Where to Start Black Clover Manga After Episode 170: The Complete Guide
If you finally reached Episode 170 of Black Clover, there’s a good chance you had the same reaction I did: “Wait… that’s it?” After following Asta, Yuno, the Black Bulls, and the Magic Knight Captains for so many episodes, seeing the anime end right before one of the biggest conflicts in the series feels almost cruel.
The good news is that the story doesn’t stop there. In fact, it only gets better.
As someone who spends far too much time reading manga discussions, browsing anime communities, and rewatching favorite fights, I can honestly say that switching to the manga after Episode 170 is one of the easiest transitions you’ll make. The anime stays incredibly faithful to the source, so you won’t feel lost, and Yuki Tabata’s artwork adds an entirely different level of intensity that television simply couldn’t always capture.
If you’re wondering where to start the Black Clover manga after Episode 170, here’s everything you actually need to know.
Start Reading From Chapter 270
This is the answer almost every longtime fan eventually arrives at.
Although Episode 170 adapts material from the final chapters leading into the Spade Kingdom invasion, it doesn’t cover every single moment exactly as it appears in the manga. The ending was adjusted slightly to create a stronger season finale, which worked wonderfully for television but also makes Chapter 270 the perfect jumping-on point.
Starting here lets you experience the complete transition exactly as Tabata intended.
| Anime | Manga |
|---|---|
| Episode 170 | Chapter 270 |
| Final anime volume | Volume 27 |
| Next major storyline | Spade Kingdom Raid Arc |
Could you skip ahead another chapter?
Technically, yes.
Would I recommend it?
Not really.
The few extra pages you’ll read provide smoother pacing, additional dialogue, and better context before the action explodes.
Volume 27 Is Worth Reading From the Beginning
Even if your goal is simply catching up, I’d still recommend spending a little extra time with Volume 27.
It contains the bridge between the anime and everything that follows, and it’s a great opportunity to get used to Tabata’s manga art before the series becomes almost nonstop battles.
Volume 27 includes:
- Chapters 261–272
- The conclusion of the anime storyline
- The beginning of Asta’s next stage of growth
- The setup for one of the biggest wars in Black Clover
It doesn’t take long to read, and you’ll appreciate how naturally the story flows into the next arc.
Why the Anime Ended Here
This question still appears constantly across anime communities.
Many newer fans assume the series was cancelled, but that’s never really what happened.
When Episode 170 aired, the anime had almost completely caught up to the manga. Continuing with weekly episodes would’ve meant either:
- Producing months of filler.
- Slowing the story to a crawl.
- Completely catching the manga.
Personally, I’m glad Studio Pierrot chose to stop instead.
Nobody wanted another situation where important arcs became buried beneath dozens of anime-original episodes. Waiting was frustrating, but preserving the quality of the main story was absolutely the better decision.
The Spade Kingdom Raid Changes Everything
If you’ve enjoyed the Elf Reincarnation Arc or the fights against the Dark Triad so far, prepare yourself.
The Spade Kingdom Raid raises the stakes in nearly every possible way.
Without spoiling major events, you’ll immediately see:
- Asta and Liebe learning to truly fight together.
- Nacht Faust taking center stage as one of the story’s most fascinating characters.
- Magic Knight Captains receiving some of their best battles.
- Simultaneous fights happening across multiple locations.
- Devils becoming an even greater threat than previously imagined.
The pacing also changes noticeably.
Instead of long preparation periods, the manga moves from battle to battle with incredible momentum.
Tabata’s Artwork Is the Real Reason to Read
I already liked the anime.
After reading the manga, though, I started understanding why so many readers constantly praise Yuki Tabata’s artwork.
His action scenes are incredibly dynamic.
Double-page spreads feel enormous.
Characters move with an energy that’s sometimes difficult to translate into animation, especially in a weekly production schedule.
Some highlights include:
- Highly detailed devil designs.
- Massive magical explosions.
- Incredible sword choreography.
- Dramatic use of black ink and shadows.
- Beautiful full-page illustrations during emotional moments.
Even fights you’ve already watched often feel fresh because the manga emphasizes different details.
The Tone Becomes Darker
Another thing I immediately noticed was how much more intense the manga feels.
The anime had to follow television broadcasting standards, so certain injuries and transformations were softened visually.
The manga doesn’t really hold back.
That doesn’t mean it’s excessively graphic, but the consequences of battle feel heavier. Characters look exhausted, wounded, and desperate in ways that add much more emotional weight to the conflict.
It makes the Spade Kingdom invasion feel like a genuine war rather than simply another tournament-style arc.
Do You Need to Watch the Movie First?
Short answer:
No.
Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King is a fun addition to the franchise and definitely worth watching if you enjoy the series, but it isn’t required before continuing the manga.
The film fits around the training period before the Spade Kingdom conflict and tells its own standalone adventure.
You won’t spoil the movie by reading Chapter 270.
Likewise, skipping the movie won’t leave you confused once you continue the manga.
Think of it as bonus content rather than mandatory viewing.
Best Places to Read the Manga
If you want the official English translation, there are two excellent options.
| Platform | Why It’s Worth Using |
|---|---|
| VIZ Shonen Jump | Full digital library with affordable subscription access. |
| Manga Plus | Official global release with simultaneous chapter updates. |
Both provide high-quality translations and support the creators, which is always worth doing if you’re able.
What Manga Chapter Does Black Clover Season 2 Adapt? Guide to the Spade Kingdom Arc
A Quick Reading Guide
If you’re eager to continue immediately, here’s the simplest roadmap.
- Start with Chapter 270.
- Finish Volume 27.
- Continue into Volume 28.
- Enjoy the full Spade Kingdom Raid Arc.
That’s really all there is to it.
Final Thoughts
I’ve seen countless discussions asking whether fans should wait for the anime to return or simply move to the manga.
My answer is always the same.
Read the manga.
Not because the anime wasn’t great—it absolutely was—but because some of Black Clover’s strongest storytelling happens after Episode 170. The emotional character moments become more meaningful, the battles become larger in scale, and Tabata’s artwork reaches another level entirely.
Chapter 270 feels less like the end of one story and more like opening the door to the series’ biggest adventure.
If you’ve already invested 170 episodes into Asta’s journey, stopping now would mean missing some of the most exciting moments the franchise has to offer.
