Wondering where the Laughing Under the Clouds anime leaves off in the manga? You’ve finished the series and need to know exactly where to pick up the story. You want a clear chapter number without any fluff.
The Laughing Under the Clouds anime ends by adapting the entirety of the main 6-volume manga series, with Episode 12 covering the events up to the final chapter, Chapter 29. To continue with new content, you must start the sequel series, Donten ni Warau Gaiden. However, the anime significantly rushes the plot.
Based on a comprehensive analysis of both the anime and manga, this guide provides the definitive answer. You’ll discover the crucial differences between the two versions, why starting the manga from chapter 1 is the best experience, and what happens next in the complete Donten ni Warau universe.
Key Facts
- Complete Adaptation: The 12-episode anime covers the entire plot of the main 6-volume manga, concluding with the events of Chapter 29.
- The True Continuation: To pick up the story after the anime finale, you must start the 3-volume sequel series,
Donten ni Warau Gaiden.- Rushed Pacing: The anime condenses the manga’s plot significantly, leading to pacing issues and a loss of character depth for many in the cast.
- Anime Sequel Exists: The
Gaidensequel manga has been fully adapted into a popular trilogy of anime films, which serve as the official animated continuation.- Expanded Universe: The franchise also includes an ongoing prequel series,
Rengoku ni Warau, which is set 300 years before the main story.
Where Does the Laughing Under the Clouds Anime Leave Off in the Manga?
The direct answer is that the Laughing Under the Clouds anime concludes its 12-episode run by adapting the full story of the original 6-volume manga. The final episode corresponds with the events of the manga’s last chapter, Chapter 29. This means there is no “next chapter” in the main series to continue from; the anime tells the complete core story of the Kumo brothers and the Orochi vessel.
However, this straightforward answer doesn’t tell the whole story. While the plot is covered, the experience is vastly different. The anime adaptation is notoriously fast-paced, compressing the source material to fit into its short run. This rush leads to significant cuts in character development, world-building, and emotional nuance.
Therefore, if you’re looking for new story content after the anime, your journey continues with the official sequel series, Donten ni Warau Gaiden. But if you want the full, intended Laughing Under the Clouds experience, the real recommendation is to start the manga over from Volume 1, Chapter 1. Let’s explore why.
What Are the Key Differences Between the Laughing Under the Clouds Anime and Manga?
The primary difference is the pacing; the 12-episode anime rushes through the 6-volume manga, cutting crucial character-building moments and condensing major plot arcs. While the anime gives you the plot, the manga gives you the story’s soul. The manga provides substantially more development for the entire cast, not just the three Kumo brothers.
This table gives a clear overview of what to expect when comparing the anime adaptation to the original source material.
| Feature/Aspect | Laughing Under the Clouds Anime (12 Episodes) | Laughing Under the Clouds Manga (6 Volumes) |
|---|---|---|
| Pacing | Extremely fast; adapts ~2.5 chapters per episode. Plot points happen in rapid succession. | Deliberate and well-paced, allowing for emotional weight and character moments to develop naturally. |
| Character Arcs | Focuses mainly on the three Kumo brothers. Supporting character backstories are heavily condensed or cut. | Rich development for the entire cast, including the Yamainu, Shirasu, Botan, and Hirari. |
| Omitted Content | Multiple side chapters, comedic interactions, and character-building moments are skipped for time. | Contains several extra chapters and scenes that flesh out the world and the characters’ relationships. |
| Art & Tone | Standard anime production. The tone can shift abruptly due to the rushed pacing. | Features Karakara-Kemuri’s highly detailed and expressive art style, enhancing emotional scenes. |
What specific character development is missing from the anime?
The anime’s tight schedule means that while the main plot points are hit, the journeys of many characters feel shallow compared to the manga. From years of working with both versions, it’s clear the manga provides a richer experience.
- Soramaru Kumo: While his desire to surpass Tenka is central to the anime, the manga dedicates far more time to his internal struggles, training, and emotional growth. His journey to find his own strength feels more earned and detailed.
- Shirasu Kinjo: Shirasu’s complex motivations and backstory are heavily condensed in the anime. The manga provides significantly more insight into his internal conflict and past, making his arc more tragic and compelling. The anime gives you the twist, but the manga gives you the heartbreak behind it.
- The Yamainu Corps: The elite squad’s members, including Sousei Abeno and Hirari, are reduced to minor supporting roles in the anime. The manga explores their individual histories, their loyalty, and their complex relationship with the Kumo family, adding significant depth to the world.
- Botan and the Side Cast: Many of the charming side stories and comedic interactions that flesh out the world are simply absent from the anime. These moments in the manga build a stronger connection to the cast and provide necessary breathers between the heavy plot developments.
How does the pacing change the story’s impact?
The anime’s breakneck speed fundamentally reduces the emotional impact of key events. Because plot twists and major reveals happen in such quick succession, they don’t have the time to land with the weight they deserve.
Imagine a comedian rushing through a joke’s setup—the punchline just doesn’t hit as hard. The anime does this with its most critical plot points. For example, the aftermath of Tenka’s initial fate is a period of intense grief and change for his brothers. In the manga, this period is given time to breathe, allowing you to feel Soramaru’s and Chutaro’s pain and resolve. In the anime, it’s resolved so quickly that the story has already moved on to the next major event.
This rushed pacing is the single biggest reason why reading the manga is a completely different, and far more rewarding, experience.
Why Should You Read the Laughing Under the Clouds Manga From Chapter 1?
You should read the Laughing Under the Clouds manga from Chapter 1 because the anime cuts significant character-building scenes and rushes the plot. Starting from the beginning is the only way to experience the story’s intended emotional weight, enjoy the detailed art, and understand the backstories the anime skips.
Even though you know the main plot twists, reading from the beginning is highly recommended. Here’s why it’s worth your time.
- 📘 Experience the Intended Pacing and Emotional Weight: The manga allows emotional moments to develop naturally. The suspense around the Orochi vessel, the tragedy of the Kumo family, and the resolutions of character arcs all have a greater impact when they aren’t rushed.
- 👤 Connect Deeply with the Entire Cast: The manga is not just the story of the Kumo brothers; it’s the story of a whole community. You’ll gain a much deeper appreciation for characters like the Yamainu, Botan, and Hirari, who have their own rich stories that the anime barely touches.
- 🎭 Discover Omitted Scenes and Side Stories: The manga is filled with extra chapters and small comedic moments that were cut for time. These scenes add charm, humor, and depth to the world, making the characters feel more like a real, found family.
- 🎨 Appreciate Karakara-Kemuri’s Stunning Artwork: The anime’s art is functional, but the manga features the author’s incredibly detailed and expressive illustration style. Emotional scenes are more powerful, and action sequences are more dynamic, thanks to the beautiful paneling and linework. It’s a core part of the experience.
What Happens After the Laughing Under the Clouds Main Story?
After the main story, the series continues with Donten ni Warau Gaiden, a 3-volume sequel focusing on the characters after the main conflict. The franchise also includes a prequel, Rengoku ni Warau. This shows that the world of Laughing Under the Clouds is much larger than just the original anime.
Now that we’ve covered the core series, let’s explore how the story continues. This is where you’ll find completely new content that the TV anime never touched.
Donten ni Warau Gaiden (The Sequel)
- What it is:
Donten ni Warau Gaiden[sequel series] is a direct continuation of the main story. It’s a 3-volume collection of side stories that serve as epilogues for the cast. - Plot Focus: It explores the lives of Tenka, Soramaru, Chutaro, and other key characters in the year following the Orochi incident. It resolves lingering plot threads and provides crucial closure for their emotional journeys.
- Anime Adaptation: This is the best part for anime-only fans! The entire
Gaidenmanga has been adapted into a trilogy of high-quality anime films. These films are the official “season 2” you’re looking for.
Rengoku ni Warau (The Prequel)
- What it is:
Rengoku ni Warau[prequel series] is set approximately 300 years before the events of the main story during the Sengoku period. - Plot Focus: It follows the ancestors of the Kumo and Abe clans as they face the Orochi in a previous incarnation. While it features different characters, it expands the lore of the world and the curse of the Orochi in fascinating ways.
- Anime Adaptation: As of 2026,
Rengoku ni Waraudoes not have an anime adaptation. It is a manga-only experience.
FAQs About where does the laughing under the clouds anime leave off in the manga
How many volumes of Laughing Under the Clouds are there?
The main Laughing Under the Clouds manga series is complete with a total of 6 volumes. The sequel, Donten ni Warau Gaiden, consists of 3 volumes, and the prequel, Rengoku ni Warau, is ongoing but has 14 volumes as of early 2026.
Is there a season 2 for Laughing Under the Clouds?
No, there is no “Season 2” of the TV anime, but the story is continued in a trilogy of anime films. These three films adapt the sequel manga, Donten ni Warau Gaiden. They are the official animated continuation of the story after the events of the 12-episode TV series.
Does Tenka Kumo die in the manga?
Tenka Kumo’s fate is a major plot point and is handled similarly in both the anime and the manga, but with more emotional detail in the manga. To avoid major spoilers, it is a complex situation that is not a simple “yes” or “no.” The manga provides more context around the event and its aftermath.
Who is the Orochi vessel in the manga?
The identity of the Orochi’s vessel is the central mystery of the series and is the same in both the anime and the manga. However, the manga builds up the mystery with more subtlety and provides more foreshadowing. The reveal and its impact on the characters are given more time to develop in the manga.
What chapter does the anime leave off?
The anime technically doesn’t leave off, as it adapts the entire main story up to the final chapter, Chapter 29. If you watch all 12 episodes, you have seen the conclusion of the original 6-volume manga. To continue, you must start the sequel series, Donten ni Warau Gaiden.
Is the manga better than the anime for Donten ni Warau?
Most fans agree the manga is a superior experience due to its detailed character development, deliberate pacing, and complete story. While the anime tells the same main plot, it is extremely rushed and cuts significant content. The manga is considered the definitive version of the story.
What is Donten ni Warau Gaiden about?
Donten ni Warau Gaiden is a 3-volume sequel that explores the lives of the Kumo brothers and other key characters after the main story concludes. It is a collection of side stories that serve as epilogues, resolving lingering character arcs and showing how they have moved on from the Orochi conflict.
Is the Shirasu plot different in the manga?
Shirasu Kinjo’s core plot twist and motivations are the same, but the manga provides significantly more backstory and internal monologue. The anime condenses his development, so his actions and allegiances are explored with much greater depth and nuance in the manga, making his arc more tragic and compelling.
Who created Laughing Under the Clouds?
Laughing Under the Clouds (Donten ni Warau) was written and illustrated by the talented manga artist Karakara-Kemuri. The series was originally serialized in Mag Garden’s Monthly Comic Avarus magazine from 2011 to 2013, solidifying Karakara-Kemuri’s reputation for beautiful art and compelling historical fantasy.
Where can I read the Donten ni Warau manga legally?
You can read the Laughing Under the Clouds manga legally by purchasing the official English-translated volumes, which are available digitally and in print. Digital platforms like ComiXology, Kindle, and BookWalker often carry the series. Physical copies can be bought from online retailers.
Key Takeaways: Laughing Under the Clouds Anime to Manga Guide
- Direct Answer: The 12-episode anime adapts the entire 6-volume main manga, ending at Chapter 29. To continue the story, you must read the sequel series,
Donten ni Warau Gaiden. - Start from Chapter 1: It is strongly recommended to read the manga from the very beginning. The anime is extremely rushed and cuts significant character development and side stories that provide crucial emotional context.
- Key Differences: The manga offers superior pacing, much deeper character arcs for the entire cast (not just the Kumo brothers), and includes numerous scenes and extra chapters omitted from the anime adaptation.
- The Story Continues: The franchise extends beyond the main story with a 3-volume sequel,
Donten ni Warau Gaiden(which has an anime film trilogy), and an ongoing prequel,Rengoku ni Warau. - The Definitive Experience: To get the full, intended emotional impact and appreciate Karakara-Kemuri’s detailed artwork and storytelling, the manga is the definitive version of the
Laughing Under the Cloudsstory.
Final Thoughts on Your Donten ni Warau Journey
While the anime provides a competent summary of the plot, it’s clear that the manga is the definitive Laughing Under the Clouds experience. By starting from Chapter 1, you aren’t just re-reading a story you already know; you are discovering the story as it was meant to be told—with all the emotional depth, character nuance, and breathtaking art intact.
You now have the complete map to navigate the Donten ni Warau universe. Your journey doesn’t end with the anime’s final episode. It begins anew with the turn of a page, either by revisiting the Kumo brothers’ origins in Chapter 1 or by exploring their future in Gaiden. The full, rich world created by Karakara-Kemuri is waiting for you.
