Barefoot Gen Manga Volumes: All 10 Books Explained

Barefoot Gen Manga Volumes at a Glance — A Complete 10-Book Series

Barefoot Gen (はだしのゲン) by Keiji Nakazawa (中沢啓治) is a completed manga — a Japanese comic — spanning 10 volumes in both the Japanese and English editions. All 10 Barefoot Gen manga volumes tell a single, continuous story: a fictionalized account drawn from Nakazawa’s own childhood experience surviving the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and the grueling years that followed, seen through the eyes of a young boy named Gen Nakaoka.

The series was originally published chapter by chapter in Weekly Shonen Jump, one of Japan’s biggest manga anthology magazines, before moving to other publications. Those chapters were later collected into 10 individual book volumes by Choubunsha (汐文社) in Japan. The English-language edition is published by Last Gasp, a small independent publisher, with all 10 volumes available.

A note before you read further: Barefoot Gen contains extremely graphic depictions of the atomic bombing and its aftermath — burned bodies, radiation sickness, death, and suffering rendered with stark visual honesty. Nakazawa drew these scenes as testimony, not for shock value. Parents, teachers, and sensitive readers should be aware of this content throughout the guide below, and especially in the descriptions of the early volumes.

This isn’t just a manga. It’s one of the most important works of anti-war literature ever created in comics form. Nakazawa drew from his own childhood memories of August 6, 1945, and the devastation that reshaped his city, his family, and his life. The result is raw, unflinching, deeply personal — and, in quieter moments, surprisingly funny and warm. Gen himself is stubborn, loud, resourceful, and full of life, which makes the horror surrounding him land even harder.

If you’re here wondering how many volumes there are and whether the series is worth the commitment: it’s 10 books, it’s finished, and it’s one of those reading experiences that genuinely changes how you see the world.

What Each Volume Covers

Barefoot Gen tells one continuous story with no named story arcs — meaning no self-contained sub-stories or standalone side volumes. That said, the 10-volume series naturally breaks into several narrative phases. Here’s a broad overview to help you know what you’re getting into — without spoiling the specifics.

Volume 1: Before and During the Bombing

This is the most iconic and widely read volume in the series. It introduces Gen’s family living in wartime Hiroshima — his stubborn artist father who opposes the war, his pregnant mother, and his siblings. Daily life under militarism is portrayed with sharp detail: food shortages, bullying from neighbors who view the family as traitors, and the constant propaganda machine grinding on.

Then the bomb drops.

Volume 1 contains some of the most harrowing imagery ever put to paper in manga. Nakazawa depicts the moment of the explosion and its immediate physical effects with deliberate, unflinching honesty. This volume alone has been translated into dozens of languages and used in peace education programs around the world.

Volumes 2–3: Immediate Aftermath and Survival

These volumes follow Gen and his surviving family members through the nightmare landscape of post-bombing Hiroshima. The city is destroyed. Bodies are everywhere. Survivors wander in shock, searching for water, food, and anyone they recognize.

Gen’s resourcefulness kicks into overdrive here. He’s a kid trying to keep his family alive in conditions that would break most adults. These volumes deal with the physical horror of radiation sickness, burns, and injury — but also with small acts of kindness and solidarity among survivors. The tone shifts between devastating loss and fierce, scrappy determination to live.

Volumes 4–6: Post-War Hardship

As the immediate crisis of survival gives way to longer-term reconstruction, the story expands. Gen navigates a destroyed society where survivors — known as hibakusha, the Japanese term for atomic bomb survivors — face discrimination and suspicion. Finding stable food and shelter remains a daily struggle. The black market thrives. Authority figures are often corrupt or indifferent.

These middle volumes explore how war doesn’t end when the fighting stops. The social fabric is torn apart, and rebuilding it is slow, painful work. Gen’s family situation evolves — new characters enter his life, some kind and some exploitative. Through it all, Gen’s personality remains a driving force: he’s angry, compassionate, stubborn, and refuses to be crushed.

Volumes 7–10: Growing Up in the Shadow of the Bomb

The final stretch follows Gen into adolescence. The immediate post-war chaos has settled into a new, difficult normal. But the long-term effects of radiation continue to claim lives and destroy health. Social struggles persist — discrimination against hibakusha, poverty, and the psychological scars of what happened.

These later volumes are less talked about than the explosive first volume, but they’re essential to understanding Nakazawa’s full vision. The story isn’t just about the bombing itself. It’s about what it means to keep living afterward, year after year, carrying that weight. Gen grows up, finds passions, faces setbacks, and keeps fighting — not against an enemy, but against despair itself.

Volume 10 brings the series to its conclusion — a hard-earned ending for a character who has been through more than most fictional characters ever face.

A Marathon Reading Plan for Barefoot Gen

At 10 volumes, Barefoot Gen is very completable. A focused reader could finish it in a dedicated weekend, though spreading it across a week is perfectly reasonable — and honestly, giving yourself breathing room is a good idea with material this intense.

If you’re new to manga as a format: manga reads right to left, with panels flowing in the opposite direction from Western comics. Most English editions include a note on the first or last page explaining the reading order. You’ll get used to it within a few pages.

Here’s a suggested pacing structure with natural stopping points:

Session 1: Volume 1

Read this one on its own. The buildup of daily life in wartime Hiroshima, followed by the bombing itself, is an overwhelming emotional experience. Give yourself time to sit with it before moving on. Many readers find this volume alone to be one of the most powerful things they’ve ever read in any medium.

Session 2: Volumes 2–3

The immediate aftermath forms a natural unit. By the end of Volume 3, the most acute survival crisis has passed and the story shifts toward longer-term rebuilding. This is a good place to take a break.

Session 3: Volumes 4–6

The post-war hardship section. These volumes have a different rhythm — less moment-to-moment crisis, more sustained struggle. After Volume 6, there’s a tonal shift as Gen moves from childhood into adolescence.

Session 4: Volumes 7–10

The final four volumes bring the story home. Once you’ve made it this far, you’ll likely want to see it through to the end.

Read in order. This is a sequential story from start to finish. There are no standalone volumes, no side stories, and no points where you can skip ahead. Volume 1 to Volume 10, straight through.

Barefoot Gen — Manga vs. Animated Adaptations

Barefoot Gen has two well-regarded animated films — Barefoot Gen (1983) and Barefoot Gen 2 (1986) — that cover portions of the story. These films are powerful in their own right and have introduced many viewers to Nakazawa’s work.

However, the manga at 10 volumes is significantly longer and more detailed than either film. The animated movies cover roughly the territory of the early volumes — the bombing and its immediate aftermath — but cannot capture the full scope of the decade-spanning story that the manga tells. The later volumes, covering post-war reconstruction and Gen’s adolescence, are found only in the manga.

If you’ve seen one or both of the animated films and are wondering whether the manga is worth reading too: absolutely. The films complement the manga but don’t replace it. The full 10-volume series is where Nakazawa poured everything he had to say about his experience and its aftermath — it’s the complete version of this story.

And if you haven’t seen the films at all, start with the manga. You can always watch the adaptations later for a different perspective on the material.

Which Edition of Barefoot Gen Should You Buy?

The English Edition (Last Gasp)

The standard English-language edition is published by Last Gasp, and it covers all 10 volumes. These are compact paperbacks — roughly the size of a typical paperback novel, approximately 6 by 8 inches — which is standard for translated manga. Nothing oversized or deluxe, just solid, readable editions of Nakazawa’s work.

Each volume carries a list price in line with typical manga paperbacks. Ten volumes is a modest commitment compared to many manga series that run far longer.

This is the edition most English-speaking readers will encounter, and it’s the one you want. The translation captures both the gravity of the subject matter and the surprisingly lively, colloquial voice that Gen brings to the story.

Availability note: Some individual volumes may go in and out of print from time to time. If you’re building the set, check major retailers periodically — volumes that seem unavailable one month may restock the next. The complete 10-volume set is the only way to experience the full story, so it’s worth being patient if a particular volume is temporarily hard to find.

Digital availability: As of this writing, Barefoot Gen’s digital availability in English has historically been limited, though Kindle editions are now available for at least some volumes. Readers who prefer digital formats should check current listings on major platforms, but physical editions from Last Gasp remain the most reliable way to read the complete series in English.

The buy link below is for Volume 1 — the natural starting point for the series.

The Japanese Edition (Choubunsha)

The original Japanese edition is published by Choubunsha (汐文社) and also spans 10 volumes. For Japanese-language readers or collectors, this is the original edition. It’s readily available through Japanese booksellers.

Collecting Tips

Since Barefoot Gen is a completed series with a fixed volume count, collecting it is straightforward — no need to worry about ongoing releases or catching up. You’re buying a finite set of 10 books that tells one complete story.

That said, because the series has been in print for a long time and volumes occasionally cycle in and out of availability, building a complete set may take a little patience. There’s no rush. The story will be exactly the same whenever you get to it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many volumes of Barefoot Gen are there?

10 volumes in both the Japanese and English editions. The series is complete — no additional volumes are forthcoming.

Is Barefoot Gen finished?

Yes. Barefoot Gen is a completed manga series. All 10 volumes have been published in both Japanese and English. You can read the entire story from beginning to end without waiting for future releases.

Who wrote Barefoot Gen?

Keiji Nakazawa (中沢啓治) wrote and illustrated Barefoot Gen. The story draws directly from his own childhood experience as a survivor of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Nakazawa created the series as an act of testimony — a way to ensure that what he witnessed would not be forgotten.

Who publishes Barefoot Gen in English?

Last Gasp publishes the English-language edition of Barefoot Gen. All 10 volumes are available through this publisher.

Is Barefoot Gen appropriate for younger readers?

This is an important question, and there’s no single right answer. Barefoot Gen contains extremely graphic depictions of the atomic bombing and its aftermath — burned bodies, radiation sickness, death, and suffering are depicted with stark visual honesty. The series also deals with themes of discrimination, poverty, and loss throughout its run.

The manga is widely used in educational settings in Japan and internationally, particularly for peace education. Many schools and libraries include it in their collections. However, the graphic content — especially in the first three volumes — is intense enough that parents and educators should preview the material before sharing it with younger readers.

For teenagers and adults, Barefoot Gen is an extraordinary and deeply meaningful reading experience. For younger children, adult guidance and conversation around the content is strongly recommended.