How Many Monster Manga Volumes Are There?
There are two sets of monster manga volumes in English: 18 original volumes and 9 Perfect Edition volumes. Both contain the exact same complete story across all 162 chapters — individual installments that are collected into each volume. The difference is format, not content.
The Perfect Edition is the current in-print English edition from Viz Media, the series’ English-language publisher. Each Perfect Edition volume combines two original volumes into a single, larger book. The original 18 individual volumes have been out of print since 2014.
Monster is a Japanese comic — a manga — written and illustrated by Naoki Urasawa, with Takashi Nagasaki credited as story collaborator. It’s a psychological thriller that was published chapter by chapter in the Japanese magazine Big Comic Original from December 1994 to December 2001. The story is finished — all 162 chapters are collected, and there are no new volumes coming.
Monster: The Perfect Edition, Vol. 1
Complete Monster Perfect Edition Volume List
Viz Media published all 9 Perfect Edition volumes between July 2014 and July 2016 on a roughly quarterly schedule. Here’s every volume with its ISBN, page count, and the original volumes it covers.
Volume-by-Volume Breakdown
- Perfect Edition Vol. 1 (ISBN 9781421569062, 426 pages) — Original Vols. 1–2, Chapters 1–16
- Perfect Edition Vol. 2 (ISBN 9781421569079, 402 pages) — Original Vols. 3–4, Chapters 17–32
- Perfect Edition Vol. 3 (ISBN 9781421569086, 434 pages) — Original Vols. 5–6, Chapters 33–48
- Perfect Edition Vol. 4 (ISBN 9781421569093, 438 pages) — Original Vols. 7–8, Chapters 49–64
- Perfect Edition Vol. 5 (ISBN 9781421569109, 410 pages) — Original Vols. 9–10, Chapters 65–80
- Perfect Edition Vol. 6 (ISBN 9781421569116) — Original Vols. 11–12, Chapters 81–96
- Perfect Edition Vol. 7 (ISBN 9781421569123) — Original Vols. 13–14, Chapters 97–112
- Perfect Edition Vol. 8 (ISBN 9781421569130) — Original Vols. 15–16, Chapters 113–128
- Perfect Edition Vol. 9 (ISBN 9781421569147) — Original Vols. 17–18, Chapters 129–162
Most volumes run roughly 400–440 pages, with the final volume at 482 pages, in a larger format than standard manga paperbacks. These are hefty books.
Monster: The Perfect Edition, Vol. 2
Original 18-Volume Edition vs Perfect Edition
If you’re seeing different volume numbers online or comparing used listings, here’s how the two editions relate to each other.
Format and Physical Quality
The original individual volumes are 18 separate books at roughly 224 pages each in a standard manga paperback size. That’s 18 books on your shelf to own the complete story.
The Perfect Edition collects those same 18 volumes into 9 two-in-one books at approximately 400–440 pages each, in a noticeably larger format. Nine books instead of eighteen — much easier to collect and store.
Story-wise, the content is identical. Same 162 chapters, same dialogue, same ending. Nothing was revised, censored, or abridged. You’re reading the exact same manga either way.
Beyond the format change, the Perfect Edition has better production quality. The paper stock is higher-grade with a slightly warm tint that makes both the black-and-white artwork and color pages look sharp. The Perfect Edition also restores color pages from the original Japanese magazine publication that were printed in black and white in the individual volumes.
Original-to-Perfect-Edition Volume Mapping
If you already own some of the original individual volumes and want to figure out where to pick up with the Perfect Edition, this table has you covered. If you’re starting fresh with the Perfect Edition, you can skip ahead to the buying guide below.
| Perfect Edition | Original Volumes | Chapters |
|---|---|---|
| Vol. 1 | Vols. 1–2 | 1–16 |
| Vol. 2 | Vols. 3–4 | 17–32 |
| Vol. 3 | Vols. 5–6 | 33–48 |
| Vol. 4 | Vols. 7–8 | 49–64 |
| Vol. 5 | Vols. 9–10 | 65–80 |
| Vol. 6 | Vols. 11–12 | 81–96 |
| Vol. 7 | Vols. 13–14 | 97–112 |
| Vol. 8 | Vols. 15–16 | 113–128 |
| Vol. 9 | Vols. 17–18 | 129–162 |
So if you own original volumes 1 through 6, for example, you’ve read through Perfect Edition Vol. 3 and can jump in at Perfect Edition Vol. 4.
Monster: The Perfect Edition, Vol. 3
Availability and Price
The Perfect Edition is currently in print and widely available. You can find individual volumes at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and most bookstores or manga retailers — including online retailers that ship internationally. Retail price typically runs around $19–23 USD per volume, though discounted copies may be available for less.
The original 18 individual volumes are a different story. Viz Media stopped printing them when the Perfect Edition launched in 2014, so they’re only available on the secondary market — eBay, used bookstores, and the occasional listing from third-party Amazon sellers. Expect to pay collector premiums, especially for later volumes. A complete set of the originals can easily cost more than the entire 9-volume Perfect Edition set at retail.
Which Edition Should You Buy?
The Perfect Edition is the right choice for almost every reader. Here’s why:
- It’s in print and easy to find — no hunting through eBay listings or hoping a used bookstore has volume 14
- Better paper and print quality — the upgraded paper stock makes the artwork look noticeably better
- Restored color pages — you get color art that the original English volumes printed in black and white
- Fewer books to collect — 9 volumes vs 18 means less shelf space and a more manageable collection
- Lower total cost — buying 9 in-print volumes at roughly $15–20 each is significantly cheaper than hunting down 18 out-of-print volumes at collector prices
The only real reason to seek out the original individual volumes is collector interest — if you specifically want the first English printing or you prefer the smaller single-volume format. For reading Monster, the Perfect Edition is the better experience in every way.
If you’re on a budget, the Perfect Edition works well for pacing your spending. Pick up Vol. 1, read it, and buy the next volume when you’re ready. No pressure to commit to the whole set upfront. Complete 9-volume sets are also available from third-party sellers on Amazon if you’d rather grab everything at once.
Monster: The Perfect Edition, Vol. 4
Monster Manga Reading Order
Monster’s reading order is straightforward. It’s a single continuous story from start to finish. Read Perfect Edition Vol. 1 through Vol. 9 in order. That’s it.
There are no spin-offs, prequels, or side stories to worry about. No complicated reading order charts. Just nine volumes, in numbered order.
One thing worth mentioning: Another Monster by Naoki Urasawa is a supplementary prose novel — not a manga volume. It’s presented as an in-universe investigative report and adds background context to the story. Note: Another Monster has not been officially translated into English and is not available for purchase in English. Fan translations exist online, but there is no licensed English edition from Viz Media. If you have access to it in another language or through fan translations, it works best as a post-series companion after finishing the 9 Perfect Edition volumes.
As for the anime: the 74-episode adaptation by Madhouse (an anime studio) from 2004–2005 is a remarkably faithful chapter-by-chapter retelling of the entire manga. There are no original episodes or padding — every episode covers material directly from the source. If you’ve watched the anime, you’ve experienced the same story, though the manga’s pacing and Urasawa’s artwork hit differently on the page. You don’t need to watch the anime before reading, and you don’t need to read the manga before watching. Either one stands completely on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions About Monster Manga Volumes
Is Monster manga finished?
Yes. Monster is a completed series. Publication ended in Big Comic Original in December 2001, and all 162 chapters are collected across the 9 Perfect Edition volumes. There’s nothing left to release.
How many pages is the complete Monster manga?
Approximately 3,850 pages total across all 9 Perfect Edition volumes. It’s a substantial read — expect to spend a good amount of time with this one.
Is the Perfect Edition the same story as the original volumes?
Yes, identical story content. Same 162 chapters, same dialogue, same ending. The Perfect Edition is a reformat with improved print quality and restored color pages — not a revised or abridged version. You’re not missing anything either way.
Will the original Monster volumes ever be reprinted?
Very unlikely. Viz Media replaced the original volume line with the Perfect Edition in 2014, and the Perfect Edition is now the standard English release. There’s no indication that Viz plans to bring back the 18-volume format.
Can I start with any volume?
No. Monster is a psychological thriller with a single continuous plot that builds carefully from the very first chapter. Starting anywhere other than Perfect Edition Vol. 1 would spoil major twists and leave you without the context you need. Start from the beginning.