If you came here looking for a simple yes or no, the answer is: yes, but not in the way fans hoped. The Misfit of Demon King Academy manga ended at Volume 4 when it was cancelled in July 2021, so its story stops partway through. Let’s break down what happened and where you can go from here.
Is the Misfit of Demon King Academy Manga Finished or Still Going?
The Misfit of Demon King Academy (魔王学院の不適合者) manga adaptation has ended. The last Japanese volume — Volume 4 — released on March 5, 2021. In July 2021, the manga was cancelled due to the illness of its artist, Kayaharuka (かやはるか). Sadly, Kayaharuka had already passed away on July 6, the day before the cancellation was announced. There will not be a Volume 5.
Unlike series that quietly stop with no explanation, this one has a clear and well-documented cause — the loss of the artist who brought it to life.
Before diving deeper, here’s some quick context on how this story exists across different formats. The Misfit of Demon King Academy started as a light novel — a type of short Japanese novel, usually illustrated, that’s a common source for manga and anime adaptations. The light novel was written by Shu (秋). A manga adaptation (the drawn comic version) was then created with art by Kayaharuka (かやはるか) and character designs by Yoshinori Shizuma (しずまよしのり). An anime adaptation (the animated TV series) followed as well. All three — light novel, manga, and anime — tell the same core story, but each was produced by different teams and makes its own choices about pacing and emphasis.
The manga was serialized — published chapter by chapter — on Manga UP!, a digital manga app operated by SQUARE ENIX. Those chapters were then collected into printed volumes published by SQUARE ENIX in Japan.
While the manga stops after those four volumes, the story itself continues in other formats — and there are good options for readers who want more.
Where the Story Stands After Volume 4
Through its four volumes, the manga covers the early portion of the light novel that came first. Here’s the setup: this is a fantasy story about rebirth and power. The main character, Anos Voldigoad, is the reincarnated Demon King who enrolls in the Demon King Academy two thousand years after his death, only to find that no one recognizes him and history has been rewritten. The manga follows his initial battles, his growing circle of allies, and the early mysteries surrounding why his true identity was erased from the world’s memory. There’s also a thread of romance woven through the story — it’s not the central focus, but relationships and emotional bonds do play a meaningful role alongside the action and mystery.
Here’s the thing readers need to know: the manga only scratches the surface of the full story. The light novel goes much further, and the anime adaptation has also covered significantly more ground.
Two anime seasons have aired — the first beginning in July 2020 and the second starting in January 2023. Both seasons adapt material that goes well beyond what the four manga volumes cover. If you’ve watched the anime and are wondering whether the manga adds anything new, the anime actually progresses the story much further.
For readers who finish Volume 4 and want to know what happens next, you have two options:
- The anime adaptation — two seasons are available, covering substantially more of the story. This is probably the most accessible next step if you prefer watching over reading.
- The light novel by Shu — the source material that goes the furthest of any version. Light novels read like short illustrated novels, and they’re available from major book retailers. If you prefer reading, this is where the most complete version of the story lives.
How Many Volumes Are Available
Here’s a quick breakdown of what’s been published:
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Japanese volumes | 4 (published by SQUARE ENIX via Manga UP!) |
| English volumes | 4 (published by SQUARE ENIX Manga & Books) |
| JP release window | November 2018 through March 2021 |
| English format | Trade paperback (standard softcover books) |
| Age rating (EN) | Older Teen (a publisher-applied label, similar to a movie rating — indicates content suitable for older teens and up) |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, Fantasy, Light Novel Tie-In, Romance |
Four volumes is a pretty quick read. You could comfortably get through the entire manga run in a weekend. The Older Teen rating means you can expect action-heavy fantasy combat and some darker themes, but nothing that pushes into mature territory.
The “Light Novel Tie-In” genre label in the table simply means this manga is adapted from a light novel — it’s not a standalone original story but a visual retelling of Shu’s prose work.
The English editions from SQUARE ENIX Manga & Books are solid trade paperbacks — standard softcover books, the most common physical manga format you’ll find in stores. They’re widely available through major retailers, and the translation quality is consistent across all four volumes.
The Misfit of Demon King Academy, Vol. 4
Where to Start Reading
The reading order here is about as straightforward as it gets: read Volumes 1 through 4 in order. There are no spin-offs, no side stories, and no alternate editions to worry about. Just pick up Volume 1 and go.
All four English volumes are published by SQUARE ENIX Manga & Books in trade paperback format. They’re easy to find at major book retailers.
Once you’ve finished Volume 4, you’ll likely want more — and unfortunately, the manga can’t give it to you. That’s the core frustration with a manga that ends early like this: you get invested in a story and then the road just stops. But you do have real options for continuing.
Here’s what to do after Volume 4:
- Watch the anime. Two seasons have aired, and they cover material far beyond where the manga stops. This is probably the most accessible way to continue the story if you’re already invested. The anime is its own adaptation of the light novel, so you’ll see some of the same early events depicted differently before the story moves past where the manga ends.
- Pick up the light novel. The source material by Shu goes further than both the manga and the anime. That’s typical for light novels — because they’re the original version of the story, they usually contain the most complete telling. The light novel is the place to go if you want the fullest version of the narrative.
One thing to keep in mind: because the manga, anime, and light novel are all separate adaptations of the same story (with the light novel being the original), each version makes its own choices about pacing and what to emphasize. Starting with the manga gives you a nice visual introduction, and you can branch out from there without feeling lost.
FAQ
Is The Misfit of Demon King Academy manga cancelled?
Yes. The manga was cancelled in July 2021 due to the illness of its artist, Kayaharuka, who had passed away on July 6, the day before the cancellation was announced. No new volumes have been released since Volume 4 came out in Japan on March 5, 2021, and the series will not continue. The four published volumes represent the complete manga run.
Will there be a Volume 5?
No. The manga was cancelled after Volume 4, so no fifth volume is coming.
Does the anime go further than the manga?
Yes, significantly. Two anime seasons have aired, and they adapt material well beyond what the manga’s four volumes cover. If you’ve finished the manga and want to see the story continue, the anime is a great next step.
What is the best way to continue the story after the manga?
You have two good options. The anime adaptation (two seasons) covers more of the story and is easy to pick up after the manga. The light novel by Shu goes even further than the anime and is the most complete version of the story available. Light novels are the original source material for series like this one, which is why they typically contain the most story content — adaptations into manga or anime often cover only a portion of the full narrative. Either path will take you well past where Volume 4 leaves off.
Is the manga worth reading if I’ve already seen the anime?
The manga covers less ground than even the first anime season, so you won’t get new story content. That said, Kayaharuka’s artwork offers a different visual take on the early chapters, and some readers enjoy seeing how the same scenes are interpreted across different formats. If you’re a fan of the series and enjoy manga as a medium, the four volumes are a quick and enjoyable read — just go in knowing you’ve already seen the story beats.