Is the Anime Really Finished?#
If you are looking to dive into Donten ni Warau (also known as Laughing Under the Clouds), the answer depends on how much of the story you want to experience. The original manga, which served as the source material, ran from 2011 to 2013, meaning the overarching narrative is complete in written form.
For anime-only viewers, there is a main series produced in 2014, followed by a series of side stories and sequels known as Gaiden. To get the most complete experience available in animation, you cannot stop at the main series; you will need to watch the Gaiden specials to see the subsequent developments. However, for those seeking every single detail and the full depth of the plot, continuing with the source material is highly recommended. You can buy the Donten ni Warau manga to ensure you haven’t missed any nuance from the original run.
What to Expect: Themes and Appeal#
Donten ni Warau is a compelling blend of action and supernatural elements set against a rich historical backdrop. It is particularly well-suited for viewers who enjoy stories featuring:
- Samurai and Traditional Japan: The setting provides a beautiful and atmospheric historical environment.
- Family Dynamics: The theme of twins plays a significant role in the character development and plot.
- Darker Motives: With revenge as a core theme, the story balances its lighter moments with emotional stakes and conflict.
If you enjoy supernatural mysteries entwined with historical drama, this is a series worth your time. If you’re enjoying the guide so far, feel free to support our work on Ko-fi to help us keep investigating more series!
Recommended Watch and Read Order#
Because of the various side stories and prequels, the order in which you consume this series can change your experience. You can refer to the relationship tree below the article for a visual breakdown of these connections.
The Release Order#
If you prefer to experience the series as it was delivered to the public, follow this path:
- Laughing Under the Clouds (Main Anime Series, 2014)
- Donten ni Warau Gaiden: Ketsubetsu, Yamainu no Chikai (2017)
- Donten ni Warau Gaiden: Shukumei, Sōtō no Fūma (2018)
- Donten ni Warau Gaiden: Ōka, Tenbō no Kakehashi (2018)
The Completionist Order#
For those who want every piece of the puzzle, including prequels and side stories, we recommend integrating the manga:
- The Prequels: Start with the manga Rengoku ni Warau and Utakata ni Warau to build the foundation.
- The Main Story: Watch the main anime series or read the original manga.
- The Extras: Dive into the Donten ni Warau Gaiden manga and the three Gaiden anime sequels in their order of release.
The “Source First” Path#
For readers who don’t mind jumping between mediums, starting with the original manga (2011-2013) provides the most cohesive narrative flow before supplementing the experience with the anime adaptations and specials.
Where to Watch and Collect#
Ready to start your journey? You can watch the anime on Prime Video (available via Crunchyroll collaboration in certain regions).
If you become a fan of the characters and the art style, you can also find Donten ni Warau merchandise to bring a piece of the historical supernatural world into your own home.
Donten ni Warau • manga • 2011-02-15 to 2013-05-15 (serialized in <i>Monthly Comic Avarus</i>)
└─(adaptation)→ Laughing Under the Clouds • anime • 2014-10-03
└─(side story)→ Donten ni Warau Gaiden: Ketsubetsu, Yamainu no Chikai • anime • 2017-12-02
└─(sequel)→ Donten ni Warau Gaiden: Shukumei, Sōtō no Fūma • anime • 2018-06-09
└─(sequel)→ Donten ni Warau Gaiden: Ōka, Tenbō no Kakehashi • anime • 2018-09-01
└─(side story)→ Donten ni Warau Gaiden • manga • 2014 (serialized in Comic Beat's)
└─(prequel)→ Rengoku ni Warau • manga • 2013-12-24 (one-shot in <i>Jidai Katsugeki Gaden ZAN</i>)
└─(prequel)→ Utakata ni Warau • manga • 2018-11-05 to 2019-05-03 (serialized in <i>Monthly Comic Garden</i>)
