Finished the Pandora Hearts anime and now facing its infamous cliffhanger? You’re wondering where to pick up the manga to finally get some answers. That confusing, open-ended finale leaves more questions than it answers, a common frustration for viewers.
The 25-episode Pandora Hearts anime adaptation ends at Volume 8, Chapter 32, titled “Retrace XXXII: The Howl of the Abyss.” To seamlessly continue the story without missing any canon plot, you should start reading the manga from Chapter 33, which begins Volume 9.
Based on a detailed analysis of the source material, this guide explains exactly where the anime leaves off and why reading the manga is essential. You’ll discover the crucial differences between the two, what happens in the 70+ chapters the anime never covered, and the real possibility of a future remake.
Key Facts
- The Exact Transition Point: The anime’s story faithfully follows the manga up to Volume 8, Chapter 32. The recommended starting point for anime-only viewers is Chapter 33.
- Incomplete Adaptation: The 25-episode anime covers only about 30% of the completed manga, leaving the vast majority of the plot, character development, and major twists unanimated.
- Total Manga Length: The full Pandora Hearts manga is a complete story spanning 104 chapters, which are collected into 24 volumes.
- Non-Canon Ending: The final episodes of the anime (23-25) feature an anime-original ending that is not part of the manga’s canon, creating a simplified and contradictory conclusion.
- Key Terminology Difference: A simple way to distinguish the anime from the manga is the name of the fated city: it is called “Sabrie” in the anime but correctly named “Sablier” in the manga.
Where Does the Pandora Hearts Anime End in the Manga?
The 25-episode Pandora Hearts anime concludes its canon adaptation at Volume 8, Chapter 32 of the manga. This chapter, titled “Retrace XXXII: The Howl of the Abyss,” is the final point where the anime and the source material align. For fans wanting to continue the story, the definitive starting point is Chapter 33, which marks the beginning of Volume 9 and kicks off entirely new plot arcs that were never animated.
While the anime does have 25 episodes, the divergence begins earlier. The final three episodes create a self-contained, anime-original ending that significantly differs from the manga’s true narrative direction. Therefore, jumping straight to Chapter 33 ensures you are on the correct canonical path to uncover the story’s true mysteries, including the full history of the Sablier Tragedy and the real motivations of characters like Jack Vessalius.
Why Should You Read the Pandora Hearts Manga from the Beginning?
Starting the Pandora Hearts manga from Chapter 1 is strongly recommended because the anime, while largely faithful at first, streamlines early character interactions and omits subtle foreshadowing crucial for later plot twists. While you can start at Chapter 33, reading from the beginning provides a richer, more complete appreciation for Jun Mochizuki’s intricate storytelling and character work.
Here’s why a full read-through is the superior experience:
- ✅ Deeper Characterization: Early interactions between Oz Vessalius, his loyal servant Gilbert Nightray, and the mysterious Chain Alice have more depth and nuance in the manga. Small moments and lines of dialogue that were cut from the anime add significant layers to their personalities and relationships, making their later trials more impactful.
- ✅ Crucial Foreshadowing: Jun Mochizuki is a master of foreshadowing. Seemingly insignificant background details, throwaway lines, and single-panel expressions in the early chapters have massive payoffs dozens of chapters later. The anime skips many of these, meaning you’ll miss the “aha!” moments when you realize a clue was hidden in plain sight all along.
- ✅ Appreciating the Art: One of the great joys of reading the manga is watching Jun Mochizuki’s art style evolve. Her early work is charming, but it grows into a breathtakingly detailed and expressive gothic style. Experiencing this artistic journey from start to finish is a unique pleasure lost by jumping into the middle.
- ✅ Minor Plot and Dialogue Changes: The anime makes small alterations to dialogue and the sequence of events. While minor on their own, these changes add up, creating a slightly different tone and sometimes altering the context of key scenes.
What Are the Key Differences Between the Pandora Hearts Anime and Manga?
The main difference between the Pandora Hearts anime and manga is the ending; the anime features an anime-original, non-canon conclusion after Chapter 32, while the manga continues for over 70 more chapters to tell the complete story. This divergence makes the anime an incomplete teaser for the true, sprawling narrative. The anime also changes key terminology, most notably renaming the city of Sablier to “Sabrie.”
For a clear breakdown, our comparative analysis shows the key distinctions:
| Feature | Pandora Hearts Anime (2009) | Pandora Hearts Manga (2006-2015) |
|---|---|---|
| Story Coverage | Approx. 30% of the main plot | 100% of the complete story |
| Ending | Anime-original, non-canon ending starting after Episode 22 | Canon, conclusive ending at Chapter 104 |
| Length | 25 episodes | 24 volumes, 104 chapters (Retraces) |
| Key Terminology | The city is called “Sabrie” | The city is correctly named “Sablier” |
| Pacing | Generally faster; some character moments are condensed | More deliberate pacing with extensive character development and world-building |
| Canon Status | Non-canon after Chapter 32 | The definitive, 100% canon source material by Jun Mochizuki |
The “Sablier” versus “Sabrie” change is a simple localization choice made by the anime studio, Xebec, but it has become a well-known identifier among fans to distinguish between discussions of the manga’s canon and the anime’s adaptation. The manga’s name, “Sablier,” is French for “hourglass,” a thematically significant detail related to the story’s exploration of time and memory.
How Does the Anime-Original Ending Diverge from Manga Canon?
The Pandora Hearts anime’s original ending creates a simplified, self-contained conclusion by altering the motivations of key antagonists and resolving the immediate arc, whereas the manga uses this point as a launchpad for much deeper, more complex revelations. The last three episodes (23-25) effectively function as filler, presenting a quick resolution that fundamentally contradicts the true story. For example, the anime provides a different explanation for Oz’s powers and the nature of the Abyss.
Think of the anime ending as a short story written in the same universe, while the manga is the full epic novel. The anime’s ending feels neat, but it closes the door on the mysteries the manga was just beginning to unravel concerning the true natures of Jack Vessalius, Glen Baskerville, and the Will of the Abyss. It provides a temporary, unsatisfying answer to a question that the manga spends dozens of chapters exploring with breathtaking depth.
What Happens in the Manga After the Pandora Hearts Anime Ends?
After the Pandora Hearts anime ends, the manga delves into the true history of the Tragedy of Sablier, the real identity and motivations of Jack Vessalius, and the complex relationship between the Will of the Abyss and Alice. The story pivots dramatically, introducing new, crucial characters and revealing that many established “truths” from the first part of the story were elaborate deceptions. The remaining 70+ chapters are where the story truly becomes a masterpiece of mystery and dark fantasy.
Without revealing major spoilers, here is a glimpse of what the manga explores after Chapter 32:
- 🔎 The Truth of the Sablier Tragedy: You will learn what really happened 100 years ago, and the roles Jack Vessalius and Glen Baskerville truly played in the event that destroyed a city.
- 🔎 Jack Vessalius’s True Nature: The heroic figure from the anime’s flashbacks is put under a new, much darker lens. The manga slowly unravels whether he was the hero he appeared to be or something else entirely.
- 🔎 The Identity of Glen Baskerville: The history of the most feared name among the Four Great Dukedoms is explored, revealing a cycle of tragedy, sacrifice, and a mission spanning centuries.
- 🔎 The Will of the Abyss: You finally discover the entity at the heart of the Abyss, its heartbreaking connection to Alice, and its true desires.
- 🔎 The Vessalius and Nightray Families: The dark histories and hidden connections between the Four Great Dukedoms are brought to light, revealing deep-seated grudges and forgotten promises.
The story expands in scope, complexity, and emotional weight, delivering a series of shocking twists and a powerful, conclusive ending that resolves every mystery introduced in the beginning.
Will There Be a Pandora Hearts Season 2 or Remake?
A Pandora Hearts Season 2 is extremely unlikely, but a full “Brotherhood-style” remake remains a distant possibility. The primary obstacles are the anime’s non-canon ending and the status of the original animation studio.
The Problem with Season 2
A direct sequel is nearly impossible for two main reasons. First, the anime’s original ending creates a massive plot hole. It resolves character arcs and motivations in a way that directly contradicts the manga’s canon, leaving no logical way to transition back to the source material’s story. Second, the animation studio, Xebec, was absorbed by other studios in 2019 and is now effectively defunct, meaning the original production team cannot be reassembled.
The Case for a Remake
While a sequel is off the table, a complete remake is more plausible, though there has been no official announcement as of 2026. This would be similar to how Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood was created to faithfully adapt its entire manga after a first anime with an original ending.
There is a sliver of hope. Jun Mochizuki’s subsequent work, The Case Study of Vanitas, received a high-quality, faithful anime adaptation from Studio Bones. This proves that her intricate stories can be successfully adapted and that there is still industry interest in her work. Fans continue to hope that one day, Pandora Hearts will receive the same definitive “Brotherhood” treatment it deserves.
FAQs About where does the pandora hearts anime end in the manga
How many chapters and volumes does the Pandora Hearts manga have?
The completed Pandora Hearts manga consists of 104 chapters, which are collected into 24 volumes (tankobon). The chapters were originally serialized in Square Enix’s GFantasy magazine from 2006 to 2015. The anime only covers up to Chapter 32, leaving roughly 72 chapters of story unanimated.
What is the difference between “Sablier” and “Sabrie”?
“Sablier” is the correct name for the city of the past tragedy as used in the original manga, while “Sabrie” is a localization change used only in the 2009 anime adaptation. This minor change is a key way to identify discussions pertaining to the anime versus the manga. The name “Sablier” is French for “hourglass,” which is thematically relevant to the story.
Is the Pandora Hearts manga worth reading?
Yes, the Pandora Hearts manga is highly recommended and widely considered a masterpiece of the dark fantasy and mystery genres. It tells the complete, intricate story that the anime was unable to finish. If you enjoyed the anime’s premise, characters, and atmosphere, reading the manga is essential to experience the full, mind-bending plot and its deeply satisfying conclusion.
When did the Pandora Hearts manga finish?
The Pandora Hearts manga officially concluded its serialization in Japan in March 2015. The final chapter, “Retrace 104: Will,” was published in the April 2015 issue of GFantasy. The final collected volume (Volume 24) was released shortly after, bringing the nine-year story to a close.
Who created Pandora Hearts?
Pandora Hearts was written and illustrated by the mangaka Jun Mochizuki. She is highly praised for her detailed and expressive gothic art style, intricate plot weaving, and complex character development. Her other famous work is The Case Study of Vanitas (Vanitas no Carte), which also has a popular anime adaptation.
Does the Pandora Hearts manga have a happy ending?
The ending of Pandora Hearts is complex and bittersweet, and whether it’s “happy” is a subject of fan debate. It provides a definitive and emotional conclusion to the characters’ journeys, resolving all major plotlines. While it involves sacrifice and tragedy, it also contains strong elements of hope, love, and catharsis, making it a memorable and impactful finale.
What chapter is episode 25 of Pandora Hearts?
Episode 25 of the anime, “Beyond the Winding Road,” does not correspond to a specific manga chapter because it is part of the anime-original ending. The anime begins to significantly diverge from the manga around episode 22, and the final three episodes create a non-canon conclusion. The last faithfully adapted content is from Chapter 32.
How much of the story does the Pandora Hearts anime cover?
The anime covers approximately the first 30% of the overall manga storyline. It successfully introduces the main characters, the world, and the central mystery but concludes just as the plot begins to unravel its deeper, more complex layers. The vast majority of the plot, including major twists and character arcs, occurs in the manga after the anime ends.
What are “Chains” in Pandora Hearts?
Chains are monstrous beings that originate from the Abyss, a mysterious, time-distorting dimension. Humans can form illegal contracts with Chains to gain power, but as a consequence, they are eventually dragged into the depths of the Abyss. Pandora, the organization the main characters work for, manages legal contracts with Chains to maintain order.
Is there a Pandora Hearts sequel?
No, there is no official sequel to the Pandora Hearts manga. The story told across its 104 chapters is complete and self-contained. While fans have hoped for more content, the creator, Jun Mochizuki, moved on to her next major series, The Case Study of Vanitas, after Pandora Hearts concluded.
Key Takeaways: Pandora Hearts Anime to Manga Guide
- The Direct Answer: The Pandora Hearts anime ends at Volume 8, Chapter 32. To continue the story, you should start reading from Chapter 33.
- Read From Chapter 1: It is highly recommended to read the manga from the very beginning. The anime streamlines early character development and omits crucial foreshadowing that is essential for the full impact of later plot twists.
- Anime-Original Ending: The anime’s final episodes (23-25) are non-canon filler. They create a self-contained ending that contradicts the manga’s true, far more complex plot, making a direct “Season 2” impossible.
- Vast Uncovered Story: The anime only covers about 30% of the entire manga. The remaining 70+ chapters delve into the true Tragedy of Sablier, the identities of Jack and Glen, and the mysteries of the Abyss.
- No Sequel, Remake Possible: A Season 2 is not feasible due to the anime’s filler ending and the original studio being defunct. However, a full “Brotherhood-style” remake that faithfully adapts the entire manga remains a possibility, though none has been announced as of 2026.
- It’s a Complete Story: The manga is fully completed with 104 chapters in 24 volumes. Reading it guarantees you the entire, finished narrative as intended by the creator, Jun Mochizuki.
Final Thoughts on Continuing the Pandora Hearts Story
Navigating the transition from an incomplete anime to its source manga can be daunting, but for Pandora Hearts, it is a journey worth taking. The 2009 anime served as a beautiful, atmospheric introduction to a world of gothic mystery and unforgettable characters. However, the true story—in all its mind-bending, heart-wrenching glory—lies within the 24 volumes of Jun Mochizuki’s completed manga.
By picking up the manga, you are not just continuing a story; you are starting the real one. You will experience the narrative as it was meant to be told, with every clue, every subtle glance, and every shocking revelation intact. Whether you choose to start from Chapter 1 for the full experience or jump in at Chapter 33 to get straight to the new content, you are on the path to discovering why Pandora Hearts remains a beloved masterpiece.
Last update on 2026-01-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
