If you’ve been wondering whether the Didn’t I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?! manga is finished — good news. One version of the manga is fully complete, and you can read the whole thing start to finish. But there’s a catch: there are actually two separate manga adaptations of this series, and only one of them finished.
Here’s the quick version. The Square Enix adaptation (art by iimAn) wrapped up at 5 volumes — done, complete, has an ending. The Earth Star Comics adaptation (art by Nekomint) put out 4 volumes but has been on hiatus — meaning publication paused with no confirmed plans to continue — and never reached an ending. Let’s break down everything you need to know.
Yes, the Abilities Average Manga Is Finished — Completed in 5 Volumes (March 2024)
The short answer: yes, the Square Enix manga adaptation is finished. It wrapped up with its fifth and final volume, released on March 12, 2024. The series ran for 20 chapters total across those 5 volumes, giving readers a complete story from beginning to end. (If you’re new to manga, think of chapters as individual installments — similar to episodes of a TV show — that get collected into volumes, which are the physical books you buy.)
FUNA’s lighthearted light novel — a type of short, illustrated Japanese novel — tells the story of a girl who asks to be reincarnated with “average” abilities in a fantasy world. The gods interpreted “average” in the most mathematically literal (and absurd) way possible, leaving her with abilities far beyond what she bargained for. This genre of story, where a character is reborn or transported into another world, is called “isekai” in manga and anime fandom, and it’s one of the most popular categories out there.
That light novel spawned two different manga adaptations — illustrated versions of the original story, each drawn by a different artist and published by a different company:
- The Square Enix version — This is the one that’s complete at 5 volumes. Art is by iimAn.
- The Earth Star Comics version — Illustrated by Nekomint and published by Earth Star Entertainment, this earlier adaptation put out 4 volumes but is currently on hiatus. It never finished.
So if someone online says “the manga isn’t done,” they might be talking about the Earth Star version. If you want the full story in manga form, the Square Enix adaptation is the one to look for.
It’s a comedy-fantasy series that doesn’t take itself too seriously — the protagonist just wanted a normal, average life after reincarnation, and the humor comes from how spectacularly that plan fails. That warm, funny tone holds all the way through to the end.
How the Story Wraps Up — Spoiler-Free Overview
Without getting into specifics that would ruin the fun, the Square Enix manga delivers a satisfying conclusion that fits the series’ comedic tone. This was never a dark, heavy epic — it’s a lighthearted adventure about friendship, misunderstandings, and a protagonist who keeps accidentally revealing just how “not average” she really is. The ending stays true to that spirit.
Across its 20 chapters and 5 volumes, the Square Enix version tells a focused, self-contained story. It doesn’t try to cover every single thing from the light novels — no manga version of a long-running novel series really could — but it reaches a natural stopping point that gives readers closure.
The Earth Star version, by contrast, stopped mid-story at 4 volumes with no announced continuation. If you’ve only read that version, you’ve essentially been left hanging. For readers who want an ending, the Square Enix adaptation is the way to go.
One thing to keep in mind: because the manga is based on the novels, the light novel goes much further into Mile’s adventures. The manga ending works on its own terms, but it’s more of a satisfying chapter break than a grand finale for the entire story. If you fall in love with the characters and world, there’s plenty more to explore in novel form.
Complete Volume Breakdown
Square Enix Japanese Edition (Complete — 5 Volumes)
| Volume | JP Release Date |
|---|---|
| Vol. 1 | July 7, 2022 |
| Vol. 2 | October 12, 2022 |
| Vol. 3 | March 10, 2023 |
| Vol. 4 | August 10, 2023 |
| Vol. 5 (Final) | March 12, 2024 |
This is the completed adaptation. Five volumes, 20 chapters, done.
Earth Star Comics Japanese Edition (On Hiatus — 4 Volumes)
The earlier manga version, illustrated by Nekomint, was published by Earth Star Entertainment. It ran for 4 volumes but is currently on hiatus with no confirmed plans to resume. This version is not complete.
English Availability
Here’s where it gets tricky for English-speaking readers — and honestly, a bit frustrating.
Seven Seas Entertainment — a US-based manga publisher — released the Earth Star / Nekomint version in English, with 4 volumes published. However, as of this writing, those English volumes are out of print with limited availability. Finding physical copies may take some hunting through secondhand sellers or remaining retail stock. And remember: even if you track down all 4 English volumes, this is the incomplete version that never got an ending.
As for the completed Square Enix version — an English license has not been confirmed. That means if you want to read the manga that actually has an ending, you may need to pick up the Japanese edition for now, or hope for a future English release.
So what can English readers actually do right now? Your best options are:
- The light novels in English — Seven Seas published English translations of FUNA’s original light novels, which go far beyond what either manga covers. If you want the full story in English, the novels are your most accessible path.
- The anime — A 12-episode TV anime adaptation started airing in October 2019, and it’s a good way to experience the characters and world in English (subbed or dubbed).
- The Earth Star manga volumes — If you can find them secondhand, they’re still an enjoyable read, just know going in that the story stops without a conclusion after Volume 4.
Seven Seas also published the spin-off manga, Didn’t I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?! Everyday Misadventures! A spin-off is a separate series that uses the same characters but tells its own side stories — in this case, lighthearted everyday adventures with the cast outside the main plot.
If you’d rather read in English anyway and don’t mind the missing ending, the Seven Seas edition of the Nekomint manga starts with Volume 1:
Didn't I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?! (Manga) Vol. 1
Is the Light Novel Already Complete?
The manga is based on FUNA’s light novel series of the same name. The light novels go considerably deeper into Mile’s adventures than either manga version does, covering far more story ground.
As of this writing, the light novel series has not been confirmed as complete — new volumes have continued to release. For readers who finish the manga and want more, the light novels are the natural next step, and they offer a much longer journey with the same comedic tone.
There’s also the 12-episode TV anime adaptation that started airing in October 2019. The anime offers another way to experience the story and is a good companion piece if you enjoy the manga — though like any adaptation, it covers its own selection of material from the novels rather than following either manga version exactly.
Between the light novels, two manga versions, a spin-off manga, and the anime, there’s actually a surprising amount of Abilities Average content out there. If you enjoy the premise, you won’t run out of things to read or watch anytime soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Abilities Average manga finished?
The Square Enix version is finished — it completed at 5 volumes in March 2024 with 20 total chapters. The Earth Star version is not finished — it published 4 volumes but has been on hiatus.
How many manga volumes are there?
There are 5 volumes for the completed Square Enix edition and 4 volumes for the incomplete Earth Star edition. That’s 9 volumes total across both adaptations, though they tell overlapping versions of the same story drawn from the same light novel.
Can I read it in English?
Seven Seas Entertainment published the Earth Star version in English with 4 volumes, but these are currently out of print with limited availability. The completed Square Enix version does not have a confirmed English license as of this writing. Your best bet for the full story in English is the light novel series, also published by Seven Seas.
Is there an anime?
Yes. A 12-episode TV anime adaptation started airing in October 2019. It’s a fun way to get introduced to the characters and world if you’re having trouble finding the manga in English.
Which manga version should I pick?
If you want a complete story, go with the Square Enix version (5 volumes, finished). The Earth Star version has its own charm and different art by Nekomint, but it stopped at 4 volumes without reaching an ending. For a satisfying start-to-finish reading experience, the Square Enix adaptation is the clear choice.
What’s the difference between the two manga versions?
They’re separate adaptations of the same light novel by FUNA, drawn by different artists and published by different companies. They cover similar story beats but are distinct works. The key practical difference: one finished, one didn’t.
Is the light novel finished?
As of this writing, the light novel series has not been confirmed as complete. New volumes have continued to release, so there’s plenty of story to read if you want to go beyond what the manga covers.