Some mangas have a chapter 0, and most of the time it has spoilers. However, sometimes they give a background to the main character that you wouldn't find out from the main story.

So, when are you supposed to read it? Before chapter 1? After you finish the manga? Some other time?

Depends on the manga...

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...that was helpful.

To be safe, I've started reading it after I've completed the manga. But it feels like I'm missing out when I don't read it early on.

As strixflash said, the content of chapter 0 varies from series to series. If I'm not sure about it, I usually take a peek and skim through the first few pages of the chapter to decide wether I should read it yet or not.


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"Stories are what death thinks he puts an end to.
He can't understand that they end in him, but they don't end with him."
- Ursula K. Le Guin, Gifts

To be savoured:
- Blood Alone by TAKANO Masayuki
- Otoyomegatari by MORI Kaoru
- Gangsta. by Kohske
- Seishun Kouryakuhon by AKIZUKI Sorata

o_O I've only ever seen chapter 0s that are intended to be read before chapter 1. I mean... that's why they're called chapter 0. It's like a prologue.

I suppose there are two ways you can find out when you're meant to read it. Look at the list of scanlations for the series and see if it was scanlated before or after chapter 1. Look at the scanlator's website if it's unclear, they might have posted a blog update when they announced the release which clarifies when it's meant to be read.

Or, look at manga DL sites where chapters are usually consolidated into volume downloads. If it's meant to be read first, it'll probably be packaged in the first volume. If it's meant to be read later on or last, it'll be in some other volume.

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世界のどこかに 必ず
キミの居場所が ある筈

I like that solution. I'll have to start doing that. Thanks.

This... this is what I thought... I didn't know you read the zeroth chapter after finishing a series... ?? Have I been wrong this whole time...

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I have read some chapters 0 that have more information than chapter 1. Like in a shoujo manga I have read, the chapter 0 (most likely known as "oneshot" before the serialization) already tells you who the love interest is and chapter 1 doesn't, taking more time to develop the story. However, they are insignificant spoilers, sooner or later in the series (ie "in chapter 1 or 2") they will tell the same details that happened in chapter 0.

If we aren't talking about the chapter 0 = first oneshot, than you have to follow the logic of: chapter 0 > after that > chapter 1, because the "0" indicates it's a prologue...

Then you probably don't read One Piece. Author released Ch. 0 for a movie collaboration, but it's still part of main storyline which should be read after 400 chapters

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No, "Episode 0: Strong World" was just a prequel to the 10th movie, the "One Piece: Strong World".
The actual "chapter 0", a prequel, if you prefer, was the "Romance Dawn". It actually had three versions - the first and the second drafts were prequels. The third version was the first chapter of the manga.

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Anyway, if I discover a series when it only has a oneshot release, I start with it. If I discover a series that has a few chapters released as well as a oneshot (chapter 0), then I start with the chapters. After I'm caught up and if it's been past chapter 20 or so, I read the oneshot.

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Being the lazy person that I am, I'm not likely to accept anything long-term though.

... Oda himself said that the oneshot he released for the movie was a part of main storyline, and it's supposed to be read and considered as Chapter 0

And I know about Romance Dawn very well.

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