If you’re wondering how many volumes Chainsaw Man has, the short answer depends on whether you mean the original manga run, the ongoing sequel, or the total collected editions available so far. Because the series is still in progress, the count can change as new volumes are released.
Below is a clear reading guide to the current volume count, how the series is organized, and the best way to approach Chainsaw Man if you’re starting from the beginning.
How many volumes of Chainsaw Man are there?
As of now, Chainsaw Man has 18 collected volumes in Japan, with the series still ongoing. The manga began with Part 1, often called “Public Safety,” which ran through 11 volumes, and Part 2 continues the story in additional volumes. English-language editions may lag slightly behind the Japanese release, so the exact number you can buy in your region may differ.
How the series is divided
Part 1: Public Safety
Part 1 is the original run of Chainsaw Man and is the section most readers think of first. It introduces Denji, the devil-hunting world, and the central cast while building the series’ mix of action, horror, dark comedy, and emotional shock.
This part is collected in 11 volumes. It forms a complete major arc with a clear endpoint, even though the larger story continues afterward.
Part 2: The Academy Saga
Part 2 follows the events of the first storyline and shifts the focus while keeping the same universe and tonal intensity. It is still being serialized, so its collected volume count continues to grow.
At present, Part 2 accounts for the remaining volumes beyond the original 11, bringing the total to 18 volumes overall so far.
What is Chainsaw Man about?
Chainsaw Man, created by Tatsuki Fujimoto, is a manga series that blends supernatural violence with surprisingly intimate character drama. At its center is Denji, a poor young man whose life changes after merging with a devil and becoming the titular Chainsaw Man.
The premise sounds outrageous, but the series is also about loneliness, exploitation, desire, and the search for ordinary human connection. That emotional tension is a major reason the manga has attracted such a wide readership.
Reading order for new readers
Best way to read the volumes
If you want the simplest reading path, start with volume 1 and continue in order. The story is built sequentially, and later developments depend heavily on earlier character relationships and revelations.
- Start with Volume 1 to meet Denji and learn the rules of the world.
- Continue through Volume 11 to complete Part 1.
- Move into Part 2 after that, following the next collected volumes in release order.
There is no need to jump around. Chainsaw Man is a fast-moving series, but it rewards reading in sequence because its emotional turns and recurring symbols build over time.
Should you read Part 1 only?
Part 1 works well as a self-contained major arc, so some readers stop there if they want a complete story beat before continuing. But if you enjoy the world, characters, and Fujimoto’s style, Part 2 is the natural next step.
Why the volume count matters for readers
Understanding the scope
Knowing how many volumes there are helps you judge the length of the commitment. With 18 volumes and counting, Chainsaw Man is substantial but still relatively manageable compared with very long-running manga series.
Collecting the series
If you’re buying physical editions, the volume count also helps you track what you already own and what remains. Because publication schedules vary by language and region, collectors often check both the original Japanese numbering and the local release list.
What makes Chainsaw Man distinctive?
Genre blend
The series is often described as shonen manga, but that label only tells part of the story. It combines action, horror, absurd humor, and psychological drama in a way that feels unusually unstable and unpredictable.
Characters and emotional stakes
Denji is not a traditional heroic protagonist. His motivations are often simple and immediate, which gives the story a blunt, human quality even when the plot becomes surreal or brutal.
That contrast between outrageous events and emotionally basic desires is one of the manga’s most effective techniques. It keeps the story grounded even as it pushes into extreme territory.
Themes and symbols
Several recurring ideas shape the series: hunger, debt, bodily transformation, control, and the longing for affection. The chainsaw itself is not just a weapon; it is also a symbol of violent survival and identity remade through pain.
Fujimoto frequently uses sudden tonal shifts to make those themes land harder. A scene may begin with comedy and end with loss, or begin with horror and reveal vulnerability underneath it.
How Chainsaw Man compares to other manga
Readers who enjoy Chainsaw Man often also like manga that mix genre energy with emotional intensity. It may appeal to fans of darker shonen stories, but it stands apart because of its pacing, visual chaos, and willingness to undercut expectations.
If you’re coming from more conventional battle manga, expect something rougher and less predictable. If you already like manga that play with horror and black comedy, this series may feel especially fresh.
Quick facts to remember
- Total volumes so far: 18
- Part 1: 11 volumes
- Part 2: ongoing
- Creator: Tatsuki Fujimoto
- Best reading order: start at Volume 1 and read sequentially
Final takeaway
If you were asking how many volumes of Chainsaw Man there are, the most useful answer is that the manga currently has 18 volumes and is still ongoing. For new readers, the best approach is simple: begin with volume 1, read through Part 1, and then continue into Part 2 if you want the full story.