There are 8 manga volumes of Butareba -The Story of a Man Turned into a Pig- out in Japanese and 8 in English so far — and both are still ongoing. If you’re new to manga (Japanese comics read right-to-left), this is a pretty easy series to start collecting since the English edition has caught up to the Japanese release and there are only eight volumes total.
For anyone unfamiliar with the term, “isekai” is a Japanese word meaning “another world” — it describes stories where a character is transported or reincarnated into a different world, usually a fantasy setting. Butareba is an isekai series with a twist: the main character gets reincarnated as a pig.
Let’s break down this series and its manga volumes.
How Many Butareba -The Story of a Man Turned into a Pig- Manga Volumes Are There?
Here’s the quick answer:
- Japanese volumes: 8 (ongoing)
- English volumes: 8 (ongoing)
The manga is published chapter by chapter in Dengeki Maoh, a Japanese manga magazine — this is called “serialization,” meaning new chapters come out on a regular schedule in the magazine before being collected into the paperback volumes you buy off the shelf. The Japanese publisher is KADOKAWA, one of Japan’s largest media companies. The English edition is published by J-Novel Club, which handles both print and digital releases and has been steadily releasing translated volumes.
Butareba is a manga adaptation of the light novel by Takuma Sakai (逆井卓馬). A light novel is a style of Japanese novel — typically shorter and lighter than a traditional novel, often with a few illustrations, and frequently the original source that manga and anime (animated TV) adaptations are based on. The manga art is by Minami (みなみ), with character designs by Asagi Tosaka (遠坂あさぎ). A character designer creates the visual look of each character, which the manga artist then uses as a reference when drawing the actual pages. If you’ve seen the anime and thought the character designs looked great, Tosaka’s work is a big part of that visual identity, and it carries over beautifully into the manga.
The protagonist — who is never given a real name in the series — wakes up reincarnated as a pig in a fantasy world. Not a cool monster, not a demon lord, not even a slime. A pig. He’s then purchased by a young girl named Jess, and what follows is a surprisingly layered story that weaves comedy, mystery, and genuine emotional stakes together. The central question of why he was turned into a pig and what’s really going on with Jess keeps the pages turning well beyond the initial comedic hook.
The series is still ongoing in both Japan and English, so there’s more to come.
What Happens in Each Volume
Here’s a spoiler-light breakdown of what to expect as you read through the available English volumes.
Volumes 1–2 — Pig Meets Jess
The story kicks off with our unnamed protagonist waking up in a fantasy world in the body of a pig. It’s disorienting, undignified, and played for laughs — at first. He can’t speak (he’s a pig, after all), and he has no special powers to fall back on — he’s just a regular pig, mentally human but physically helpless.
He’s bought at a market by Jess, a young girl who can read minds. She’s able to hear the pig’s every passing thought, which means his inner monologue — complaints, panic, embarrassment, and all — is an open book to her. This dynamic becomes both the series’ greatest comedic engine and the source of some genuinely uncomfortable revelations, since neither of them can hide what they’re really thinking and feeling.
These opening volumes establish the fantasy world, the rules of his pig existence, and the central mystery: how did he end up like this, and can he turn back?
What makes these early volumes work so well is the tonal balance. You’ll be laughing at the absurdity of a pig trying to navigate a fantasy world one moment, and then the story reveals unsettling truths about Jess’s circumstances the next. The comedy isn’t a mask hiding dark content — both tones coexist honestly, and the manga handles that balance with real skill.
Volumes 3–5 — Deepening the Mystery
This is where the story starts revealing its hand. The stakes escalate as the protagonist uncovers secrets about the world they’re living in and about Jess’s true situation. Without spoiling specifics, the mysteries that were planted in the first two volumes start paying off in satisfying ways.
The relationship between Pig (as fans affectionately call him) and Jess develops beyond its comedic odd-couple setup into something with real emotional weight. Their bond becomes the heart of the series, and the manga gives these moments room to breathe through some genuinely beautiful artwork by Minami — the way individual frames on each page are composed really draws out the emotion of key scenes.
Volume 5 leaves readers at a turning point, with clear threads pulling you toward the revelations and payoffs that continue in volumes 6 through 8. Here’s Volume 5, the capstone of this stretch:
Butareba -The Story of a Man Turned into a Pig-, Vol. 5
Volumes 6–8 — The Story Continues
Volumes 6 through 8 are available in both Japanese and English through J-Novel Club. The story continues to develop from where volume 5 leaves off, with the same blend of humor, mystery, and emotional storytelling that defines the series. These later volumes build on the revelations from the middle stretch, and the central mystery of the protagonist’s situation continues to unfold.
With all eight manga volumes now available in English, readers can follow the full story without switching to Japanese editions.
Where the Light Novel and Anime Stand
The manga isn’t where Butareba started — it’s based on Takuma Sakai’s light novel series, which covers more ground — the light novel is complete in Japan at 9 volumes, with the English release nearly caught up (8 volumes out and Vol. 9 currently rolling out through J-Novel Club). The light novels are the original story, and the manga follows their storyline faithfully while presenting it in a visual, comics format.
An anime adaptation (an animated TV series) has also been produced, which introduced a lot of new fans to the series. The anime was made by Project No.9 and premiered in Fall 2023 and ran through February 2024, totaling 12 episodes, covering roughly the same ground as the first light novel volume. If you came to the manga from the anime, you’ll find the manga covers similar territory but with added depth that comes from the printed page — more of the protagonist’s inner thoughts, more time spent on character moments, and Minami’s artwork bringing scenes to life in ways that complement the animated version nicely. You will be re-reading some familiar story beats, but the manga format offers enough of its own strengths that it doesn’t feel redundant.
For new readers wondering where to start: the manga works perfectly well on its own as an entry point. You don’t need to have read the light novel or watched the anime first. The manga is faithful enough to the original story that you’ll get the full experience, and the visual storytelling adds its own distinct appeal.
That said, if you want to continue beyond where the English manga currently sits, the light novel is available in English through J-Novel Club — check their catalog for the current English volume count — so you can continue reading beyond the manga.
Which Edition Should You Buy?
Here’s what’s available for English-speaking readers:
English Manga (J-Novel Club)
- 8 volumes currently out
- Available in both physical (print) and digital editions, all published by J-Novel Club
- This is the version most readers will want to start with
The physical volumes are standard-sized manga paperbacks (roughly 5 × 7 inches, smaller than a typical American comic). Since manga is originally published in Japanese, every English volume is a translation — and the translation quality here is solid. The comedic tone alongside the more serious moments is well captured, and the dialogue reads naturally in English.
Digital is a great option if you want instant access or prefer reading on a tablet. The artwork in Butareba has a lot of detail, especially in the fantasy world backgrounds and character expressions, so a larger screen works well for appreciating Minami’s art.
Light Novel (English, published by J-Novel Club)
The light novel is also available in English — check J-Novel Club’s catalog for the current English volume count (the original Japanese series is complete at 9 volumes). For readers who want to go deeper into the original story or continue beyond where the manga currently sits, the light novel covers the full story from beginning to end. Because light novels are written in regular text rather than comics format, they contain more detail and more of the protagonist’s inner thoughts. Some readers prefer to start with the manga for the visual experience and then switch to the light novels to continue the story beyond what’s been adapted.
Reading order recommendation: Start with manga volume 1. It’s the most accessible entry point, gives you a complete visual experience, and you can always branch out to the light novel later if you want more.
| Format | Publisher | Volumes in English | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manga | J-Novel Club | 8 (ongoing) | Visual readers, anime fans, new readers |
| Light Novel | J-Novel Club | 8 (Vol. 9 rolling out) | Reading ahead, deeper detail, full story |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Butareba manga finished?
No. The manga is ongoing. There are 8 volumes out in both Japanese and English, with new manga volumes still being published. (The light novel the manga is based on is a separate series that completed in Japan at 9 volumes; its English release is at 8 volumes with Vol. 9 rolling out.)
Who publishes the English manga?
J-Novel Club publishes the English manga in both physical and digital formats.
Do I need to read the light novel first?
Not at all. The manga works great as a standalone starting point. It faithfully adapts the light novel, so you won’t be missing critical context. The light novel is there if you want to read ahead or get more detail, but it’s not required.
When does the next English volume come out?
Volumes 1 through 8 are all available in English. The English edition has caught up to the Japanese release, so the timing of the next English volume will depend on when a new Japanese volume is published. Keep an eye on J-Novel Club’s announcements for updates.
Is this series just comedy, or is there more to it?
This is one of those series that uses its comedic premise as a gateway into something deeper. Yes, there’s a guy who’s been turned into a pig, and yes, that’s funny. But the mystery elements, the world-building, and especially the emotional core of the Pig-and-Jess relationship give the series real substance. If you go in expecting only jokes, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how much the story has to offer.
How does the manga compare to the anime?
Both are faithful to the original light novel. The manga gives you more time with character moments and the protagonist’s inner thoughts, while the anime brings the world to life with animation and voice acting. They complement each other well — watching one and reading the other isn’t redundant, since each format has its own strengths.
Does the protagonist have a name?
No — he’s never given a proper name in the series. Fans typically just call him “Pig.” This is a deliberate choice by the story, and it ties into the mystery of his identity and situation.