As we know, Manga series and anime cannot be inseparable parts of modern Japanese culture. Every year, the industry has helped a lot to generate a fairly large amount of revenue. Everybody knows that it is very popular among the people of every group.
The manga series has always topped the charts, irrespective of when it started, how long it has been running, or how many volumes have been published. Although many have failed, they have continued to do so. The bestseller list has always been dominated by both older and modern manga.
Table of Contents
The top 5 bestselling manga of all time
Recently, new-generation manga such as Attack on Titan, Demon Slayer, and Jujutsu Kaisen have been dominating the series. Although this new generation of manga’s sales are lagging in comparison with the old giants such as Naruto and One Piece.
Here’s the list of the top 5 bestselling Manga series of all time:
1. One Piece: 490 million
One Piece is the most successful series of all time, with over 490 million copies sold.
The One Piece is written by Eiichiro Oda and serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump since 1997. The book One Piece has almost 100 volumes that have been published till December 2021.
The manga shows us the journey of Monkey D. Luffy, the series’ protagonist. He has left his journey to obtain the One Piece treasure to become the “King of the Pirates”.
2. Dragon Ball: 260 million
Dragon Ball is one of the most popular anime. It is an adaptation of the manga of the same name, written by Akira Toriyama. It ran between 1984 and 1995 and has published 42 volumes.
The book Dragon Ball has 260 million, it stands tall in comparison to others within the same genre. The renowned mangakas have been inspired by this legendary series.
The story is all about Son Goku, a young kid who has struggled to become the most powerful martial artist in the world. It also covers his search for the coveted Dragon Balls (seven magical orbs that summon a wish-granting dragon when gathered).
3. Naruto: 250 million
Naruto is one of the most famous series. The series has a famous anime adaptation and multiple films and is certainly acknowledged as one of the finest in the genre. It was written by Masashi Kishimoto in the year 1999 and has worked on it for almost 15 years before ending it in the year 2014. It contains 72 volumes that have been published and have also sold 250 million copies.
4. Detective Conan: 250 million
Detective Conan/Case Closed is a Shonen manga series. It is written by Gosho Aoyama and it is debuted in the year 1994 in January in Shogakukan’s Weekly Shonen Sunday. It has sold over 250 million copies and continues to be published with a total of 100 volumes as of October 2021. The series revolved around the high school detective, Shinichi Kudo, who, while investigating a mysterious organization, was transformed into a child by them.
5. Slam Dunk: 170 million
Slam Dunk is one of the most famous sports manga series, written by Takehiko Inoue. The series has started writing from the year October 1990 to June 1996. It contains 31 volumes and has sold 170 million copies. The manga series was later adapted into an anime series that was released from October 1993 to March 1996.
The story is all about Hanamichi Sakuragi, who initially joins the basketball team to impress a girl. While he is not great at the sport, he eventually grows to love it.
FAQs
What are the top 5 bestselling manga series of all time?
The rankings can vary slightly depending on the source, but here’s a likely top 5:
One Piece by Eiichiro Oda (1997-present): This swashbuckling pirate adventure continues to dominate sales charts, with an estimated 516.6 million copies sold worldwide.
Golgo 13 by Takao Saito (1968-present): This long-running series featuring a stoic assassin holds the record for the longest serialization and boasts an estimated 300 million copies sold.
Dragon Ball by Akira Toriyama (1984-1995): This martial arts adventure saga launched a global anime phenomenon and has sold around 300 million copies.
Detective Conan (also known as Case Closed) by Gosho Aoyama (1994-present): This mystery manga with a high school detective trapped in a child’s body has racked up an estimated 250 million copies sold.
Doraemon by Fujiko F. Fujio (1969-1996): This science fiction comedy featuring a robotic cat from the future remains a favorite among all ages, with around 200 million copies sold.
Are these sales figures just for Japan, or worldwide?
These figures typically represent the estimated total number of manga tankōbon volumes (collected volumes) sold worldwide.
How often do the top 5 rankings change?
Long-running series like One Piece and Golgo 13 constantly add to their sales figures. New mega-hits can occasionally shake up the rankings, but the top spots are usually held by established powerhouses.
Are there any surprises on this list?
Some entries, like Golgo 13, might surprise those unfamiliar with its long-standing popularity, particularly outside Japan.
Where can I find information about manga sales figures?
Websites like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_manga
or https://myanimelist.net/news provide sales figures and rankings for various manga series.
Do these sales figures necessarily mean the manga is good?
Sales success is a sign of popularity, but it doesn’t guarantee critical acclaim or quality. Explore different series and find what resonates with you.
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