Overview of the Top-Selling Manga Series
- Notable best-sellers like One Piece have set a remarkable benchmark with over 523 million copies sold, emphasizing quality and popularity.
- Influential series such as Dragon Ball and Naruto highlight the significance of creative storytelling, each boasting over 250 million copies in sales.
- Specialized genres, including sports manga like Hajime no Ippo, which has achieved 100 million copies, underscore the diverse appeal within the manga industry.
The manga market has witnessed extraordinary growth over the years. With hundreds of new series released annually, readers can explore a vast array of genres. Despite this abundance, only a select few series consistently rise above the rest to become essential reading material.
This trend has led readers to gravitate back towards classic titles with impressive sales figures, seeking the assurance of quality that accompanies these best-sellers. Although some audiences appreciate more obscure works, the majority seem to favor the top-selling manga, which many consider synonymous with excellence.
Latest Update: February 2, 2025 by Suzail Ahmad: The manga industry has evolved remarkably, establishing itself as a powerhouse. Notably, the metric for judging a series’ success has largely remained the same: sales figures. Authors aspire to reach millions in sales, but only a few manage to surpass the 100 million mark, an achievement that distinguishes the very best in the genre.
With this in focus, let’s look at the leading manga titles that have sold over 100 million copies worldwide.
24. Captain Tsubasa
90 Million Copies Sold
Captain Tsubasa is a legendary sports manga celebrated for its exhilarating soccer matches and character dynamics. This series has set the stage for future sports manga franchises.
Centered on Tsubasa, a young soccer enthusiast, the manga chronicles his journey as he battles older and experienced players, highlighting his unmatched agility and strategic mind.
23. Touch
100 Million Copies Sold
Touch is a touching tale of two athletic brothers caught in a rivalry. It asserts the value of striving for greatness, particularly through the eyes of Kazuya, whose diligence brings him into the spotlight despite his brother Tatsuya’s inherent talent.
Serializing from 1981 to 1987 in Weekly Shōnen Sunday, this series is worthy of exploration for anyone who appreciates heartfelt narratives.
22. Baki The Grappler
100 Million Copies Sold
Baki the Grappler dives deep into the intense world of martial arts with its vivid and often brutal storytelling. Though primarily aimed at shonen fans, it features diverse fighting styles and narratives centered around Baki Hanma’s relentless pursuit of martial excellence.
21. Jujutsu Kaisen
100 Million Copies Sold
20. Astro Boy
100 Million Copies Sold
Created by Osamu Tezuka, Astro Boy remains a groundbreaking work in the manga scene from 1952 to 1968, blending adventure with a thought-provoking sci-fi narrative that revolves around an emotionally complex android boy.
19. The Kindaichi Case Files
100 Million Copies Sold
Since its debut in 1992, The Kindaichi Case Files has entertained readers with compelling mysteries that feature Hajime Kindaichi, a sleuth whose intelligence comes from being the grandson of a celebrated detective.
18. My Hero Academia
100 Million Copies Sold
My Hero Academia has solidified its place as a modern classic in the manga landscape. Following Izuku Midoriya’s quest to become the ultimate hero, the series benefits from well-rounded characters, a gripping narrative, and a successful anime adaptation.
17. Kingdom
100 Million Copies Sold
Kingdom, created by Yasuhisa Hara in 2006, captures ancient China’s tumultuous history through epic storytelling and has continuously competed with top-selling titles. This sweeping saga now includes over 70 volumes.
16. First Time
100 Million Copies Sold
A staple in sports manga, Hajime no Ippo combines humor with thrilling boxing action to create a captivating narrative. Serialized since 1989, this series has received multiple anime adaptations and has gained a dedicated fanbase.
15. Fist of the North Star
100 Million Copies Sold
Fist of the North Star is set in a post-apocalyptic landscape, where Kenshiro fights to protect the powerless while battling the chaos surrounding him. This series gained recognition in the West due to zeitgeist moments in the anime adaptation.
14. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
120 Million Copies Sold
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure spans multiple arcs of the Joestar family, intertwining distinct narratives and vivid characterizations under the guidance of Hirohiko Araki. To date, it has collectively sold over 120 million copies.
13. Bleach
130 Million Copies Sold
Once part of the “Big Three”alongside One Piece and Naruto, Bleach captured imaginations from 2001 to 2016, centering on Ichigo Kurosaki’s journey as a Soul Reaper. The recent revival with its Thousand-Year Blood War arc has spurred renewed interest.
12. Oishinbo
135 Million Copies Sold
Oishinbo, which debuted in 1983, showcases the culinary arts through comical storytelling and offers readers a delightful exploration of food culture. With 135 million copies sold, it holds a prominent place in manga history.
11. Attack on Titan
140 Million Copies Sold
Attack on Titan, crafted by Hajime Isayama, gained phenomenal traction globally with its compelling story and character dynamics. Its gripping narrative has led to impressive sales figures over its serialization from 2009 to 2021.
10. Crayon Shin-chan
148 Million Copies Sold
Created by Yoshito Usui, Crayon Shin-chan is a humorous series that chronicles the antics of the mischievous five-year-old Shinnosuke Nohara. Since its inception in 1990, it has resonated with audiences across all ages.
9. Demon Slayer
150 Million Copies Sold
Demon Slayer has gained unprecedented popularity since its first season aired, supported by superb animation and storytelling. The manga has mirrored this success, reaching 150 million copies sold as anticipation builds for its forthcoming season.
8. KochiKame: Tokyo Beat Cops
157 Million Copies Sold
This long-running series ran from 1976 to 2016, accumulating an impressive 157 million in sales.KochiKame follows the life of police officer Kankichi Ryotsu and his hilarious escapades.
7. Slam Dunk
170 Million Copies Sold
Slam Dunk, recognized as the defining sports manga, revolutionized basketball in Japan. Despite only 31 volumes, it has reached remarkable sales figures and increased interest in basketball.
6. Naruto
250 Million Copies Sold
Naruto, another titan of the “Big Three”of Shonen Jump, showcases the struggles of a young aspiring Hokage. Its internationally acclaimed storytelling has led to an impressive 250 million copies sold.
5. Doraemon
250 Million Copies Sold
Taimtly crafted for a younger audience, Doraemon involves a time-traveling robotic cat helping a slothful boy named Nobita. The blend of humor and life lessons has contributed to over 300 million copies sold to date.
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