Black Clover has unfortunately been on hiatus since 2021, but you can still catch up with the popular shonen anime, which still has a lot to offer in terms of its core narrative. Fans have been asking for a fifth season of the popular show for years and, while no release date has been announced, this is a great time to be come a fan before the anime returns.
The original manga, written and illustrated by Yūki Tabata, follows a young boy named Asta, a powerless individual in a world wherein everyone possesses magical abilities, and Yuno, who grew up together with Asta. Black Clover follows the two characters in their pursuit to become the Wizard King and the anime adaptation consists of four seasons released before it went on hiatus.
While the anime is required viewing, there are certain Black Clover spin-off OVAs and specials that are worth checking out, as well as a movie released in 2023. Moreover, the Black Clover manga is still ongoing, continuing Asta and Yuno’s tales and their arc to achieving power. Here’s a comprehensive, yet essential Black Clover watch order, although you can pick and choose as per your interest and comfort, of course.
The best Black Clover watch order
The best starting point for watching Black Clover is to follow its linear release order, followed by the OVAs, the specials, and the film as follows:
- Black Clover Season 1 (2017-18)
- Black Clover Season 2 (2018-19)
- Black Clover Season 3 (2019-20)
- Black Clover Season 4 (2020-21)
- Black Clover: Jump Festa 2016 Special (OVA)
- Black Clover: Jump Festa 2018 Special (Special)
- Squishy! Black Clover (ONA)
- Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King (2023)
There are four seasons of Black Clover to binge through, with each season adapting certain sections of the manga. For instance, season two adapted manga chapters 76 to 159, wherein the primary focus was the Black Bulls entering the Forest of Witches and attempting to heal Asta. This particular season also focused on an exam that allowed one to become a Magic Knight, and Asta eventually succeeded in becoming one.
The specials do not really add to the anime’s worldbuilding by any means but are designed to be enjoyed solely as spin-offs, based on manga storylines or fun character events. Squishy! Black Clover is a chibi anime comedy short that is genuinely funny and entertaining and can be watched in case you miss your beloved characters in the anime. Sword of the Wizard King follows Asta and Yuno as they face Conrad Leto, a former Wizard King bent on destroying the Clover Kingdom for good.
Like the manga, the animated adaptations tell the story of Asta, who wishes to become the next Wizard King despite having no affinity for magic. Instead, he is able to use anti-magic with the aid of a grimoire, which grants him the power to counteract someone else’s magic and nullify the same. As mana is integral to performing spells and magic in general, the crux of Black Clover hinges on whether Asta would be able to be the next Wizard King.
If you want to keep up with Asta’s journey and are caught up with the anime, the manga is your next best bet. Since its move from Shonen Jump, Black Clover is well on its way to concluding and we can only hope to see those same scenes animated in the near future.