If you’ve been asking “is Kemono Jihen manga finished,” you’re far from the only one — it’s one of the most common questions about this dark supernatural series. The short answer: not yet, but an end has been announced. The series will conclude with its 26th volume, and 25 are already out in Japan. There’s a lot worth knowing about where the story stands right now, how many volumes are available, and how to jump in. Let’s get into it.
Not Yet — Kemono Jihen Will End With Volume 26
Kemono Jihen is not finished yet. The manga is serialized — meaning it’s published chapter by chapter — in Jump SQ., a monthly manga magazine published by Shueisha (one of Japan’s largest manga publishers). Author Sho Aimoto has been writing and illustrating the series since it began serialization in December 2016, and as of the latest available data, the story has reached chapter 111 across 25 Japanese volumes.
The end is now in sight: when the 25th volume came out in August 2026, it was announced that the next volume, Volume 26, will be the last. For readers who like to wait for a series to finish before starting, the wait is almost over.
In the meantime, the series has built up a substantial backlog. With 25 volumes in Japan and 21 already available in English, there’s plenty of material to read right now without worrying about catching up too quickly.
Where the Story Stands Right Now
First, a quick note on the title itself: “kemono” refers to supernatural creatures drawn from Japanese folklore — spirits, beasts, and half-human beings that exist alongside ordinary people. The entire series is built around conflicts between these creatures and the humans who interact with them.
Without getting into heavy spoilers, the story has moved well beyond the early storylines that introduced Kabane and the crew at Inugami’s detective office. The series has expanded its scope considerably — the factional conflicts between different kemono clans have deepened, with alliances shifting and old grudges resurfacing in ways that raise the stakes for every major character. Kabane’s search for his parents remains a central driving force that the story hasn’t resolved, and the answers he’s uncovering have complicated his understanding of who he is and where he belongs.
The tone has gotten darker as the stakes have escalated. If you’re drawn to dark fantasy, this series delivers on that front: creature mythology rooted in Japanese folklore, visceral (sometimes brutal) violence, and emotionally heavy consequences for its characters. Aimoto doesn’t shy away from putting the cast through genuinely painful situations, and the supernatural horror elements hit harder as the world expands. The series balances these heavier moments with the core dynamic between its young leads — Kabane, Shiki, and Akira — whose relationships give the story emotional weight beyond the action.
The manga has progressed far past the events covered by the 2021 anime adaptation (a TV series based on the manga), so viewers who’ve only seen the anime will find a lot of new story ground in the volumes that follow. The series is in a mature phase of its narrative — now confirmed to be building toward its conclusion, with the final volume on the horizon.
How Many Volumes Are Out and What a Collection Looks Like
Here’s the breakdown of what’s available. Because the manga is first published in Japan and then translated into English by a separate publisher, the two editions are at different points in the story — this is standard for manga and just means the English version is a few volumes behind.
Japanese edition:
- 25 volumes released (Volume 26 will be the last)
- Serialized in Jump SQ. and published by Shueisha
English edition:
- 21 volumes released by Seven Seas Entertainment (an American publisher that specializes in translating manga and light novels into English)
- Available in paperback and digital formats (digital editions can be read through e-book platforms like Kindle)
- The most recent English volume came out on June 23, 2026
Upcoming English releases:
- Volume 22 — scheduled for October 6, 2026
- Volume 23 — scheduled for December 1, 2026
- Volume 24 — scheduled for March 23, 2027
Since the series has not yet concluded, there’s no complete set to buy yet — but with only one more Japanese volume to go before the series ends, the full collection is nearly within reach. The English edition is steadily closing the gap with the Japanese release, which is great news if you prefer reading in English. Seven Seas has maintained a consistent translation pace, typically releasing a new volume every few months.
For readers considering the investment of jumping into a 21-volume backlog, individual volumes are priced at a standard range for manga paperbacks — comparable to other Seven Seas titles. Digital editions are also available if you prefer reading on a screen or want a lower-cost option.
If you want to start building your collection, Volume 1 is the place to begin. Seven Seas has kept the series in print, and it’s readily available through major retailers.
Kemono Jihen Vol. 1
The Anime Adaptation and Other Media
Kemono Jihen received a TV anime adaptation that began airing on January 10, 2021. The anime — an animated television series based on the manga — serves as a solid introduction to the series. It captures the dark supernatural atmosphere, the folklore-inspired creature designs, and the core dynamic between Kabane, Shiki, Akira, and Inugami.
For readers on the fence about committing to a long-running manga, the anime is a good way to test whether the tone and world appeal to you. The animation brings the action sequences to life, and the voice cast gives the characters a lot of personality.
That said, the anime covers only a portion of the manga’s story. The manga extends far beyond the adapted material, and the storylines that follow go deeper into the folklore-rooted mythology and raise the emotional stakes significantly. If the anime grabbed you, the manga has much more to offer.
Where to Start Reading Kemono Jihen
The good news: Kemono Jihen is straightforward to start. There are no prequels, spin-offs, or required companion series. Volume 1 is the beginning, and it’s the only entry point you need.
The first volume introduces Kabane — a boy living in a rural village, treated as an outcast, who turns out to be something other than fully human. When a detective named Inugami arrives to investigate strange occurrences, Kabane’s life changes permanently. The setup is efficient and compelling, and it establishes the blend of supernatural mystery and action that defines the rest of the series.
Volume 1 is available in English from Seven Seas Entertainment in both paperback and digital formats, so you can pick whichever you prefer.
For anime watchers: If you’ve already seen the anime and want to continue the story in manga form, starting from Volume 1 is still recommended for the full experience — Aimoto’s art and storytelling on the page have a different rhythm from the animated version, and you’ll catch details the anime condensed or skipped. That said, if you’d rather pick up where the anime left off instead of re-reading adapted material, you can check which chapters the anime covered and find the corresponding volume — manga community forums and reading guides are reliable sources for pinpointing the exact transition point.
FAQ
Is Kemono Jihen manga finished?
Not yet, but an end has been announced. Kemono Jihen is currently serialized in Jump SQ., a monthly manga magazine, with 25 Japanese volumes released so far. It was announced on August 4, 2026 that the series will conclude with its 26th volume.
How many volumes of Kemono Jihen are there?
There are 25 volumes in Japanese and 21 volumes in English as of 2026.
Who publishes Kemono Jihen in English?
Seven Seas Entertainment, an American manga publisher, releases the English edition in both paperback and digital formats.
Will there be more English volumes?
Yes. Volumes 22, 23, and 24 all have announced release dates stretching through March 2027, and the English edition will keep going until it reaches the final volume, Volume 26.
Is there a Kemono Jihen anime?
Yes. A TV anime adaptation began airing in January 2021. It covers a portion of the manga’s story, and the manga goes much further.
What genre is Kemono Jihen?
Seven Seas categorizes it as Action, Mystery, and Supernatural. It draws heavily on Japanese folklore and creature mythology, with dark fantasy elements that give it a heavier, more mature tone than many manga series aimed at a younger audience.