Struggling to figure out where the Rainbow Days anime ends in the manga? You’re not alone. Many fans are left on a cliffhanger, wanting to know what happens next with Nattchan and Anna.
To continue the story after the Rainbow Days anime, you must start reading the manga from Chapter 25. The 24-episode anime series faithfully adapts the source material up to the end of Chapter 24. This chapter concludes with Anna’s internal realization of her feelings for Nattchan, making Chapter 25 the seamless pickup point.
Based on a verified chapter mapping and a deep analysis of the source material, this guide provides the definitive answer. You’ll discover the exact episode-to-chapter breakdown, what minor content was skipped, and why the manga is the only way to get the satisfying conclusion you’ve been looking for.
Key Facts
- Anime’s End Point: The 24-episode anime concludes its story by adapting events up to the end of manga Chapter 24.
- Manga’s Starting Point: To continue the narrative without missing any plot, you should begin reading from Chapter 25.
- Manga Status: The Rainbow Days manga is complete, finishing its run in 2017 with a total of 80 chapters collected in 16 volumes.
- Adaptation Faithfulness: The anime is a highly faithful adaptation, meaning you won’t miss major plot points by starting at Chapter 25.
- Season 2 Likelihood: As of 2026, a second season is highly unlikely, as there has been no official news since the first season aired in 2016.
Where Does the Rainbow Days Anime End in the Manga?
The definitive starting point in the manga after watching all 24 episodes of the Rainbow Days anime is Chapter 25. The anime adaptation by Production Reed is remarkably faithful, covering roughly one manga chapter per episode. The final scene of anime episode 24 corresponds directly to the final pages of manga Chapter 24, where Anna Kobayakawa finally admits to herself that she has feelings for Natsuki “Nattchan” Hashiba.
This one-to-one pacing makes the transition from watching to reading incredibly smooth. Unlike other anime that rearrange or skip major arcs, Rainbow Days provides a direct path. By picking up the manga at Chapter 25, you are stepping directly into the next scene of the story, ready to see how Anna acts on her newfound realization and how her relationship with Nattchan develops from that critical turning point.
For a quick reference, here is a simple guide to understanding the media’s status.
| Media | Status | Last Adapted Point | Where to Continue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anime (24 Episodes) | Finished (2016) | End of Chapter 24 | Manga Chapter 25 |
| Manga (80 Chapters) | Finished (2017) | Chapter 80 (Complete) | N/A (Complete Story) |
What Is the Exact Anime-to-Manga Chapter Mapping?
The Rainbow Days anime maintains an almost perfect one-to-one adaptation rate, meaning each 13-minute episode covers one chapter of the manga. This consistent pacing is rare in anime adaptations and is a primary reason why transitioning to the manga is so straightforward for fans. The production team made a clear choice to follow the source material closely rather than condensing it.
From real-world analysis of both the anime and the manga, the mapping is incredibly direct. Episode 1 covers Chapter 1, Episode 12 adapts the Christmas party events of Chapter 12, and the finale follows suit. This direct correspondence builds trust in the adaptation’s fidelity and assures viewers they have received the intended early-story experience. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the key milestones.
| Anime Episode | Corresponding Manga Chapter | Key Plot Event Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Episode 1-11 | Chapters 1-11 | Introduction of characters and early relationship development. |
| Episode 12 | Chapter 12 | The Christmas party arc. |
| Episode 13-23 | Chapters 13-23 | Continued relationship progression for all four couples. |
| Episode 24 (Final) | Chapter 24 | Anna’s realization of her feelings for Natsuki. |
This clear structure confirms that starting at Chapter 25 is the correct and most efficient way to continue the story. You are not missing fragments of chapters or rearranged plotlines by jumping in right where the anime leaves off.
Was Any Manga Content Skipped in the Rainbow Days Anime?
No, the Rainbow Days anime did not skip any major plot-relevant story arcs from the manga. The adaptation is praised by fans for its high fidelity to the source material created by Minami Mizuno. You can confidently start reading from Chapter 25 without feeling lost or missing crucial context for the main relationships.
However, for the sake of total accuracy, the anime did omit some minor content for pacing. This skipped material does not affect the main narrative and consists almost entirely of:
- Bonus Chapters: These are often short, extra stories included in the collected tankōbon volumes. They usually focus on comedic side scenarios.
- “.5” Chapters: In fan translations and some digital releases, these are interstitial chapters that provide extra character moments but are not part of the main numbered chapter sequence.
- Side Panels & 4-Koma Strips: The manga occasionally includes small, single-panel gags or short four-panel comic strips that were trimmed from the anime adaptation.
These omissions are standard practice in the anime adaptation process to ensure a smooth narrative flow. They are fun extras for manga readers but are not essential for understanding the plot or character development.
Should You Read the Rainbow Days Manga from the Beginning?
Based on the faithful adaptation, a direct recommendation can be made to save you time and get you to the new content faster.
✅ Recommendation for most fans: Start at Chapter 25.
If your primary goal is to find out what happens next in the story, reading from Chapter 25 is the best path. You will miss no critical plot points, and you can jump right into the post-confession dynamic between Nattchan and Anna.
📚 Recommendation for completionists: Start at Chapter 1.
If you are a fan who loves to experience every single detail, joke, and piece of bonus art, then you might enjoy reading from the beginning. While the plot will be familiar, you’ll get to see the minor side stories and panels that the anime left out. This path is for those who want the full, unabridged experience.
How Does the Rainbow Days Manga End?
Yes, the Rainbow Days manga provides a complete and deeply satisfying happy ending for all four main couples. Unlike the anime’s open-ended conclusion, the manga, which completes its story in Chapter 80, resolves every romantic arc and provides definitive closure for fans. This is the primary reason why reading the manga is so highly recommended.
What most guides miss is the specific structure of the ending. The main narrative, including the final romantic resolutions, concludes in Volume 15. However, the author, Minami Mizuno, dedicated the entire final volume to telling stories of their futures.
Here’s a spoiler-light summary of the conclusive endings you can look forward to in the manga:
* Nattchan and Anna: Their “will they, won’t they” dynamic fully resolves, leading to a confirmed and heartwarming relationship that is a core focus of the later chapters.
* Mattsun and Mari: Their fiery and complicated relationship also reaches a definitive, and for many fans, surprising conclusion.
* Kei-chan and Nozomi: Keiichi’s journey and his relationship with Mattsun’s sister, Nozomi, are fully explored and given a proper ending.
* Tsuyopon and Yukirin: The most stable couple in the series continues to develop, and the manga shows readers where their long-term relationship heads.
The manga volume 16 epilogues are the ultimate payoff, offering glimpses into the characters’ lives after high school and solidifying their futures together.
Will There Be a Rainbow Days Season 2?
No, as of 2026, there has been no official announcement for a Season 2 of Rainbow Days, and a continuation is considered extremely unlikely. While fans have hoped for more, several key factors point to the anime being a finished project.
Here is the evidence behind the fan community consensus that a second season will not be produced:
- Time Passed: The anime concluded its run in 2016. In the fast-moving anime industry, it is very rare for a slice-of-life series to receive a sequel after so many years have passed.
- Manga is Complete: The source manga finished its serialization in 2017. Often, anime are produced to boost sales of an ongoing manga. With the source material complete, a primary financial incentive for a new season is gone.
- Lack of Official Word: The animation studio, Production Reed, and the publisher, Shueisha, have made no statements regarding a continuation. After this long, silence is a strong indicator that no project is in development.
For these reasons, the manga is not just an alternative—it is the only official and available way to experience the complete, canon story of Rainbow Days.
FAQs About where does the rainbow days anime end in the manga
Is the Rainbow Days manga finished?
Yes, the Rainbow Days manga is complete. The series, written and illustrated by Minami Mizuno, concluded its run in Bessatsu Margaret magazine in March 2017. The final chapter is Chapter 80, and the story is fully collected in 16 tankōbon volumes.
How many volumes of Rainbow Days are there?
There are a total of 16 tankōbon volumes of the Rainbow Days manga. The main story concludes in Volume 15, while Volume 16 is composed entirely of epilogue chapters that explore the characters’ lives after the main plot.
What chapter does Anna confess in the manga?
Anna’s first major internal confession, where she admits her feelings to herself, happens at the end of Chapter 24. This is the exact point where the anime ends. Her external confession to Natsuki (Nattchan) and their subsequent relationship development occurs much later in the manga.
Who does Nattchan end up with?
Natsuki “Nattchan” Hashiba ends up in a happy, confirmed relationship with Anna Kobayakawa. The manga dedicates significant time to developing their romance from friends to a couple, providing a much more conclusive and satisfying ending than the anime’s open-ended conclusion.
Are the other couples’ stories finished in the manga?
Yes, the manga provides conclusive endings for all four main couples. This includes the relationships between Tomoya “Mattsun” Matsunaga and Mari Tsutsui, Keiichi “Kei-chan” Katakura and Nozomi Matsunaga, and Tsuyoshi “Tsuyopon” Naoe and Yukiko “Yukirin” Asai.
Where can I read the Rainbow Days manga officially?
The Rainbow Days manga was licensed in English by Viz Media under their Shojo Beat imprint. You can purchase physical or digital volumes from major online book retailers or through digital platforms like the Viz Manga app.
Is there a Rainbow Days live-action movie?
Yes, a live-action film adaptation of Rainbow Days was released in Japan in 2018. It covers the early parts of the story, similar in scope to the anime, and offers another way to experience the series’ beginning.
What genre is Rainbow Days?
Rainbow Days is a shōjo manga that falls into the slice of life and romantic comedy genres. It is unique for its focus on a group of four male high school friends and their respective romantic pursuits, rather than a single female protagonist.
How many chapters are in the Rainbow Days manga?
The main story of the Rainbow Days manga consists of 80 chapters. These chapters are collected across the 16 volumes of the series, telling the complete story from start to finish.
Is the Rainbow Days manga better than the anime?
Most fans consider the manga to be better because it tells the complete story. While the anime is a faithful and charming adaptation of the beginning, the manga provides the full character development, relationship progression, and satisfying conclusions that the anime lacks.
Key Takeaways: Rainbow Days Anime to Manga Guide
- Start at Chapter 25: The 24-episode anime ends precisely at the conclusion of manga Chapter 24. To continue the story seamlessly, begin reading at Chapter 25.
- The Anime is Faithful, but Incomplete: No major plot arcs were skipped in the anime adaptation. You can safely start after the anime without missing critical information, though completionists might enjoy minor bonus chapters by starting from Chapter 1.
- The Manga is Finished: The Rainbow Days manga is complete with 80 chapters collected in 16 volumes. It provides a full, satisfying story that the anime leaves unfinished.
- All Couples Get an Ending: Unlike the anime’s cliffhanger, the manga provides conclusive and happy endings for all four main couples: Nattchan & Anna, Mattsun & Mari, Kei-chan & Nozomi, and Tsuyopon & Yukirin.
- Volume 16 is Pure Epilogue: The final volume of the series is dedicated entirely to epilogue chapters, showing the characters’ lives after the main story concludes, offering a definitive sense of closure.
- No Season 2 Is Expected: There has been no official announcement for a second season since 2016. The manga is the only canonical way to experience the full story.
Final Thoughts on Continuing the Rainbow Days Story
Transitioning from the Rainbow Days anime to the manga isn’t just about continuing the plot; it’s about getting the complete, fulfilling emotional experience the story was always meant to deliver. The anime did a wonderful job introducing these lovable characters and their initial struggles, but the manga is where their relationships truly blossom and find resolution.
You now have the exact map to continue your journey. By starting at Chapter 25, you are stepping into a much larger and more rewarding world that provides the happy endings these characters deserve. The investment in reading the remaining chapters pays off with one of the most satisfying conclusions in the slice-of-life romance genre. Don’t wait for a Season 2 that may never come—the complete story is finished, polished, and waiting for you.
