Finished the Letter Bee anime and wondering where it ends in the manga? You’re not alone; many struggle with the anime’s confusing, open-ended conclusion. The story feels incomplete because it is.
To continue the Letter Bee (Tegami Bachi) story after the anime, you should start reading the manga from Volume 10, Chapter 56. The second season, Tegami Bachi Reverse, adapts parts of the manga up to around Chapter 55 but then creates an anime-original ending. Starting at Chapter 56 ensures you transition directly into the canon storyline without missing key details.
Based on a detailed analysis of the source material, this guide provides the exact starting point to continue your journey. You’ll discover precisely why the anime diverges and what crucial story arcs await you in the manga. This reveals the complete, satisfying narrative that the anime could not deliver.
Key Facts
- Definitive Starting Point: To continue the canon story after the Tegami Bachi Reverse anime, you must start with Volume 10, Chapter 56 of the manga.
- Anime-Original Ending: The anime series diverges significantly from the manga starting around episode 17 of the second season, creating its own conclusion to the story.
- Reason for Divergence: The anime’s weekly production schedule caught up to the manga’s monthly serialization, forcing the studio to create an original ending to avoid a long hiatus.
- Vast Uncovered Content: The Tegami Bachi manga is complete with 20 volumes and 100 chapters, meaning nearly half the story remains untold after the anime concludes.
- Official English Publisher: The official English translation of the Tegami Bachi manga is licensed and published by Viz Media, making it legally accessible to readers.
Where Does the Letter Bee Anime End in the Manga?
The definitive answer is that to continue the Letter Bee story in the manga after watching both anime seasons, you must start with Volume 10, Chapter 56. While the anime’s second season, Tegami Bachi Reverse, adapts manga chapters up to around Chapter 55, it begins to introduce anime-original plot points around episode 17. This divergence leads to a completely different conclusion than the one written by the author, Hiroyuki Asada.
Starting at Chapter 56 places you right after the adapted content ends and just before the story takes a significantly different path. From this point, the manga delves into the core mysteries of AmberGround, the artificial sun, and Gauche Suede’s true role. Reading from this chapter ensures you won’t miss any of the crucial, un-adapted canon material. Community consensus among fans confirms this is the ideal transition point for a seamless reading experience.
Why Does the Letter Bee Anime Have a Different Ending Than the Manga?
The Tegami Bachi anime has an original ending because the TV series, which aired from 2009 to 2011, caught up to the manga by Hiroyuki Asada, which was still being published. This is a common issue in the anime industry known as a “manga serialization gap.” The anime was produced by Studio Pierrot on a weekly schedule, while the manga was published monthly in Shueisha’s Jump Square magazine. This difference in production speed meant the anime ran out of source material to adapt.
To avoid putting the show on a long-term hiatus or creating excessive filler arcs, the anime production committee chose to create its own conclusion. Starting around episode 17 of Tegami Bachi Reverse, the writers crafted an original plotline to resolve the main conflict with the “Reverse” organization and provide a sense of closure for anime-only viewers. Unfortunately, this meant leaving many of the manga’s biggest mysteries unanswered and simplifying complex character arcs.
How Does the Anime’s Ending Diverge from the Manga?
The anime’s conclusion simplifies major plot points, particularly the conflict with the anti-government group Reverse. In contrast, the manga uses this conflict to launch a much deeper investigation into the secrets of the world. Here is a direct comparison of the key differences.
| Plot Point | Anime-Original Ending (Tegami Bachi Reverse) | Manga Canon Storyline (Chapter 56 onwards) |
|---|---|---|
| The Final Battle | A climactic fight against a single, massive Gaichu called Cabernet, which is defeated by Lag. | A more complex, prolonged conflict involving the organization Reverse, the government in Akatsuki, and the truth behind the artificial sun. |
| Gauche/Noir’s Fate | Gauche (as Noir) decides to live separately with Roda and other children, finding a new purpose. He says goodbye to Lag and Sylvette. | Gauche’s story is deeply intertwined with the government’s secrets and the main antagonist. His memory loss and actions as Noir have far greater consequences that are explored over many chapters. |
| The “Reverse” Plot | The anti-government group Reverse’s plot is simplified and largely resolved with the defeat of their leader, Lawrence. | Reverse’s motivations are more deeply explored, revealing a legitimate conspiracy within the capital. The conflict shifts from a simple rebellion to uncovering a deep-seated political truth. |
| The Artificial Sun | The nature of the artificial sun remains largely a mystery, with hints about people’s hearts being used as fuel. | The manga fully explains the origin and horrific mechanics of the artificial sun, making it the central mystery and conflict of the final arcs. |
What Key Story Arcs Does the Manga Cover After the Anime?
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This section contains a high-level overview of major plot points and character arcs that were not adapted in the anime.
After the point where the anime diverges, the Tegami Bachi manga features major arcs that reveal the truth of the artificial sun, the full story of Lag’s mother, and the final confrontation with the true antagonist behind the government of AmberGround. You will discover a story that is richer, darker, and more emotionally complex than what the anime was able to show.
Here are some of the critical story arcs you will experience by continuing with the manga:
- The Truth of the Artificial Sun: You will finally learn the horrifying secret behind the man-made sun that perpetually illuminates AmberGround. This mystery is central to the manga’s final half and connects all the main characters.
- The Government Conspiracy: The manga uncovers a deep-seated conspiracy within the capital city of Akatsuki. The motivations of the “Reverse” organization become much clearer, shifting them from simple villains to a group with a legitimate grievance.
- Lag Seeing’s Origins: The full story of Lag’s mother, his birth, and his unique abilities are explored in detail. Her connection to the capital and the artificial sun is a major revelation.
- The Complete Arc of Gauche Suede/Noir: Gauche’s journey doesn’t end with him simply walking away. His role as Noir and his struggle with his memories are critical to the main plot, and his character arc receives a complete and satisfying conclusion.
- The Final Antagonist: The anime’s villain, Lawrence, is a minor figure compared to the true mastermind controlling the fate of AmberGround, who is only revealed and confronted in the manga.
How Should You Start Reading the Tegami Bachi Manga After the Anime?
Now that you’re ready to dive into the complete story, getting started is simple. Following this guide will ensure a smooth transition from the anime’s ending to the manga’s true narrative.
- Start at the Right Place. The most important step is to begin with Volume 10, Chapter 56. This is the precise point where the anime’s original plot takes over, so starting here ensures you miss none of the canon story.
- Consider Reading from the Beginning. For the ultimate experience, many fans highly recommend reading the manga from Chapter 1. The anime adaptation made subtle changes to character interactions and foreshadowing from the very start. Reading from the beginning allows you to appreciate Hiroyuki Asada’s world-building in its intended form.
- Find an Official Source. The Tegami Bachi manga is licensed in North America by Viz Media. You can support the creator by purchasing the physical volumes or reading the series digitally through official platforms.
FAQs About where does the letter bee anime end in the manga
Is there a Season 3 of Letter Bee?
No, there has been no official announcement for a Season 3 of the Letter Bee anime. The second season, Tegami Bachi Reverse, aired in 2011 and provided an anime-original conclusion to the story. Since the manga is also complete, it is highly unlikely that the anime will be continued.
Is the Tegami Bachi manga finished?
Yes, the Tegami Bachi manga is complete. The series, written by Hiroyuki Asada, concluded in November 2015. It consists of 100 chapters, which have been collected into a total of 20 tankōbon volumes, all of which are available in English from Viz Media.
Is the Letter Bee manga better than the anime?
Many fans consider the manga to be superior due to its complete and more complex story. While the anime is praised for its art and music, it tells an abbreviated and altered version of the plot. The manga provides a fully developed narrative, deeper character arcs, and a conclusive ending that resolves all the central mysteries of AmberGround.
What happens to Gauche Suede in the manga?
In the manga, Gauche Suede’s story as the Marauder ‘Noir’ is a central plotline that continues long after the anime’s ending. His journey is deeply connected to the secrets of the government and the main antagonist. The manga provides a full and satisfying resolution to his character arc, his memory loss, and his relationship with his sister Sylvette and Lag Seeing.
Does the anime have filler episodes?
Yes, the first season of the Letter Bee anime contains some filler episodes and anime-original content. This was done to maintain a gap between the anime and the monthly manga serialization. The second season, Reverse, starts by adapting canon material but then transitions into a full anime-original plotline for its conclusion.
How many volumes of Tegami Bachi are there?
The Tegami Bachi manga series is complete with 20 volumes. The final volume was released in Japan in early 2016 and subsequently in English by Viz Media. The entire series collects 100 chapters of the main story.
What is the “Reverse” organization in the manga?
In the manga, Reverse is an anti-government organization with much deeper and more justified motivations than portrayed in the anime. Their goal is to expose a dark conspiracy at the heart of the government in Akatsuki related to the artificial sun. Their conflict with the Letter Bees is a central part of the manga’s second half.
Does the manga explain the artificial sun?
Yes, the manga provides a full and detailed explanation for the artificial sun. This is one of the biggest plot points left unresolved in the anime. The manga’s final arcs are dedicated to uncovering the truth behind its creation, its power source, and its connection to Lag’s mother and the government.
Should I read the manga from the beginning?
It is highly recommended to read the manga from Chapter 1, even if you’ve seen the anime. The anime adaptation changes subtle details, character nuances, and pacing from the very beginning. Reading from the start provides the intended experience and allows you to appreciate the full depth of Hiroyuki Asada’s world-building and foreshadowing.
Who animated the Letter Bee anime?
The Letter Bee anime was animated by Studio Pierrot+ (now known as Studio Signpost). This is the same studio known for other major shonen series like Naruto and Bleach. The anime ran for two seasons from October 2009 to March 2011.
Key Takeaways: Letter Bee Anime vs. Manga Summary
- The Anime Has An Original Ending: The second season, Tegami Bachi Reverse, overtakes the manga and creates its own conclusion from around episode 17 onwards due to production schedules.
- Start the Manga at Chapter 56: To seamlessly continue the canon story after the anime, the correct starting point is Volume 10, Chapter 56.
- The Manga Completes the Story: The manga is finished with 20 volumes and 100 chapters, and it resolves all major plotlines, including the secrets of the artificial sun and Gauche Suede’s fate.
- Key Differences Exist: The anime simplifies the plot of the “Reverse” organization and the final battle, while the manga offers a far more complex political conspiracy and character-driven narrative.
- Reading is Highly Recommended: For fans who want the complete, intended story with all its mysteries resolved, reading the manga is essential as a Season 3 of the anime is highly unlikely.
- Official Source is Viz Media: The manga is officially licensed and published in English by Viz Media, making it accessible through their platforms and in physical volumes.
Final Thoughts on Continuing the Tegami Bachi Story
Transitioning from the Letter Bee anime to the manga is more than just continuing a story; it’s about discovering the narrative as it was meant to be told. While the anime provides a beautiful introduction to the world of AmberGround, its anime-original ending leaves a void that only the source material can fill. The manga offers a complete, emotionally resonant, and far more intricate plot that delivers a truly satisfying conclusion.
For fans who felt the anime ended too abruptly or left too many questions unanswered, reading the manga from Chapter 56 is the definitive way to experience the complete and powerful story crafted by Hiroyuki Asada. Your journey as a Letter Bee is only halfway complete.
Last update on 2026-02-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
