Sailor Moon’s manga exists in multiple collected editions, so the “right” number depends on what you mean by “the manga.”
The core story is the same, but publishers repackage chapters into different volume counts (18, 12, or 10) across releases.
If you want the truly complete shelf, you may also add short-story volumes and Codename: Sailor V.
Read on for the clearest answer to How many Sailor Moon manga are there, plus practical buying advice from HariManga.
How many Sailor Moon manga are there?
If you are counting the original collected Japanese run, the main Sailor Moon story is compiled into 18 volumes.
If you are counting what you can buy in most modern bookstores, the same main story is commonly repackaged into either 12 volumes (standard reprint-style sets) or 10 volumes (premium “extra-long” editions).
That is why fans can give different numbers when asked How many Sailor Moon manga are there.
Quick answer, depending on your goal
- Main story only (original compilation): 18 volumes
- Main story only (most modern standard sets): 12 volumes
- Main story only (premium/extra-long sets): 10 volumes
- “Complete reading shelf” often means: main story + short stories + Sailor V (edition-dependent total)
When someone asks How many Sailor Moon manga are there, you should always clarify whether they mean the original compilation or a specific modern edition.
The story chapters do not change just because the spine number changes. What changes is the “binding math”: publishers group chapters differently, adjust trim size, and sometimes add color pages or bonus materials.
This is also why the same search can surface multiple “correct” answers.
Understanding Sailor Moon manga editions
Before you commit money and shelf space, it helps to treat this as an edition question, not a canon question. Most collector confusion comes from mixing these concepts.
The original tankōbon approach
Smaller books, more total volumes. This is the 18-volume counting method many long-time fans cite.
The modern “standard” approach
Moderately thicker books with a cleaner numbering system, often landing at 12 volumes for the main story.
If you see a tidy “Vol. 1-12” listing, that may be the edition that shapes the most common shopping answer.
The premium/extra-long approach
Fewer, thicker books, typically 10 volumes for the main story, designed for display, comfortable rereads, and higher perceived print quality.
For collectors, this is often the most satisfying way to resolve How many Sailor Moon manga are there without buying multiple overlapping sets.
Main series volume counts at a glance
If your priority is a fast, practical answer to How many Sailor Moon manga are there, use this overview and pick the line that matches your edition.
Edition count table (main story)
Original compilation style (18 volumes): Purists, legacy collections
Standard modern set (12 volumes): First-time buyers, easy completion
Premium extra-long set (10 volumes): Collectors, rereads, display shelves
Tip: Always verify the back cover or product description says “complete series” (or lists the final volume) to avoid stopping early; especially when you are buying online because “Vol. 10” may be complete in one edition but incomplete in another. That single mismatch is the #1 reason buyers keep re-Googling How many Sailor Moon manga are there.
Do short stories count as “Sailor Moon manga”?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no because different publishers separate them differently.
Many release lines treat the short stories as their own volumes rather than folding them into the numbered main run.
If you want a “100% manga content” shelf, your answer to How many Sailor Moon manga are there should include those short-story volumes.
What short stories usually include
- Side adventures that expand character bonds and world flavor
- One-off chapters that many readers consider essential “texture,” even if not required for plot
- Bonus materials that feel especially rewarding on rereads
From a reader-experience standpoint, short-story volumes are often where collectors say the series feels most “alive,” because you get lighter pacing between major arcs.
That collector sentiment is worth factoring in when you decide how to answer How many Sailor Moon manga are there for your own library.
Is Codename: Sailor V included?
Codename: Sailor V is closely connected and frequently recommended, but it is typically sold and counted as a separate title line.
Some fans include it when answering How many Sailor Moon manga are there in the “complete shelf” sense, while others keep the count strictly to the main Sailor Moon run.
When you should include Sailor V in your count
Include it if:
- You want Minako’s earlier story context
- You like reading in a broader “Sailor Moon universe” order
- You are building a collector shelf, not just finishing the core plot
If your goal is “everything that feels canon-adjacent and authored in the same era,” then your personal answer to How many Sailor Moon manga are there should include Sailor V.
Which edition should you buy?
If you are asking How many Sailor Moon manga are there because you want to buy the series, edition choice matters more than the raw number.
For first-time readers who want the easiest checklist
A 12-volume modern standard set is usually the simplest to complete. The numbering is straightforward, replacements are easier to find if a volume arrives damaged, and most online listings are consistent.
For most readers, this is the most stress-free way to settle How many Sailor Moon manga are there in practice.
For collectors optimizing for print feel and shelf impact
A premium 10-volume set is attractive if you value thicker paper, larger page presence, and a “keepsake” vibe for rereads.
In collector circles, the premium option often gets recommended as the best “one-and-done” purchase when someone asks How many Sailor Moon manga are there and doesn’t want multiple sets.
For budget-focused buyers
If cost is the primary constraint, compare unit price per page, not per volume. A 10-volume set may look cheaper (fewer books) but can cost more per book; a 12-volume set may be easier to buy gradually.
This budgeting lens is a practical way to make How many Sailor Moon manga are there translate into a realistic plan.
Reading order that avoids confusion
If you want a clean, minimal-confusion reading path:
- Sailor Moon main story (choose your edition: 18/12/10)
- Short stories (if sold separately in your edition)
- Codename: Sailor V (optional but recommended for completionists)
This is also the simplest structure to use when friends ask How many Sailor Moon manga are there and you want to answer without a five-minute explanation.
FAQs
Still unsure about How many Sailor Moon manga are there? These FAQs address the common counting traps so you can choose one number and stick with it.
Is the Sailor Moon manga finished?
Yes. The manga’s main storyline is complete; what changes is only how later editions package it into 18, 12, or 10 volumes.
Why do I see 18 volumes in some places and 12 in others?
Because 18 refers to the original compilation style, while 12 is a common modern repackaging. Both describe the same main story, just bound differently.
How many volumes are in the premium 10-volume sets?
Premium/extra-long editions typically collect the main story into 10 thicker volumes, which is why some shoppers answer How many Sailor Moon manga are there with “10.”
Is Codename: Sailor V required?
Not required, but recommended if you want more context around Minako and the broader Sailor Moon universe.
What is the best edition for a first-time reader?
If you want a simple checklist, choose a consistent modern standard set; if you want a collector-friendly reread, choose a premium 10-volume set.
What is the safest way to avoid buying the wrong edition?
Buy a full set from one line (or one seller), verify the final volume number, and match trim size and spine branding before you commit.
So, How many Sailor Moon manga are there? For the main story, the practical answers are 18 (original compilation), 12 (common modern standard sets), or 10 (premium extra-long editions).
Decide whether you also want short stories and Codename: Sailor V, then stick to one edition for a clean collection.
For more Sailor Moon manga collecting advice and practical buying guides, keep reading HariManga, where we also cover popular questions across series, including how many times Subaru died in manga.
