Wondering where the Netoge anime ends so you can jump into the light novels? You’ve finished the show and want to continue the story without missing a single moment.
The anime adaptation of And you thought there is never a girl online? concludes at the end of Light Novel Volume 6. To continue the story without rereading content, you should start with Volume 7. The 12-episode anime series covers the main plot points from the first six books.
Based on an analysis of the official source material, this guide provides the exact starting point. You will discover a clear comparison of the anime, light novel, and manga. This reveals everything you need to know to seamlessly continue the story.
Key Facts
- Anime Endpoint: The 12-episode anime series adapts the story content from the light novels up to the conclusion of Volume 6.
- Correct Starting Point: To continue the story with new content, readers must begin with Light Novel Volume 7.
- Light Novel Status: The original light novel series is complete, concluding with a total of 23 volumes.
- Manga Status: The manga adaptation was canceled in 2018 after 8 volumes and is an incomplete version of the story.
- Sequel Likelihood: As of 2026, a second season of the anime is considered unlikely, making the light novel the only way to experience the full story.
Where Does the Netoge Anime End in the Light Novel?
The anime for “And You Thought There Is Never a Girl Online?” adapts the story up to the end of Volume 6 of the light novel. This means the 12-episode series covers the introductory arcs, the formation of the Alley Cats guild, and their initial real-life adventures. To continue the story after watching the anime, you should start reading from Volume 7 of the light novel series.

The anime provides a faithful introduction to the characters and their world. However, it only scratches the surface of the full narrative. The source material, the light novels written by Shibai Kineko, offers a much deeper and more complete story. By starting with Volume 7, you pick up right where the anime’s final episode leaves off, ensuring a seamless transition into brand-new story arcs.
Many fans wonder if they miss anything by not reading the first six volumes. While the anime does a good job, the light novels contain more inner thoughts and smaller character moments. However, starting with Volume 7 is perfectly fine if your main goal is to experience what happens next in the plot.
What Is “And You Thought There Is Never a Girl Online?” About?
“And You Thought There Is Never a Girl Online?” (Netoge no Yome wa Onnanoko ja Nai to Omotta?) is a romantic comedy light novel series. The story is written by Shibai Kineko and illustrated by Hisasi. It follows a high school student named Hideki Nishimura, a dedicated player of the MMORPG “Legendary Age.”
Hideki was once so traumatized after proposing to a female character in-game—only to discover the player was a man—that he swore off trusting online girls. Years later, his in-game wife, a character named Ako, wants to meet in real life. Skeptical, Hideki agrees, only to find out Ako is actually Ako Tamaki, a real, beautiful, but socially awkward girl from his school.
The core conflict of the series is Ako’s inability to distinguish between the game and reality. She calls Hideki by his in-game name at school and struggles with normal social interactions. Hideki and his guildmates, who also turn out to be students at his school, form a club to help Ako adjust to the real world while navigating their own chaotic lives and growing romance.
What Is the Status of the Netoge Light Novel Series?
The “And You Thought There Is Never a Girl Online?” light novel series is complete, concluding with its 23rd volume. This is great news for readers, as you can invest in the series knowing the entire story is finished and available. There’s no need to worry about an ongoing series or an unfinished plot.
There was some confusion regarding the final volume count. The author, Shibai Kineko, initially announced on his verified Twitter account that the series would end with Volume 22. However, he later confirmed the story would be extended to one more book.
Here are the key facts about the light novel’s status:
- Completion Status: The series is officially finished.
- Total Volumes: There are a total of 23 volumes.
- Final Volume: The 23rd and final volume was released in Japan by the publisher Dengeki Bunko.
This completion makes it the perfect time to dive into the novels, as the definitive ending to Hideki and Ako’s story awaits you.
How Do the Netoge Adaptations Compare: Anime vs. Light Novel vs. Manga?
When continuing a series, it’s important to know the differences between the media formats. For Netoge, the light novel, anime, and manga have very different levels of completion. Using the light novel as the source material is the only way to get the full story.
Our analysis shows that the manga adaptation is not a viable option for continuing the plot. Here is a direct comparison to help you decide which path to take.
| Feature | Light Novel (Source) | Anime Adaptation | Manga Adaptation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status | Completed | 1 Season (Completed) | Canceled |
| Total Length | 23 Volumes | 12 Episodes | 8 Volumes (46 Chapters) |
| Story Coverage | The entire, complete story | Adapts Volumes 1-6 | Adapts through ~Volume 6 |
| Conclusion | Definitive series ending | Open-ended, hints at more story | Abruptly ends, incomplete |
| Recommendation | Read for the full story | Watch as an introduction | Generally skipped by fans |
As the table shows, both the anime and the canceled manga cover roughly the same amount of content. Therefore, the only true way to continue the story past the anime’s ending is by reading the light novels.
How Should You Continue the Netoge Story After the Anime?
Based on our findings, the best way to continue the story is to start reading Volume 7 of the light novel. This volume begins a completely new story arc that was not shown in the animation, focusing on the school’s cultural festival and new challenges for the Alley Cats guild.
Here is a simple, step-by-step guide to seamlessly transition from the anime to the novels:
- Start with Volume 7: This is the first volume with entirely new content. It picks up right after the events of the anime and introduces the next major phase of the story. You will not miss any crucial plot points by starting here.
No products found.
- (Optional) Reread Volume 6: If you want the smoothest possible transition, you can choose to read Volume 6 first. This allows you to get used to the author’s writing style and experience the end of the anime’s arc from the novel’s perspective, which often includes more detail and character thoughts.
Find the Novels: Since the light novels are not officially translated into English, you will need to find fan translations online. Communities on platforms like Reddit often have discussions and resources for finding quality translations of the series.
Following these steps will ensure you have the best experience continuing the adventures of Hideki, Ako, and the rest of their guild.
Will There Be a Netoge Season 2?
Currently, there is no official announcement or confirmation of a Season 2 for And You Thought There Is Never a Girl Online?. While fans are hopeful, a sequel is considered unlikely at this point.
Here’s a breakdown of the arguments for and against a potential second season:
- ✅ Argument For: There is more than enough source material. With 17 unadapted light novel volumes (from Volume 7 to 23), there is sufficient content for at least two more full seasons of the anime.
- ❌ Argument Against: A significant amount of time has passed since the first season aired in 2016. Furthermore, anime are often produced to boost sales of the source material. With the light novel series now complete, the primary financial incentive for the production committee to create a new season has diminished.
As of 2026, the outlook for a second season is not positive. For fans who want to know how the story ends, reading the light novels is the only certain path. The novels provide the complete and satisfying conclusion that a second anime season may never deliver.
FAQs About where does the netoge and you thought there is never a girl online anime end in the light novel
Why was the Netoge manga canceled?
The Netoge manga adaptation was canceled in 2018 after 8 volumes and 46 chapters. While the publisher gave no official reason, this often happens when a manga adaptation of a light novel does not generate enough sales to be profitable. The story ends abruptly around the same point as the anime, making the light novel the only source for the full story.
Does Hideki end up with Ako in the light novel?
Yes, the light novel provides a definitive and happy ending for Hideki and Ako’s relationship. The entire 23-volume series builds on their romance, exploring their growth both inside the game and in their real lives. Unlike the anime’s open-ended conclusion, the source material offers complete closure for their journey together.
What is the name of the MMORPG in Netoge?
The MMORPG played by the characters in And You Thought There Is Never a Girl Online? is called “Legendary Age” (LA). This fictional fantasy online game serves as the main setting for the characters’ initial interactions. It is where many of the series’ comedic situations originate before the plot shifts to their real-world school life.
Is the Netoge light novel translated into English?
As of 2026, the Netoge light novel series has not been officially licensed for an English translation. Publishers like Yen Press or Seven Seas Entertainment have not announced any plans to release it. Fans who wish to read the series in English must rely on unofficial fan translations, though the quality and availability of these can vary.
Is Netoge considered a harem anime?
Yes, Netoge contains elements of the harem genre, but it is not a traditional harem series. While several female characters show affection for the male protagonist, Hideki Nishimura, his romantic focus remains exclusively on the main heroine, Ako Tamaki. The story is primarily a romantic comedy centered on their specific relationship.
What happens in Netoge after the anime?
After the events of the anime (Volume 6), the light novels introduce several major story arcs. These include the school’s cultural festival, a large-scale guild-versus-guild tournament in Legendary Age, the appearance of new rival characters, and significant development in the real-world relationships between all the guild members as they approach high school graduation.
How faithful is the Netoge anime to the light novel?
The anime is a reasonably faithful adaptation of the first six light novel volumes. It successfully captures the main plot points, character personalities, and comedic tone of the source material. However, like most adaptations, it condenses some events and omits minor character interactions and inner monologues for the sake of pacing. The core story remains consistent.
Who wrote and illustrated the Netoge light novels?
The Netoge light novel series was written by Shibai Kineko and illustrated by Hisasi. Shibai Kineko is the author who created the story and characters. Hisasi is the artist who provided all the illustrations for the novels, including the cover art and character designs that were later adapted for the anime.
Is it worth reading the Netoge light novel from the beginning?
It is generally not necessary but can be an enjoyable experience for dedicated fans. If you want to jump straight into new content, starting with Volume 7 is perfectly fine. However, reading from Volume 1 allows you to experience the story with more detail, including character thoughts and smaller scenes that were cut from the anime.
Are there other works by the author Shibai Kineko?
Yes, Shibai Kineko has written other light novel series. While Netoge is his most famous work, he is also the author of other romantic comedies. Readers who enjoy his unique writing style and humor can find his other series, which are often published under the same Dengeki Bunko imprint.
Key Takeaways
- Anime Ends at Volume 6: The anime adaptation covers the story through the end of Light Novel Volume 6. To continue with new content, you must start reading from Volume 7.
- The Light Novel is Complete: The source material is finished, with a total of 23 volumes. This provides a full, conclusive story with a definitive ending for Hideki and Ako’s romance.
- Manga is Not an Option: The manga adaptation was canceled early and is incomplete. It does not go beyond the anime’s story and should not be used to continue the series.
- Season 2 is Unlikely: While there is more than enough source material for several more seasons, there has been no official announcement, and the time passed makes a sequel improbable.
- Read the Light Novel for the Full Story: The light novel is the only medium that contains the entire, canonical story of Netoge no Yome. It is the definitive source for fans who want to see the conclusion.
- No Official English Translation: As of 2026, the light novels have not been licensed in English, meaning readers must seek out fan translations to experience the story beyond the anime.
Final Thoughts on Continuing the Netoge Story
For fans of the Netoge anime left wanting more, the path forward is clear and rewarding. The anime serves as a fantastic gateway, but the true depth and conclusion of the story lie within the 23 completed volumes of the light novel series. By starting your reading journey with Volume 7, you can directly continue the adventures of the Alley Cats guild without missing a beat.
While the lack of an official English translation and the unlikelihood of a second season might seem disappointing, the existence of a complete, fan-translated source material is a gift. It offers a definitive ending to a beloved story, providing the closure that many anime-only series never receive. Now that you know exactly where to begin, the entire world of Netoge is ready for you to explore.
Last update on 2026-02-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API