Wondering where the Tokyo Ravens anime ends in the light novel? You’ve watched all 24 episodes, witnessed the epic magical battles, and are now left on a major cliffhanger. You’re ready to continue the story but need to know the exact starting point in the source material to avoid missing any crucial plot details.
The 24-episode Tokyo Ravens anime adapts the story from the light novels up to the conclusion of Volume 9. To continue the story where the anime leaves off, readers should start with Volume 10. However, the anime features an original, slightly altered ending, so it is highly recommended to begin with Volume 9 to understand the full canon events.
Based on a detailed analysis of the source material and its adaptation, this guide provides the definitive answer. You’ll discover not only the exact volume to start with but also the critical plot differences the anime glossed over. This reveals why the light novel is the only true way to continue Harutora and Natsume’s journey.
Key Facts
- Anime Coverage: The anime series covers the plot of the first nine volumes of the Tokyo Ravens light novel series.
- Canon Divergence: The anime features an “anime original ending” in its final episode that changes and simplifies key events from the end of Volume 9.
- Sequel Status: As of 2026, there has been no official announcement for a Tokyo Ravens Season 2, and a sequel is considered extremely unlikely.
- Continuation Source: The light novel is the only medium that continues the story past the anime’s conclusion, as the manga adaptation does not go further.
- Light Novel Status: The light novel series itself is not yet finished, with the author having been on a long hiatus before releasing the penultimate volume.
Where Does the Tokyo Ravens Anime End in the Light Novel?
The 24-episode Tokyo Ravens anime adapts the story from the light novels up to the conclusion of Volume 9. To continue the story with entirely new content, you should start reading from Volume 10. However, because the anime features an original, altered ending, it’s strongly recommended to begin with Volume 9 to understand the canon events leading into the next arc.
Think of the anime adaptation [animated by 8bit] as a comprehensive but slightly abridged introduction to the world of Onmyoji. It faithfully covers the major arcs from Volume 1 through Volume 8. The divergence happens in the final episodes, which condense the climax of Volume 9, “to The DarkSky.” While the main events are similar, the anime changes crucial details about Natsume Tsuchimikado’s fate and Harutora Tsuchimikado’s reawakening as Yakou.
Jumping straight into Volume 10 will leave you with minor but significant continuity gaps. Reading Volume 9 ensures you have the correct foundation for the complex events that follow, making it the ideal entry point for any anime-only viewer. This approach provides a seamless transition from the anime to the light novel source material.
How Does the Anime Ending Differ From the Light Novel?
The largest difference is the anime’s original ending, which significantly simplifies the results of the Taizan Fukun ritual and Harutora’s state of mind. The light novel [the source material] presents a more complex and dire situation, which serves as the primary conflict for the next several volumes. The rushed pacing of the anime finale glosses over these critical details.
From our detailed analysis of both mediums, the divergences create a fundamentally different setup for the story’s continuation. The anime provides a more hopeful, open-ended cliffhanger, while the light novel establishes a clear and desperate mission for Harutora.
Here is a direct comparison of the key events:
| Event / Plot Point | Anime Ending (Episode 24) | Light Novel Canon (Volume 9) |
|---|---|---|
| Natsume’s Revival | Harutora performs the Taizan Fukun ritual. Suzu calls it a “technical success,” and Natsume is seen in a bright room, her status ambiguous. | The revival is successful but incomplete. It’s revealed Natsume must fuse with her dragon familiar, Hokuto, to stabilize her existence, leaving her in a half-dead state similar to Touji’s half-ogre form. |
| Harutora’s Transformation | Harutora awakens as Yakou, defeats the enemy, and disappears, leaving a cryptic message for Natsume. His motivations are broad. | Harutora’s memories as Yakou return, but he retains his own consciousness, creating an internal conflict. He is branded a terrorist and goes on the run, actively seeking a way to fully restore Natsume. |
| Hokuto’s Role | Hokuto’s identity as a part of Natsume is revealed, but her role in the revival is glossed over. | Hokuto’s existence as Natsume’s shikigami and her subsequent fusion are central to the revival’s outcome and Natsume’s ongoing condition. |
| Conclusion | Ends on a hopeful but highly ambiguous cliffhanger, leaving many questions unanswered. | Ends with Harutora as a fugitive and Natsume in a precarious state, setting up the main conflict for Volume 10 and beyond. |
How Should You Start Reading the Tokyo Ravens Light Novel After the Anime?
To start reading the Tokyo Ravens light novel correctly, you have two primary options, with the first being the highly recommended path for a complete understanding. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize understanding the canon details or jumping straight into new content. From our experience with anime-to-novel transitions, bridging the adaptation gaps is crucial for long-term enjoyment.
Here is a simple, step-by-step guide:
- The Recommended Start (⭐ Best Choice): Start with Volume 9.
- Why: This allows you to read the true, detailed ending of the arc the anime rushed. You will understand the precise circumstances of Natsume’s revival and Harutora’s new status as a wanted fugitive, which are the main drivers of the next part of the story. It makes the transition to Volume 10 seamless.
- The Quick Start (If You’re Impatient): Start with Volume 10.
- Why: This volume begins the first story arc completely unseen in the anime. If you are willing to accept the minor confusion from the anime’s altered ending, you can jump straight into a new adventure. Be prepared to pick up on the changed plot points through context as you read.
Once you decide on your starting point, the next step is to acquire the novels. Look for the official English translations to support the author and publisher.
Regardless of your choice, moving to the light novel is the only way to experience the continuation of the Tokyo Ravens saga.
Will There Be a Tokyo Ravens Season 2?
As of 2026, there has been no official announcement for a Tokyo Ravens Season 2, and it is considered highly unlikely. While fans have hoped for a sequel for years, the realities of the anime industry and the specifics of this franchise point toward the 24-episode series being a one-and-done adaptation.
Here are the primary reasons a second season probably isn’t happening:
- 🕑 Significant Time Has Passed: The anime aired from 2013 to 2014. In the anime industry, it is very rare for a series to receive a sequel after more than a decade of silence. Most renewals happen within a few years of the original broadcast.
- 📈 The Anime’s Purpose Was Fulfilled: Often, an anime adaptation serves as a large-scale promotion for the source material—in this case, the light novels. The production committee may have decided the anime successfully boosted book sales and that a second season was not financially necessary.
- 📖 Source Material Hiatus: The author of the light novels, Kōhei Azano, went on a long hiatus after releasing Volume 16 in 2018. While Volume 17 was eventually released in 2025, the long and unpredictable release schedule makes it difficult for an anime production committee to plan a new season.
For these reasons, you should not wait for a potential Season 2. The only confirmed way to continue the story of Harutora and Natsume is to dive into the light novels.
FAQs About where does the tokyo ravens anime end in the light novel
Is the Tokyo Ravens light novel finished?
No, the Tokyo Ravens light novel series is not officially finished, but it has been on a long hiatus. Author Kōhei Azano stated that the series would conclude with Volume 18. However, after Volume 16 was released in 2018, there was a long delay before Volume 17 shipped in March 2025, leaving the final volume still pending.
What about the Tokyo Ravens manga? Does it continue the story?
No, the main Tokyo Ravens manga adaptation does not continue the story beyond the anime. The manga was cancelled or concluded around the same time the anime finished airing, and it covers the same story arcs. Therefore, the light novel is the only source material that continues the plot.
Do Harutora and Natsume end up together in the light novel?
While the story is not yet complete, all signs point to Harutora and Natsume being the endgame couple. The plot after the anime focuses heavily on Harutora’s quest to properly save Natsume. Their bond is the central driving force of the narrative, but a definitive conclusion has not been published yet.
How many volumes does the Tokyo Ravens anime cover?
The 24-episode anime adapts the first nine volumes of the Tokyo Ravens light novel. It covers the major story arcs from Volume 1, “SHAMAN*CLAN,” through Volume 9, “to The DarkSky,” though the final events of Volume 9 are altered for the anime’s conclusion.
What are volumes 15 and 16 of the light novel about?
Volumes 15 and 16 of the Tokyo Ravens light novel are a major flashback arc. They delve into the past, telling the story of Harutora’s past life as the legendary onmyoji, Yakou Tsuchimikado. This arc provides critical backstory and context for the events of the present day.
Is the anime a faithful adaptation of the light novel?
For the most part, yes, but with key exceptions. The anime is a relatively faithful adaptation through the first eight volumes. However, it abridges some of the finer details of the magic system and rushes the pacing of the final arc in Volume 9, culminating in an “anime original ending” that differs from the source material.
Does Natsume actually die in the story?
Yes, Natsume dies, but she is brought back through the Taizan Fukun ritual. In the light novel’s canon, her revival is not perfect. She exists in an unstable, half-living state, fused with her shikigami, Hokuto, which becomes a major plot point driving Harutora’s actions in the subsequent volumes.
Why is Harutora considered a terrorist after the anime?
In the light novel, after performing the forbidden Taizan Fukun ritual, Harutora is branded a major criminal by the Onmyo Agency. He is seen as a dangerous figure who used forbidden magic, and his reawakening as the infamous Yakou Tsuchimikado makes him a top priority target for the agency.
What is the Raven’s Wing?
The Raven’s Wing is a legendary magical item associated with Yakou Tsuchimikado. It is a powerful tool that allows the user to amplify their magical abilities significantly. In the story, Harutora inherits and utilizes this item as he begins to access his past life’s immense power.
Is it worth reading the light novel from the beginning?
It is highly recommended for fans who want the complete experience. While you can jump in at Volume 9, reading from the beginning provides much more detail on the Onmyodo magic system, world-building, and character motivations that the anime had to abridge. You gain a deeper appreciation for the intricate plot.
Key Takeaways: Tokyo Ravens Anime to Light Novel Guide
- Start at Volume 9 or 10: The anime adapts events up to the end of Volume 9, so to see new content, start at Volume 10. However, reading Volume 9 is highly recommended to understand the canon ending.
- The Anime Ending is Not Canon: The anime’s finale was an “anime original” conclusion that simplified and altered key plot points, particularly Natsume’s revival and Harutora’s subsequent status.
- The Light Novel is the Only Way Forward: There is no Season 2 of the anime, and the manga does not continue the story. The light novel is the sole source for the continuation of the Tokyo Ravens plot.
- Natsume’s Revival is Complex: In the novel, Natsume’s resurrection is only a partial success, leaving her in an unstable state fused with her dragon familiar, Hokuto, which is a central conflict post-anime.
- The Story is Still Ongoing: The light novel series is not yet finished, with the author planning to conclude the story with the 18th volume. As of early 2026, fans are still awaiting the final volume’s release.
- No Season 2 is Expected: Given the many years that have passed since the first season aired in 2013-2014, and the lack of any official announcements, a second season is extremely unlikely.
Final Thoughts on Continuing the Tokyo Ravens Story
Transitioning from the Tokyo Ravens anime to the light novels is the definitive way to experience the full breadth of its intricate story. While the anime provided a fantastic introduction to the world of Onmyoji, the source material offers unparalleled depth, character development, and a continuation of the plot that an anime sequel will almost certainly never deliver.
By starting with Volume 9, you arm yourself with the true canon events, setting the stage for Harutora’s desperate journey as a fugitive and his quest to fully save Natsume. You are now equipped with the exact knowledge needed to dive into the rest of this compelling supernatural fantasy. The true story of the Tsuchimikado reincarnation awaits.
Last update on 2026-02-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
