How many Sailor Moon manga are there? Complete guide for fans

The main Sailor Moon manga consists of 18 volumes covering all five story arcs. The original Sailor Moon manga by Naoko Takeuchi was serialized from 1991 to 1997 and follows Usagi and her Sailor Guardians across five main story arcs.

Including spin-offs, special editions, and re-releases, there are over 25 Sailor Moon manga books in total.

Curious about how many Sailor Moon manga are there? Read the full article below on ComicK to get all the details!

How many Sailor Moon manga are there?

The main Sailor Moon manga is compiled into 18 tankōbon volumes, covering all five arcs. Each volume contains multiple chapters, and the story progresses linearly from Usagi’s discovery of her powers to the climactic battle with Sailor Galaxia.

These 18 volumes tell the complete journey of Usagi Tsukino, from an ordinary schoolgirl to the heroic Sailor Moon, alongside her fellow Sailor Guardians.

The arcs explore different villains, challenges, and emotional growth, making the series both exciting and meaningful for readers of all ages.

In addition to the main series, there are special editions, re-releases, and spin-offs, which expand the story and provide extra content such as illustrations, concept art, and side stories.

So, if your question is “how many Sailor Moon manga are there?”, the main storyline consists of 18 volumes, while including spin-offs and special editions, the total number of manga books exceeds 25.

The main Sailor Moon manga series

The original Sailor Moon manga was written and illustrated by Naoko Takeuchi. It was serialized in the magazine Nakayoshi from 1991 to 1997.

The main series consists of five story arcs, also called “acts,” which follow Usagi and her team of Sailor Guardians as they battle evil forces and protect the Solar System. The main arcs are:

Dark Kingdom Arc (Acts 1-3)

Introduces Usagi as Sailor Moon, meeting her fellow Sailor Guardians and the mysterious Tuxedo Mask while fighting Queen Beryl and the Dark Kingdom.

Black Moon Arc (Acts 4-7)

The Guardians face the Black Moon Clan, a group from the future threatening Crystal Tokyo.

Infinity Arc (Acts 8-12)

Focuses on the arrival of the Death Busters and the search for the legendary Sailor Starlights.

Dream Arc (Acts 13-17)

Usagi and her friends battle the Dead Moon Circus and meet new allies.

Stars Arc (Acts 18-20)

The final arc concludes the story with the Sailor Starlights joining the fight against Sailor Galaxia.

Special editions and re-releases

Over the years, Sailor Moon has been re-released in various formats. These editions may include extra illustrations, updated translations, or different formats such as hardcover. Some notable versions include:

• Shinsōban Edition: A re-release of the manga in 12 volumes with new cover art and some revised dialogue.
• Complete Box Sets: Often compiled as collector’s editions, including all 18 volumes in one package, sometimes with bonus content like postcards or posters.
• English Editions: Published by Viz Media, these editions sometimes combine two Japanese volumes into one, resulting in 12 English volumes.

These editions make it easier for new readers to access the series without hunting for the original 18-volume set.

Spin-offs and related manga

Besides the main series, there are also several spin-off manga related to Sailor Moon. While these do not continue the main storyline, they provide extra insight into characters or present fun side stories. Some notable spin-offs include:

• Codename: Sailor V: A prequel focusing on Minako Aino before she became Sailor Venus. This series was serialized from 1991-1997 and compiled into 3 volumes.
• Short Stories and One-shots: Naoko Takeuchi occasionally released short Sailor Moon manga, often as bonus chapters or in special editions.
• Materials Collection and Illustrations: These books contain concept art, character sketches, and behind-the-scenes notes.

Including spin-offs and special releases, the total number of Sailor Moon manga books exceeds 25, depending on which editions and compilations you count.

FAQs

Here are some common questions fans ask about how many Sailor Moon manga are there:

How many Sailor Moon manga volumes exist in English?

In English, Viz Media published the series in 12 volumes, each combining two original Japanese volumes. The story remains complete.

Are the Shinsōban editions different from the original volumes?

Yes, the Shinsōban editions have updated cover art, some revised dialogue, and a slightly smaller volume count (12 instead of 18), but the story content is largely the same.

Is Codename: Sailor V required reading before Sailor Moon?

Not necessarily. Sailor V is a prequel focusing on Minako Aino, but the main story of Sailor Moon can be enjoyed without it. However, reading it adds background and context for fans.

Are there any official spin-offs after the original series ended?

Yes, besides Codename: Sailor V, there are short stories, one-shots, and concept art books. Some special editions include extra manga chapters or illustrations.

Can I complete the series by buying a box set?

Absolutely. Complete box sets often include all 18 volumes of the main series and sometimes bonus content. They are ideal for collectors and new fans.

Is the manga different from the Sailor Moon anime?

Yes. While the anime adapts the story from the manga, it includes extra filler episodes and sometimes diverges from the manga plot. Reading the manga gives the original story as Naoko Takeuchi intended.

If you’ve been wondering how many Sailor Moon manga are there, the answer depends on how you count:

Main story: 18 volumes

• Prequel (Codename: Sailor V): 3 volumes
• Special editions, box sets, artbooks: Varies, often adding another 5–10 volumes

For collectors and fans, the main 18-volume series is the essential starting point. The spin-offs and special editions offer more depth and extras for those who want the complete Sailor Moon experience.

Check out more related manga articles on ComicK to explore and expand your collection!