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Is the Anime Finished?
Is the Anime Finished?
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Is Crows Finished? Your Guide to the Ultimate Delinquent Saga

Finished Delinquents Action Shonen Manga Adaptation
Table of Contents

Is the Anime Really Finished?
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If you are looking for a complete story by only watching the anime, you might find yourself wanting more. The anime adaptation, Kōkō Butō Den Crows, was released in 1994, while the original manga it is based on continued until 1998.

To put it simply: the anime is a glimpse into a much larger world. If you want a satisfying conclusion and the full scope of the narrative, you will absolutely need to continue with the source material. The story extends far beyond the initial anime, branching into multiple sequels and spinoffs that expand the lore of these legendary fighters. You can buy the Crows manga to see where the story truly goes.

What is Crows All About?
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Crows is centered entirely around the theme of delinquents. It is best suited for audiences who enjoy stories about high school rivalry, street fighting, and the complex social hierarchies of tough youth. The appeal lies in the raw energy of the battles and the charisma of the characters striving for the top.

If you’re ready to dive into this world of brawls, you can watch the anime on Prime Video.

The Ultimate Watch and Read Order
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Because the Crows universe has expanded significantly over the decades, the order in which you consume the media depends on your goals. Please refer to the relationship tree below the article for a visual breakdown of these connections.

The Release Order
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For those who want to experience the franchise as it was debuted to the world:

  1. Kōkō Butō Den Crows (Anime, 1994)
  2. Crows (Original Manga, 1990-1998)
  3. Zoku Crows Gaiden (Manga, 1998)
  4. Sono Go no Crows (Manga, 2001)
  5. Worst (Manga, 2002)

The Completionist’s Path
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If you want every single detail, including the prequels and the vast array of spinoffs, follow this trajectory:

  • The Beginnings: Start with the prequel Zoku Crows Gaiden and the original Crows manga.
  • The Progression: Move into Sono Go no Crows and then the major sequel Worst.
  • The Deep Dive: Explore the various spinoffs, including Kuzu!! - Another Crows: Kuzugami Tatsuo, Crows Gaiden: Katagiri Ken Monogatari, Harumichi, and Crows Gaiden Housenka: The Beginning of Housen.
  • The Worst Era: Finally, tackle the Worst Gaiden series, including stories like Guriko, Dokuro, Zetton-sensei, and Saburock Santa: Namonaki Karasu-tachi.

The “Source Material” Path
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If you don’t mind jumping from animation to ink, start with the Kōkō Butō Den Crows anime to get a feel for the characters, then immediately pick up the Crows manga to finish the original arc and proceed into the Worst timeline.

If you’ve enjoyed our deep dive into the delinquent world, consider supporting us on Ko-fi to keep the guides coming!

Latest News and Updates
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The Crows/Worst franchise is still very much alive. Recent developments include:

  • A New Era: Hiroshi Takahashi has revealed a new direct sequel to the Crows/Worst manga titled Dustland, arriving after a 13-year gap.
  • Licensing: Kodama Tales has recently licensed Crows along with other titles.
  • Gaming: The franchise has expanded into the digital realm with a smartphone game release in 2024.
  • Closing Chapters: Several side stories, including Crows Gaiden Housenka and Worst Gaiden: Guriko, have recently entered or completed their final arcs.

While you explore the series, you might want to pick up some Crows merchandise to show your allegiance to the strongest fighters.

Crows • manga • 1990-06 to 1998-01 (Monthly Shonen Champion, Jul 1990 - Feb 1998)
  └─(adaptation)→  Kōkō Butō Den Crows • anime • 1994-01-28
  └─(prequel)→  Zoku Crows Gaiden • manga • 1998
  └─(sequel)→  Sono Go no Crows • manga • 2001-03
   └─(sequel)→   Worst • manga • 2002-05-30
    └─(spinoff)→    Worst Gaiden • manga • 2009-09-08
    └─(spinoff)→    Worst Gaiden: Guriko • manga • 2019-01-17 (serialized in Weekly Shonen Champion, 2019 #8)
    └─(spinoff)→    Worst Gaiden Saburock Santa: Namonaki Karasu-tachi • manga • 2022-01-07 (serialized on Manga Cross)
    └─(spinoff)→    Worst Gaiden: Dokuro • manga • 2019-02-12 (serialized in Bessatsu Shonen Champion, Mar 2019)
    └─(spinoff)→    Worst Gaiden Zetton-sensei • manga • 2020-07-06 (serialized in Monthly Shonen Champion, Aug 2020)
  └─(spinoff)→  Kuzu!! - Another Crows: Kuzugami Tatsuo • manga • 2012-02-14 to 2021-07-27 (Young Champion, 2012 #5 - 2021 #16)
  └─(spinoff)→  Crows Gaiden: Katagiri Ken Monogatari • manga • 2014-05-02 (serialized in Monthly Shōnen Champion)
  └─(spinoff)→  Harumichi • manga • 2009-09-08
  └─(spinoff)→  Crows Gaiden Housenka: The Beginning of Housen • manga • 2017-11-06 (serialized in Monthly Shonen Champion, Dec 2017)

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