Is the Kemono Jihen manga finished? Not yet — but it’s ending soon. The series has 25 volumes out in Japan, and an announcement confirmed that Volume 26 will be the last. The English translation is steadily catching up. Below you’ll find the full status breakdown, what the series is about if you’re new to it, how the anime fits in, and the complete English release schedule through early 2027.
Not Yet — Kemono Jihen Will End With Volume 26
Kemono Jihen is not finished yet. The manga is still running in Jump SQ., a monthly manga magazine published by Shueisha (one of Japan’s largest manga publishers), and its chapters are later collected into volumes — the book-format editions you can buy. The 25th volume, released in August 2026, announced that the next volume will be the last.
Here’s a quick snapshot of where things stand:
| Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| Series status | Ongoing — final volume announced |
| Author | Sho Aimoto |
| Japanese volumes | 25 |
| Latest chapter | Chapter 111 |
| Magazine | Jump SQ. (Shueisha) |
| Final volume announced? | Yes — Volume 26 |
Sho Aimoto has been serializing Kemono Jihen in Jump SQ. since December 2016. With 25 collected volumes and 111 individual chapters out in Japan, there’s a substantial amount of story already.
So if you were holding off on starting because you wanted a completed series, the story is almost finished in Japan — and there’s already plenty to work through in the meantime.
What Kemono Jihen Is About (Spoiler-Free Overview)
Kemono Jihen follows Kabane, a quiet boy living in a rural village who discovers he has kemono (monster) blood — meaning he’s part-human, part-supernatural creature. After a chance encounter with an occult detective — someone who investigates cases involving supernatural and mystical forces — Kabane ends up joining a small supernatural investigation agency in Tokyo. From there, the story pulls him into a hidden world of kemono creatures, dangerous threats, and mysteries that tie directly into his own origins.
The series blends action, mystery, and supernatural elements in a way that feels distinct from a lot of other manga aimed at a similar audience. There’s detective work and investigation layered with fight sequences, and the tone leans darker than you might expect — the supernatural threats carry real weight, and the story doesn’t shy away from heavier subject matter.
If you’re someone who enjoys supernatural detective stories with genuine menace — think investigations with actual stakes rather than lighthearted standalone-villain adventures — Kemono Jihen fits that niche well. It sits in an interesting space between pure action manga and darker supernatural mystery, which makes it a great pick for readers looking for something with an edge that still delivers satisfying battle sequences.
The character dynamics are also a strong draw. Kabane’s stoic personality plays off the other members of the agency in ways that are both funny and emotionally compelling, and the supporting cast gets meaningful development as the series goes on. The longer storylines — multi-chapter arcs that build on each other over many volumes — give those character relationships room to breathe and evolve in ways that shorter stories can’t.
Does the Anime Cover the Full Manga Story?
For anyone unfamiliar, the Kemono Jihen anime is a Japanese animated TV series that adapts the manga — it tells the same story in animated form. A season aired starting in January 2021, and it covered only a portion of the manga’s story. With the manga now at 25 volumes in Japan and a 26th on the way to wrap up the series, there is significantly more story in the manga beyond where the anime ends.
The anime and manga tell the same story, so the anime serves as a solid introduction to the characters and world. But it really only scratches the surface of where Aimoto takes things. If you watched the anime and enjoyed it, picking up the manga is the way to continue the story — and there’s a lot of it waiting for you.
For readers coming from the anime, the manga is where you’ll find the deeper storylines, expanded backstory and world-building, and longer-running mysteries that the anime didn’t have time to reach. It’s a rewarding continuation rather than just a retread of what you already saw on screen.
Where to Read Kemono Jihen in English
Seven Seas Entertainment — the company that licenses and translates the manga for English-speaking readers — publishes the English edition of Kemono Jihen in both paperback and digital formats. The English release has been progressing steadily, and here’s where things stand:
- English volumes currently available: 21 (as of June 2026)
- Volume 22: October 6, 2026
- Volume 23: December 1, 2026
- Volume 24: March 23, 2027
The English edition is gradually closing the gap with the Japanese release. With 21 of 25 Japanese volumes now available in English and three more dates already announced, English-language readers are in a great position — you’re not far behind Japan at all.
Starting the Series
If you want to start collecting, volume 1 is the natural entry point and sets up Kabane’s story from the very beginning.
Kemono Jihen Vol. 1
Physical vs. Digital
For digital readers, you can grab volumes through e-book platforms and manga reading apps. The convenience of picking up volumes on release day is a nice perk, especially with the upcoming volumes dropping on a roughly every-three-months schedule through early 2027. If you prefer physical copies, the paperback editions are widely available through major retailers.
How Far Behind Is the English Release?
With 21 of 25 Japanese volumes available in English and three more already scheduled, the English edition is only a handful of volumes behind. At the current pace, the gap continues to narrow — so English readers aren’t stuck waiting years behind the Japanese release. You can comfortably start reading now and stay relatively current as new volumes come out.
How Does Kemono Jihen Compare to Similar Series?
If you’re drawn to Kemono Jihen’s blend of supernatural mystery and action, you might also enjoy other manga that occupy a similar space. Series that combine investigation-driven storytelling with darker supernatural themes tend to appeal to the same readers. Kemono Jihen stands out in this company because of how it balances its detective-story structure with genuine character development — the mystery elements aren’t just plot devices but are deeply tied to the characters’ personal histories and emotional growth.
The series also distinguishes itself through its setting. Rather than a fantasy world or an alternate reality, Kemono Jihen takes place in a version of modern-day Japan where supernatural creatures exist hidden alongside ordinary people. This grounded setting gives the more fantastical elements extra weight — the horror and danger feel closer to home because the world itself looks familiar.
For readers who have already finished what the anime covers and want to know whether the manga is worth continuing: it is. The story expands considerably beyond the anime’s scope, and many readers consider the later volumes to be where the series hits its stride. The mysteries deepen, the stakes escalate, and character backstories that were only hinted at early on get full exploration.
FAQ
How many volumes of Kemono Jihen are there?
There are 25 volumes in the original Japanese edition. In English, 21 volumes have been released as of June 2026, with volumes 22 through 24 announced through March 2027. Each volume collects several chapters — individual installments that originally ran in the magazine — into a single book.
Is Kemono Jihen manga finished or still ongoing?
The manga is still ongoing for now, but it’s set to end soon: the 25th volume announced that Volume 26 will be the last. It runs in Jump SQ., a monthly manga magazine, and the latest chapter count is 111.
Who publishes Kemono Jihen in English?
Seven Seas Entertainment handles the English-language release. They license the manga from the original Japanese publisher and release translated editions for English-speaking readers. The series is available in both paperback and digital formats, making it accessible whether you prefer physical copies on your shelf or reading on a device through e-book platforms.