9 Best-Selling Shonen Manga of All Time

Anime and manga are now incredibly popular worldwide, becoming central parts of modern pop culture. While many series have been created over time, only a few have achieved record-breaking success and truly distinguished themselves from the rest.

Shonen manga is incredibly popular, attracting readers of all ages and backgrounds. In fact, many of the most successful manga series ever created fall into this category. Here’s a look at the best-selling shonen manga available.

Bleach -130 Million

For a long time, Bleach was incredibly popular. Like Naruto and One Piece – the other two anime that defined a generation – it was a major part of many fans’ childhoods and became a truly iconic series. However, the show’s popularity began to decline as it went on.

The recent anime adaptation, Thousand-Year Blood War, has unexpectedly revived interest in Bleach. Despite a period of declining popularity, Bleach was a massive hit in its prime and remains one of the most successful series ever published in Weekly Shonen Jump.

Attack on Titan – 140 Million

It’s no surprise to find Attack on Titan on this list. Hajime Isayama created a massive hit with the series, captivating audiences worldwide in a way few modern anime and manga have achieved. The richly developed world Isayama built has earned Attack on Titan a place among the most successful series of all time.

Both the original manga and its incredibly popular anime adaptation are key to the success of Attack on Titan. The series has also expanded with spin-offs, novels, and even a live-action adaptation. While fans are hoping for more, it doesn’t seem like the creator, Isayama, plans to continue the story at this time.

Jujutsu Kaisen – 150 Million

After the Jujutsu Kaisen manga finished in 2024, people were curious about its impact on Weekly Shonen Jump. The magazine had already seen My Hero Academia end that year, even though One Piece remained incredibly popular. Fortunately for fans, a sequel spin-off called Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo came out just a year after the original series concluded.

Thanks to the recent Modulo arc and the ongoing third season of the anime, Jujutsu Kaisen is once again a popular topic. However, the series has consistently remained well-regarded. With manga sales nearing 150 million copies in under a decade, its success is remarkable. While the ending received some criticism, JJK’s overall impact may be unmatched, and we might not see another series achieve the same level of popularity again.

Slam Dunk – 185 Million

When you look at popular manga, most titles are either currently being published or have just finished. That’s why it’s so impressive to see Takehiko Inoue’s classic basketball manga, Slam Dunk, doing so well on the charts. Although the series originally ran from 1990 to 1996 and still has a dedicated fanbase, its current sales numbers prove just how popular it was during its peak.

While the anime series Slam Dunk was popular in the 1990s, many newer fans discovered the story through the 2022 movie, The First Slam Dunk. The film offers a fantastic new look at the original series, specifically focusing on the climactic final match.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – 220 Million

I’ve noticed that Demon Slayer really took off thanks to its anime adaptation – perhaps more than any other series I’ve seen. The manga was already doing well, but ufotable’s animation, combined with fantastic voice acting and music, truly launched it into global popularity and made it the huge success it is today.

Can you believe Demon Slayer is almost ten years old? It’s incredible how popular it’s become in such a short time! When you think about giants like Dragon Ball and One Piece, which have been running for decades, it’s amazing to see Demon Slayer potentially reaching that same level of legendary status. I’ve seen some people wish the manga had lasted a bit longer, but honestly, its impact is undeniable.

Naruto – 250 Million

It’s no surprise that Naruto ranks so highly – it’s one of the most popular anime and manga series of all time, often considered part of the ‘Big 3’. Running for 25 years, it’s become an iconic franchise with successful anime adaptations, games, movies, and more.

Although the Naruto manga finished in 2014, fans quickly received a follow-up series called Boruto. While opinions on Boruto are varied, the Naruto universe remains popular, and fans of the original series can anticipate some special episodes coming out this year.

Dragon Ball – 260 Million

For decades, Dragon Ball has become one of the most famous anime and manga series in the world. It’s hugely influential, and many of the manga you see today wouldn’t exist as they do without it. Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball, has inspired generations of manga artists, including some of the biggest stars in the industry.

I remember watching Dragon Ball when it first came out, and it was on for over ten years! But what’s really amazing is how popular it still is. It’s gone way beyond the original manga, with tons of video games, movies, and even a continuation of the story. It feels like Dragon Ball will always be a huge part of anime and manga culture.

Detective Conan – 270 Million

You probably know Shinichi Kudo (sometimes called Jimmy) as the brilliant detective from Detective Conan, also known as Case Closed. While it’s not always mentioned with other popular action series like Dragon Ball and Naruto, Detective Conan is actually one of the most successful shonen manga and anime of all time.

The manga series has been running for more than three decades and currently has over 100 volumes, with no end in sight. It’s one of the best-selling ongoing manga, surpassed only by One Piece. Whenever creator Gosho Aoyama decides to finish the series, it will be a disappointing moment for fans.

One Piece – 516 Million

It’s no surprise that Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece is the best-selling manga and shonen manga of all time. The series has been popular for almost thirty years, and even though Oda has stated it’s entering its final arc, it continues to be incredibly successful.

Fans worldwide love following Luffy’s journey, and unlike some other long-running series, One Piece hasn’t lost steam – it’s actually become more popular over time. With the manga still being published, the anime now releasing in seasons, and a new live-action adaptation coming soon, One Piece is expected to continue selling incredibly well.

2026-01-26 18:37