Finished the Zipang anime and now staring at that massive cliffhanger? You’re not alone. Many fans are left wondering exactly where to pick up Kaiji Kawaguchi’s epic manga to see what happens to the JDS Mirai and its crew.
The 26-episode Zipang anime series concludes its story at Volume 7, Chapter 69 of the original manga. This means the anime only adapts a small fraction of the complete 43-volume saga. To get the full story and a definitive conclusion, you must transition to reading the source material.
Based on a detailed analysis of the complete manga series and community-verified data, this guide provides the exact starting point. You will discover why the anime stopped, the vast differences in the story, and how to seamlessly continue the JDS Mirai’s journey through World War II.
Key Facts
- Exact Transition Point: The anime adaptation ends precisely at Chapter 69 of Volume 7, meaning readers should start with Chapter 70 to continue the story without overlap.
- Incomplete Adaptation: The 26-episode anime covers only about 16% of the entire 43-volume manga series, leaving the vast majority of the plot, character development, and conclusion untold.
- No Season 2: There has never been an official announcement for a Zipang Season 2, and it is highly unlikely to be produced, as the anime concluded in 2005 and the manga in 2009.
- Definitive Manga Ending: The manga provides a complete and complex ending in Volume 43, resolving the fates of the JDS Mirai, its crew, and the altered historical timeline.
- No Official English Release: As of 2026, the Zipang manga has not been officially licensed for an English translation, meaning fans must rely on fan-made scanlations to read the entire series.
Where Does the Zipang Anime End in the Manga?
The 26-episode Zipang anime series concludes its story at Volume 7, Chapter 69 of the original manga by Kaiji Kawaguchi. This is the definitive transition point. The anime covers the initial shock of the time-slip, the crew’s first interactions with the Imperial Japanese Navy, and the events leading up to and during the Battle of Midway. Episode 26 leaves the crew of the JDS Mirai stranded in 1942 with an uncertain future, a point that is merely the beginning of a much larger narrative in the manga.
For anyone left frustrated by the anime’s abrupt halt, moving to the manga is not just an option—it’s a necessity to experience the complete story. The anime adaptation [produced by Studio Deen] serves as an extended prologue to the sprawling political and military epic that unfolds over the subsequent 36 volumes.
Quick Answer: Where to Start the Zipang Manga
The Zipang anime (26 episodes) ends at Volume 7, Chapter 69 of the manga.
To continue the story, start reading from Volume 8, Chapter 70.
Why Did the Zipang Anime Stop and Is There a Season 2?
There is no Zipang Season 2, and one is not expected to be made. The original anime, produced by Studio Deen, aired from 2004-2005. It served its primary purpose as a promotion for the then-ongoing manga. With the source material having concluded in 2009, there is little financial incentive for the production committee to greenlight a sequel over 15 years later.
This situation is common in the Japanese animation industry, especially for long-running seinen manga. An anime adaptation is often created to boost sales and interest in the source material, not necessarily to tell the entire story. Several factors contributed to the anime’s conclusion after 26 episodes:
- Manga Promotion: The anime successfully introduced the world of Zipang to a wider audience, driving sales for the manga published in Kodansha’s Morning magazine. Once this goal was achieved, continuing the expensive animation process was no longer a priority.
- Pacing Issues: At the time of the anime’s broadcast, the manga was still being written. The anime was catching up to the available source material, and producing a second season would have required either creating non-canon “filler” content or taking a long hiatus.
- Production Costs: Animating the detailed naval battles and complex historical settings of Zipang is a costly endeavor. A 26-episode run was a significant investment, and funding for further seasons for a niche military sci-fi series was likely not secured.
What Are the Key Differences Between the Anime and Manga After Episode 26?
The difference between where the Zipang anime ends and what the manga goes on to explore is massive. The anime shows the spark, while the manga depicts the entire wildfire that engulfs the 20th century. While the anime adaptation is largely faithful to the early volumes, the story’s true depth, political intrigue, and character complexity only begin to surface after the anime’s endpoint.
Here is a breakdown of what you miss by only watching the anime:
| Aspect | Zipang Anime (Ends at Ep. 26) | Zipang Manga (Continues for 36+ more volumes) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Story | Covers only the initial events up to the Battle of Midway. | Completes the entire Pacific War saga, exploring massive historical divergences. |
| Takumi Kusaka’s Arc | His nationalist ideals are introduced but left unresolved. | He becomes a major political and military force, actively attempting to reshape Japan’s destiny. |
| Fate of JDS Mirai | The crew is left stranded in 1942 with an uncertain future. | The crew’s ultimate fate, the ship’s final destiny, and their impact on history are fully resolved. |
| Historical Scope | Focuses on a few key naval encounters. | Depicts major geopolitical shifts, including interactions with Nazi Germany and a different end to WWII. |
| Conclusion | Abrupt cliffhanger with no resolution. | A definitive, complex, and bittersweet ending that concludes the entire narrative. |
How Do You Continue the Zipang Story After the Anime?
Making the jump from the anime to the manga is a seamless experience. Kaiji Kawaguchi’s detailed art and storytelling pick up immediately where the anime left off. Here is your simple, step-by-step guide to continuing the journey.
- Finish Episode 26 of the Zipang anime. The final episode, “The Place We Are to Return To,” sets the stage perfectly for the manga’s next arc.
- Locate Volume 8 of the Zipang manga. This is where the entirely new, un-adapted content begins.
- Start reading from Chapter 70, titled “The Pursuer.” This chapter immediately follows the events of the Battle of Midway and kicks off a major story arc that defines the rest of the series.
By following these steps, you will transition directly into the heart of the Zipang narrative, discovering the long-term consequences of the JDS Mirai’s presence in World War II.
How Does the Zipang Manga End? (Major Spoiler Warning)
⚠ MAJOR SPOILER WARNING: The following section details the ending of the entire 43-volume Zipang manga. Do not read further if you wish to experience the story for yourself.
The conclusion of Zipang is one of the most complex and thought-provoking in modern manga, offering a definitive resolution that the anime never could. It addresses the fates of the war, the ship, and the crew.
The Fate of the Pacific War
Instead of a decisive victory for the Allies, the intervention of the JDS Mirai and the actions of its crew, particularly the defected Takumi Kusaka, fundamentally alter the course of history. Japan avoids the unconditional surrender and the atomic bombings. Through a series of complex political and military maneuvers, a peace treaty is brokered with the Allies, leading to a vastly different post-war world and a new global political landscape.
The Fate of the JDS Mirai
The JDS Mirai [a fictional advanced Kongō-class destroyer] does not survive to the end. The technologically superior vessel becomes the focal point of the war, hunted by all sides. After sustaining immense damage over years of conflict and playing its final, crucial role in shaping the war’s outcome, the ship is ultimately lost. Its legacy, however, is the new timeline it created.
The Fate of the Crew
The fates of the crew members are bittersweet. The protagonist, Yosuke Kadomatsu, survives the war. He lives out his life in the altered 20th century, forever separated from the future he once knew. Takumi Kusaka, who becomes a powerful and morally ambiguous antagonist, is also a central figure in the finale, and his philosophical war with Kadomatsu reaches a dramatic conclusion. The manga provides closure for all major characters, showing the personal cost of changing history.
Is the Zipang Manga Officially Translated into English?
No, as of 2026, the Zipang manga has never been officially licensed or translated into English. Despite winning the prestigious Kodansha Manga Award in 2002 and its critical acclaim, no major English-language publisher like Viz Media or Yen Press has picked up the 43-volume series for an official release.
There are several likely reasons for this:
- Niche Genre: Zipang is a dense, dialogue-heavy military science fiction and political thriller. This is a niche genre compared to more popular shonen and shojo manga, making it a riskier financial investment for publishers.
- Series Length: A 43-volume series is a massive commitment for any publisher, requiring significant resources for translation, editing, and marketing over many years.
- Seinen Demographic: As a seinen series targeted at adult men, it has a smaller potential audience in the Western market compared to titles aimed at younger readers.
Because of this, English-speaking readers who wish to experience the full story must rely on unofficial, fan-made translations known as “scanlations,” which can be found online.
FAQs About where does the zipang anime end in the manga
Is Zipang considered an isekai?
Not in the modern sense, but it uses a similar premise. Zipang is best categorized as a military science fiction or “time-slip” story. It predates the modern isekai boom and focuses on realistic historical and political consequences rather than fantasy tropes like magic or game mechanics.
Who is the author of the Zipang manga?
The Zipang manga was written and illustrated by the acclaimed artist Kaiji Kawaguchi. He is a renowned creator of mature, politically-charged seinen manga, also famous for other works like The Silent Service and Eagle: The Making of an Asian-American President.
How many volumes and chapters does the Zipang manga have?
The complete Zipang manga series consists of 43 volumes, containing a total of 422 chapters. This highlights how little of the story was adapted by the 26-episode anime, which only covered the first 69 chapters.
Is the JDS Mirai a real ship?
The JDS Mirai is fictional, but it is based on a real class of ship. It is depicted as a fictional, advanced version of the real-life Kongō-class Aegis guided-missile destroyer used by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
What is the meaning of the title “Zipang”?
“Zipang” (or Jipangu) is an old, archaic name for Japan, famously used by Marco Polo in his travels. The name evokes a sense of a distant, almost mythical land, which is fitting for a story where the crew is stranded in their own country’s past.
Does the JDS Mirai ever return to its own time?
🚨 (Spoiler) No, the JDS Mirai does not return to the future. The manga’s ending confirms that the ship and its remaining crew are permanently part of the new, altered 20th-century timeline they helped create.
What happens to Lieutenant Takumi Kusaka in the manga?
🚨 (Spoiler) Takumi Kusaka becomes a major antagonist and a pivotal figure in the new timeline. He defects from the Mirai and uses his future knowledge to try and force Japan to win the war, creating a third faction between the historic Imperial Japanese Navy and the Mirai‘s crew.
Is Zipang based on a true story?
No, Zipang is a work of historical fiction and a “what-if” scenario. While it is set during a real historical event (World War II’s Pacific Theater) and features real historical figures, the core plot of a modern destroyer traveling back in time is entirely fictional.
Key Takeaways: Zipang Anime and Manga Guide
- The Anime Ends at Chapter 69: The 26-episode anime concludes at Volume 7, Chapter 69. To continue the story, you must start reading the manga from Volume 8, Chapter 70.
- No Season 2 is Expected: The anime served as a promotion for the manga and ended in 2005. There are no plans for a sequel to complete the adaptation.
- The Manga is Vastly Larger: The anime covers less than 20% of the full story, which spans 43 volumes and concludes the entire Pacific War in an alternate timeline.
- The Ending is Definitive: The manga provides a complete, complex, and bittersweet ending that resolves the fate of the JDS Mirai, its crew, and the new timeline they created.
- No Official English Translation Exists: To read the full story in English, you must rely on unofficial, fan-made translations (scanlations), as the series has never been licensed by a major publisher.
Final Thoughts on Zipang
While the Zipang anime provides a tantalizing and well-produced introduction to a fascinating concept, it’s merely the opening act. The real story—a sprawling epic of war, politics, and the philosophical weight of changing history—can only be found in the pages of Kaiji Kawaguchi’s masterpiece manga. Transitioning from the anime’s cliffhanger to the manga’s rich narrative is not just about getting a conclusion; it’s about experiencing one of the most intelligent and ambitious stories in the medium. If you were captivated by the anime, you owe it to yourself to see the journey through to its powerful and unforgettable end.
