Where Does the Witch Hat Atelier Anime End in the Manga? (And Is It Worth Reading?)
Where Does the Witch Hat Atelier Anime End in the Manga? (And Is It Worth Reading?)
The first season of Studio BUG FILMS' adaptation of Witch Hat Atelier completely took the anime community by storm. With its jaw-dropping magical animation, stellar music, and that absolutely diabolical cliffhanger finale in the Serpentback Cave, it’s easily one of the best shows of the year.
But if you are like most fans, you can't possibly wait for Season 2 to find out what happens to Coco, Agott, and the rest of the apprentices. Before we dive into the exact chapters, refresh your memory on the incredible animation with the official trailer below.
If you want to jump straight into the stunning source material by Kamome Shirahama, here is your ultimate guide on where to start reading, what the anime changed, and if the manga is actually worth your time.
The Quick Answer: What Chapter Does the Anime End On?
The Short Answer: Season 1 of Witch Hat Atelier adapts up to the end of Chapter 23, which marks the dramatic conclusion of the Second Witch Exam arc.
To continue the story seamlessly from where the anime left off, you need to start reading at Chapter 24 (which is the beginning of Volume 5).
Should You Start From Chapter 1 or Chapter 24?
While you can technically jump right into Volume 5 without getting lost, there are two major reasons why you should strongly consider starting the Witch Hat Atelier manga from the very beginning:
1. The Art Style is a Masterpiece
The anime's animation is gorgeous, but Kamome Shirahama's original manga panels look like classic, hand-drawn European fairytale illustrations. The panel borders themselves are often built out of intricate magic circles. It is widely considered one of the most visually stunning manga running today, and experiencing it on the page hits differently than on a screen.
2. Minor World-Building Cut from the Anime
The anime did a fantastic job staying faithful, but it did shuffle the order of a few chapters and trim minor dialogue scenes to keep the pacing fast for TV broadcast. For example, a crucial conversation between Qifrey and Alaira regarding Euini’s abusive teacher and the deeper politics of witch society was trimmed from the final episodes. Reading from Chapter 1 completely fleshes out this lore.
What to Expect Next in Volume 5 (No Spoilers!)
Without ruining the plot, jumping into Volume 5 immediately throws you into the aftermath of the Brimmed Cap ambush. You will finally get answers about what the forbidden magic factions are planning, dive deeper into Qifrey's mysterious and dark past, and see Coco face entirely new magical challenges as she tries to master her ink craft.
Final Verdict: Is the Manga Worth Reading?
Absolutely. Witch Hat Atelier isn't just a standard fantasy story—it is a masterclass in world-building. If the anime's mystery and charm hooked you, the manga will completely pull you in.
- Where to Read Officially: You can read chapters digitally on Kodansha's official K MANGA app, or pick up the physical Volume 5 print edition at your local bookstore.
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