Manga has exploded in popularity over the last decade. What was once considered a niche hobby outside of Japan has become a worldwide phenomenon. Today, manga regularly appears on bestseller charts, major retailers dedicate entire sections to it, and anime adaptations have introduced millions of new readers to Japanese storytelling.
Walk into a bookstore today and you will likely find shelves filled with titles such as One Piece, Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Chainsaw Man. Younger readers are discovering manga for the first time while longtime fans continue collecting volumes from legendary series that have been around for decades.
With manga reaching record-breaking popularity worldwide, one question naturally comes up: Which manga series have sold the most copies in history?
Some of the answers are obvious. Others might surprise you. While modern hits dominate social media conversations, older classics still hold incredible sales numbers thanks to decades of popularity. According to publisher data and updated circulation numbers, here are the best-selling manga series of all time.
What Is Manga?
Before diving into the rankings, it is worth explaining what manga actually is.
Manga refers to Japanese comic books or graphic novels. Unlike Western comics that are often associated with superheroes, manga covers nearly every genre imaginable including action, horror, mystery, romance, sports, fantasy, historical fiction, and slice-of-life stories.
Manga can target different audiences:
- Shonen – aimed primarily at younger male readers
- Shojo – aimed primarily at younger female readers
- Seinen – aimed at adult men
- Josei – aimed at adult women
- Kodomo – intended for children
Some manga are relatively short while others continue for decades. A series such as Death Note can be completed in a few volumes, while One Piece has surpassed 100 volumes and continues releasing new chapters.
Traditionally, many successful manga began serialization in magazines like Weekly Shonen Jump before later being collected into individual volumes. Although magazines remain important, digital platforms and global distribution have dramatically changed how manga reaches readers.
The 10 Best-Selling Manga of All Time
1. One Piece — Over 600 Million Copies Sold
There was never much doubt about the top spot.
Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece is not only the best-selling manga ever created but is rapidly approaching the title of best-selling comic series of all time. Since beginning publication in 1997, the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates have captivated readers around the world.
The series combines adventure, humor, emotional storytelling, and incredible world-building. Despite nearly three decades of publication, it remains hugely popular.
It also holds a Guinness World Record for the most copies published for a comic series by a single author.
2. Doraemon — Around 300 Million Copies Sold
by FUJIKO F FUJIO
For many people outside Japan, Doraemon is less discussed than modern action series, but its impact cannot be overstated.
Created by Fujiko F. Fujio, the manga follows a robotic cat sent from the future to help a young boy named Nobita. It became one of the most beloved children’s manga ever created and remains deeply ingrained in Japanese pop culture.
Generations grew up with Doraemon, helping it reach enormous sales numbers over several decades.
3. Golgo 13 — Around 300 Million Copies Sold
Golgo 13 may be unfamiliar to younger readers, but it is a giant within manga history.
Written by Takao Saito, this long-running series follows professional assassin Duke Togo. The mature themes and serious storytelling made it especially popular among adult audiences.
The manga began publication in 1968 and became one of the longest-running manga series ever created.
4. Detective Conan (Case Closed) — Around 270 Million Copies Sold
Known internationally as Case Closed, Gosho Aoyama’s detective mystery series has been a massive success.
The story follows teenage detective Shinichi Kudo, who is transformed into a child after being poisoned. Using his intelligence, he solves countless mysteries while trying to uncover the organization responsible.
Its combination of mystery, suspense, and memorable characters has allowed it to remain popular for decades.
5. Dragon Ball — Around 260–300 Million Copies Sold
Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball changed manga forever.
First appearing in 1984, the series began as an adventure inspired by Journey to the West before evolving into one of the most influential action manga ever created.
Without Dragon Ball, modern shonen series such as Naruto, One Piece, and My Hero Academia might look very different today.
The impact of Goku and his journey extends far beyond manga, influencing anime, gaming, and global pop culture.
6. Naruto — Around 250 Million Copies Sold
Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto became one of the defining manga series of the 2000s.
The story follows Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja who dreams of becoming Hokage and earning recognition from his village.
Themes of friendship, loneliness, perseverance, and redemption connected strongly with readers worldwide.
For many international fans, Naruto served as a gateway into anime and manga.
7. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba — Around 220 Million Copies Sold
by Koyoharu Gotouge
No manga in recent history has experienced a rise quite like Demon Slayer.
Koyoharu Gotouge’s series began in 2016 and exploded after its anime adaptation gained worldwide attention.
Its breathtaking animation and emotional storytelling helped transform it into a global sensation almost overnight.
The speed at which Demon Slayer climbed sales charts is remarkable. Many older series needed decades to reach similar numbers.
8. Slam Dunk — Around 185 Million Copies Sold
Sports manga have produced many major hits, but Slam Dunk remains the king.
Written by Takehiko Inoue, the basketball series inspired countless readers and helped increase basketball’s popularity in Japan.
Even decades after ending publication, fans still consider it one of the greatest sports manga ever created.
9. KochiKame — Around 157 Million Copies Sold
With its extremely long title (Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo), many readers simply call it KochiKame.
The comedy manga follows police officer Kankichi Ryotsu and his daily adventures.
Its humor and consistency helped it remain serialized for decades.
10. Jujutsu Kaisen — Over 150 Million Copies Sold
One of the newest names on the list is Jujutsu Kaisen.
Gege Akutami’s supernatural action series rapidly became one of the biggest manga phenomena of the modern era.
Strong characters, fast-paced battles, and an extremely successful anime adaptation helped push sales to incredible heights in a relatively short amount of time.
Why Manga Is Bigger Than Ever
The growth of manga globally comes from several factors.
Streaming services have introduced millions of viewers to anime adaptations, social media constantly creates discussion around major series, and digital platforms make manga more accessible than ever.
Modern readers are also discovering older classics alongside current releases. Someone who watches Demon Slayer today might eventually find themselves reading Dragon Ball or One Piece.
That cycle continues to grow the industry every year.
For now, One Piece remains the undisputed king of manga sales, and with the series still ongoing, its lead may become even larger in the coming years.
These are the ten best-selling manga of all time. Were you surprised by any of the series that made the list? Let us know in the comments below.
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