Citrus Manga Volumes: All 10 Books in the Complete Series

All 10 Citrus Manga Volumes at a Glance

Citrus is a yuri romance manga created by Saburouta. If you’re new to the term, yuri is a manga genre focused on romantic relationships between female characters. Citrus was originally published chapter by chapter — a process called serialization — in Comic Yuri Hime, a magazine published by Ichijinsha in Japan, running from 2012 through 2018. Those individual chapters were then collected into book form. The series spans 41 chapters across 10 volumes, with the final Japanese volume releasing in November 2018.

The story centers on Yuzu Aihara, a fashionable, outgoing high school girl who transfers to a strict all-girls academy after her mother remarries. On her very first day, she clashes with the intimidatingly beautiful and cold student council president — Mei Aihara — who turns out to be her new step-sister. What starts as friction and confusion between two very different personalities gradually develops into an intense, complicated romance that drives the entire series.

Citrus is one of the most well-known yuri manga available in English, and for good reason. It tells a complete romantic story from first encounter to definitive conclusion. There’s no ambiguous ending, no “read the sequel to find out what happens” cliffhanger. The story wraps up in Volume 10, and it wraps up decisively.

A quick note: there is a follow-up series called Citrus+ that spends more time with the same characters after the original story ends. Think of it as bonus chapters for fans who want more — it’s a separate work entirely, and you don’t need it. Everything discussed below covers the original 10-volume Citrus manga, which stands completely on its own.

If you like the idea of a dramatic romance you can marathon from start to finish in a weekend, Citrus is built for exactly that.

Story by Volume — What Each Book Covers

One of Citrus’s strengths is how cleanly it moves through its story. The 10 volumes break naturally into three sections: setup, complication, and resolution. Here’s a spoiler-light look at what each section covers so you know what you’re getting into.

Volumes 1–3 — First Meetings and Forbidden Feelings

The opening section is all about setup, tension, and the electric first sparks between Yuzu and Mei.

Volume 1 drops Yuzu into her new school environment and immediately establishes the culture clash. She’s loud, stylish, and used to a very different social scene. The academy is rigid, traditional, and ruled by strict codes — enforced in part by Mei herself. Their first interactions are confrontational, but there’s an undeniable pull between them that neither fully understands. By the end of the first volume, the central dynamic is locked in place, and you’ll know exactly whether this series is for you.

Volume 2 deepens the emotional confusion. Yuzu is trying to figure out what she’s feeling, while Mei remains closed off and difficult to read. Supporting characters begin to fill out the world — most notably Harumi Taniguchi, Yuzu’s best friend at school, who becomes one of the series’ most likable presences. The push-and-pull between the two leads intensifies.

Volume 3 introduces more complications. Matsuri, a childhood friend of Yuzu’s, enters the picture and adds a layer of jealousy and manipulation to an already volatile situation. Himeko, Mei’s devoted childhood friend, also plays a key role. By the end of this volume, the story has established its full cast and the emotional stakes are genuinely high.

These first three volumes are fast reads — Saburouta’s art is expressive and each page is packed with images (called panels) that carry the storytelling visually, so pages fly by. If you’re sampling the series, this is a perfect test run.

Volumes 4–6 — Rivals, Complications, and Growing Bonds

The middle section is where Citrus earns its drama.

Volume 4 pushes Yuzu and Mei’s relationship into deeper emotional territory. New characters appear who challenge both leads — romantic rivals who force Yuzu and Mei to confront whether what they feel for each other is real, and whether they’re willing to fight for it.

Volume 5 is one of the series’ most emotionally turbulent volumes. External pressures mount. Mei’s family background and the expectations placed on her become a significant source of conflict. Yuzu, who wears her heart on her sleeve, struggles with Mei’s tendency to withdraw when things get difficult.

Volume 6 brings some of these threads to a temporary resolution while setting up the final section. The relationship between the two leads has clearly grown — they understand each other better, communicate more honestly, and the bond feels earned rather than manufactured. But there are still major obstacles ahead.

This middle stretch is where some readers fall hardest for the series. The drama is heightened, but it’s grounded in character rather than contrived misunderstandings (for the most part). You can feel the story building toward something.

Volumes 7–10 — Resolution and the Road to a Definitive Ending

The final four volumes deliver on everything the first six set up.

Volume 7 begins escalating toward the climax. The emotional stakes reach their highest point as circumstances threaten to separate Yuzu and Mei in a very real, very permanent way. This isn’t manufactured drama for its own sake — it ties directly into Mei’s character development and the family dynamics that have been simmering since Volume 1.

Volume 8 and Volume 9 are the heart of the climax. Both leads have to make genuine choices about what they want their futures to look like. These volumes are where Citrus shows what it’s really about beneath the drama — two people figuring out if they can be brave enough to choose each other despite everything working against them.

Volume 10 is the conclusion, and it’s a real one. No loose threads, no ambiguity. The central romance reaches its resolution, and Saburouta gives the characters — and the readers — a definitive ending. Without spoiling the specifics, it’s the kind of finale that rewards the investment of reading the full series.

If you’ve been burned by manga that end abruptly or leave things frustratingly open, Citrus is not that. It knows where it’s going and gets there.

Marathon Reading Plan — Natural Break Points for a Binge Read

At 10 volumes and 41 chapters, Citrus is genuinely compact. Each volume is a quick read — the art does a lot of the storytelling, and pages move fast. You can realistically finish the whole series in a weekend, and it honestly reads better that way. The emotional momentum builds when you’re not taking long breaks between volumes.

Here’s a suggested reading plan with natural stopping points:

Session 1: Volumes 1–3 (Setup and Hook)

This gets you through the introductions, the full main cast, and the first major dramatic complications. It’s a natural pause point because Volume 3 resolves its immediate conflict while leaving you wanting more. Estimated reading time: 2–3 hours.

Session 2: Volumes 4–6 (Dramatic Middle)

The emotional middle section. Pick this up when you’re ready for heightened drama and deeper character work. Volume 6 offers another natural breathing point. Estimated reading time: 2–3 hours.

Session 3: Volumes 7–10 (Climax and Conclusion)

Once you start Volume 7, you’ll probably want to read straight through to the end. The final section builds steadily and the last couple of volumes are genuine page-turners. Estimated reading time: 3–4 hours.

Total series reading time is roughly 7–10 hours depending on your pace. If you’re new to reading manga and still getting used to the right-to-left page flow, give yourself a bit of extra time — you’ll speed up quickly.

One pacing note: Citrus starts at a sprint. If the first volume feels intense, that’s by design — the series maintains a brisk pace throughout. It’s not a romance that takes its time building slowly over many volumes. If you like stories that grab you immediately, this structure works in your favor.

Manga vs. Anime — What the Citrus Adaptation Covers

Citrus received a TV anime adaptation — an animated television series based on the manga — that aired in early 2018. The anime covers only a portion of the manga’s story, adapting roughly the first four volumes of material. It does not reach the manga’s conclusion.

The anime is a perfectly fine entry point if you want to get a feel for the characters and the tone before committing to the manga. The voice acting and music add a nice dimension to the emotional scenes. But it’s important to know going in that the anime stops well before the story ends. If you watch the anime and want to know how things turn out for Yuzu and Mei, you’ll need to continue with the manga.

For anime-first readers looking to pick up the manga: the adaptation covers roughly through Volume 4, so starting at Volume 5 will get you into new material. That said, rereading from Volume 1 is also worthwhile — the manga includes scenes and character moments that the anime trimmed or cut entirely.

The manga’s complete 10-volume run is the full Citrus experience. The anime gives you a taste; the manga gives you the whole meal, including the ending.

Which Edition Should You Buy

The English edition of Citrus is published by Seven Seas Entertainment and matches the Japanese release at 10 volumes. Each English volume corresponds directly to its Japanese counterpart, so there’s no confusing repackaging or combined-volume editions to worry about.

Physical singles are the primary English format. These are standard-sized manga paperbacks — roughly 5 by 7.5 inches, smaller than a typical novel — that look great on a shelf together. The covers feature Saburouta’s artwork, and the spines line up nicely as a set.

Volume 10 — the series finale — is the book that wraps everything up. If you’re building a complete collection, this is the one you definitely don’t want to miss.

Digital editions are also available through platforms like Kindle, BookWalker, and other major e-book stores for readers who prefer reading on tablets, phones, or e-readers. Digital is a great option if you want to start reading immediately without waiting for shipping, or if shelf space is limited.

One thing to keep in mind: Citrus+, the sequel series, is a separate purchase with its own volume numbering. You do not need to buy Citrus+ to get a complete story — the original 10 volumes have a definitive ending.

If you’re buying for the first time and want to test the waters, grabbing Volume 1 alone is a low-commitment way to find out if the series clicks with you. The first volume does an excellent job of establishing the tone and central relationship — you’ll know within those pages whether you want to keep going.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many volumes of Citrus are there?

Citrus is 10 volumes long, collecting all 41 chapters of the series. Both the Japanese and English editions are 10 volumes.

Is Citrus finished?

Yes. The manga concluded in 2018 with the release of Volume 10. It’s a completed series with a definitive ending — no cliffhangers, no cancellation, no unfinished storylines.

Do I need to read Citrus+ after Citrus?

No. The original Citrus is a self-contained work. Volume 10 provides a clear, satisfying conclusion. Citrus+ is there if you want more time with the characters, but it’s entirely optional.

Does the anime cover the whole manga?

No. The Citrus anime adaptation covers roughly the first four volumes and does not reach the story’s ending. To experience the complete narrative — especially the conclusion — you’ll need to read the manga.

Is Citrus appropriate for younger readers?

Citrus is a romance manga aimed at older teens and adults. It contains romantic scenes between its female leads that go beyond hand-holding — expect passionate kissing and some suggestive situations, though the series is not sexually explicit. It also deals with complicated family dynamics, emotional manipulation, and intense feelings. If you’re unsure, flipping through the first volume will give you a clear sense of the content level.

What genre is Citrus?

Citrus is a yuri manga — a genre focused on romantic relationships between female characters. It was serialized in Comic Yuri Hime, one of the most prominent yuri manga magazines in Japan. Beyond the genre label, it reads primarily as a romance drama driven by its characters and their emotional growth.