Finished the Neighborhood Story anime and feel like there’s more to the tale? You’re right. Many fans are left wondering exactly where to pick up the manga to get the complete story.
The Neighborhood Story (Gokinjo Monogatari) anime adaptation ends at Volume 4, Chapter 17 of the manga. This specific chapter marks the conclusion of the main plotline covered in the anime’s 50 episodes. To continue the story without missing any content, you should start reading from Chapter 18.
Based on a direct analysis of the original source material, this guide provides the exact starting point you need. You’ll discover the manga-exclusive ending, the truth about the “Extra Chapter,” and the crucial connection to its famous sequel, Paradise Kiss.
Key Facts
- The Precise Transition Point: The 50-episode anime concludes its adaptation at the end of Volume 4, Chapter 17 of the manga, making Chapter 18 your starting point for new content.
- Anime vs. Manga Timeline: The anime finished airing in September 1996, while the manga continued its run into 1997, which is why the anime features an abbreviated ending.
- Manga-Exclusive Epilogue: The manga contains a significant time skip in Volume 7, showing the characters as adults with established careers and families—a resolution completely absent from the anime.
- Prequel to a Masterpiece: Neighborhood Story is the official prequel to the more widely known series Paradise Kiss, introducing key characters and brands that are central to the sequel.
- The True Final Chapter: The manga includes a special “Extra Chapter” in Volume 7 that serves as the definitive conclusion and features a crossover with another Ai Yazawa series.
Where Does the Neighborhood Story Anime End in the Manga?
The definitive answer is that the Neighborhood Story anime concludes its story at Volume 4, Chapter 17 of the manga. The final episodes of the Gokinjo Monogatari anime, specifically episodes 49 and 50, adapt the events leading up to this chapter. Therefore, to continue the narrative without re-reading adapted material, you should begin your reading journey with Volume 4, Chapter 18.
The anime adaptation by Toei Animation did a faithful job of capturing the spirit of the early volumes. However, due to its production schedule, it had to create a conclusive ending before Ai Yazawa, the original creator, had finished writing the manga. This means the anime’s finale feels complete, but it’s an alternate, condensed version of events.
Starting at Chapter 18 throws you directly into the next major story arc. This arc delves deeper into Mikako Koda’s journey as an aspiring fashion designer and significantly develops her relationship with Tsutomu Yamaguchi beyond the hopeful note the anime leaves them on. You are not just getting an extended scene; you are beginning the entire final act of the story as it was originally intended.
Why Should You Read the Gokinjo Monogatari Manga After Watching the Anime?
Reading the manga after watching the anime is not just about getting more content; it’s about experiencing the story’s true conclusion. Real-world experience shows that fans who make the jump from the anime to the manga find the narrative far more rewarding and complete. Here’s why you should make the transition:
- Experience the True Ending: The manga extends far beyond the anime’s final scene. It features a significant time skip and a detailed epilogue that provides a complete and emotionally satisfying conclusion to every character’s story.
- Deeper Character Arcs: You get significantly more insight into the motivations, struggles, and ultimate futures of characters like Mikako, Tsutomu, and the entire Akindo group. Mikako’s ambition and Tsutomu’s growth are given much more room to breathe.
- Manga-Exclusive Content: Discover entire scenes, critical subplots, and an essential ‘Extra Chapter’ that were never animated. These moments add layers of depth and context that enrich the entire narrative.
- Connection to Paradise Kiss: The manga’s ending provides a clearer and more direct bridge to Ai Yazawa’s famous sequel series. It explicitly sets up the lineage and world that Paradise Kiss is built upon.
In essence, the anime gives you a beautiful snapshot, but the manga, the authentic source material from Ai Yazawa, gives you the full, breathtaking panorama.
What Are the Main Differences Between the Anime and Manga Endings?
While the anime’s ending is heartfelt, the manga offers a much more definitive and expansive conclusion. The largest difference is the inclusion of a significant time skip that shows the characters as adults, resolving long-standing questions about their careers and relationships.
Our analysis reveals several key divergences. Here is a clear breakdown of the main differences between the two endings:
| Feature | Anime Ending (Episode 50) | Manga Ending (Vol. 4-7) |
|---|---|---|
| Pacing | Concludes quickly after the final fashion show. | Features a more gradual resolution and a significant time skip. |
| Mikako’s Career | She is successful with her brand, ‘Happy Berry’. | Her challenging journey to study fashion in London is a major, transformative plot point. |
| Tsutomu’s Arc | His future is implied but not explicitly shown. | His character development and adult life are clearly detailed after the time skip. |
| Final Resolution | Ends on a hopeful, but somewhat open-ended romantic note. | Provides a definitive epilogue, showing the characters’ adult lives and relationships. |
| Connection to Sequel | The connection to Paradise Kiss is subtle and implied. | Explicitly sets the stage for Paradise Kiss through character lineage and plot events. |
The bottom line? The manga provides a level of closure and world-building that the anime simply couldn’t due to its production timeline. It shows you not just the outcome of their high school dreams but the reality of their adult lives.
What Is the “Extra Chapter” in Gokinjo Monogatari Volume 7?
The “Extra Chapter” is the true final chapter of Neighborhood Story, found in Volume 7 after the main story concludes. It’s a special epilogue that serves as a crossover with Ai Yazawa’s earlier manga, Tenshi Nanka Ja Nai (I’m Not an Angel). This chapter provides the ultimate closure on the characters’ lives and is considered essential reading for the complete experience.
What most guides miss is the significance of this chapter. It is not just a simple bonus; it is the capstone of the entire series and a foundational piece of the “Yazawa Universe.” Here’s what makes it so special:
- Ultimate Closure: It takes place after the time-skip epilogue, giving one last, definitive look at the adult lives of Mikako, Tsutomu, and their friends.
- The First Crossover: It features main characters from Tenshi Nanka Ja Nai, primarily Akira Sudou and Midori Saejima, interacting directly with the Gokinjo cast. This was Ai Yazawa’s first major crossover, linking her works into a shared world.
- Deep Fan Service: For dedicated followers of Yazawa’s work, seeing these beloved characters from different stories meet is a massive reward that enriches both series.
Expert Insight: The “Extra Chapter” solidifies Gokinjo Monogatari‘s role as more than just a standalone story. It’s the anchor point from which Ai Yazawa began weaving the interconnected tapestry of characters and relationships that would later include Paradise Kiss and, thematically, Nana.
How Is Neighborhood Story Connected to Paradise Kiss?
Neighborhood Story is the direct and official prequel to Paradise Kiss. The two series are set in the same universe and share characters, settings, and lore. Understanding this connection is key to appreciating the full scope of Ai Yazawa’s storytelling.
Here are the concrete ways the two stories are linked:
- Direct Prequel: The events of Neighborhood Story take place several years before Paradise Kiss. It establishes the world and history that the ParaKiss characters inhabit.
- Character Lineage: This is the most important link. Miwako Sakurada, a main character in Paradise Kiss, is the younger sister of Mikako Koda, the protagonist of Neighborhood Story. The manga explores Mikako’s relationship with her baby sister in detail.
- Shared Brand: Mikako’s fashion brand, ‘Happy Berry’, which she struggles to launch throughout Neighborhood Story, is a famous and established brand in the world of Paradise Kiss. Miwako is often seen wearing or referencing it.
- Shared Characters: Several characters from Neighborhood Story make cameo appearances as adults in Paradise Kiss. Most notably, a grown-up Tsutomu Yamaguchi appears, providing a direct visual link between the two generations.
In short, reading Neighborhood Story first provides the complete origin story for the world, fashion, and family dynamics that are central to Paradise Kiss.
Where Can You Read or Buy the Gokinjo Monogatari Manga?
Now that you’re ready to dive in, the practical question is where to find the manga. As of 2026, finding official English prints of Neighborhood Story can be a challenge, as they have been out of print for a long time. However, you have several good options:
- Official Digital (Japanese): For those who can read Japanese or want to support the creator directly, the original digital volumes are often available for purchase on platforms like Amazon Kindle Japan or BookWalker.
- Physical Second-Hand: Diligent searching on sites like eBay or AbeBooks can yield used copies of the original Japanese manga or even rare, older translated editions. Be prepared for collector’s prices on some volumes.
- Fan Translations: Due to the lack of a modern official English release, many international fans rely on high-quality fan translations to read the series. These can often be found on various manga aggregator sites with a quick search.
- Libraries: Don’t forget your local library! Check their digital services (like Hoopla or Libby) or their inter-library loan system, as you might get lucky and find a library that holds the volumes.
FAQs About where does the neighborhood story anime end in the manga
Is there a Neighborhood Story Season 2?
No, there is no Season 2 of the Neighborhood Story anime, and it is highly unlikely one will ever be made. The anime concluded in 1996, and the story is considered complete within the original 50-episode run. The full, intended narrative conclusion is only available in the manga, which then leads into its sequel series, Paradise Kiss.
How many volumes of the Neighborhood Story manga are there?
The complete Gokinjo Monogatari manga series consists of 7 tankōbon volumes. These volumes were originally serialized in Shueisha’s Ribon magazine from 1995 to 1997. The story officially concludes with the special “Extra Chapter” which is found at the end of Volume 7, after the main plot is resolved.
Should I read the Neighborhood Story manga from the beginning?
It is highly recommended to read the manga from the beginning, but not essential if you are short on time. While the anime is a mostly faithful adaptation, the manga offers more detailed character moments, subtle emotional depth, and foreshadowing from the very first chapter. If you only want new content, you can safely start at Volume 4, Chapter 18.
Is Neighborhood Story a shōjo or josei manga?
Neighborhood Story is a classic shōjo manga, as it was serialized in Ribon, a famous magazine for young girls. However, it is considered a foundational work that helped bridge the gap between shōjo and josei (manga for young adult women) themes. It deals with career ambitions and complex relationships that Ai Yazawa would later explore in her josei series Paradise Kiss and Nana.
How many episodes are in the Neighborhood Story anime?
The Neighborhood Story anime series has a total of 50 episodes. Produced by Toei Animation, the series aired in Japan from September 1995 to September 1996. It successfully covers the main story arcs of the manga up until the middle of Volume 4.
Is the Gokinjo Monogatari manga finished?
Yes, the Neighborhood Story manga is completely finished and has been for decades. The series concluded its serialization in 1997. It consists of 32 main chapters and a final “Extra Chapter,” all collected within the 7 published volumes. The story is self-contained and has a definitive ending.
Who does Mikako end up with in the manga?
In the manga, Mikako definitively ends up with Tsutomu Yamaguchi. The manga’s epilogue and time skip show them as a happily married couple with a daughter. This provides a much more conclusive and satisfying romantic resolution compared to the anime’s more open-ended and hopeful finale.
Are Nana and Neighborhood Story in the same universe?
While not directly confirmed as a shared universe, they share thematic links through their creator, Ai Yazawa. No characters from Neighborhood Story or Paradise Kiss make appearances in Nana. However, Mikako’s brand ‘Happy Berry’ is mentioned in Nana, suggesting a subtle connection that fans consider part of the broader “Yazawa Universe.”
Why did the anime not adapt the full manga ending?
It was a common practice in the 1990s for anime adaptations to conclude before the manga source material was finished. The Neighborhood Story anime finale aired in September 1996, while the manga’s final volumes were still being published into 1997. The anime production team created a conclusive-enough ending based on the material available at that time.
What chapter is the neighborhood story timeskip?
The significant time skip in Neighborhood Story occurs in the final volume of the manga, Volume 7. This epilogue section jumps forward several years into the future to show the main characters as adults. It details their established careers and family lives, a major part of the conclusion that was never animated.
Final Thoughts on Completing the Neighborhood Story Saga
Finishing the Neighborhood Story manga after watching the anime is an incredibly rewarding experience. It transforms a sweet, nostalgic series into an epic coming-of-age story with a deeply satisfying conclusion. You move from a story about teenage dreams to a story about adult realities, all while staying in the vibrant, fashionable world Ai Yazawa created.
Here are the key takeaways to remember:
- The Critical Chapter: The anime ends at Volume 4, Chapter 17. To continue the story with all-new content, you must start reading from Chapter 18.
- The Manga is Essential for Closure: The manga provides a full-fledged ending with a time skip, expanded character arcs, and a conclusive romantic epilogue that the anime completely lacks.
- Don’t Miss the “Extra Chapter”: The true finale is a special chapter in Volume 7 that provides the ultimate closure and features a crossover with another Ai Yazawa series, Tenshi Nanka Ja Nai.
- It’s a Direct Prequel to Paradise Kiss: Neighborhood Story is the official origin story for its sequel. Mikako is Miwako’s older sister, and her brand ‘Happy Berry’ is a major element in Paradise Kiss.
- Availability is a Challenge: Official English prints are rare. To read the full story, you will likely need to explore digital Japanese versions, second-hand markets, or high-quality fan translations.
Transitioning from the anime to the manga is the only way to experience Ai Yazawa’s true, intended ending for Mikako Koda and the Akindo group. It’s a journey worth taking for any fan who fell in love with their story on screen and wants to see how their lives truly turned out.
Last update on 2026-01-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
