Wondering where to pick up the One Week Friends manga after finishing the anime? You’ve noticed the story feels incomplete, and you’re right. The anime’s conclusion leaves many manga plot points unresolved.
The One Week Friends anime has an original ending that diverges from the manga. To continue the canonical story with minimal overlap, you should start reading from Chapter 19, which is the beginning of Volume 5. This ensures you won’t miss crucial character developments and story arcs exclusive to the manga’s second half.
Based on detailed analysis of the source material and fan community consensus, this guide provides the definitive starting point. It will clarify the differences and show you exactly what manga-exclusive content you have to look forward to. You’ll discover the deeper story the anime couldn’t tell.
Key Facts
- Anime-Manga Timeline Gap: The anime aired from April to June 2014, while the source manga did not finish its serialization until January 2015.
- Anime-Original Ending: Because the manga was still ongoing, the animation studio created a conclusive, self-contained ending for the 12-episode anime series.
- Complete Manga Story: The main One Week Friends manga is complete, consisting of seven volumes and a final epilogue chapter, allowing you to read the entire canonical story.
- Recommended Starting Point: The consensus starting point after the anime is Chapter 19, the beginning of Volume 5, which is where the anime-original content significantly diverges from the manga plot.
- Sequel on Hiatus: A sequel manga, Sono Ato no Isshuukan Friends, began in 2021 but went on hiatus after only a few chapters.
Where Does the One Week Friends Anime End in the Manga? The Definitive Guide
The definitive, community-agreed starting point for the One Week Friends manga after watching the anime is Chapter 19. This chapter marks the beginning of Volume 5 and is the cleanest entry point into the manga’s original, canonical storyline. While the anime adapts events that occur around this time, its final episodes rearrange the plot and introduce an anime-original conclusion, making a direct continuation impossible.
You might see different recommendations online, with some fans suggesting Chapter 15 or Chapter 22. Starting at Chapter 15 creates too much overlap with events you’ve already seen adapted. Waiting until Chapter 22 means you’ll miss key manga-only character interactions and setup that occur between chapters 19 and 21. Therefore, starting with Chapter 19 provides the best balance, ensuring you don’t miss any of the manga’s unique content while minimizing re-reading.
This recommendation is based on a careful comparison of the anime’s 12-episode run against the manga’s 7-volume story. The core divergence happens with the introduction of Hajime Kujō. While he appears in both versions, his role, the surrounding events, and the ultimate resolution are vastly different. Starting at Chapter 19 places you right at the beginning of this significant narrative split.
Why Does the One Week Friends Anime Have a Different Ending?
The primary reason the One Week Friends anime has a different ending is a common industry issue: the anime’s production outpaced the manga’s serialization. The anime series, produced by the studio Brain’s Base, aired from April to June 2014. However, the source manga by Matcha Hazuki did not publish its final chapter until January 2015.
This production timeline created a significant gap. With the manga’s ending still unwritten, the anime production team at Brain’s Base was faced with a choice. They could either end the series on an ambiguous note or create a conclusive, self-contained ending for their 12-episode adaptation. They chose the latter, crafting an original finale that resolved the immediate conflicts within the series’ limited run.
This is a frequent occurrence in the world of anime adaptations. Think of it like a movie being made based on a book series where the final book isn’t out yet. The filmmakers have to create their own ending to provide a satisfying experience for the audience. This is exactly what happened with One Week Friends, resulting in two distinct versions of the story’s conclusion.
What Are the Key Plot Differences Between the Anime and Manga?
The differences between the One Week Friends anime and manga are significant, especially in the second half of the story. The manga offers a much deeper exploration of characters, their backstories, and the central romance. While the anime provides a sweet but simplified conclusion, the manga delves into more complex emotional territory.
Here is a high-level comparison of the most important divergences:
| Feature | Anime Version (Episodes 11-12) | Manga Version (Chapter 19 onwards) |
|---|---|---|
| Kaori’s Accident | Simplified explanation revealed during a confrontation with past bullies. | More complex reveal involving Kujō’s guilt and repressed memories. |
| Hajime Kujō’s Role | Introduced late (Ep. 9) and serves as the primary conflict trigger. | Has a longer, more nuanced character arc, including a bonding moment with Yuki. |
| Supporting Characters | Kujō’s brother is not present. Saki and Shōgo’s subplot is expedited. | Kujō’s brother is introduced and impacts the plot. Saki and Shōgo’s relationship is more drawn out. |
| Romantic Development | Ends on a hopeful but ambiguous “let’s be friends” note. | Further develops the romantic tension, culminating in a more definitive (though still debated) conclusion. |
| Key Events | The story concludes after the winter break reveal. | Includes later events like a Christmas party and post-graduation epilogue chapter. |
Deeper Role for Hajime Kujō
In the manga, Hajime Kujō is not just a rival. His character arc is far more developed. Readers get to see his perspective, his guilt over the past, and even a surprising bonding moment with Yuki. The introduction of his older brother, Mitsuru, adds another layer to the story and is a plot point entirely absent from the anime. This expanded role makes the central conflict more nuanced and less of a simple love triangle.
The True Cause of Kaori’s Accident
One of the biggest information gains from reading the manga is understanding the full context of Kaori’s memory-triggering accident. The anime simplifies this reveal. The manga, however, presents a more complex and emotionally resonant explanation that directly involves Kujō’s repressed memories and feelings of guilt. This changes the entire dynamic between Kaori, Yuki, and Hajime.
Expanded Romantic and Character Development
What most guides miss is how much deeper the manga explores the feelings between Yuki and Kaori. Through inner monologues and manga-exclusive scenes, their romantic tension is given more room to grow. You get a much clearer sense of their internal struggles and developing affection. Furthermore, the relationship between the supporting characters, Shōgo and Saki, is also given more time to develop naturally, feeling less rushed than its anime counterpart.
Should You Start Reading the Manga From the Beginning?
Now that you know where the stories diverge, you face a new question: jump in at Chapter 19 or start over from Chapter 1? While you can save time by starting mid-way, our hands-on experience with both formats leads to a strong recommendation.
Option 1: Starting at Chapter 19
- Pros: ✅ You get straight to the new content and find out what happens next without re-reading familiar events. It’s the most time-efficient way to continue the story.
- Cons: ❌ You miss out on the subtle foreshadowing, character-building inner monologues, and small but charming interactions that the anime omitted for time. The pacing and emotional tone of the manga are slightly different from the start.
Option 2: Starting at Chapter 1 (Recommended)
- Pros: ✅ You experience the story exactly as the author, Matcha Hazuki, intended. You’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the characters through their internal thoughts, which are a huge part of the manga’s appeal. You’ll also notice minor but meaningful differences in scenes you thought you knew.
- Cons: ❌ You will have to read through the plot points that the anime already adapted. However, many find this experience rewarding as it highlights the adaptation differences.
For the ultimate experience, starting from Chapter 1 is the best path. The manga’s format allows for a level of intimacy with the characters’ thoughts that the anime simply couldn’t replicate. It provides a richer emotional context that makes the manga-only events in the later volumes even more impactful.
What Happens in the Sequel Manga, “Sono Ato no Isshuukan Friends”?
A sequel manga titled Sono Ato no Isshuukan Friends (One Week Friends Afterwards) does exist, but its status is currently uncertain. This sequel, which began serialization in April 2021, shifts the focus to the characters’ lives after high school. It begins to explore their new paths and picks up on the unresolved romantic tension between Yuki and Kaori as they enter a new stage of life.
However, a critical point to know is that the sequel went on an extended hiatus after only a few chapters were released. As of February 2026, it has not yet resumed serialization. While it offers a tantalizing glimpse into the future of the characters, it does not provide a complete story. Fans are hopeful for its return, but for now, the main 7-volume series is the only complete narrative available.
FAQs About where does the one week friends anime end in the manga
What chapter should I start reading after the One Week Friends anime?
For the most direct continuation, you should start reading at Chapter 19, which is the beginning of Volume 5. The anime adapts story elements up to around this point, but its final two episodes rearrange events and create an original ending, making Chapter 19 the best place to jump into the manga’s unique storyline.
Will there be a Season 2 of the One Week Friends anime?
It is extremely unlikely that there will be a Season 2 of the One Week Friends anime. The first season was produced with a conclusive, anime-original ending because the manga was not yet finished. Creating a second season would require ignoring or retconning its own established ending, which studios rarely do for this type of series.
Is the One Week Friends manga complete?
Yes, the main One Week Friends manga series is complete. It finished its serialization in January 2015 and was collected into a total of seven volumes, plus a special epilogue chapter. A sequel series, Sono Ato no Isshuukan Friends, began in 2021 but is currently on an extended hiatus.
Do Yuki and Kaori get together in the manga?
The manga provides more development for their relationship but ends on a somewhat open-ended note that is more conclusive than the anime. The final epilogue chapter shows them after high school, with Yuki still determined to ask Kaori to be more than friends. While it doesn’t show a definitive confession scene with an answer, the implication of a future romance is much stronger than in the anime.
What is Kaori’s memory loss condition?
Kaori has a form of anterograde amnesia, specifically related to positive social memories with “friends.” Every Monday, her memories of anyone she considers a friend are reset. The manga delves deeper into the psychological and traumatic roots of this condition, linking it to an event in her past with her childhood friend, Hajime Kujō.
Final Thoughts
Navigating the transition from an anime to its source manga can be confusing, especially when faced with an anime-original ending. For fans of One Week Friends, the journey is well worth it. The manga offers a deeper, more emotionally complex story that builds upon the foundation the anime set.
Here are the most important things to remember:
* Start Manga at Chapter 19: To continue the story after the anime’s original ending, begin with Chapter 19 in Volume 5. This is the clearest point of divergence.
* Anime Has an Original Ending: The anime was produced before the manga was finished, leading the studio to create a unique, self-contained conclusion for the TV series.
* Manga Offers More Depth: The source material provides significantly more character development, especially for Hajime Kujō, and explores the story’s central mystery and romance more thoroughly.
* A Full Read is Recommended: For the complete experience, including crucial inner monologues and subtle plot details, reading the manga from Chapter 1 is the best approach.
* The Main Story is Complete: The original One Week Friends manga concluded in 2015 with 7 volumes, so you can read the entire canonical story from start to finish.
By picking up the manga, you’re not just continuing the story; you’re discovering a more nuanced and complete version of it. You’ll gain a new appreciation for the characters and finally get the satisfying narrative depth that the anime’s limited run couldn’t fully provide. Now that you know the way forward, you are ready to experience the full, touching story of Yuki and Kaori.
