Where does The Elusive Samurai Season 2 start in the original manga? Around Vol. 4, Ch. 32 to Vol. 11 [Recalculated for 2 consecutive cours]
The second season of the anime 'The Elusive Samurai' begins from Volume 4, Chapter 32 of the original manga. While the official ending point has not been announced, around Volume 11 is considered to be within range. Since the second season will be 2 consecutive cours, the 'up to Volume 8' estimate for a single cour is not enough.
There is one more thing you should know before purchasing. The main story has finished serialization, but the final 27th volume of the manga is scheduled for release on October 2, 2026. In other words, even if you buy it today, you won't reach the ending. I will organize the information including this point.
Conclusion: From Volume 4, Chapter 32, to around Volume 11
Starts at Volume 4, Chapter 32 (Season 1 ended with the Battle of Kawanakajima in Volume 4)
Predicted ending point is around Volume 11 (Official announcement pending)
Season 2 is 2 consecutive cours. Starts July 17, 2026, on Fuji TV's Noitamina block
Season 1 was 12 episodes total covering Volume 1 to the middle of Volume 4
The original manga finished serialization in February 2026 (238 chapters total). The manga is planned for 27 volumes in total
▼ The starting point for Season 2 is this Volume 4. If you want to read along with the broadcast, start here:
Why 'up to Volume 8' is not enough
There are many predictions circulating online saying 'Volume 4 to Volume 8'. This is a calculation based on 1 cour (12 episodes).
However, the second season is 2 consecutive cours. Applying the track record of the first season, it looks like this:
Season 1: 12 episodes total covered Volume 1 to the middle of Volume 4 = about 3.5 volumes
Season 2: about 24 episodes would be double that = about 7 volumes
Starting from the middle of Volume 4 + 7 volumes = around Volume 11
If it were 'up to Volume 8', it would only cover 4 volumes, which is clearly too slow for 2 cours. Of course, it will fluctuate depending on how the pacing is handled, but around volumes 9 to 11 is a realistic range.
※ The ending point has not been officially announced. Please read this as a prediction based on the pace of the first season.
How far did the first season of the anime cover? = Volume 4 'Battle of Kawanakajima'
The first season consisted of 12 episodes and ended after depicting the Battle of Kawanakajima in Volume 4 of the original manga. The flow of the first season covers Tokiyuki being hidden by Yorishige Suwa and finding a 'reason to fight' as a boy who was only running away.
The second season begins right after that, from Chapter 32. Since it is a clean break, there is no problem starting from Volume 4 if you have finished watching the first season.
Progress of the 5 aired episodes
As of August 15, 2026, 5 episodes have been aired. The episode count is continuous from Season 1.
Episode 13: "I Want to Eat Again!" / Episode 14: "Ayako's Heart-Pounding Great Strategy!"
Episode 15: "Tokiyuki and the Three Great Generals" / Episode 16: "Warrior of Love! Shinano Mask"
Episode 17: "Those Who Do Not Lose"
The flow moves from consolidating power in Shinano to spreading battles across various regions. In the second half of the 2-cour run, the Nakasendai Rebellion—the biggest climax where Tokiyuki attempts to retake Kamakura—is waiting.
[Important] The original work has "finished serialization," but the comics conclude in October
Please grasp this point accurately. It is a point easily confused.
Serialization: Concluded on February 16, 2026 (Total 238 chapters)
Comics: Volume 26 was released on August 4, 2026. The final Volume 27 is scheduled for release on October 2, 2026
In other words, as of today, you cannot read until the end. You may see information saying, "The original work is already finished, so you can read it all at once," but for those who follow the collected volumes, that is a story for after October 2nd.
Conversely, if you catch up to Volume 26 now, you can experience the final volume in October in real-time. Considering the anime will progress to around Volume 11 in 2 cours, now is the perfect time to read ahead.
3 Reading Routes [Choose by Purpose]
Route A: From Volume 4 (Running alongside Season 2)
For those who want to get ahead of the currently airing episodes. You can enjoy checking the answers every week. This is the one to try if you want to start with just one book.
Route B: Volumes 4–11 (The entire scope of Season 2)
If expectations hold, you can read everything that will be depicted in Season 2 in advance. Since it is 8 volumes, it is a volume you can easily finish reading before the broadcast ends.
Route C: Read from Volume 1 (Beyond the anime)
The route with the highest satisfaction. If Season 2 goes up to Volume 11, 16 volumes from Volume 12 onwards will remain unadapted. Since it will be many years before you can see the conclusion between Tokiyuki and Takauji in the anime, the original manga is the only choice if you want to know the ending.
▼ From Volume 1. It is an introduction that is easy to get into even if you are not good with historical fact-based stories:
▼ If you want to collect them all, a set is the easiest way:
▼ Click here for prices and pre-order status for Vol. 26 and the final Vol. 27:👀 View the latest volume and pre-order status of The Elusive Samurai
The synopsis and reading order for each volume are summarized in detail in a separate article.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How many episodes will Season 2 have?
A. It has been announced as 2 consecutive cours. While it is expected to be around 24 episodes total based on 12 episodes per cour, the exact number of episodes has not been officially announced.
Q. Some sites say "Vol. 4 to Vol. 8"
A. That was a prediction based on a single cour. Now that it has been announced as 2 consecutive cours, it is more natural to assume it will reach around Vol. 9 to 11.
Q. Is the original manga finished?
A. The serialization concluded in February 2026. However, since the final 27th volume of the comics is scheduled for release on October 2, 2026, you will only be able to read the ending in book format from October onwards.
Q. Can I start from Season 2 without watching Season 1?
A. It is not recommended. The process of Tokiyuki turning "running away" into a weapon is the core of Season 1, so skipping that makes the meaning of the battles in Season 2 less impactful.
Q. Who are the new characters in Season 2?
A. Important historical figures such as Mima, Ashikaga Tadayoshi, and Kusunoki Masashige will appear.
Summary
Season 2 starts from original Vol. 4, Chapter 32 onwards
The ending point is expected to be around Vol. 11. Since it is 2 consecutive cours, "up to Vol. 8" is not enough
Serialization ended in February 2026. However, the final comic volume 27 will be released on October 2
If Season 2 covers up to Volume 11, thenthe 16 volumes from Volume 12 onwards remain unadaptedas they are
You can only watch about 40% of the total 27 volumes in the anime. You can only find out where Tokiyuki's story lands by reading the original manga.
Last updated: August 15, 2026 / Will be updated in line with the announcement of the number of episodes for Season 2 and the release of the final 27th volume.
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