Merman in My Tub Manga Reading Order (All 8 Volumes)

Good news: the Merman in My Tub manga reading order is one of the easiest to figure out. The series (オレん家のフロ事情) by Itokichi (いときち) is a completed work with 8 volumes, no spin-offs, no alternate editions, and no branching paths. You just read Volume 1 through Volume 8 and you’re done.

But there’s more to talk about than just “read them in order” — like what to expect from each volume, where the anime adaptation fits into things, and where to actually get your hands on the books. Let’s get into it.

Merman in My Tub Manga Reading Order at a Glance

Here’s the full reading order laid out as simply as possible:

Order	Volume	Notes
1	Volume 1	Start here — introduces Tatsumi and Wakasa
2	Volume 2	New mythical creatures join the household
3	Volume 3	Cast expands, bonds deepen
4	Volume 4	Character-focused seasonal chapters
5	Volume 5	Emotional stakes rise alongside the comedy
6	Volume 6	Longer multi-chapter storylines, more heartfelt moments
7	Volume 7	Story threads start coming together
8	Volume 8	Series conclusion

That’s it. No prequels, no side stories, no “Volume 0” prologue floating around. All 8 volumes are available in English, and the series is complete — it ran from 2011 (with the first volume collected in March 2012) to February 2020 in Monthly Comic Gene, a manga magazine published by Kadokawa in Japan, spanning 113 chapters total across those 8 volumes. (If you’re new to manga, series typically run chapter-by-chapter in magazines like this before being collected into the book-format volumes you’ll buy.)

If you’ve been burned by manga series with complicated reading orders, you can relax here. Pick up Volume 1 and go straight through.

What Each Volume Covers

One thing that might not be obvious from the cute cover art is that Merman in My Tub actually has real character development and relationship progression hiding beneath its comedy. Here’s a spoiler-light breakdown of what each volume brings to the table, so you know what kind of ride you’re signing up for.

Each volume is a quick read — you can comfortably finish one in a single sitting, and the entire 8-volume series is very doable in a weekend or two.

Volume 1 — The Setup

Everything starts when Tatsumi, a regular high school student, finds a merman named Wakasa. Being the decent person he is, Tatsumi brings Wakasa home and lets him live in his bathtub. And that’s… pretty much the premise. It’s a comedy about two characters sharing a living space — Wakasa is clingy, dramatic, and completely at home in Tatsumi’s bath, while Tatsumi is the long-suffering voice of reason trying to live a normal life with a mythical creature occupying his bathroom.

Volume 1 does a great job establishing the dynamic between these two. The humor is light and built around the characters’ personalities, and by the end you’ll have a solid feel for whether this series is your thing. (If you like supernatural comedies with warm character interactions set in everyday life, it probably is.)

Volume 2 — The Household Grows

Wakasa was just the beginning. Volume 2 introduces more mythical creatures into Tatsumi’s life, and suddenly his quiet apartment is getting a lot more crowded. The comedy multiplies as more personalities clash, and the series starts to feel like a full group cast rather than just a two-character show.

This is where the series really finds its rhythm. The chapters bounce between different character combinations, and each new arrival brings a different flavor of chaos to Tatsumi’s daily life.

Volume 3 — Deepening Bonds

By Volume 3, the relationships between the growing cast start to develop real texture. Tatsumi and Wakasa’s dynamic in particular gets more layers — the comedy is still front and center, but there are genuine moments of connection that give the humor more weight.

New supernatural housemates continue to appear, but Volume 3 also takes time to revisit the characters you already know and show how they’re settling into this bizarre living situation. It’s a nice balance between expansion and depth.

Volume 4 — Seasonal Episodes and Character Focus

Volume 4 leans into seasonal storytelling — holidays, weather changes, and the kinds of everyday moments that make this kind of cozy, daily-life manga so appealing. These chapters are more character-focused, giving individual members of the group room to breathe and develop.

If you’re the type of reader who loves seeing characters just… hang out and be themselves, this volume is a highlight. The pacing slows down a little compared to the earlier volumes, but that’s intentional — it’s building familiarity with the cast that pays off later.

Volume 5 — Emotional Stakes Rise

The comedy doesn’t go anywhere in Volume 5 — the escalating chaos of living with a house full of mythical creatures is still very much the engine driving the story. But the emotional connection between Tatsumi and Wakasa gets noticeably stronger here. There are moments where the humor drops away for just a beat, and you feel something genuine between them.

This is the volume where a lot of readers realize they’re more invested in these characters than they expected to be.

Volume 6 — Longer Storylines, Bigger Heart

Volume 6 shifts from mostly standalone chapters to some longer, multi-chapter storylines that tie the cast together. The heartfelt moments become more frequent and more impactful, and you can feel the series starting to build toward something.

It’s a natural evolution — the early volumes needed to establish the comedy and the characters, and now that foundation supports real emotional storytelling. The balance between funny and touching is handled really well here.

Volume 7 — Threads Coming Together

Without spoiling anything, Volume 7 is where the story threads that have been building across the entire run start to converge. Character relationships that have been developing quietly in the background come into focus, and the series signals that it’s heading toward a conclusion. The comedy is still present, but the emotional weight of the story is undeniable at this point.

Volume 8 — Series Conclusion

The final volume brings everything home. Character journeys reach their natural endpoints, and the series wraps up in a way that feels earned. One thing worth noting: the ending doesn’t rush. Itokichi clearly had a plan for how to close things out, and the pacing in this final volume reflects that. If you’ve read all the way to Volume 7, you’ll find the conclusion rewarding.

Where Does the Anime Fit In?

Merman in My Tub received a short TV anime adaptation that aired in 2014, covering early material from the manga. If you’ve already seen it and you’re wondering whether you need to read from the beginning — here’s the deal.

The anime only covers a portion of the early manga. The bulk of the story, including all the character development and emotional progression in the later volumes, exists only in the manga. So even if you’ve watched every episode, you’ll want to read the manga from the start to get the full experience.

That said, you don’t have to watch the anime at all. It’s a fun companion piece — seeing the characters animated and voiced adds a nice dimension — but the manga is the complete story. The anime is more like a sampler plate.

Two perfectly valid approaches:

• Read first, watch later: Start with Volume 1 and treat the anime as a fun revisit of the early chapters
• Watch first, read after: Use the anime to see if you like the characters, then start the manga from Volume 1 for the full story

Either way, keep reading the manga past whatever the anime covers. That’s where the real meat of the series lives.

Where to Buy Merman in My Tub in English

All 8 English volumes are available, which is one of the best things about picking up a completed series — no waiting months between releases, no worrying about whether the English publication will catch up to the Japanese version. It’s all here.

Physical copies are available through standard book retailers and online stores. Since the series has been out for a while, availability can vary — some volumes may be easier to find than others. If you’re planning to collect all 8, it’s worth checking stock before assuming you can grab them all in one order.

Digital editions may also be available on major manga reading platforms like Kindle, which is a great option if you want instant access or prefer reading on a tablet — though not all volumes may be offered digitally due to licensing restrictions. Digital is also handy if certain physical volumes are temporarily out of stock — you can check digital availability and pick up physical copies as they become available.

Since the series is complete at 8 volumes, the total commitment is very manageable compared to longer-running manga.

Common Mistakes New Readers Make

Even with a straightforward series like this, there are a few things that trip up new readers. Here’s what to watch out for:

Assuming the Anime Tells the Full Story

This is the big one. The anime adaptation only covers early manga material, and plenty of people watch it, enjoy it, and assume they’ve experienced the whole story. They haven’t — not even close. The manga runs for 8 volumes and 113 chapters, and the character development and emotional progression in the later volumes go far beyond what the anime touches.

If you liked the anime, you’ve barely scratched the surface. Pick up the manga.

Skipping Volumes Because the Chapters Seem Standalone

Merman in My Tub has a chapter structure where many early installments work as self-contained comedy sketches — short chapters, fun situations, mythical-creature-of-the-week energy. It’s tempting to skip ahead or read volumes out of order because it seems like continuity doesn’t matter.

It does. The relationship between Tatsumi and Wakasa develops gradually across all 8 volumes, and character introductions happen in a specific order that matters for later interactions. You’ll miss the buildup if you jump around, and the emotional moments in the later volumes won’t land the same way.

Expecting Nothing But Jokes

The comedy is real and it’s consistent — this is a funny series. But readers who go in expecting nothing but humor sometimes bounce off the later volumes when the tone shifts toward more heartfelt storytelling. Knowing upfront that the series intentionally builds emotional depth helps set the right expectations.

Think of it as a romantic comedy that earns its “romantic” half slowly. The comedy hooks you, the characters keep you reading, and the emotional beats sneak up on you.

Confusing It With Other Supernatural-Roommate Titles

There are quite a few manga with similar premises — supernatural creature moves in with ordinary human, hijinks ensue. When you’re searching for Merman in My Tub, make sure you’re looking at the right series. Confirm the author is Itokichi and the Japanese title is オレん家のフロ事情. This is especially important when buying used copies or browsing digital stores where search results can get cluttered.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many volumes of Merman in My Tub are there?

8 volumes total, containing 113 chapters. The series is fully complete — all 8 volumes have been published in both Japanese and English. No additional volumes are expected.

Do I need to watch the anime before reading the manga?

No. The manga is the complete story, and the anime only covers early material. You can watch the anime first as an introduction if you want, but it’s entirely optional. Either way, start the manga from Volume 1.

Is Merman in My Tub a romance manga?

Yes — it’s a romantic comedy about two characters sharing a living space, with BL (boys’ love — romance between male characters) elements. The central relationship between Tatsumi and Wakasa is the emotional core of the series. While the series isn’t a full-on BL romance, the bond between the two leads goes beyond simple friendship and becomes more prominent in the later volumes. The romance develops gradually alongside the comedy.

Is the series finished?

Yes. Merman in My Tub ran in Monthly Comic Gene (Kadokawa) from 2011 (first volume collected March 2012) to February 2020. All 8 volumes are published and available. You can read the entire series start to finish without any gaps or waiting.

Are there any spin-offs or side stories I need to read?

Based on current information, no spin-off manga or side stories are part of the reading order. The 8 main volumes contain the complete story. If Itokichi has published any related standalone chapters or anthology contributions, they aren’t required reading for the main series.

What age group is this manga for?

The series is generally appropriate for teens and up. It’s a lighthearted comedy with romantic elements — no graphic content to worry about. It’s a great pick for readers who enjoy cozy, character-driven stories with a supernatural twist.