Merman in My Tub Manga Volumes: All 8 Books Guide
Merman in My Tub Has 8 Manga Volumes — Here’s Your Complete Collection
The bottom line up front: Merman in My Tub (the original Japanese title is オレん家のフロ事情) is a completed manga series with 8 volumes in both Japanese and English. There’s nothing missing, nothing left untranslated, and no surprise Volume 9 lurking around the corner.
The series was created by Itokichi (いときち in Japanese) and originally ran in Monthly Comic Gene — a Japanese manga magazine where chapters were published individually before being collected into the book-format volumes you buy at the store. The magazine is published by Kadokawa in Japan, and the serialization began around 2011–2012 and wrapped up in February 2020, spanning 113 chapters across those eight volumes. The English edition is published by Seven Seas Entertainment, so that’s the publisher name you want to look for on the spine when shopping.
All 113 chapters have been collected — what you see on the shelf is the entire story. If you buy Volumes 1 through 8, you own everything Itokichi wrote for this series. No side stories hiding in anthologies you need to track down, no extra chapters locked behind a Japanese-only release. It’s all there.
For anyone keeping a checklist, here’s the quick count:
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Total volumes (JP) | 8 |
| Total volumes (EN) | 8 |
| Total chapters | 113 |
| Status | Completed |
| Author | Itokichi |
| English publisher | Seven Seas Entertainment |
| Original publisher (JP) | Kadokawa |
| Magazine | Monthly Comic Gene |
The Easiest Way to Collect All 8 Manga Volumes
Collecting Merman in My Tub is about as straightforward as manga collecting gets. Eight volumes, each sold as a standard individual book — no combined editions or box sets to weigh up. You just buy books 1 through 8 and you’re done.
If you’re ready to start, Volume 1 is the place to begin:
Physical Singles
The English edition from Seven Seas Entertainment is available through major retailers as individual volumes. At typical manga retail pricing, eight books makes this a very affordable complete collection — especially compared to series that run 20, 30, or 70+ volumes. Most manga volumes in this format carry a list price in the range of roughly $12–$14 each, so the complete set of eight books comes in well under what you’d spend on many longer series. You can build the full set without a serious financial commitment.
There’s no combined multi-volume edition or box set for the English release. That actually simplifies things — you don’t need to decide between formats or worry about overlapping content. One format, eight books, done.
Digital as a Backup Option
If you run into trouble finding a specific physical volume (more on that below), digital editions can fill the gap. Look for the series on platforms like Amazon’s Kindle store, Kobo, or other digital manga retailers. These platforms generally keep completed series available even when physical copies sell out, so digital is a solid fallback to keep in mind. Note that not all volumes may be available digitally due to licensing restrictions — check the platform before relying on this option.
Budget Planning
With only eight volumes at typical manga retail pricing, the total cost for the complete physical set is quite manageable. This is one of those series where you can realistically pick up the whole thing in a single shopping trip rather than spacing it out over months. For anyone new to buying manga, that’s a nice feeling — going from zero to “complete set” without agonizing over budget.
Volume-by-Volume Breakdown of the Merman in My Tub Manga
Here’s a spoiler-light look at what each volume covers, so you know what you’re getting into.
Volumes 1–3 — Tatsumi Meets Wakasa and the Household Takes Shape
Volume 1 sets up the entire premise. Tatsumi, a regular high school student, ends up taking in Wakasa, a merman, and letting him live in his bathtub. Yes, his bathtub. The comedy writes itself from there — domestic life is already complicated enough without a mythical creature occupying your bathroom. This first volume establishes the warm, funny dynamic between Tatsumi (the put-upon caretaker) and Wakasa (the cheerful, somewhat oblivious houseguest who happens to have a tail).
Volume 2 expands the cast. More mythical creatures show up, because apparently Tatsumi’s apartment is now a beacon for supernatural beings who need a place to crash. The humor scales up as the “household” grows, and the series starts finding its rhythm — short comedic episodes built around the absurdity of living with beings from myth and legend.
Volume 3 deepens the relationships. By now you know the cast, you know the setup, and the series can lean into the character dynamics. The daily-life comedy continues, but the connections between Tatsumi and his unusual roommates start to feel genuinely warm. The gentle romantic undertones that give the series its heart become more visible here.
Volumes 4–6 — The Comedy and Heart Expand
The middle stretch of the series is where Merman in My Tub really settles into what it does best. The growing household of mythical beings creates an escalating series of comedic situations — more characters means more personality clashes, more misunderstandings about human customs, and more opportunities for Tatsumi to wonder how his life ended up like this.
But it’s not just jokes. These volumes also develop the emotional core of the series. The relationships between characters — especially the central Tatsumi-Wakasa dynamic — gain real warmth and depth. There are genuinely sweet moments mixed in with the comedy, and the balance between humor and heart is what makes the series stick with readers.
If you’re the type who needs high-stakes drama to stay engaged, these middle volumes might feel low-key. But if you enjoy cozy, character-driven storytelling where the appeal is spending time with people (and mythical creatures) you’ve grown to like, this stretch is a treat.
Volumes 7–8 — The Manga Wraps Up
The final two volumes bring the story to a close. Ongoing storylines reach their conclusions, and Volume 8 — the confirmed final volume — wraps up the Tatsumi-Wakasa relationship in a way that gives the series a satisfying ending.
Volume 8 is particularly worth mentioning because it’s the one that ties everything together. After 113 chapters of comedy, domestic chaos, and quiet emotional moments, the series gets to end on its own terms. There’s no rushed cancellation feel here — it’s a natural conclusion.
This is the volume you’re working toward when you start the series, and it delivers. If you want to grab the finale right away while you collect the rest, Volume 8 is available through major retailers.
Merman in My Tub, Vol. 8 (final volume)
Watch for Out-of-Print Gaps in Your Manga Volumes
Here’s the one area where collecting Merman in My Tub can get a little tricky. The series completed its Japanese run back in February 2020, and the English edition is also fully released. That means the publisher isn’t scheduling regular new print runs — the copies that are already in circulation are what’s out there.
What This Means in Practice
Some earlier volumes may go in and out of stock over time. This is normal for completed manga series, especially ones that aren’t mega-blockbusters with constant demand for reprints. You might find Volumes 1–5 easily and then discover Volume 6 is temporarily unavailable, or vice versa. The specific gaps shift over time.
How to Handle It
- Don’t panic-buy at inflated prices. If a volume is temporarily out of stock at normal retail, it may come back. Patience often pays off with manga collecting.
- Check multiple retailers. One store being sold out doesn’t mean the book is gone everywhere.
- Digital fills the gaps. If a physical volume proves stubborn to find, a digital copy on Kindle, Kobo, or another digital manga platform may let you keep reading while you wait for a restock — though not all volumes may be available digitally due to licensing restrictions, so confirm availability first.
- No special editions exist to complicate things. There’s no deluxe edition or collector’s version that’s been announced. The standard Seven Seas individual volumes are the only format.
The good news is that eight volumes is a small enough set that most collectors can put it together without too much difficulty. This isn’t a situation where you’re hunting for one rare volume out of thirty — the scale is manageable.
The Series Is Finished — Your Manga Collection Stays Complete
One of the best things about collecting the Merman in My Tub manga volumes right now is that you’re buying a finished product. The manga is completed — 113 chapters across 8 volumes, fully published in English by Seven Seas Entertainment. When you put Volume 8 on your shelf next to Volume 1, that’s it. The set is done.
No sequel or continuation has been announced. Itokichi wrapped up the story, and the series stands as a complete work. You won’t be caught in the frustrating limbo of waiting for new volumes or worrying about a hiatus.
A TV anime adaptation (anime being the animated TV series based on the manga) also aired, which might be of interest if you want to experience the story in another format. If you discovered the series through an animated clip online, this is likely what you saw. However, the anime doesn’t add any manga volumes to your collection checklist — it’s a companion piece, not additional reading material.
For anyone who likes the peace of mind that comes with a finished series, Merman in My Tub is exactly the kind of set you want on your shelf. No open endings to stress about, no “will they continue it?” anxiety. Just a complete, self-contained story in eight manga volumes.
Who Should Collect the Merman in My Tub Manga Volumes
This series hits a very specific sweet spot, and it’s worth being clear about who it’s for — and who might want to look elsewhere.
You’ll Love It If…
- You enjoy lighthearted romantic comedy with a fantasy twist. The merman-in-a-bathtub premise is exactly as fun and silly as it sounds, and the series leans into that charm fully.
- You want a short, complete series. At only 8 volumes, this is a great starting point if you’re new to buying manga. You can own the whole thing without committing to a massive ongoing series.
- You like cozy domestic stories. The appeal here is warmth, humor, and characters you enjoy spending time with. Think “relaxing comedy” rather than “action thriller.”
- You appreciate gentle humor. The comedy comes from character interactions and absurd domestic situations, not from mean-spirited jokes or shock value.
Maybe Skip It If…
- You want intense drama or high-stakes conflict. This series is deliberately low-key. If you need life-or-death tension to stay engaged, you’ll find this too mellow.
- You’re looking for a bold romantic payoff. The romantic undertones between Tatsumi and Wakasa are gentle and sweet throughout. There is warmth and emotional closeness that builds across all eight volumes, but don’t expect dramatic love confessions or passionate scenes. The relationship deepens in a quiet, genuine way — readers who enjoy slow-burn affection will be satisfied, but those looking for an explicit “they got together” moment should temper their expectations.
- You want a long, deep narrative. Eight volumes of lighthearted, standalone-episode comedy is exactly what this is. If you prefer sprawling plot-driven manga with complex world-building, this won’t scratch that itch.
Merman in My Tub is a warm, funny, sweet little series that knows exactly what it wants to be. Eight manga volumes, one cozy story, zero stress. If that sounds like your kind of read, you’ll have a great time with it.