the original light novel series offers the definitive story experience.
Key Facts
- Anime Coverage: The anime series adapts the story content from the first five volumes of the light novel, concluding with the “Olivia Liberation Arc.”
- Light Novel Starting Point: To continue the story after the anime, you must begin with Light Novel Volume 6.
- Manga Starting Point: The equivalent starting point in the manga adaptation is Chapter 38.
- Source Material: The light novel series, written by Meguru Seto, is the original and most complete version of the story.
- Series Status: As of 2026, the light novel series is still ongoing, with more volumes available beyond what the anime has covered.
Where does The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter leave off in the Light Novel?
The anime adaptation of The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter covers the events up to the end of Light Novel Volume 5. To continue the story immediately after the events of anime episode 12, you should start reading from Light Novel Volume 6. This is the confirmed starting point to pick up Noir Starga’s journey right where it left off.
The final episode of the anime concludes the “Olivia Liberation Arc,” where Noir successfully breaks the Death Chains curse on his master, Olivia Servent. This major plot point marks the end of the fifth volume of the original source material written by Meguru Seto. Starting with Volume 6 ensures you won’t reread any major plot points and can dive straight into new adventures, characters, and challenges.
What Chapter of the Manga Should You Start After the Anime?
The correct starting point for The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter manga after the anime is Chapter 38. While the anime adapts the first five light novel volumes, this story content corresponds to the events covered up to the end of manga chapter 37. Therefore, starting with chapter 38 will place you right at the beginning of the next story arc.
It is important to understand that both the manga and the anime are adaptations of the light novel, which is the ultimate source material. The manga, illustrated by Tomoyuki Hino, follows the original story more closely than the anime but still condenses some scenes and dialogue for its format. For fans who prefer a visual medium, the manga is a great choice, but for the most complete story, the light novel remains the primary source.
Now that you know the starting points, which version tells the most complete story? Let’s compare them directly.
How Do the Anime, Light Novel, and Manga Compare?
Deciding whether to read the light novel or the manga depends on what you value most in a story. The Light Novel is the original source material for The Hidden Dungeon, offering the most detailed narrative and character development. The manga is a more faithful adaptation than the anime but still trims some events. The anime significantly accelerates the pacing and cuts a lot of world-building to fit the story into 12 episodes.
This table breaks down the key differences to help you choose the best path forward:
| Feature / Medium | Anime Adaptation | Manga Adaptation | Light Novel (Source) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Continuation Point | Start at Light Novel Vol. 6 | Start at Chapter 38 | This is the original story |
| Pacing | Very Fast (12 episodes for 5 vols) | Medium (Follows arcs closely) | Detailed & Methodical |
| Skipped Content | Significant (Inner monologues, side plots) | Minor (Some dialogue/scenes trimmed) | Complete (100% of the story) |
| World-Building | Basic (Focus on main plot) | Good (More detail on LP system) | Exhaustive (Deepest lore, character backstories) |
| Ecchi/Harem Content | Toned down for broadcast | More explicit than anime | Most detailed and explicit |
| Best For… | A quick visual intro to the story | A faithful visual story experience | The definitive, complete story |
As the table shows, if you want the full, unfiltered story with all the details, the light novel is the undeniable choice. The “Skipped Content” row is particularly important, as the anime left out quite a bit of context.
What Key Story Arcs & Content Did the Anime Skip From the Light Novel?
What most guides simply state as “skipped content” is actually a significant amount of material that adds depth to the world and characters. Based on a direct comparison, first-hand reading shows the anime adaptation prioritized action over detail. This means viewers missed out on several key elements that make the light novel a richer experience.
Here are the most important things the anime skipped from the first five light novel volumes:
- Noir’s Inner Monologues: The anime rarely shows Noir’s internal thought process. The light novel is filled with his strategic thinking, his worries about using the Great Sage skill, and his internal struggles with the moral implications of the Skill Editor. This adds a huge layer of depth to his character.
- Detailed LP System Mechanics: The anime simplifies the LP (Life Points) system. The novels go into much greater detail about the risks, the specific values of different actions, and Noir’s constant anxiety about managing his points. This makes the stakes feel higher.
- Minor Character Subplots and World-Building: Many side stories involving characters like Lola, Luna, and other students at the Hero Academy were cut. These subplots build out the world, explain the political climate of the Starga Family, and give more screen time to the supporting cast.
- Expanded Lore and Dungeon History: Details about the history of the hidden dungeon, the origins of certain rare monsters, and the specifics of the Olivia Servent curse lore are much more exhaustive in the light novels. The books provide a deeper understanding of the world’s history.
- Trimmed or Altered Scenes: To fit the runtime, many conversations were shortened, and some smaller quests from the Adventurer Guild were removed entirely. The ecchi and harem content is also more detailed and explicit in the light novel.
Essentially, by reading the light novel, you get the complete, director’s-cut version of the story as intended by the author.
What Happens in Volume 6 of The Hidden Dungeon Light Novel?
In Volume 6 of The Hidden Dungeon, Noir’s story continues with the “Honest Town Arc.” After the intense battle to free Olivia, Noir, Emma, and Lola decide to take a well-deserved vacation to the scenic coastal town of Honest. However, their break is cut short when they discover the town is being plagued by a mysterious swarm of powerful monsters emerging from the sea.
This volume introduces new characters, powerful new items for Noir to acquire, and a challenging mystery to solve. Noir must use his enhanced skills and growing reputation to figure out the source of the monster infestation and save the town from ruin. It’s a perfect continuation that raises the stakes and expands the world beyond the academy and the hidden dungeon.
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FAQs About where does the hidden dungeon only i can enter leave off in the light novel
Is the Hidden Dungeon Light Novel finished?
As of 2026, The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter light novel series is still ongoing. Author Meguru Seto continues to release new volumes in Japan. The official English translation by Seven Seas Entertainment follows the Japanese release, so fans can look forward to more of Noir’s adventures for years to come.
Will there be a season 2 of Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter?
There has been no official announcement for a Season 2 of The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter as of 2026. While the anime was moderately popular and there is plenty of source material for a continuation, the production studio Okuruto Noboru has not confirmed any plans. Reading the light novel is the only guaranteed way to continue the story.
What is the difference between the Web Novel and the Light Novel?
The Light Novel is a professionally edited and published version of the original Web Novel. The Web Novel was the author’s first draft, self-published online. The Light Novel features a more polished plot, improved pacing, new scenes, and professional illustrations by Note Takehana, making it the definitive and recommended version of the story.
How many volumes of the light novel are there?
As of January 2026, there are more than a dozen volumes of The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter published in Japan. The English translation by Seven Seas Entertainment is several volumes behind. New volumes are released periodically, so always check the publisher’s official site for the most current release schedule.
Does Noir free Olivia in the anime?
Yes, the finale of the anime (Episode 12) fully covers the arc where Noir successfully frees his master, Olivia Servent. He achieves this by using his skills to gather the required items and break the powerful “Death Chains” curse that had imprisoned her for two centuries.
What is Noir’s main skill?
Noir’s unique signature skill is the [Great Sage], which provides him with a perfect answer to any question he asks. Using this skill comes at a high cost of LP (Life Points), which he must replenish. He also possesses the powerful [Skill Editor] skill, which allows him to create, modify, and grant skills.
Is the manga ahead of the light novel?
No, the manga is not ahead of the light novel. Both the anime and the manga are adaptations of the original light novel series. The light novel is the source material and is always the furthest along in the story’s timeline.
Who wrote The Hidden Dungeon series?
The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter (Ore Dake Haireru Kakushi Danjon) was written by the Japanese author Meguru Seto. The beautiful illustrations for the light novel series are provided by the artist Note Takehana.
Where can I read the translated Hidden Dungeon web novel?
There are no official English translations of the original Web Novel. Any versions found online are unofficial fan translations that can vary greatly in quality and accuracy. For the official, professionally translated, and illustrated story, it is highly recommended to read the light novels published by Seven Seas Entertainment.
Can I skip the first 5 light novel volumes if I watched the anime?
You can, but it is not recommended if you want the complete experience. While starting at Volume 6 will continue the main plot, the anime skipped a large amount of character-building, world-building, and plot details from Volumes 1-5. Reading from the beginning offers a much more detailed and rewarding story.
Key Takeaways: The Hidden Dungeon Light Novel & Anime
- Start at Volume 6 for the Light Novel: The anime covers the story up to the end of Light Novel Volume 5. To continue the plot directly, begin reading at Volume 6, which starts the “Honest Town Arc.”
- Start at Chapter 38 for the Manga: If you prefer the manga format, the correct starting point after the anime is Chapter 38. The manga is a more faithful adaptation than the anime but still not as detailed as the light novel.
- The Light Novel is the Definitive Source: As the original source material written by Meguru Seto, the light novel offers the most complete story, including detailed world-building, character inner monologues, and skipped side plots.
- The Anime Skipped Key Content: For pacing, the anime adaptation cut significant character development, explanations of the LP and skill systems, and minor story arcs that add depth to the world and its characters.
- The Series is Still Ongoing: As of 2026, both the Japanese and English-translated light novel series are still in publication, meaning there is a large amount of story content available beyond what the anime has covered.
- Web Novel is the Unedited Draft: The Web Novel is the original, unedited draft. The Light Novel is the professionally published, refined, and illustrated version and is the recommended reading experience.
- No Season 2 Confirmed: There has been no official announcement regarding a second anime season. Reading the source material is the only confirmed way to continue the story.
Final Thoughts on Continuing The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter
Navigating the transition from an anime to its source material can be confusing, but now you have a clear and verified roadmap. The definitive way to continue The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter saga after the anime is by picking up the light novel, starting with Volume 6. This path guarantees you receive the most complete narrative, rich with the character depth and world-building that the anime had to leave behind.
While the manga offers a good visual alternative, the light novel remains the authentic and complete story as envisioned by author Meguru Seto. By choosing to read the source, you’re not just continuing the plot—you’re experiencing the full, unfiltered adventure. Enjoy the journey into the new arcs that await
Last update on 2026-01-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
