Confused by the abrupt ending of the School Rumble anime? You’re not alone. Many fans feel the story of Harima, Tenma, and the rest of Class 2-C was left hanging with major plotlines unresolved.
To continue the School Rumble story after the anime’s second season (Ni Gakki), you must start reading the manga at Chapter 162, which is located in Volume 14. The final episodes adapt events up to the end of Chapter 161, making Chapter 162 the direct and seamless continuation point for the main plot.
Based on a complete analysis of the franchise’s structure, this guide provides the definitive roadmap to finishing the saga. You’ll discover the “Great Manga Gap” the anime created, get the true character endings, and learn exactly how the complete narrative unfolds in the original source material.
Key Facts
- Definitive Starting Point: The anime’s main story continuity stops after Season 2 (Ni Gakki), which corresponds to manga Chapter 161. To continue the plot, you must begin reading at Chapter 162.
- The “Great Manga Gap”: The final San Gakki OVAs skip approximately 120 chapters of the manga, jumping from the end of Volume 14 to the series finale in Volume 22, causing massive confusion.
- A Complete Story: The manga is fully finished, collected in 22 main volumes and one epilogue volume (School Rumble Z), providing a conclusive ending that the anime lacks.
- Resolved Love Triangles: Reading the manga is the only way to find out the canonical resolution of the central love triangle between Harima, Eri, and Tenma.
- Source of Confusion: The two-episode San Gakki OVA series is the primary reason for the anime’s unsatisfying ending, as it adapts the finale without any of the crucial build-up.
Where Does the School Rumble Anime End in the Manga?
The main storyline of the School Rumble anime concludes at the end of manga Chapter 161, found in Volume 14. This means the official starting point to continue the narrative without missing any content is Chapter 162. The anime’s second season, known as School Rumble: Ni Gakki (Second Semester), faithfully adapts the manga up to this point before the adaptation abruptly stops.
While there are two final OVA (Original Video Animation) episodes titled School Rumble: San Gakki (Third Semester), they do not follow the story chronologically. Instead, they adapt select scenes from the manga’s absolute final chapters. This creates a massive story gap and a confusing, disjointed experience for anyone who hasn’t read the manga. For a true continuation, you must ignore the San Gakki OVAs for now and pick up the manga right where Season 2 left off.
Why Is Reading the Manga After the Anime Essential for Fans?
Reading the School Rumble manga is essential because the anime adaptation is fundamentally incomplete, leaving major plotlines and character relationships completely unresolved. The anime’s ending feels abrupt because it is. The manga provides the canon ending and the satisfying closure that anime-only viewers never received.
If you finished the anime feeling confused or let down, the manga is the solution. It’s the only way to get the full story as creator Jin Kobayashi intended. Here’s why making the jump to the manga is so important:
- ✅ Get the True Ending: The anime lacks a conclusive ending for any major character. The manga provides definitive resolutions for Harima, Eri, Tenma, and Karasuma.
- ✅ Experience Skipped Arcs: The anime skips over a hundred chapters of significant plot, character development, and hilarious side stories.
- ✅ Understand Character Resolutions: You will see the final, canonical outcomes for every major relationship, especially the central love triangle.
- ✅ Clarify the San Gakki OVAs: The manga fills the massive story gap that makes the San Gakki OVAs so confusing and nonsensical.
What Is the “Great Manga Gap” the Anime Created?
The “Great Manga Gap” is a term fans use to describe the huge narrative chasm created by the School Rumble: San Gakki OVAs. These two final episodes adapt scenes from the manga’s finale (Chapters 282-283) while completely ignoring everything that happened after Season 2, which ended at Chapter 161.
This means anime-only viewers miss approximately 120 chapters of critical story. It’s like reading the first five chapters of a book, then skipping directly to the final chapter and trying to understand how everything ended. This jump skips all the essential character growth, relationship changes, and plot progression that occurs in manga volumes 14 through 21, leaving viewers completely lost.
How Do the Anime Seasons Map to the Manga Chapters?
The School Rumble anime adapts the manga in a relatively straightforward way for its first two seasons, but the final OVAs create a major disconnect. Understanding this mapping is key to knowing exactly where to pick up the story and why the manga is so crucial for a complete experience.
This table provides a clear visual roadmap of what each part of the anime covers from the manga, which is the original source material.
| Anime Series/Season | Manga Volumes Covered | Manga Chapters Covered | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 (26 episodes) | Volumes 1-7 | Chapters 1-105 | Covers the introduction of all main characters and initial plotlines. |
| Season 2 (Ni Gakki) (26 episodes) | Volumes 8-14 | Chapters 106-161 | Adapts up to the end of the second school term. This is the main stopping point. |
| San Gakki OVAs (2 episodes) | Volume 22 | Chapters 282-283 (partial) | CRITICAL: Skips ~120 chapters. This is NOT the next chronological step. |
How Does the School Rumble Manga Ending Differ from the Anime?
SPOILER WARNING: This section discusses the definitive endings for major characters as they occur in the manga. Proceed only if you want to know the final resolutions.
The manga’s ending is vastly different because it actually provides closure. Unlike the anime, which ends on an ambiguous note, the manga resolves the series’ central love triangles and gives each character a clear, definitive future. Kenji Harima’s journey of maturation leads him to a conclusion far from where he started, and Tenma Tsukamoto’s path takes a selfless and bittersweet turn.
The anime stops before any of this development occurs. The manga is where you witness the payoff of over 300 chapters of character growth, seeing who Harima ultimately chooses and what becomes of Tenma’s one-sided crush on Karasuma.
What Is the Final Resolution for Harima, Eri, and Tenma?
The conclusion of the main love triangle is the most significant difference between the anime and manga. It resolves in a mature and nuanced way that reflects the characters’ growth throughout the series.
- 👨 Kenji Harima: After a long and difficult character arc, Harima moves past his immature crush on Tenma. He realizes his true, deeper feelings are for Eri Sawachika. He pursues a career as a manga artist and enters a committed, lasting relationship with Eri.
- 👩 Eri Sawachika: She finally overcomes her “tsundere” personality and admits her love for Harima. She supports his new career path, and they form a stable and loving couple by the end of the series.
- 👩 Tenma Tsukamoto: Her story ends not with a traditional romance, but with an act of pure devotion. When Oji Karasuma’s mysterious illness worsens, he moves to America for treatment. Tenma follows him to become his full-time caregiver, dedicating her life to supporting him.
What Is School Rumble Z and Is It Canon?
School Rumble Z is a single-volume epilogue manga that serves as a companion piece to the main 22-volume series. It is generally considered semi-canon by the fan community. It doesn’t present a single, linear story but is instead a collection of short chapters that take place before, during, and after the main plot.
Think of it as a “bonus features” disc for the series. Its content includes:
- Future Glimpses: Short stories showing the characters years later, including a famous chapter that ambiguously depicts Harima and Eri with a child.
- “What-If” Scenarios: Comedic, non-canon chapters that explore alternate realities, such as what would have happened if different characters got together.
- Side Stories: Chapters that fill in minor gaps or focus on the backstories of secondary characters.
School Rumble Z was published in a different magazine (Magazine Special) than the main series and is not required to understand the main ending. However, it provides fun, extra content for dedicated fans who have finished the entire 22-volume run and want one last visit with the characters.
FAQs About where does the school rumble anime end in the manga
What chapter should I start after School Rumble Season 2?
Start reading at Chapter 162 in Volume 14. The anime’s second season, Ni Gakki, concludes its adaptation at the end of Chapter 161, making 162 the direct chronological continuation of the story.
Does the School Rumble anime follow the manga closely?
For the first two seasons, yes, but with many skipped chapters. While the main plot points are adapted faithfully through Season 2, numerous side stories and minor character arcs are omitted. The San Gakki OVAs do not follow the manga chronologically at all, skipping over 120 chapters.
Is the School Rumble manga finished?
Yes, the main School Rumble manga is complete. It finished its serialization in Weekly Shōnen Magazine in 2008 and is collected into 22 volumes. The epilogue series, School Rumble Z, is also complete at one volume.
How many chapters are in School Rumble?
The main manga series consists of 345 chapters, collected into 22 volumes. The final chapter is numbered 283, but there are many extra lettered or “.5” chapters throughout the run, bringing the official total to 345 individual installments.
What is School Rumble Z?
It is a one-volume epilogue series with semi-canon side stories. It includes glimpses of the characters’ futures, “what-if” scenarios, and comedic shorts that take place before, during, and after the main storyline. It is not a direct, linear sequel.
Does Harima end up with Eri or Tenma in the manga?
Harima ends up with Eri Sawachika. The manga details his character growth, leading him to realize his feelings for Eri are more profound than his initial crush on Tenma. They form a committed couple by the end of the series.
What happened to Tenma and Karasuma?
Tenma follows Karasuma to America to become his caregiver. After Karasuma’s mysterious illness worsens, Tenma dedicates herself to supporting him. Their ending is not a traditional romance but one based on deep care and devotion.
Should I read the School Rumble manga from the beginning?
It is highly recommended if you are a big fan. While you can start at Chapter 162 to continue the plot, reading from Chapter 1 provides the full experience, including all the skipped gags and character interactions that enrich the world.
Who wrote and illustrated School Rumble?
The manga series was written and illustrated by Jin Kobayashi. He is the sole creator of the story, characters, and world, with the anime being an adaptation of his original work.
How many volumes of School Rumble are there?
The main series has 22 tankōbon (bound novel) volumes. There is also one additional volume for the epilogue series, School Rumble Z, making a total of 23 volumes for the entire story.
Final Thoughts on Finishing the School Rumble Saga
Navigating the transition from the School Rumble anime to the manga can seem confusing, but the reward is a complete, satisfying conclusion to a story many fans hold dear. By starting at Chapter 162, you are not just continuing the plot; you are stepping into the true, unfiltered vision of creator Jin Kobayashi. You will finally witness the payoff for Harima’s long journey of self-improvement, understand the bittersweet depth of Tenma’s devotion, and experience dozens of hilarious and heartfelt moments the anime left on the cutting room floor. The manga is the definitive way to finish the series and get the closure the beloved characters of Class 2-C deserve.
Last update on 2026-01-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
