The series was published in Shogakukan's Weekly Shōnen Sunday from August 2006 to February 2009, with its chapters compiled in twelve tankōbon volumes.

They share an uneasy relationship, often becoming confused about each others feelings and concerns, and Darren disliking Crepsley for taking away his human life.

Cirque du Freak was licensed for release in North America by Yen Press and in the United Kingdom by HarperCollins.

[3][4] Arai received a call from his editor in 2006, and was informed about a contest in which an artist would make a manga rendition of The Saga of Darren Shan.

[5] Arai used a "touch" of his brother's version in a scene where Darren catches Cirque du Freak tickets.

[13] At the 2008 San Diego Comic-Con, Yen Press announced that they had acquired rights to translate and publish the series in English.

[14] The first three volumes were set to be released to coincide with the film Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant.

[17] The Saga of Darren Shan was also licensed and released in France by Pika Édition[18] and in Taiwan by Sharp Point Press.

[25] Deb Aoki, writing for the website About.com, rated the first volume with 3 and a half stars out of 5, commending its character designs, appeal to fans, and story.

[26] Manga Life's Joy Kim criticized that the first volume was "extremely predictable" and the art as "occasionally awkward", but felt it was "a good alternative" to shōjo series focusing on vampires "with the emotional maturity and tortured love lives of emo high school students".

[27] Grant Goodman rated the fifth volume with an "A", concluding that it is "brimming with action, mystery, and betrayal—all of which add up to a [sic] create a manga you do not want to miss.