If you’ve been wondering whether the I Shall Survive Using Potions! manga is finished, the answer is yes — it’s done, and you can read the whole thing right now. There’s nothing worse than getting hooked on a series only to find out it’s on hiatus or years away from finishing. This one’s wrapped up at 9 volumes, and every volume is available in English.
Let’s get into the details.
Yes — I Shall Survive Using Potions! Manga Is Finished
The short answer: yes, the manga is finished. I Shall Survive Using Potions! (ポーション頼みで生き延びます!) ran for 9 volumes in Japan and all 9 volumes have been released in English. There are no more volumes of this original 9-volume run coming — the story it tells is done.
For anyone unfamiliar with the term, isekai is a genre of Japanese fiction where a character is transported or reborn into another world — it’s one of the most popular genres in manga right now, and this series is a great example of it.
The series began serialization in June 2017, with its first collected volume released in November 2017 under Kodansha’s Sirius KC imprint in Japan; the final collected volume (Volume 9) came out in December 2021. The English edition covers the exact same 9-volume run, so nothing is missing or left untranslated.
This makes it a fantastic pick if you’re the type of reader who prefers to start series that are already complete. No cliffhangers left dangling, no waiting months between releases, no worrying that a series might get canceled before the story wraps up. You can grab Volume 1, and if you love it, blast through all nine volumes at your own pace.
For a lighthearted isekai manga, 9 volumes is a really comfortable length — long enough to tell a satisfying story, short enough that it won’t eat up your entire shelf. Each volume is a quick read with light pacing, so most readers can move through the full set in a weekend or two.
Full Publication Details
Here’s everything laid out clearly for anyone who wants the specifics:
Creative Team:
- Original story: FUNA
- Manga artist: Hibiki Kokonoe (九重ヒビキ)
- Character designer: Sukima (すきま) — the artist who created the original look of the characters, which the manga artist then draws throughout the series
Publication Info:
- Japanese publisher: Kodansha (Sirius KC imprint)
- English publisher: J-Novel Club (a publisher that specializes in translating and releasing Japanese light novels and manga in English, available through their own platform and major retailers)
- Total volumes: 9 (Japanese and English)
- Japanese run: November 2017 – December 2021
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Author | FUNA |
| Artist | Hibiki Kokonoe |
| Volumes | 9 |
| Status | Complete |
| JP Publisher | Kodansha (Sirius KC) |
| EN Publisher | J-Novel Club |
| JP Run | Nov 2017 – Dec 2021 |
What’s the Story About?
For anyone coming in fresh: I Shall Survive Using Potions! follows Kaoru, a young woman who gets reborn into a fantasy world with a special divine ability — she can create any potion she wants. Rather than becoming a mighty warrior or an overpowered mage, Kaoru uses her potion-making skills to navigate this new world, survive tricky situations, and build a life for herself.
It’s a lighthearted isekai series with a crafting/survival flavor and a female lead who relies on cleverness rather than brute force. If you enjoy stories where the protagonist outsmarts problems instead of punching through them, this is right up your alley. The tone stays fun and breezy throughout — it’s comfort reading, not high-tension drama.
Does the Story Actually Wrap Up?
This is the question that matters most, and it’s worth being upfront about: the manga tells a self-contained story with its own beginning, middle, and conclusion, but it doesn’t cover the entirety of FUNA’s original book series.
The original source material is a light novel — a type of Japanese novel, usually short and illustrated, that often serves as the basis for manga and anime adaptations. FUNA’s light novel series is longer than what the manga covers. So while the manga reaches a natural stopping point and wraps up the storylines it introduced, the broader world and Kaoru’s adventures continue in those novels.
What does this mean for you as a reader?
- If you just want a complete manga to read: You’ll get a satisfying experience. The manga doesn’t end mid-sentence or on a brutal cliffhanger. It tells its story and wraps it up.
- If you want every last bit of Kaoru’s story: The light novels by FUNA extend beyond what the manga covers. After finishing the manga, you could pick up the light novels to continue the journey.
- If you hate open endings: The manga’s ending works on its own terms. It’s not a “read the novels to find out what happens” situation — it’s more like “there’s more story out there if you want it.”
For readers looking for a complete, contained reading experience, the I Shall Survive Using Potions! manga delivers exactly that. Nine volumes, one full story, finished.
Where to Buy the Complete Set in English
All 9 English volumes of I Shall Survive Using Potions! are available right now. Since the manga is finished, you can purchase the entire run and read it start to finish without waiting for anything.
The English edition is published by J-Novel Club and is available in both digital and print formats through major retailers. Digital is great if you want instant access and don’t want to worry about shelf space. Print is the way to go if you like having physical volumes on your shelf — and honestly, a complete 9-volume set looks really nice lined up.
Since this is a finished series, availability is generally good, but it’s always worth checking sooner rather than later — print runs for completed manga don’t last forever, and some volumes can become harder to find over time.
If you’re ready to jump in, Volume 1 is the place to start. The first volume does a great job setting up Kaoru’s situation, her abilities, and the world she’s navigating. You’ll know within the first few chapters whether this series is for you.
I Shall Survive Using Potions (Manga) Volume 1
Digital vs. Print — Which Should You Choose?
There’s no wrong answer here, but a few things to consider:
- Digital is typically available immediately and takes up zero shelf space. J-Novel Club offers digital editions through their own store, and the volumes are also available through other major ebook platforms like Amazon Kindle, Kobo, and BookWalker.
- Print volumes from J-Novel Club have solid production quality. With only 9 volumes, the complete set is easy to store and display.
- Budget-wise, digital editions are often priced a bit lower than print at list price. Check both formats and see what works for your reading habits.
Since the series is finished, there’s no risk of buying volumes and then having the series get dropped before completion — a real concern with ongoing titles. What you see is what you get: 9 volumes, complete story.
Similar Completed Isekai Manga to Read Next
Finished all 9 volumes and want more? Here are some similar series to check out — lighthearted, female-led isekai titles with crafting, survival, or everyday-life elements:
- Didn’t I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?! — Also based on a light novel by FUNA. If you liked the author’s style in Potions, this is the natural next pick. The main character asks to be reborn with “average” abilities, and things don’t quite work out as planned. Fun, comedic isekai with a similar vibe.
- Ascendance of a Bookworm — A young woman is reborn in a world without easy access to books, so she sets out to make them herself. Crafting-focused, character-driven, and deeply satisfying for readers who enjoy watching a protagonist build something from nothing. The manga has a substantial run.
- The Saint’s Magic Power is Omnipotent — A woman gets summoned to another world and discovers she has powerful healing and potion-making abilities. Romance elements, gentle pacing, and a protagonist who’d rather work in a lab than fight monsters.
- Saving 80,000 Gold in Another World for My Retirement — Another FUNA series! The main character bounces between Earth and a fantasy world, using modern knowledge to stockpile gold for retirement. Same lighthearted, scheming-protagonist energy as Potions.
These picks share the same spirit as I Shall Survive Using Potions! — clever female leads, lighter tones, and worlds where brains beat brawn. Any of them would make a great follow-up read.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many volumes does I Shall Survive Using Potions! have?
9 volumes in both the Japanese and English editions. This original manga adaptation is complete. Note: a sequel manga, I Shall Survive Using Potions! Continuation (illustrated by Futsū Onshin), began serialization in August 2022 and is ongoing as of 2026.
Is there an anime adaptation of I Shall Survive Using Potions!?
Yes — an anime television series adaptation aired from October to December 2023, produced by studio Jumondou. If you’ve finished the manga and want to experience the story in animated form, it’s worth tracking down. Note that the anime adapts from FUNA’s light novel source material, so its storyline may cover different ground than the manga. Check current streaming platforms for availability in your region.
Does the light novel continue beyond the manga?
Yes. The manga adapts part of FUNA’s longer light novel series (a type of short Japanese novel, often with illustrations). The light novel story extends beyond where the manga ends, so if you finish the manga and want more of Kaoru’s adventures, the light novels are the way to continue. The manga itself wraps up its storylines, though, so you won’t feel like the story was cut short.
Who publishes the English edition?
The English manga volumes are published by J-Novel Club, a publisher that specializes in bringing Japanese light novels and manga to English-speaking readers. They handle both the digital and print releases.
Can I read just the manga without the light novel?
Yes. The manga stands on its own as a complete reading experience. You don’t need to read the light novel first, and you don’t need to read it after to understand the ending. The light novel is there if you want more, but the manga works perfectly well by itself — it’s a finished story in 9 volumes.