Persona 5 Manga Guide: Where to Find All Persona 5 Manga

Persona 5 is one of the best JRPGs of all time, but did you know you don’t have to play the massively popular game to enjoy the story of the Phantom Thieves? That’s right; there are other adaptations of the beloved storyline of them stealing the hearts of evil people. One of the best and currently ongoing adaptations is that of the manga version in this Persona 5 manga guide.

This Persona 5 manga guide is here to give you the full breakdown of everything you need to know about this iteration of the storyline. The manga version is for those who might not feel like playing the game right now but still want some of the interactivity of flipping the pages. Since there is no gameplay in this version, it is also one of the most peaceful ways to experience the Persona 5 story. Find out where to all volumes of it below.

Bottom Line Up Front

The Persona 5 manga is one of the best ways to experience the storyline of the series. Unlike the games, you can sit back and not have to worry about leveling up, grinding through the various Palaces, and ensuring that your Personas are all up to date. You can chill and enjoy a good story.

And unlike the anime version of Persona 5, the manga edition lets you have some interactivity in reading as slow or fast as you would like. Plus, this version is still ongoing at the time of writing this guide, so you are able to experience the Persona 5 storyline in real-time as the new volumes release.

Persona 5 Manga Overview

persona 5 manga guide

Persona 5 is one of my favorite stories of all time in video games. I mean, it’s the reason that I write for this site, as I have beaten the game (both the original and Royal) three times in total. But I am still not fully satisfied with my Persona 5 craving, so if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for new ways to satisfy that.

One of the ways is to experience the Persona 5 storyline in a new way that you haven’t before. This could be through the anime, stage play that happened in Japan, or even through the manga version. I want to focus on this manga edition of Persona 5 here.

With this version, you get the benefit of relaxing wherever and however you want, and cozying up with an excellent book or two. This is a manga, too, so you aren’t left to your imagination since there is solid art that goes alongside the text.

If you’re ready to take the plunge and check out the Persona 5 manga, there are 10 volumes in circulation at the time of writing this. Oddly enough, despite the Persona 5 games being released in 2017 in its entirety and even the anime wrapping up, the manga is far from being finished.

So, there is no better time to get in there and start reading the Persona 5 manga than now.

Digital vs. Physical: Which Is Right for You?

persona 5 digital manga

Before we hop into all 10 of the Persona 5 manga volumes, there is something you must figure out first. Are you going to read the manga in the physical format with the books in your actual hands, or are you going to read the digital version on your phone, tablet, or computer?

This is a tough decision that every manga reader has to figure out, and I can’t give you the correct answer. Every person is different, so some manga readers prefer one method over the other. That said, I can at least give you some thoughts to point you in the right direction for you.

For instance, are you someone who obsesses over physical media? You like to share and show off the various figures you have or the cosplay that you’ve made for a game. If you’re that type of person, you more than likely want to enjoy the physical Persona 5 books.

That said, if you are more like me and don’t mind digital releases, you should consider digital copies. Maybe you like to save space or you like the ability to have multiple manga volumes on the same device at once. Or perhaps you even just prefer to save a few extra dollars by buying digitally. In the end, it is up to you, but both physical and digital copies are legally available.

Buying Tips

In addition to figuring out which version of the Persona 5 manga you should buy, there are some tips that I have for you. These come from my own personal place at the crossroads of being both a Persona 5 and a manga lover. Here’s what I’ve learned over the years of collecting manga:

  • It’s alright to mix together a collection of physical and digital media. I will be the first to admit that this is sometimes me. There are some particular collector’s editions of manga or specific series that I want physical versions of. Or I may get the digital ones to catch up on a series and then buy the physical ones from that point forward.
  • Check multiple sites. I will list the official Viz Media sites below for the Persona 5 manga, but there are other spots where they are sold (Amazon, etc). Sometimes these sites will offer coupons or sales, so check everywhere to possibly save a few bucks.
  • Depending on when you read this, it may be worth trying to buy the manga in bulk or in a unique collection (if that is ever offered). You can save a whole lot of money this way and acquire all volumes at once.

All Persona 5 Manga

Without further ado, let’s dive in and take a look at all 10 volumes of the Persona 5 manga. Keep in mind that these are the volumes that have been released at the time of writing this. There are likely to be more in the future since the series isn’t finished yet. In addition, I will note further below, but volume 10 isn’t even out at this point in time. Let’s take a look.

Persona 5 Manga Vol. #1

persona 5 manga vol 1

  • Price: $9.99 (Suggested physical price), $6.99 (Suggested digital price)
  • Pages: 216 pages
  • Release Date: January 14, 2020

It all started here. Oddly enough, it took this many years after the release of the original Persona 5’s localization in 2017 for the first volume of the manga to be offered. Thankfully, the wait was worth it for more than 200 artistic pages of Joker’s introduction.

You might find it weird that Joker is known as Akira Kurusu in this adaptation, which is no longer his canon name. If you can get past that adjustment, you’ll find a fun and action-packed introductory volume. It shows Joker moving to the big city after his difficult run-in with the law.

It expands from there and dives reasonably deep into the first month that Joker is in Tokyo, showing his newfound friendship with Ryuji Sakamoto and their first visit to the Kamoshida Palace in the Metaverse. There is enough here to whet your appetite for the rest of the series. Find all of the stores where you can buy this manga at the above link.

Persona 5 Manga Vol. #2

persona 5 manga vol 2

  • Price: $9.99 (Suggested physical price), $6.99 (Suggested digital price)
  • Pages: 200 pages
  • Release Date: April 14, 2020

I like what the Persona 5 manga does with the first two volumes. The first one is a fantastic introduction to the story and the first few characters in the Phantom Thieves. It acts as the first half of the Kamoshida Palace Arc, and this second volume picks up right as the story gets to its peak during this part.

Some massive spoilery events happen right at the beginning of this volume, leading directly to Joker, Ryuji, and their other members taking on Kamoshida to try and steal his heart. This is a highly emotional chapter of the series, with plenty of action as the Phantom Thieves take on this evil volleyball coach.

Persona 5 Manga Vol. #3

persona 5 manga vol 3

  • Price: $9.99 (Suggested physical price), $6.99 (Suggested digital price)
  • Pages: 192 pages
  • Release Date: July 14, 2020

The third volume of the Persona 5 manga continues the trend of decreasing the number of pages. This may be a bit disappointing since this particular volume has more than 20 pages less than the first volume. It also experiences the first dip in the story, in my opinion, since it is in that awkward in-between spot.

The second volume explores the aftermath of taking down Kamoshida and formally forming the Phantom Thieves. It also acts as the introduction for the series’ second arc as the group tries to help the high school artist prodigy, Yusuke, with his tense relationship with the mysterious Madarame.

While it lacks some of the action of the past two volumes, there are some necessary comedic elements present.

Persona 5 Manga Vol. #4

persona 5 manga vol 4

  • Price: $9.99 (Suggested physical price), $6.99 (Suggested digital price)
  • Pages: 192 pages
  • Release Date: October 13, 2020

The fourth volume of Persona 5’s manga brings back the intensity and twists with the conclusion to the Yusuke storyline right off the bat. It then transitions nicely into the next arc, exploring a few specific characters who are investigating and potentially onto the Phantom Thieves.

There is something to enjoy about this entry that starts to expand the story beyond its more focused approach. Some Persona 5 fans will also be happy to see the debut of some of the fan-favorite characters that later join the Phantom Thieves. While this volume still has fewer pages than before, it at least matches what the third volume had.

Persona 5 Manga Vol. #5

persona 5 manga vol 5

  • Price: $9.99 (Suggested physical price), $6.99 (Suggested digital price)
  • Pages: 200 pages
  • Release Date: January 12, 2021

Admittedly, this fifth volume of the Persona 5 manga falls into the same pitfall as some of the other ones. It is the beginning of the Kaneshiro Palace Arc, but it has problems with pacing. From this point forward, the manga takes a slower approach, taking at least three volumes to complete each arc.

As such, you don’t experience as much of the action and intrigue that comes with the Phantom Thieves taking down their next target. However, you at least get to learn more about characters like Makoto Niijima and her older sister, Sae Niijima, who is investigating the Phantom Thieves. Furthermore, you get some nice bang for your buck with another 200-page volume.

Persona 5 Manga Vol. #6

persona 5 manga vol 6

  • Price: $9.99 (Suggested physical price), $6.99 (Suggested digital price)
  • Pages: 192 pages
  • Release Date: April 13, 2021

The cover for this particular volume is noteworthy for introducing the best boy and best Persona character of all time, Goro Akechi. Part of this story involves introducing him to the cast, while the majority of it includes finishing off the Kaneshiro Arc.

Makoto ends up caught up in the midst of the crime lord’s antics, and it is up to the Phantom Thieves to save her. Their new target is in sight, so it is up to them to find a way to steal the heart and defeat their most influential enemy yet, who is in control of the criminal underworld in Tokyo. A shorter volume once more, but it has improved, with tighter storytelling over its previous book.

Persona 5 Manga Vol. #7

persona 5 manga vol 7

  • Price: $9.99 (Suggested physical price), $6.99 (Suggested digital price)
  • Pages: 200 pages
  • Release Date: August 10, 2021

This seventh volume is sure to be a hit with certain Persona 5 fans because it introduces yet another beloved member of the Phantom Thieves. Though this is on the longer side of the volumes in the series, it has its own struggles in a way. It is mainly anchored by the debut of Futaba Sakura.

Though her motivations and identity are mostly a mystery in this volume, the Phantom Thieves celebrate their victory over Kaneshiro and their new member, Makoto. However, they have little time to have fun before a new threat appears in the form of the most remarkable hacker organization in the world, Medjed.

The hackers are after the Phantom Thieves, and the only possible bright side is that a mysterious other person contacts the Phantom Thieves with the opportunity to fight back. There is a lot of mystery and uncertainty in this volume, with few answers offered here, but it at least does a great job of hooking the reader.

Persona 5 Manga Vol. #8

persona 5 manga vol 8

  • Price: $9.99 (Suggested physical price), $6.99 (Suggested digital price)
  • Pages: 192 pages
  • Release Date: January 11, 2022

The second part of the Futaba Sakura and Medjed arc in Persona 5 continues. In this volume, everything comes to a head as it is revealed that the hacker group wishes to unveil the identities of the Phantom Thieves. And if the group doesn’t comply, the entire nation of Japan will suffer.

Their only help is from Alibaba, but in order to get their support, they must steal a particular target’s heart. Unfortunately, it turns out that this latest Phantom Thieves’ target and Palace are much closer to them than they realized before. This is a shorter volume but doesn’t skimp on the high-quality content you expect from this series. It is one of the more heart-pounding entries.

Persona 5 Manga Vol. #9

persona 5 manga vol 9

  • Price: $9.99 (Suggested physical price), $6.99 (Suggested digital price)
  • Pages: 200 pages
  • Release Date: October 18, 2022

The final volume in the Futaba Sakura Palace Arc is one of the strongest in the series. There is a reason that everyone loves this part of the Persona 5 game, and it is nothing but pure action and emotion. The Phantom Thieves have to infiltrate the Palace of the young Futaba Sakura, the daughter of Sojiro, who took Joker in.

There are so many twists and turns as the team realizes the truth behind what’s going on and what it means to steal the heart of someone who isn’t even a bad person this time. If you want that suspenseful storyline with all of the best action and crazy moments, this is the volume to read, as the climactic finish to this arc is terrific.

Persona 5 Manga Vol. #10

persona 5 manga vol 10

  • Price: $9.99 (Suggested physical price), $6.99 (Suggested digital price)
  • Pages: 200 pages
  • Release Date: June 20, 2023

Unfortunately, the most recent volume of the Persona 5 manga is one that isn’t even out yet. Fans will have to wait for a few more months (at least at the time of writing) until the new volume in the summer of 2023. This volume will be more than worth it, though, as it explores the next arc of the series.

With the Futaba Palace now finished off and a valuable new member of the team now in tow, the core Phantom Thieves go on their long-awaited summer vacation. In the process, though, they learn of horrifying events and more about a mysterious girl from their school.

On the flip side, Morgana has a falling out with the team and ends up trying to take on the new Palace on his own. In the process, he finds a new teammate and battles together with this new Persona user.

How does everything connect, and what does it all mean? We’ll have to wait and see when this new manga comes out in the near future. It is unfortunate that the wait between volumes is growing, though.

Best Alternatives

For those of you who catch up or finish the Persona 5 manga, you might want to start reading some other manga now. In that case, I have some of the best recommendations for you. Some of these are Persona-related, while others are fellow manga adaptations of popular video games:

  • Persona 4 Manga: If you love the Persona 5 manga adaptation, be sure to check out the Persona 4 version. It has some of the same vibes but with an all-new cast investigating serial murders in their small town that works well in this volume format.
  • Persona 3 Manga: If you want a darker take than even the Persona 5 manga, you can enjoy this one with arguably the best story in the series. However, it is pretty hard to find this manga these days.
  • Kingdom Hearts: A fellow JRPG, the Kingdom Hearts series is full of lighthearted fun and Disney adventures. It has a massive collection of manga volumes across games, so you have a whole to catch up on here.
  • Pokemon: The Pokemon manga has been going on for decades and contains several different series to check out. This is one of the best series to read almost endlessly for a long time.
  • Tales of Berseria: This is the one to read if you want a manga with fantastic characters like Persona 5 and a story that will break your heart and stomp on it.

FAQs

Question: Is the Persona 5 Manga Still Going?

Answer: Yes, the Persona 5 manga is still ongoing at the time of writing this. There doesn’t appear to be any signs of it finishing soon, and it seems successful enough to keep getting volumes every year since its debut.

Question: How Many Persona 5 Manga Volumes are There?

Answer: At the time of writing, there are 10 Persona 5 manga volumes in existence. However, only nine of them are available for players to purchase online and in stores these days. The 10th volume is up for preorder and will release in the near future.

Question: Is Persona 5 a Good Manga?

Answer: Based on what I have seen of the volumes that are in circulation so far, the Persona 5 manga seems to be a rather good manga. The adaptation is swift but handles characters and the story well. I wish it were a Persona 5 Royal manga, but it is at least better than the underwhelming anime version. That version is a disgrace to the previous Persona 4 and 3 anime.

Visit the Persona 5 Locations in Real Life Next

The Persona 5 manga is one of the many adaptations that exist for Persona 5 and Royal. One of the most extraordinary JRPGs of all time translates quite well to manga form. Some may even argue that it is better than the anime version, which isn’t nearly as impressive as previous Persona anime adaptations.

if you commit to the Persona 5 manga, though, you are likely to be sticking to this one series for quite some time. There are only about to be ten volumes, and that is only about halfway through the story of Persona 5 if I’m being generous.

As such, Persona 5 manga fans will likely have to wait quite a long time to see this series through to its conclusion. In the meantime, one of the best things to do is to plan out a vacation trip to Japan. There are even some real-world locations that were the inspiration for Persona 5’s famous spots, and you can visit them whenever you go to Tokyo.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top