Short answer: yes, completely finished. If you’ve been wondering “is Requiem of the Rose King manga finished?” — it is, and has been since 2022. You can read the whole thing right now without worrying about an indefinite pause in publication or an incomplete ending. The series wrapped up with a definitive conclusion, and every volume is available in English.
Let’s break down what that means for you as a reader.
Requiem of the Rose King Is Finished — The Manga Ended in June 2022
Requiem of the Rose King is a completed manga series by Aya Kanno. The final volume — Volume 17 — was released on June 16, 2022, bringing the story to a definitive close.
The series was originally published in Japan by Akita Shoten, a major Japanese manga publisher, under the Princess Comics label (a publishing line focused on manga aimed at female readers). In English, VIZ Media — one of the largest English-language manga publishers — handled the release, and all 17 volumes are fully available. There’s no waiting for future volumes, no chapters still being released in a magazine, and no ambiguity about the ending. The story is done.
For readers who specifically seek out completed manga — whether because you hate cliffhanger waits or you like to binge a full story — this one checks that box cleanly. At 17 volumes (each volume being a collected book of roughly 180–200 pages), the series is a satisfying length: long enough to tell a rich, layered story, short enough that collecting the full set won’t take over an entire bookshelf. Most readers can finish the complete series in a few weeks of casual reading or a dedicated long weekend.
How the Story Ends (Spoiler-Light)
Requiem of the Rose King reimagines Shakespeare’s history plays about the Wars of the Roses — England’s brutal 15th-century dynastic conflict between the houses of York and Lancaster. At the center is Richard III, reimagined here as an intersex protagonist tormented by inner demons, prophecy, and the violence of the world around them.
If you’re not familiar with Shakespeare’s version: his play Richard III is one of the most famous tragedies in English literature, telling the story of a ruthless king whose ambition and cruelty lead to his downfall. Aya Kanno uses that foundation but adds layers of psychological complexity and tragic romance that go well beyond a simple retelling. Richard’s rise and the devastating consequences of the war drive the story forward across all 17 volumes.
Dark fantasy — a genre that blends fantasy elements with bleak, morally ambiguous, and often violent storytelling — is the engine here. Kanno pairs that sensibility with deep character drama, and the result is something that feels distinct from both standard manga and standard Shakespeare adaptations.
Without getting into specific spoilers: the ending is definitive. The main story reaches a clear conclusion. There are no dangling plot threads, no sequel-bait cliffhangers, and no ambiguous “maybe the story continues” endings. It lands with the weight of a tragedy that has been building across all 17 volumes. Readers who appreciate dark, emotionally devastating conclusions will find this one satisfying. Readers who need happy endings — fair warning, this is Shakespeare by way of dark fantasy manga.
The genres listed for the series are Drama, LGBTQ+, and Romance, and all three are deeply woven into the story rather than being surface-level tags. Richard’s identity as an intersex character isn’t a gimmick; it’s central to the themes of the entire work.
How Many Volumes Make a Complete Set
Here’s the full picture of what a complete collection looks like:
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Total volumes | 17 |
| English publisher | VIZ Media |
| English rating | Teen Plus |
| Japanese publisher | Akita Shoten (Princess Comics) |
| First volume (JP) | March 14, 2014 |
| Final volume | June 16, 2022 |
| Series run | Roughly 8 years |
Seventeen volumes is very manageable. For comparison, that’s shorter than many popular long-running manga series that extend into the 30s, 40s, or beyond. You can realistically collect and read the entire thing in a couple of weeks if you’re motivated, or spread it out over a month or two at a comfortable pace.
The VIZ Media English editions are standard manga-sized volumes. They’re widely available through major book retailers, and since the series is complete, you shouldn’t run into the problem where a mid-series volume goes out of production and becomes scarce or expensive on the secondhand market — though availability can always shift over time, so grabbing volumes sooner rather than later is generally a good idea with completed manga.
The Teen Plus rating is VIZ Media’s content label indicating the series is recommended for ages 16 and up — comparable to a PG-13 or light R rating in film terms. It reflects the mature themes present throughout: war, political violence, questions of identity, and the darker psychological territory that comes with this kind of story.
If you’re looking to start the series, Volume 1 is your entry point and it sets up the tone, the historical conflict, and Richard’s character immediately.
Requiem of the Rose King, Vol. 17 (final volume)
Spin-Offs and Related Works
Two related titles exist in the Requiem of the Rose King universe:
- King of Idol: Bara-Ō no Gakuen — a related work set in the same broader franchise. This is a separate story connected to the Rose King universe rather than a direct continuation of Richard’s narrative.
- Bara-Ō no Sōretsu: Gaiden — a side story connected to the main series, offering supplementary material beyond the core 17 volumes.
Neither of these is a direct sequel. The main story of Requiem of the Rose King is entirely self-contained within its 17 volumes. These related works expand the universe but aren’t required to understand or complete Richard’s story. If you finish the main series and want more time in this world, they exist — but the core experience is complete without them.
The Anime Adaptation
A TV anime adaptation of Requiem of the Rose King began airing in January 2022, around the same time the manga was wrapping up its final volumes. If you’ve watched the anime and are wondering whether the manga goes further or tells a different version of events — the manga is the original and complete source material. The anime is an adaptation of Kanno’s manga, not the other way around.
For readers who came to the series through the anime and want the full story, the manga’s 17 volumes cover the complete narrative from beginning to end. The manga will give you the whole picture regardless of how much ground the anime covered.
Where to Start Reading Requiem of the Rose King
The reading order here couldn’t be simpler: Volume 1 through Volume 17, in order. That’s it.
There are no alternate timelines, no reboot editions, no “start at Volume 5 if you watched the anime” shortcuts, and no confusing numbering schemes. One series, one sequential numbering system, one story from start to finish.
All 17 English volumes are published by VIZ Media and are available through major book retailers. The mature themes — violence, political intrigue, and the heavier emotional territory that comes with a dark fantasy retelling of Shakespeare’s bloodiest historical plays — are present from the first volume, so you’ll know early whether this series is for you.
This is a strong pick for anyone who wants a completed dark fantasy manga with literary depth, strong character work, and a guaranteed ending. You won’t be left hanging in the middle of the story wondering if the author will ever come back to finish it. The whole thing is right there, waiting.
If you’ve never read a manga based on Shakespeare before, Volume 1 will tell you pretty quickly whether the blend of historical drama, dark fantasy imagery, and Kanno’s distinctive art style clicks for you. The tone is established early and stays consistent throughout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Requiem of the Rose King manga finished?
Yes. The series is complete at 17 volumes. The final volume was released on June 16, 2022. There are no chapters still being released and no future volumes planned for the main story.
Who created Requiem of the Rose King?
Aya Kanno is the creator of the series. It was published in Japan through Akita Shoten and released in English by VIZ Media.
Is there an anime adaptation?
Yes. A TV anime adaptation began airing in January 2022. If you enjoyed the anime and want the complete story, the 17-volume manga is the full source material.
Will there be a sequel?
As of this writing, no sequel or continuation of the main story has been announced. The narrative wraps up conclusively in Volume 17. Two related works exist — King of Idol: Bara-Ō no Gakuen and Bara-Ō no Sōretsu: Gaiden — but neither is a direct sequel.
How long does it take to read the whole series?
At 17 volumes, most readers can finish the complete series in a few weeks of casual reading or a long weekend of dedicated binging. It’s a very approachable length for a collected manga series.
Is this appropriate for younger readers?
The series carries a Teen Plus rating from VIZ Media, which recommends it for ages 16 and up. It deals with war, political violence, themes of identity, and dark psychological territory rooted in Shakespearean tragedy. It’s best suited for older teens and adults who are comfortable with heavy subject matter.