Crimson Hero Manga Reading Order for Beginners

Crimson Hero Manga Reading Order at a Glance

Crimson Hero is a single, straight-through series. You read Volume 1, then Volume 2, then Volume 3, all the way through. There are no prequels, no companion stories to hunt down, and no reading order debates. It’s as straightforward as manga gets.

Here’s a quick reference for all 20 volumes:

Volume	English Available?
Vol. 1	Yes
Vol. 2	Yes
Vol. 3	Yes
Vol. 4	Yes
Vol. 5	Yes
Vol. 6	Yes
Vol. 7	Yes
Vol. 8	Yes
Vol. 9	Yes
Vol. 10	Yes
Vol. 11	Yes
Vol. 12	Yes
Vol. 13	Yes
Vol. 14	Yes (final EN volume)
Vol. 15	No — Japanese only
Vol. 16	No — Japanese only
Vol. 17	No — Japanese only
Vol. 18	No — Japanese only
Vol. 19	No — Japanese only
Vol. 20	No — Japanese only

The series is completed — the final Japanese volume came out in June 2011, and the first volume originally released on June 30, 2003. There’s nothing left to publish. What you see above is what exists.

No spin-offs. No sequel series. No companion manga. Just these 20 volumes, 14 of which made it to English.

What Each Volume Covers and Why It Matters

Rather than spoil individual plot points, here’s a broad map of how the story flows across its 20 volumes. Think of this as a phase-by-phase overview so you know what you’re getting into and can feel the pacing of the series.

Team Formation (Volumes 1–4)

The story opens with Nobara Sumiyoshi, a girl from a traditional family that runs a ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurant), who defies her mother’s expectations to pursue her dream of playing volleyball. These early volumes establish Nobara’s determination, introduce the core cast of teammates and rivals, and lay the groundwork for the team she’ll fight alongside for the rest of the series.

If you’re the type of reader who gets impatient with setup — hang in there. These volumes are doing essential character work. The emotional payoffs later in the series land as hard as they do because Takanashi took the time to build real relationships here.

Volume 1 is the natural starting point and a great litmus test for whether the series clicks with you. If you’re drawn in by Nobara’s stubbornness and heart by the end of that first volume, you’ll love what comes next.

Early Competition and Growing Pains (Volumes 5–8)

With the team taking shape, the story shifts into competitive mode. These volumes cover early matches, internal team dynamics, and the kinds of growing pains that come with a group of strong-willed players learning to work together. Rivalries begin to form — both on the court and off it. The volleyball action picks up noticeably in this stretch, and Takanashi’s art does a strong job capturing the physicality and energy of the sport.

This is where many readers go from “this is pretty good” to “I can’t stop reading.”

Rivalries and Setbacks (Volumes 9–12)

The middle stretch of the series digs deeper into rivalries with opposing teams and personal setbacks for Nobara and her teammates. Stakes get higher. Losses hit harder. Relationships get more complicated. These volumes are emotionally intense — the competition matters because the characters matter.

One thing that sets Crimson Hero apart from many sports manga aimed at a male audience (often called shonen) is how much attention the characters’ inner lives receive. The emotional depth of the characters gets as much focus as the matches themselves. If you’re new to manga and wondering what makes shojo sports stories different, this stretch shows it clearly.

Tournament Push (Volumes 13–14)

Volumes 13 and 14 represent the final stretch of what’s available in English. The team is pushing toward major tournament play, and the tension is ratcheting up. These volumes are exciting — and they’re also where English readers hit a wall.

Volume 14 is the last officially translated volume. The story is not at a natural stopping point here. You’re deep into the narrative with significant plot threads still unresolved. This is not a case where the English edition conveniently wraps up a storyline — it stops mid-story because the publisher discontinued the translation.

This is the point where you’ll need to decide how you want to handle the remaining six volumes.

Climax and Resolution (Volumes 15–20)

The final six volumes — available only in Japanese — carry the story through its tournament climax and bring Nobara’s journey to its conclusion. Character threads resolve, rivalries reach their peak, and the series wraps up the way a completed story should.

These volumes exist. The story has an ending. It’s just not officially available in English.

The Incomplete English Edition — What You Need to Know

This is the section that matters most. If you take away one thing from this entire guide, let it be this: Crimson Hero’s English edition covers 14 of 20 volumes. The story does not conclude in English.

The English volumes were published over the course of the mid-2000s to early 2010s. At some point, the English publisher stopped releasing new volumes after Volume 14. The reasons likely come down to sales numbers — shojo sports manga has always occupied a small corner of the English-language manga market, and not every series gets the full translation treatment.

What This Means Practically

If you read all 14 English volumes, you will reach a stopping point that is not the end of the story. You’ll be invested in characters whose journeys haven’t resolved. You’ll be in the middle of competition storylines that haven’t concluded. It’s not a satisfying place to stop.

This isn’t meant to scare you away from the series. Crimson Hero is genuinely worth reading, and those 14 volumes deliver a great experience. But you deserve to know what you’re getting into before you start, not after you’ve already fallen in love with these characters and hit an unexpected dead end.

Your Options for Finishing the Story

Here’s what you can do about the missing six volumes:

• Japanese-language volumes: If you read Japanese or are studying the language, you can pick up Volumes 15–20 in their original Japanese editions. These are still findable through various retailers and secondhand sellers.

• Fan-written summaries and community discussions: The English-speaking Crimson Hero community is small but passionate. Your best approach is to search for “Crimson Hero volumes 15–20 summary” on manga forums such as MyAnimeList (MAL), Reddit’s r/manga or r/shoujo communities, and MangaUpdates. These won’t give you the full experience of reading the manga page by page, but detailed chapter summaries and ending discussions do exist. Expect to spend some time digging through older forum threads — this series predates the era when every manga had a well-organized wiki. Patience with forum search functions will pay off.

• Accept the partial experience: Some readers genuinely enjoy what the 14 English volumes offer and make peace with not having the official ending in English. The journey is still worthwhile even if the destination isn’t fully accessible in your language.

The important thing is that you make this decision before you start reading, not after Volume 14 ends on an unresolved note and you’re frantically searching for answers.

Where to Buy Crimson Hero in English

All 14 English volumes date from the mid-2000s to early 2010s, which means they are out of print — the publisher is no longer printing new copies, so you’re limited to whatever stock already exists. You won’t find them sitting on the shelves at your local bookstore. Finding copies takes a bit more effort, but they’re absolutely still out there.

Physical Copies

Your best bet for tracking down physical volumes:

• Amazon — Both new and used copies appear regularly. Pricing varies significantly depending on the volume and condition. Used copies in good condition are perfectly fine for reading.

• Secondhand bookstores — Both local used bookshops and online secondhand book retailers can be surprisingly good sources for out-of-print manga. It takes patience and sometimes a bit of luck, but deals are out there.

• Manga resale communities — Online communities where manga readers buy, sell, and trade can be a good way to find specific volumes, especially if you’re building a collection piece by piece.

A Note on Pricing

Out-of-print manga pricing can be unpredictable. Common volumes may turn up for just a few dollars used, while scarcer volumes can carry a noticeable premium. If you’re building a full set of all 14 English volumes, be prepared for the possibility that it won’t happen all at once. Patience pays off — volumes that seem expensive one month might show up at a better price the next.

Digital Availability

As of the time of writing, Crimson Hero does not appear to be widely available on major English-language digital manga platforms. If you’re unable to track down physical copies, it’s still worth checking platforms like Kindle, Kobo, and Apple Books in case availability has changed, but don’t count on digital as your primary path to reading this series. Physical copies — particularly used ones — remain the most reliable option.

Common Mistakes New Readers Make

A few pitfalls that come up again and again when people discover Crimson Hero for the first time:

Starting Without Knowing the English Edition Is Incomplete

This is by far the most common mistake, and it’s the whole reason this guide leads with that information. Too many readers pick up Volume 1 with no idea that the English translation stops at Volume 14 of 20. Finding out mid-series — or worse, after finishing Volume 14 — is genuinely frustrating. Now you know. You can plan accordingly.

Expecting an Anime Adaptation

There is no Crimson Hero anime. No TV series, no original video animation (OVA), no film. If you’re hoping to watch the rest of the story after the English manga runs out, that option doesn’t exist. The manga is the only way to experience this story.

This surprises some readers because volleyball anime has become hugely popular in recent years, and people naturally assume a volleyball manga this well-regarded must have gotten an adaptation. It didn’t.

Skipping the Early Volumes

Volumes 1 through 4 focus heavily on character establishment and team building. The pacing is slower than the tournament-heavy middle and later volumes. Some readers are tempted to skim or skip ahead to get to the matches.

Don’t do this. The emotional weight of later volumes depends entirely on caring about these characters and their relationships. Takanashi builds that connection in the early volumes through everyday moments, family conflicts, and the small victories of getting a team together. If you skip that foundation, the big moments later won’t land the same way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Crimson Hero finished?

Yes. The series is fully complete at 20 volumes in Japan. The final volume was released in June 2011. There are no ongoing chapters, no continuation, and no sequel. The story has a definitive ending.

Why does the English version only have 14 volumes?

The English translation was discontinued after Volume 14. While the specific business reasons were never publicly detailed in a way that’s widely documented, this kind of thing generally comes down to sales performance in the English market. Shojo sports manga occupies a small corner of the English-language market, and not every series sells well enough to justify translating all volumes. It’s disappointing, but it’s not uncommon for manga from this era.

Is there an anime adaptation?

No. Crimson Hero has never been adapted into anime in any format — no TV series, no original video animation (OVA), no movie. The manga is the only way to experience the story.

Do I need to read anything else before starting Crimson Hero?

Nope. Crimson Hero is completely standalone. There are no prequels, no connected series, and no companion volumes you need to read first. Pick up Volume 1 and you’re good to go.

Is Crimson Hero appropriate for younger readers?

Crimson Hero is a shojo manga — meaning it was published in a magazine aimed at teen girls. The content deals with themes like family conflict, competitive pressure, and teenage relationships. There’s no graphic violence or explicit content. It’s generally appropriate for teen readers, though younger readers may not connect with the more emotionally complex character dynamics. If you’re comfortable with typical teen-targeted manga, Crimson Hero is in that same range.

How long does it take to read the full English run?

With 14 volumes available in English, most readers can work through the series in a few weeks of casual reading or a few dedicated days if you’re really hooked. Each volume is a standard manga length. The pacing picks up after the initial setup volumes, so you may find yourself reading faster as you go.

Is the Crimson Hero manga reading order complicated?

Not at all. It’s one series, 20 volumes, read in numbered order. There are no spin-offs, no alternate versions, and no side stories. The only complication is the incomplete English translation, which this guide covers in detail above. The reading order itself is as simple as it gets.

Is Crimson Hero a good entry point for sports manga?

It’s a great one, especially if you’re interested in sports manga that prioritizes character development and emotional storytelling alongside the athletic competition. Whether you’re coming from anime, from other manga genres, or from no manga experience at all, Crimson Hero is a strong starting point. Just go in knowing about the incomplete English edition, and you’ll be set.