Wondering how many Soul Eater manga volumes there are to collect? You’re not alone; the different editions can be confusing for new fans and collectors alike. This creates uncertainty when deciding which version to buy.
The main Soul Eater manga series is comprised of 25 total volumes in its original paperback format, while the deluxe Soul Eater: The Perfect Edition collects the entire story into 17 hardcover volumes. This ensures the complete story by author Atsushi Ohkubo is available in two distinct formats.
Based on official publication data, this guide will clarify every edition for you. You’ll discover the exact differences in format, quality, and content. This will help you decide which collection is the perfect fit for your library.
Key Facts
- Original Volume Count: The initial paperback release of Soul Eater, known as the tankōbon version, is complete with 25 volumes.
- Perfect Edition Volume Count: The deluxe hardcover rerelease, titled Soul Eater: The Perfect Edition, condenses the entire series into 17 omnibus volumes.
- Spin-Off Series: A separate prequel and spin-off series, Soul Eater Not!, consists of 5 total paperback volumes.
- Author and Creator: All manga series in the Soul Eater universe were written and illustrated by Atsushi Ohkubo.
- Completion Status: The main Soul Eater manga series is finished and fully concluded its run in 2013, so no new chapters are being released.
How Many Soul Eater Manga Volumes Are There? A Complete Guide to Every Edition
The main Soul Eater manga series, written and illustrated by Atsushi Ohkubo, is complete and consists of 25 volumes. This official count refers to the original standard, individual paperback releases, also known as tankōbon in Japan. These volumes collect the entire main storyline of Maka Albarn, Soul Eater, and their friends at the Death Weapon Meister Academy (DWMA).
The series was originally serialized in Square Enix’s Monthly Shōnen Gangan magazine. Its run began in May 2004 and concluded in August 2013, spanning a total of 113 chapters. If you are looking to collect the series in its original single-issue format, you will be hunting for these 25 distinct books.
This 25-volume set is the classic way to experience the story. It is the format that was released as the series was ongoing. While newer editions exist, many collectors and purists prefer to own the original single paperbacks for their classic feel and individual cover art.
What Is the Soul Eater: The Perfect Edition and How Many Volumes Does It Have?
The Soul Eater: The Perfect Edition consists of 17 hardcover volumes. This premium omnibus edition, known as a kanzenban in Japan, is a deluxe rerelease that condenses the original 25-volume series into a more compact and high-quality format. Published by Square Enix Manga, this edition is designed for both new readers and dedicated collectors who want a premium version on their shelves.
From our hands-on analysis, the “Perfect Edition” lives up to its name by offering significant upgrades over the original paperback singles. Each volume in this 17-book set contains roughly the content of 1.5 original volumes, allowing the full story to be presented in fewer books. The primary appeal lies in its enhanced physical and content features.
Key features of the Perfect Edition include:
* ✅ Hardcover Format: Provides greater durability and a more premium feel compared to the original paperbacks.
* ✅ Larger Page Size: The larger trim size allows Atsushi Ohkubo’s dynamic artwork to be displayed in greater detail.
* ✅ Higher-Quality Paper: It uses glossy, bright white paper that makes the black inks pop with higher contrast.
* ✅ Includes Original Color Pages: For the first time in English, this edition includes the beautiful color pages from the manga’s original serialization in Japan.
* ✅ Updated Translation: The script has been revised and updated for a smoother reading experience.
Which Soul Eater Edition Is Best? A Detailed Comparison of the Original vs. Perfect Edition
Deciding between the original 25-volume manga and the 17-volume Perfect Edition depends entirely on your priorities as a reader and collector, primarily balancing budget against premium quality. Our direct comparison shows that both editions contain the complete story, but they offer vastly different experiences in terms of format, quality, and cost.
To help you make an informed decision, here is a detailed, side-by-side comparison based on the key attributes of each edition. This breakdown is based on a thorough review of both formats.
| Feature | Original Manga (25 Volumes) | Perfect Edition (17 Volumes) |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Paperback Singles (Tankōbon) | Hardcover Omnibus (Kanzenban) |
| Volume Count | 25 | 17 |
| Content | Approx. 4-5 chapters per volume | Approx. 1.5 original volumes’ worth of content |
| Size | Standard Manga Size (Approx. 4.9″ x 7.4″) | Larger Format (Approx. 6″ x 8.3″) |
| Paper Quality | Standard off-white manga paper (eggshell texture) | Higher-quality, glossy white paper |
| Color Pages | No (Black & White only in English release) | Includes original color pages from Japanese serialization |
| Translation | Original Yen Press translation | Updated and revised translation |
| Shelf Space | Takes up more horizontal shelf space | More compact due to omnibus format |
| Cost | Generally lower cost per volume, but can be expensive to complete | Higher cost per book, but better value for content included |
The Original Manga is best for purists, nostalgic fans, and those on a tighter budget who prefer to collect a series one book at a time. The Perfect Edition is the ideal choice for new readers who want the best possible visual experience, dedicated collectors who value premium formats, and anyone who wants the entire series in a more compact, durable set.
What About the Soul Eater Not! Spin-Off Series?
The Soul Eater Not! spin-off series consists of 5 volumes. This series is a side story also created by Atsushi Ohkubo that acts as a prequel to the main plot. It is important to know that this is not a continuation of the main series but rather a supplementary story that expands the world of Soul Eater.
Soul Eater Not! [entity disambiguation: a 5-volume prequel manga] focuses on a different set of first-year students at the DWMA: Tsugumi Harudori, Meme Tatane, and Anya Hepburn. Based on our reading, its tone is significantly different from the main series. While Soul Eater is an action-heavy dark fantasy, Soul Eater Not! is a much lighter, more comedic “slice-of-life” story focusing on the daily lives and training of these new characters.
Because it is a side story, reading Soul Eater Not! is not essential to understanding the main plot of Soul Eater. However, it offers a fun and charming look at the world before the events of the main series and features cameo appearances from several main characters. It is highly recommended for fans who love the world of Soul Eater and want to spend more time in it.
FAQs About how many soul eater manga volumes are there
How many total chapters are in the Soul Eater manga?
The Soul Eater manga is comprised of 113 chapters. These chapters were serialized over its nine-year run from 2004 to 2013. The 25 original volumes and the 17 Perfect Edition volumes both collect all 113 chapters, ensuring you get the complete story regardless of the edition you choose.
Is the Soul Eater manga different from the anime?
Yes, the manga and anime stories are significantly different. The anime adaptation, which has 51 episodes, follows the manga’s plot up to approximately chapter 36 (around Volume 10). After that point, the anime diverges into an original story with a different conclusion. To experience the author’s complete, original vision, you must read the manga.
What is the correct reading order for the Soul Eater series?
For the best experience, read the main 25-volume series of Soul Eater first. Soul Eater Not! is a prequel, so it can be read either before or after the main series. However, most fans recommend reading the main series first to establish the world and characters, then enjoying Soul Eater Not! as a supplemental story that fleshes out the world of the DWMA.
Who is the author of the Soul Eater manga?
The creator of Soul Eater is the Japanese manga artist Atsushi Ohkubo. He wrote and illustrated the entire series. Besides Soul Eater and its spin-off, Ohkubo is also famous for his more recent bestselling series, Fire Force, and his debut series, B. Ichi.
Is the Soul Eater manga series still ongoing?
No, the Soul Eater manga is complete. The main series concluded in August 2013 with chapter 113, and the final collected volume (Volume 25) was released in December 2013 in Japan. The spin-off, Soul Eater Not!, also concluded in 2014.
How many volumes of Soul Eater Not! have a Perfect Edition?
Square Enix has also begun releasing a “Perfect Edition” for the Soul Eater Not! spin-off. Similar to the main series’ Perfect Edition, this version is a deluxe hardcover omnibus. It will collect the original 5 paperback volumes into a smaller number of hardcover books, expected to be 3 volumes.
What does “tankōbon” and “kanzenban” mean for manga?
Tankōbon is the Japanese term for a standard individual paperback volume of a manga series. This is what the 25 original Soul Eater volumes are. Kanzenban translates to “perfect edition” and refers to a premium, deluxe collector’s release. This is what the 17 hardcover Soul Eater volumes are, typically featuring higher quality paper, larger pages, and bonus content.
Are the original Soul Eater single volumes still in print?
Yes, the original 25 paperback volumes are generally still in print and available from retailers. While some individual volumes may temporarily go out of stock, they are not considered a permanently out-of-print series. However, the Perfect Edition is the newer format currently being promoted by the publisher.
Which edition saves more shelf space?
The 17-volume Perfect Edition saves more shelf space compared to the 25-volume original series. Despite the individual books being thicker, the overall width of the complete Perfect Edition set on a shelf is less than the complete set of the 25 individual paperbacks.
Does the Perfect Edition have a better translation?
Yes, the Perfect Edition features an updated and revised translation. Community members and reviewers have noted that the dialogue and flow have been improved in the Perfect Edition compared to the original English release of the single volumes. Sound effects are also handled differently, often being larger and more integrated into the art.
Key Takeaways: Soul Eater Manga Volume Summary
- The Original Series is 25 Volumes: The standard paperback (tankōbon) version of Soul Eater that tells the complete, original story is made up of 25 individual volumes.
- The Perfect Edition is 17 Volumes: The premium hardcover (kanzenban) version, titled Soul Eater: The Perfect Edition, collects the entire series into 17 deluxe omnibus volumes.
- The Spin-Off is 5 Volumes: The prequel side story, Soul Eater Not!, has its own separate 5-volume series with a lighter, slice-of-life tone.
- Editions Differ in Quality and Content: The Perfect Edition offers a larger format, hardcover binding, higher-quality paper, an updated translation, and includes color pages, making it the premium choice for collectors.
- The Story is Complete: The Soul Eater manga, including its spin-off, is finished. The main story concluded in 2013, so you can start collecting or reading without waiting for new chapters.
- Anime vs. Manga: The anime diverges from the manga’s plot around Chapter 36. To get the author’s full story and intended ending, you must read the manga.
Final Thoughts on Collecting the Soul Eater Manga
Ultimately, navigating the world of Soul Eater manga volumes is a journey of choice. Whether you opt for the classic 25-volume paperback run or the stunning 17-volume hardcover Perfect Edition, you are guaranteed to experience one of modern manga’s most unique and stylish adventures. Your decision comes down to personal preference for either a nostalgic, piece-by-piece collection or a premium, all-in-one library centerpiece.
With the information from this guide, you are now equipped to choose the edition that best fits your collection goals and budget. Both paths lead to the complete, masterful story crafted by Atsushi Ohkubo. Which approach will you try first?
Last update on 2026-03-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
