In Japan, the publishing sector relies heavily on sales of manga. The total value of manga was over 613 billion Japanese yen in 2020. Although the term has its roots in the 18th century, caricatures of humans have been created as early as the 22nd and 14th centuries.
In reality, the Choju jinbutsu giga is an early form of manga and emaki. However, it wasn't until the 1950s that manga started to see significant growth in popularity. Not only are they in style in Japan, but they have also exploded onto the global stage as a major cultural phenomenon.
In this article. we will examine several facets of manga. We'll address a wide range of inquiries, including: What are the most popular manga of all time?. Keep reading to know everything in detail.
| Most Popular Manga of All Time |
| 15. Code Geass |
| 14. Yotsuba |
| 13. Astro Boy |
| 12. Fist of the North Star |
| 11. Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure |
| 10. Attack On Titan |
| 09. Demon Slayer |
| 08. Vagabond |
| 07. Hunter X Hunter |
| 06. Golgo 13 |
| 05. Slam Dunk |
| 04. Death Note |
| 03. Naruto |
| 02. Dragon Ball |
| 01. One Piece |
15. Code Geass
Studio Sunrise and Guru Tangyoshi and Ichirou Ookouchi are responsible for the anime series Code Geass. To far, there have been two seasons, the most recent of which premiered in 2008.
As a result of its compelling narrative, it has found widespread favor among manga readers. The effects of colonialism are discussed, as is the right of the colonized to rebel against their oppressors.
It's one of the most watched anime shows now airing because of the fascinating and relatable subjects it explores.
14. Yotsuba
Yotsuba follows the exploits of a little girl, ages 5 to 7. Her father has even commented on how odd she is because of her insatiable curiosity and unique personality. The girl is full of life and good spirits, but she lacks the knowledge that should come naturally to a youngster her age.
The comical and amusing occurrences in her life are the focus of the narrative. Yotsuba and her adoptive father had just moved to a new city. Yotsuba leaves an indelible mark on the hearts of the young women in her new neighborhood.
Her friendship with the girls next door is largely responsible for her many escapades. This hilarious manga series, which chronicles Yotsuba's many escapades, has been collected over 14 volumes by the publisher.
13. Astro Boy
Despite being over 50 years old, the Astro Boy manga series is still extremely popular. This manga is enjoyable because it combines human drama with robot technology. In the far-future world of Astro Boy, humans and robots live in peace and harmony.
Astro Boy is created by Dr. Tenma after the death of his son. Astro boy, who has Tobio's memories but who the doctor has ignored, is the protagonist of this comic. He then proceeds to do circus acrobatics at following events.
12. Fist of the North Star
It was in the 1980s when the manga Fist of the North Star made its debut in Weekly Shonen Jump. The story occurs in the 1990s, set amid a nuclear wasteland. The story follows Kenshiro, the protagonist, as he fights to stay alive while protecting a lethal martial art called Hokuto Shinken from the hands of evildoers.
Reviews have agreed that this is a book that every reader should pick up. Be advised that the manga and anime set in this universe will push your philosophical boundaries to the brink.
11. Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is widely considered a classic in the manga genre. It spans 8 distinct storylines throughout 127 volumes. One of the longest-running manga series is Jojo's. This manga follows the arcs of eight main characters, all of them are Joestars.
Every member of this family has a birthmark in the shape of a star just over their shoulder, and it's called a JOJO. The Joestar family's rivalry with Dio Brando is the focus of the first six arcs, while the Joestar family's adventures in an other reality are the focus of the final two arcs.
The manga has a fascinating plot and some of the best caricatures you'll ever see. The 127 volumes of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure have sold over 100 million copies. The novel takes place in the made-up nation of Amestris, where Alchemy is widely used.
10. Attack On Titan
Attack on Titan, a manga by Hajime Isayama first published in 2009 and serialized in the magazine Bessatsu Shonen, is a perennial favorite. It's a manga about a dark fantasy world that has also been turned into a four-season anime.
Eren Yeager and Mikasa Ackerman are the story's major protagonists. They, along with the other members of the Survey Corps, battle the titans and attempt to deduce their motivations for being there.
09. Demon Slayer
Fans of the manga series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba can be found all over the world, not just in Japan. It began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in 2016, ran through May of 2020, and is currently complete. It was at the height of its popularity at the time.
The novel takes place in a made-up Japan of the Taisho era. The plot centers on the premise that the elimination of demons is necessary to restore calm to the human race. Tanjiro Kamado is the protagonist & he decides to battle demons when several members of his own family meet the same fate.
08. Vagabond
The story of legendary Japanese swordsman Musashi Miyamoto is romanticized in the film Vagabond. Set in the 16th century, the plot focuses on the aftermath of the Battle of Sekigahara.
Two teens who are fighting in the war are the main characters. Takezo Shinmen is a common young man, while Matamachi Hon'iden is a nobleman's son. Despite losing the batter, the two youngsters are able to flee the battlefield.
The victorious side sends out search parties for both teens. Takezo decides to become a Vagabond & fortify himself after this attack, while Matamachi retreats into the darkness. In Vagabond, you'll follow young Takezo on his incredible journey to becoming the famed swordsman Musashi Miyamoto.
The final chapter of this manga was published in May 2015, after 37 volumes & more than 300 chapters had already been published. Vagabond's material has been recognized with a number of honors. Among the best manga series ever released, it has sold over 82 million copies.
07. Hunter X Hunter
Another great example of a book series that has been published in Shonen Jump and as standalone volumes for decades and yet still has more to tell. There are really two anime adaptations of Hunter, with the second one being more faithful to the source material.
In search of his legendary father, Gon is determined to follow in his footsteps and train to become a Hunter, an explorer on land and water. While taking the tests that were mandated of him, Gon met the likes of Kirua, Kurapika & Leolio, who would later join him on his adventures, as well as the terrifying Hisoka, who would do anything to stop them.
Yoshihiro Togashi, the author of this series, is also responsible for the fantastic manga Yu Yu Hakusho. He appeals to fans of action and drama who also appreciate a humorous touch. If so, you may have just found your new favorite manga.
06. Golgo 13
Since October 1968, Takao Saito's Golgo 13 has been serialized in Shogakukan's seinen manga magazine Big Comic. The protagonist of the show is an assassin who works for hire. The tankbon version of Golgo 13 has the most volumes of any manga series, and it also holds the record for being the oldest manga still in print, according to Guinness World Records.
05. Slam Dunk
During its six-year run, this manga dominated the market since it was one of the few to feature a sports theme. What's more, it's the first manga ever dedicated to the sport of basketball.
Hanamichi Sakuragi, a free spirit on the lookout for love, meets the stunning Haruko, a girl with a passion for the game of basketball. To win her heart, he plays basketball despite his lack of skill.
A glimpse of high school life, complete with romantic interest, athletic rivalry, and hilarious antics. If you're into sports, you might want to read all 20 books in this series.
04. Death Note
Death Note is a one-of-a-kind manga with a lengthy shelf life. It has served as inspiration for a wide variety of media, including anime, TV shows, movies, and video games. In Death Note, a high school student fictionally acquires a supernatural diary.
The owner of the Death Note diary gains the supernatural ability to murder anyone whose name is written in the book. After discovering the Death Note's capabilities, the individual begins eliminating members of criminal organizations and other offenders in order to construct a utopian society.
In this manga, you'll go to a fantastical world where two characters' acquisition of a Death Note has far-reaching consequences for one another. Only 12 volumes have been made available to the public so far.
More than 30 million copies of Death Note have been sold worldwide. Supernatural abilities lead to ideological conflicts, and this story explores those conflicts well.
03. Naruto
It's a long-running manga series with a lot of fans, written and drawn by Masashi Kishimoto and directed by Hayato Date. Naruto Uzumaki, an adolescent ninja, is the protagonist after being abandoned by his village.
Naruto has decided to run for Hokage, the position of village leader, in order to earn the respect and admiration that are rightfully his. Originally appearing in Weekly Magazine in 1999, Japan, the series has since spawned dozens of manga volumes.
Naruto Shippuden, the sequel, premiered in February 2007 and has now aired more than 360 episodes across 15 seasons. Several seasons of Naruto have been localized into a wide variety of languages. One of the most widely watched manga franchises in the world, Naruto attracts fans of all ages.
02. Dragon Ball
When talking about manga, you can't help but bring up Dragon Ball, one of the most famous and best-selling titles of all time. Akira Toriyama is the mastermind behind this masterpiece.
While the series is a little dated, the books are still available for purchase. Several allies and foes are introduced in the first volume, with the heroes ultimately triumphing thanks to their superior martial arts training and use of ‘ki'.
If the manga is popular, then the anime must also be well-known around the world. Dragon Ball Super, the new series, debuted in 2015 to the delight of anime lovers everywhere. Instead of merely searching for anime online, try visiting a bookstore or library to see if manga is something you could enjoy reading for its own sake.
01. One Piece
When it comes to manga sales, there's no contest: One Piece is at the top. The combination of GAG and BATTLE manga is the secret of One Piece's popularity. The paper that One Piece was printed on is of exceptional quality. This is a make-believe pirate show.
The story follows the adventures of a young man named Monkey D. Luffy, a noble individual on the hunt for the greatest treasure known as One Piece. He thinks that if he finds such a treasure, he will be recognized as the greatest pirate of all time.
With his new rubber body, Luffy becomes both formidable and hilarious. A group of pirates quickly develops around him as he sails. The group works together to repel those who would stand in their way.
Over 470 million copies of One Piece have been sold, making it the most popular manga ever. There are other anime and media franchises based on it. The manga, anime, film, and other One-piece franchises have earned over $21 billion.
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