What Manga Volume Is the Start of Spade Kingdom Raid Arc? Black Clover Guide
If there’s one part of Black Clover that completely changed how I looked at the series, it’s the Spade Kingdom Raid. Up until then, the story was already packed with great fights and memorable characters, but the raid is where everything suddenly feels much bigger. The battles become more brutal, the stakes reach another level, and nearly every important character gets a defining moment.
One question appears over and over among anime fans and new manga readers:
What manga volume starts the Spade Kingdom Raid arc?
The answer is simple.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Spade Kingdom Raid starting volume | Volume 27 |
| First chapter | Chapter 261 – “Shadows of Night” |
| Anime stopping point | Around Chapter 270 |
| Best volume for anime fans | Volume 27 |
If you’re building your manga collection or jumping into the story after the anime, Volume 27 is the perfect place to begin.
Why Volume 27 Feels Like a Fresh Beginning
Personally, I don’t even think of Volume 27 as just another volume—it almost feels like the start of a brand-new series.
Everything changes after Yami and William are captured. The Clover Kingdom suddenly loses two of its strongest captains, the Dark Triad looks nearly unstoppable, and the heroes realize that rushing into battle would simply get everyone killed.
Instead of throwing readers straight into another fight, the story slows down just enough to prepare for something much bigger.
This volume introduces:
- Nacht Faust, the mysterious Black Bulls Vice-Captain
- Asta’s Devil Binding Ritual
- the true explanation behind the Tree of Qliphoth
- preparation for the invasion of the Spade Kingdom
The pacing feels incredibly balanced. Every chapter reveals something important instead of simply filling time before the next battle.
Where the Story Was Before the Raid
One reason many readers become confused is because the Spade Kingdom Saga actually starts much earlier than the raid itself.
Before the invasion begins, the manga spends several volumes setting everything up.
| Volume | Main Events |
|---|---|
| 24 | Time skip, Golden Dawn tragedy, Yuno learns about his royal heritage. |
| 25 | Dante attacks the Black Bulls, while Vanica invades the Heart Kingdom. |
| 26 | Asta and Yami battle Dante before Yami is ultimately captured. |
| 27 | The official beginning of the Spade Kingdom Raid Arc. |
So while the overall saga begins before Volume 27, the actual raid officially starts with Chapter 261.
That distinction often causes confusion, especially among anime-only fans.
Nacht Was Exactly the Character Black Clover Needed
One of my favorite additions during this arc is easily Nacht Faust.
Before his appearance, the Black Bulls had always been loud, chaotic, and full of eccentric personalities. Nacht instantly changes that atmosphere.
- He’s calm.
- He’s ruthless.
- He never sugarcoats reality.
Instead of encouraging everyone with speeches about friendship, Nacht constantly reminds Asta how dangerous their mission really is.
His Devil Magic also expands the power system in a really interesting way. Rather than simply introducing another overpowered character, Tabata gives readers someone who fights intelligently and thinks several moves ahead.
That tactical approach helps make the preparation chapters surprisingly exciting.
Volume 27 Gives Asta One of His Best Character Moments
I’ve always liked Asta because of his determination, but Volume 27 made me appreciate him even more.
The Devil Binding Ritual could have been written like a standard shonen battle where the hero dominates an evil spirit through sheer force.
Instead, something unexpected happens.
When Asta finally meets the Anti-Magic Devil face-to-face, he doesn’t hate him.
He thanks him.
That single decision completely changes the emotional direction of the story.
Rather than becoming master and servant, Asta and Liebe choose to become equals.
It’s one of the strongest emotional moments in the manga because it avoids the predictable route.
The Liebe Flashback Changes Everything
Another highlight of Volume 27 is finally learning who Liebe really is.
Without spoiling every detail, readers discover:
- where the Anti-Magic Devil came from;
- who Licita was;
- why Asta possesses Anti-Magic;
- how Liebe became connected to Asta long before the story began.
Looking back, a lot of earlier scenes suddenly gain completely new meaning.
Instead of feeling like a last-minute twist, the reveal ties together several mysteries that had been building for hundreds of chapters.
Should Anime Fans Start at Chapter 271?
Technically, yes.
The final television episode adapts most of Chapters 268–270, meaning Chapter 271 continues into material that hasn’t been animated.
However, I still recommend reading Volume 27 from the beginning.
There are several reasons for this.
- The manga contains additional artwork and details that never appeared in the anime.
- Tabata’s pacing feels slightly different on the page.
- Several conversations carry more emotional weight in manga form.
Even if you’ve already watched Episode 170, rereading those chapters rarely feels repetitive.
Why Fans Consider This Black Clover’s Peak
Ask longtime readers which arc they remember most, and the Spade Kingdom Raid almost always enters the conversation.
It’s easy to understand why.
Once the invasion officially begins, the manga barely slows down.
Readers eventually witness:
- Noelle reaching Saint Stage.
- Yuno unlocking Star Magic.
- Several unforgettable Captain battles.
- Powerful Devil Union transformations.
- One of the largest conflicts in the series.
Every major character contributes something meaningful instead of standing on the sidelines.
That balance makes the war feel much larger than simply watching Asta defeat another villain.
Is Volume 27 Worth Buying?
Absolutely.
If you’re collecting physical manga, I honestly think this is one of the most important Black Clover volumes to own.
Not because it’s filled with nonstop action—but because it lays the foundation for everything that follows.
Without Volume 27:
- Nacht’s role doesn’t fully make sense.
- Liebe’s story loses much of its emotional impact.
- Asta’s new abilities feel less earned.
- The raid itself lacks important context.
It’s one of those volumes that becomes even better after finishing the arc because you realize how many important details were quietly introduced here.
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Final Thoughts
For anyone wondering where the Spade Kingdom Raid Arc begins, there’s no need to overcomplicate it.
The official starting point is Black Clover Volume 27, beginning with Chapter 261: “Shadows of Night.”
Whether you’re continuing after the anime, collecting the manga, or revisiting one of the series’ strongest storylines, this volume is where everything shifts into high gear.
As someone who enjoyed Black Clover from the beginning, I still think Volume 27 represents the moment the series truly embraced its biggest ambitions. It combines emotional storytelling, excellent character development, clever world-building, and the calm before one of the most explosive wars in modern shonen manga.
If you’ve only experienced the anime, this is exactly where your next adventure should begin.
