Finished the colorful chaos of Nanba Prison and wondering what happens next? You’ve seen Jyugo and his friends escape countless times, but the anime’s ending leaves the biggest mysteries unanswered. You’re ready to dive into the source material to get the full story.
The Nanbaka anime’s second season (Episode 25) concludes its story by adapting the source material up to Chapter 69 of the manga. To seamlessly continue following Jyugo’s journey, you should begin reading from Chapter 69, which marks the start of the next major story arc.
Based on an accurate mapping of the anime adaptation and the now-completed manga, this guide provides the definitive starting point. You’ll discover not only where to begin but also the manga’s final status, the likelihood of a Season 3, and the key plot points the anime never got to cover.
Key Facts
- Anime End Point: The anime adaptation concludes its story at the end of manga Chapter 69, making this the precise starting point for readers.
- Manga Completion Status: The Nanbaka manga by Shō Futamata is complete, having finished in 2022 with a total of 423 chapters, offering a full narrative.
- Season 3 Probability: A third anime season is considered highly unlikely, as there have been no official announcements since Season 2 aired in 2017.
- Tonal Shift: The manga becomes significantly more dramatic and serious after the point where the anime ends, delving into darker themes and character trauma.
- Reading Platform Change: The official English version of the manga was removed from Crunchyroll after its license expired, requiring fans to find new platforms to read it.
Where does the Nanbaka Anime End in the Manga?
The definitive starting point for the Nanbaka manga after finishing the anime is Chapter 69. Season 2 of the anime, which is comprised of 12 Original Net Animation (ONA) episodes, concludes its adaptation with the events of this chapter. The final scenes of Episode 25 correspond directly to the end of Chapter 69, making for a smooth transition from screen to page.
From a practical standpoint, starting here ensures you won’t miss any crucial plot developments or have to reread content you’ve already watched. The anime adaptation is known for being very faithful to the source material in the arcs it covers. Therefore, you can confidently jump straight into the next phase of the story.
Continuing from this verified chapter allows you to immediately dive into the next major story arc that was never animated. This is where the narrative begins to diverge significantly from the anime’s lighthearted tone, introducing new threats and digging deeper into the central mysteries of Nanba Prison.
Is the Nanbaka Manga Finished and What Is the Final Chapter?
Yes, the Nanbaka manga is finished and offers a complete story. The series, written and illustrated by the talented Shō Futamata, officially concluded its run on the Comico app on April 25, 2022. This is fantastic news for anime fans left on a cliffhanger, as it guarantees a definitive ending to the entire narrative.
The final chapter of the Nanbaka manga is Chapter 423. This brings the entire story, including the central mystery surrounding Jyugo and the man with the scar, to a full and satisfying conclusion.
With over 350 chapters of un-adapted content, the manga provides a massive expansion of the world and characters you came to love in the anime. Knowing the series is complete means your investment in reading the remaining story will be rewarded with a proper resolution, something the anime was never able to provide.
Will There Be a Nanbaka Season 3?
As of 2026, there has been no official confirmation of a Nanbaka Season 3. The animation studio, Satelight, has not announced any plans for a sequel since the second season aired back in 2017. Given the significant time that has passed and the fact that the manga source material is now complete, a third season is considered highly unlikely.
While fans remain hopeful, it’s important to understand the business realities of the anime industry. Here are a few common reasons why a sequel may not have been produced:
- Purpose Achieved: Often, an anime’s primary purpose is to act as a commercial to boost sales of the source material. With the manga’s story now finished, the financial incentive to produce more anime is significantly reduced.
- Sales Figures: The production of a new season heavily depends on the sales of Blu-ray/DVDs and merchandise from the previous seasons. If these sales didn’t meet the production committee’s targets, a sequel would be deemed not financially viable.
- Studio Scheduling: Satelight and other animation studios have busy schedules with new projects. Committing resources to a new season of an older show can be difficult.
For these reasons, the manga remains the only way to experience the complete story of Jyugo and the inmates of Cell 13.
What Are the Key Differences Between the Anime and Manga After Chapter 69?
While the Nanbaka anime is a faithful adaptation, it only scratches the surface of the story. The manga’s narrative becomes much deeper, darker, and more complex right after the point where the anime leaves off. Here is a direct comparison of what you’ve seen versus what awaits you in the manga.
| Feature / Plot Point | Anime Season 2 Ending (Episode 25) | Manga Continuation (Post-Chapter 69) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Tone | Primarily action-comedy, ends on a relatively lighthearted note with Jyugo returning to Cell 13. | The tone shifts, becoming progressively more dramatic and serious. Explores darker themes and character trauma. |
| Jyugo’s Arc | Ends after the confrontation with Musashi, with his immediate future in Nanba Prison secured. | His connection to the “man with the scar” and Elf becomes the central plot, leading to major prison-wide conflicts and revealing his true origins. |
| Hajime & The Guards | Character backstories are lightly touched upon. Focus remains on their role as antagonists/supervisors. | Extensive backstories for Hajime, the Warden, and other building supervisors are revealed, adding significant depth and moral complexity. |
| Major Villains | Musashi and the man with the scar are presented as the primary antagonists. | Introduces a much larger antagonistic organization and the powerful inmate Elf, who is connected to Jyugo’s shackles. The “Enki Gokuu arc” introduces a formidable new threat within the prison. |
| World Building | Confined mostly to Building 13 and the New Year’s Tournament grounds. | Expands dramatically to other buildings within Nanba Prison, introducing new inmates with unique powers and exploring the prison’s corrupt underbelly. |
Where Can You Read the Nanbaka Manga After the Crunchyroll Removal?
A major challenge for new readers is that the Nanbaka manga is no longer available on Crunchyroll. The platform’s license for the series expired, meaning you’ll need to look for it elsewhere. Here are the steps to find and read the manga legally:
- Check the Official Japanese Platform (Comico): The manga was originally a web manga serialized on the Comico service in Japan. While this is the original source, it may require navigating a Japanese-language interface and payment system.
- Look for Official Digital Retailers: The next best step is to search for officially licensed volumes on major digital manga storefronts. Platforms like Amazon Kindle, BookWalker, and others may acquire the license to sell the volumes in your region.
- Consider Physical Volumes: Search online retailers and bookstores for officially published physical copies. Publishers sometimes release physical editions of popular web manga, which would be the most direct way to own the series and support the creator.
It is always recommended to seek out these official channels rather than unofficial aggregator sites. Supporting the official release ensures that the creator, Shō Futamata, is compensated for their incredible work.
FAQs About where does the nanbaka anime end in the manga
What happens to Jyugo at the end of the Nanbaka manga?
In the completed manga, Jyugo’s story comes to a full conclusion after he confronts the organization behind his shackles and the man with the scar. Without giving away major spoilers, his journey involves understanding his own nature, his connection to Elf, and ultimately finding a form of freedom and peace with his friends from Cell 13. The ending is definitive and resolves the central mysteries of the series.
What volume does the Nanbaka anime end on?
The Nanbaka anime ends around the content of manga Volume 8. Since the anime concludes at Chapter 69, and manga volumes typically contain 8-10 chapters, the transition point falls squarely within Volume 8 of the officially published manga.
Is Nanbaka worth reading from the start instead of Chapter 69?
For most fans, starting at Chapter 69 is perfectly fine, but reading from the beginning is recommended for die-hard fans. The anime is a very faithful adaptation of the early story arcs. However, the manga offers slightly more detailed character interactions and foreshadowing that a second read-through can make more apparent.
What are the main story arcs the anime doesn’t cover?
The anime stops just before the major “Enki Gokuu Arc,” one of the most significant in the series. Beyond that, the manga features several other critical arcs, including deep dives into the backstories of the prison guards, the full confrontation with the villainous organization led by Elf, and the final resolution of Jyugo’s mysterious powers.
How many episodes are in Nanbaka Season 1 and 2?
The Nanbaka anime has a total of 25 episodes across both seasons. Season 1 consists of 13 episodes that aired on television. Season 2 is an Original Net Animation (ONA) that consists of 12 episodes, which were released digitally.
Who is the man with the scar in Nanbaka?
The man with the scar is the central antagonist of the series and the person responsible for placing the irremovable shackles on Jyugo. His true identity, motivations, and his deep connection to Jyugo’s past are a core mystery that is fully explored and resolved in the later chapters of the manga, far beyond where the anime ends.
Did Nanbaka get a non-canon ending in the anime?
The anime ending isn’t strictly “non-canon” so much as it is “incomplete.” The events that occur at the end of Season 2 are faithful to the manga up to Chapter 69. However, because it stops there without continuing the story, it functions as a cliffhanger and doesn’t represent the true conclusion of the plot.
What is Cell 13 in Nanbaka?
Cell 13 is the specific prison cell within Building 13 of Nanba Prison that houses the four main protagonists: Jyugo (No. 15), Uno (No. 11), Rock (No. 69), and Nico (No. 25). They are infamous throughout the prison for their constant and creative escape attempts, which are always thwarted by their supervisor, Hajime Sugoroku.
Why was Nanbaka removed from Crunchyroll?
Nanbaka, along with other manga like ReLIFE and Momokuri, was removed from Crunchyroll because their licensing agreement expired. Digital streaming and reading platforms license content for a specific period. Once that period ends without a renewal, the content must be taken down from the service.
Is Nanbaka a comedy or a serious anime?
Nanbaka is a unique blend of both; it starts as a vibrant, high-energy action-comedy but gradually introduces more serious, dramatic, and darker themes. The anime largely maintains the comedic focus, while the manga, especially after the point where the anime ends, leans much more heavily into the dramatic plot and character-driven storytelling.
Key Takeaways: Nanbaka Anime to Manga Guide
- The Starting Point is Chapter 69: To continue the story directly after Nanbaka Season 2 (Episode 25), you must start reading the manga from Chapter 69.
- The Manga is Complete: Unlike the anime, the Nanbaka manga is finished, concluding in 2022 with a total of 423 chapters, offering a full and definitive story.
- No Season 3 is Expected: As of 2026, there has been no official announcement for a Nanbaka Season 3, making the manga the only way to experience the rest of the plot.
- The Manga Gets Darker: The story and tone diverge significantly after Chapter 69, shifting from primarily comedy to a more serious and dramatic plot that explores character backstories and darker themes.
- Reading Location Has Changed: The manga is no longer available on Crunchyroll due to an expired license. Fans should look to the original Japanese platform, Comico, or search for other official digital or physical distributors.
- Major Arcs Are Missing: The anime stops before several crucial story arcs, including the introduction of the villain Elf and the “Enki Gokuu Arc,” which are essential to the main plot.
Final Thoughts on Continuing the Nanbaka Story
For fans left on a frustrating cliffhanger by the anime’s incomplete adaptation, the Nanbaka manga is not just an alternative; it’s the essential next step. Starting at Chapter 69 opens the door to a richer, more complex narrative that delivers on the promises the anime could only hint at. You will finally get the answers to the series’ biggest mysteries and witness the full evolution of its colorful cast.
The journey through over 350 chapters of un-adapted content is a rewarding one, transforming Nanbaka from a simple action-comedy into a compelling drama with significant emotional depth. By continuing with the manga, you are choosing to experience the story exactly as the creator intended, all the way to its definitive and satisfying conclusion.
