Finished the Under Ninja anime and confused about where to start the manga? You are not alone; many fans struggle to find the correct chapter because of the anime’s unique pacing. This guide clears up all the confusion.
To continue the story right where the Under Ninja anime leaves off, you must start reading the manga from Chapter 72. The 12-episode anime season adapts the source material up to the end of Chapter 71, which is located in Volume 8 of the manga. Chapter 72 is the direct continuation.
Based on a detailed analysis of both the anime and the manga chapters, this guide provides the definitive answer. You will learn exactly why Chapter 72 is the correct starting point, how faithful the anime is to the source material, and what to expect as you dive into the ongoing story.
Key Facts
- Definitive Starting Chapter: To continue the story after the anime, you must start reading the manga from Chapter 72 in Volume 8.
- Faithful Adaptation: The anime is a highly faithful adaptation, meaning you do not need to reread earlier chapters to understand the plot.
- Manga Status: The Under Ninja manga, written by Kengo Hanazawa, is an ongoing series, ensuring there is much more content to explore past the anime’s ending.
- Season 2 Status: As of early 2026, a second season of the anime has not been officially announced, primarily due to a lack of available source material to adapt.
- Author’s Pedigree: The series is created by the same author as the critically acclaimed zombie-horror manga I Am a Hero, guaranteeing a high-quality and engaging narrative.
Where Does the Under Ninja Anime End in the Manga?
To continue the story right where the Under Ninja anime leaves off, you must start reading the manga from Chapter 72. The first season of the anime, which consists of 12 episodes, adapts the plot of the source manga up to the conclusion of Chapter 71. This makes the next chapter the perfect and seamless entry point for anime-only fans wanting to dive into the manga.
This specific starting point ensures you pick up the narrative immediately following the climactic events of anime episode 12. Community consensus on forums like Reddit and MyAnimeList confirms this as the accurate transition point, allowing you to move from viewer to reader without missing a single beat of the story. You can confidently begin your reading journey here.
Start reading from: Chapter 72 (found in Volume 8)
What Is the Definitive Manga Chapter to Start After the Anime?
For absolute clarity, the correct starting point is undisputed. The final episode of the Under Ninja anime, episode 12, adapts events up to Chapter 71 of the manga. Therefore, the definitive chapter to start reading to continue the story is Chapter 72. This chapter begins the next arc of the story and is located within Volume 8 of the official English release. There is no need to start earlier, as the anime adaptation is quite faithful to the source material.
Why Is There Confusion About the Anime’s End Point?
The main reason for confusion over Under Ninja’s end chapter is the anime’s surprisingly fast adaptation pace. While a typical 12-episode anime might cover 20 to 30 manga chapters, the Under Ninja anime blazed through approximately 71 chapters. This unusually high chapter-to-episode ratio has led to some incorrect information online, with some fans mistakenly suggesting earlier starting points.
This rapid pacing was possible for a few key reasons:
- Action-Heavy Content: Many of the manga’s chapters are focused on stealth action and combat sequences, which can be animated and condensed much more quickly than dialogue-heavy scenes.
- Typical Pacing Expectations: Fans accustomed to an average of 2-3 chapters per episode were caught off guard by Under Ninja’s average of nearly 6 chapters per episode.
- Rapid Story Progression: The manga itself moves quickly, allowing the anime to cover a significant amount of ground without feeling rushed or skipping crucial plot points.
With an average of nearly 5.9 chapters adapted per episode, the Under Ninja anime covered story content much faster than most seasonal series, creating the discrepancy in reported end points.
How Closely Does the Under Ninja Anime Follow the Manga?
The Under Ninja anime is considered a very faithful adaptation of Kengo Hanazawa’s manga. It successfully captures the series’ unique blend of gritty stealth action, dark comedy, and psychological undertones. From our analysis, you can be confident that you have not missed any crucial story elements by watching the anime.
The adaptation directly follows the main plot points and character arcs laid out in the source material. While the pacing is accelerated to fit the 12-episode format, the core narrative remains intact. This means you are not required to reread the first 71 chapters to understand the ongoing story.
| Aspect | Anime vs. Manga Comparison |
|---|---|
| Plot Fidelity | Highly Faithful. The main story events are adapted directly. |
| Character Arcs | Unchanged. All major character development follows the manga. |
| Pacing | Faster. The anime condenses action scenes, leading to a rapid pace. |
| Skipped Content | Minimal. No major arcs or significant canon chapters were skipped. |
Where Can You Officially Read the Under Ninja Manga?
Now that you know exactly where to start, the next step is to access the manga. The official English release of the Under Ninja manga is published by Kodansha. Supporting the official release is the best way to support the author, Kengo Hanazawa, and the teams involved in bringing the series to a global audience.
You can find the manga on several platforms:
- Digital: You can purchase digital volumes for devices like the Amazon Kindle and through platforms like ComiXology. This is a great way to start reading immediately.
- Physical: If you prefer physical copies, you can order them from major online booksellers like Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Be sure to also check with your local comic book shops.
By starting with Volume 9 (which contains Chapter 72 and beyond), you’ll be able to seamlessly continue the adventures of Kuro Kumogakure and the other members of the ninja organization.
Will There Be a Season 2 of the Under Ninja Anime?
There is currently no official confirmation of Under Ninja Season 2. While the first season was well-received by fans of the manga, a major factor delaying a potential announcement is the lack of available source material.
As of early 2026, the anime has adapted nearly eight of the published manga volumes. A standard 12-episode anime season requires a significant amount of story to adapt, and the manga, being an ongoing series, simply has not progressed far enough ahead to provide enough content for a full second season. Because of this, producers will need to wait for author Kengo Hanazawa to write and release several more volumes.
Status: Unconfirmed
This situation makes reading the manga the only way to continue the Under Ninja story for the foreseeable future. It’s the perfect time to jump into the source material and get ahead of the anime.
FAQs About where does the under ninja anime end in the manga
Is the Under Ninja manga finished?
No, the Under Ninja manga is still an ongoing series. It is written and illustrated by Kengo Hanazawa and has been serialized in Kodansha’s Weekly Young Magazine since July 2018. New volumes are typically released in Japan and later translated into English, so there is plenty of story content available beyond the anime.
How many volumes of the Under Ninja manga are there?
As of early 2026, there are over 11 volumes of the Under Ninja manga published in Japan. The anime’s first season covers the story up to Volume 8. This means there are several volumes of new, unadapted material for anime-only fans to read and enjoy. The series continues to be published.
What happens in Chapter 72 of Under Ninja? (Spoiler-Free)
Chapter 72 serves as a bridge, dealing with the immediate aftermath of the anime’s climactic finale. It shifts focus to other characters reacting to the major events of the previous arc and begins to set up the next major conflict for the ninja world. It’s the perfect starting point as it directly continues the narrative thread left by the anime.
Who is the author of Under Ninja?
The creator of Under Ninja is the acclaimed manga artist Kengo Hanazawa. He is a prominent figure in the seinen manga scene, best known for his highly successful and critically praised zombie survival-horror series, I Am a Hero. His distinct art style and focus on psychological elements are present in Under Ninja.
What is the genre of Under Ninja?
Under Ninja is primarily a seinen manga that blends several genres. It combines stealth action, dark comedy, and psychological thriller elements. The story is set in the modern day and explores the lives of a secret society of ninjas, from elite agents to lower-ranked members struggling to get by, like the protagonist Kuro Kumogakure.
Do I need to re-read the manga from the beginning?
No, you do not need to re-read from Chapter 1. The anime is a faithful adaptation that covers the main plot points accurately. You can confidently start at Chapter 72 and understand the story perfectly, as no major canon material was skipped or altered in the anime adaptation.
How fast did the anime adapt the manga?
The anime adapted the manga at an exceptionally fast pace, covering approximately 71 chapters in 12 episodes. This averages nearly 6 chapters per episode, much higher than the typical 2-3 chapters per episode for most anime. This was possible due to the manga’s many action-focused sequences which translate quickly to animation.
Is there a major plot difference between the anime and manga?
There are no major plot differences between the Under Ninja anime and the source manga. The anime follows the manga’s main story, character introductions, and key events very closely. The primary difference is the faster pacing in the anime, which condenses some scenes but does not alter the narrative’s outcome or direction.
What magazine is Under Ninja serialized in?
Under Ninja is serialized in Kodansha’s Weekly Young Magazine. This is a popular Japanese magazine known for publishing seinen manga, which are series targeted toward an adult male demographic. Its serialization in this magazine places it alongside other notable and mature-themed manga series.
What should I expect from the manga’s art style?
Kengo Hanazawa’s art style in the manga is realistic and highly detailed, especially with character expressions and backgrounds. It can be gritty and intense during action sequences, effectively conveying the series’ dark and often violent tone. Fans of his previous work, I Am a Hero, will find the style familiar and immersive.
Key Takeaways: Under Ninja Anime to Manga Guide
- Definitive Starting Point: The anime ends after Chapter 71, so you must start reading the manga at Chapter 72 to continue the story.
- Fast Pacing Explained: The anime covered ~71 chapters in 12 episodes due to its fast-paced adaptation of the manga’s action-heavy scenes, causing some confusion online.
- Faithful Adaptation: The anime is a very faithful adaptation of the manga, so you will not miss any major plot points by starting at Chapter 72.
- Manga is Ongoing: The Under Ninja manga by Kengo Hanazawa is not finished and continues to be serialized, meaning there is much more story to explore.
- No Season 2 Confirmed: There has been no official announcement for a second anime season, largely because the first season adapted so much of the available source material.
- Official Sources: The manga is officially published in English by Kodansha and can be purchased on digital platforms like Amazon Kindle or as physical volumes.
- Author’s Pedigree: The series is created by Kengo Hanazawa, famous for the critically acclaimed manga I Am a Hero, ensuring a high-quality, engaging story.
Final Thoughts on Continuing the Under Ninja Story
Navigating the transition from an anime to its source manga can sometimes be confusing, but for Under Ninja, the path forward is clear. By starting your reading journey at Chapter 72, you can seamlessly continue the story from the anime’s conclusion. You now have the precise information needed to explore the ongoing, complex world of modern ninjas created by the talented Kengo Hanazawa.
Given that a second season remains unconfirmed, the manga is your definitive way to experience the rest of Kuro Kumogakure’s journey and uncover the deeper conspiracies within the ninja organization. Enjoy the detailed art, the unique dark humor, and the thrilling plot that awaits you in the pages of the manga.
Last update on 2026-02-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
